MARCH 29, 2010 – SURPRISE, ARIZONA – Alan Cline started 1-800-PLUMBING® in 2002 in memory of his sister, Beth, who was a plumber herself and worked hard to be successful in her career. 1-800-PLUMBING® was created to provide an easy way to remember branding strategy usually not available to independent plumbers. “It is a way to provide small to medium sized independent plumbing contractors a competitive edge with an exclusive number in their territory,” Cline states. “Once plumbers sign up with 1-800-PLUMBING® they have the exclusive use of the phone number in their territory.”

In addition to access to the premiere vanity phone number, 1-800-PLUMBING® licensees also receive a comprehensive marketing guide, full color logo, promotional materials, vehicle magnets, radio jingle and additional branding materials to help the business get started.

The concept behind 1-800-PLUMBING® is a relatively simple one – make the company brand easy to remember to keep potential clients from searching through phone books or other listings that may expose them to competitors. “People don’t need a plumber everyday, that’s the problem. It could be 6 months, a year, two years down the line and they are going to look for a plumber using the yellow pages or by going online.” Cline points out that “one of the concepts with 1-800-PLUMBING®, if it’s branded effectively and used properly, [the customer] won’t be going to the yellow pages or the internet, they’re going to have a magnet on their refrigerator or they’ll just remember 1-800-PLUMBING®.”

Cline’s unique marketing mind has helped him build his company to include businesses from Ocala, Florida to Woodland, Washington. “You need to take that extra step and show your customers how much you really care about them. The same way ShuBee products show the client that the technician and the company care about their home and property enough to protect it, it’s the visual aspect. 1-800-PLUMBING® is here to educate our contractors about what their clients do and don’t want. They want respect and to feel comfortable with the technicians in their homes; they don’t want swearing or dirty uniforms. Our job is to teach them how to be more aware of the customers needs and to see the bigger picture. We are here to help them make a bigger statement.”

Since its inception in 2000, ShuBee has taken a similar approach by using items like professional-grade disposable shoe covers, coveralls and floor protection to enhance the contractor/client relationship. ShuBee CEO and founder Steve Stone states, “The customer only perceives value in what they see. If a contractor comes in to fix a toilet, all the work is on the inside. Our products help demonstrate the care and professionalism the contractor is taking to protect the home owner’s investment.”

“All our products are designed to give [the homeowner] peace of mind and help the contractor land the job,” Bennett said. “The number one complaint from homeowners,” COO Randy Bennett adds, “is ‘they made a mess of my home,’ and unfortunately that’s the general expectation of our industry. By using our products, the contractor can make an excellent impression on their client and convert them to a raving fan. People remember what they don’t expect. We teach contractors how to make those encounters positive to earn repeat business and build trust.”

Cline adds, “sometimes it is hard for plumbers to understand the importance of customer service and marketing your company. You are in charge of making sure that your company is perceived the way you want it to be. A great plumbing job may not be enough to keep the customers coming back for more. Your technicians can go in and do amazing work, but if they have a negative attitude or dirty clothes the client is less likely to remember your company the next time they need service.” Raving fans are born out of being shown that the technicians coming into your home wants to protect your assets and property as much as you do.

“The key to business is people and the partnerships you build along the way. I enjoy working with the people I work with. I am very excited to partner with ShuBee because we have the same philosophy about customer service.” ShuBee has based their business off of customer service and knowing just how important it is to create those raving fans.

“Our partnership with 1-800-PLUMBING® is a natural one,” says Chris Hood, Marketing Manager of ShuBee, “and I believe the benefit of us working together will be evident to both the contractor and the homeowner.” ShuBee will be working with the 1-800-PLUMBING® team to provide branding, marketing and best-practices counseling to licensees through newsletters and available both online and through email subscriptions.

Both 1-800-PLUMBING® and ShuBee, Inc are dedicated to helping their clients establish professionalism and brand identity; 1-800-PLUMBING® through their vanity number and marketing guide and ShuBee with their protective products such as shoe covers and floor protection. Both companies support each others core message to contractors that it is important to show your customers you care. “When you treat people right, your plumbing business will become successful,” Cline states. “I think what will set a good service company apart from a great service company is their customer service.”

For more information on 1-800-PLUMBING®, and how to become a Licensee in your area call 1-800-758-6298 or visit at www.800PLUMBING.com

For more information on ShuBee and their marketing and branding opportunities call 1-877-974-8233 or visit at www.ShuBee.com.

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