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Post by hereticus on Jul 25, 2006 14:41:30 GMT 1
Shutters trained advisors - what do you think of it so far ?
Its four months since I did my training; I've had about a dozen leads, mostly taking about three hours including travel time: most of them have been a waste of time anyway for various reasons: and the only two orders I have actually taken have both been within one mile of my home.
Suddenly the leads seem to be pouring in but the quality of lead is not improving and my diary is becoming congested because of the time that has to be allowed to travel the distances expected. I have therefore had to take some postcodes out of my diary for Shutters, cutting out the long journeys, so that I can still service my core business and local Shutter leads.
Is anyone else having the same problem, or are your experiences different ? It would be interesting for us all to get feedback on how this product is working for others.
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Post by desmorse on Jul 25, 2006 22:01:03 GMT 1
Shutters trained advisors - what do you think of it so far ? Its four months since I did my training; I've had about a dozen leads, mostly taking about three hours including travel time: most of them have been a waste of time anyway for various reasons: and the only two orders I have actually taken have both been within one mile of my home. Suddenly the leads seem to be pouring in but the quality of lead is not improving and my diary is becoming congested because of the time that has to be allowed to travel the distances expected. I have therefore had to take some postcodes out of my diary for Shutters, cutting out the long journeys, so that I can still service my core business and local Shutter leads. Is anyone else having the same problem, or are your experiences different ? It would be interesting for us all to get feedback on how this product is working for others. I did the course about 3 months ago. took ages before 1st lead arrived, but less than 2 miles away and resulted in a sale. Had 2 other local leads, 1 not a hope in hell, 1 VERY picky and wanted to fit them himself. 1 local self gen ordered, and 1 local lead later this week. Did get offered 1 lead, about 30 miles away, but passed it to a colleague who lived nearer. So not bad really, all local and £2ks worth of business for 2 sets shutters. Did a conservatory call Saturday, customer and neighbour had white shutters throughout, looked really good. Pity they're over a year old - just too late again |
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Post by RED on Jul 25, 2006 23:05:20 GMT 1
Hi Hereticus
I also did the course. I got a lead in the first week and took an order for 3100 pounds but not fitted it yet.
I have had around 8 leads since but had to refuse them due to family illness problems and time limits that I have so all in all a 100% success rate but as I say have not fitted it yet. Its due here in the next 2 weeks. I suppose if you had the time it could be a nice little earner but if you relied on them, they take so long from start to finish, (customer called me back 3 times, Not good if they live more than 20 miles away) you would not get a lot of income for some time so you still need the bread and butter orders to keep you going.
Red
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Post by desmorse on Jul 25, 2006 23:12:51 GMT 1
Shutters trained advisors - what do you think of it so far ? Its four months since I did my training; I've had about a dozen leads, mostly taking about three hours including travel time: . I don't understand the philosophy of a very few shutters-trained specialists, traveling great distances to service calls. If you're in your car/van, then you're not earning any money for yourself or Hillarys. You are though, burning fuel at great cost to yourself. I know shutters are high value, but they're also low conversion rate products, as Hillarys have already acknowledged. My last FSM wanted 3 people to cover the whole of Hampshire, fortunately we have enough in my part of the county to avoid traveling more than about 30 miles each way. We have a business to run, in that same way that Hillarys or any other company has to run - that is efficiently or cost effectively. Increasing costs whilst reducing earnings is not a good business strategy. |
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alcli01957
Junior Member
ACCY STANLEY Div 2 Hello boys we're back! & Bloody well staying this time!
Posts: 72
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Post by alcli01957 on Jul 29, 2006 0:12:58 GMT 1
I am still waiting for my first order to arrive after seven weeks & have been asked to travel to Lancaster to a lead, about 50 mins drive each way plus finding the address. Is it going to be worth it or has anyone tried ringing the lead before travelling to sound out how genuine they are? KLast thing I said to trainers before leaving the course was they needed someone around the Fylde coast to be trained up. I am already behind with fits due to helping new start up agents & am on hols myself for a week soon. I dont need my time wasting. Already getting that with normal leads on no shows-four this week. On top of this am getting hassle with awning customers who are having to wait for silly excuses- one order faxed in 3 times that was taken in June. Craig Edwards is now heading up spec products so if you are experiencing agro let him know.
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Post by greenpesto on Jul 29, 2006 1:29:46 GMT 1
I seem to remember Craig as a newcomer to Sillarys some years ago!
If I recall correctly, He was in Specialist Products under Kevin Beardsley but was 'Fast-Tracked' for higher things!
I also recall he was a half decent lad!
I also hope that being 'fast-tracked' the Sillarys way hasn't ruined him!!!
