Just WHO is this ABIA thing

Dartman

Dartman

Well-known member
Silver Member
I got a laugh after reading this - http://www.abiainstallers.com/billiard_wholesalers.html

First ABIA was all about certifying mechanics. Now it's about $34.99 cloth for 8' tables.
Well what about 7' and 9' tables?
What is IC cloth and where is it made? (1 guess, china).
Who imports it? (1 guess, whoever runs ABIA)
Just HOW good can this stuff be for 34.99 a rip?

This whole ABIA thing has been a mystery IMO. Maybe coming out of the shadows will gain them some credibility.
 
From the consumers point, this is just another junk organization trying to make itself seem reputable. From the installers point, it could offer bargaining power regarding discounts but like so many buyer's clubs not enough to offset the expense. The best certification of an installer is most likely word of mouth reference. Home inspectors created an organization years ago like this and many people were certified who couldn't find a house but by perseverance they have gotten many people and organizations to believe they are truly qualified after taking an untested 1-5 day class and receiving a clip board to inspect and give a meaningful inspection of a home.
 
dontlitethat said:
The ABIA clams to be ran by volunteers...who has become a memeber?? Who or what cashed the check that was sent to them???
-
Rob.M
Click to expand...

I actually became a member in the very beginning...when they asked if I was interested in helping establish the standards and expectations for a basic table installation. There were several of us on this board who contributed information for that initial list of requirements. That being said, I refuse to be asked help set the standards, and then be asked to pay a membership fee to be tested (?) on those. Has anyone even been tested on their qualifications? Has anyone even used this IC cloth?
 
I think there were a good many from here that joined up. I did and took a lets see where this goes attitude about it.
At the very least I would think their website would post a list of "certified" mechanics but if it's there I can't find it.
Besides - who's doing the certifying.
 
i would imagine that whomever it was that started this organization, probably had somewhat good intentions to begin with...but the website is a grammatical nightmare, the information presented is contradictory, the benefits are a joke, the organization seems to have no formal structure, and nowhere on the site can you find the name of someone who actually works for this organization.

so you're suppose to pay some invisible person for certification?

seriously? like dartman said - i got a good laugh anyway.

(and by the way - you dont "install billiards", you install billiard tables)


from the ABIA site:

"Each company that is certified undergoes an extensive business, background, insurance, company registration for legitimacy and credential check to meet the high standards of certification by the American Billiard Installers Association. "

"Minimum 3 recent business references applicant has installed or otherwise serviced billiard tables for
Minimum 5 recent residential customer references applicant has provided services to"

so I can become a certified ABIA business with a whopping 8 tables under my belt??? (and for $95 dollars)

ONLY 8 TABLES ???? Personally, I'd NEVER hire you, if i knew you only had 8 tables worth of experience.



"The ABIA has achieved several key benefits for members that no other organization in our industry can compete with "

a free magazine and access to cheap crappy cloth? (for a $40 monthly fee)
boy, i sure wish i was a member.

(by the way - I'd be willing to bet that "IC cloth" is one of the ABIA people, selling it from his basement. notice how the IC website has no name or address either )


"The ABIA was founded on the idea to remain independent and self sufficient without a need to depend on any organization or outside influences for it's success."

so who exactly will be giving ABIA members industry discounts and benefits?
an outside company will. which means that the above statement makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. you might want to stop shooting yourself in the foot. its gonna hurt when you wake up.




"The installer, mechanic and billiard store are the life's blood of this industry and until this time have not been represented or recognized as the most important group in the industry"

say what?




" ABIA When it comes down to benefits the answer is clear "

yes, the answer is very clear. :rotflmao1:
 
realkingcobra said:
I don't want to be the first one to say....I told you so....but...;)
Click to expand...

I think many would agree the initial intentions were good but we haven't seen the followup that the plan needed to succeed.
If a respected name was behind (or even part of) the whole deal it would probably fare better but right now the person/people behind the association are a mystery so IMO there's no credibility.

Although it seems anyone can be a member I'd like to know if anyone here is actually certified or has certified others.
 
well I told Jay I'd never join but here I am...

this is my first post I hope it helps took me all of 45 seconds to find this data.
for those that really want to know, here's the dirt.
look here. http://egov.sos.state.or.us/br/pkg_...?p_be_rsn=1421240&p_srce=BR_INQ&p_print=FALSE {the original url}

New Search Printer Friendly Business Entity Data 10-06-2010 20:25
Registry Nbr Entity Type Entity Status Jurisdiction Registry Date Next Renewal Date Renewal Due?
641529-95 DLLC ACT OREGON 11-02-2009 11-02-2010 YES
Entity Name AMERICAN BILLIARD INSTALLERS ASSOCIATION L.L.C.
Foreign Name



New Search Printer Friendly Associated Names
Please click here for general information about registered agents and service of process.
Type AGT REGISTERED AGENT Start Date 11-02-2009 Resign Date
Name JOE ALEXANDER
Addr 1 10580 SW MCDONALD ST
Addr 2
CSZ TIGARD OR 97224 Country UNITED STATES OF AMERICA



New Search Printer Friendly Name History
Business Entity Name Name Type Name Status Start Date End Date
AMERICAN BILLIARD INSTALLERS ASSOCIATION L.L.C. EN CUR 11-02-2009


I hope this helps in some capacity, glen whatever you told them, it's probably so...
 
