Gold Crown Service, Inc.

[florida girl]

I'm considering a position with Gold Crown Service, Inc., and am curious as to the response to this company. It's comparable to Service Magic, but offers many benefits to both the Contractor, and the subs. Jobs, insurance, training, 401k, background and drug testing, credit card processing, access to multiple brands, bulk buying, team benefits, reserve vehicle program, etc. Any thoughts? Here's the webpage:
http://getgoldcrown.com/competitive_advantage.html

[florida girl]

Here's the Customer's Bill of Rights:

Gold Crown Service - Customer Bill of Rights

We are proud to be the first in the service industry to introduce The Customer Bill of Rights. All Gold Crown Independent Service Professionals have adopted these core expectations that every customer should receive when calling on a service company to perform any in home repair service.

1. The right to know who is coming to your home before they show up.
We at Gold Crown believe every customer should be given the right to know who’s coming into your most protected domain. At Gold Crown Service we e-mail our customers a link to a complete profile of the service professional showing industry experience, date of last drug test, and background check along with personal interests. Our customers know what the service man looks like along with a photo of the vehicle he’ll be arriving in. Gold Crown Service customers know more about us then we know about them. All customers have the right to know whom their letting into there home.

2. The right to a dedicated service professional.
Imagine developing trust and a comfortable feeling with a service professional, you get to know them and they know you and your home. Most company can’t promise you’ll see the same person every year, a lot of larger companies have a high turnover rate in their service departments and send a new person every time. At Gold Crown Service we have sophisticated customer tracking software that shows us who you are, what work was done in the past, and what service professional did the work before we answer the phone. We strive to send the same person every time and we don’t have turnover problems since were sending the owner every time. Everyone has the right to have a local dedicated service professional.

3. The right to know my service professional has been drug tested and background checked.
All Gold Crown service employees and independent service contractors are routinely drug tested and undergo a thorough background check. Our customers can view their contractor’s record on the profile we e-mail to all our customers. Homeowners have to right to know the character of the person entering there home.

4. The right to know what the repair will cost before we fix it.
Would you go to a restaurant and order your meal without knowing what it’s going to cost. Unfortunately this is what a lot of customers experience when they have a service man come out. Our service professionals treat our customers like family, we practice “permission service” which means we will tell you what it will cost and ask your permission to proceed. Every customer has the right to know what things cost before hand.

5. The right to know the cause of my repair problem.
Imagine your Air Conditioning unit breaks down on the hottest day and the service man you hired says its $600 to fix it. When you ask him what happened he says it’s complicated and you wouldn’t understand. This scenario unfortunately is what plays out all too often; at Gold Crown Service we want to educate all our customers on how things work and what makes them fail. An educated customer is a comfortable customer in our book. Customers have the right to know why and how something is costing them money to repair.

6. The right not to be pressured, tricked, or scared into making a purchase.
The service industry is a very one-sided business; most people, especially the elderly, are completely taken advantage of. Some service people use despicable methods to sell unneeded expensive repairs and parts to customers that don’t have anyway to verify what is being told to them. Many employees are given bonuses and commission if they can sell more stuff to the customer. At Gold Crown Service our business is our reputation. Our service representatives display integrity and character on all service calls; we will do whatever it takes to ensure that you are comfortable with your final decision. Customers have the right to be treated with fairness and integrity when dealing with service contractors.

7. The right to on time service.
One of the biggest complaints from customers is that technicians always show up late. Your time is valuable, when a technician shows up late it can effect your entire day. Gold Crown Service professionals appreciate your business and strive to be on time for service appointments. If we show up late we will give you a tune-up on your furnace or air conditioning system at no cost to you. Everyone is entitled to on time service.

8. The right to not have to clean up after a service man.
Your home is your castle, and a service person that performs a service and creates a mess in the process is a problem. Our service professionals are trained in proper service etiquette and know how to treat your home better then their own. We wear shoe covers when needed and use service tarps in the area we do service in. No customer should have to clean up a mess left behind after a service man.

9. The right to no profanity or smoking in or near your home.
You would think that all service people would know better than to smoke and use offensive language in your presence. The reality is that many medium and small companies hire the Gypsies in the industry. Gypsies are people that move around from business to business and you would swear were raised in a barn. We turn down over 10 contractors for every 1 we accept. We make sure they are the best in the industry and we would be happy to send any Gold Crown Service contractor to your home. Gold Crown Service professionals know what you expect from them every time. Customers have the right to no profanity and smoking near there home.

