[greensboro84]

Quit my bs job yesterday. I was thinking of applying at some local paint stores. We have a few SW, Duron, Porter, MAB, ICI and maybe a couple others I don't know of. I think it would be great to get on the inside and learn the different products through and through, chemical composition, mixing color, things like that. Plus I could still paint, with all the contractors I meet I'm sure I could pick up extra work. Just wondering if anyone has worked for any large manufacturers or distributors and what it was like. What experience did you have before applying? I've been painting for a little over a year, there def aint no going back to the old company. The luck of coming across a loyal account of rental units is the only reason this company is still going after a decade, but other than that they suck, do everything half-assed and backwards, just got sick of it. We were also cleaning up these rentals, which aint for me. So Im thinking of working at a store for a while, 1-3 years i guess.

 

[NHS]

You may already be aware of this but SW, Duron and MAB are now one and the same. In some areas for the time being they will offer the different labels and in some areas they are begining to change it all over to SW. Good luck in your job search.

 

[JNLP]

You may already be aware of this but SW, Duron and MAB are now one and the same. In some areas for the time being they will offer the different labels and in some areas they are begining to change it all over to SW. Good luck in your job search.

Our guy here told us they're going to try and seperate the customer base to eachother. Duron will be focused towards DIYers & SW focused towards contractors (atleast at these two stores which are close to eachother). The Duron will carry SW paints but still continue to carry Duron favorites as they have too many contractors that used it all their career & want to keep them pleased.

 

[NHS]

Yes, my understanding is thats its going to be somewhat of a regional thing. I've been told that Duron is very strong in the Atlanta area so it will be left alone (for now) in that area, however the Orlando area is already in the process of converting the stores to SW, or closing them, same with MAB in the Orlando area.

 

[Brian]

Some may consider this a hijack, but we all work for the paint manufacturers.

If we spec the materials to be used on a job, we are the primary salesmen for the paint companies. I think the paint companies know this, but most contractors don't. And since we are not unified and each of us are small, they can get away with this little "secret".

My customers rely on me to recommend the product. That makes me a product salesman, at least in part.

Brian Phillips

 

[vermontpainter]

Good point Brian. The manufacturers won't acknowledge it, as they feel they do us the favors. A good supplier appreciates though, and throws us perks when possible, including leads. Thats our only thanks.

 

[cullybear]

store job

I would be careful about trying to get painting work on the side while working at the store. Every major supplier I know strictly prohibits moonlighting

 

[[email protected]]

I would be careful about trying to get painting work on the side while working at the store. Every major supplier I know strictly prohibits moonlighting

I am pretty sure SW does not allow this "moonlighting". I briefly mentioned the thought of working for SW as a funny thing in a conversation and if I recall correctly, my Rep said you couldn't paint and work there too.

J

 

[Rich]

Quit my bs job yesterday... there def aint no going back to the old company

Been there, done that...usually a bad idea to quit without something else lined up (but that's coming from a married man who has more "consequences" to deal with on that respect)

I'm sure you can find something, you may be starting at the bottom though, so be ready for that...and from what I'm told you need a bachelor's to manage at SW.

Good luck

 

[greensboro84]

i hear ya rich, its just me though, so no reason to stick around for the bs. that sucks about the moonlighting, but i can understand why they have that policy in place. well, if i went into electrical, id be a 4th gen elec in the fam. not for me though, i love painting. just have to wait it out and see.

 

[MAK-Deco]

I agree with the big names, not allowing moonlighting.

When I started out to of the independent BM dealers I used were run by old timers who had active contracting business's and there wives worked in the store. They bought their paint for their contracting business thru there own store. I always wondering what kind of discount they gave themselves??

 

[PaintProfessor]

Before deciding to start my own biz, I looked into working at SW as a Mgr. I thought I was highly qualified for the position because I had years of painting experience and I hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Well, I sent my resume to the company and followed up, but they said they had no positions available at the time.

I found out that one of my classmates from high school worked there for two years and then went into pharmaceutical sales. I met with him to see how he liked it. He said that you start out at about $32K, then when you move into a Manager role, I think he said you make $35-$38K. I guess they are big on sales and numbers(why wouldn't they be). As you stay with the company, you will naturally make more. I think the Manager of one of the stores that I go to has been there for close to 20 years, and he makes probably about $60K. If you decide to move into a Sales Rep. role, you will make more based on the sales of your territory, but usually around $70K.

That is some of the info. I found out and the salaries are based on my memory of the conversation we had a while ago.

Some of you are probably thinking why I am painting when I have a Bachelor's degree...I have had desk jobs in the corporate world sitting behind a desk...had a job in a cubicle "farm"...had my own office in one position........all I have to say is that those positions aren't all they are cracked up to be. They are quite boring and it seems like time goes backwards. Now with owning my own company, I have a certain level of freedom, can grow it as big or small as I want and it is fun moving from one job to another.

 

[MAK-Deco]

Before deciding to start my own biz, I looked into working at SW as a Mgr. I thought I was highly qualified for the position because I had years of painting experience and I hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Well, I sent my resume to the company and followed up, but they said they had no positions available at the time.

I found out that one of my classmates from high school worked there for two years and then went into pharmaceutical sales. I met with him to see how he liked it. He said that you start out at about $32K, then when you move into a Manager role, I think he said you make $35-$38K. I guess they are big on sales and numbers(why wouldn't they be). As you stay with the company, you will naturally make more. I think the Manager of one of the stores that I go to has been there for close to 20 years, and he makes probably about $60K. If you decide to move into a Sales Rep. role, you will make more based on the sales of your territory, but usually around $70K.

That is some of the info. I found out and the salaries are based on my memory of the conversation we had a while ago.

Some of you are probably thinking why I am painting when I have a Bachelor's degree...I have had desk jobs in the corporate world sitting behind a desk...had a job in a cubicle "farm"...had my own office in one position........all I have to say is that those positions aren't all they are cracked up to be. They are quite boring and it seems like time goes backwards. Now with owning my own company, I have a certain level of freedom, can grow it as big or small as I want and it is fun moving from one job to another.

No I didn't why you are painting with a bach degree cause I have one too and I think there's a few of us out there in this forum that have some college level exp.

 

[Housepainter]

Yep, several with degrees if I remember correctly. Some even with masters.

 

[PaintProfessor]

That's great! I am glad that I am not the only one! It seems like everyone asks me why I am painting when I have a degree.

I wasn't boasting or anything like that, I just figured I would kabosh the follow-up question.

 

[Romanski]

Basically SW is a climb to the top just like any other company. Part timers, Full Timers, AM and then manager at the stores. Each manager is given quarterly bonuses (as long as you are exceeding budget). Then it goes Sales reps(residential, commercial, chemical, property management, ect),District manager & District sales manager. After that it's all about divisions. SW is divided into 4 divisions in the US.

My advice from talking to people who work there, be prepared for the long haul. It's a low paying job starting out if you have no degree/aren't being promoted to AM/Manager to start. But If you want to make it your career you can make a good living as long as you get along with your superiors and learn the trade and have the drive to advance.