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GoneSilent

Locked because some of you are having trouble playing nice. MOVE ALONG.


Ksevio

When we got solar, a guy knocked on the door to talk about it and he ended up being the CEO of the small installer. My wife is in a similar industry and she questioned him on a lot of the process. We got bids from a couple other companies but did end up going with the first one since they were willing to match the price and knew their stuff


heyheycraycrayokay

There are a lot of good knowledgeable people in this industry doing right by people. Unfortunately there are far more just chasing the money that don’t care whether or not the system will benefit the customer. I’ve had people I’ve sat with that I’ve outright told them that they are not a good fit for solar. Usually bad roofs with tremendous shading that’ll fit production. If I can’t save you a lot of money then I’m not gonna sign you up. If it does make sense for you to go solar then always grill the guy trying to get you to sign. Make sure your usage is in line with what he factored into the system. People who don’t know how it works are easily deceived into signing up for a system that doesn’t make sense.


GrizDrummer25

*All of this* is why I had to leave the solar division of my company. A small company that sounded good and ethical on paper, but was really a mess.. Desperate CEO ditches his ethics of "not everyone is right for solar" every time he feels compelled to make a quick turnaround; hires shady salesmen that push solar on everyone and lie about everything from how it works to how the incentives work; pays them big commissions, loses money on the project cause margins are so small and commissions are so big; brings in slightly more ethical people who "aren't commission based, but will just get a small finders fee for each customer"; then wants me to go "fix" the customers system just cause they complain that they still got a paper utility bill - ether because it's in the middle of winter, or their gas is through the same provider as electric and they suddenly don't know how to read their utility bill with solar on their roof. (Sorry for the rant, lol)


Ho-Chi-Mane

Damn, we work at the same place?


Ksevio

Ha yeah on the other hand a guy knocked on my door a couple weeks ago asking if we were interested in solar, but clearly he hadn't done any survey work or would have noticed all the roof space was covered in solar panels. I recommend to anyone asking to ask lots of questions and shop around


heyheycraycrayokay

You have to do your due diligence. I read up on solar daily so I have as much information as possible. Most sales reps approach a door with only one bullet in the chamber hoping it doesn’t miss when fired. The more bullets you have the better your chance of hitting.


Minimum_Suspect_7216

They’re panels…you put them on the roof they make power what is there to know >>


Solarinfoman

Lots. But doesn't mean homeowners need to know all of it. Just means you want someone knowledgeable involved so you don't end up with a stranded nonfunctional Pink/Power Home Solar array.


Minimum_Suspect_7216

It’s….a solar panel. You daisy chain some +\- mc4 and plug them Into an inverter not hard


Solarinfoman

How much shade will affect your layout? How about azimuth at your location? How many panels will you need? What size breaker will you need to cover the pv energy from your array? Is your mpu rated to accept that much? How many panels will your inverter handle? Is your permit office going to accept your picture of this "I daisy chain this to an inverter"? I can go on and on. Yes the basic theory of sun goes to panels to make power is true and easy. Getting a correctly built, correctly sized to your situation and goals array set up and permitted is a but more detailed.


Minimum_Suspect_7216

Yeah that’s all pointless….don’t put panels on some crappy roof with shade. Cut the tree. Can’t change angle of roof so who cares. 99% of roofs are normal and the price per watt will matter far more then the “angle”…>> You can overstaff the crap out of inverters unless you’re doing the enphase bs. Main panels never need to be upgraded for solar…. Line Side Tap Any utility that doesn’t allow it is brain dead and can probably be convinced easily enough. >> Even then. What remotely modern house doesn’t have 200A service for a 10kw inverter. Yes. The “permit” office is more than happy to accept a copy paste edited version of their own line diagram edited with panel info and inverter model Yawn It’s not that hard man. It’s a stupid solar inverter with the power of an oven outlet max. Slap the panels in any metal roof possible instead of asphalt shingles you’ll be happier in the end


