I believe PRESS · A · DENT's philosophy is unique. The average cost to train and assist with establishing a successful Craftsman's business exceeds $30,000. However, no investment is required from you! We don't make money up front through franchise fees, we don't sell "pay your money and take your chances" training/tools, and our commission structure is the best we know of. We train you, set you up with tools and a vehicle, and then we make our profit (along with you), over the long term, on the sales you generate and the services you perform after you are trained, equipped and doing business in your market. Our bottom line is: We don't want your money, we want your commitment to a new career.
As you review options in the PDR field, the first question you need to ask yourself is: "Am I willing to make a serious investment of my own money in order to get into this business?" If the answer is "Yes", then you need to consider alternatives other than PRESS · A · DENT. There are plenty of companies who will be glad to take your money and our Competition link can point you to them. Just remember, when someone wants your money, they are in the sales business, and you should keep that in mind when evaluating their promises. Notwithstanding all sorts of "guarantees" (that really aren't what you think they are), this isn't like buying a shirt at the department store that you can return later and get your money back if you decide you just don't like it.
There are no short cuts in this business. The failure rate of people who spent (only) several thousand dollars on abbreviated PDR courses is overwhelming. Why do you think the major PDR companies have extensive (i.e. two months and more) training programs? When a sales person for a training company tells you that you don't really need this kind of training, or that it can be done quicker and for less, just ask if you can have your money back -- no questions asked -- if your venture into PDR with their training isn't successful after several months. I'd be interested to know if you find one that says "yes".
Alternatively, if you want to work for a company with a traditional employment philosophy, there are also several options available. You should investigate their programs too. Since these employment based companies also represent "no investment" options, your decision should focus on what kind of work environment you want and what kind of compensation program is being offered. First, do you want to work for someone else? Are the things they tell you they will do for you worth the "smaller piece of the pie" you will get as a commission based technician employee? In an employee-structured company, each dollar billed must support sales costs, supervisor costs, manager costs, local franchise profit, and parent company profit. You get what's left. For many people, this may be the right choice - particularly if you want to be strictly a PDR technician working under a local company's supervision and direction.
However, if you're really ambitious, you will appreciate PRESS · A · DENT's philosophy of passing a majority of the money generated directly through to you, the Craftsman. In our case, you get the money that an employee based organization parcels out to a sales force, management costs and local, or franchise, profit. This doesn't make their organizational structure universally better or worse. It's just different and you need to decide which type of program is right for you.
In closing let me tell you a little about PRESS · A · DENT's history. I personally funded the rather substantial start up costs for PRESS · A · DENT in 1991. The company is stable and profitable. I like helping people get started in a business they couldn't otherwise afford to get into and it's rewarding to see them make a successful career for themselves and their family. In return, I expect total commitment to our mutual success in recognition of the magnitude of the investment I put into each new Craftsman.
Our program isn't for everyone and, given the investment risk, you can understand why we're selective. However, this is an outstanding opportunity for the right person and we have a good success rate! Ask any of our Craftsmen, anywhere in the country, how he likes the business and how he feels about the company. Together we have grown into a national company that is highly regarded by customers and, equally important, a company that each Craftsman is proud to be associated with.
Are you:
mechanically inclined (automobile familiarity is helpful but not necessary)
looking for a chance to work on your own and to make money based on your personal skill, dedication and effort
willing to make the personal commitment necessary to learn a difficult process and then build this into your own business
able to sell yourself and your service in a competitive business?
If the answer to each question is "YES", then we look forward to hearing from you!
