get certified! - Page 2

kkm · 01-05-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ten11

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

Anyone know what is the difference between certified stringer and MRT? My goal is to learn and get better with stringing and hopefully to find a part time stringing job. (For fun and experience, not for income.)

What is the cost to keep the status update after the first year?

The CS exam is the hands-on part of the MRT exam. Only the MRT exam has the written part which covers what's in the study guide.

I think that the USRSA charges $15 for the "update" test which MRTs must do annually.

Lakers4Life · 01-05-2013, 11:14 AM

The CS does take a written exam, but the MRT version has twice as many question.

I don't know how much the renewal test for the MRT is, but it's practically an open book test, because it gets mailed in. Also the fee is on top of USRSA mebership dues.

Faithfulfather · 01-05-2013, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the email Lakers. I sent you another one. That is the exact information I was looking for.

ten11 · 01-05-2013, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

The CS does take a written exam, but the MRT version has twice as many question.

I don't know how much the renewal test for the MRT is, but it's practically an open book test, because it gets mailed in. Also the fee is on top of USRSA mebership dues.

Thanks for the answer. So basically close to $200/yr to keep it after the initial test, but with all the benefits of USRSA membership.

Lakers4Life · 01-05-2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ten11

Thanks for the answer. So basically close to $200/yr to keep it after the initial test, but with all the benefits of USRSA membership.

More or less. There are different membership levels. You would want to get a full membership every few years to get the updated Stringers Digest. Even if you don't, you can access the database almost any time online.

fortun8son · 01-05-2013, 02:56 PM

The CRT is a one-time skills test.
An MRT must be aware of all new technology, hence the yearly updates.

Lakers4Life · 01-05-2013, 05:15 PM

FWIW, It's CS not CRT any more. Don't ask me why, that's what the USRSA is calling it now.

IMHO, to be a MRT you must master all type of rackets not just the technology of the materials of Tennis Racquets.

Davis Cup Fan · 01-05-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

FWIW, It's CS not CRT any more. Don't ask me why, that's what the USRSA is calling it now.

IMHO, to be a MRT you must master all type of rackets not just the technology of the materials of Tennis Racquets.

Usrsa now calls it certified stringer(cs) instead of certified racquet technician.

Lakers4Life · 01-05-2013, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

FWIW, It's CS not CRT any more. Don't ask me why, that's what the USRSA is calling it now.

IMHO, to be a MRT you must master all type of rackets not just the technology of the materials of Tennis Racquets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davis Cup Fan

Usrsa now calls it certified stringer(cs) instead of certified racquet technician.

I should of wrote, It's now called CS, not CRT anymore.

Are you, by any chance, an English teacher?

ten11 · 01-05-2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortun8son

The CRT is a one-time skills test.
An MRT must be aware of all new technology, hence the yearly updates.

Is it true that CS does not need to be renewed every year once past the test?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

IMHO, to be a MRT you must master all type of rackets not just the technology of the materials of Tennis Racquets.

I feel MRT is more useful for sales person or TTer enjoy debating in racket section. If I just want to learn and be good at stringing, CS might be a better choice.
Also Certified Stringer sounds much better than MRT to regular tennis player. I will go for that first and if I need MRT, I can do the upgrade for $80 and another written test.(I hate to memorize what triple-threat means, or liquidmatel.)

Lakers4Life · 01-05-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ten11

I feel MRT is more useful for sales person or TTer enjoy debating in racket section. If I just want to learn and be good at stringing, CS might be a better choice.
Also Certified Stringer sounds much better than MRT to regular tennis player. I will go for that first and if I need MRT, I can do the upgrade for $80 and another written test.(I hate to memorize what triple-threat means, or liquidmatel.)

It's all marketing, again back to business. CS or MRT is just a piece of paper, that some people think they need. They read the same material you can find in any manufacturers website. Does anyone going into a store looking for the certificate hanging on the wall? Even if they did were they satisfied with the string job they got? My answer is, NOT ALWAYS.

I get a lot of clients who are dis-satisfied with thier previous stringer, some of which I know are MRTs. If you want to be a Tour Stringer, sure a MRT cert will get you through the door, but you will still need to show your experience.

Wikky · 01-05-2013, 09:56 PM

I took the MRT 2 years ago, passed everything, but couldn't get the certificate because I didn't have a set of grommets with me. To be honest with you 2 years ago I was a TERRIBLE stringer and an awful salesman. I definitely didn't deserve the title of Master Racquet Technician.

Now I will most likely retake the exam before I graduate but Its only a piece of paper, I don't believe it signifies a true standard.

Lakers4Life · 01-05-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikky

I took the MRT 2 years ago, passed everything, but couldn't get the certificate because I didn't have a set of grommets with me. To be honest with you 2 years ago I was a TERRIBLE stringer and an awful salesman. I definitely didn't deserve the title of Master Racquet Technician.

Now I will most likely retake the exam before I graduate but Its only a piece of paper, I don't believe it signifies a true standard.

I gotta ask, was your employer paying for the test? I've met some MRTs that don't even play tennis or any racquet sport. That's a big let down to me. Even Mike (YULitle) admitted he did not play tennis regularly. So how can a MRT/Salesman be any better, selling you a racket or strings for that matter if they don't know what exactly a customer wants? No Offence to Mike, but he has helped many people with his videos, but he's moved on in life.

fortun8son · 01-05-2013, 11:05 PM

Do you really need that Diploma, Scarecrow?