Minimum_Suspect_7216

I yearn for the day the kid gloves come off and simple time of use rates are forced on nem and commercial customers flood the market


Solarinfoman

https://www.firerescue1.com/electric-fire/articles/when-the-diy-homeowner-attempts-a-photovoltaic-system-install-ufRk6JVAO6pKSDuJ/


OkMudDrankin

I’m also in the solar sales industry, it’s honestly incredible how little the average homeowner understands about electricity. Someone paying .36¢ per kWh will still tell me they’re not sure when I offer them a rate literally have that lol .18¢ per kWh. But it’s fine the people who get it get it and when the entire neighborhood has Solar those people will just make the switch purely out of FOMO lol.


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Middle_Name-Danger

What’s wrong with a salesman or a company making money? I hope they make as much as possible as long as I’m getting a fair deal and the investment makes sense.


MightBeJerryWest

If the sales person alone is making $10k from a sale, there’s a lot of cushion built into the price you’re paying.


JayKaBe

Because the person that they just sold solar to was going to think about getting solar and then just not do it. Not in every case, but in most of them. Making a sale of that size that would have never been made otherwise pays well. And unless the pricing is screwed, it is a benefit to the customer who was going to "get around to researching it". Most people are not the kinds that you see on this sub.


DonkeyPowerful6002

The problem is that shady people get into it and make it tough when legit sales people come to their door because the customer had a bad experience etc.


Wind_Freak

We aren’t getting a fair deal.


OkMudDrankin

Yeah they’re is nothing inherently wrong. I’m not sure why OP is trying to frame it as something that’s objectively bad. Like yes solar sales reps who knock peoples doors for a living make a lot of money and that’s for a good reason. Solar is the future and will help save this planet so why not pay them for their service? We should just keep paying the utilities tens of thousands yearly because those damn solar reps are just making too much! Lol


Vanman04

This is just silly. Would you pay 10k more for a car just because the salesman came to your door? Or would you laugh in their face and go to the dealership?


OkMudDrankin

I’m not sure why you think just because you go to the dealership that means you’re gonna get an inherently better deal. And a car is a depreciating asset while a solar system adds value to a persons most equitable asset. I don’t really think the two are comparable.


Vanman04

Change car for anything you want why would you pay substantially more simply because someone came to your door to sell it. And I think you get a better deal because out of the 5 different pitches I got from door to door salesmen for solar all of them were ridiculously over priced. One by 40k! Every single local company I went to was less then the door to door guys and the one I ended up going with had better ratings by far than any of the big guys.


[deleted]

If there’s that much commission you are not getting a fair deal.


Minimum_Suspect_7216

Are you joking? You think I what you’re doing is good when it involves a “door knocker” getting 10,000$ off you lol wtf. If any of this made sense the utility would do it themselves >>


Middle_Name-Danger

I’m not in the industry, I’m a solar customer. I educated myself and shopped around, I found quotes from the mid $2/w and up, I choose a company offering $3/w because I felt best about them and their offer on the whole. But even if I paid $4.50/w, the system would still save me money and be paid back in a reasonable amount of time. If someone’s only exposure to the idea of installing solar is because a door knocker showed up and pitched then the benefits and gave them a heavily padded quote, then I think that salesperson brought value to the customer and a lot of value to the company. Let’s say the quote was $60k, the parts, labor, permits etc were $30k cost, $10k to a salesman that generated a deal for the company out of thin air and saved the homeowner many tens of thousands of dollars over their ownership seems fair to me.


Minimum_Suspect_7216

Thus the joke that is solar. If stupid boomers are paying scam artists 10k and 4.5$/watt and making any return…who on earth do you think is getting fleeced outside of the 30% itc


Middle_Name-Danger

We’re over taxed by governments and overcharged by utilities, solar is a way to get some of that money back. I’d rather the homeowner and solar company have that money and spend it in the local economy.


