MEMBERS--Again at NPE 2010 in Nashville -- NPCA Educational Credit Seminars!

IF you took NPCA Educational Credit Seminars in Nashville send proof of attendance as soon as you get your certificates from the NPE or if you have your receipts from payment a copy of those will work too. (A copy of the NPE course certificate is best.) so we can get your credits listed on your search engine ad.

If YOU don't send it in we have no way of knowing so get with it, the 2010 season looks like it will be as "tough" as 2009 so everything that sets you apart from the competition will increase YOUR odds of getting the jobs! You can even send old certificate copies or payment receipts from previous years if you have forgotten.

We put a LOT into this benefit for our members and if you add 2010 credits to your 2008-2009 numbers or get 2010 credits for the first time it will be even better.

We have had more posts here recently as non-member contractors "push the envelope" or cut corners leaving dissatisfied customers.

This economy has made 2009 a nightmare for many contractors with some we have talked to (even members) only running about 1/5 of the sales they had last year--that's extreme but many have been down to 1/2 or 2/3... this economy has really hurt the "good" contractors so you can imagine what it has done to the not so good (the guy who's always been a bit cheaper and and bit thinner or whatever) and "traveler" type contractors.
These types are going crazy and at the same time consumers are hurting with less to pay so they look for better deals.
But as some recent posts reflect the cheapest deal isn't always the best. Be sure to look for NPCA members from the NPCA Links button at the top or use our tips for avoiding scams and finding good contractors on our Consumer Information Site

We have been averaging a call a day from someone who has been ripped off at worst or just got a poor quality job; where over the last 10 years that may have been an average 1 call a week or two.
It has been amazing how we get a "what can I do? I had this done and now this is wrong." almost daily the last couple of months.

Contractors who have had bad years are sometimes cutting corners and of course the travelers will do anything but mainly we have heard of local "low bidders" who got the low bid by cutting corners and now the customer is having problems and looking for recourse which may not be available.
There's lot's of details on the other site but always get a legally binding contract that spells out exactly what will be there when the job is done and be 100% sure the contractor is local and not a "traveler' (we will note some contractors are going farther in search of work--that's one thing but look for the ways to spot real "travelers" on the other site.

Winter is a time when most sealing & paving contractors and some striping contractors must live off the money they made in the summer, and this year many didn't make enough so they are trying to skimp a bit to get a few extra dollars to they and survive. So be very careful of the "low bid" even though it may be attractive because of your budget and the steep rise in asphalt & sealcoat materials prices in the last 2 years.

Be sure to notice on our Become A Member Page that we have drop down boxes with big discounts for many under-represented areas if you join on-line using our secure system.

We will be changing and adding to these but it never hurts to check and see if there's a big discount for your service in your area by e-mailing us at info@pavementpro.com if you meet our requirements for membership.

The "gang" at the NPCA booth including President Nick Howell, VP Vincent Engonogro, Illustrious Member (and Expo Speaker) for many years Don Rooney and Director Tom Marry behind the camera

An Allied Vendor Showing off the many benefits of NPCA Membership




One of the Signs you look for to find NPCA Events at NPE

They're Here!

NPCA Members... Head to the Member's Forum for the link to apply for your NPCA Fleet Cards with up to five cents per gallon in rebates!

Thanks to Everyone Who Stopped By To Visit!


Our Booth At NPE 2008 was a popular spot.(especially with the free JCL T-shirts - Thanks to JCL)
We were amazed after 8 years how many contractors didn't know about the NPCA and may joined "on the spot" as soon as they saw the benefits.
We're hoping our regular column in Pavement and exposure in other trade magazines will help increase awareness of the many benefits of NPCA Membership..."It Doesn't Cost - It Pays!"

We have noticed those other "contractor referral sites" so we thought we would compare.

These are all actual lines from a supposed "national provider" er "find a contractor" site where contractors join to see leads...note see... the contractor has to login and look for "leads" people have posted. With the NPCA all contact is direct customer-contractor. We are never "in the middle".
All the following is directly taken from the site except the omission of the names/links. Notice it from the consumer's point of view also. They advertise "quality professional contractors" but read on...

Contractor Cost:

Them:
To be a "member" on the cheapest plan (agree to pay for over a year, more commitment but most closely resembles "annual dues"):
"Minimum 12 Month Membership
I have selected the 12-month commitment option that reduces my monthly fees to $24.99 USD per month. I understand that this is a written commitment and by agreeing to these terms I am responsible for the monthly fee of my membership for 12 consecutive months. During the 12-month cycle, I will be charged $24.99 USD per month and I will automatically be re-billed on a monthly basis throughout the 12-month term. Should I choose to cancel my membership after the 12-month commitment it can be done by contacting -----by phone at -------, or e-email at -----."
That's 299.88 per year, their least expensive option. Their "normal" membership is $479.88 per year.
NPCA:
Their least expensive option is more than our dues for the most expensive category of a full-service paving/sealing/striping/c ommercial and residential/etc. company with NO discounts.

