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Frequently Asked Questions |
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This section contains answers to many of the questions we
receive regularly from our customers, business partners, professional
affiliates, potential employees and others interested in learning more
about Forms+Surfaces. FAQs is a work in progress. If you have questions
that aren’t addressed here, please call us at 800.451.0410 or email us at
marketing@forms-surfaces.com. The question you’re asking may be one
that others are wondering about too. We’ll continue posting answers to the
questions we receive most frequently. Questions are grouped in the
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GENERAL
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What are some of the
primary advantages of working with Forms+Surfaces?
Forms+Surfaces is an unparalleled resource for:
- Innovative designs
- Durable, high-quality materials and finishes
- Environmentally
responsible products
- Sophisticated manufacturing technologies
- Decades of industry experience
- Proven product performance in demanding environments
- Extensive technical support
- National direct sales and customer support
- The convenience of single-point sourcing
- Competitive pricing
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How do DesignForm+,
SiteForm+, LightForm+, Hardware+, Surfaces+ and Cornelius+ relate to
Forms+Surfaces?
In the past
Forms+Surfaces products were grouped by division: DesignForm+, SiteForm+,
LightForm+, Hardware+, Surfaces+ and Cornelius+ were our division names.
In early 2003 we made the decision to consolidate all products under the
Forms+Surfaces brand. Though product literature with division designations
remains in the field, the documents may not reflect our current lineup.
Please refer to the Products section of our web site for up-to-date
product information.
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Do you have a showroom?
Not at this time. Please
call us at 800.451.0410 for information.
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I’m a product designer. I
see that you work with designers from around the world. How can I join
this distinguished group?
Email us at
marketing@forms-surfaces.com with all relevant information.
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I’m interested in career
opportunities at Forms+Surfaces. Where can I get more information?
Visit the
Job
Opportunities section of our web site. Our employment needs are always
evolving and openings are posted there regularly.
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What if I have questions
that aren’t addressed here?
Call us at 800.451.0410
or email us at
marketing@forms-surfaces.com.
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PURCHASING FORMS+SURFACES PRODUCTS |
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How can I purchase Forms+Surfaces products?
You can purchase directly
from us. Also, in some parts of the country our architectural hardware products—door
pulls, cabinet pulls and door levers—are available through distributors. Please
call our Hardware Inside Sales team at 800.451.0410 for distributor
information.
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Can I purchase Forms+Surfaces products directly from the F+S web site?
Not at this time.
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SALES & CUSTOMER SUPPORT |
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How do I get in touch with my local sales representative?
Forms+Surfaces has a
nationwide team of knowledgeable Territory Managers. Please call us
toll-free at 800.451.0410 for the name and contact information of the TM
in your area.
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What type of customer service do you provide?
In addition to our
outside field sales force, we have an Inside Sales team of highly trained product specialists.
Please call us toll-free at 800.451.0410 to speak with the Inside Sales rep
for your territory.
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PRODUCT INFORMATION & SUPPORT |
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How do I request a Forms+Surfaces binder (or updates to my existing
binder)?
In short, there are no
longer binders or corresponding tear sheets to request. In 2002
Forms+Surfaces completed its transition from printed binders to web-based
product information. Our web site and its wealth of downloadable materials
have effectively taken over the function formerly filled by paper
literature. Browse through the
“Products” section of the site and you'll find product images, detailed
descriptions, technical specs (with pricing in many cases) and more.
Our sales team is also
well-equipped to assist you. We encourage you to call us at 800.451.0410
or email us at
marketing@forms-surfaces.com if you have questions or would like
information on how to set up a meeting with your local Territory Manager.
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Why did Forms+Surfaces switch from printed
binders to web-based product information?
The decision was not made
lightly. Our objective is to provide our clients with the most up-to-date
product information available, information that is fresh, current and
relevant—24 hours a day—in one easy-to-navigate location.
After conducting formal and informal surveys
of client firms to learn how well our binders were serving their needs, we
could no longer ignore the inherent limitations of print literature. Some
of what we discovered:
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Binders in client
libraries were rarely, if ever, up-to-date. Literature for our newest
and most exciting products had frequently been removed for
presentation boards, had been sent to a firm’s own clients, or was
buried on someone’s desk. |
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Firm employees are
busy people; mailed update packages often never made it to the
binders. |
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The diversity of
Forms+Surfaces products caused confusion as to where in a firm’s
library our literature should be catalogued. If we were grouped under
architectural hardware, for example, decision-makers in that firm
might never find out about our lighting fixtures or elevator cabs. |
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We are constantly
introducing new products, materials and manufacturing processes.
Existing products likewise undergo regular updates and improvements.
Clients often found themselves with outdated literature, and due to
the timelines and costs associated with updates, we increasingly found
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These facts led us to
the conclusion that our binder was no longer fulfilling our own objectives
or those of our clients, and that our web site had superior potential for
accomplishing our goal of efficiently providing current information in a
timely manner.
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Is printed product
literature still available?
Some products are still represented by
brochures or postcards. However, since our web site has become our primary
resource for product information, our focus is on developing and improving
the site. Our web site Product Pages and corresponding technical
information links are the best source for accurate, up-to-date product
specs and graphics.
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What do I do if I need presentation images?
Many customers relied on
our print literature for high-quality images of our products. Most images
on our web site can be enlarged for this purpose. Right-clicking on the
enlarged image will give you a variety of copying, saving, downloading and printing
options.
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What do I do if I have trouble viewing / downloading Tech Briefs?
Adobe Acrobat Reader
version 5.0 or later is required to view our Tech Briefs
(click
here to download). If you have a
dial-up internet connection or experience difficulty opening the larger
files (file sizes are indicated on each hyperlink) try right-clicking on
the link rather than opening the file. From the menu that appears when you
right-click select "Save Target As" and then proceed with the directions
for downloading the file. This will allow you to save larger files
directly onto your computer and from there they should open easily. If you
continue to have difficulty please call us for assistance.
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How can I get CAD drawings of your products?
While we do not make CAD drawings generally
available, we welcome you to contact us directly for project specific
requests. Also, please note that the Tech Briefs for each product should
contain all of the information necessary for specification.
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Are product samples available?
Yes. Please contact your
Territory Manager or Inside Sales representative for assistance.
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How can I find out about new products?
We invite you to sign up
for our automatic update program. We’ll notify you via email of product
introductions, new developments, events and more. Simply contact us at
F+S-updates@forms-surfaces.com
to be added to our email list.
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PRODUCT REPRESENTATION |
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I’d like to represent
your products. How can I become a dealer or independent sales rep for
Forms+Surfaces?
We have a direct sales
force. If you are interested in joining our team in that capacity, please
forward your resume to
resumes@forms-surfaces.com. Or visit the
Job Opportunities
section of our web site; current openings are updated regularly.
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How do I become a Hardware Distributor?
Please contact us at
800.451.0410. |
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