Signing an Non-Compete Clause ?

[Reflections]

Hello across the board, I’ve been “sandbagging” for a while now & have really learned quite a lot just being here. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge so freely.

Coitster and kdp you both have answered so many of my questions without even knowing it. Please keep posting.

One question on the subject of “earning one’s wings” I have been seriously considering signing a non-compete clause with one of the country’s best tech-training co. just to get what I believe is the best training. But I’m just wondering, what is your opinion on doing so?

I think that the exposure & learning curve would be at a maximum level for me but what is the norm here? 2-3 Yrs. In all parts of the country? Last time I talked to an attorney on this I was told that it couldn’t hold-up in court because of the “Rico-Act”
It would be a restriction of trade ! & that is illegal. But I’m sure that the big-boys have enough money to tie one up for a long time with such things.

So what would you do if you were just starting out?
Is the best thing one could do is just take one of these crash courses & come home & practice my tale off ? I think I’m somewhat of the old school & would benefit by Sharing / brainstorming the day to day doings of a trade of this type.
Please, I’m about to take a leap of faith here and need some guidance.

Thanks, A squire lurking in the shadows.

[johnnyone]

If the clause is a 1 yr no big deal on the other hand why would the big guy go after the little guy it really isnt going to affect him that much, it is a hard trade to learn and to be good. From what I have read it is easy to get into and easy to get out of. The only people making money is the equiment manufactors and the Trainiers

[Coitster]

Hey Johnnyone,
This is an interesting subject. Your attorney is right, most No-Compete contracts don't hold up. There is one restriction to that. You can't go after the companies accounts that trainned you. Those are designed to protect them in the event they train you and then you decide to go off on your own and then steel their existing accounts. They can't stop you at all from going after retail. As for who to go work for, be carefull. A few national companies are very shady, they will make you sign a trainning contract were if you leave them inside of 2 years they charge you like 25,000 dollars for the training they give. Hope that helps, just be carefull.
David
Coitster

[chips1144]

Im amazed how many times Ive seen this question pop up on different forums over the years...

It seems to me that you shouldnt even consider signing a non-compete clause contract if you dont intend to honor it, the people who would be training you are expecting you to honor that contract, So dont be surprised if they try to enforce it and maybe it will cost you plenty in lawyers fee's and some mental grief down the road...

Go train with someone that doesnt require you to sign a non compete in your area, there are plenty of good and bad pdr schols out there, ask around and find a good one.

[GlassStarz]

A buddy of mine was a franchise guy out of state moved here and began to do PDR on his own with great sucess his previos employer got wind of it and sued after many thousands spent to the lawers and a couple years of stress they found his non compete aplied to the original state not where he had moved to. He is forbidden from working in Mass at PDR so yes the non compete is binding if written right but still ways around it. For example get yourself fired they cant hold you to anything