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That’s great bro. If it works for you that’s great. I should try it out because I hate those stubborn stains as well.
Mike Nowlin
That’s right Devlin. My customers see one to three or a couple or whatever. I usually see the one to three times 10. You guys just charge what you think you are worth. If you believe in your work, and I know all of you do, then by all means charge it up. Pet stains are tough. Some, unfortunately, are permanent. The customer will, on most occasions in my experience, have already put something on it thus setting the stain. The urine is the easiest part to remove, it’s the yellow that gets me. I have found our pet enzyme to work just fine, if not, then red dye remover. Your hard core efforts help justify the price.
Mike
We are surface cleaners, as well as deep down grind out dirt cleaners. Steamers will say anything to put us down and out. Truth is, they don’t know the facts as we do. The facts are that steamers soak the carpet, it takes too long to dry, turns carpet into a sespool of filth, and stinks. Yes, you could say we talk trash about them, but we speak the truth, they commit slander.
Mike
Mike,
I know he is talking about extra and not 5 bucks to come clean one spot. I’m concerned that Ron is charging a base price to clean and then 50 to 100 per spot thereafter. None of my business anyways, that’s just expensive.
Mike
I have thought about this also and so I am with you guys to a certain extent. One thing, unless you do Joe’s idea with the credit card, you can’t legally charge these poeple for work not provided, atleast not in my state or city, and it’s hard to prove. I can hear your growl’s already. It makes me mad to guys but think this way. You are the customer ok, then you want to cancel a day or so, or even the day of and you call and cancel, “ok Mr. Hollingsworth, that will be $50.00 for a cancellation fee”. Realistically guys and gals, that customer is going to smear you in the ground. I usually handle it this way. I tell them, Ok sir or mam, sorry we couldn’t serve you today but thank you for calling and considering Heaven’s Best. I look forward to serving you in the future. The price may go up as your current scheduled appointment fell into our promotion period for a free spotter, or 5 bucks off, etc. I can already guess some of you will disagree with me but consider this. I have had 4 cancellations in 2 years and have rescheduled all 4 of those at their own will.
Mike Nowlin
Unfortunately I smoke as well. I am trying daily to kick the habit. I do not smoke in the van. Just lunch and after workday is over. I take a clean shirt and change my hat after my lunch brake. Spray down with cologne as well. Starting to get tedious. I know somebody on here said they owned or worked for chem-dry. It’s cool. Believe it or not, my cousin owns chem-dry where I am at but he has ran it into the ground. We don’t talk much as it is. He is from other side of family that never comes around, so nobody worry, he gets no info on our process from me. He won’t tell me either. All I know is I’m picking up his mess-ups.
Thanks Joe,
Mike
Hey guys,
Corporate office is the tool to do all the things these videos will do. This “boot camp” stuff as well as others are in it to make your money. Corporate has the stats, know how on the competition, etc to give you all the answers. Just ask.
Mike Nowlin
Joe,
That’s great bro. I’m just as excited as you are. I’m just waiting for the call to set up an install date. Hope your thanksgiving was great.
Dave,
I’m sorry to hear the troubles, I will pray for you and hope all comes out well. One positive thing to doing it outside, if it’s not raining or snowing or too cold, is that the final product will be seen outside. I think I want my guys to do it outside because, assuming there’s good sun light, they can see the final product as they apply the signs or wrap. Hope it works out for you. Hang in there.
God Bless you guys,
Mike
Hey Ron, you must have an extremely high end market. I think it would be cheaper to replace a square of carpet than what you charge for pet stain removal.
Mike Nowlin
No problem Dave. I refuse to just drop it off and let them at it, you know. I will not say anything to make them mad or anything. I will just kind of, nicely, let them know what my expectations are.
God Bless,
Mike
I think someone is blowing smoke up your potential clients yee haw. I’ve never heard of it. Some of the weathered veterans of carpet care may be able to weigh in on this one, but sorry I couldn’t help you more. Good luck and God Bless.
Mike Nowlin
PS– Tell the customer that little fluffy has to stay outside for no more pet stains and smells, otherwise it defeats the purpose but some people are finiky about their animals. I just think it’s funny when I’ve cleaned the carpet for 3 hours trying to get the stain and smell and here comes little fluffy, peeing on my shoe and the carpet at the same time.
Dave–I’m suggesting that he and those of us who have them installed in the future, talk about the work and look of the van as it becomes a final product or what it should look like when it is done. If they get it right the first time they save you time and money as well as themselves. Their work will also be a driving billboard for SAR’s company. If mine look great when they are done, I will be happy and in turn, drop SAR name to all my commercial accounts–which makes up 60% of my business today. That’s what I am driving at there. I have ordered mine and am just awaiting the call to install. I will let the local guy know all these things and if they get it done right, I will push his product like my happy word of mouthers do. Thanks to everyone for the replies. Keep ’em coming.
Mike Nowlin
Did you give them an overview of your expectaions for the logos? I’m just curious. Sorry to hear about that. I hope mine turn out better.
Mike Nowlin
I agree with Dave. It doesn’t hurt to mention that the cost of gas and inflation raise the prices from time to time. Every month, we have deal going of some kind, so there is really never a “set price” and has never been a problem when it’s $100 one time and $150 the next time. Our repeat customers and those who send us a good amount of referrals, I will do a little something for them every now and then. We started at $65 for 3 rooms, no size limit back in the begining, which was June 2004. Today, our 3 room price is at $105, no size limit. You do the math. I still clean for every customer I had that first year. No problems. Only problems I do have are with the ones who want it done cheap, cheap, cheap. I tell them I will come down if they move the furniture, pre-vaccum or if rooms are small then we can work out a deal. If they don’t keep their end of the deal, they get charged full price. Especially with commercial accounts. They will often NOT keep their end of the bargin and we charge accordingly. Still keep the job because of the service provided and they know that. Next time, they will keep their end of the deal. Be firm and yes curtious and professional as well. Just to give you an idea, Chem-dry here in South Texas, according to a home-depot customer rep, is charging a minimum of 129.99 for three rooms, NOT including heavy duty stain removal, deoderization, per stain removal, etc. So what the hel* are you paying for. Anyway, don’t get me started on that. Pray a lot.
Mike
