Authorized Dealer - advantages of using

[gmahler]

All of the top brands advertise a select set of dealers that they call "Authorized" or "Customer Care" or some such title. On their web sites they advertise these as having special certifications. Carrier for example seems to give you the impression that their authorized dealers are the only ones who really know what they are doing and that they back them 100%. I personally think this is poor practice to recognize a number of companies and then give special badges to a few. I think everyone listed should be of equal capability and the Mfrer should guarantee that or not have them selling their product. What opinions do some of you have about what it takes to get this 'red badge of courage'. Is it a real recognition of ability or something else?

[airworx]

carrier is the only manufacture that performs a background check before issuing a dealership.
every other manufacture will give you a dealership as long as you have a license.
as far as customer care dealers that really doesnt mean alot
its a program any dealer can sign up for as long as they have the money to buy into it.

[Edited by airworx on 08-05-2005 at 02:04 PM]

[RoBoTeq]

Carrier does a background check? If you say so. I was a Carrier dealer for years and the only check they did was on my credit.

[dash]

So you think a mfr. that backs a 100% satisfaction program,for some dealers ,that have met a certain standard is a bad thing.Do you think the rest of the mfrs., that offer no such guarantee ,are better ,while doing nothing to elevate the trade?


The programs like CFAD,Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer,are open to dealers that met the criteria.

Some is training and Minimum percentage of NATE Certified Techs.Some is the percentage of equipment the dealers sells ,must be that brand.May include requirements for advertising as well.


Why would a manufacturer want to back a 100% guarantee,for dealers that don't come to training,give the manufacturer a small protion of their business,buy based on price alone,and for other reasons may be less then desirable.


I know the CFAD and Trane Comfort Specialistc ,are worthwhile programs in Florida

[BaldLoonie]

I don't know how much that means. We've been an A-S dealer for 13 years, really try on quality, no hacking, proper sizing. But didn't get involved with their customer care or whatever the program is called. Other A-S dealers in the area I wouldn't trust are in the program. Just an example.

I'd look for someone who is loyal to one or 2 brands as opposed to those who will slap in anything or change every year or 2. The techs get to know the product better, parts are likely to be on hand...

[RoBoTeq]

I agree that any company that goes to the added trouble of being certified by a manufacturer as one that is more involved with that manufacturer is more likely to be a more conciencise contractor then one that is only interested in putting in equipment with no other involvement in our industry.

Along those lines, don't most brands have special designations for more involved contractors? Goodman has the A-Plus program and when I was repping Rheem/Ruud they had a special group as well.

As dash has stated, these programs by manufacturers usually involve additional training and other quality incentives from the manufacturer. The problem is that anyone who buys equipment is an "authorized" dealer and may advertize as such.

[drk]

Their are a lot of company's in my are that are one brand company's! Not that is a bad thing but why would a customer not want a choose in the equipment he is buying. Train is famous for telling customers that they are the only people out their that can service their equipment. They have a few good people but most are just average. I don't know why a company would use a marketing program like this. Bad for their rep and their or a lot of smart customers that can see past the @#it.

[gmahler]

Bald L: Your company wouldn't feel some pressure to get the CC label because someone else in your area has it? If you already have a reputation nothing else matters I suppose, but I'm just wondering if someone who is new to your service area looks on the A/S web site and picks a Customer Care guy. The installer that I will probably be hiring to install my A/S unit has a good reputation in our area and is a CC dealer. He said it was a lot easier for him to get replacements under warranty from A/S. Carrier's description of their authorized dealer on the web site makes their non-authorized ones look like they are not to be trusted...

[BaldLoonie]

We just weren't interested in going for the customer care stuff. We don't do much with mfrs. programs. We push our own name, don't advertise brands at all. We do get co-op from vendors but don't use their name. Just the way the boss feels about it. I'm not sure I agree 100% though.

We have a good rep with all the vendors in town. If I need something, I get taken care of.

One distributor salesman/friend just today commented that our Carrier wholesaler will sell Carrier to almost everyone just trying save marketshare! They already sell Payne to the public through a subdistributor. Had a call this morning from a guy wanting to buy his own Payne furnace that way and looking for an installer.

[airworx]

theres no such thing as a non authorized dealer.
if your a dealer for a brand of equipment then your authorized.

[Mr Bill]

Originally posted by RoBoTeq
Carrier does a background check? If you say so. I was a Carrier dealer for years and the only check they did was on my credit.

DITTO!

[jrbenny]

Originally posted by BaldLoonie
One distributor salesman/friend just today commented that our Carrier wholesaler will sell Carrier to almost everyone just trying save marketshare! They already sell Payne to the public through a subdistributor. Had a call this morning from a guy wanting to buy his own Payne furnace that way and looking for an installer.

BL, Please send me an email. I'd like a few details about this. I'm sure management would be very interested to know about this arrangement. In Lville, we are very strict about sales. I don't know why it would be different in Indy. Click on the little red house.