Newbie looking at solar install in Fremont, CA

[gheewala114]

I am in Fremont as well and researched 4-5 installers. Initially was going to go with Sunpower but ended up going with LG. I just PMed you with a referral. My system was just completed/installed last week. It's getting turned on tomorrow!

Advan24r, I don't have enough posts to send you a PM, can you please send me a PM with the installed info/referral? and system size/price specifics? Located in the Bay Area also. Thanks

[russ]

Advan24r, I don't have enough posts to send you a PM, can you please send me a PM with the installed info/referral? and system size/price specifics? Located in the Bay Area also. Thanks

You guys love the "screw your buddy" kickbacks don't you!

[J.P.M.]

You guys love the "screw your buddy" kickbacks don't you!

Referrals cause the price to the new potential customer to go up. It's just business. Think like the vendor.

[gheewala114]

Referrals cause the price to the new potential customer to go up. It's just business. Think like the vendor.

yes, but if that vendor has a competitive price / or better than the competition for a very similar system/final product then who cares. Better to go with "Screw your buddy plan solar inc" than "Im charging you even more - now bend over - solar inc"

[russ]

yes, but if that vendor has a competitive price / or better than the competition for a very similar system/final product then who cares. Better to go with "Screw your buddy plan solar inc" than "Im charging you even more - now bend over - solar inc"

Just learn what the kickback amount is and reduce their offer to you by that much. Tell them to love it or leave it.

There are many vendors out there - sometimes it is better to pay a bit more than go for the lowest bidder - the lowest bidder often knows what they are worth.

[pleppik]

You guys love the "screw your buddy" kickbacks don't you!

So without the referral fee, the company gets its sales and marketing for free?

That's pretty cool. Where can I get some of that?

[russ]

So without the referral fee, the company gets its sales and marketing for free?

That's pretty cool. Where can I get some of that?

Someone wants to pass it along for free it is fine - when they get a kickback they are no friend of mine.

It is not a "referral fee" - it is a kickback - meaning maybe you can rely on the guy providing the information and maybe (probably) not.

[J.P.M.]

yes, but if that vendor has a competitive price / or better than the competition for a very similar system/final product then who cares. Better to go with "Screw your buddy plan solar inc" than "Im charging you even more - now bend over - solar inc"

Maybe I'm too cynical or sold things for too many years, but for those who believe the new customer won't be paying more (or, depending on the competitive situation and their cluelessness, more likely getting less for their money than others who aren't on the screw your buddy plan) because the referring customer will get a kickback, I have a bridge for sale. If I was a new customer, I'd keep my mouth shut about referrals until after I got all the quotes back.

I think the above assumes the vendor has no knowledge of the referral prior to quote. At the risk of a rhetorical question, I wonder what would happen to the price if the referring customer and the new customer didn't mention the referral until after quotation.

There ain't no free lunch.

[J.P.M.]

So without the referral fee, the company gets its sales and marketing for free?

That's pretty cool. Where can I get some of that?

No, the other sales and marketing fees are part of the overall cost of doing business, just like taxes, office operation and such and are spread over all customers, and are of an unrecoverable nature. Broadcast advertising and cold calling fit this type of expense.

Kickbacks are different. That cost is recoverable by specific actions that affect specific customers and transactions and are recoverable by any manner of specific ways affecting specific customers or situations, often by screwing the naïve who think they got a deal.

[silversaver]

So, when you spend thousands of dollar purchasing a solar system for your home and you don't bother to shop or compare price. Just because your friends or neighbor's referral? How naive?



People ask for referral, regardless. OR spend your own time doing research.

[JCP]

Update. Permit has been received. Electric work is ongoing. If anybody wants to know whom I used. Ask and I'll PM. Not looking for a referral fee.

[prim]

Update. Permit has been received. Electric work is ongoing. If anybody wants to know whom I used. Ask and I'll PM. Not looking for a referral fee.

I am interested but cannot send you a PM

Thanks!

[Ward L]

what is your cost breakdown? Hardware cost and install cost?

[JCP]

what is your cost breakdown? Hardware cost and install cost?

No idea. Price is all in. I can do some back of the envelope math though:

Panels: 4080 x $1.10 = $4500
Inverters 16 x 130 = $2100
Rails = $1000 ??
Electrical HW = $500

Hardware = $8K
Install = $7K

My guess.

[prhamilton]

I think you guys are being too cynical. These kickbacks are budgeted as marketing costs. They are spread across all customers as are all marketing costs. A company that is able use their marketing budget effectively and reduce customer acquisition costs will have more competitive pricing. By the same token, if a company can tack on an extra $500 because you aren't paying attention then they will (regardless of whether a referral is involved or not).

If a $500 kickback drives more business then $500 worth of google adwords or a $500 AM radio spot then that's what a company will do. According to you cynics the lowest price provider will be the one with zero marketing budget.

I guess you can put me in the camp that is in the market for a bridge...