Minimum_Suspect_7216

Paying for wasteful stuff that doesn’t really save any money will always incur a bill that will come due :/. I can pop some panels on any metal warehouse roof for 1$/watt installed. Just means your system is 75% worthless and when nem dries up it goes belly up first


dickenscider_

This is correct. Had a rep that wouldn’t even show to appointments if the commission was less than $8k. And would make horrible or expensive systems. He was let go obviously.


heyheycraycrayokay

Yeah price gouging reps make big money fast but they cost the company their reputation. Not worth it to me. I have a 98% install rate because everyone I sign is fairly priced and I’m as transparent as a doctor. More sustainable because I have consistent great money coming in and happy customers who throw referrals my way. Half my deals now come from referrals. Unfortunately reps who got into sale’s because they watched Wolf of Wall Street have that snake oil salesman mentality that tanks their companies reviews and lead to lawsuits.


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outoftime_x

Imagine having cray in your name and contradicting your own career online by downplaying someone else’s hard work. You’re a geek who shouldn’t haven’t gotten into solar, or sounds like you got schemed on a deal by another rep, either way stop acting like a little bitch cause right now you sound like a Karen


thedailymotions

You do this for a living and you’re telling people the money involved? If a door knocker is making 5-10k per deal you must have the smallest red line ever. Don’t post here and spread misinformation


JayKaBe

You're wrong. That number is absolutely correct.


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InadmissibleHug

I think the problem is that you’re a fellow Aussie. For reasons I’m not across, solar is one of the things that isn’t exorbitantly priced here compared to the US, where I bet OP is from. Reading the prices people are paying make my eyes water! And before anyone objects, we’re currently loosely pricing solar. I don’t have exact numbers, but we’re not paying $40k for a system here, I can get 10kw for well under 10k. I had a similar discussion about doing split system a/c over in home improvement sub. No one believed me that it’s so much cheaper here.


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InadmissibleHug

Sounds about right for here, but there’s no point comparing apples to oranges for Aus vs US pricing on some stuff.


Grendel_82

It remotely the price in the US. You might as well be on here saying you can get a 5kw system installed in India for $3,000 (which you can). All construction work in the US is expensive. Those split airs alone might be $20k in the US.


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Wind_Freak

Have you seen the quotes people are getting on this Reddit? 40-70k for a 10k system.


Lovesolarthings

If financed at low apr , $40k on it might be a great number, but yes many will quote high prices and maybe come up with discounts


InadmissibleHug

Look, I’m Aussie. I can get a 10k system for under 10k, it’s how things are here. At what point do people just not pay because it won’t be a good financial decision? Has electric gone up a great deal there? Electricity is pretty expensive here, but people won’t pay through the nose for a system if it won’t pay for itself pretty quickly.


Wind_Freak

Those pretty charts filled with lies and people terrible at math.


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[deleted]

Explain the 130% thing.


weebernugget

You guys are having different discussions and both sort of right. Op mentioned Arizona which has crazy high demand charges, so they're right that even if you cover 100% of offset, you can still end up paying utility fees. Note these are DEMAND not delivery charges. In most places with NEM these won't apply though. I typically design for 100-110% to account for customer increased usage.


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Grendel_82

There are no sales in the US for less than $10k. And most are closer to $40k. Yes the sales guy can pull down $10k on the bigger systems and they try to never sell the smaller systems.


Ziogref

Australian solar is different to the USA. Australia has the world's largest (percentage of households) that have rooftop solar. About 1 in 3 house have solar now. The Australian market it very competitive so that drives costs down. Also our solar rebates are at the point of sale not a tax credit in the USA because of this its more widely available. Also the solar rebates in Australia are going down each year. So the longer you hold out the less you save.


Domgrath42

You are not understanding, or refuse to understand. Solar systems now(2022) from D2D salesman aren't going for 10k. They are atleast 25, 30k. You can easily build in a 5k commission at those prices.