Where do the "leads" come from? How many are there?


Them:
"Every month project owners post an average of 400 new construction project leads through the--------.com website."
Note from their site:
What kinds of projects are posted?
Posted projects cover all areas of Residential, Commercial and Industrial Construction.

NPCA:
In 2007 over 675 customers per month (average) for ONLY pavement related services.


Contractor Qualifications

Them:
"How does -----.com select Contractors?
Any contractor can join as a member and bid on posted projects"

NPCA:
Requires proof of proper insurance, licensing if required, agreement to our customer satisfaction survey process, agreement to our customer satisfaction & quality workmanship standards, agreement to our arbitration policy in the event of a problem, etc.

Who do YOU think a customer would trust most?

Other Benefits:

Them:
"A free web page is included" BUT if you look at the sample it's more like the listing in on-line yellow pages. No more than our regular display ad a customer sees when they search for you.

NPCA:
A free "real" web page for 3 months with the option to convert it to a full, completely functional web site for as little as $135 thereafter or a "build it yourself" web site builder for free (plus minimum hosting charges less than $9 a month)

BUT:
The web page is a minor benefit with NPCA membership. You also get:

• Super "Fleet" pricing on Ford Trucks (and we are working on Dodge & GM)
• Discounted equipment financing or leasing.
• Discounted business insurance: General Liability, Workman's Comp, Vehicle, and even umbrella policies and bonding...anything your business needs.
• Discounted wellness and accident health insurance including prescriptions & dental & more.
• Deep discounts on all types of business printing.
• Avis Rental discount cards
• Budget Rental discount cards
• Year-round discounts on stencils and all types of pavement striping and asphalt/crack sealing hand tools.

And many more as listed elsewhere, including special discounts from our allied-vendor members, discounted clothing for you and your crew with your logos etc.

Plus NOT ONE of these other companies has ever been listed in ANY of the major national magazines we have. And we have some pretty "big name" references; including the nation's leading consumer publication whose entire reputation is because you can't "buy" their recommendation.

We have had members pay for their dues with just one print order or one stencil purchase...and the first member who bought a Ford saved enough to re-pay his membership for 52 years!

We just thought we would do this little comparison (and it's surely not complete) but sometimes after 8 years and all these obvious benefits some people still ask "well...is membership really worth it?"

Take a look around at what else is out there and what really happens, read the fine print, check the reputation...then make up your mind...we have a place waiting for you as long as you are a quality contractor.

And by the way right now their forums have had 1 post in the last 3 days and these forums will probably pass 20,000 total posts by the end of the year and have approx. 30 visitors on-line right now

Finally...
The NPCA Avis cards are here. We now have both them and the Budget car rental discount cards so if you need one just let us know and we'll be glad to send them. (If you have other magement people who need them let us know how many)
These can be used for any purpose, not just business so if you need them let us know.

We are glad to announce that NPCA Members can now get their NPCA Avis/Budget Rental Discount Cards at no charge!

Benefits from this new NPCA member benefit program include:

• 10% off Super Value daily and weekly rates in the contiguous USA
• 5% off Promotional rates in the USA
• 10% off the Time & Mileage rates in W. Europe
• 10% off rates in Africa & the Middle East
• 15% off rates in Asia & the Pacific
• 10% off rates in Latin America & the Caribbean
• Special rates in Canada

AND

Frequent Flyer Mileage accrual for each rental with participating programs!


Another reason NPCA membership doesn't cost-it pays!

Just for fun we monitored yesterday Friday September 21, 2007 and of all the people who searched on the entire Yahoo network including Yahoo!, Infospace, AltaVista, Viacom, Disney.com and others.

Of ALL searches containing the words "asphalt sealer" 8% clicked on to come to our contractor search page.
4.67% of the people who's search contained "driveway sealing" ended up on our contractor search.
3.03% who typed something containing "pavement striping" ended up searching here for a contractor.

And that's just one late September day, picked at random (and a Friday too when many people might not be searching at work) that we decided to track the results.

It would take ages to go down the list of all the other terms that brought people here but think... this is almost the "off" season in a lot of the country...and still this many people click & come straight to our search page... Looking for You!

We welcome all 3,472 registered users (so far) of this forum and appreciate your participation. And we would welcome you to become NPCA members if qualified.

Member's, don't miss the newest member's article in the member's forums "Once Upon A Brand" by noted author ARTHUR GERMAIN
Great Stuff!