[Nathan]

Who here is a member of the PDCA? What do you get out of it?

I was a member for a year and I got nothing out of it except the use of their logo which I don't think did much. However, I wasn't an active member either so it's most likely my own fault.

 

[welovepainting]

I beleive they have many benefits to offer a painting contractor. Networking, peir groups, teleconfrences, support, conventions, contractor college, estimating books and software, many many other things. In my opinion every professional painting company should be a member. Their programs are just like anything else you get what you put in.

 

[Wolverine]

Well,

I've been entertained by the many letters we get from contractors who have been screwed by SW. And, of course, there is Miles who sued them and won and was then kicked out of the PDCA which is run by SW....

That's about it I think...

OH... and a couple of years ago at the PDCA convention in San Diego someone paid a plane to fly overhead lamblasting SW and the PDCA...

That's got to be worth something! :thumbup:

 

[Humble Abode]

Well,

I've been entertained by the many letters we get from contractors who have been screwed by SW. And, of course, there is Miles who sued them and won and was then kicked out of the PDCA which is run by SW....

That's about it I think...

OH... and a couple of years ago at the PDCA convention in San Diego someone paid a plane to fly overhead lamblasting SW and the PDCA...

That's got to be worth something! :thumbup:

:laughing:

 

[Rich]

I'm not a member and I'm ok with it. Not saying it's a bad thing...but I'm sure there are a million things that other contractors can recommend...it's up to me to chose. (just spent 2 cents on the PDCA and I'm not even a member:jester: )

 

[rollerwhiz]

I looked into it, but the cost was in the 500-700 range for one year. A little steep for me, but there are some good benefits to joining. As a small biz, I look at every expenditure as "how would I put this money to better use?"

 

[ProWallGuy]

I belonged several years ago. While I wasn't an 'active' member per say, I did get tons of referrals due to my papering biz. None of the painters would touch wallpaper.

I have been thinking of joining again, but the local chapter seems defunct now so I'm not sure if I would benefit from it as I did in the past.

 

[George Z]

And, of course, there is Miles who sued them and won and was then kicked out of the PDCA which is run by SW....

If that was the same Miles that was constantly posting in the PCR
I wouldn't blame the PDCA. Did you read some of these posts?

If PDCA was alligned with SW as you mentioned, Benjamin Moore would not
be sponsoring that many things with them or spending the money on PDCA they do.

I know of quite a few contractors that are active in PDCA activities and programs
and are running very successful companies.
As mentioned, you get out what you put in.

 

[Ethan]

I have been a member for only a short amount of time but the dividends have been great, in my opinion.

For example, I just got back from attending their Residential Forum, Advanced Shop Talk in Annapolis, MD . 2.5 days, focus roundtable discussions, with great contractors from around the country.

I got to spend two full days with $5,000,000+ a year guys to little guys like me, and everybody was willing to share their secrets, what was and wasn't working, etc.

I learned a hell of a lot in two days. My average job size is roughly $4,000, some of these guys were consistently working on the six figure residential jobs. If nothing more than perspective into our industry, it helped me as an owner continue to try and figure out where in the world I need to take my company, because we all now this industry is HUGE and you've got to find your niche.

Since people were there from all over the country, there wasn't a fear of giving your secrets to the competition.

Really, I feel like its a lot like this website, only difference being - you can do the same thing in person, with perhaps more of a focus.
So for the money, I know I could have gained the same knowledge searching the internet for the same information and networked my way into the same caliber people on my own, without spending the money....

But hey, what's my time worth?

I don't think the logo would really help THAT much, what homeowner's really know or care about the PDCA? BUT the contractor college has been a great way for me to relatively inexpensively start creating a better training program for my staff.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far:blink: