FormulaOne or 3M?

October 4, 2014

I'm currently with Huper and making a move to a mainstream city. I've already gotten the okay from 3M to open up, but was wondering about, and intrigued by formulaone. I would like input from each company's respected dealers on why they would recommend either one.

I would greatly appreciate any input so it would make the decision easier.

Is it still in order to become a formulaone dealer you have to do Llumar for a year?

Thanks

Ocala · October 4, 2014

Too bad you are asking about Formula One on a Saturday or I would be able to put a call into my rep and answer your last question.

Shadebyblade · October 4, 2014

All money bro the 3m is crap like we all know.

Blackwolftinting · October 4, 2014

3m Crystalline is a nice film. It can be a bear to shrink if you're not used to it tho. I don't have any exp with the current F1 line up but I installed it when it first came out. They both have pros and cons. I would personally go with F1 if you have the option. I'm just not a huge fan of the other 3m lines, the fx and cs. With 3m it's all about selling the brand name. But there is a lot of $ to be made with that film...well both films really.

Ocala · October 4, 2014

3m Crystalline is a nice film. It can be a bear to shrink if you're not used to it tho. I don't have any exp with the current F1 line up but I installed it when it first came out. They both have pros and cons. I would personally go with F1 if you have the option. I'm just not a huge fan of the other 3m lines, the fx and cs. With 3m it's all about selling the brand name. But there is a lot of $ to be made with that film...well both films really.

HaHa, I remember the first time a 3M rep came into the shop I learned how to tint at. He set a 3 ring binder on the desk and on the cover it said "3M=Make More Money" I believe that statement is meant more for the distributors than the dealers selling and installing the film. Never really saw anything spectacular about the brand especially when it came down to them paying for warranty work.

ultratintsouthport · October 4, 2014

Always an interesting read whenever the three M's appear in a thread. So much opinion, so much misinformation.

Blackwolftinting · October 4, 2014

Always an interesting read whenever the three M's appear in a thread. So much opinion, so much misinformation.

Not being sarcastic but enlighten us plz.

smiley · October 5, 2014

Always an interesting read whenever the three M's appear in a thread. So much opinion, so much misinformation.
Not being sarcastic but enlighten us plz.

Do not question 3m while ultra is here, rookie mistake :P.

addicted to tint · October 5, 2014

F1 is contractual, and exclusive. 3M is permission to sell, and if you do a good job selling but a prospect becomes interested close to you, there's the chance they sell to prospect too. I'd say there's more value and franchise type agreement with F1. They are both desirable and money makers.

In NC, there's a fairly good F1 dealer base, and more recently stronger 3M base, so there's recognition and customer following with each. What part of NC are you considering?

ultratintsouthport · October 5, 2014

Do not question 3m while ultra is here, rookie mistake :P.

LOL. :conspiracy

It's common to see a lot of anti-3M posts in these threads and in the industry in general. Most is hear-say and much of it comes from people who are either A: Trying to sell another brand. or B: Object to spending the extra money that it costs to use it over the cheaper, more readily available brands out there. I personally like 3M films, not because of the extra cost, or the extra money I can charge for it, but because I have a good understanding of the technologies and processes involved in their manufacturing processes. They are more expensive, but the stuff actually does work. Customer confidence in the brand is high, and if you use it and promote it, customers will often seek YOU out to get it. Many out there form an opinion based on their "experience" with the film. It's probably safe to say that they tried the bottom of the range FX ST because the others were too expensive. Every manny has their top range and their entry level product lines. Personally, I will only ever look at the top one or two products from any manufacturer, because everything below that is a quality and performance compromise to meet a certain price point in the market. (IE: corners cut = money saved) Or, they have tried the Crystalline for example and found that it was expensive and too difficult to shrink or work with etc..

Shops that choose the film they sell based on roll price and easiest installation, are simply whoring the industry for quick cash and don't genuinely have their customers best interests in mind. :twocents
(you can forever quote me on that if you wish) :reading

I wasn't having a go at you personally. I was just pointing out that these threads often lead to fiery exchanges by the lovers and the haters. ( I know this because I may or may not have engaged in a few of them myself :blah )

What we can thank the M's for is developing the first patent on window films back in 1966, and many of the new technologies that have come along since.

MIKEMN or SMARTIE might be able to shed more light on this.