Quantcast
Jump to content

Dunn and Bradstreet


Recommended Posts

I signed up and got a free d&b # 17 years ago in order to set up a commercial UPS account. They (UPS) refused to process my application without it. So far I've thrown out every letter from D&B wanting me to pay, but maybe I'm missing something? I obtained many commercial credit lines and nobody ever asked me for it, except UPS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I have also received these sales calls from D&B. I had already signed up and received my free DUNS # and have not spent any money on them. Also, I am surprised to hear that AlfredAuto had to have one to get the UPS account. I got on their website and had one on 5 minutes. It was very easy to get the account set up, and they even give me a volume based discount, since I have an Ebay store and ship with them frequently. I also have a FedEx account as well, but used it mainly to leverage better pricing from UPS.

 

 

Jamie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         5 comments
      I recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
      Judging from personal experience as a shop owner and from what I know about the auto repair industry, I can tell you that other than a few exceptions, the turnover rate for technicians in our industry is too high. This makes me think, do we have a technician shortage or a retention problem? Have we done the best we can over the decades to provide great pay plans, benefits packages, great work environments, and the right culture to ensure that the techs we have stay with us?
      Finding and hiring qualified automotive technicians is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been around for as long as I can remember. While we do need to attract people to our industry and provide the necessary training and mentorship, we also need to focus on retention. Having a revolving door and needing to hire techs every few years or so costs your company money. Big money! And that revolving door may be a sign of an even bigger issue: poor leadership, and poor employee management skills.
      Here’s one more thing to consider, for the most part, technicians don’t leave one job to start a new career, they leave one shop as a technician to become a technician at another shop. The reasons why they leave can be debated, but there is one fact that we cannot deny, people don’t quit the company they work for, they usually leave because of the boss or manager they work for.
      Put yourselves in the shoes of your employees. Do you have a workplace that communicates, “We appreciate you and want you to stay!”
  • Similar Topics

    • By champtires

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Minute-Efficiency: Becky Witt's philosophy on minute-efficiency is not just a practice but a way of life. She's fine-tuned her operations to ensure every minute counts, leading to optimized customer service and a thriving business. Becky Witt, George Witt Service in Lincoln, NE. Show Notes
      Becky's Unique Business Model (00:00:35) Becky discusses her efficient business model, working only two and a half days a week and enjoying her personal time. The Evolution of Efficiency (00:01:51) Becky shares her journey towards minute efficiency, realizing the need for rethinking her business to optimize operations and customer satisfaction. Understanding and Serving the Market (00:05:52) Becky emphasizes the importance of understanding her market, focusing on reliability and safety for her female clientele. Appointment-Based Operations (00:08:14) Becky explains the significance of appointment-based operations and the efficiency it brings to her business model. Transition to Calculated Customer Control (00:10:31) Becky discusses the transition to a calculated business model, cultivating and letting go of clientele to optimize operations and customer service. Analyzing and Implementing Efficiency (00:14:08) Becky highlights the importance of analyzing numbers and implementing efficient practices, such as saving time through proactive part management. Struggling to find technicians (00:17:14) Becky's challenges in finding skilled technicians and her innovative approach to hiring and retaining talent. Efficiency and precision in service (00:19:34) Emphasis on minute-efficient work, attention to detail, and precision in service to ensure customer satisfaction. Evolution of business model (00:22:13) Becky's evolution in understanding customer needs, optimizing operations, and focusing on serving the right clientele. Annual maintenance packages and scheduling (00:24:07) Discussion about the concierge model for scheduling appointments and offering annual maintenance packages. Building relationships with customers (00:21:56) Becky's focus on building strong customer relationships and providing exceptional service to retain loyal clients. Effective technician management (00:27:10) Becky's approach to managing technicians and minimizing interruptions to ensure efficient and high-quality work. Adapting business model to market (00:30:16) The importance of adapting the business model to the specific market and location to achieve success. Becky's Business Strategy (00:32:07) Becky's approach to customer satisfaction and business purpose, emphasizing the importance of keeping customers happy with their cars. Understanding Female Customers (00:32:47) The unique perspective on car issues from a female customer's point of view and the potential life-threatening situations they may encounter. Work-Life Balance and Business Commitment (00:35:10) Becky's perspective on work-life balance, the commitment required for business success, and her specialization in servicing specific car makes.
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections    
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By carmcapriotto
      The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.
      Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/
      Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind
       
      In this podcast episode, Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching examines the JD Power 2024 US Customer Service Index Study. He offers strategies for auto repair shops to outperform dealerships by focusing on immediate service, convenience, and the smart use of technology. Cotton emphasizes the need for shops to educate customers and offer value through quality service rather than just competing on price. He advises shops to enhance their online presence and local advertising to attract customers. The episode is a guide for auto repair businesses to improve service and capitalize on dealership shortcomings to gain customer loyalty.
      The JD Power 2024 US Customer Service Index Study (00:01:10) Insights from the study on dealership customer service, wait times, and technician retention.
      Dealership Wait Times and Technician Retention (00:02:14) Discussion on the impact of wait times, technician retention, and the influence on customer satisfaction.
      Customer Preferences and Technology (00:06:25) Customer preferences for immediate service, convenience, and the importance of technology in service updates.
      Rising Costs and Customer Satisfaction (00:09:02) Increase in the average amount spent on dealer visits, the impact of inflation, and customer satisfaction.
      Adapting to Market Landscape (00:13:18) The need to embrace technology, improve communication, and address wait times and cost concerns.
      Advertising Strategies for Auto Repair Shops (00:14:22) Tactical approaches to leverage speed, convenience, technology, cost-effectiveness, education, and tailored promotions in advertising.
      Implementing the Marketing Strategy (00:19:05) Guidance on assessing current advertising channels, revamping content, and staying responsive to market changes.
      Connect with Chris:
       
      [email protected]
      Phone: 940.400.1008
      www.autoshopcoaching.com
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
      AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
       
      #autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.



  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...