10. The right to 24/7/365 days a year emergency service.
Emergencies rarely happen during business hours, if your hot water tank explodes with a major leak you need someone fast. At Gold Crown Service we staff our call center around the clock; you will always speak to a real person every time no matter what time you call. Gold Crown also guaranties we’ll have someone at you home in less then 4 hours for emergency service. Every customer has the right to expect 24 hour emergency service from their service company.

[florida girl]

Here's the benefits to the contractors, I've asked where the "focused market" is.

How We Make You Money:

The Quality of our Contractors is featured in our advertising
In-house Lead generation & you get paid for your leads to others
401K / Retirement planning
Customer Appreciation Days*
Gold Crown Service financing for service and installations
Access to multiple brands*
Credit Card Processing for your customers
Team Benefits for large jobs

How We Help Manage Your Business:

24 Hour 365 days Phone answering service
Contractor Schedule Management and Dispatching
Use of office help for directions, letter writing, business Related activities
Photo ID Badge
Background and Drug Testing

How We Make It Easier:

We provide Gold Crown Logos for your service vehicle (Keep your identity)
Website Featuring you and your business
$30 per day Spare Vehicle Program*
Access to Gold Crown Apparel
No Long Term Contracts
Bi-monthly Company Newsletter
Access to corporate suite and tickets for guest entertainment.

How We Save You Money:

Reduced Health Care Benefits
Office Supply Discounts
Massage and Chiropractic Care Discounts*
Bulk buying discounts at supply houses*
Legal Assistance for Business Matters
Auto and Liability Insurance Discounts
Training and Certification Programs
Health Club Benefits*
Financial Accounting Discounts

* Available in focus markets only

[florida girl]

The "focus markets" are HVAC, Plumbers, Electricians, Appliance Repair, Handyman Service, i.e. everything from Carpentry, Dry Wall, Glass, Realtors, Painting, Cleaning Services, Window Treatments, Water Proofing Sealers, Landscapers, etc, and the said benefits (*) are available via national networking such as Blue Cross, except for Customer Appreciation Days*. Don't know if Architects are available in this program, although I don't see why not, anyone involved with the construction industry that is a small business, and needs/wants benefits of big business advertising, plus the usual benefits of being employed with a large company, without actually being obligated or rendered an employee, can participate in this. There is an initial start up introductory rate for an indefinite period of time, and a set lead special also indefinitely. Florida is a new market; they have been operating in Michigan.

[SHELLY]

Found this on Craig's List. What do you think?

----------------------------
What I am looking for is somebody to call contractors, such as plumbers, electricians, handyman, etc... to get them to join our membership. What we are offering to them for a sign-up fee of $499 (we are now running a promotion for $149) and $79 per month is to do their advertising, provide job leads, phone answering service, job scheduling, credit card processing, we offer benefits, 401-k/retirement planning, training and certification programs, financing, discounts on gym memberships, chiropractic, massages, and more.

I have more information but I do not want to overwhelm you. I have email templates, phone call wording, search engines, etc...Please let me know if this is something that you would consider. Below is more information about our company.

Gold Crown Service, Inc. is an exclusive multi-service organization which consists of all facets of independent service business owners, from HVAC Contractors to Plumbers, Electricians, and Handyman Services & Appliance Repair Services. Each service professional that applies to join Gold Crown Service is subjected to a rigorous screening process to ensure the high quality of service and consistent customer satisfaction.

Gold Crown Services, Inc. is currently seeking service professionals who have the “whatever it takes” mindset and quality of service attitude only a small business owner can offer its clients. You will be joining the area’s largest network of contractors under the Gold Crown umbrella that can provide you with business leads, office support, supply discounts, benefits and so much more!

Please email brian@getgoldcrown.com if you would like to be considered and send me a resume if possible.

Location: DE
Compensation: $200 per person that you get to sign up with GCS
Telecommuting is ok.
This is a part-time job.
This is a contract job.
This is at a non-profit organization.
This is an internship job
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Phone calls about this job are ok.
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

-----------------------------

[florida girl]

Found this on Craig's List. What do you think?

----------------------------
What I am looking for is somebody to call contractors, such as plumbers, electricians, handyman, etc... to get them to join our membership. What we are offering to them for a sign-up fee of $499 (we are now running a promotion for $149) and $79 per month is to do their advertising, provide job leads, phone answering service, job scheduling, credit card processing, we offer benefits, 401-k/retirement planning, training and certification programs, financing, discounts on gym memberships, chiropractic, massages, and more.

