Wickes ~ Link a trade

Octopus · Sep 20, 2012

Got a call from a company today trying to sign up trades people to have their cards in "my local" store.

From what I gather its about £50.00 per month for the basic package (over a year) and I'm wondering if anyone on here has tried this and could give me an idea of take up etc?

They claim they won't have more than 3 people of each trade on the stand.

I popped in to my local store on the way home and there were no sparkies at all.

Just wondering - marketing is a tricky one as you can't do nothing!

thanks

Rappid · Sep 20, 2012

Had the same call from Homebase, decided not to go for it.

cloverman · Sep 20, 2012

I've known a few people who have tried this in their local supermarkets and got nothing whatsoever from it ! Displaying in a DIY store may work differently, although I would doubt it as most people who go there in the first place are looking to do the work themselves.

thekingiam · Sep 20, 2012

i can't see you getting many leads,usualy person buys replacement part from diy store takes it home fits it and it works or it doesn't and google for electrician.
i will correct my post maybe a few wanting lights changed, showers installed.
the problem you might get is people buying inadequate parts then upset about labour charges, might be worth 50 notes though just to check the water?

ashrow · Sep 20, 2012

i advertised like this about 6 years ago for 1 year and got no calls

Word of mouth is the best way to get work imho

Octopus · Sep 20, 2012

ashrow said:
i advertised like this about 6 years ago for 1 year and got no calls

Word of mouth is the best way to get work imho

Agree, word of mouth is the best way and for me works extremely well, but I can't help thinking that doing no marketing is a bad idea!

ashrow · Sep 20, 2012

Murdoch said:
Agree, word of mouth is the best way and for me works extremely well, but I can't help thinking that doing no marketing is a bad idea!

When i had a business and employees then yes but now after a argument with the tax man and a divorce later there is just me to keep busy, so word of mouth is my income
I do miss the larger contracts and business i had but feel so much more less stressed then before (perhaps that was the last wife though lol)

VoltzElectrical · Sep 20, 2012

Here is my two penneth worth. If you are quiet, go and 'browse' the electrical isle at B and Q. You WILL pick up work from other browsing, purchasing customers. I went in one day to buy something, got chatting to a guy buying plasterboard and ended up following him home to price up his electrics (builder doing a renovation). That is just one example. Another, old lady looking to but an RCD plug for her hallway. I feel it could have potentially led to me advising and quoting for an rcd double socket as she was quite bothered by aesthetics.

Do the work for them, who knows what will come off the back of it, and have some cards to hand out personally, while you are 'browsing', lol.

That's what I would do if I was quiet anyway. No outlay, meet the customer face-to-face before, offer friendly advice, 'by the way I am a qualified electrician, here is my card..'

Much better than cold calling, neutral environment 'oh he seems helpful..' etc.

Actually, thinking about it, I would like forum members' thoughts on this approach.

What do you all think?

Rappid · Sep 20, 2012

thekingiam said:
might be worth 50 notes though just to check the water?

It's a minimum 2 year contract.

http://www.electriciansforums.net/electrical-forum-general-electrical-forum/62272-homebase.html

Octopus · Oct 22, 2012

Re: Wickes ~ Link a trade - UPDATE - Be Warned

All,

Well I decided to go for it, but on a 1 year deal. The agreement was signed and I paid a deposit with the following 6 installments starting 2 months time.

4 days later I looked online at my credit card account and noticed they had taken an installment payment... not impressed.

So I've called them, emailed them and written them a letter.

So far they've refunded the installment payment but no more.

No letter back, no email back, no phone call back - and this os from a company who say they are marketing experts so here's their details and I'd advice steering well clear of them:

WRT Group Plc - Local business advertising nationwide, leaflets, business cards, digital signage and website design.

I also came across this forum tonight - could be a useful way to communicate about irresponsible companies/suppliers/customers??

Have You Been Conned • All Discussions

Edit: Mods/Dan - I'll happily update this thread if and when my money is repaid.

ashrow · Oct 22, 2012

Murdoch

Sorry to hear that !, Hope you get sorted

I do not believe in advertising other then vehicle, clothing and world of mouth (i wasted money years ago)

Octopus · Dec 21, 2012

Re: Wickes ~ Link a trade - UPDATE

Yes I got my deposit back, finally.

My advice to anyone gettings calls promising hundreds of leads via Link-A-Trade, think long and hard before getting your credit card out. They claim to be marketing and communication "experts" and I can tell you, based on my experience, that "communication" is not one of their strengths.

markc123 · Dec 21, 2012

Sorry about the bad news and hassel.

Thanks for the warning though, unfortunatley times are tough at the moment and i can inevitably see many people falling for this.

Glad its sorted for you now though.

john999uk · Dec 21, 2012

In my opinion any company who will only 'advertise' your business for a 12month contract isn't worth using. If there results were any good they would not need to tie you in to 12 months!!!!!

not clever · Dec 21, 2012

I've posted before about this but at homebase.

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

This set up is nothing to do with HB

Isnt worth what the company are charging for a handful of business cards.

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.

It's a DIY store why the **** would customers call a tradesman.

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.