Seriously, it's the skill and consistency that are important.
Study and practice as if you were going to take the test.
You can decide whether or not to take it after you are good enough to pass.

BTW. Knowing how to play or teach winning tennis does not qualify one to be a good racquet tech, either.
I also repair and service bikes, but I haven't ridden in years.
I play guitar and bass as well and I know when to bring them to a luthier.

COPEY · 01-05-2013, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortun8son

BTW. Knowing how to play or teach winning tennis does not qualify one to be a good racquet tech, either.

I have to say I agree. It's one thing to have first-hand experience, and quite another to be able to explain the different types of strings, their playing charactics, and how different strings may respond in different types of racquets, etc. For the latter you definitely don't need to know how to play the game. I think it doesn't hurt to couple a sound knowledge base with actual playing experience, but I certainly don't think it's necessary to be an effective salesman/MRT. Some things are just general info that anyone who's spent any length of time studying/hanging around string enthusiast will pick up. Stuff that's not necessarily opinion based, such as X1 is generally considered a powerful multi, SPPP holds tension very well, Mantis Comfort Syn has a very soft feel, good control, but not durable, etc. That's just a meager sampling, but hopefully you get the idea.

I have a friend who can tell you just about anything and everything there is to know about car engines, and I'm talking from engines made back in the Model T days to present day - he's never worked on a car in his life lol. He's just a...well, he's weird, but also extremely highly intelligent, and engines just happens to be his thing. He would definitely be able to supplement his knowledge if he had actual maintenance experience, but nonetheless, he's an extremely knowledgeable guy when it comes to car engines.

fortun8son · 01-05-2013, 11:51 PM

I was also a Union Bartender on the Las Vegas Strip for 21 years.
Do you think I tasted all of the hundreds of drink recipes that I know?

hic!

Medium-dry vodka martini, shaken not stirred?
Yessir, straightaway Mr. Bond! (eww,yuk. I wouldn't drink that. Gimme a beer.

)

fortun8son · 01-06-2013, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cluckcluck

I'll be in LV next weekend.

How many MRT's are there in the world? Do most of them travel to tournaments to string?

We can talk when you are here, if you like.

Lakers4Life · 01-06-2013, 10:59 AM

We can make up analogies all day, but at the end day, you are just as good as your last string job.

COPEY · 01-06-2013, 09:29 PM

Oh, my mistake - I thought the discussion was about being an effective stringer/salesperson and how playing or not playing tennis (or any racquet sport) adds or detracts from one's effectiveness. Oops!

fortun8son · 01-06-2013, 11:15 PM

The discussion is indeed about stringing skills, product knowledge, and the need for certification.
As Wikky stated, just having the certificate does not make one a master technician.
IMO the key is caring about your clients' needs and a commitment to excellence.

I think that my analogies were appropriate.
Even if I played regularly, there is no way that I could test all frame/string combinations or attempt to imitate my clients' playing styles.
That's why I haunt these boards, to gather data that will be useful in my recommendations.
Occasionally, I fail and have to restring for free.
Some knowledge only comes from experience.

If I were like some of the posters here (y'all know who they are), I'd only recommend the same racquet, string, and tension for everyone.
How silly would that be?

01-05-2013, 11:14 AM	#22
Lakers4Life Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Laker Land Posts: 3,638	The CS does take a written exam, but the MRT version has twice as many question. I don't know how much the renewal test for the MRT is, but it's practically an open book test, because it gets mailed in. Also the fee is on top of USRSA mebership dues. __________________ Machines: Gamma 6004 2-point w/ Wise 2086 & Babolat Sensor Dual

01-05-2013, 02:56 PM	#26
fortun8son Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The Desert Posts: 2,996	The CRT is a one-time skills test. An MRT must be aware of all new technology, hence the yearly updates. __________________ Neos 1000, Eagnas Combo 810(home),Prince 5000(work) Member USRSA

01-05-2013, 05:15 PM	#27
Lakers4Life Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Laker Land Posts: 3,638	FWIW, It's CS not CRT any more. Don't ask me why, that's what the USRSA is calling it now. IMHO, to be a MRT you must master all type of rackets not just the technology of the materials of Tennis Racquets. __________________ Machines: Gamma 6004 2-point w/ Wise 2086 & Babolat Sensor Dual

01-05-2013, 09:56 PM	#32
Wikky Rookie Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Big Rapids, MI Posts: 203	I took the MRT 2 years ago, passed everything, but couldn't get the certificate because I didn't have a set of grommets with me. To be honest with you 2 years ago I was a TERRIBLE stringer and an awful salesman. I definitely didn't deserve the title of Master Racquet Technician. Now I will most likely retake the exam before I graduate but Its only a piece of paper, I don't believe it signifies a true standard. __________________ "I knit with fence wire for a living" .... its as exciting as it sounds.

01-05-2013, 11:05 PM	#34
fortun8son Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The Desert Posts: 2,996	Do you really need that Diploma, Scarecrow? Seriously, it's the skill and consistency that are important. Study and practice as if you were going to take the test. You can decide whether or not to take it after you are good enough to pass. BTW. Knowing how to play or teach winning tennis does not qualify one to be a good racquet tech, either. I also repair and service bikes, but I haven't ridden in years. I play guitar and bass as well and I know when to bring them to a luthier. __________________ Neos 1000, Eagnas Combo 810(home),Prince 5000(work) Member USRSA Last edited by fortun8son : 01-05-2013 at 11:13 PM.