08/07/2024
WARNING - RIP-OFFS!! WOULD YOU EXPECT TO PAY $865 FOR A NEW TV ANTENNA?
I had a call from a lady at Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre earlier, asking if I would consider $865 to replace the TV antenna, a few metres of cable, a new socket and flylead to be excessive? She said she had a call from an elderly lady she knows who just got charged $865 to replace her old TV Antenna.
Is The Pope a Catholic?
Damned right I would consider it to be excessive (unless it was made of gold, which won't work any better and may not be there tomorrow if someone saw it)... nearly 3 times what it should have cost.
What is it with people who see everyone (and especially the elderly) as a cash cow to be ripped off? Apparently, it was some National Franchise company (I won't mention the name, but I have heard of them and their ridiculous prices) because they wanted to know what state she lived in as they service every capital city. That alone should tell you they will charge like wounded bulls!
In the past month, I have had 4 customers who were quoted similar ridiculous prices and in every case, I did the job for less than 1/3 of what the others quoted.
Sure, we all have costs to cover and have to make a $ at the end of the day but consider that the median price for a TV Antenna is between $80 and $150 (plus fitting etc). Even allowing $65 for extra materials, that's $700 for an hour's labour. Please tell me who is worth $700 an hour? I have heard of people being told the antenna itself is $400! NO WAY!! There is no antenna on the market that retails for $400 or anywhere near it - that's just the installer's inflated price for a $100 antenna.
I have lived and worked in the local area since 1982, providing quality service and antennas at an affordable and realistic price, that's why so many past customers recommend me to their friends because I don't rip people off with ridiculous prices. If I can save you money by using an alternative antenna I will - as long as it does not compromise on the quality of your reception.
Don't be sucked in with warranties of 10 - 25 years. Ask yourself if the company will still be around in 25 years to honour the warranty. Franchises and Franchisees come and go constantly (the Franchisees when they realise it is the franchise company making all the money), and then suddenly the Franchise Company gets into some financial difficulty (like one I know of) and it just folds up. What good is your warranty now? Who is going to honour it if there is no company and the guy who installed it isn't interested or can't be contacted? Apart from the change from analogue phones to digital, my number hasn't changed in 40 years. Does that sound like I might be reliable and offer VALUE for your hard-earned dollar?? You don't stay in business for 40 years by ripping off the customer.
Do yourself (and me) a favour... if you need your TV Antenna replaced, want fast, reliable service from a local who knows the area (having lived here for 40 years) and want an honest and affordable price, DON'T CALL A FRANCHISE or one of the BIG COMPANIES with flashy ads and likewise high prices, and employees who sometimes don't give a damn. Call me and deal directly with the owner of the business - no employees, no fancy ads and no high prices and I will still be here to honour your warranty in the unlikely event you need it. THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME.
Many years ago, Mr Antenna used to have flashy ads on TV claiming they offered TV ANTENNAS FULLY INSTALLED from ONLY $99. Most people either didn't hear or see the word FROM. When the installer, who had paid $35,000 for his franchise, giving him the right to do antennas ONLY in a specified area, turned up, the price suddenly escalated astronomically because of various unforeseen reasons. On top of the franchise cost, he had to pay a fee for every lead whether he got the job or not. Now tell me how could you make money at $99? You couldn't, as it would not even cover his antenna and other materials let alone allow him to make any profit. But such were the things that sucked people in because they didn't know any different. Most people were convinced that they needed a different, more expensive, antenna because of their area or some other reason and simply accepted the NEW price without question. Back then, I STILL beat their quoted prices (not the $99 BS).
PEGASUS DIGITAL 0414577753 - Over 40 years of experience and 40 years a local business.
BTW - I currently have a range of economy digital antennas (no, not rubbish ones) to replace your old one FROM $190 including fitting (straight swap-over only, low-set houses) and 12 months warranty. I defy you to get a cheaper GENUINE price. If you can, I'll beat it on any of my antennas.