>
I’m wading in and back out of the DGCOS debate very quickly here!
You know, there wouldn’t be a need for things like DGCOS (who claim to protect companies against non-paying customers) if companies conducted themselves in the correct manner.
Think about it, it’s simple. If the company does the job correctly from start to finish, the customer (assuming they are genuine people as 99.9% of them are), won’t have a reason to hold back payment. If the installations company does things like:
1. Have polite, courteous sales people who fully explain the product and the proposed work.
2. Keep the customer informed and kept within the communication loop at all times. Making sure they know at what stage their installation is.
3. Install their products to the same standard as they saw in the showroom, without major defaults or problems.
4. Install products by fully qualified fitters, who are clean, tidy, efficient and fit to a high standard.
5. Provide a good after sales service after installation.
These are all simple steps, but ones which we carry out here and we practically never have a problem with customers not paying, as we don’t give them an excuse to.
The other advantage is that you’re less likely to collect the type of customers who are non-payers as they know they probably won’t get away with it.
See! DGCOS rendered useless (in my opinion anyway!).
You know, there wouldn’t be a need for things like DGCOS (who claim to protect companies against non-paying customers) if companies conducted themselves in the correct manner.
Think about it, it’s simple. If the company does the job correctly from start to finish, the customer (assuming they are genuine people as 99.9% of them are), won’t have a reason to hold back payment. If the installations company does things like:
1. Have polite, courteous sales people who fully explain the product and the proposed work.
2. Keep the customer informed and kept within the communication loop at all times. Making sure they know at what stage their installation is.
3. Install their products to the same standard as they saw in the showroom, without major defaults or problems.
4. Install products by fully qualified fitters, who are clean, tidy, efficient and fit to a high standard.
5. Provide a good after sales service after installation.
These are all simple steps, but ones which we carry out here and we practically never have a problem with customers not paying, as we don’t give them an excuse to.
The other advantage is that you’re less likely to collect the type of customers who are non-payers as they know they probably won’t get away with it.
See! DGCOS rendered useless (in my opinion anyway!).
>Exactly how it should be done.
>I see mister bates is playing with his tick again.
>Excellent approach. Extremely professional. Just what is needed to run a successful business.GARY H……
>We do all of those things and still get the odd head case that won’t pay up. As DGCOS members it’s nice to know that should the need arise we’ve got access to free legal advice and support although I think our own protection is really inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. It’s all about the consumer feeling well protected and being well protected too. Our customers love the fact we are members of the DGCOS and we’ve seen a massive shift in how they pay as a result, much less credit card payments going through and lots more… Read more »
>I think your estimate of 99.9% of customers being genuine and reasonable is little optimistic, particularly when times are hard and people are looking to save money wherever they can. I'd guess at more like 90% – still very high, but it only takes a ten grand job for one of the 10% to make DGCOS worthwhile. And, of course, protecting DG companies from rogue customers is just one small part of what DGCOS is for – it's primary function is to help repair the poor public perception of our industry, by offering customers proper support and guarantees. Then, if… Read more »
>The common perception by the public is there are more rogues within the industry than outside it.
If people are looking to save money where they can, they probably wouldn't even be considering new windows.
RAB
>As a prospective dg customer, I have misgivings about DGCOS. You can't get a list of local firms without giving your name, address, phone number & email address and according to their privacy policy they will pass your details on to firms. So its cold calling and spam emails for the customer.
Another worry is that the "ombudsman" service is run by the industry and is likely to be for the industry with the suspicion of biassed adjudication which are legally enforceable. At least the GGF scheme leaves an ultimate recourse to unbiased courts.