Topps approved fitters - Page 2 - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

**Dan** · 17-07-2008

Topps used to have a fixing division and that didn't work either. They running it didn't know how to run that sort of thing.

I think it'll flop - for the members of it - and topps.

They've also registered Topps Trade Tilers (I know I know) as a trademark. I woner what they're doing with that!

Grace'sDad · 17-07-2008

As Fekin says - build a relationship with someone in the store.
(Get yourself a "champion" to use a sales phrase.)

It's also well worth having an open - straight to the point and friendly chat with the manager and staff about just how much info they are giving to the customer about your side of things - i.e. prices / grout joints / etc.

Early on I found that the staff were quoting all kinds of weird and wonderful prices - ranging from the dirt cheap to the ridiculous! I simply asked that they don't discuss price or fixing techniques AT ALL but leave it all to me.
I assured them that I would "sell" the service and educate the customer as to why they needed certain things and how I would do things. I think the staff were actually pleased to hear this - sometimes they must feel under pressure when customer fire questions they can't really answer.

Just ask them to leave this side to you - it worked for me!

(love that quote about the customer wanting monolithic look marble!)

Also - make sure you tighten up on your quotes to include specification like grout joint widths etc - get a signature before you begin.

**Dan** · 17-07-2008

I'm also pulling my shares out ASAP. I think there's something going on personally.

**whitebeam** · 17-07-2008

Topps Tiles have lost two-thirds of there value in the last 12 months. Source TSJ

JIMBOB187 · 17-07-2008

One of the biggest issues is the staff quoting ball park fitting figures and also quoting to exactly the coverage on a bag of addy, does my head in when I look at a floor that resembles the Himalayas and I tell the customer that more addy will be needed. Oh no they say the lad in Topps said Blah, Blah. Customers, can't live with em, can't pay the bills without em!

**whitebeam** · 17-07-2008

The trouble is JIMBOB when the sales person has made his pitch as far as the customer is concerned it's "Written in stone"

Grace'sDad · 17-07-2008

And untrained / not fully trained sales people are lethal.
They get nervous - desperate to secure a sale and then the verbal poop just keeps on spilling out!

That's why it's critical to make sure you get them to stop before they begin.

(I also over-egg my adhesive and grout requirements - customers are thrilled when they can return stuff for a refund - not so happy to cough up extra)

penno · 17-07-2008

I just got sick of the "YOU ARE JOKING" comment whenever i told them the cost of rapid set flex. "and you need 5 bags" "WHAT?"

**IvegotsTILE** · 17-07-2008

It didn't work in my local store,no-one wanted the service.They asked me to be a taf but was too busy.They've now put all the tilers cards back on the counter.

DARRELL · 18-07-2008

The thing is right, the reason for the TAF is so they dont have to let us guys have it at trade prices becouse the customer buys every thing they pay top doller. This info come from a store manager. I also read the artical in Tsj thair just getting greedy in my eyes...

**CLAYS TILES** · 18-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARRELL

The thing is right, the reason for the TAF is so they dont have to let us guys have it at trade prices becouse the customer buys every thing they pay top doller. This info come from a store manager. I also read the artical in Tsj thair just getting greedy in my eyes...

TOO TRUE M8

**Dave** · 18-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARRELL

I had a customer blame me for the rong tiles becouse I picked them up for the customer and it was free delivery. An other wanted marble and dident want grout joints I did grout joints and it was rong he wanted it to look like one peace of marble.

You were not wrong......bs5385 states that you do use a joint in tile installations......tell the customer to check there facts before bollocking you.....Don't you just hate it when customers try to tell you your job..?...