Anybody A Member Of PRSM (Commercial)

Mr. Wms

If any of you guys are members of the
Professional Retail Store Maintenance program give me some
feedback and let me know if it has benefited your company?

fez-head

This is just what I have been looking for. I have the same goal as you to focus on small commercial work.

The $500 membership would be a good investment. I just signed up for their magazine and am requesting more info on what retailers they represent.

There are also a lot of good articles on the site.

Mr. Wms

Jesse how exactly does the program work.
And will you be going to any of the conventions or seminars to meet new contacts?

fez-head

I'm not real sure about anything yet. I sent them an email and will hopefully hear something soon.

I figure the mailing list alone with the specific contact information is worth $500 easy.

Here is a link with articles about just a few of the stores that are involved http://www.prsm.com/Research/Feature....aspx?SubNav=7

After reading most of the articles I see that there is a common trend toward hiring better quality contractors instead of focussing only on cost. They are lookng for the same customer service that they strive to provide for thier own customers.

fez-head

I will go if they are in Kansas City or St. Louis. Anything over a 2 hour drive is to dam long for me to sit in a car.

My wife owns Leisure Time Travel so I am used to flying and cheap vacations

Mr. Wms

I got their packet last year but I didn't think it would be worth the
money. Well the tax write off is always worth it!

I'll probably join for the same reason the exposure and contact list.

I'll call you when I need some cheap Vegas tickets

fez-head

A lot of people are booking Vegas right now for the PBR Rodeo Grand finals in November.

Mr. Wms

I just came back in August of 06. I go back late 07
Man that place is booming in construction.
I bet no contractor is hurting for work there!

Chris G

I have comrades!!!!

Retail repair is gold. It's fun. It pays well. It's low stress. You work with nice people, (usually, knock on wood).

I went to the PRSM website a couple of weeks ago. Probably won't benefit me in Canada. Never know.

The thing I wold like to know is, who is the decision maker for hiring us? When I call or email the head office of Victorias Secret, (hmm...maybe they're not in Canada) who am I asking for? Maintenance co-ordinator? What's the title I'm looking for?

Mr. Wms

Chris you're right about commercial work. It is less stress.

fez-head

It looks like PRSM covers Canada as well. I could be wrong but they where droping a lot of names in the articles here http://www.prsm.com/Research/Feature....aspx?SubNav=7

I assume there is a contact list with names and adresses. I still have not heard back from my email to them but if I like the info they send in my snail mail packet I will join and let you know.

So far the retail and resuarant work has been very good to me as well.

Chris G

Thanks for the link!

fez-head

Do you install fixtures or just basic maintenance and repair?

I would like to get more into the fixture installation (for upgrades not roll outs)

Mr. Wms

I do just maintenance and repair. Fixtures every now and then.

Chris G

Mostly just repair. 80% of my calls are 1-3 hour service calls. What kind of fixtures would you be installing?

fez-head

Same here on service calls and I love it

As far as fixtures I usually hang artwork for offices, shelving for restaurants and slat board for cell phone providers.

I would like to put up new displays and kiosks for existing stores in the near future.

Most of the time I see crews from out of state coming in and doing it. In my opinion for a large roll out of a new store that makes since but not for a few additional pieces or swap outs if there is a qualified local contractor.

fez-head

One of my future goals is to partner up with someone and franchise my business - specializing in maintenance, repair and installations for other franchise businesses (retail store and restaurants mostly) with a little govenment and non-proffit org. work and even some residential by referral only.

I think it would be a gold mine if you had some national chains trusting your name and using your franchisees in their local districts nation wide.

The franchisee would already have nationaly known commercial clients in place and could fill in with residential work.

fez-head

http://www.americanprojectandrepair.com/aboutus.html

fez-head

Well it has been almost a year but I became a member of PRSM on Christmas Day.

They have a new online sign up feature that is good for procrastinators like myself that will throw a printed application in the "to do later box" and forget about it.

I will let you know what I think in a month or so. The magazine only comes out 10 times per year and I just missed the last issue. Earlier issues are not being archived online as of yet. Have not dived into the members only section of the web site yet but will do so this week.

Hope everyone had a good Holiday.
Jesse