Frank Blau
Contributing Writer

Frank J. Blau and Associates came up with the valve tag idea many years ago as a way for service technicians to market their company to the homeowner more effectively. These valve tags are distributed through solely through ShuBee (877.974.8233 | www.shubee.com).

Here’s how it works – at the end of the service tech’s visit, he asks the customer if he or she knows where the main water shutoff is to the home. Most people do not know, and those that do usually cannot tell where the shutoffs are to various appliances around the home. This gives the technician a chance to perform a valuable service for the homeowner by offering to identify and tag each shutoff.

What do we get out of it? Plenty.

The flip side of the valve tag is a company business card. They end up hanging at a half dozen or more locations around the home as permanent advertisements for your company. Whenever something goes wrong, guess who will be the first company these people are likely to think of calling! It gets them away from the Yellow Pages and all of your competitors’ ads.

It also offers a distinct reminder of the personal service that distinguishes independent PHC firms from the home centers. As I’ve noted in several previous articles, we encourage people to engage customers in friendly conversation at every opportunity in order to build long-lasting relationships. Valve tags provide a convenient opening for these conversations. What could be friendlier than performing a free service that helps protect the customer’s health and safety?

The original Frank Blau Valve Tags are available in “day-glo” orange or florescent green. This is to enhance visibility in dark basements and laundry rooms. Moreover, these tags are laminated, making them rigid and water resistant, so they will last indefinitely.

ShuBee® has expanded on this product concept and offers a new Frank Blau Full Color Valve Tag with the same advantages as the original valve tags but with the added benefit of full color. These new Frank Blau Valve Tags are made from a rugged 20PT plastic stock designed to last for years to come. With full color on both sides the homeowner is sure to see the tag and know exactly who to call when their appliance needs repair.

The average home in this country changes ownership every seven years. These tags should last longer than that, so they are likely to be around for subsequent homeowners as well as the one for whom we originally performed service.

The tags are affixed to the shutoff valves with plastic ties. The services tech merely punches a hole, threads in the tie and puts it around the valve handle. He also marks the appropriate box on identifying which shutoff it is.

One valve tag client recently wrote me the following letter:

“Thank you for allowing the opportunity to use your valve tags. When we saw a sample of them, we thought they were a good idea, so we bought some. Well, now we have been using them for a while, we are jumping up and down ecstatic. They are pure genius; our customers love them. I am amazed at how many people don’t know where to turn anything off in an emergency.

“After we explain the benefits of the valve tags, our customers escort us through their homes,” he continued, “all the while learning from us about safety and service required for their plumbing and heating systems. At the same time they tell us their wants, needs and fears about those same systems.

“The tags are made so well they communicate to our customers that we are a solid company just waiting to help them out in their time of need. How do I know this? Because several customers have told me so.

Our company continues to give these out to homeowners as a free service to increase knowledge on shut-offs as well as a marketing tool. The valve tags are sold in quantities of 1000 with prices starting at $345, depending on quantity purchased. For more information on these great product, contact ShuBee® at 877.974.8233 or visit www.shubee.com/frank-blau-valve-tags.html or https://www.shubee.com/marketing-tools/frank-blau-full-color-valve-tag.html

Start implementing these products in your company today and you will reap the benefit for years to come!