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Excellent idea. I hate discounting my services as well so instead of a percentage discount I offer some “additional services” for free. For example, “free protector” or “free area rug cleaning”. These are cheap and quick. I also like to use these type of promotions as an opportunity to cross-sell, so I will offer a free chair (upholstery) or free bathroom (tile) with the service. This way customers get to experience all the other great services I provide.
Give it a try next year.
Wow Dave – this is exactly the stuff I was looking for. As usual, you are ahead of the curve. What other little marketing gems do you have in your back pocket? I need to update my website…
And by the way, when are you Colorado guys coming out to visit the Jersey Shore? We can take in a Jets game so you can say hello to your old friend Tebow!
Thanks again!
Count me in!
I love Angies List. I get great clients from Angies List and work extra hard to maintain my straight “A” rating (hope I didnt just jinx it). Yes, I am a paying advertiser. My ad package works two-fold. It places my business listing higher in the search results. I also receive preferential treatment when a client calls Angies List on the phone. The phone rep will recommend me to clients calling from my area.
Angies List has worked well for me thus far.
I have heard from them – an operator in NY turned me on to the company. On his recommendation, I contacted the company about a year ago and registered with them. I have yet to receive a job (or even a call). I think they are legit, I just don’t think they have many clients in my area. I’m thinking that, in this economy, even the wealthy can’t justify spending $2,000 on what equates to a simple application of “Scotch Guard”.
Marc
Here is another thing to be careful of when dealing with these companies (scams)… apparently all they need to do to “legitimize” their scam is to get you to say the word “yes” over their recorded line. Even if the question you responded “yes” to has nothing what so ever to do with any type of approval for the service.
For example, they may start off by asking an innocent sounding question like “am I speaking to the owner of the company?” Once you say “yes” on the recorded line that somehow gets them some sort of leverage against you should you decide to contest the charges. I’m sure they are doing some creative edditing.
Best thing to do is say “no thank you” or “not interested” and hang up immediately. Here is a little time-saver I have learned over the years; as soon as any unwanted solicitor calls, I immediately add the phone number to my contacts under the name “DNA” (do not answer). So now when they call back – and they will call back – I can see who is calling before I stop everything to answer the phone. To date, my DNA list is about 30 numbers long!
Marc
Thank you for the update Cody and thanks to the entire HB team for putting on a first class event! I would also like to thank all of the Owner/Operators who took valuable time away from their families and businesses to put together presentations to help ME and all of their fellow operators! Success comes not only from doing for yourself, but from helping others. The presentations were extremely informative and thought-provoking. Great ideas, suggestions and food for thought. Prior to the seminar, I NEVER would have entertained the idea of doing 100k plus square foot commercial account. I feel now that I have the knowledge and confidence to go after those accounts.
I also picked up some fantastic information about:
1 – multi-van operations
2- getting more clients via the web (internet marketing)
3 – the need to develop employees
4 – the secret to Bonner’s sucess! (thank you Jim)
5 – customer service (thanks Matt Dooley)
6 – managed carpet care (going after trhe BIG fish)
7 – how to speak english (the U.K. kind)
8 – how to “Tbow” (that’s another story)The list of topics goes on and on. In addition, thanks Dan, Dennis, Stephen, Stan and all of our impromtu panel speakers for sharing their time and experience to help me get more of what I want out of my business. So many other franchises define success for you, the great thing about Heaven’s Best is that each operator gets to define his or her own success.
For as much as I learned in the scheduled sessions, I learned just as much during breakfast, lunch and dinner sitting and speaking with other operators about their businesses. You simply cannot put a price tag on the value of this kind of education.
Finally, seeing Mark taken away in an ambulance during the banquet, while unfortunate, drove home quite clearly one of the themes of the event; life is so very unpredictable, we all need to have a back-up plan in place.
I look forward to seeing everyone again next year.
Sincerely,
Marc ManfreFrom my website…
How long will it take for my carpet or upholstery to dry?
It typically takes about 1 hour for your carpets to dry. Usually the first rooms we clean will be dry by the time we leave.
