Composite Samples

curapa

I am looking into making something to mount some composite samples on to show customers when bidding on decks as i'm tired of all the 4" pieces laying around. Everything I keep coming up with is a bit to bulky to carry around in my truck, does anyone have a setup that works well for them?

RobertCDF

I use this
http://www.contractortalk.com/showth...hlight=trailer

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
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Custom Composite Decks

curapa

Yeah, I saw that post a while back. That is pretty cool but a little impractical for my needs.

SLSTech

Simple 2x6 with different fasteners used to hold them on, or a nice little show board with adhesive holding them on and different fasteners driven in and ground off from the back of it.

Robert - sweet trailer - where's the grill???

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Greg Di

Depending on how many samples you want to show, you could mount them to some sort of rolling/folding cart or a handtruck.

I used to use a decent-sized toolbox.

Eliminate samples of products that just aren't popular or you don't like. Here's the line:

"Mrs. HO, there so many choices when it comes to decking materials that it can be daunting for a person who is not in the business to make a selection. Because I am a decking professional, I have taken the liberty of narrowing the selections to what's popular, feasible and prone to perform best in our local environment. My job is to advise you as much as it is to build you deck..."

Also, talk to them on the phone before you get there to see which way they are leaning and bring appropriate samples. It's overwhelming to throw too much at people.

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deckman22

I simplify things for myself, I send the HO over to my suppliers to look at what's available if they don't all ready know what they want.

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Greg Di

Youch! That's the absolute last thing I want to do. We want to be THE source of all information they receive about decking products. By sending them elsewhere, you stand to lose a lot. What happens when another contractor walks by your customers perusing the deck display and puts "the sell" on? I know that I could probably sway that uneducated/unsold customer to use my services pretty easily.

Just something to think about.

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Meetre

I agree with Greg, don't ever let your customer go to a supply house without you there. It takes your time, but helps keep them focused on your and your skills. But if you can avoid it, don't take them there, get samples and bring them to the customer.

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deckman22

Yeah I know some unscrupilous types might try that, but I have a pretty good relationship with my supplier since I've been buying there since they opened in '90 & worked there for a year. They look out for me when my customers come in for the tour. It ain't like HD where they can go walking around everywhere, they must be accompanied by a salesperson. Besides I don't fear my competition.

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buildenterprise

Ha, the famous last words.....

MartyCD

Al, you are the man.

One deck display idea that is a large commitment but very effective is to build actual outdoor decks using the various materials. Most of the Archadeck franchisees seem to do this. You end up with a patchwork deck probably on your own house but it really lets you show how things will look after a couple years.

deckman22

Yeah, that's what AWDS does, they have 2 or 3 composite decks, 2 ipe decks complete with outdoor grill, another ipe/garapa deck and RSC pergolas above each one. Almost forgot, a treated pine deck too, showing what not to use.

Local archadeck franchise did about the same thing at their store, but they may have gone down the tubes from the look of things the last time I passed by their place.

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