Plumbers NZ is New Zealand's largest online plumbing, gas and drainage resource. Plumbing exam help, plumbing news, directory and free quotes.
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http://www.plumbers.co.nz/forum/fellow-practitioners-update/41/fellow-practitioner-issue-146-dated-22-march-2010/1403/
Plumbers NZ are the sponsors of the Federation’s website and also the Plumbers Forum. They put in a huge effort to help the industry. They are looking at offering a national Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainage service to consumers and businesses. The platform plumbers.co.nz will make this possible.
With over 120,000 UNIQUE visits in 2012 (looking at increase to 500,000 by end of 2013) the demand has grown to a point where we need to service it to stay ahead of the game. In several months www.plumbers.co.nz will be introducing its new national phone number 0800 00 99 88. They are very excited about this and wish to open an opportunity to PGDF and plumbers NZ members.
The Concept:
They are getting several quotes to setup a phone based server system (PBX) that will manage all incoming phone calls nationally, let's say a call comes in from Wellington then the system will know that and automatically divert to a Plumbers.co.nz member in Wellington bypassing the selection menu.
If the number is unknown then the system will advise for Auckland press 1 for Wellington press 2 and so on. Option 1 will be diverting to product inquiry that will be handled by Plumbers NZ office also in this case if an installation is required all inquires go to members. They are not looking at profiting from this and are looking more towards a support system that can work nationally and laying a foundation for a larger vision. The costs involved would be the purchase and setting up of the server plus ONLY the call usage going to the members plus any extra's the members wish to have (example: special answering message if not available). They are happy to provide original quotes and bills to our members. This will not only support the public but also Plumbers.co.nz members nationally.
The advantages:
• All inquiries within your zone go ONLY to you, this includes inquiries from all other Plumbers NZ network related sites and sources, leads and National suppliers wanting to use our services. You will be the "go to guy."
• You can use this great number for your own advertising, website etc...
• Any advertising they do (Radio, Print, TV) with the number you are Automatically the "go to guy".
• You will only pay the actual usage of that number, they will provide a copy showing statistics and relevant numbers plus cost, this is no different to what you most likely already have.
• You grow as they grow Requirements Interested people must be able to offer the following:
• Must be qualified and able to service Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainage (Central Heating and Solar is an advantage).
• Must have a land line that will be answered during business hours and a mailbox or call centre after hours.
• Must reply to inquiries and complaints within a reasonable amount of time.
They will offer a basic agreement outlining responsibilities and duties (MOU) protecting them and our members.
Members are free to quote and use any products. Later Plumbers NZ will introduce their house products to Plumbers in NZ with attractive rates that might motivate them to use them every now and then to supply.
The system is very smart being able to email voice messages to the user, or linking in with existing website etc.
the cost will depend on how many "expression of interests" they can get from members.
Plumbers NZ have asked for expressions of interest. They will need the following details:
• Company Name (reg #)
• Area wanting to cover (can be a complete city)
• Categories able to cover
If you are interested please contact Rudy on Email: admin@plumbers.co.nz
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>>> UPDATE <<<
Hi guys, so far we managed to get 6 companies on board covering the following areas:
Auckland (far north and south available)
Wellington
Nelson
We are urgently looking for members in the following areas:
Christchurch
Hamilton
Dunedin
Invercargill
Queenstown
Tauranga
Napier
Blenheim
Northland
We now have a better handle on start-up and ongoing costs. If we can get a total of 15 members to initially start we would be looking at a $150 + GST start up cost and possibly a $30 monthly ongoing cost plus your minutes. I will be able to post the minute costs next week to give you an Idea as well. Any questions please post here
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>>> UPDATE <<<
We are very happy to announce that we are now able to offer this service to you with NO startup cost at all. (Thanks to our sponsors!)
We are also trying to remove any ongoing fee's leaving you only with the minute costs you create taking phone calls and talking to your client.
The good news is you will be dealing directly with the provider bypassing Plumbers NZ. They will bill you directly (we make no margins) As soon as I get more information I will let you know. In the meantime what is important is that you have no cost to immediately increase business in your respective area.
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Great work!! You deserve a medal mate - running the site and supporting industry the way you do. Well done!
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Big ups Plumber, if the phone number is half as successful as this forum, then it'll be feckin fablus (welsh for really good)
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Feedback much appreciated guys! :) I'm sure it will be.
We are very happy and fortunate to be able to support our industry/community. Will keep you posted as things develop.
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What a great idea, much respect to "plumber" for managing what I can only imagine is a huge amount of responsibilities and technical detail in getting this off the ground. All the people that have assisted you and are involved as well as the many other things happening on this site also deserve a big well done and keep going hard!! The website really is turning into something special. A one stop shop.
Are there still opportunities to join regarding the 0800 number in some areas plumber??
Cheers, rodza1
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Thanks for the support and comments Rodza!
I have meaning to post on this thread for some time now. Yes even though many have registered there are still plenty of cities available. Just follow the instruction in the first post if your interested. The service is free of charge your only paying for true minutes on the phone.
The reason the number is not live yet is because we are still facing some difficulties around individual billing. Once this is sorted I will contact all interested ones directly to advise on the process. Any questions please post here.