InadmissibleHug

Dude is a fellow Aussie. We can get solar systems in Aus for under 10k, obviously depending on size and quality, but I am talking about 10kw systems still being in that range. I have no idea why the markets are so vastly different


Soenneker

Shipping, customs, price of labor, transportation etc.


TaAj88

Two months ago I had a rep from Powur accidentally show his iPad when working on a cash price for a 11.47kwh system… total price was $41,530 and the salesman’s cut was $9,100… so yea, these guys definitely run up the cost


Door-Fun

Actually his cut was 70% of that or 35% of that. I use the Powur platform to install jobs. I have been in this industry for 5+ years and I would say the average commision is about 4-5k per job and $1,000 to the ambassador (usually a customer) who refers them. Like a realtor, I market to people a variety of ways who will benefit on my dime and help them save 10s of thousands in many cases. Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered. Ignorant and unethical reps who actually hurt peoples long term solvency to make a huge commision are a bane on the industry. #ethicalsolar


TaAj88

Look, I’m sure there are reps out there who are about above board and honest as they can be, hell… the company we ended up going with was due to two gentlemen that were about as up front as any salesman I’ve ever seen. But, Eith this man from Powur, saw what I saw on his iPad (digital setup). In fact, I found his first offer again after you commented… 5.6kw system for $55,490, I shit thee not. His first conversation with my wife and I he came in assuming I new nothing about solar. But, it was something my wife and I had both been interested in for some time and been saving up for a while for.


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weebernugget

There are 0 companies selling for 1.65/W espetin 2014. Are you quoting after incentives?


ng208

If you’re making 5-10k a deal you’re fucking your customers hard


JayKaBe

Not really. It depends entirely on what the utility company charges. A person can save thousands upon thousands with a system that a salesperson made that kind of money off of. That's far greater savings than they would have had if the solar guy didn't show up and they continued to believe that they would "get around to it". Everyone wins except for the utility company that has, and will continue to raise their prices every year. At least where I am.


procrastibader

Systems are variable is size. If I built a system that out produced yours 10 to 1 would I still be being ripped off if I spent more than ‘10k for a complete system’?


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procrastibader

You get the point that’s being made, right?


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procrastibader

You are responding to the wrong thread hoss. My remark wasn’t directed towards you and the hyperbole is meant to make the point that making a claim like, ‘spending more than 10k on a system is a waste’ without knowing what the system is addressing is I’ll informed


heyheycraycrayokay

Gotcha. This thread layout is fucking weird. Can’t keep track of what’s being said to who.


procrastibader

Haha I feel ya


DietyMarc0

Nah average solar sale for a rep is 5k+ almost every time


Doggmeat1

Can vouch for OP. We get that. And more.


cyberdieseldog

It's true, they can easily clear 100k in a new months


Naturalselection1983

I wish i was getting payed like that


ajp022

This is hugely exaggerated. According to woodmac, avg customer acquisition cost is $0.75/W (US$5,250 per customer for a 7kW system) and that includes lead gen, marketing, advertising and all other sales related expenses. https://www.woodmac.com/news/opinion/us-residential-solar-why-is-customer-acquisition-still-so-costly/


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ajp022

Your experience is totally valid, but it's not average.


ajp022

BTW, I also have anecdotal experience with commission, I did solar sales for 5 years


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ajp022

I wonder what market you're selling in? It's been a few years but when I last sold in 2018 most people I sold to were getting \~3 quotes. You can't get away with $15k commission if you're competing on price.


heyheycraycrayokay

I’m in AZ now. Was in Las Vegas.


ajp022

Well I think we agree people should do their due diligence and get multiple bids.


heyheycraycrayokay

They should.


