Marketing To Chain Stores

jpplumbing

I starting thinking about trying to market my business to big chain stores. Question is how do i go about it. I know some stores use a third party maintence company that they would call and then they would dispatch someone. I was wondering on how i could get the info on these companys. Does anyone work with any chain stores??

Chris G

The Million Dollar question. Take a look at www.prsm.com. You can go through a third party or middleman for starters, but your goal should be to work direct to client.

You are looking for the Store Maintenance Manager/Co-ordinator, or the Facilities manager, (they are a lot of different titles for the same job actually)

You may need a different mindset than the one you regularly use. Service is absolute #1 priority. If you are a seasoned plumber, I am sure most of the calls will seem pretty minor to you. But they are MAJOR to the client. You have to understand that. You are but one of many people they will call during the day, so be respectful of there time. Make there job easier and you will be rewarded with more business.

Dress nicely, you are representing the store while you are there. Be polite. Be invisible to the customers. Get in and get out in a clean, orderly fashion. Sympathize with everyones job, and say thank you before you leave.

__________________
"Neek...Neek...yoo-a-moronna Neek. Getta-da-fookin-a-jacka-ham!"

http://www.vicporch.ca
Deck Fence Porch Builder Toronto

fez-head

Good advice Chris. Did you end up joining then?

Chris G

No, I never did. I was going to subscribe to their magazine. Although $80 a year for a mag that I have never seen before is a little suspect. For all I know, It is only ten pages long. They used to let you read a few articles online, but that is now subscription too. Is it a benefit to join?

I am pretty busy doing decks and stuff this summer, so my plan is to start going after more business around August or September, and then hopefully have a good winter.

I still have my one big retail client, and the list of stores I am serving for them has grown to around 20 or so. I get maybe 1 call a week from for 3 or 4 hours work. It helps to fill in the rainy days and give my bones a rest.

__________________
"Neek...Neek...yoo-a-moronna Neek. Getta-da-fookin-a-jacka-ham!"

http://www.vicporch.ca
Deck Fence Porch Builder Toronto

fez-head

[QUOTE=Chris G;430791]No, I never did. I was going to subscribe to their magazine. Although $80 a year for a mag that I have never seen before is a little suspect. For all I know, It is only ten pages long. They used to let you read a few articles online, but that is now subscription too. Is it a benefit to join? /QUOTE]

If you are willing to go after the names that they provide it is well worth it. I am committed 100% to this market and went so far as to hire a lady to research and make cold calls in order to lazer beam target the right people for direct mailings. I would say it has paid off for us very nicely.

Glad to hear you are staying busy ,

Jesse