I have more information but I do not want to overwhelm you. I have email templates, phone call wording, search engines, etc...Please let me know if this is something that you would consider. Below is more information about our company.

Gold Crown Service, Inc. is an exclusive multi-service organization which consists of all facets of independent service business owners, from HVAC Contractors to Plumbers, Electricians, and Handyman Services & Appliance Repair Services. Each service professional that applies to join Gold Crown Service is subjected to a rigorous screening process to ensure the high quality of service and consistent customer satisfaction.

Gold Crown Services, Inc. is currently seeking service professionals who have the “whatever it takes” mindset and quality of service attitude only a small business owner can offer its clients. You will be joining the area’s largest network of contractors under the Gold Crown umbrella that can provide you with business leads, office support, supply discounts, benefits and so much more!

Please email brian@getgoldcrown.com if you would like to be considered and send me a resume if possible.

Location: DE
Compensation: $200 per person that you get to sign up with GCS
Telecommuting is ok.
This is a part-time job.
This is a contract job.
This is at a non-profit organization.
This is an internship job
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Phone calls about this job are ok.
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

-----------------------------

It's the same company, but he's located in Michigan. I didn't find it on the Pensacola site, which one is it on? I don't know what he's doing, but I have the responsibility of the representation here in the panhandle. I think it could be a good thing, both for the contractors, and the homeowners. It can be compared to Service Magic, but many more benefits to the subs.

[florida girl]

I received this email from the manager in Michigan:
This was posted in error by another manager. We talked about it yesterday, just didn't know where it was posted. I will let Tony know and have it removed.

When was this posted?

Miles

[elgordoboy]

I don't need to watch tv anymore.

[SHELLY]

Floridagirl,

Are you paying any money to GCS to be the local representative? Something like a franchise fee or paying for books, materials, etc?


.

[florida girl]

Floridagirl,

Are you paying any money to GCS to be the local representative? Something like a franchise fee or paying for books, materials, etc?


.

No way. I get commission, although it seems like I need a salary too! I don't know, I feel that many subs have gotten the short end of the stick here, and I had hoped for some kind of relief, ie benefits for them. There are many self employed subs here, that don't have benefits. I've known some that are with Service Magic, but they send about 5 subs to bid for one job, each has paid a lead fee, and only one gets the job. They also, as I understand, don't offer any benefits.
As I said, I think it could be a good thing for both homeowner and contractor.

[SHELLY]

No way. I get commission, although it seems like I need a salary too! I don't know, I feel that many subs have gotten the short end of the stick here, and I had hoped for some kind of relief, ie benefits for them. There are many self employed subs here, that don't have benefits. I've known some that are with Service Magic, but they send about 5 subs to bid for one job, each has paid a lead fee, and only one gets the job. They also, as I understand, don't offer any benefits.
As I said, I think it could be a good thing for both homeowner and contractor.

For what it's worth, I think your heart is in the right place. From what I can see, GCS Inc. is having contractors buy in and you get a commission for each contractor you sign up. The contractors pay GCS a buy-in fee of a couple hundred dollars and then $79 per month.

If they pay you $200 for each person you sign up, (and apparently a cut of every lead you generate for work) the company ends up with about $200 of the buy-in and $79 monthly from the contractor.

For the life of me, I can't see how that amount will pencil out in benefits to the contractors. It is probably enough to provide the contractor with "access" to health insurance, but they're still going to have to come up with a big chunk of change for monthly payments and high deductibles.

They appear to be trying to branch out nationwide and have advertised on Craigs List in several cities. I pulled the Craigs List ad from another state. Apparently, "Miles"' sounded none too pleased by the contents of that Craigs List ad (too much information, I suspect) and that he'll let "Tony" know and have it pulled. :roll:

I'm not saying this to burst your bubble. I'm well aware of the stress and strain of the "regular working class" in our area and the problems they are facing now and will be for some time. I just don't want to see anyone get into a situation where they will waste what precious money they'll need to see them through.

If you chose to go forward, evaluate every scrap of their business plan with a HEAVY DOSE of skepticism, ask questions, question programs, ask about finances...how much it will cost you and cost your clients to sign up and secure the promised "benefits." (Lots of mention of "discounts available.." and "access to..." should be a red flag.)

