HD Supply Was Our Biggest Distributor
Not long ago, HD Supply was our largest distributor. We did countless shows and promotions aimed at driving our customers to HD Supply. We spent a lot of time and money traveling around the country in order to train their sales people on how to sell their customers on the cost-saving merits of our products. We were the first company to introduce the concept of jamb reinforcement and repair to the multi-family industry, on a large scale. At HD Supply's suggestion, we even became a national sponsor of Maintenance Mania, which significantly increased the awareness of our products.
"Private Label" Copy Placed on Same Page as our Products in Catalog
In May of 2010, we received a call from one of our customers telling us that HD Supply had placed a copy of our product right next to ours in their 2010 catalog. The customer said that, since the products looked so similar to ours in the pictures, that they had assumed that we were making this copy for them. This was definitely not the case. This call was the first time that we heard anything about this. HD Supply never gave us any indication that they were planning to copy our product or that they had any reason to consider doing so. While the copy does not include all of the pieces, that made up Door Jamb Armor, the piece looked similar enough to create a significant amount of confusion in the market.
"I've Been Getting Your Product from HD Supply"
We participate in a lot of trade shows and other Multi-Family industry events. Since the introduction of the HD Supply copy, we have spoken with hundreds of customers that have told us, "We have been getting this product from HD Supply but the ones we have don't come with the hinge protectors." This is a clear indication that the customer is not buying our product. In June of 2010,
we issued the following letter to our customers outlining the situation with HD Supply.
No Longer Sold Through HD Supply
After introducing their copy, HD Supply determined that it was "no longer in their best interest to maintain a relationship with us". We were made aware of this decision in November of 2010. However, our customers still believe that they can purchase our products through HD Supply, in part because we are still National Maintenance Mania Sponsors. HD Supply has done nothing to remove this confusion in the marketplace.
Cease and Desist
For legal reasons, there is only so much that we are allowed to say about this situation. Everything that we have stated is a fact. We were issued a letter threatening us to "cease and desist" in our efforts to "interfere with HD Supply's business relationships". In some way, telling people the truth about what has happened in this situation is seen as spreading disparaging information by HD Supply?
Blessed with Great Distribution Partners
Multi-Family customers can now get our products through
Wilmar,
Chadwell,
Maintenance USA,
Grainger, and, of course,
Lowe's.
We Will Beat Any HD Supply Price
We will beat the price on any similar HD Supply product. Simply send us a written quote and we will beat it. Since we maintain strong relationships with our distributors, we can generally work through any of our current distributors to get you a better price. Call us at 888-292-8852.
Maintenance Mania Video
