Benefits of SFA membership

[bcdonley]

I am intersted in becoming an SFA member. What are the benefits of it and how can it help my company?

[Dan R.]

Read the top 2 threads on this page, especially the second one, titled "What the SFA has done for me" hopefully this should be a good start to a answer for you.

The fact that you are here here seeking knowledge is another good sign. We are a community of fabricators helps helping fabricators. We have open door policy for members, unless abused. You can get honest feedback on anything from machines, to clients to contractors. What ever you may have a question about, ask here and it will be answered by people with all types of experience in this and many other industries.

Membership opens up many forums where most things are discussed in private.

[Antonio Almonte]

The SFA can help your company by learning from other's mistakes where in the stone industry, mistakes are not cheap.

Valuable networking and contacts obtained at the various workshops and in the members lounge are priceless.

For the price of membership, it is a no brainer imo.

[ash20ash]

Best money you will ever spend to better your stone business hands down

[Joshua Hopkins]

The knowledge shared here is priceless you can learn virtually anything you need to know about stone and cutting edge technology.

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

Here ya go: http://forum.stonefabricatorsalliance.c ... f=3&t=6361

[Rick George]

Before I joined the SFA I had 15 years experience running granite and marble fabrication shops and then starting my own business and thought I was very knowledgable in stone and after I joined the SFA found out I know very little and learn from everyone here every day! The SFA saves me thousands of dollars every year from the knowledge shared. BUT, as with anything, you will only get out of it what you are willing to put into it! Best $$$ you will spend on your business!

[sytile]

I originally stumbled upon the SFA searching for a solution to the strange neon green spots we were getting on some of our installs (solution found to the dreaded "green bloom"). That discovery lead to our first year of membership, as we had already saved the $250 dues.

Fast forward...we get our $250 investment back (and hopefully help some folks along the way) in the first couple of weeks of the year EVERY YEAR! The information possessed and shared with each other, the networking, the SFA discounts, etc. are worth far more than the $250 check written once a year.

Stop thinking and do it! If you regret it, I'll, personally, write you a check for the $250!

[GuyboR]

Stop thinking and do it! If you regret it, I'll, personally, write you a check for the $250!

That in and of itself sums up what Travis and others (including myself) think of the value of being a part of the SFA family.

[Andy Ross]

I don't recommend joining the SFA unless you are interested in avoiding costly mistakes, learning new skills, meeting other fabricators who are willing to help you out, and building a more successful business. Like I said, its not for everyone.

If you learn one new thing, or avoid one mistake per year, you've easily made your money back. Plus, you'll get to know some pretty cool people along the way.

I've called several members on the phone to get advice, I've worked in another fabricators shop for a week, I've got a large commercial job being fabricated by another member right now that I would have had to turn down because I didn't have time to do it, I've gotten a lot of great advice on new skills I was learning from guys who do it everyday. And most importantly, I've learned the importance and reverence of the full bullnose.

[Curtis R. Marburger]

there is a Motor Boater club , that only a select few are chosen , if your not a SFA member , your name don't even get in the hat

I have no clue what the motor boater club is , I don't think it even exist , only see a hint once in awhile that it might exist

[clhilde]

Stuff like this

http://forum.stonefabricatorsalliance.c ... 44&t=12685

If your still thinking about it
there is no help for you

[VThartzog]

I thought we were doing things the best way possible until I actually joined. I had no idea what integra was before the SFA. I learned a better way attach miters that's dirt cheap and they are perfect everytime. Top polishing the right way has salvaged many jobs that we would have otherwise remade. Like others have said before, touring someone else's shop and seeing their process from outside gives you a different insight of running a shop.

Seeing what other guys have done gives me ideas all the time as well. Just join, and be prepared to spend all your time outside of work on here talking about work. You won't regret it

[Stonecuttter]

I have learned more, found more assistance, been helped-out more, found answers to more questions, and (finally) met more awesome people in here, then I could have ever possibly imagined. You will too. Get allied!

[Nick]

I think you all scared him off

[Antonio Almonte]

I think you all scared him off

[bcdonley]

Thank you to everyone that responded. I am now an SFA member.

[Antonio Almonte]

Glad to have you here!

[Curtis R. Marburger]

[ash20ash]

Welcome to the dark side.

[santanota]

Hi SFA

Any discount for an overseas user?

[Dan R.]

The weak dollar, may be the best discount available!

[clhilde]

Sorry we are not run by our government

[Joe Durfee]

welcome.jpg (290.97KiB)Viewed 906 times

[ash20ash]

Hi SFA

Any discount for an overseas user?

You sound like my customers. "can I get a deal"?