The retailer I sub out to, got a phone call yesterday morning, it was a HN rep. that was in Houston (RS&I). They were very coy, but wanted to know what his opinion was about the "pole mount situation". Apparently, the sales and completion percentage is now even LOWER than before the recovery act B.S. was implemented. As far as pole mounts are concerned, 80 percent of my jobs are in the Central Texas Hill Country...the ground is sandstone at best, and solid boulder or flint rock at it's worst. I can tell you that out of 20 jobs I've installed around 4 pole mounts where before I would have probably done 8 to 10. On many of these jobs, I simply show the customer the paperwork that states very simply that the pole mount is the "last resort" if there is no line of sight on the house. So if the customer has a shingled roof, then that is where the odu is going to be installed. End of story. The four pole mounts I did install (for free), were because of metal roofs, or a shitty mobile home with metal roof and walls. On three of these installs I was able to coax the customer into helping me with the hole/trenching. Obviously, I am not at all happy with the situation that We are in, but, for the moment this is all I have and until I find another job, then this is it. Question is, if Im looking for another job, then there must be more out there doing the same. How will Hughes Net find new Installers to replace us. I just don't see anyone stupid enough to come into this business with the crappy pay and free work that they're gonna have to do. If only we could get a list of all contractors nationwide with their phone numbers, I would be glad to unite with all of ya'll and shut it down for a couple of days...let them get a real taste of what we're experiencing. Oh Well.
Re: Give poles that I buy away for free?
Member #: 51444
Registered: 3/13/2007
Posted:
72
Company:
GTEC
Occupation:
installer/supervisor
Location:
san antonio, tx
Personal:
The retailer I sub out to, got a phone call yesterday morning, it was a HN rep. that was in Houston (RS&I). They were very coy, but wanted to know what his opinion was about the "pole mount situation". Apparently, the sales and completion percentage is now even LOWER than before the recovery act B.S. was implemented. As far as pole mounts are concerned, 80 percent of my jobs are in the Central Texas Hill Country...the ground is sandstone at best, and solid boulder or flint rock at it's worst. I can tell you that out of 20 jobs I've installed around 4 pole mounts where before I would have probably done 8 to 10. On many of these jobs, I simply show the customer the paperwork that states very simply that the pole mount is the "last resort" if there is no line of sight on the house. So if the customer has a shingled roof, then that is where the odu is going to be installed. End of story. The four pole mounts I did install (for free), were because of metal roofs, or a shitty mobile home with metal roof and walls. On three of these installs I was able to coax the customer into helping me with the hole/trenching. Obviously, I am not at all happy with the situation that We are in, but, for the moment this is all I have and until I find another job, then this is it. Question is, if Im looking for another job, then there must be more out there doing the same. How will Hughes Net find new Installers to replace us. I just don't see anyone stupid enough to come into this business with the crappy pay and free work that they're gonna have to do. If only we could get a list of all contractors nationwide with their phone numbers, I would be glad to unite with all of ya'll and shut it down for a couple of days...let them get a real taste of what we're experiencing. Oh Well.
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