Feel free to send this to "Miles" and see what he says...tell him Shelly told you to do it and if he's got a problem, send "Tony" over :cool:


.

[Tony]

Hi my name is Tony Dimovski and I’m the CEO and founder of Gold Crown Service Inc. I was clued in to this thread from our local relationship manager.
I thought whom better to explain who we are and what we do then me. Before I formed Gold Crown Service with Chris Hines (Our President) I was in the HVAC contracting industry in the Metro Detroit area for nearly 20 years and Chris was formerly the director of franchise operations for an international restaurant chain for nearly 30 years. The problem I saw in our industry was that many independent contractors were making less and felt they had to charge less than a national franchise. Consumers today have changed the way they shop, most people shop exclusively at huge national chain stores such as Wal-Mart and Home depot. I noticed our news media always targets the worst independent contractor in the area and runs a story on how “The independent contractor that ripped off a customer”. This type of news gives the rest of us good guys a bad name. Because of how independent contractors are portrayed we as a group are doing less every year. Who ever thought the supply house that we bought your supplies and equipment from would become a competitor. Utilities and National Big Box stores like Sears and Home depot are getting into our business and I got sick and tired of it.
Not to mention all the unlicensed and uninsured side jobbers (hacks) that are working for peanuts and killing profitability. I challenge any service contractor to compare what they charge today with what was charged 20 years ago. I bet it’s the same if not less, but inflation has no problem keeping up.
Gold Crown Service Inc. is a way for quality independent contractors to separate them selves from the pack. All our contractors are felony free and blood drug tested. We are not a franchise; GCS is more like a union of independent Contractors.
All our member maintain there names and independence, GCS has two types of start up options one is $499 that includes complete background and credential checks, 10 panel blood drug test, Photo Id badge with GCS logo and Date of background and drug test. We also provide decals that are by 3M (controltac) our decal is 5 1/2” tall and surrounds the top of a service vehicle. The sides of the decal say Gold Crown Service and the back has our web site www.getgcs.com. Our decal won’t take your identity away, it makes yours stronger and helps build a brand of quality by having it. Along with the GCS logos are the logos from the drug testing company CVTUSA these logos look like a sheriffs badge and are placed above the front wheel wells and back door, it says Checked Verified Tested and is a great way to show your customers you care about there safety.
To address the other post about our compensation plan, we have local commission sales people that get paid when they help a contractor become a member. I along with many companies don’t want there comp plan made public. One or our District managers was a little aggressive a posted what we pay our outside sales people. I can understand why some contractors think it’s too much but if you think about it, our sales people have to show what we do to contractors and solicit commercial and residential customers for our existing members. That’s a lot of legwork, we pay them a signing bonus for every new contractor that comes aboard and a percentage of the $79 a month from all the local members dues. Work that comes into GCS from the efforts of the outside sales staff is given (free) to our members. Even leads that come from our website are free to members, a percentage of the monthly dues that our members pay goes towards advertising and lead generation. We even pay our members that bring in leads for other trades. The only time we charge our members for leads is when a lead is generated from expensive advertising such as Yellow pages, TV and Radio and newsprint. And when we sell leads we only sell exclusive leads. That means we don’t sell the same lead to a half dozen contractors each time, one to one ratio this gives our guys better odds on the sale.
We also have a $149 start-up and it’s the same benefits and features but does not include the decals. We prefer everyone get the decals, but some guys say I’ll get the decals later. (If you get the decal upfront we usually throw in a bonus).
I called a couple of members that can give you their perspective on our company and I hope they chime in on the discussion. But I can tell you some of our members have been able to save as much as $800 on insurance savings. It’s amazing what we can do united together on our savings and advertising, and most of our contractors would tell you they would have no problem paying way more than $79 in dues compared to the additional income that’s made from the leads we pass to them (mostly free leads).
In a nutshell were a national company made up of small to medium sized quality contractors. Designed by independent contractors for independent contractor. It’s not an open door admission; we are selective on how many members we bring in to ensure our guys stay happy. Although we are new to this market we hope to improve business and reclaim lost ground from the national franchises, local utilities and big box stores. If you have ANY questions or want to talk to me directly feel free to call me. I’ll be happy to help you get acquainted with our company and what we do for the independent contractor. Toll Free: 888-438-4270 extension 530. Afternoons are best Mon-Fri.

[florida girl]

Well that should answer many questions! :D

[SHELLY]

Tony,

Thanks for visiting and providing some pretty detailed information about your corporation and business plan. I won't deny that there is a demand out there for quality, professional and substance-free contractors.

