Zip Express Goes Nationwide

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 6/2/2008

Minneapolis — Zip Express Installation, a new nationwide home installation service for CE and IT products, has formally opened shop.

Previously operating as OnCall Installs, the company said it provides and manages an in-house installation infrastructure for retailers by contracting with some 16,000 TV, home theater and wireless home network installers around the country.

All installers are subjected to a 7-year background check, the company said, and installations are covered by a one-year warranty and a $10 million per incident insurance policy.

Zip Express also offers what it describes as the first next-day installation option.

Services include tabletop TV setup, wall and over-the-fireplace TV mounting, home theater setup, computer and digital camera networking and furniture assembly. Installers remove all trash from the job and train customers on how to use the new setup. Prices start at $129.

The company, based here, said its first major retail account is a national discount chain that will be officially announced later this month.

“There is currently a high volume of consumer frustration from the time they make a major electronics purchase to the time it actually gets set up and working properly,” said CEO Chris Mauzy, a former business development director for Best Buy for Business and builder services director for Ultimate Electronics.

“Zip Express provides consumers next-day installation gratification, and offers retailers a cost-effective installation service to keep customers coming back for another seamless purchase-to-installation experience.”

Customers can access the service in-store at participating retailers, online through participating e-tailers and directly at www.zipinstallation.com.

At retail, customers choose an installation package — with the option of next-day or five-day installation appointments — and the service is rung up with the product purchase at checkout. The customer can call the toll-free number or visit the Web site immediately after purchase to schedule an appointment for a specific day and hour.

The company said completing installation jobs quickly lowers return rates, as the inability to properly set up a new piece of equipment is a frequent reason for returns. The service also provides attractive margins for retailers by offering additional sales revenue on top of the product at checkout, the company said.