What Our Members Say...

Joining FCA Network for me was a "no brainer." I've gotten incredible pricing, nice rebates and reliable support ever since joining, much unlike other buying groups. President Olga Robertson is an acknowledged industry expert who is willing to assist me hands on, every day. As if that's not enough, the annual meetings are well conducted, informative and it's really enjoyable to be around the other members. 

Back in December 2012, I dialed a phone number listed in an email that I had received about some "buying group". The phone rang a grand total of one time before Olga answered and we hit it off right away. After she explained the nature of the FCA Network business model, we arranged to meet. I still remember flying home combing over the simple FCA agreement. I couldn’t believe what we had found, what we’d been invited to join, and how excited I was for our future. And the best part is that all of that anticipation is reinforced—daily. Thank you, Olga, and everyone at FCA Network. 

The pricing is better than what we were receiving from NFWC. My carpet costs dropped at least 10% on average, and my gross profit is up over 5% since joining FCA Network. The rebate structure is something new to our business. It is nice to see the money come back to my business vs. going to a franchise. They have a nice line of private label products and continue to add to each line throughout the year. The group of dealers who are part of FCA Network are really good people. They have been warm and inviting to new members and are always available to share their knowledge and experience. Being part of a buying group has also added to our credibility with customers and the trades. I can say with confidence that we are more than competitive. 

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your help with this claim. I know that without your help I would have been in a huge pickle with the floor that we installed that was indeed defective. The supplier has come through for us because of your help. This is a true testament as to why being part of FCA Network is a MUST for small businesses like mine. I can't thank you enough for all of your help. Please pass this on to everyone who had a part in helping us with this claim. Thank you again! BJ 

I get the best of all worlds with FCA Network. I have found that by combining my negotiating efforts with that of FCA's buyer, we far surpass any pricing available in the market place. I get the right price on the right products - period. 

FCA's motto is "Simplify Your Life." A HUGE benefit to me is how easy they make running my business. My pricing is at my fingertips anywhere my laptop gets internet coverage. All my products and prices are preloaded. It makes writing up customer tickets, work orders and purchase orders a breeze. When there is a price increase, FCA gets the mills to delay it for about a month and the day it takes effect, I know my prices are already updated in the software. Now that's easy! 

When I joined, FCA Network gave me an exclusive area where there would be no other Network stores. I have 10 competitors in my immediate market place. With my exclusive territory and the private branded products, that my competitors can't get, I can show a sample with the confidence that I won't get shopped. My salespeople are more confident AND my margins are up! 

I have competition up and down the street from me. I was losing every other sale. Today with FCA Network I have my own label that is exclusive to me in my market. I have confidence in my store again and my margins are higher than they have ever been. 

I love the fact that I am still an independent flooring retailer, but I'm not alone. I still get to negotiate products with my suppliers, but FCA cherry picks products from our partner mills, so it saves me time from having to shop. There are seminars at our conventions where I learn new things, and have the luxury of sharing ideas with my fellow members throughout the year. 

Joining FCA Network is the single best business decision I've made. The camaraderie and the networking is invaluable; the pricing is better; we get more respect from mills for being related to FCA Network. 

What motivated me personally to become a member of FCA were the people that introduced us to FCA. We flew into Chicago and had dinner with Bob and Olga. Their comments sold me and the knowledge they both had of the floor covering business. Cost was a factor also. It appeared you could get in FCA at a relative low cost to see how the program actually worked. If you didn't like things, it was easy to pull out with no hard feelings. We were ready for a change and knowing we had some different challenges to compete with the box stores and other buying groups. We did not want to reinvent the wheel when the work by FCA was laid out already for a fair nominal fee. In a nutshell, we got new beautiful products to sell along with a new showroom and a new adventure. The last sentence could be used for the benefits derived from our affiliation along with a sense of security, FCA, gives us. Strength comes in numbers and now we feel we are pulling away from the Mom and Pop scenario and becoming a factor in our industry by having us be a part of a group that has the strength and becoming stronger every year. This should give everyone confidence knowing that we have that sense of security which in turn makes our every day business life a little smoother. 

The negotiated prices on my middle to high end products are $2-3 lower than I could buy them before I joined FCA Network. Since I have 8 locations in and around Charlotte, I compete against around 100 retailers and big box stores. I can show and sell FCA products with confidence. The reduction in my cost of goods sold has allowed me to gain market share even in a soft economy. I can mark up products 50% or more and close sales. My competitors wish they had our buying power!