Pro Source - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

ODDBALLS · 09-22-2007, 12:55 AM

Pro Source. Has anyone dealt with these guys. Seems like a good gig to make extra $.

Rich Turley · 09-22-2007, 01:27 AM

They weren't especially friendly or helpful to a couple of customers I sent them compared to another showroom I usually use. Of course that is probably just the store I dealt with.

Rich

Pearce Services · 09-22-2007, 07:01 AM

I have had very good luck with the one in Canton Mass, it really works out well if you let them know in advance that your customer is coming in and what to show them.

It saves you a lot of running around, I just send them in and if they see something they like, they buy it, if they do not, they are on their own to find a product elsewhere by themselves.

On the contract, you need to sign off on the terms and conditions, which states something to the effect of " if your customer fails to pay for something, you can be held financially responsible". I didn't like that part, but figured, they would have to sue me to get it, and I think that is unlikely.

rservices · 09-22-2007, 08:20 AM

I use them as a supplier, I don't have accounts with the big manufacturers like Dal-Tile or Metro. So I'm forced to go threw a showroom. The prices the get me are better than I've ever had. My salesmen screwed up one time and the owner of the local prosource sent me a 50.00 gas card.

I don't use the showroom,

Rich Turley · 09-22-2007, 10:35 AM

rservices -- if you don't use the showroom, why don't you just get set up with Dal-Tile? If I know what I want I'll get it from Dal-Tile, Kronins, etc. If the customer isn't sure, I send them to CFM. They will answer any questions for the customer and have thousands of samples to look at.

Pearce -- You have the customer pay? What about mark-up? Who measures, does layout, picks up the product? Who deals with flaws?

Rich

Floordude · 09-22-2007, 12:10 PM

They were alright at first. Now, I can get products at less cost then they have maked, even with my discount there, from other sources.

The last time I dealt with them, I had a loyal client tell me, they tried to steer my installation to another "cheaper" contractor, that was kicking back referral fees to the Prosource staff. Happened 3 times, and after lying about it, I have never sent another of my clients in there.

My loyal client has always used me. Has for 10 years, when ever he would move or open another business. After taking my client in personally and him checking out samples(using his business address), a day later I'm there to see about his final selections, and while in his office, a guy barges in and says, I understand you need flooring. We both look at each other. He shrugs his shoulders, and I told him who I was, and that he needed to get the hell out of there, and Prosource would hear from me.

Demonseed · 09-23-2007, 06:57 PM

I have heard people rave about pro source, I have heard people that hate the place. I think it is a matter of who runs the particular store you are dealing with. I can get better prices through an anonymous local supplier who sells Carpet. In general though, it is usually not worth the headache (selling the product).

Tilemanjon · 09-23-2007, 07:19 PM

I have had good and bad , mostly staff that lie like a cheap old rug to your face!

It is great for sending customers in to see a showroom that blows away the Box Stores.

The material cost though even with my discount I can still get a better price from Dal Tile or Tile America 2 of my major suppliers and I don't get whacked a $50 + delivery fee to go 2 or 3 miles.

The 24 hr access pass to the showroom is the best thing they have , I always go after hours because they will harass the heck out of you for a deposit on anything.

**Floorwizard** · 09-25-2007, 09:47 PM

They should be a good store. But of course it will vary.
It's a part of CCA Global.

ODDBALLS · 09-26-2007, 01:20 AM

Yeah, I think it all depends on the store. I don't do just tile so I don't know how good of a deal I could get set up with at Dal or similar. The tile jobs I get are usually 400 sq. ft. and smaller. Plus Pro Source has more than tile; they have all flooring. Like I said, maybe a small investment to try to make a little cash back. Thanks for the input guys.

Pearce Services · 09-29-2007, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Turley

Pearce -- You have the customer pay? What about mark-up? Who measures, does layout, picks up the product? Who deals with flaws?

Rich

Rich,

The one I have used has a standard pricing policy that gives a 10% referral back for any one I send in there, so things like carpet, that I do not install, I can get a little piece of the sale.
For ceramic that I would install, I measure, and quote, approve the product selection for the application, they go in and pay for the materials. I make 10% and charge my full installation price. I tell my customers that the labor price is firm, and that they are saving money on the materials by purchasing from my supplier directly.
If I pick up the product, I charge for it. the flaws are minimal because I only do tile, if I see a flaw it is used for cuts, or in closets, never been a problem.

This saves a lot of time going here and there with customers, which is hard to charge for. Also, I tell the people at Prosource who is coming, and what the application is, and the minimum quality that they can show them.

Floordude · 09-29-2007, 06:23 PM

10%????

I get 50% on all carpets, and 30% on all hard surface, from their marked up price, shown on the samples. I can tell the sales staff to give such and such client, to get them a 10-20% off marked pricing, and they think they are getting a deal.

Pearce Services · 09-29-2007, 07:33 PM

when I first signed on, the literature said you name the discount, and keep the extra, but the one in Mass just does a standard 10% on everything.

Rich Turley · 09-30-2007, 05:31 AM

I'd shop around. I get 30% for hard surfaces as well. Maybe the that particular store has very low prices to begin with but I doubt it.

Rich

Jerry T · 09-30-2007, 05:56 AM

ProSource is good for me because I am an independant installer. What Rich and Floordude describe is the way it normally works on pricing. So far my local prosource has been fair and honest as far as I can tell. Like any franchises there are good ones and bad ones.

I was lucky enough to be a winner in their Fantastic Floor contest for 2006.

ODDBALLS · 10-02-2007, 12:48 AM

Yeah, that is what they told me, 30%. I would ask the guys at your store
Pearce Services. It sound like you are getting stiffed. I'll have to check on the 50% on carpet thing at the store I'm looking at.