[ianc]

Hi uniscaper

I have delt with Unilock since thier beginning in Georgetown, Ontario and have seen the my share of sales rep's (some great most just okay) - my problem is with the company itself

There is an attitude there that is passed down from from the rank n file - and if you ever need satisfaction on a quality issue the coverup begins, I have many outstanding quality issues going back over 18 years
1) solid colour bundles shipped but from different production days therefore large colour shifts seen only when installed
unilock response = put sealer on it
2) pavers that scuff badly when using the plate compactor
unilock response = put sealer on it
3) risi stone wall corners at different heights than standard units therefore difficult to make the corners true
unilock response = put pennies under them (ALL ontario landscapers remember that one)
4) brussels dimentional stones being stacked wet during production and the bottom units slightly wider/thinner than the others therefore requiring cutting to keep true
unilock response = there hasn't been one
5) this is the big one - Unilock took an add out in the TV Guide advertising pavers for 99cents - this took place a long while ago and for the longest time every homeowner remembered the 99cents and when you wanted $$ per square foot to supply and install - they would say BUT the pavers are only 99cents

I was at the Pickering Plant when the near riot happened when the unilock sales manager told us contractors how they made us sucessfull - not the other way around
I am not sure if there are any Ontario landscapers to chime in here

the only difference is we have been screwed by them longer up in here in Canada

[Stonehenge]

We've had the same rep for as long as Unilock has had a presence in this market (though that isn't as big an issue for me, as I know people change jobs/companies/industries). And I've only had one issue that I can think of, where there was a color issue with a 4-skid paver order, and it was handled in our favor with no questions asked.

They seem to be on the leading edge with new products and their colors are great, so I have to say that my experience w/ Unilock so far has been very positive.

And like someone else said here, I got hardscape materials for a landscape show gratis. Very nice.

And I don't mean to nitpick Ian, because I have a lot of respect for the work that you do - but I'm wondering about the issue you had with scuffed pavers after running a compactor over them. W/o a pad, I would imagine a compactor would scuff any pavers, no matter who made them.

As for the quality issues you mention, I can't say that I've seen the same thing. Their pavers and block have been extremely consistent in size and durability, while another regional manufacturer here makes pavers that differ in height by +/- 1/8" (which when the extremes are next to each other, it's hard to miss, and easy to trip on), retaining wall block have variations in height that forced us to buy bags of washers (pennies were getting too expensive), and I even got a block that had a pair of vice grips sticking out of it. I could go on, but I won't.

Suffice it to say I feel confident giving my business to Unilock.

My $.02, anyway.

[scl]

I've had the same Unilock rep for 5 years, and just 1 other before him. They've both been very good! Usually get 3-4 visits a year, problems attended to if any. During my last visit, I'm standing there yacking with my rep and realized I was wearing a Belgard hat, a gift from a distributor who sells both. I felt horrible, but he never said a thing til I mentioned it. He's getting me some new Unilock hats LOL! Color blending has been an issue with Sierra color pavers, mainly in OGC. Scuffing is due to no pad, and will happen with all pavers. This all said, I am NOT a Unilock authorized installer for the purpose that I don't want to be tied to any one mnfr. though I seem to come back to them most of the time.

[Raj Venugopal]

Well, the time-wasting with Unilock continues.

The territory rep (Jim Roth) apparently no longer has a cell phone.
Repeat e-mails are not replied.

Can ANYONE tell me who the eastern Canadian rep is, if they know?

Better still, if anyone from Unilock corporate lurks around here, PM me and I'll contact you off line. If anyone knows anyone at Unilock head office, pls post their contact info because I'm going have a few words for them regarding dealing with contractors in a timely fashion.

Thanks.

[Uni Bob]

Hello Raj,

I have actually joined the forum in the hopes that I can get you some sort of support, or at least a reasonable answer as to why your rep hasn't been responsive.

I am hoping that you have had response by now, but could you post, E-mail or PM me if you are still in need of assistance?

I apologize for the problems you have had, and I can assure you that most Unilock Reps take pride in taking care of people.

I myself try to return all my phone calls by the end of the day. Sometimes the volume doesn't allow for that, but it is rare that I have to get back to people even a day later. I pride myself on being there for all my customers big or small.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Bob Klovas

[dan deutekom]

Originally posted by ianc
Hi uniscaper

I have delt with Unilock since thier beginning in Georgetown, Ontario and have seen the my share of sales rep's (some great most just okay) - my problem is with the company itself

1) solid colour bundles shipped but from different production days therefore large colour shifts seen only when installed
unilock response = put sealer on it

3) risi stone wall corners at different heights than standard units therefore difficult to make the corners true
unilock response = put pennies under them (ALL ontario landscapers remember that one)

I use Unilock products about 75% of the time with Permacon the rest. Overall I am happy with Unilock but I too have noticed large colour shifts in different bundles. I usually work out of all of the bundles to even things out but if you happen to be short on a job and you need to get more your in trouble.

