Page 8 - Become a member - International Pool Group

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the International Pool Group?
The International Pool Group is a buying group that has been representing Canadian Independent Retailers in the Pool and Spa Industry for the last 35 years.
How does it work?
Members benefit from pre-negotiated pricing programs with major suppliers in the industry. The Members place their orders directly with the supplier as an individual but benefit from the buying power of the entire group. Shipments are made directly from the Manufacturer
to the Member. At the end of the year members receive an additional rebate based on their purchases that can become very substantial, plus there are Early Buy Specials that can save the members even more.
Who runs the International Pool Group?
The head office is in Ottawa, Ontario, and there is a staff of Purchasing, Marketing, Accounting, and Customer Service help. The Policies are set by the Board of Directors, made up of Members who serve as volunteers. Each new member is encouraged to serve on the board once they have been a member for a few years.
How many suppliers are there?
The International Pool Group negotiates purchasing programs directly with over 85 suppliers, and our strategic alliance with Carecraft in the US, allows us access to their 170 suppliers who carry virtually everything needed
to build a pool, stock a retail store, and run a business with support items such as office supplies, software, etc.
I heard that the members own the business?
After a qualifying period, members are in fact able to buy shares in the International Pool Group that yield a hefty dividend annually. This dividend is in addition to the purchase rebates and advertising rebates that are paid to all members whether they own shares or not.
What price do I pay?
Typically, the prices negotiated through the combined buying power of the group is significantly less than what a typical retailer would pay for the same product and is often in line with what the distributors pay
for the products.
Are there any fees?
There is an annual fee of $3500 used to help finance the operations of the International Pool Group.
The savings and convenience of the buying process far outweighs this fee for active members.
Are there rebates?
Yes, the International Pool Group Members earn rebates from all of the approved manufacturers. The rebates are paid to the International Pool Group at the end of the year. International Pool Group then calculates the exact amount due to each member based on a formula that calculates the volume of purchases with each Manufacturer and the member’s status within the group.
Will I still be able to buy from my current suppliers?
All members of the International Pool Group maintain a relationship with some local distributors and suppliers to assist with their product needs however the majority of members primarily support the group programs due to their superior price, marketing, and support programs.
Will I still be able to get promotional products and demos?
Many Suppliers offer even better Promo and Demo programs to the International Pool Group Members than to the rest of their Dealer base because they want
our feedback and recognize that our Members are leaders in our Industry.
How do I apply to join?
Applying to join the International Pool Group is free. You simply fill out an Application that we provide you and if you meet our criteria and there is no territorial conflict with an existing Member, we will ask the Board to approve you. The $3500 annual fee is payable upon acceptance of your application.
Do I get any other benefits when I join?
When joining the International Pool Group, you automatically receive free membership in our affiliate US partner group; Carecraft. Not only will this save you money, but it will also open more opportunities in terms of training through sources such as the Genesis Group and the annual Carecraft Conference.
What else do I have to do?
Attend our Annual Meetings each year. The International Pool Group is a great way
to save money on the things you buy to run your business; but it’s much more than that. We are a group dedicated to helping each other be better Pool Professionals. Many International Pool Group Members have served as members of the Board of the Pool Council and other association over the years. It is an impressive list of Members with a lot to offer in the way of friendship, experience and knowledge. You will enjoy spending time with them and getting to know them. Our Suppliers also attend the Meetings as our welcomed guests. They host great parties and fun events. We get together each year in November.
Does the International Pool Group help members with any other aspect of their business?
We have a marketing department whose mandate is to research marketing strategies, tools, and pieces that can be of benefit to our members. The department produces marketing tools such as newsletters for your customers, contests to stimulate sales, posters to help gain credibility, promotional clothing to promote “Walking Billboards” and many more items with proven track records for our demographics. When
a particular marketing campaign or tool has been determined to serve the needs of the members, the entire program is designed and produced for you at a cost far less than doing it yourself.
● INTERNATIONAL POOL GROUP - BECOME A MEMBER - MAY - 2020
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