This is who is registered

(1 rating)
Alexander, Joe - Bookkeepers Business Svc Company
(503) 639-2165
10580 Sw Mcdonald St, #104, Tigard, OR 97224 Get directions
Cross Streets: Between SW 105th Ave and OR-99W/SW Gaarde St


45.418554 -122.786166
Write a review
Save for later Send to Send to phone

Email to a friend

Add to address book

Print Alexander, Joe - Bookkeepers Business Svc Company Business Overview
1 Review 2 Photos
Edit Info close

Are you:
The owner or an employee Customer Own this business? Enhance your listing.
Categories: Accounting & Bookkeeping
Specialities: Electronic Filing, Efile
Recent Reviews 1-1 of 1 Write a review
 
post

hobart said:
this is my first post I hope it helps took me all of 45 seconds to find this data.
for those that really want to know, here's the dirt.
look here. http://egov.sos.state.or.us/br/pkg_...?p_be_rsn=1421240&p_srce=BR_INQ&p_print=FALSE {the original url}

New Search Printer Friendly Business Entity Data 10-06-2010 20:25
Registry Nbr Entity Type Entity Status Jurisdiction Registry Date Next Renewal Date Renewal Due?
641529-95 DLLC ACT OREGON 11-02-2009 11-02-2010 YES
Entity Name AMERICAN BILLIARD INSTALLERS ASSOCIATION L.L.C.
Foreign Name



New Search Printer Friendly Associated Names
Please click here for general information about registered agents and service of process.
Type AGT REGISTERED AGENT Start Date 11-02-2009 Resign Date
Name JOE ALEXANDER
Addr 1 10580 SW MCDONALD ST
Addr 2
CSZ TIGARD OR 97224 Country UNITED STATES OF AMERICA



New Search Printer Friendly Name History
Business Entity Name Name Type Name Status Start Date End Date
AMERICAN BILLIARD INSTALLERS ASSOCIATION L.L.C. EN CUR 11-02-2009


I hope this helps in some capacity, glen whatever you told them, it's probably so...
Click to expand...

-
-
_-_
--
-
-
-???????????
-
rob.m
 
Last edited:
dontlitethat said:
-
-
why would u not wanta join AZB???????????
-
rob.m
Click to expand...

Rob,

Hobart (Josh) and I worked together over the last 18 months, and I would often reference AZ in our conversations, I think he liked to stop thinking about pool tables when he was done work....:thumbup:

Glad to have you on-board. For the record Josh is a very skilled and competent mechanic.


Jay
 
A-1 billiards said:
Rob,

Hobart (Josh) and I worked together over the last 18 months, and I would often reference AZ in our conversations, I think he liked to stop thinking about pool tables when he was done work....:thumbup:

Glad to have you on-board. For the record Josh is a very skilled and competent mechanic.


Jay
Click to expand...
-
-
:thumbup: well' glad he joined us,
thx, jay:smile:
-
rob.m
 
Last edited:
also as a matter of public record -

Alexander, Joe - Bookkeepers Business Svc Company
(503) 639-2165
10580 Sw Mcdonald St, #104, Tigard, OR 97224

I apologize if my previous post came across sarcastic or cynical, it's not a personal attack. BUT-this kind of vague nonsense is exactly what the industry DOESNT need more of, so it irks me to a certain extent.

Joe - or whoever - should have put a little (or a lot) more thought into this venture BEFORE they went online or public with it.

For example, (here's some free advice joe) go to a major manufacturer of tables and work with THEIR designers and assembly teams to devise a structured certitification program. That way, when people see that you are a " ACME factory certified mechanic " they will know beyond any reasonable doubt that you know their tables inside and out.

as it stands right now, joe (or whoever) is expecting the world to believe that a small time bean-counter is qualified to represent an entirely different industry.

try again joe.
 
Dartman said:
I got a laugh after reading this - http://www.abiainstallers.com/billiard_wholesalers.html

First ABIA was all about certifying mechanics. Now it's about $34.99 cloth for 8' tables.
Well what about 7' and 9' tables?
What is IC cloth and where is it made? (1 guess, china).
Who imports it? (1 guess, whoever runs ABIA)
Just HOW good can this stuff be for 34.99 a rip?

This whole ABIA thing has been a mystery IMO. Maybe coming out of the shadows will gain them some credibility.
Click to expand...


Rick - I think they were taking some flack from customers and decided to bow out. When asked who the heck this "certification body" was, they couldn't produce a concrete answer and chose to separate themselves. Probably for the best!
 
Mr. Bond said:
also as a matter of public record -

Alexander, Joe - Bookkeepers Business Svc Company
(503) 639-2165
10580 Sw Mcdonald St, #104, Tigard, OR 97224

I apologize if my previous post came across sarcastic or cynical, it's not a personal attack. BUT-this kind of vague nonsense is exactly what the industry DOESNT need more of, so it irks me to a certain extent.

Joe - or whoever - should have put a little (or a lot) more thought into this venture BEFORE they went online or public with it.

For example, (here's some free advice joe) go to a major manufacturer of tables and work with THEIR designers and assembly teams to devise a structured certitification program. That way, when people see that you are a " ACME factory certified mechanic " they will know beyond any reasonable doubt that you know their tables inside and out.

as it stands right now, joe (or whoever) is expecting the world to believe that a small time bean-counter is qualified to represent an entirely different industry.

try again joe.
Click to expand...

Mr Bond...I think Joe Alexander is the accountant for another individual who does not want his name out in the public. I think the ABIA needs to come clean with it's true agenda. It is an LLC. not a not for profit organization.
 
PoolTable911 said:
Mr Bond...I think Joe Alexander is the accountant for another individual who does not want his name out in the public. I think the ABIA needs to come clean with it's true agenda. It is an LLC. not a not for profit organization.
Click to expand...


you're right...in all fairness i suppose i shouldnt "blame" joe...

but as you have already pointed out, the "someone else" should be more forthcoming with information...otherwise, what kind of credibility should they expect?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top