And I can't figure out why Unilock can't get the risi stone wall corners right. Every time I build a wall with corners my first stop is the bank for a roll of pennies
This has been an ongoing problem for as long as I can remember. These corners are 1/4" thinner than the rest of the block. Try to make up for 1" of mismatch in 2' of wall height!!

It has become a sort of joke in our area because about 8 or 9 years ago the sales rep response is that
"It's the plight of the industry" and we have used that excuse for every F$#up ever since.

Still all being said and done we have had good service from Unilock and I will recommend them to anyone.

[Raj Venugopal]

Thanks for your PM Bob...

For the others' benefit, I spoke with Unilock Canada a few months ago and was promised a call back asap. Never heard a word from them again.

It's incredible.

I've never dealt with such a slippery group of people.

[Uni Bob]

Again Raj,

I don't know who you are talking to, but I can assure you that we are not all slippery :0). I believe my skid resistance tests out quite high!

Ok Pisa Corners: Pisa product is specifically manufactured to be dead on in height. This counts for Pisa2 and Roman Pisa. The corners have always been an issue. (I would use small amount of adhesive with some fines as a shim). The corners are made a tiny bit short on height because the thought is if we cannot be perfect it is better to be short on corners. It is easier to shim one unit in a course of wall instead of the whole course because of a unit.

It does not make it right. I could say we are working on it, but we continually try to make the best corners we can and they are pretty much as good as they are. I also know from my travels that we have (at least with Chicago/Wisconsin material) one of the most consistant product for height. There are many manufacturers who will stand by the ASTM standard for all of the wall issues.

If you have a height issue of greater then 1/8" on a corner we would like to know about it. If you have a height issue on a regular wall unit in Pisa2 or Roman Pisa in any way shape or form we would like to know about it.

I know that is a very salesmanish type answer, but that is pretty much how I work things for my customers. Please also note that my responses here are opinion and observation and not fact or company policy(unless specifically noted).

Thanks,

Unibob

[AZTLANLC]

Well about the corners I sometimes find it stressful but as long as unilock is working on it I really hope they get it together someday.

As far as sales rep the one for my area was such a great guy (Mike zengen) he would go out of his way to be there for you no matter what size company, the one we have now (Mario Tantillo) he's great too all problems or questions I've had he's there and also answers his phone most of the times or returns the call.

[Raj Venugopal]

I called Unilock on Friday and spoke with a lady at the sales desk.

I've been told someone named Ron White will be contacting me. Has anyone here dealt with him?

Will keep all posted.

[Alexecutive31]

One of the reasons why there are height differences between the corner units and the regular units on the Pisa systems is because they are manufactured at different times.
The fact that the industry tolerance for dimensional variation is +/- 1/8" doesn't help either. 1/8" + 1/8" = 1/4" tolerance. It's ridiculous. I was a landscaper for a few years in Montreal and had some great experiences with the Techo-Bloc products. Their tolerance is stricter than the industry's being +/- 1/16". Also, all of the sizes are manufactured at the same time and always bundled together. All units are tapered and corner units (1 left and 1 right) are found on every layer of every pallet. If you don't need them, they integrate right into the wall without a problem.
Additionally, they make their pavers, walls, slabs, edgings and masonry all on the same machines at the same plant so colours are the same and consistent. It's a great product.

[Stonehenge]

I probably need to step in here to let everyone know that this thread should not become an opportunity for one manufacturer to pitch their product over another.

Or maybe I should say, you're welcome to do that, but not until you have become sponsors of the site. To do that, contact me at jeff[at]groundtradesxchange.com.

[Alexecutive31]

It's not necessarily about pitching one product over another, but if a product exists out there that eliminates the need for shimming on walls, therefore saving time and therefore money, people should know about it. No more rolls of pennies or bags of galvanized washers is a big deal.
I don't want to make any enemies here. I just want to try to extend some of my knowledge and experience to help the contractor community become more profitable.
-Alex

[Stonehenge]

Alex, you can't really be altruistic if your advice benefits you and/or your employer. Please don't try an end-around on the rules, as I have an itchy trigger finger.

[Uni Bob]

I truly hope that I am not coming across as trying to push a product line. I have mentioned other products in my defense of the manufacturer in general.

This very reason is why I was hesitant to join the community in the 1st place.

I will answer to the best of my ability (and objectively as possible) any questions about situations, products,etc. I am not just here to provide info on my stuff, but more of industry standards, general research and the like.

I do feel a need to "defend" a product of ours if I disagree with a judgment though. Please just keep in mind I have an obvious bias and that you should work with the products you feel most comfortable with and get the best support on.

And I am sure no-one will believe that I am happy to work for the benefit of the industry as a whole. A crappy or failing project hurts everyone regardless of who's product or installation it is. I would really rather see a project done right with someone else's stuff then a project done wrong with mine.

I do quite a bit of work for my local chapter landscape contractors association without mention of product or benefit to myself or manufacturer (outside of the advantage to all of us that work is being done better).

Please feel free to yell at me if you feel I am stepping on any lines.