Drying time for upholstery is very difficult to predict since there are so many different types of upholstery and furniture construction. Dry time is regulated by humidity and air flow to the room. If the relative humidity of the air in the room is high or at saturation level, drying time takes longer. In these situations, air conditioning or heat, depending on the time of year, will help speed the process. Not only do the above mentioned environmental issues impact the drying time, but the material will have a significant effect as well. As a general rule, expect most upholstery to take up to 24 hours to dry.Will the cleaning agents used harm my children or pets?
Our cleaning solution is water based and completely safe for people, pets and the environment.
How long do I have to wait after cleaning to let my children or pets on the carpet or upholstery?
The carpet may be walked on with clean feet, socks or shoes while damp. Activity on the carpet should be limited to this foot traffic until the carpet is dry. If you do walk on damp carpet please use extreme caution when transitioning from damp carpet to hard surfaces such as hardwood or tile as it can be slippery.
The upholstery should be allowed to dry completely before returning the cushions and pillows to their usual places.How long do I need to stay off of my newly cleaned and polished hardwood floors?
You can replace furniture and walk on your hardwood floors immediately after we finish the cleaning and polishing. Please be aware that the floors will be slippery for a period after they are cleaned.
Do I need to vacuum before you arrive? Do I need to sweep the hardwood floors?
No. As part of our thorough cleaning process we will vacuum all carpets and sweep the hardwood floors.
Do I need to move my furniture before the crew arrives?
No. We’ll move most furniture including sofas, chairs, end tables, dining tables, etc. Once we move your furniture, we’ll clean the carpet (or hardwood floor) and return it to its rightful place. We refrain from moving items that we may damage including entertainment centers with electronic equipment on them, display cases with delicate items, china cabinets which are full of china, and large bookshelves. We are glad to move these items if they are emptied of valuables. We do suggest you remove any breakable items from table tops, etc. We also do not move items that are too heavy to move (such as pianos, pool tables, water beds, etc), or items where there is simply no place to put them while cleaning, such as large beds.
Do I have to be home while you are working in my home?
It is not necessary that you be home while we are cleaning your carpets, upholstery, or hardwood floors because our cleaning technicians are thoroughly trained professionals you can trust. In order to provide the best possible cleaning, we do recommend that someone is home before we begin cleaning to discuss any specific needs or areas of concern regarding the care of your carpet, furniture, or hardwood floors. Our carpet cleaning process if very quiet so as not to disturb you as you go about your daily activities.
Can I cancel or reschedule my appointment?
We understand that schedules change and you can’t always keep your appointments. We are very happy to work with you to find a more convenient time, should a conflict arise in your schedule. Since our other customers and employees depend upon our schedule, we ask that you give us at least 48 hours notification of a cancellation. This allows us an opportunity to service another person who may be in need of service.
What payment methods to you accept?
We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).
How do you guarantee customer satisfaction?
We are happy to correct any situation that leads to your dissatisfaction, We want to keep you as a customer for life, and are committed to doing whatever it takes to assure 100% satisfaction – even if it means refunding your money.
Ok thanks – I have seen similar types of portable extractors with HEAT for under $500. I’d love to see corporate offer a heated model for a good price. I’d use it for many of my smaller upholstery jobs that need the extra cleaning power that continuous hot water could provide. I’ve been seeing a few denim couches recently.
@Gordon Kohler wrote:
If didn’t see “dry in 1 Hr” anywhere in the site. Didn’t look very professional to me.
Yes, I noticed that. I am suprised (and happy) he doesn’t focus on that selling point. I agree, not a very “clean” or professional looking site. The video shows him cleaning a laundry soap stain with nothing but his buffer. I would NEVER simply buff a sticky soap stain. In my opinion, that soap stain needed to be extracted then buffed.
I was not aware of a 120v unit. I was given the battery operated unit with my original equipment package. I like the fact that I am “unteathered” with the battery powered unit however I wonder if the 120v units are more sturdy… Has anyone tried both? I’d be interested in the pros/cons of each. Seems as though parts for the battery operated unit are less costly (complete pump for battery operated unit is about $80, whereas the pump head alone is over $100 for the 120v model). However this cost differential may be offset if the 120v units last longer…
