Homebase

[Rappid]

Had a call from Homebase the DIY chain, they are looking to promote trades within the store and I would be only 1 of 12 trades and the only electrician.
Gonna cost £10 a week for 2 years and that includes the displays and leaflets promoting my business.
Do you think it's worth the punt?

 

[Hiddo]

I've had them on the phone to me. The company concerned is called service link or something like that.

I gave him a bit of stick and he dropped it to £8 a week. I still said no.

Just a complete money making racket.

 

[Sparkystu79]

Got talked into taking out a similar thing with tescos, £1200 for 2 years. Must be around 3 years ago and the cards are still on display, got my first call last week! I'm not even trading under the same name but still have the same phone number. Avoid like the plague!

 

[Plonker 3]

Had Homebase ring me up several months ago, said hello then went into a 5 minute chat about what he could offer me, which was advertising in there stores. Hung up on them eventually, only for them to ring me back and ask what happened then just start the speil from where he left off. Just put my phone down on the side leaving him talking to no body in the end.

 

[Rappid]

Thanks for the responses, I decided not to bother.
It's a DIY store so the majority of the people going in there intend on doing the work themselves.
If Homebase were to put my leaflet into every piece of electrical item they sold, I would definately sign up.

 

[Guitarist]

Thanks for the responses, I decided not to bother.
It's a DIY store so the majority of the people going in there intend on doing the work themselves.
If Homebase were to put my leaflet into every piece of electrical item they sold, I would definately sign up.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. Having a few business cards in a stand by the exit is not really promoting or advertising imo.

 

[ACF Ltd]

Avoid these like the plague!!

They come in many guises - Balmoral Services - Service Link - Windsor Associates - Trinity Services - Link-a-Trade - Service Point - ADC.

They are all part of WRT Group - and they are all crooks! They claim to work for TESCO, Wickes, Homebase and Sainburys.

Sold me Homebase advertising saying they worked for Homebase and were looking to find trades to help keep customers from going to other big DIY stores and home improvement stores.

They do not work for Homebase or any other large store - they have a concession in stores which they sell advertising for - cards or leaflets.

All contracts are classed as non-cancellable - plus you dont get no cooling off period when it comes to advertising so be careful.

Avoid avoid avoid!!

 

[Bristol]

Storemedia / Windsor Associates / Wickes Link a Trade

Has anyone had any bad dealings with the above companies, they are all party of the same group.

I have been swindled out of money by them and a little by my naivety.

I had a call from a salesmen saying he was from Wickes. (Lie, he works for Storemedia)
He told me that Wickes were looking to get local builders working with local stores for local customers. He said that Wickes fit kitchen, but at the moment do not do any building work and that rather than have members of staff maybe giving out the mates numbers, they decided to work with local builders.

They offer a card slot and card placed in it at the front of stores as well as putting you on a list for building works. He said that staff would recommend up to 3 builders in each store and that we would work very close with Wickes designers. He said that we would be able to show on our website that we work with Wickes, by showing their logo.

At this point your all thinking that I should have seen that it was a con, but he had loads of Wickes documentation and imagery.


I signed up to the deal, deposit £560 and contract total of £2250 for 2 years.
I went to the local store the next day to say hello to the designers, they told me that it was all lies and that Storemedia have nothing to do with them. Except they pay to have their card dispenser at the front of the store.

I’m sure lots of there are lots of you thinking what a fool, which to be honest I was.


If you have been approached by them please stay well away. Also if they contacted you saying they worked for Wickes and you fancy jotting that down for my court case, that would be much appreciated.


Please do leave helpful comments

 

[telectrix]

that last post says it all. avoid like the plague.

 

[Stocksie]

Did it years ago mate, total waste of money !

 

[Octopus]

Stupidly I signed with Link a trade (after getting a far cheaper deal) and then had 2nd thoughts - their agreement was pretty water tight BUT they slipped up and took unauthorised payments from my card which a lawyer mate of mine said gave me the out.

4 weeks later and numerous emails and a couple of letters they have finally said they will refund my money - that as Monday and its yet to happen.

They claim they are good at communication and marketing - don't be fooled - communication is terrible.

As others have said don't get involved.

 

[danf1966]

the only people who use homebase are diy,rs, you will be inundated with how do i do that calls.........£0

 

[GLENNSPARK]

A thousand pounds per individual for the 2 years 12 trades £12000 is a nice earner for the company
Multiply that by perhaps 1000 stores and they stand to rake in £12,000,000
That could be their motive

If you have advertising money available,try and decide whether people actually go to these places to do thngs themselves,then the percentage who may prefer a tradesman.then the percentage who already know someone,then the chances of getting the calls from whats left
There are no easy ways to promote yourself

another way to do it....is go down there on a sunday.....just the time that couples etc like to wander round such places dreaming (or planning) their new home makeover.....
when you see em looking at kitchen stuff.....or electrical accessories.....offer them your card....
if homebase and the like think they can pass off stunts like this as `helping the local tradesman`....then you just do it back....use em to get your customers....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

the only people who use homebase are diy,rs, you will be inundated with how do i do that calls.........£0

ore they can just come in here...lol...

 

[not clever]

Keep hold of your money dont chuck it away.
My brothers mate is a manager at the local HB..........................he said ;

1. This set up is nothing to do with HB
2. Isnt worth what the company are charging for a handful of business cards.
3. The store staff move the card holder to some obscure place behind the tills because 9 times out of 10 the rep leaves it in the way of the customers exit.
4. It's a DIY store why the **** would customers call a tradesman.
5. If they do realize they need help, they are then at home so will use google or if over 30 use yellow pages to find a sparks, going back to HB to get a card from a hidden stand is the last thing they will think of.

His advice stay away & tell the bloke to do one.
Can you tell I've had the same call a few times now.

 

[not clever]

ore they can just come in here...lol...

No that's the Electrical Trainee who have had the call from said Home Base customer.