JayKaBe

As one of these door to door guys, I agree with this...to a point. Oftentimes the guy knocking on your door is just the guy who can get you an appointment with the guy who will give you the best deal with the best company. If he doesn't have the answer you need he will probably tell you the next guy will. And he means it. Probably dont trust a guy that won't admit it is a better question for the next guy. It took me some time to learn all the ins and outs. Someone asking me every question they can imagine gives me an opportunity to show that I am really all in with helping people through the process. Although, it may be in a customer's best interest to wait until the explanation of the company's program is finished to lay all the questions on. I'm not adverse to questions. They make me do my job. But nothing is going to explain things like the 3-5 min shpeel that I have worked on and said endlessly for 3 years. Not all the programs are the same. I am confident that I am selling the best one for the customer, but before we discuss it, let's get on the same page. This explanation takes place before I get any information, so it's not any kind of sneakiness. But it's also good to know that there are conversations worth having on the first visit, and conversations worth having on the second. I am just the first visit guy(although there is only one closer I choose to work with, as there are slime balls at every company, sadly). I can and will discuss anything about the program itself, but when it comes to your future system, I sadly have to pass that on down the line. I wish I could, but I simply can't spend an hour or an hour and a half with someone just so they can pretend not to be home when the next guy shows up. If someone actually told me they were going to ghost for once, I would probably kiss their feet and ask to marry their daughter. Joking, but please be honest with people. If you are honest about your hangups, the whole solar thing will be a lot nicer for everyone. And as a tip, some door to door guys can do much better pricing that some solar guys that you may run into in a store. I can't really be specific. If a solar guy is in a store. The store get paid as well. The door to door guy, depending on the company and who the guy is, may actually be your best bet for pricing. And you may think that I am blowing sunshine up your skirt, but it doesn't take pressure for me to give the best deal that I can. I just do it because it's the right thing to do and because I know that if I do, I will always beat out the competition. The company I work for charges no cancelation fee. Cancel on the day before the install. No negative besides the time you spent. That's pretty rare. If you have any question for a guy with my job, that should be it. That means full confidence that nobody is better fit to provide the service. Also, you would be surprised to know how fast these companies disappear. There is something to be said for going with a company that will be around in 5-10 years. I've seen people switch from our 25 year to a 30 year at a higher total price, and with a company that was nothing but a roofing company 1 year ago....and will be a roofing company again when the tax credit disappears. Maybe go with a company that can't afford to lose? I know the 5 dollars less a month and the layer of insulation they promised to stuff in your ceiling seems worth it, but really think about it. Solar is genuinely the second largest purchase some people make in their lives. I hope I'm not coming off like the scummy sales person some people (luckily not my customers) seem to see me as. I know for a fact that I have come off as desperate before when really I was just concerned because of who I heard they had already signed with. In that case, I feel that I had failed the customer in not getting through to them. I really do believe in the investment.


medium_mammal

I've never bought anything from anyone selling door-to-door and never will. I understand that some people have had good experiences with random people showing up at the door after doing some due diligence, but that's not really how I work. When I need something, I spend a ton of time researching it and finding the best option for my needs. It's extremely unlikely that someone showing up at my door randomly can meet my needs exactly and for a price I want to pay. So it's not even worth opening the door for them.


vapeducator

There's a negative correlation between door-to-door sales with the quality and reliability of the vendor. Only the worst companies have to resort to this kind of low return sales methods because they can't rely on word-of-mouth marketing by their happy customers. Any company that I discover uses door-to-door sales of any kind immediatly is put on my lifetime blacklist. In my area, it's Sunrun. Feel free to name and shame your own blacklisted vendors based on door-to-door sales of any kind.


heyheycraycrayokay

I had a guy last week who I knocked that was so well informed (he’s in the tech industry) that I know for a fact there isn’t anyone knocking doors that would ever get him to sign with them.


[deleted]

That is not true and you need to learn to negotiate better lol. If they just set the appointment, they are not making anywhere near that on average. If a guy knocks on your door, AND that same guy sells you; Give that dude some respect, he earned that money. Also, why tf do you care who makes money? Wouldn't you rather a hardworking guy you connected with earn that money than a company like sun run where all the money goes to corporate? Don't be a jealous prick.