He was equal to our mate ( not! ) RossK!
Although I'd heard that the 'former' was alleged to have been bullied by the 'later' much the same way that the FSM's were/are alleged to be treated by said 'later' person!!!!
So is this a 'demotion' or alleged 'sideways step' for said 'former' person?
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Post by keenasmustard on Jul 29, 2006 8:55:37 GMT 1
I am still waiting for my first order to arrive after seven weeks & have been asked to travel to Lancaster to a lead, about 50 mins drive each way plus finding the address. Is it going to be worth it or has anyone tried ringing the lead before travelling to sound out how genuine they are? KLast thing I said to trainers before leaving the course was they needed someone around the Fylde coast to be trained up. I am already behind with fits due to helping new start up agents & am on hols myself for a week soon. I dont need my time wasting. Already getting that with normal leads on no shows-four this week. On top of this am getting hassle with awning customers who are having to wait for silly excuses- one order faxed in 3 times that was taken in June. Craig Edwards is now heading up spec products so if you are experiencing agro let him know. why are you putting new agents before your own fitting,surely this is a training problem down to h/o,its their responsability, not yours.what will you do if these new agents start eating into your leads/earnings will h/o help you out finacially(some hope of that)they will say its your own fault for being too soft and helpful. as for driving 50/min journey i would say not on your life pay me extra,surely this is out of area for most advisors so would need extra payment. |
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Post by desmorse on Jul 29, 2006 19:08:17 GMT 1
I seem to remember Craig as a newcomer to Sillarys some years ago! If I recall correctly, He was in Specialist Products under Kevin Beardsley but was 'Fast-Tracked' for higher things! I also recall he was a half decent lad! I also hope that being 'fast-tracked' the Sillarys way hasn't ruined him!!! He was equal to our mate ( not! ) RossK! Although I'd heard that the 'former' was alleged to have been bullied by the 'later' much the same way that the FSM's were/are alleged to be treated by said 'later' person!!!! So is this a 'demotion' or alleged 'sideways step' for said 'former' person? Russell and I had a meeting with Craig a couple of months ago when he was just starting his new role, he's also been my area manager and RSM in the past. He's one of the good guys who will listen and take on ideas, and has the clout to implement things. I asked for the structure of my specialist diary to be changed, it was done within the week. I also know he's spent much of the last few months sorting out awning deliveries, and increasing capacity, so we'll be able to offer much quicker deliveries with confidence - but not just yet. Unlike certain other managers, if he agrees something with you, it'll be done, or if he finds it can't be done for reasons he wasn't aware of, he'll get back to you rather than ignore it |
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alcli01957
Junior Member
ACCY STANLEY Div 2 Hello boys we're back! & Bloody well staying this time!
Posts: 72
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Post by alcli01957 on Jul 30, 2006 23:36:54 GMT 1
I too have known Craig a long time & far from a sideways move I am sure JR knows he will knock the SP dept into shape. He has already sorted some problems out for me this last few days so know improvements are on their way. As for new agents, I would rather spend a little time now that lots later sorting out their thingy ups when they have dissapeared into the ether. I aint naive either, told one last week bill is on its way for my time!
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Post by russell on Jul 31, 2006 15:28:46 GMT 1
I seem to remember Craig as a newcomer to Sillarys some years ago! If I recall correctly, He was in Specialist Products under Kevin Beardsley but was 'Fast-Tracked' for higher things! I also recall he was a half decent lad! I also hope that being 'fast-tracked' the Sillarys way hasn't ruined him!!! He was equal to our mate ( not! ) RossK! Although I'd heard that the 'former' was alleged to have been bullied by the 'later' much the same way that the FSM's were/are alleged to be treated by said 'later' person!!!! So is this a 'demotion' or alleged 'sideways step' for said 'former' person? its a well deserved promotion so now i have every confidance in one dept at least |
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Post by desmorse on Aug 25, 2006 10:44:43 GMT 1
I've had 2 customer this week claiming our shutters are poor quality.
The first was a shutters lead, Sanderson's rep walked out as I walked in. Customer said wouldn't entertain our "flimsy tilt rod". TS much more substantial. I've spoken with Mark Lucas, who set the customer a challenge - try and pull it off, he's tried and failed.
Second customer I introduced the idea of shutters. Pulled 1 out of case, and her first words were "that's poor quality compared to ones I've seen elsewhere". Now it doesn't matter what you say, once they have that in mind, it's almost impossible to recover and get a several hundred or even thousand pound order.
I don't know much about the competition in this area. Where do we lie, top end, middle, bottom?
Serious comments please rather just slagging off Hillarys. I want to sell these
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