E-tail Installs Coming, But Not There Yet

TWICE: Is Amazon.com participating in custom home installation opportunities?

Frank Sadowski, Amazon.com: It's a work-in-progress. We're not testing full-on intrusive installation at this point — drilling and running wires— but there are a number of different tests that we have lined up for that. We have nothing to report on that, but we're very successful with the delivery system that we're using. The No. 1 thing for us is to get it to their house without breaking it. That was a big enough challenge for us because TV traditionally has not been a strong category on the Web. It's one that we have made a major commitment to doing and doing right. We're at the point where we can deliver them successfully, and now we're ready to take it to the next step. We haven't done it yet.

TWICE: How is AbtElectronics.com approaching custom install?

Mike Abt, Abt Electronics: We're the same way. It's been hard enough just getting a plasma TV there without having it cracked, and I think we've figured that out too. We're looking at install ideas. A few other big chains are doing it so we're watching them carefully.