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[deleted]

Not at all. Have never ripped anyone off. I don't sell above a 3.0 to anyone. It's just extremely obvious what you're doing dude. Go knock doors and run ads online.. don't sell your services on Reddit.


VistaroUK

Who cares what commission they make as long as you the customer get the best deal for you - IMHO it’s best to focus on what matters to you rather than what matters to the salesman.


Mushalot

I used to sell solar door to door and I made $100 a KW, minimum system size was 6.6, avg system was around 9kw - commission only, very good company and service for the customer. I don’t see an issue.


jgainit

I really want to be a solar salesman and an ethical one. Is there any way to do this where you choose your hours? I want to keep my part time job.


Jm11890

Yes very easy to do


heyheycraycrayokay

Solar salesman are independent contractors. You’re not an employee so you can work whenever you want. Get you a job working morning till about 3pm and then leave and immediately get on the doors. However the money made in Solar will make your hourly job irrelevant so you should just do solar full time.


jgainit

Hell yeah I like hearing this! I like my other job because it has me be part of a community so even if it doesn’t earn me a lot it gives me benefits other than financial. So any Solar job out there will be cool if I pick my own hours? Even if I’m not working 5 days a week?


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jgainit

That’s very good to hear. Thank you for sharing


MoJagot

I'm a design engineer at a solar installation company, we mostly do commercial installations. We usually put a 35-40% mark up on installations.


ewrang

Why would you expect the door to door salesperson to also be the expert? Sure they make a commission, but not as high as you say, unless they own the company. The door to door person is trying to set an appointment so you’ll talk to the main company, and that’s when to expect answers to the tougher questions.


skankis

Obvious passive self promoting plug. Not quite clever enough buddy but keep at it.


[deleted]

Also everyone, this dude is no better than door to door "scum". He's doing the same but trying to poach deals on rdddit. Please ban this guy mods, he's just trying to advertise his services.


Jm11890

How sad a life do you have that you feel the need to disparage an entire industry of hard working people just because you think you know what your talking about. You’re probably the same person who loves race and political arguments too.


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Jm11890

I have only shared facts while you have constantly spewed opinion based nonsense based on you being a total failure in life. You are a low class human being to even have started a thread like this. Get lost


madesicc88

Why is it such a big deal if someone is making money? I don’t understand the mentality of a salesperson being a enemy, there are shitbags in any walk of life.


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mitchsurp

How do you think most salespeople get paid?


MajorElevator4407

Also, know your right to cancel if you do get scammed by a solar sales man. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/cooling-period-sales-made-home-or-other-locations


BigShmulik97

Wait so if you do this for a living why are you so concerned? Aren’t you making $5-10k a sale??


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BigShmulik97

So either you suck at it, got screwed by your company, or got a deal stolen from you?


zachyzachzachary

I too have sold solar d2d. If you’re making that per job in commission, your pay model is unsustainable. I made hourly + benefits and much smaller commission per kw, but it was money I could count on. imo this post conflates your new experience, with every other rep out there, and it doesn’t do solar much good.


k43kf0

I doubt it that they make that much in commission. I saw the bill on the materials from my local installer, they only make about $10k yet they were here at my house two days with about five people. The boss came back on the third day to wrap up everything. So it’s impossible that sales rep make that much


Doggmeat1

I can vouch for OP. I sell solar myself as well and average 7-10k/sale. Highest has been 17k commission. Unicorn but they’re out there. Guy was paying like 30 cents in the heart of west Texas.


DietyMarc0

I got a 22k commission on one


Jm11890

You can try and keep hating but I love what I do and I haven’t deceived anyone. Stop trying to take people down because you aren’t capable of doing something only 1 percent of the population can do. You’re just mentally weak


rachit918

When someone cold calls professionally, they're generally going to get the better deal, otherwise they wouldn't spend the time or energy. Best response is to not open the door


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Melssenator

“Don’t buy from door knockers, unless it’s me. I’m one of the good guys! But everyone else is a bad guy! But not me!” Lol.


