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competing with a supplier

2544 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  Mike Finley, 
G
This is the situation in Canada which I am sure will continue
in the U.S. as well. Benjamin Moore is directly competing with
its contractor customers and slowly becoming a force in
paint contracting. I am talking about their Painting services
trying aggressively to dominate every local market. This is
different than big box retailer entering the renovation market,
since "Benny Moore" has established a great relationship with
a lot of its contractors.
I am not being an alarmist here and we know that a bit of
competition is good, and blah blah blah...
When our potential customers look for painting services
in Toronto and other cities,
Yellow Pages, they are there.
Local papers,they are there
Internet advertising...there.
They are obviously taking leads and customers away from us.
Again it is not like the big box situation since we don't carry
little Home Depot labels, fandecks, hats, etc into our customers
homes. Am I wrong to feel stupid in helping my competition
brand themselves to my customers and future customers?
B. Moore is taking business away from us, plain and simple.
Should we go out of our way to make this happen?
Just a simple question, not an alarmist view.

George Z
www.ecopainting.ca
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G
This is the same thing Home Depot and now Lowes does. Stop buying their paint firs toff. Second treat them like any other competitor. learn their weaknesses and always focus on your strengths.

Ya know, I met 2 customers today. Both told me they liked me more but my price was higher than everyone elses. I didn't get either sale but I bet I get both. I got back about an hour ago. Sent e-mails to them both thanking them for their time and re-assuring them that I want to be their cotnractor. If I don't hear from them by wednesday I will mail them a letter and flyer, then call them on Thursday and ask again for their sale.
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F
If I find out my suppliers or manufacturers are selling direct, I will approach them on it.
Since we buy more flooring than anyone in North America, I have the power to make em stop. Because we will pull samples from ALL the stores.
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G
Grumpy said:
This is the same thing Home Depot and now Lowes does. Stop buying their paint firs toff. Second treat them like any other competitor. learn their weaknesses and always focus on your strengths.

Ya know, I met 2 customers today. Both told me they liked me more but my price was higher than everyone elses. I didn't get either sale but I bet I get both. I got back about an hour ago. Sent e-mails to them both thanking them for their time and re-assuring them that I want to be their cotnractor. If I don't hear from them by wednesday I will mail them a letter and flyer, then call them on Thursday and ask again for their sale.
Click to expand...
I agree about not buying their paint, they are a major competitor.
For most painters saying something bad about "Benny Moore" is almost
sacrilege. The fact remains that they prefer that we lose out to their
recommended contractors. After we sell the customer to the benefits
of using B. Moore why wouldn't they hire their recommended contractor.
It seems they made a conscious decision to market to consumers and
hope that we can help them put us out of business. Yes we can focus
on our strengths and knowing their products well, we can find their
weaknesses but a lot of smaller contractors may not survive.
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G
Florcraft said:
If I find out my suppliers or manufacturers are selling direct, I will approach them on it.
Since we buy more flooring than anyone in North America, I have the power to make em stop. Because we will pull samples from ALL the stores.
Click to expand...
Great position to be in. Unfortunately Benjamin Moore is so engrained
into our trade that it is difficult to have any clout. Do you really think
the PDCA will do anything against one of its sponsors even if it is
directly hurting its members?
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G
I think that most consumers don't know the difference between Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams. I'm a roofer and we have many many manufacturers just like you do. Customers don't know the difference.

"Mr. Customer We recommend X paints, and this is why."

"Oh that Ben Moore... yeah they make some good products but this is why I think the paint I sell is a better product for YOUR home."

I've found most customers only care about color.
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M
Grumpy said:
I think that most consumers don't know the difference between Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams. I'm a roofer and we have many many manufacturers just like you do. Customers don't know the difference.

"Mr. Customer We recommend X paints, and this is why."

"Oh that Ben Moore... yeah they make some good products but this is why I think the paint I sell is a better product for YOUR home."

I've found most customers only care about color.
Click to expand...
I get about the same thing here. A few of them ask if I’ll use paints they’ve had in their barn for 20 years :cry: :rolleyes:
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T
Kind of on topic. I work in a lot of developments where the color palate is highly restricted, to the point that they spec brands. Sometimes they have designated their own colors and only one manufacturer has the code.
So far I have just been accepting it. Any input?
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P
Teetor, the Subway Rests. we have been doing have a custom pallette of colors. They are from a Sherwin Williams. I just bid extra for the time involved using crap materials.
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P
Teetorbilt said:
Kind of on topic. I work in a lot of developments where the color palate is highly restricted, to the point that they spec brands. Sometimes they have designated their own colors and only one manufacturer has the code.
So far I have just been accepting it. Any input?
Click to expand...

I have been painting for 30 years and I have never come across a color that can not be matched. If your regular paint supplier can't do it find one that can. If they spec brands what is the problem using that brand? If it is a legitamate problem go to them with the proof of the problem and the solution you will become thier expert.

Jim Bunton
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T
Pro, I'm talking BIG developers, 600+ units per parcel and 20-30 parcels going at any given time. Google 'DiVosta' or 'A. Rutenburg' and you will understand.
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H
Teeter, I think that is more the rule than the exception with big developers and commercial chain stores. I'm sure that the paint companies actively market their products to these big customers, plus the developers want to be assured of quality products from one source to cut down on all of the hassles that would be created if each of their subcontracters were allowed to pick brands then match colors. You might be able to get away with using another manufacturers interior stain if you rip the label off before bringing it into the house, but that is about it. I'd be very surprised if those developers also dont write the payment check in the name of both the painting contracter and the paint supplier, requiring the paint supplier to sign off on the check before it can be deposited.

hack
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M
I totally agree with the comments about stop using thier products. In fact get a bunch of contractors together and go pour whatever paints you have left of theirs out in thier parking lots.

I also agree that the vast majority of homeowners could careless what brand paint you use and only the results.
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