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Good advice – offer discounts for now, because none of us also know where things may be in 6 months. Then if needed, you can simply lower the discount or remove them. I raised my prices during this latest energy crisis as well – but have no intention of backing off. Remember…. the guys with the low, low prices are also OUT of business already. Never go backwards – ha! 🙂
It just happened to me this week end – It surprised me when I realized it was hanging half-way off! Never seen it before….. must be global warming….. haha
I hear ya! I think most everybody has experienced this! The good news is I think I am in much better shape these days! I also feel like I can do much, much more in a day than when I first tried this stuff. Carpet cleaning is a definite physical workout – and a few months down the road you will notice your stamina increase. Hey, it’s good for your health! We should include this in our franchise sales – hahahahahaha!
James, I like this idea – over 180 sq ft, charge by the sq ft! Haven’t thought of that one. I’ll ask the question – when charging by the sq ft do you allow for furniture?
I think eliminating the email option is a good idea – because it is ineffective. If someone is truly interested in our services, they won’t mind a phone call. At least we will already have most of the information needed to have an intelligent conversation! ha! Seriously though – we have to give ourselves a better chance, and that is only going to happen with a personal conversation – not an email or a text message!
I’ve had good results with the suggested 1:16 ratio! Usually keep a 16oz spray bottle pre-mixed on hand all the time!
Wow! That is a new one! I also would be interested to see if there is anything to this. Honestly, I doubt it. Probably just a standard inventory tracking code with model, style, manufacturing info, and that’s about it. Might ask her if she believes in UFO’s too! hahahahahahaha
Yup, and I am very happy I decided on the V-6 when I bought my Chevy Express! The truth is we don’t carry much weight in our vans, so we don’t need a heck of a lot of power. It slows some on the hills, but who cares! I agree this is a great time to really beef up commercial work. First of all a lot of the low-ball steam cleaners are going under. Only those who survive will get to benefit from this! Commercial accounts will be very important in the months ahead – more than normal I believe!
UV protector as well! ah, I had forgotten about that point – thanks! Sometimes customers will get confused and actually believe that protector should keep their carpets from getting dirty – ha – so I always point out that they will in fact get dirty, but come clean easier w/out as much chance of staining becoming permanent – including heavy traffic areas!
I agree – just charge more for cleaning! I have raised my prices recently already. The only change I have made to compensate for gas cost is that I charge slightly higher rates for customers outside our city limits. I feel this is fair, and I never even have to tell the customer about it – that’s just the price I quote them. Usually 10-20$ higher depending on how far out I have to drive.
I think some people do that, but I definitely sense there is a “wait and see” attitude in the economy right now. It’s not even that they can’t really afford it, but really a more cautious approach. If they feel that they can cut back a little, they are opting to do it anywhere they can to be careful. On the minimum issue, I always answer that question with a response which includes how much cheaper it is to do more once I get in the door – and then offer examples! I start at $89.95, but I always point out that I can do up to three areas for $159.95! Usually that gets them – if not I’ll back off and suggest two areas for $129.95. Most commonly, I am doing 4 or 5 areas though. However I have noticed as I said earlier that some of my customers are cutting back or waiting longer.
Also forgot she was able to set up her own website – to which all of her customers are steered through the advertising emails, etc. Her customers then can place orders directly through her ‘window’. Very nice set-up and for her first year only 25$ which is half price. Her own site will then cost only 50$ per year. Customers are driven to her site through the main site. Graphics and layout are corporate controlled for uniformity but she can add things to customize her messages as well. They have really perfected the personal networking system up-to-date and we all know this is indeed OUR strongest form of gaining new customers as well. I think we should study what this company is doing and perhaps try some of their ideas – hey it’s worth a look!
Hey – I’m glad to help! I love thinking about marketing ideas – and this project seems really cool to me. In these days and times, whatever we can do to help others is both motivating and good for our business image. It makes us look like we’re not just out for a fast buck – that we are trying to be a player in the community. Can’t wait to see what else Greg has up his sleeve! ha Bring it on – this sounds like it could be fun!