I am curious about a couple of things:

(1) The $350 difference in the buy-in price that includes all the bells and whistles (drug tests, criminal background and credential checks, badge, etc.) EXCEPT the decals. Who is responsible for ensuring the contractors take the required drug tests? I can understand the guys who paid for the "decal" package will show up to collect their decal, but the others?

(2) You state "The only time we charge our members for leads is when a lead is generated from expensive advertising such as Yellow pages, TV and Radio and newsprint." Who is responsible for paying to place those (local) ads? (I'm assuming that would be the district or local representative--and out of their own pocket.)

(3) Although Gold Crown Services is a business in the Detroit metro area, I see that Gold Services incorporated in Michigan in June 2007. And just doing a quick search, I saw that the web is peppered with ads from locations such as NJ, DE, CA, WI (to name a few) looking for contractors to sign with Gold Crown (including a NJ job board with another ad stating the $200 compensation). If I do say so myself, I'm surprised at the aggressive nationwide growth being attempted by such a new company.

But this is America, and I applaud your moxie. You're bold enough to come on here and state your name, explain your business plan and field questions. Your quest to provide America with reliable contractors and the contractors with clients is a noble cause.

Admittedly, I am still skeptical about your corporation's shotgun approach to expanding the business nationwide this early in the game, but that's just my observations as a result of spending (too many) years in the business world.

With all the crap that's going on out there in the world of contracting, finance, business and the Internet, no one can be too careful these days....right?


Shel.

[florida girl]

Although Michigan is understandibly different than the Panhandle of Florida, still the needs of the sub contractor are the same. I applaud the efforts to provide some benefits to them. Who knows? Maybe you guys would be interested in stock?!

[SHELLY]

Who knows? Maybe you guys would be interested in stock?!

:blink: I think I'll pass on that, thank you.

Good luck Florida Girl...question everything, and keep meticulous records of correspondence and time & money spent.


Shel

(BTW, referencing the applicant screening that's done by CVTusa.com? Here's the owner of that domain: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=CVTUSA.COM)



.

[florida girl]

I've been snooping around some Michigan sites, and Service Magic doesn't have a good rep there;there are several lead generator companies. And the difference that I can see with these companies is there aren't the benefits to the contractors. I did get some info from Gold Crown, they have lowered the leads cost to 0, to generate new business in a new market.

As for insurance, for the health plans it is Blue Cross and for the liability it is Farmers. We did talk about giving a referral fee to a contractor that refers another contractor to sign up. Fee is still up in the air, but we started at $50 to the contractor to send someone they know after they sign up.

Even without the lead benefits, it still provides access to discounts on health, liability, auto insurance, and workers comp. I still think it's a good idea.

[florida girl]

They have decided to drop all fees for leads, and offer them free! Also, a $50 finder fee for anyone who recruits a new contractor for a sucessful sign up! I also discovered that the owner, Tony, sold his HVAC company to a woman that had been in his employ for numerous years. The idea still is for subs to band together and have bulk buying power for health, liability, auto insurance, workers comp, and other priviledges. I checked the BBB in Michigan, and it is a viable company with no bad reports. He is supposed to be sending references, testimonies from his current contractors, with phone numbers. I don't think we've really had this sort of thing here, outside of Service Magic, who apparently have developed a rather bad rep, with no particular benefits to the contractors. They have also planned natiional advertising to begin in March.

[florida girl]

I got the references from a number of contractors that use this service and how it has helped their business. Numbers available by request.

[4beachn]

Welcome Gold Crown Service, Inc

No set up fee if you make the switch to AMS Staff Leasing from another provider.

You will save $$$

www.LowRateWorkComp.com

Must be with another provider

Pinnacle Gulf Coast Business Solutions AMS Staff Leasing
work comp / Payroll / Tax Reporting

[florida girl]

Gold Crown is similar to a leasing company, as it provides access to various insurances, etc., but it isn't. It is a contractor network designed to increase the amount of leads a small to midsize contractor or sub obtains. By joining forces, it enables these subs, or contractors, to have bulk buying power with the insurances, and supply warehouses, etc. It also provides an assurance to the homeowner that the person that shows up at their house to do a repair or whatever will follow a certain standard, be drug tested, background checked, licensed and certified according to the law, etc. It attempts to provide the benefits of a large company to the smaller company that may not be able to receive them, regardless of how many, or few employees they may have.