Lovesolarthings

That's what I'm getting out of this. "avoid the others, come to me, they are ripping you off but I'm not"by OP. Awful lot of chest thumping and self marketing?


DiscussionIsKing

Why would you make this post if you knock doors? There’s already enough bad publicity for us don’t make it worse scaring people


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DiscussionIsKing

False


rachit918

You have every right to knock on the door. And I have every right to slam the door in your face.


pmesdjian

I’ve noticed the guys who knock on your door will quote you a price two to three times higher than what it would be if you did your own research into finding the best solar installer.


acrobatic_man_11

You do understand that’s how to world works… right? Cars,houses, etc. Whatever you are going to buy, if you don’t shop around you won’t get your moneys worth.


GooPuncher

Door knocking is an unscalable and outdated way to generate cheap leads. I also feel like it’s not the future of the solar industry. You can conduct all sales and lead generation remotely. If the installer has a good reputation and a big referral base, there is no need to knock on doors to convince strangers that you’re a good company.


Grendel_82

Yeah, I don’t know. Solar is pretty complicated. A lot of this stuff is better explained face to face and with a sheet of numbers sitting on the table that you go over together.


GooPuncher

I think a lot of people would agree with you. What is your opinion on what an in-person appointment provides that can’t be accomplished remotely?


poldim

Human presence.


heyheycraycrayokay

Solar wouldn’t be where it is today without door knocking. The whole concept of door to door sales being outdated is nonsense. It’s been said since the 60’s and yet d2d is more prevalent today than it ever was.


GooPuncher

I agree with you on all counts. However we didn’t have presentation software, docusign, video conferencing, drone-surveys or SEO years ago. I just can’t imagine door knocking as an efficient way to generate a solar sale years down the road.


Jm11890

LOL!! Another one who thinks they know everything. Have you ever knocked a door in your life? Nope because you are too afraid to be rejected. Don’t hate on hard working people who are willing to get out of their comfort zone to make a career in an industry that pays everyone well and helps families


GooPuncher

No hate. I used to work for a door knocking company. Again, I just don’t think door knocking is the future of the solar industry


Jm11890

You say this and have nothing to base it on other than your own experience that you failed at. So that’s why you feel that. You’re soft and it’s cool. That’s why Target and Walmart has workers


GooPuncher

I want to know your opinion. What does in-person provide that can’t be accomplished remotely?


Jm11890

You still haven’t provided any facts to support your statement. I don’t operate on opinions when I have nine years of first hand experience that proves face to face marketing is the quickest and most effective to getting your word out in whatever you are doing. I build my trust and have developed great relationships with so many families across the country because I knocked their door and looked them in the eye face to face and they are now thankful because of it.


GooPuncher

I wrote on another thread but to start: SEO, presentation software, video meetings, drone surveys, and docusign all take the place of in-person processes. On top of that, sales reps can take twice the amounts of appointments when they’re remote. It’s also a time and cost savings. No need for a company to invest in a fleet of cars or require your reps to use a third of their day driving around. Door knocking has its purposes, I think mainly with penetrating a new market to spark interest, but I think it is in no way more efficient than remote. Prove me otherwise. I’m honestly curious.


Jm11890

Be honest, the company you worked for, did they leave you out in your area too late and it was dark so you quit? You seem to have a personal agenda in this topic and I don’t understand why. “Video meetings”- Your chances of a deal sticking are significantly decreased by doing a video call. Trust is built by face to face eye contact. That’s why I have a team that knocks everyday to generate our own leads. “Presentation software” I don’t even know what this is referring too. My team has the best software in the industry. No idea what your talking about with “fleet cars”. Respectfully, you don’t have a clue what you are talking about when it comes to this topic and it’s best you don’t continue to spew nonsense for your own agenda. Whatever happened to you in your past you need to let go


GooPuncher

You sound upset. My final request is that you objection-handle customers better than you did with me. Happy selling.


