ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
Printed From: Carpet Cleaning Forum
Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Carpet Cleaners Hangout
Forum Description: General discussion on anything related to carpet cleaning
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7323
Printed Date: 21/February/2025 at 8:38pm
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Topic: ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
Posted By: cleanex
Subject: ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
Date Posted: 02/February/2012 at 12:55pm
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How important is it to you to belong to a industry association. Pros and Cons
appreciated. ------------- DON ELDRED YOU CAN "STAND" ON OUR REPUTATION |
Replies:
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 02/February/2012 at 3:50pm
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I'll ask the age old question. "What's in it for me???" I have paid my annual fees to a few in the past, but never felt that I received anything in return. Not one referral that I am aware of. If you're looking for information or help with a problem, you can do searches on the boards and find answers. If the association set up preferred pricing with suppliers, it could attract membership. This industry needs online training courses. Most of us who live outside of major centres can't afford the time or money to send our techs for training. ------------- 
The STD Meter |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 02/February/2012 at 4:05pm
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That is why I am not a IICRC (or whatever they call themselves today) member. Something for Nothing. Same with the BBB, the Chamber of Commerce and these referral clubs.
------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: cleanex
Date Posted: 03/February/2012 at 11:08am
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Do you think it has any benefit to use in your sales pitches that you are a member of -------- Association, or do people really care ------------- DON ELDRED YOU CAN "STAND" ON OUR REPUTATION |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 03/February/2012 at 1:14pm
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most can not afford to care. They buy products without ever referring to Consumers Digest which when the economy did not suck and this was an employees market and not an employers market consumers could afford the best and names mattered. Now, who cares about the name, does your product or service do the job?
------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 03/February/2012 at 6:11pm
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Nobody gives a rat's ass if you're an association member. Referrals from satisfied clients are your best source of business. -------------
The STD Meter |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 03/February/2012 at 6:30pm
Don't the associations give a rats ass if your a member? 
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Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 03/February/2012 at 8:54pm
That is a fact! ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
cmaster wrote:Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 03/February/2012 at 8:55pm
They give a rats ass about your membership dues. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: LilNiteRidrhood
Date Posted: 19/February/2012 at 5:46pm
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The main reason for belonging to an association in Toronto is that many RFQs require that you belong to the local association. I am hoping that the new blood at the FIO are able to get it running again. |
Posted By: Soil Lint Green
Date Posted: 19/February/2012 at 6:35pm
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FIO - is that Floorcovering Institute of Ontario or Federation of Ombudsman? ------------- It's ORY GUN, not OR A GONE. Learn to talk. |
Posted By: Temple
Date Posted: 17/June/2012 at 11:52am
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I Joined the Bay Area Apartment Association 2 Years ago and it has paid off. Had alot of apartment complexes call me that I have gotten carpet cleaning work from. Its apartment work, but it has pushed me through some lean times. Im sure every major market has an Apartment association. |
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 19/June/2012 at 4:16pm
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If you don't stand for something then you will fall for anything. Especially when we start out we need hand-holding and support. Speaking with association members could help you dig yourself out of a hole that your inexperience got you into. This association problem solving just may be worth thousands of dollars on avoiding claims and your reputation. The FIO in Ontario had an employee working for us that continuously never stopped asking what she could do to help our business progress. Most association members were continuously complaining about no one ever working for them and never the miracles and profit they felt they should receive. Unfortunately no associations promote on behalf of their members as the fees would be excessive. The only way a small association can be effective (since it has limited funds and employees) is having member volunteers from time to time help things move forward and that is where it all breaks down. You will always find a few good samaritans who will work vigorously for the good of the association and the industry. But, every hour spent on association business is an hour less spent on your own business. I commend the people that contribute as it is a tireless and thankless job. I must say in the world of not speaking and eye-balling people we are lost in a world of text messages etc, etc, etc. It would be nice again to sit down as we once did in the past and break bread and have conversations with other industry members. ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Superglide Ken
Date Posted: 23/June/2012 at 11:13am
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I agree Ted. As much as the world of email has expanded the size of the audience one is able to reach these days, it has come at a cost. I used to be a member of the association here in the 1980's and 1990's. It no longer exists here. Nobody really gets to know the members in there community anymore. Sad. |
Posted By: Superglide Ken
Date Posted: 23/June/2012 at 11:41am
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The biggest reason the associations are going away in many areas is increased competition IMO. It is harder to recover your cost of operation from the customer because it is harder and harder to pass on your increased operating costs. You have to work smarter, not harder. So as Ted says, sometimes those extra hours are not available for association business without effecting your own business in a detrimental way. ------------- Inventor of the Teflon Wand Glide and the Turboteck Rotary Air Duct Cleaners for TMs. |