[nhmaster3015]

Any of you guys catch the Ben Franklin article in last months PM. Three or four glowing pages about how wonderful these franchises are. And you wonder what is wrong with the trade? Another shining example of sticking it to the little guy.

 

[UnclogNH]

They must be great they closed shop up here and this little guy is still treading water. :thumbsup: How i stay afloat Must be the low over head If I franchised I would have sank to.

I just don't like franchise's hate to pay someone else for the same thing you already do just to put their name on it. I like being creative without the big name taking the credit.

 

[stillaround]

I didnt catch the article yet but went to a recent recruit in Jacksonville. They are impressive . Jim Abrams is a force--stock market conditions have kept them from going public with the whole shebang. Systems and procedures down to a T. Phone system central for off hours and their numbers and success(1/2 billion gross rev incl One-Hour) sofar should at least earn them an article. After almost 6 years of PSI the big plus I see is the mandatory training to get a company on page completely. The copy cats are out now too-1800plumber. They talk a game but BF will deliver --somewhere--not everywhere. The flagship location is Indianapolis ( Jamie Carter's old co.) where the Carters brokethrough with the smell good plumber pitch. 1.1 million population and over 9million gross targeting 12 million which is pretty impressive($480-$500) average ticket. Ill get to what I think is a downside after I say that Abrams is a master planner, big dog, smart dog in the business seeking out talent and bringing them onboard. His goal is to be the worlds largest home services provider. Hvac is of course a better business for him but the success in Indianapolis should be encouraging to them. He has a lot of fire still and I dont think it will lose quality like the roto and Mr. rooters have.
Downsides--none except if you cant charge the ticket and get it. Mr and Mrs Jones USA still call the final shot and when an economic condition or an inordinate pricing is put into place , there isnt enough sales training to bring home the bacon. If they keep the ticket somewhere affordible (and thats a subjective term) they could pull it off.
This goes beyond normal hook anyone into franchise and take their money. They dont want anyone--you have to qualify. They are on build up phase for name right now. To have one fail is not in their best interest.
All the praise over----what do I want, what are my goals, 3 trucks, 5? 20? You can make plenty of money with a properly running 3-4 truck service business--or a one truck if you are young. BF cant stop me from reaching my goals, but if any franchise succeeds in plumbing it will be them.

 

[UnclogNH]

The only other problem I find with franchise companies is the lack of quality techs. Big time with RR big revolving door there When I used to work with them I saw so many people come and go.

Franchises work better in the big city's were the population has a much higher call volume. Residential tend to use the big guy's once and never call back. With a population of one-two million or more who care's if they don't call back phone will always ring its all in ad size and placement. With their name comes baggage.
I'm sure commercial has a good repeat business they don't care just want it fixed. Need more commercial up here not much to work with. But repeat calls are doing OK.
If I had the full two page ads down in Boston I would be making a killing.

 

[Song Dog]

Any of you guys catch the Ben Franklin article in last months PM. Three or four glowing pages about how wonderful these franchises are. And you wonder what is wrong with the trade? Another shining example of sticking it to the little guy.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will not say what exact franchise I was apart of on open forum because I can see them catching wind of what said by me and use it against me.
If you have seen a pic of my truck, I will let you figure it out.

I seen the front cover and thought to myself, wonder who they are going to brainwash to join and then screw them out of every cent they can. Oh, we were to give every peny back to the ho if they weren't satisfied, well as an franchisee, we wasn't satisfied at all and did not get what was to be given to us. They didn't hold up to their deal. Did we get any money back:laughing::laughing::laughing: NO!

:no::no:Why did you have to bring the franchise subject up:laughing::laughing:
It may be for some but not for all. There is good things and bad things.
Just this week Mr.Rooter and 1-800-Plumber asked about setting us up as a franchise. They both understood why I didn't want to and left it at that.

My signature line says it all.:thumbsup:

In Christ,

Song Dog

 

[Song Dog]

Stillaround, You are correct.
But a problem that needs ratified is, if they are to assign you a bc it should be someone who has true experience,not a college educated gal. One who has been there and done that.
My franchise assigned us a bc that, in other words was awesome, then after that, we got her. I was totally bummed and should have bailed then but money already changed hands. Once you pay, no refund. Yep, we should have done different but it was our decision, so its in a way our own fault.

In Christ,

Song Dog

 

[ROCKSTARPLUMBER]

Screw them bastards. Had a sit down myself, with this englishman, named steve. He was a pitch man for BENdoverFRANKLIN. Said that he had some very intresting parties in my area, and they WERE coming to my area. WHATEVER, bring it!

 

[stillaround]

Stillaround, You are correct.
But a problem that needs ratified is, if they are to assign you a bc it should be someone who has true experience,not a college educated gal. One who has been there and done that.
My franchise assigned us a bc that, in other words was awesome, then after that, we got her. I was totally bummed and should have bailed then but money already changed hands. Once you pay, no refund. Yep, we should have done different but it was our decision, so its in a way our own fault.

In Christ,

Song Dog

HVAC can use those gals because of the high percentage of change outs and service contracts. Plumbing exept for the most fertile demographics has to be evaluated and broken plays run more often. Their philosophy is the systems and procedures are right no matter what--not so. I remember the forum and some guy saying "I was recommended to the job" and lost the customer after quoting $800 for some minor work--well it was no more than 2 1/2 hours work, duh. Even Mike Diamond doesnt use the 10 step. Where was the client care person--not on the forum helping.