text: Quids In, Episode 22... Checkatrade! | On The Tools
  Quids In, Episode 22… Checkatrade!
  Kirsten Gautrey Oct 19, 2018
  It's Friday. It's 12:15 pm. And that can only mean one thing, it's time for another episode of Quids In!
  This week, we were sponsored by Checkatrade and had over £1,000 worth of prizes to give away including a £150 Amazon voucher, Makita on-site radio, 6 months free Checkatrade membership and VIP tickets to William Hill World Darts Championship! So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's show.
  First up, we have the news!
  Construction workers van stolen, stripped and crushed in just over 24 hours!
  I know we talk about tool and van theft a lot here at On The Tools but this is such a big issue that we thought we'd speak about it again. And, in fact, this story is just shocking. Earlier this month, construction worker James Smallhorne had his van stolen from his home while he slept.
  And, shockingly, in just over 24 hours, the van had been stripped of every part, crushed and sold as scrap on Dagenham docks! This is absolutely disgusting and something really needs to be done about tool theft. Have any of you lot been affected by it? Let us know!
  But, before Andy could discuss tool theft any further, the competition claxon sounded and it was time for our first competition: cement mixer lottery!
  Provided for by our sponsors Checkatrade, we were giving our viewers the chance to win a Makita on-site radio and Checkatrade goodie bag with this first competition. And, to be in with a chance of winning, all they had to do was guess the correct number between 1 and 12. This week it was…12!
  One of the many ways our viewers could stay Quids In today, Checkatrade is also, hands down, the one tool your business shouldn't be without! So much more than your average business listing, Checkatrade is a matchmaking service of sorts. They have been connecting consumers with a superior network of exceptional tradespeople for 20 years.
  The success of Checkatrade lies in the power of partnership. Consumers want to find trades on whom they can rely on to do a good job. And, trades and services want to work with genuine customers who trust them from the start. Checkatrade brings the two together!
  With our first competition won though, it was now time to move onto our second segment of the show, caption this!
  This week, the image showed a worker surrounded by signs all in the same stance. Unfortunately, our man Andy wasn't very creative with his caption and went with a measly "I'm really digging these signs…"
  Luckily though, before things got any more embarrassing for Andy, the competition claxon sounded for the next competition. Wheel of fortune!
  This time, our friends at Checkatrade were giving away a £150 Amazon voucher and another goody bag! Like before, all our audience had to do to be in with a chance of winning was guess the correct number between 1 and 12. And, this week, it was the number… 12. Again! Must be lucky number twelve today!
  Even if our audience members didn't win this competition though, they still had the opportunity to win by becoming a Checkatrade member. In fact, did you know that every month, Checkatrade receives over one million potential customers looking for reliable tradespeople? Perfect for new and developing businesses!
  Alongside this, we also like to help our viewers stay Quids In with some tips to help them save money. And, this week, we had some great top tips for our audience to take advantage of!
  Tip 1: Up to 50% off toys at Sainsbury's! This tip is for all the parents out there! As you know, Christmas can be a very expensive time for everyone, especially when there are kids involved. But, Sainsbury's have got you covered because they've got an offer of up to 50% off ALL toys! So this could be a godsend with Christmas coming up so get stocking up!
  The sale is one until Tuesday the 23rd of October so, if you want to get involved, then you'll need to be quick. The sale is also only in stores as well so, unfortunately, you can't shop online to beat the crowds. But, if you can bag yourself some bargains it'll all be worth it because you'll be… QUIDS IN!
  Tip 2: Become a Checkatrade member and keep your work diaries full! They even offer a member satisfaction guarantee! In fact, Checkatrade is so confident that they can help your business that, in the rare instance Checkatrade doesn't work for you, you can receive your money back in full at the end of your first complete year of membership! So, if you're interested in this, check it out here.
  Speaking of saving money, it was now time for our third competition, blindfold darts. This time, thanks to our friends at Checkatrade, they could win a six months free Checkatrade membership worth £419!
  So, heading over to Scott in the blindfold darts arena, we joined Jaye who managed to land his dart first time and get the number… one!
  Three competitions won, and with just one more competition to go, it was now time for our next part of the show… shoutouts.
  This week, we not only discussed one person but an entire company: Midlands Fencing & Aggregates!
  After responding to a call from a distressed elderly woman who's fence panels had blown down, they were round within the hour to fix it. During this time, they got to know the lady who admitted that she struggled to pay her bills at times. But, she felt the fence panels needed to be fixed as she was worried about the security of her home. So, when she asked how much she owed them for the work, they decided to charge her nothing.
  Not only that, but they have also decided that throughout the bad weather they are going to offer free fence repairs to any senior citizens who are struggling. All they ask in return is maybe a cup of tea and some biscuits.
  They have already had an overwhelming response to this and have had hundreds of messages asking for help. Of course, this isn't physically possible for them to do so they've set up a GoFundMe page to raise some money to help them help as many people as possible. If you'd like to donate, click here.
  Along with a few more shoutouts, it wasn't long before the competition claxon sounded again and it was time for the final competition. Mug shot! This is where our man Jamie tries to throw as many of his 12 tea bags into the oversized mug hoop as possible. And he's not very good at it!
  Usually averaging at about two, we had a record-breaking five last week! But, despite this, there still wasn't much optimism from the audience that he'd land a high number. With a few good shots, and some not so good, Jamie ended up with a disappointing two in the end. Luckily though, one of our audience members didn't have much faith in Jamie either. And, thanks to our friends at Checkatrade, they won themselves two VIP tickets to the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London!
  So that's it, the end of our show. All that was left to say now was a massive thank you to everyone who took part and our sponsor's Checkatrade. Don't forget, they can also help you maximise your business exposure. You can choose the key areas in which you would like to market your business.
  Choose to be included in a printed directory to maximise your exposure amongst a non-digital audience of over 50,000 homeowners in your working area. And, with all the extra money you'll have coming in, there's no doubt you'll be Quids In! See you next time!