ANT feedback please!

[Oceana]

Hi mum, I do not have my insurance with ANT, I am simply a member of the association. My insurance is through BABTAC.....I pay around £80 per year for specialised skills.
I dont know about all this ANT business anymore!! clients ask what the badge is for and they seem to like the fact I belong to a professional body but the majority of them dont even notice anyway!!

Ohh well......

 

[Jane]

how does your insurance stand if you have it with ANT and your membership has run out? I'm sure you are all on top of this but just wanted to remind those with this insurance

Marian

Ah yes the insurance thing is quite interesting really. I had been a member of ANT since 1999. Along with my ANT membership I got a year subscription to Nails. I always had insurance through them too.
As we all know it was taken over by PB. When my insurance was up for renewal I received a letter from Woodgates, the insurance company that PB uses, asking me for £42 for the coming year. Bit pricey I thought as I'd heard that Nail Technician insurance through PB was £34. So I thought that perhaps my original renewal included membership to ANT but it doesn't. It's exactly the same insurance, same company, but £8 more. Needless to say I didn't renew my old policy I asked them to send me a new form and saved myself £8.

 

[Bryony]

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP? Only recently joined, had some feedback/suggestions which I emailed to Kathryn a couple of weeks ago, which she said she would pass on and bring up in forthcoming meeting...

DO YOU INTEND TO RE-NEW IT? Will wait and see what changes are implimented - I have a year to be impressed!

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN THE MEMBERSHIP PACK? My name on the joining letter, rather than just a bog standard 'Dear member' (Have already mentioned to Kathryn - not a good first impression! No coaster in mine but not too disappointed. More info about what is on offer - I can advertise in YP apparently but it doesn't say how etc..

DO YOU LIKE THE ANT BADGE? Yes and I do wear it.

WOULD YOU LIKE A NEWSLETTER? YES YES YES PLEEEEASE. Already get Scratch & (obviously) PN so something specific to what ANT are doing, rather than repeating nail mag info would be most appreciated.

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE CONSUMER PUBLICITY? Absolutely, definately, no question. We moan about bad publicity in the industry and ignorant public but if they aren't told, or don't know what to look for, how can we expect things to improve?

WOULD YOU PURCHASE T-SHIRTS, ETC WITH THE ANT LOGO? No.

SHOULD THEY HAVE A STAND AT THE TRADE SHOWS? Yes. Raise the profile, be seen to be pro-active, good way to attract more members.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE NEW CODE OF PRACTICE? Wasn't aware they had an old one! Certainly didn't get a copy in my membership pack (add it to the list what should be included).

I think this is very important, demonstrates a professional association and reassures the public that their technician is expected to meet certain standards/ follow professional ethics. What other clubs do you know that don't have rules?
I have seen the one on ITEC/IGPP (?) website - that sort of thing but obviously tailored specifically to nails.

HOW CAN THE ANT IMPROVE? By implementing the suggestions it's members are making, keeping us informed.
Also think it should be a 'voice' so when bad press (E.g. Daily Mail article) there is a professional and respected body that can give a reasoned/justified, INFORMED, response.


Thanks Rachel.

 

[Noz]

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP? I joined about August, got certificate no other items included. Received pn mag in post once!!!! Cannot find number to telephone them so anyone got it please let me know as I want my mag.

DO YOU INTEND TO RE-NEW IT? Will decide when renewal time comes around.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN THE MEMBERSHIP PACK? Whatever was left out of my original pack.

DO YOU LIKE THE ANT BADGE? Don't know never received mine.

WOULD YOU LIKE A NEWSLETTER? Yes, Yes,Yes.

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE CONSUMER PUBLICITY? Yes, Yes, Yes.

WOULD YOU PURCHASE T-SHIRTS, ETC WITH THE ANT LOGO? Yes I think I would.

SHOULD THEY HAVE A STAND AT THE TRADE SHOWS? Yes definately.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE NEW CODE OF PRACTICE? Don't know what was in the old one.

HOW CAN THE ANT IMPROVE? Regular contact for members and Please make phone number available. E-mail would also be great for quickness. SWho should I contact about my missing items and also my monthly mag?

 

[chocolate]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. I do apprecite the feedback, negative feedback is good as things can improve!

I dont work for the ANT and have done lots for them and never been paid a penny. I do it all for love (yes, i am a mug). Its just that i have a bit of kick but also am not to big for my boots as i am still and always will be scatty geek! I agree with most of your comments, its been over 6 months now and no improvments yet. Things need shaking up and i will do what i can for you all.

Keep the comments coming, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tickled Pink!]

i got a renewal notice from ANT for my membership - which is great as i need reminding about everything! However, just feedback for your purposes - it was my address, my company name but addressed to someone other than me...? The membership number is correct however, but things like this need to be right each and every time....

 

[haylznailz]

I was a member of ANT for a year

yeh was well impressed with my coaster pen an badge was all excited lol
my pen broke the next day mind!

but thats about it i got the mag every month but what else did they do for you

nothing so i thought.

i thought id be getting post all the time an newsletters
but if never happened

the best place ive ever learnt anything about nails is on these nail boards
there fantastic !

i never renewed my membership with them thought what i waste of time!

 

[TracyUK]

I did renew as mentioned previously...in the hope that there would be a big improvement...my renewal certificate arrived and looks like a photocopy! and once again I was never asked for proof of qualification...sad to say this will be my last year unless there is a big shake up

 

[jus-nails]

Does anyone have a phone number for ANT as the phone numbers quoted on the application form don't work?

I've recently joined and heard nothing?

Ann