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Hey ya’ll, with all the talk of a possible recession in the economy I wanted to get your opinions on how that would affect us. Is anyone seeing a slower winter than normal? I would think that if people are tightening their belts, carpet cleaning wouldn’t be on the top of their to do list…
Trevor I am hoping more people will be getting their carpet and upholstery cleaned instead of buying new to save money. This is only my second winter but I am doing real well this winter. I am up about 450% over last winter. I am basicly doing this winter what I did last summer.
Even with all the ”recession” talk, my last 3 months have been the best for this time of year I’ve ever had.
I believe that our business is recession resistant. By this I mean, during the good economy, people have more money to spend on maintaining their property. People do what makes them feel good and clean stuff makes them feel good.
During a slow economy, people who are not able to necessarily replace carpet will clean it another time to get it through for another year. They still need our service and will find a way to do it. We may see the size of the jobs suffer a bit, but I think they’ll keep calling.
The other thing here that I think is very important is working our way into the middle-upper and upper income markets. They always have the money to do this type of maintenance.
Finally, be creative! We just sent out a March Madness Special in post card form. We gave a nice discount for the month of March ONLY. This card went out to a lot of our current customers as a “customer appreciation” thing. We booked six jobs today alone from this. The card went out day-before-yesterday.
Bryan,
Wasn’t this winter colder than normal for you?
Didn’t you still about double or more this winter over last?
winter has always been a struggle for me. I do about the same every year. I have sent out the postcards to my repeat customers. I believe that, if it would stay cold here rather than freeze, thaw,freeze, thaw, it would be a little better. One day it may be 5 degrees, and the next 40. Today it is suppose to reach 50 and tomorrow 60. what a muddy mess that will create! Winter is nearly over and things will get back to normal and we can all go out and clean those dirty carpets.
Don’t know about recession that Congress may/may not be giving us, but I do know I just submitted the best February of our 5 thus far into Holly…
January was our third worst….March just started and the phone rang at 7:52 AM looking for carpet cleaning…
I personally believe that a recession is a lot like the wall, in a marathon… mainly in one’s head….a problem that must be worked through, around, over or under…but must be overcome by persistence and what my Latin teacher used to say, “stick-to-ativeness”.
(Speaking of Congress,the real power in Washington…does anyone find it odd that they have time to give away money to further get the country in debt and go after HGH use by a baseball pitcher on TV…but not address the real problems of our time?)
I’m with Mr. Ferris,
Businesses still need your services as well. Hotels still need rooms to be cleaned, restuarants, apartments, etc….
Mike
Just today, son did a couple of rooms occupied in a Lancaster rental at 90/net, me 2 in Mt Joy rental empty at 90/net and we both worked at the local Sleep Inn, 13 rooms at 38/each/net… Yesterday was even better….empty rental + a house, occupied and repeat. March is off to a great start and our February was !,300 better than last year and the best in 5 years of February.
Thanks, Cody
You go Dave in PA! You’ve worked through it, over it, and under it and are seeing the rewards. We can all learn from you.
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