[Raj Venugopal]

Can someone put me in touch with the Stateside Unilock rep a few of you were speaking highly about a while back?

Apparently there's a person named J** who's responsible for Eastern Canada, but he's nonresponsive to attempts at contact.

I've never seen a company this hesitant to deal with a contractor interested in their product. Is this customary with Unilock?

[Dale Wiley]

It is customary with about 75% of the suppliers and vendors I deal with on a daily basis.

We have about 3 good dependable vendors and the rest are a bunch of flakes. We have changed vendors on 3 majors products this year, 1 was with a vendor we had done business with for over 20 years. The owner sold out and it all went to after that.

It seems that all these business have sooo much business, that they can blow off long term and high volume customers.

I try very hard to give my clients the best deal, and if I don't get vendor support, I look for a new supplier. Arrogant .

[Stonehenge]

Wow - if there's one guy responsible for Eastern Canada, I can understand the lack of return calls. If I recall, Canada is pretty big - having to cover half of it would be a pretty big job.

Are there specific things you're asking for that this person can't address?

[Raj Venugopal]

That said, they're only active from Toronto to Montreal. Pretty concentrated market in that it's all roughly 100 miles within the US border.

As for specifics, Unilock can't seem to answer questions like:

-where can I buy your product?
-can I have a catalogue?
-do you have a business card?
-are you interested in dealing in the Atlantic Provinces?

Hard stuff like that.

[Raj Venugopal]

While Canada is a large market geographically, the US is much, much larger in terms of urbanized space. To put it in perspective, the Toronto-Quebec run is about the distance from Orlando to Atlanta without the sideways markets. The Atlantic provinces is like the area north of Boston to Rochester. The US is much more densely populated than most of Canada.

Originally posted by Stonehenge
Wow - if there's one guy responsible for Eastern Canada, I can understand the lack of return calls. If I recall, Canada is pretty big - having to cover half of it would be a pretty big job.

Are there specific things you're asking for that this person can't address?

[cutntrim]

7 million people in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). That's a large market. Tryin' to remember the Unilock guy's name that handles our area...I think it was Dave something? If you called "CAP Brick" (landscape/building supply store) in Burlington, Ontario I'm sure they could give you his name. He seems like an OK guy. Number is 905-634-7707.

Permacon as you probably know, is out of Quebec so they might be a larger presence in the Atlantic Provinces. Might be worth a try...They're comparable to Unilock.

[AZTLANLC]

I think unilock was started in canada wasn't it?.
My previous sales rep was the best but he moved to other territory, the one we have now is pretty good too my last trade show we did he provide it all the materials for the display. I have also heard complaints from other contractor about unilock sales rep, so I think it has to do more with the personnel than unilock itself.
I also like the quality of their products too and use them as much as possible.
Also techo bloc has nice products too and I'm sure they are from canada too I just don't know how close to your area.

[ianc]

Forget Unilock - thier service never gets any better - just count yourself lucky you haven't purchased - there are so many good vendors out there to choose from - if you are in NB try Shaw brick

[oreunited]

Go to there site or call Unilock you will get the location nearest to you. You do not need the Unilock rep if you can find tyhe nearest unilock dealer. Good Luck.

By the way Unilock is is the best head and shoulders over competition, remember they are designed to be a step ahead!!!

[Raj Venugopal]

Thanks guys.

I'll try calling that number in Burlington and see if they can fill in the blanks. I've bought a lot of stuff from Shaw over the years...very professional. They distribute Bolduc- nice product. We use a lot of Permacon these days; the variety is better.

Not sure if Unilock is from Canada...Techo Bloc isn't on the radar screen, but it looks nice.

Extensive use of stone in hardscaping is on the rise around here, so having product familiarity by using different stuff is important. That's why I'm interested in Unilock...I just don't get why their customer service is so questionable.

[uniscaper]

Originally posted by ianc
Forget Unilock - thier service never gets any better - just count yourself lucky you haven't purchased - there are so many good vendors out there to choose from - if you are in NB try Shaw brick

ianc, I've gotta tell you Unilock is by far the best represented company we deal with. I would have to say that your experience with them must be from a less than great rep.
It's too bad that an entire company can be counted out just by one or two people that represent them.

[Raj Venugopal]

Just had a back and forth with the rep via e-mail.

Says he'll address our issues...

I'm interested to see what works out. I'd love to lay some unilock.

[cutntrim]

Glad you found him. Was he the guy I was thinking of that services the GTA?

[Dollar Spot]

I have a plant about 20 minutes from me in Rittman Oh and have had exceptional service from them. My first rep is now in charge of sales for that plant. I love their product and have used others but I feel they are the best I've used.

[4seasons]

I'm a little further away than Dollar-- but I've had 3 different reps in 5yrs. my favorite was Mark Sullivan- he's now territory manager. If you call 330-927-4000 someone could help you out w/ a rep if yours doesn't pan out.