by invicta » 12 Jul 2007 3:42
Hi guys, I'm new here to the site, so please be gentle.
Over the last 6 months of bumping into other locksmith's, it is becoming rather clear that the agencies are stitching up genuine local locksmiths.
Some of us have fallen into a trap, where we have to take on agency work to suppliment our turn over.
Now, I'm not suggesting that we all turn round and stop accepting the work, but something more thought out and damaging. Tho this would be a very evective tactic, putting them out of business very quickly!
The bottom line is this. The agencies need us, more than we need them! On this basis we have the means and power to revoke their domination of local and national advertising. This can only work if WE stand UNITED!
My proposal for action is very simple. We all take a holiday from taking agency work for two weeks at the same time.
Seeing as they dont have any employed locksmiths, they will not be able to accept the job. This means the customer will then have to go back to the yellow pages (or whatever) and get another number.
This is a two pronged protest. The first, sending them a clear message that they are nothing without us! Secondly, we deserve a higher percentage. In fact, I believe the sudden drop in sales will hurt them enough to realise this.
If you advertise locally, you have a greater chance of getting the call direct.
The beauty of this campaign is the fact it is non confrontational, no akward conversations, just call all the agencies who you sub for and tell them your on holiday for 2 weeks.
As yet, I have no dates in mind. I would like some feed back on this subject. Feel free to reply here or message me. I welcome thoughts, feelings and any ideas to make this campaign a success. The outcome should be good for all LOCKSMITHS in the uk.
It will hopefully mean that we recieve a fairer percentage or even better a few of this huge crippling, misleading, money making, rip off traders will cease trading.
We need to STAND UNITED on this, they help fuel the attitude that locksmiths are rouge traders.
The adverts they run in the directories are unfair and mis leading, however, it is us who are making them richer and bigger! We need to make a stand. I have fallen in the trap of helping them dominate the market, this is why I ask you all to give this some thought.
How many of you (who take this work) are fed up with going to a customer under a mile of where your based and and giving the agency 50-60% off the sale to them?
How many of you are outraged at their adverts ( 10 different numbers all going to the call centre making out the customer is calling local) ?
I know from experience that Absolute emergencies rip you off on the price of parts. Claiming a door mech cost nearly £78 when infact it cost £41. This is taking even more money out of your pocket!
ITS TIME TO FIGHT BACK!
Thankyou, for reading my post, I loook forward to hearing from you.
