Automatic Installaions

[petitemoose]

NHT Isn't the only one seeing your point. Not only do i see your point, I've been doing exactly what you're proposing for almost a decade. I am a "free lance Installer" as well as Distributor for machinery and chemicals. The latter part of my qualifications have just been added as the install only game is kinda tough. I've installed a lot of different manufacturers machines for a variety of people both Distributors and Customers in the tunnel market as well as the Roll-Over and even a bus wash or three. That's how I know about Distributors getting upset and not honoring the machine's warranty and making parts hard to get. Correction to the last statement, Most manufacturers do supply warranty parts eventually but they definately make it a bit harder to obtain (charge you for the parts and take a long while determining if they were defective due to improper installation) and will definately NOT give you a break on pricing. Some people take it personally and some don't. If you read my previous posts, I've given you the downside of doing it "yourself". I've cautioned you on how the Distributor is going to see your proposal. I've tried to inform you of the consequence of your actions. I've never said, "No, You can't do it". That would be hypocritical.
If you are well experienced in Leveling, Lagging, Plumbing, Hydraulics, Welding, Fabricating, Pneumatics and Programming, go for it. Installing equipment is not as easy as it sounds but it's truly not rocket science either. There are a lot of tips and tricks to it.
I would like to re-iterate that if you install it, you're going to be starting it up as well. I know of zero Distributors that would go along with the program you are proposing.
FYI, I install full tunnels in about 10 days. This includes erection of the equipment, Conveyor straight level and to correct height, installation of the Hydraulics and the majority of the plumbing. Most IBA's are waiting on the local trades late day three. On IBA's I do most of the plumbing, all of the Hydraulics (if present), the majority of the pneumatics and typically a lot of final wiring. The electricians can never seem to understand the electrical despite holding the schematics in their hands! Then of course I have to learn the programming and start everything up.
Long story short, yes it can be done but you will bear a LOT of the responsibility for the equipment both during Installation and for the life of the machine you installed.

 

[Installer]

moose thanks for your input! You truely sound like you know what you are talking about. I appreciate your honesty. It's just a thought I had as a frustrated operator and not a reality for consideration. I like the "free lance" guys of the industry, they make the business seem like an art. They know the machines as I do inside and out and think out of the box when it comes to their installations. These guys have a personal stake in what they do and a reputation to uphold. As a installer/distributor as yourself do you get stuck selling equipment that is not the Ryko, or PDQ quality that we know works so well? Not to mock any particular equipment but I would have a hard time to install/sell something I don't believe in nor support.

Don't get me wrong distributors have a VERY tough job selling and servicing equipment. But most seem to be successful and stay in the industry. For example look at the Nonstop company out of Mass. they got bought out by a giant in the industry that was as big as them. And a I understand it Nonstop was huge in the past. Washing Equipment company in NY buys them out or manages them? How does PDQ, Ryko, Mark 7, or any other company deciede who's the best candidit for peddling their equipment? I'm sure this is just an example but what if a C-store customer had PDQ's and wanted a Vector? Does the Vector guy get the shot or does the PDQ distributor get the install and service? If the customer wants a Vector but doesn't want to break the relationship with his PDQ distributor does he get a choice?

This is where that free lance guy comes into play. And maybe this doesn't happen that often and I am extremely nieve?

 

[petitemoose]

As a installer/distributor as yourself do you get stuck selling equipment that is not the Ryko, or PDQ quality that we know works so well? Not to mock any particular equipment but I would have a hard time to install/sell something I don't believe in nor support.

VERY good question! I approach every install, no matter what the machine is, with the goal of installing it so it can do the best possible job that it is capable of doing. Every machine has it's strong points as well as weak points. Since I sell nothing ( until very recently) I had no part in the selling process and could sleep well knowing I had nothing to do with the buyer's decision to purchase. Now that i am selling different machines I have the knowledge to share with the owner about each machines strength and weakness and can help guide him in the direction that's best for him. It's amazing how many operator's don't know if their location is a friction location or not!
Anyway, I'm getting off topic... Admittedly, sometimes I found myself giving 80% vs. my normal 110% because I knew the machine was sub-standard and wasn't going to perform like others in it's price range. Sometimes it was due to the Distributors chemicals and sometimes it was due to the machine itself. Either way I forced myself to keep my standards up so no fingers could come my way. That's how I sleep at night, knowing I did my best to help that machine succeed in it's task.
That's a long way around saying, yes. Sometimes I found it very hard to install the machine. Luckily they always seemed to perform well and the customers were happy. I've never gone back to a location I've installed and been asked to leave or yelled at or condemned. Perhaps I'm just lucky.
As for getting stuck selling equipment I know is bad... Absolutely not, I won't sell it. I refuse to sell someone anything that won't do it's job. Period.

 

[newbie]

I, for one, am going to have it installed by the same company that will service me and take care of me in the future. I have built many businesses and the biggest problem I ever had was involving too many people from too many companies. I want one company to buy, install and service my stuff so that I only have one point of complaint/blame if something goes wrong.

I can't even imagine conracting with some 'outside' group of ex-employees who feel that they can do a better job than their old company (and make money at it).

 

[RykoPro]

I think newbie has some great points!
As a distributor, I receive constant updates and service bulletins from Ryko. I also have a network of manufacture support that includes factory engineers and tech advisors. Another benefit of being in a Ryko direct or distributor is the ability to call service managers throughout the country who have years of field experience. In an effort to continually increase their efficiency as a manufature, Ryko has us fill out an "Out of box survey" for every install. We also fill out a very detailed check list once the wash is completed.

 

[troysaffell]

Distributors

I Think we all can agree there are some poor distributors out there. But I think with minimal research you can find who they are. But we all have to realize good distributors are good because they know how to build and maintain successful locations. I would advise evryone to work with good distributors because if you don't work with a good distributor they will find someone else to compete against you with better equipment and a greater knowledge of how to succeed. Most good distributors will work hard to protect your investment. So in the end you might save $ 15,00.00 by buying middle grade equipment and installing it yourself. But all you really did is show every other invester with money where a good carwash location is and they call the good distributor who never sold equipment to you and the distributor knows he can provide better equipment and better wash quality. So at the end of the day did you really save money?