Who paid the new PDTA fee?

I paid it because I had some extra money. I like the idea of what they're trying to do and will give them my support for now. I'll see what they can do over this next year.
 
I'm in as well, I know the people running it JIm Hammil, he is committed to getting the association working for the good of all professional detailers. Gary
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
I passed on it......
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Same here. Until I see what they really will do, vs intend to do, I'll hang on to my money. I was a member of the PDA and basically, I was paying an annual fee to get vendors to send me junk mail.



Those of you who've paid, let me know in 6 months if it really is worth it.
 
My view of what a professional detailing association should be varies greatly from others. I do not see an association that is focused on us, the detailers.



Contrary to most, I clearly see an association that is focused on the needs of our customers and especially our potential customers. The people driving around in their dirty cars who know very little about what professional detailers have to offer.



Since the association began last year; how has being a member helped detailers to improve and become more focused on meeting and exceeding the needs of their customers and especially their potential customers?
 
I passed on it also, we had a free listing since the start and maybe three hits as a result. I think $75 is way too steep, I would have paid $25 and no more.
 
$75 WAY TOO STEEP ?!?!?! Thatâ€â„¢s almost what a pro detailer would make in two car washes or about 65% of what a wash and wax cost or about a third the price of a full detail. MY GOD MAN IT IS 20 CENTS A DAY!



I joined and I had dinner with Jim and a few of the members at the mobile tech expo. And they are some really super great great guys.



Detailers SHOULD help build the association for detailers by detailers. Ask what YOU can do for the association first then see what benefits you will reap from it.



If Jim and Brian and the others that gave up much free time after work and away from friends and family WITH NO PAY (YEP ALL THAT WORK FOR FREE) to get an association started for us REAL professional detailers then we owe them at the very least our support.



If you can't afford $75 then you actually need the association more then the ones that joined already.
 
Superior Shine said:
$75 WAY TOO STEEP ?!?!?! Thatâ€â„¢s almost what a pro detailer would make in two car washes or about 65% of what a wash and wax cost or about a third the price of a full detail. MY GOD MAN IT IS 20 CENTS A DAY!



I joined and I had dinner with Jim and a few of the members at the mobile tech expo. And they are some really super great great guys.



Detailers SHOULD help build the association for detailers by detailers. Ask what YOU can do for the association first then see what benefits you will reap from it.



If Jim and Brian and the others that gave up much free time after work and away from friends and family WITH NO PAY (YEP ALL THAT WORK FOR FREE) to get an association started for us REAL professional detailers then we owe them at the very least our support.



If you can't afford $75 then you actually need the association more then the ones that joined already.
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i understand what you are saying and i give credit to Jim & Brian. They way I look at things though is I join after I know it will help me. What sucks is that this is like a catch 22, they can not grow unless people join, and people will not join unless they grow.



as for giving up free time, i give up much of time to help others, i just am not sure about this pdta yet. It sounds really good, but I do not see how it is going to help as there name is not out there yet.



A good idea is to have members for free, these member can have stickers or some kind of sign in the shop saying they are a member, customer will begin to notice that sign and go to the webstite. This is how pdta can begin to get customer credit and have people view the website.
 
NY detailer said:
A good idea is to have members for free, these member can have stickers or some kind of sign in the shop saying they are a member, customer will begin to notice that sign and go to the webstite. This is how pdta can begin to get customer credit and have people view the website.
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This is an excellent idea, however, the association does not appear to be focused on the needs of the customer.

The primary focus appears to be on meeting their own needs, not the customer.



Hey, stop by their site and read all the reasons to join the PDTA for yourself. You decide.



Reasons to join the PDTA.

http://www.detailersassociation.com/reasons.html
 
mirrorfinishman said:
This is an excellent idea, however, the association does not appear to be focused on the needs of the customer.

The primary focus appears to be on meeting their own needs, not the customer.



Hey, stop by their site and read all the reasons to join the PDTA for yourself. You decide.



Reasons to join the PDTA.

http://www.detailersassociation.com/reasons.html
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to be honest with you I can belong to 100 associations, but it is the customer that i want to please.
 
Reasons to join the PDTA.





1. The purpose of any association is to collaborate a group of individuals belonging to a certain

trade to simplify their lives, business and path for success. By joining an association,

networking with your colleagues and peers you can influence the way you conduct business

and enhance your craft by learning new skills and techniques needed for the job. An

association also shows great signs of professionalism and commitment to your business

practice. In turn, this gives your customer peace of mind.



2. Ability to take advantage of our supplier's discounts with buyers groups.

PDTA members receive extra special discounts and saving from our suppliers and vendors,

such as Winners Circle Detailing Products, Automotive International, Detail Plus and Attention

to Details , and if you join now, you receive a Complete Car Care Kit from Stoner's worth $49.95.



3. Member access to the Technical Service Bulletins -- Only dealers and manufacturers see

these. We currently have 8 OEM TSB's in our library relating to vehicle finish conditions and

correct repair procedures. We have also established a working relationship with the University

Of Illinois Automotive Technology Department , many of these graduates go on to work for the

major OEM's. We have also developed relationships with the Tier 1 suppliers to the OEM's and

get regular updates on new technologies, such as paint films and interior surfaces, being used

in modern cars. Our Tech Tips section is also regularly updated with information provided to us

by the OEM's, Chemical Manufacturers, and other trusted sources within the industry.



4. Networking opportunities with your peers. We are planning several PDTA member only

events around the country where members can network together . We are planning a Detailers

Round Table at next years Mobile Tech Expo, plus some social events for the evenings.



