Which is a better system

[Eco Deal]

I lose a job today , And I am pretty P**sed not because of the sale but for the reason that I offered better products for less
And because the other installer told him SMA are best inverters in world and is local I lost the job.

My System was this

16 x Bosch 245w
16 x Solar edge power optimizers
1 x SE4000

£7800

Fully fitted blah blah

Other installers

16 x Canadian solar
SMA inverter - Prob a SB3800

£8000 k

now if the products where the same I would understand his choice

Makes me laff as the guy said I want a european panel to support the euro zone etc
then buys a panel from USA????

some people its like talking to a brick wall .

 

[SolarCity]

Sounds like he has been given a load of bull by the other installer. Inverters aren't generally well understoof by installer nor customer. The amount of times I hear "This inverter kicks in at a lower voltage" is ridiculous.

 

[infinity]

Out of curiosity why the solar edge as opposed to a string inverter?

 

[dansk]

even worse its a chinese panel! not even usa

 

[Gavin A]

even worse its a chinese panel! not even usa

not canadian either

 

[SRE]

I wouldn't stress about it - I hate losing jobs, but most of the jobs we get are because we are local. People can go and have a look at any job we've done, I've never yet gone to a house where we didn't make some sort of connection with the person, through friends, work, neighbours etc and people where we are much prefer that to someone out of area.

Now we could be installing mickey mouse systems because few of our customers know the difference but as most of our jobs come from referrals our reputation stands us in good stead. I doubt very much of the same would have happened in your own area because you'll have built up a reputation with all your work there. Some you win, some you lose and you're punching above your weight at the minute so I wouldn't worry too much

Just move on to the next job - at least you've got some ;-)

 

[Eco Deal]

Its not about losing the job like you said you win some you lose some ,

The guy as been mislead I tried to tell him this but he didnt understand why.

I prefer customer who know what they are talking about and done some reasearch

 

[SRE]

I prefer customer who know what they are talking about and done some reasearch

Me too it's easier to get in and out of the survey too.

 

[Eco Deal]

makes me laff when some people say I got a system for XXXX amount and then they tell you the products they bought I just have bite my tonge

 

[MorganPVI]

Unlucky, we've all had them. I had a customer a year ago that insisted on Schuco panels, he seemed rational but I wish I could hire the salesman that got to him first!!

 

[SolarCity]

I lost out to a local job because the salesman had convinced the customer that Mitsubishi panels were the best you could get. He told me that he didn't mind paying the extra to get a better panel.

Gutted.

 

[SRE]

I usually start our conversation with - we can get hold of any panel you want because we're not tied to one supplier but this is what, through experience, we've found is the best option for your situation. It leaves the door open if they are desperate for a different panel but like your approach.

 

[SRE]

I lost out to a local job because the salesman had convinced the customer that Mitsubishi panels were the best you could get. He told me that he didn't mind paying the extra to get a better panel.

Gutted.

Are you getting many enquiries? I've just had to tell another 2 customers that we can't get them to a D rating. I've sent them the payback @ 8.9p but I can't see it coming through - slate roof too :-(

 

[SolarCity]

No, vitually no enquiries. That was from a job last year.

 

[SRE]

Just trying to price up an off grid - think they will need a mortgage, I foolishly thought it would be 3 - 5 k extra!

 

[Eco Deal]

yes I getting them in ! just an update on this storey I emailed the guy told him

hes buying a less efficent system for more money on email stated I not telling him for a sale just so he knows I told him to ask for a sunny beam free etc etc.

well he calls me back says mike thanks for the email the other installer has now said they are swapping panels can not remember which ones now , so he said send me a new quote I will call you monday and let you know we chatted for about an hour on phone so I think he may come back but I hope he does not pay 8k for a system of that spec

 

[Eco Deal]

did you get EPC done before hand ???

not had this problem yet

Are you getting many enquiries? I've just had to tell another 2 customers that we can't get them to a D rating. I've sent them the payback @ 8.9p but I can't see it coming through - slate roof too :-(

 

[SRE]

did you get EPC done before hand ???

not had this problem yet

No didn't get an EPC done on either, big solid wall detached farmhouses with oil central heating, open fires and an Aga. Looking at another one tonight and another later in the week but I suspect they will go down the same route. I'd say that 3/4 of what I've had coming through since April has been like this.

 

[dansk]

SRE - hi - talking to another firm yesterday and they were telling me for off grid PV they had a steady supply of Submarine batterys from the MOD, and these were cheap and made off grid viable, now that they have ceased the submarine programme the supply line has dried up - but its a tip to take a look.

 

[Energetic]

No didn't get an EPC done on either, big solid wall detached farmhouses with oil central heating, open fires and an Aga. Looking at another one tonight and another later in the week but I suspect they will go down the same route. I'd say that 3/4 of what I've had coming through since April has been like this.

We are getting plenty of these also, oil heating and no cavities to fill, add listed to that and there's no hope... They want options but we need the RHI to come good. Air source isn't really suitable for these kinds of properties and biomass is expensive without rhi, wind is a nightmare for planning...

Bring back 2011... Although, the van is very handy for taking the boat out so we're off fishing this evening, couldn't do that last year! We launch the boat in a posh town so having it parked there for a few hours counts as advertising!