Spreading the word - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Daveyboy · 27-09-2008

I've been reading a lot of the old threads today just to get a feel of things and noticed some recurring themes...associations, forums, advertising (internet, phone books, vans, leaflets, etc), standards, shortage of work.... We all want something for nothing or as little as possible and the Forums and the FTT wwebsite are free and excellent value but can we help to make them more widely known and in turn do more for us?

Has anyone considered producing a Forum?TTF logo for business letter heads, vans, etc, that members could be given to use? There may be a sponsor(s) out there waiting to contribute to the cost of producing them, etc. I'm sure there's some 'devel in the detail' but nothing that couldn't be sorted out.

I've joined the Trading Standards 'Buy with Confidence' scheme where yr vetted and once approved, get put on their website and given logos, etc to use. Government/charity organisations refer the businesses on the website to their clients and I've had 3 referrals in the last month.

What do you think?....

**grumpygrouter** · 28-09-2008

I think in principle that is a good idea. I feel it would take sometime to have impact however, as the FTT forum is not well know really and would need to be marketed heavily. This has cost implications, not only for the owner of the site but as a consequence, everyone registered on there.

How much would you be prepared pay to be registered is the next question?

**Dan** · 28-09-2008

Hang in there. As soon as I'm not so busy I'll be posting some details about a 'thing' that's sort of along the lines of what you're saying Davey.

Keep up the suggesting though in the mean time.

**Oli** · 29-09-2008

On a slightly different theme, I know that Dan is / was looking at creating regional forum sections, I've had experience of this on a car forum, (not your one dan), and one of the big advantages was group buying power for the regions, this could have some mileage here i think if we were to have say 20 people in west yorkshire for example who wanted say embrioded t shirts we could approach some retailers and negotiate a discount for bulk buying, Just an example to band about.

**whitebeam** · 29-09-2008

These organisations maybe good on paper but the general public would'nt have a clue and never ask anyway

Daveyboy · 01-10-2008

I'm not so sure. If every FTT member had a FTT logo on his van/letterhead/website/etc, the word would quickly spread....the more people see it in their face, the more chances are that they will use it and/or join it. Went round to a clients house tonight to look at a job. She had got my details off the Trading Standards (TS) website (out of interest, it only costs £100 per year to be registered). She also had a list of other guys off a local trades website which she was reluctant to call.

I'm not suggesting that FTT needs to be another TS with their very strict vetting processes or have any vetting processes. What I am suggesting is that if the members can advertise FTT as above, then its a way for them giving something back to the FTT for their free membership/access to forums/discounts/etc.

**whitebeam** · 01-10-2008

Hi Davey, I did know a builder who had FMB and be honest I would'nt have let him build a garden shed let alone an extension. I do agree with what you say but do feel that the FTT needs to market their selves to the general public so they know what it means. I also think that an insurance against problems and defects should be available from the contracter to the customer, At least they may feel more reassured and confident in the fixer. We all know it won't happen, While the customer wants cheap you have'nt a leg to stand on.

Do like that TS idea your'll have post a few details

Daveyboy · 02-10-2008

Hi Whitebeam, fully agree with you on all your points..a builder is only as good as his tradesmen and organisational abilities..FMB or not..I think Dan is going to propose something soon re FTT so we'll have to wait and see on that one..I like the insurance idea as it seems more than just having public liability; I do a lot of work for a bathroom showroom that is a member of the Independent Bathroom Specialist Association (IBSA) and they (IBSA) guarrentee the products and installation work for 6 years..If you 'google' trading standards and click on 'consumers' you will see there are currently 32 county schemes running. Click on your area and it will tell you how to register...Not much we can do about customers though; some of them have to learn the hard way that cheap is not always quality...