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Dunn and Bradstreet

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EXP Frank Apprentice

EXP Frank

Posted
Posted

I have received several sales calls from them over the past couple weeks. Typical telemarketer call, local number with weak sales pitch. How many of you guys are using their services?

alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

Posted
Posted

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.

xrac Grand Master

xrac

Posted
Posted

D&B was important when I ran an environmental business and needed it for bonding and contracts and establishing credit with a lot of out of town vendors. Since I have been in this business I ignore D&B.

flacvabeach Community Regular

flacvabeach

Posted
Posted

D & B number is free, but they want to sell you services to monitor your D & B rating - like a credit score for businesses. You need the D & B number to apply for government contracts, etc., but it's up to you if you want to buy their services.

  • 1 month later...
JamisonAutoGroup Explorer

JamisonAutoGroup

Posted
Posted

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

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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