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I was wondering if any operators find it fustrating at times to remain competitive and also make a profit by taking the time to deliver the quality work we do that makes us stand out from the crowd.
Ex. 3 jobs, each are 3 room specials @ 99.95
2 hours each job, vacuuming, edging, spotting, buffing and grooming.
2 hours misc time -drive time, set-up and pack-up
It’s great if they want protector but I find maybe 1 in 4 want it.
Run a different special. Customers will buy what you are selling. We run our FX flyers with three different prices.
3 areas $110
4 areas $135
5 areas $159and so on
Yes, there are days like this for everyone. I try to look at the entire picture; some days you make $1,000 and up, and some days $300 or less and feel like you worked harder. I look more at the average than 1 particular day.
I always encourage price evaluations once or twice a year. Adjust them according to your overhead and desired income. I leave my “competition’s” pricing as my last consideration.
Stain protector is a huge deal. Always ask and take time to educate. I’m not a great saleman, but I apply stain protection on 70%-75% of my jobs.
I guess the fustration for me is that when I get a call from a potential new customer and briefly explaining the benifits if HB, so often I get the response “well Joe Blow and Steam Bob will do 6 rooms for 59.95 can you match it” It seems to be that the majority of people here just seem to go with the low price guys and just deal with the wet carpets and returning spots.
I like to take a few minutes on the phone to let the customer know that they will get what they pay for and I will not drop my price to compete with a lowballer. I let them know that I am the owner and do the work myself. I am more expensive because I do an excellent job. I tell them that their satisfaction is guaranteed 100%. I will also, at times of need, brag about the fact that I’ve cleaned in over 1300 homes without a single call-back. You will also want to make sure that your customers are comparing apples to apples. We are an elete group of honest carpet cleaners. Your competitors will qoute cheap to get in the door then put the screws to them. Stand your ground, they will eventually learn from your customers that you are worth every penny.
We have never, ever placed pricing in print. We DO post discounts.
Currently 15% off and then a Seniors Discount 20%. In the Yellow Pages in our ad. Posting pricing makes the decision NOT to buy from you very easy.
Our charges are $45/average room or area, less the 15% or 20% discount. Pricing winds up the same place or better at the end of the day, we have a new customer who then can tell others about their deal.
PEOPLE LIKE AND CRAVE DISCOUNTS. Dsicounts feed the WIIFM factor that we all crave at one time or another.
Low price is one thing and the feeling of getting a good DEAL is another…
People like and more importantly appreciate the feeling of getting a DEAL!!!! We do not give the discounts for evening and Saturday appointments…nor Sunday emergencies.
Dave,
Your pricing strategy – concerning only advertising percentages off – is interesting.Anyone else follow this practice? If so, how do you feel about it?
Anyone tried Dave’s practice prior to/after advertising your prices over different periods of time? Feedback?
Thanks,
Mike
I ran discounts as a % off twice with terrible response. People want to know what they are paying. When your ad says, “20% Off”, the customer will ask themselves 20% off of what? We now only put actual prices in our ads; however I will put a % off and then right next to that I’ll list my prices.
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