[waynebarry]

As Above

[deep-cleaningukltd]

Some swear by being a member of a trade body. You can us their logo in your ads (Only if a member).

For IICRC membership you have to show an ongoing training program, not sure about the NCCA.

The NCCA also put your details on their website and, apparently, send enquiries received if you are the closest. Perhaps others could confirm that.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Yes!

If you are expecting them to change the world then you will be disappointed as they don't look for work for you but you will be able to use the badge as a selling point for a quality mark.

If you know your stuff and are using it for marketing all well and good but if you are wanting to join for above and beyond learning I would do IICRC courses,both organisations don't do alot for your money after you have joined IMO but it depends on what you want out of it.

Shaun

[waynebarry]

Cheers Adi & Shawn for your advice are you going to attend the two day seminar mentioned in the other thread it would be great to meet you.

[deep-cleaningukltd]

Yes

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Adi are you a fast track member?

Shaun

[deep-cleaningukltd]

Shaun

Yes, Eco member.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

What's the difference with an eco member and a fast track member and how much does it cost?

Shaun

[deep-cleaningukltd]

Shaun

If you send  PM with your phone number I'll give you a bell.

[waynebarry]

Adi could you e-mail me your phone number so I can talk to you about the difference between fast track & eco as you seem to have some knowledge of Alltec? sales@apluscleaningservices.co.uk

[jsm]

i would say NO , joe public havnt got a clue who the ncca is let alone the other one abccccc etc
we have some in the window cleaning too - money for nothing ....

my view, spend the money on 10000 leaflets , 

as training - lots of places do that , prochem, ashbys , etc - or blag a few days tagging alone with a carpet cleaner , the best training ive found.

[neil55]

I was a member of the ncca for 5 yrs.

I think they have lost their way. Their stated aim is to create jo public awareness of ncca.

That will cost £millions and take years - so hopeless cause IMO.

I left - reluctantly.

By the way I got 2 leads in 5 yrs - so that does not work either.

Agree use the membership money for yr marketing!!!

Neil

[Peter Sweeney]

The opportunites for creating public awareness are endless and cost very little.

[Joe H]

I was a member of the ncca for 5 yrs.

I think they have lost their way. Their stated aim is to create jo public awareness of ncca.

That will cost £millions and take years - so hopeless cause IMO.

Neil

Their stated aim does NOT include public awareness, and I assume that is because they well know it will cost a lot of money and take years, as you correctly said.

They have four main aims which can be found on their website.
Neither is finding you jobs one of their aims.

YOU have to use it like any tool.

I have clinched a deal with clients after I have explained NCCA as part of my overall sales pitch.

[Colin Day]

So what you're saying is, join NCCA then explain to every customer what it is and tell them you're a  member?

Why?

Sell yourself and your service and if you get the job, prove you are well worth the money and they'll keep using you.

I've got better things to spend the membership fee on TBH...

BUT, the minute I answer the phone and people start asking "Are you a member of the NCCA? Because that's the sort of carpet cleaner I want cleaning my carpets" Then I'll join!

[Joe H]

Do you not sell yourself when you tell them you have invested thousands in new equipment and training, oh and the best cleaning fluids on the market.
Things like that make you stand out from the competition, but the custy wont know unless you tell them.

Does Robert Saunders advertise to the public that he sells a machine that is infinitely superior then a Rug Doctor, oh and by the way if you live in Cornwall there is a guy with our machine. No.  You have to go out and sell your service, and if you have something that makes you stand out in the crowd then you use it - to its fullest.
No difference being a member of the NCCA.

The only reason people know about Corgi (and others) is that it is legislation.
But then again, some might think you talkiing about Lizzies dogs.

[deep-cleaningukltd]

Joe

It's GAS SAFE now, CORGI don't exist anymore.

Wayne
Told you this was a contentious subject.

[D Ingram]

I have to  agree with Joe .

The NCCA have been around for 30yrs and in that time I have to say they have not made that big an impact on the public.  And as Joe quite rightly says you alone have to sing their praises when you’re in front of the customer.  I myself like many others have never been a member of the association so do not know the benefits of joining (if any).

Many of the guys’s who have come and had a day out with me say that their time spent on the courses was money well spent in terms of basic training and good grounding.  As for practical experience there was none to speak of.  What it did give them was a good in site of what to expect and how to apply themselves.

Would I spend the entrance fee on leaflets.  I would have to say NO!  Without some knowledge of what I was doing all the work those leaflets bring in would be of little use to me if I hadn’t a clue what I was doing.
Like many other s when I started out I practised on friends and family going round rubbing holes in furniture and shrinking their carpets till I got it right.
  For you guy’s help is at hand, so go do the cause and then hopefully you can find a knowledgeable local cleaner who will take you under their wing and help you hone your skills.

Now where did I put that tin hat?

[Colin Day]

If you read my post I actually state that I sell myself and my service. I do let them know about the state of the art machine I've got and how the chemicals I use are safe and will prevent resoiling. But in the main, most people are happy that you know what you're talking about and I only seem to ever lose out on a quote because they are after a cheap job, not because I'm not a member of the NCCA.

If I really thought I needed to, I could say I'm a member of the NCCA anyway even though I'm not and that would save me hundreds in membership fees. (Don't worry, I wouldn't actually try it) Is the custy gonna check up on me? I doubt it somehow because they'll be thinking "What the hell was he talking about....?"

If I see a van with a NCCA sticker on, I must admit, it is a nice looking sticker! But that's as far as it goes for me I'm affriad.... Like I say, if people start asking if I'm a member, I'll join! I can't say fairer than that

[Joe H]

Many of the guys’s who have come and had a day out with me say that their time spent on the courses was money well spent in terms of basic training and good grounding.  As for practical experience there was none to speak of.  What it did give them was a good in site of what to expect and how to apply themselves.

You got the principle aim of the NCCA there Dave, and I copy and paste off their web site.

"The principal objective of the NCCA is the establishment and maintenance of minimum standards within the carpet and upholstery cleaning industry, with the dual aim of safeguarding the reputation of the industry and protecting its customers, whether in the domestic or the commercial sphere".

There are 4 more aims stated by them, none of which state they will promote the NCCA heavily to the public.
How can they, with limited funds and 3 staff.
Dont forget, and this includes Ken Wainwright and Derek Bolton when they were directors, all give their time voluntary. Most of the Directors will be just like you and me - carpet cleaners, or in the trade,  earning a living.