March Company

[gary1328]

To some of the PA boys, anyone familiar with this company, and if so, is there pricing competitive?

http://www.marchlimerick.com/home.html:noidea:

[MuirView Design]

I've used them before for a few things. They carry EP Henry & Rinox if I remember. What were you looking for exactly?

[cgland]

They carry EP Henry, But are not an authorized dealer!

Chris

[Mbella]

Gary, when I first started my business (four years ago), I used them and had problems with deliveries. The service was unacceptable, so I went elsewhere.

However, I know a couple of contractors for whom March is the primary supplier and I've been told they have improved their service.

Chris is right, March is no longer an authorized EP Henry distributor and you will not find EP Henry in stock. However, they have made it known that they can still supply the product to contractors if needed.

They do stock Rinox & CST Versalok.

[BBabcock]

March is a good company and very competitive on Rinox products. March is not an authorized EP Henry dealer. Woodward Landscape Supply (my company) is about 7 miles farther east and we have great prices on EP Henry and Techo-Bloc and Versa-Lok. We are an authorized dealer for these brands.

[MuirView Design]

Hi Barbara! Your input is always welcomed.


~Adam

[cgland]

Welcome Barbara

[JZap]

I hafta get this out, I've lived in the Pottstown/N. Coventry area for most of my life... I've seen March go through many phases and most of them bad. Besides the whole deal of them distributing EP Henry when they're not a distributor, their customer service sucks, try getting loaded in a responsible time there and you're on your own. The way they do business is really borderline unethical. I haven't been in there in the past 4 years, but why try it out when there are reputable suppliers like our sponsors for EP and Rinox, well, look around for another place to buy from.

[Mbella]

I hafta get this out, I've lived in the Pottstown/N. Coventry area for most of my life... I've seen March go through many phases and most of them bad. Besides the whole deal of them distributing EP Henry when they're not a distributor, their customer service sucks, try getting loaded in a responsible time there and you're on your own. The way they do business is really borderline unethical. I haven't been in there in the past 4 years, but why try it out when there are reputable suppliers like our sponsors for EP and Rinox, well, look around for another place to buy from.


John, in my experience, pick-up service hasn't changed. Recently (last two months, or so) on more than one occasion, due to their close proximity I stopped in there to pick up miscellaneous items. You know, a piece of this, or that. It seems the office is completely disconnected from the yard.

My last trip was to pickup one 18 x 30 " piece of Blue Mountain Stone. I called ahead and asked if they had the product. I was assured there were pleanty. I arrived at the store, paid and went out into the yard. I was looking around and didn't see any 18 x 30s. Yard person came over to help and sure enough, every size was available except the 18 x 30s. I was pizzed because I had wasted my time and asked the yard person to make sure I was credited because I didn't want to waste more time going back to the desk. "No problem," he replied.

Well, I called Friday to make sure a credit was issued and sure enough, nobody knew anything. They didn't give me any crap and assured me I would be credited, but it's just another example of the disconnect.

If a representative from March reads this, don't get pizzed, improve your service.

I have to add, my paver/block supplier is and has been Woodwards for the last three years. I have NEVER had one pick-up experience at Woodwards similar to that which I have experienced at March. In my experience, when I walk out into Woodward's yard with a sales slip, those guys are on me like third world beggars.

[custom patios]

huh, and i thought i was the only one who didnt like march. they just seemed like they didnt care if you bought from them or not.they have their select am. installers they cater to.but then again, who doesnt.

[Evening Star Lighting]

March Co. is one of our dealers. They've had some family issues over time. While I can't speak from a retail point of view, they were very friendly when we set them up. They also have a nice neat showroom and outdoor display.

Again with the 'authorized' stuff. Does it Really matter if a dealer is authorized or not?? This isn't Rolex watches or the Jewlery business.

Sheesh. :noidea:

[cgland]

I believe it does matter if the dealer is authorized. For one, there is no way they can sell the product at a competitive price because they have to buy it from another dealer. Two, say you have a problem with the product, do you think the manufacturer will be willing to help you being that are buying it's product from someone outside its dealer network?

[Evening Star Lighting]

Anyone can buy direct from EP Henry- Homeowner or Contractor. Items must be purchased by full pallet. A dealer can break down a pallet, help you out, show you outdoor displays and sell you aggregates. I can't see a dealer buying from a dealer. Who's going to handle all that product? Bands break, pallets break, and diesel costs way too much to keep moving it.

EP Henry's warranty covers their products. It doesn't come with any clause stating where you purchased it from.