5. Detailing industry news (OSHA watch, EPA watch, newsletters, etc.) delivered to you via

email. We monitor both the EPA and OSHA databases to identify current trends in their

activities. The lessons learnt from these OSHA visits are then shared among our membership to

reduce their own risk of being fined by OSHA and the EPA.



5. Benefits. Whilst our full benefit package is still not complete , we are offering discounts

through Creditel (mobile credit card machines) , Mobile Detailers insurance through Allied

Insurance Brokers, and are finalizing plans for other insurance services through Liberty Mutual.



6. National Promotions . We recently finished our first promotional activity, with our most

detailed car of 2004 poll, this was picked up by several magazines , and will be even bigger next

year. We will also be working with detailers and their own local media to promote professional

detailing in the next year in association with some of our supplier members.



7. We are also making some promotional items for detailers to use with their own customers

including a quarterly news letter that our members can send to their own customers either by

e-mail or by regular mail.



8. Your business listed in our "find a detailer" section. This page is one of the most popular on our web site , regularly receiving 2-300 visits a week.



SOUNDS GOOD TO ME!!
 
Joe-my problem is pretty much the same was promised by the PDA and I honestly feel I didn't get my money's worth. Maybe this organization is different, I certainly hope so. However, until I see what those who've joined have to say about it a few months down the road, I'm going to pass on joining.



If in April or May, you guys are still hyped up about it and are getting real benefits from your membership, I'll probably join up then. I've been detailing 11 years now without any real membership in a detailing organization and have done very well for myself, I think I can wait a while longer and see if the PDTA turns out to be worth joining.



BTW, my own website gets 30-50 hits a day.
 
Scottwax said:
my problem is pretty much the same was promised by the PDA and I honestly feel I didn't get my money's worth.



I've been detailing 11 years now without any real membership in a detailing organization and have done very well for myself, I think I can wait a while longer and see if the PDTA turns out to be worth joining.



BTW, my own website gets 30-50 hits a day.
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It is clear to see that you do not need to be a member of an organization in order to become a successful detailing business owner.



Look around. How many monuments have you seen that are dedicated to a committee?
 
Superior Shine said:
$75 WAY TOO STEEP ?!?!?! Thatâ€â„¢s almost what a pro detailer would make in two car washes or about 65% of what a wash and wax cost or about a third the price of a full detail. MY GOD MAN IT IS 20 CENTS A DAY!



I joined and I had dinner with Jim and a few of the members at the mobile tech expo. And they are some really super great great guys.



Detailers SHOULD help build the association for detailers by detailers. Ask what YOU can do for the association first then see what benefits you will reap from it.



If Jim and Brian and the others that gave up much free time after work and away from friends and family WITH NO PAY (YEP ALL THAT WORK FOR FREE) to get an association started for us REAL professional detailers then we owe them at the very least our support.



If you can't afford $75 then you actually need the association more then the ones that joined already.
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Only too true Joe. However, it has been my experience with guys in this business that no matter how many reasons you give them why they should operate their "business" a certain way - they will give you five why they shouldn't. Regardless of whether they are right or wrong or how much proof you have to back up what you are saying. It says a lot about the type of people who attempt to open detailing businesses and why the failure rate is so damn high. Most detailing businesses that operate full time are gone in under six months - pretty damn sad isn't it. Why? I have never heard of a failure rate that high in another industry. How many people here actually make their living full time off of detailing? Furthermore, how many people can honestly say they are making a real go of it? What I mean by that is are you making a really decent living money wise? Quality of life wise? From my experience most guys are working crazy hours and making peanuts. Waste of time in my opinion. I know when the money isn't there I won't be doing this anymore - why would anyone want to be? Passion for detailing? Sure when I am doing my cars on the weekend but when it comes to owning and operating a business it's all dollars and cents and being a professional is a big part of that. Obeying the laws, having the proper insurance, being a part of the trade organizations, getting involved in the community, having the proper training....all part of being a professional. Go and ask how many doctors aren't part of thier medical association. How about lawyers or accountants? They all take part in industry specific trade associations because it gives them representation and clout - not with customers but more importantly with suppliers, government, insurance companies etc...
 
Shineshop you seem very passionate on this topic you do have some very valid points but I don't really agree with you're over all point of view.



For starters let me say that I am a one man detail operation and I work out of my home and I am only part time by choice and successful by my standards. Personally I enjoy being small and running my business this way , if I where to go out and open a shop on a main highway I'd have to pump up my volume and higher employees just to pay the shops bills and I wouldn't profit as much as I do now.



Again it's just a matter of what works for one might not work for another. The way you make it sound that unless you're a large shop with all the bells and whistles you're not a professional detailer. I do not agree with that , remember detailing started as a "cottage industry" and I don't feel it will ever be "big business".



As for your comments about joining the association for clout , that's the wrong reason for me to join I do exceptional details on my customers cars for clout or recognition both with my fellow detailers and more importantly my customers.



I'm all for it if it will benefit me, not the customer and certainly not the owners of the association. Don't get me wrong it's noble what they are doing but it has to benefit me and my business if I'm going to dish out any money. And at present it has nothing to offer me , I do not use any of the products that have been discounted through the association. The only benefit that it could offer me is the group rates on health and other insurance and I don't think that will become a reality , mainly because insurance companies want to make the most money possible.



So in conclusion I personally don't see a benifit right now but if that changes I'll gladly fork over the $75 , I'd even pay up to $250 a year if it had real benifits to offer me and my business.
 
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