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we find a lot of customers would like a “one stop shop”. a lot of apartment complexes ask if we do housekeeping or cleaning.
Ron and LBurk,
I didn’t really stereotype anyone, nor was I serious about franchising in Mexico. I brought it up from previous replys within this same topic and didn’t mean to cause controversy -BUT-we are a world wide franchise and discussing the topic makes sense to some and maybe not to you but we’ll leave it be. I just wanted to know what others thought. Yep Ron, there is a lot of tile in Mexico, but mostly stone and clay. Anyway, I think I am being mis-read or misunderstood on this so think whatever or say whatever. I’m not trying to cause controversy over something that doesn’t exist. It started mostly as some chit chat between fellow Texans.
Mike 🙄
Hotels currently serving:
Ramada, Hampton, Best Western, Executive Inn, Wingate, Holiday Inn, Super 8, Motel 6, Hawthorn, Days Inn, La Americana Inn, redwood inn,
Looks short but goes like this:
3 ramadas, 2 Hamptons, 2 Best Westerns, 5 executive inns, 1 wingate, 2 holiday inns, 2 super 8’s, and 2 hawthorns, 2 days inn, 1 la americana, 1 redwood inn, and a couple of run down hotels that clean about once a year.
The funny thing is, the run down hotels will usually pay same day.
Another hotel owner informed me that chem-dry would take payment for the whole year up front. I can understand how that would help your pocket book, but what if the hotel shuts down, or you shut down, or get sick, or anything and then you owe them money that you may not have later down the road, not to mention you will hardly ever get to clean all the rooms, etc.I’m done,
MikeGrant,
Most of my clientel is commercial—70/30. I am hoping to even that out eventually. Yes, they are hoping you forget or hoping you are willing to take a payment 60 or 90 days down the road. The best way to put it, is that they are waiting for a return on their investment, in other words, hoping there money, payments from their clients, etc… gain interest and make more money on top of their rediculous profits. Maybe someone with more investing skills can explain this better, but something along those lines. I require my hotels to pay within 30 days or no more work will be done untill payment is made. I slap on late fees and threaten to send to collections if no payment is made, or I will call their corporate offices and bug them. The best way is to call their investors, which I like to meet upon landing a job, if they have investors, because I can slap them with a collection letter as well. I have two apartment complexes right now. Both pay within 15 days, or Net 15. Any longer and no more cleaning. I used to have 10 complexes and I have dropped them due to this net 60 and 90 crap which really hurts when you are trying to grow, which is why I am trying to go more residential. Out of those 10 dropped, 8 have called at some point asking if we would come back and we ask if they can pay within 15, 30 or same day, and they say they can’t. We say, sorry charlie. I realize that you have to bite the bullet sometime, but don’t get the reputation that you will except 60 and 90 day payments, unless your just busting with business and don’t mind. They will eat you up, especially Indian hotel owners—not all of them are this way–and please–please no one be offended but this is the demographic that will do all they can to get the carpets cleaned for nothing. WE ARE THE NAME BRAND and the carpets DRY IN ONE HOUR. They can have the room cleaned and check someone in an hour or less within the cleaning time, and they love that, trust. Low down time on those rooms is extremely valuable to these guys and gals. Same thing with apartments, the sooner they get em in, the more happy the owner or boss will be. Then we clean at every lease renewal which keeps their clients in the apartments and keeps us happy as well. It was hard for us in the early years as it was for most of you but don’t sell yourself short. I used to charge a 3 room house for $65 two years ago and now I charge $105 for 3 rooms and am considering upping that. Chem-dry is charging $130 for 3 rooms for crying out loud. As far as rooms for hotels and apartments, it varies. If a hotel is willing to pre-vacuum(which the house keeper usually does), move furniture(chairs, tables, night stands) then I charge anywhere from $8 to $15 a room. It takes all of 10 minutes to do the high traffic area and I know this is cheap as well, but I never made $8 every 10 minutes before I started this business. A $500 to $800 day is ok with me. Anyway, I could go on. I’m sorry about your loss of the previous hotel you had and don’t get me started on Hampton Inn 😈
Hope all is well and hope this helps anyone. Give me call sometime for more info or if you think I’m just plain nuts.Mike Nowlin
(956)607-4975Did not know that, BUT, come on down and I’ll show you around sometime. I do appreciate that info. Maybe corporate could consider it, however, so many laws here in the US regulating business practices, taxes, etc that do not exist in Mexico. Not being racist by any means but a lot of business are owned and operated by drug cartels and the mexican government, they are basically one in the same. Did studies on this while attending college here in South Texas. One major city, Nuevo Laredo, as of last year, was considered the murder capitol of the world, according to stats. I’m sure you’ve heard about the walls they are trying to build as well as all the illegals making a hard effort to come here before that law passes congress to leagalize them, which already died but will be re-written or re-worded and pass through congress again. I believe it did pass congress and died in the senate. Anyway, I’m sure we probably shouldn’t franchise in a country in which it’s own citizens don’t want to be in. Mexico can’t take care of it’s people or poor and this plays heavily on why they come here illegally, costing you more tax money. We provide illegals all the “freebies” and yet can’t take care of our own citizens come to think of it so, your right, why not franchise in Mex. I could go on about this for hours. There’s two sides to everything. Again, thanks for the info. I’m not going off on you or anything so don’t take this wrong.
If Mexico were to be franchised; there are very few places I would do that in: Monterrey, Oxaca, Cancun, and a couple of others I can’t spell.
Thanks again and God Bless,
Mike
I walk out the front door and step into Mexico, for crying out loud. I had thought of asking Cody and corporate about franchising Mexico but the only part to consider would be Monterrey. Too much coruption and violence everywhere else.
Yep Neil,
I’ve done a couple of handyman things myself every once in a while, some extra cash you know, and not in Heaven’s Best name.
Devlin,
That’s right, stick to what you know. Trying to provide a service you know nothing about can lead to some major problems. I did a few minor water extractions and disliked them very much.
Mike
Of course we all know what a door mat is, but just wanted to know if any of you have purchased one or some.
Mike
Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Let me know how well Franchise Xpress works for you all. Hope to get more responses on FX and V-pak.
God Bless
Your doing fine Kemp. Some people are just hard to deal with. You can’t make everybody happy. Trust your gut. You can get a lot more with sugar. My wife always says anyways. People are hard to read. I have a degree in Sociology, so it helps. Look around the house from time to time. If the floor is nasty as well as the house, most likely, anything that remotely looks better they will be happy with. If your doing your best, then that’s all you can do. I pray for all of us on a daily basis. Sometimes you just have to tell the Lord, “Lord, I give it all to you”. Your doing great!!!!
God Bless,
Mike
I agree guys. Don’t know till you try it of course. But, right now, it’s just the one competitor. I called and did some “spy work” and the manager says they can’t keep up with the calls, but what else would he say to a potential discount of services on his end, for getting me in. You never know but I do appreciate the feedback. Thanks guys.
Hey Dooley,
How are things in Canyon Lake. Your population is primarily hispanic I assume, if near San Antone. Let’s talk sometime. I drive through San An.. from time to time and maybe we could do lunch, talk business.
Mike