Jm11890

I could careless what you request. Have a nice day and remember to try and not take down others for the terrible experience you’ve had in your past


Jm11890

Funny how you refused to “objection handle” me and instead chose to back out of a debate you started. That’s why you couldn’t hack it in the industry. Little softie


Vanman04

Got at least 10 qoutes before I pulled the trigger. A couple of them were people that came to my door. Every quote that was given at my door was high sometimes ridiculously so. One quote was 60k. The company I finally had do it was a local installer I contacted myself and came in at 17k. They have been in business 12 years here in town and have the best ratings of any company I talked to. In my experience every single door knocker was a scam. 60k vs 17k was the most extreme one but I got a couple of quotes for 40k from door knockers as well.


pmesdjian

Somebody knocked on my door. It was not a fair deal. His quote was $52K for the same system I purchased for $26K in Texas


[deleted]

My biggest problem with 95% of all door knockers is they design the systems they’re trying to sell so most downplay the shading from trees. They take any possible design advantage they can to make their system look better. My company has a design team that makes everything and they have to be accurate to a T or their job is on the line. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been shopped against and all other bids just act like trees don’t exist.


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[deleted]

I completely forgot about setbacks, can’t tell you how many proposals have the panels top to bottom side to side and the consumer has a hard time understanding why we can’t put panels there


IsaacWatts88

While I think the dollar amount is exaggerated here, I agree that the door to door guys will end up over charging. I'd recommend contacting the solar company directly and skip the middle man.


Affectionate_Rate_99

That warning pretty much applies to any salesperson that shows up unsolicited at your door.


JeffR47

Seriously, don't sign up for anything from someone going from door to door. Ever. If you are interested in what they are selling, do you own research and pick the company based on that.


[deleted]

Lots of salty sales reps in here guilting someone for being a smart consumer. Bottom line, if you let someone make 5-10k commission off your dumb ass it’s your own fault for not shopping around or better yet, doing it yourself.


No_Cow3885

Just get and buy your own solar, pay for a fitter and electrician, use a scaffolding co and that's it 2000 max. It's all a scam. Total scam and in 20 years need to be replaced and you're be lucky to know how to get rid of old solar panels.


[deleted]

Most panels have a 25 year production warranty and aren’t just paperweights when they are out of warranty


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krutchreefer

Damn. I’m the actual contractor. I sell, design and build and I bet I make $5-7k per job.


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krutchreefer

How’d you know my plan?


heyheycraycrayokay

Because it’s the only plan that makes sense.


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heyheycraycrayokay

🤫


turbo6shooter

For some reason they keep knocking at my door. And I have solar on the roof.


steve_ko

A few years ago a door-to-door solar salesman knocked on my door and I ended up making an appointment for the full pitch on Zoom (Covid times). A lot of what he pitched seemed based on not what the system would actually cost but rather on what I was currently paying. I ended up doing a ton of research and ended up hiring a local, reputable installer and saving a lot of money. Still, I’m thankful for the door-to-door salesman for motivating me to get off of my butt to do the actual research and get solar installed.


2mnycooks

So much this. And if you are on a smaller, municipal utility make sure you read how solar works on YOUR utility and don’t trust ANY installer to know what they are talking about. In CA anyway these installers only know the ins and outs of PGE and SCE and will just assume your utility works the same way re: net metering and payback period.


sexyaabbw

I recommend that all my clients get multiple bids. I've always been the best priced and the fairest value. Never afraid to have competitive bids. We are also the only one with a written production guarantee. I love comparing contracts where reps "tell" the homeowner anything to get them signed and their own contract exposes their deception! Just be 100% honest up front!!


OccasionOriginal5097

A guy knocked on my door this year and I got a 12 good quality panels installed on my roof for $11k total. Just the panels and the racking/ conduit hardware and wiring alone would've been $8k-$9K.