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I was just reading the other day some info on marketing. One point brought out along these lines–
1.ask your best customers what magizines they read!!
2.Some national mags allow you to buy ad space for your region, and if you wait to buy just before dead line, you can get it for a steal. But remember, its for your region-like mine would be pacific northwest. Great if afew o/o went together on it.
matt
“Green cleaning”, to acually be able to say that to customers-be careful; products need to be tested by certified labs. And given the seal of approval. I think it is safe to tell the customers that our cleaning product is safe; and doesnt use any harmful(caustic)ingredients.
See I still have all 3 fingers on my right hand.
MattNot Gaurdsman, but several years ago Chem dry called me to do some inspection and spot cleaning;because of the protector gauranteee they sell. (They were not happy with the local CD at the time). 15-20 min. in and out -$60-80. Scotchgard has something simular.
MattThe hardest thing to do is to fire a customer. In my experience-there is a bigger and better customer just around the corner.
M
The mysterious bad smell–reminds me of a story(true or not, I dont know). This couple had a really bad divorce. After all the paper work was done, the wife was allowed to go back into their house and pick up the items she got in the settlement. While she was there, she placed afew shrimp in the curtain rods of one of the windows. After a couple days Mr. X started noticing the smell(bad smell). He hired a maid service to come in and clean, then a carpet cleaner, then an inspector-to look under the house for a posable dead varmit. NOTHING worked. So he put the house up 4 sale. But when people came to look at it-the smell drove them away. He started discounting the place–still no sale. So after acouple of months the price was about half it’s value. The Mrs. X then made a low offer and it was accepted. You know this just peeved Mr. X-but what was he going to do and frankly the bad smell was now going to be HER problem. So he moves out and takes anything and every thing that is not permanant attached -even the curtain rods.
Now you know the rest of the story.
Back to your situation-do you want to keep this account? If the other CC gets rid of the smell and makes the carpet better, give the money back. And Im not one to just give money back, But-the high road is less traveled.
M
Maybe the dog got something from the owl, or he’s drinking out of the toilet again. Never know.
Matt
opps- forgot this was about hardwood. I started reading the thread, walked away before posting. Came back and posted(forgetting it was about hardwood)
Matt
Did one the other week for a church. They had all the supplies, they just needed me to do the work. 800sf-cleaned and waxed=$200 in 1.5 hrs. I also did some carpet while there. The tile turned out pretty good.
Matt
Find out what they want done based on a yearly schedule. The money is in the common areas;halls,conf. rms, lobby… Not the rooms. If they are having these high traffic areas done 2-4x per year–its not enough. I do 2 super 8 each month; mainly 2-3 hall ways of 1200-1400sf ea(thats 4-6 total) take about 1.25-1.5 hours each hall(upto $119 ea) BUT-they have to have them pre vac’d. Ive done some rooms, but I hate doing them.
I have one customer that has many wool rugs. Some of them are worth 5-8,000. I do them 1-2 x each year, and no problems. Of course they are not that dirty in the first place; they are used in the formal rooms.
Matt
Bid to high=don’t get the job.
Bid to low=left money on the table.
ASK them what you need to bid to get the job!!! If thats to low then you can pass.I bid on a 100,000sf dshs bldg. Estimated that 60% would be carpet. I asked and was told that the janitoral co. was bidding at .07 per sf–so I bid .069. After doing 1 floor, the job was pulled from me. The janitoral co. was making waves.
Matt
Has happened several time over the years. twice, the trigger switch in the handle went bad. Or- the screws holding the switch in place came loose and the switch needed adjusting and screws tightened.. Every now and then the twist handle sticks- and for a second it freaks me out-thinking that the switch has gone bad.
Matt