[cgland]

Anthony - You are incorrect about peoples ability to buy direct from EP. There are a handful of contractors that are able to buy direct (large volume), but HO's CANNNOT buy direct from them. They must purchase from a distributor. As far as dealers buying from dealers........it happens much more than you know.

[JZap]

I'll have to back that statement up as well. EP Henry does not sell to the public unless like you guys said, I was building a plaza of pavers 10,000 square feet. Otherwise, it's only through a distributor. I think the reason point here is, why buy from a place like March when there is Allied and Woodward within 5-10 of them. I think we all value customer service and while I can't speak for Woodward, I know we would stick with Allied whether March had the cheaper pavers or not. Patronage goes further in our industry than just cheap prices.

[Evening Star Lighting]

I agree about the homeowners not buying directly- heck, why would they want to anyway? (and if they did, I certainly wouldn't be working at that job!)

I worked as a subcontractor on a huge mezzanine in an industrial park about 8 years ago, and we purchased 60,000 Sq. Ft. of pavers for that project, and all of it was shipped right from EP Henry with their trucks. Nothing is all that recent now. EP Henry has grown 10x since then. I don't think any of you dealers stock their split face block, or architectural products. Just hardscape supplies.

EP Henry has also cleaned house of their management several times. Hard to know who's working where now.

[March]

I thank all of you for your input. We like everyone are not perfect. I do believe however that our service today is second to none. As everyone knows we were founded in 1886 as a Lumberyard.. Many changes to our industry have developed over the years. We too have changed. And very significantly within the last 3. After my wife died 8 years ago I pretty much withdrew from the business to finish raising my 4 children. During that time I agree that we were not as focused nor was our service what it should have been. Now that they are grown, I have stepped up made many changes over the last 2 years. Today we stand committed to our customers. Thank You
David March

[JZap]

I thank all of you for your input. We like everyone are not perfect. I do believe however that our service today is second to none. As everyone knows we were founded in 1886 as a Lumberyard.. Many changes to our industry have developed over the years. We too have changed. And very significantly within the last 3. After my wife died 8 years ago I pretty much withdrew from the business to finish raising my 4 children. During that time I agree that we were not as focused nor was our service what it should have been. Now that they are grown, I have stepped up made many changes over the last 2 years. Today we stand committed to our customers. Thank You
David March

David,
It's good to hear you have committed yourself to service. I do not use your company b/c Allied's service is the best in the business. And as they say, "Actions speak louder than words!" I sympathize for your loss and it's great to hear you have re-committed yourself to your customers. Over the years, you apparently have left a bad taste in many contractors and HO's mouths. I would recommend possibly getting back in touch with what your customers feel the pros and cons of your company are. This is the first step to regaining that confidence you once had. I think you'll find price isn't always the #1 factor of where we buy pavers, but service is. (At least for us it is) If you were to offer seminars for HO's or contractors, open houses, contractor appreciation days, etc. I'm not sure if you already do this sort of thing, but I think it's time to get back in touch with your customers and from the sounds of it maybe working on better communication within your company (referring to earlier posts). It's nice to see you post on PH here. I think there is a lot of value for distributors on this site to get the cold hard facts of what we deal with on a daily basis and how we can all help each other.

[cgland]

Well said John. I do agree that although David believes his service is second to none, many contractors have experienced quite the opposite, possibly unknown to him. This site can be a valuable tool in helping pinpoint speed bumps in ANY suppliers operations. My suggestion would be for March to take a hard look at the communication between the office and the yard. This seems to be their weakest link at this point. Contractors can not wait extended periods of time to get loaded...time is money! This is also the same reason we give all of our business to Allied. The service we receive is truly phenominal. (believe me, I have gotten pavers from numerous suppliers) and like John said, price is probably number 3 or 4 on my "top reasons I buy pavers from..." list. In fact, the first 3 are 1) Service 2) Service and 3) Service! Good Luck David, and sorry about your loss.

[Mitchland]

Interesting posts, just thought that they didn't care because I wasn't a frequent buyer.
Have to say that I have had some jobs in the area that I paid more to bring form another supplier. They did have alot to say about the numerous classic cars that the owner has in the back barn though.

[March]

Numerous??? 2! A 64 valiant and a 76 Firebird! And a burglar alarm for any night shoppers who possibly read the previous post with a visit in mind.

David March

[March]

I agree 100% that communication within our yard has been weak in the past. An 8 Acre site and 20,000 sq' building leaves a lot of places for employees and customers to get lost. I have implemented a communication system and procedure that has addressed the issue.
David March