Advertising

[toomush2drink]

I must say im going to try this approach in the next edition of yp as everyone else is doing it and with multiple ads. I cant wait to see how the yp rep can justify charging a premium for the locksmith section because its got a lot of ads. Its good to here bt are trying to stop it as i might be in with a chance of my company "all locked up" being near the front. At the end of the day money talks and i cant see any rep losing commisiion over a couple of little rules. Im sure most reps would take the rollicking to get the money/bonus. Another one to look at is 118trades which are just starting up, now as its new who knows how its going to go but they are bringing out a directory of tradesman and starting radio campaigns this month. They are doing it area by area so if they come your way be aware you can negotiate huge discounts as its their firsy year and they need the lisitings. Im on the .http://www.kenttrades.com site so will have to let time tell if it works but as they reckon they will give you your money back if you dont get any extra work from it it may be ok.

[Rockford]

acl - I agree it's wrong. I wasn't defending them. It annoys me when certain companies can place several ads alongside my single ad - how can I compete ?. A number of times I've been on subbing jobs, and they always think a local number was called. Most want the work to go to local businesses.

Rockford.....

[EvoRed]

A number of times I've been on subbing jobs, and they always think a local number was called. Most want the work to go to local businesses.

Yep. I was doing a subbing job 30+ miles away a couple of weeks ago and, when in conversation, I mentioned where I had come from and they said 'but I phoned a local number just up the road there...', looking puzzled.

If only customers could tell the difference between these big emergency companies and the small local businesses, it really would benefit both them and us...

[bowleya]

What will be interesting is with BT putting classified ads in the normal phonebook will they only place local companies in their respective areas. I have spoken to the rep and have been told this is the case so i thought i will give it a try for a year.

Nothing ventured nothing gained but even if they do how many people will use it ?

[EvoRed]

Well I've taken the plunge today with 118 247, not sure if it's a good move or not, not being the opinion of most on here, but time will tell...

They offered an extra year free, so £258+VAT for 2 years was, in my view, worth the gamble with only three other companies in my county on this service at present (one of them a national of course)...

[79commando]

Signed up with 118247 to cover the Stirlingshire area in Scotland and to-date afer three months have clocked up a grand total of two calls. When they contacted me, 118247 was advertised regularly on the radio. I reaslise now that they target each area for about a month, get business then cut back on the adds. In future I will ask how long their advertisement campagn will be going on in my area and get it in writting.

[Rockford]

I've had 3 calls from 118247 during 8 months - not bothering renewing.

Rockford.....

[cred]

think ive had 2 calls in nearly 12 months, but mine runs till 2006 just had the y/p guy round last week to renew my ad and he says he will sort my 118 24 7 problem (but that was when he was telling me how much this years y/p add comes to) lets wait and see !!!!

[acl]

And just how is he going to sort that problem for you MAKE people ring you? God these guys are full of shit theyll say anything to get you to sign.Every year we are told no more multiple ads ,sick of moaning at them now. So i normally do it on here!
Andy

[EvoRed]

Well I'm only 2 weeks into my 118247 ad but gathering jobs from it at a seemingly normal rate of zilch.

Judging by the average on here I'll expect my first around late spring, early summer!

[cred]

evo,
i know what you mean he says to me there are ways to make it work (whatever!!) gone for a bigger and bolder ad this year £1087 +vat just got to bite the bullet and hope it gets the work in.
last year they got my mobile number wrong,it was a rush ad so i didnt see the proof so in theory this year should be better
ray

[jcsmiles]

After phoning 118247 and asking for a locksmith in my town/area I got one 10 miles away one, 14 miles away and one, 23 miles away after asking for a locksmith in my town they said there wasn't one. I asked myself what am I paying for and then complained to them and I have had no reply yet.

Never again and I will be changing my yell pages advert several times till I m truly happy with the display. I would like to stop paying them but once you've signed they have got your money.

[cred]

get this,
today i recived the new bt phone book,which got me thinking of all the advertising i do;
3x local council web sites,

bt phone book 2x free lines,

118 500,

118 24 7,

thompson local,

yellow pages,

scoot,

sub for x2 maintanance companys,

sent 60 letters to local letting agents,

numorous buisness cards!!!!!!!!!!!!! and buisness still slow,things have just dryed up since xmas

ray

[EvoRed]

After phoning 118247 and asking for a locksmith in my town/area I got one 10 miles away one, 14 miles away and one, 23 miles away after asking for a locksmith in my town they said there wasn't one. I asked myself what am I paying for and then complained to them and I have had no reply yet.

Are you saying that you advertise with 118247? If so, I'd like to say that is unbelievable but, unfortunately, I do find it believable... I've thought of doing the same to check them out... Idiots.

Cred, if you think you're ready get into warrant work mate for some regular income. The private work seems to fly in too when you're out on a warrant run!

[toomush2drink]

How you finding warrant work evo ? Lots of latch slipping or had to drill a few yet ?