Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Deep Cleaning Solutions on November 22, 2010, 07:32:44 pm

Title: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Deep Cleaning Solutions on November 22, 2010, 07:32:44 pm
....When does it start.  ???
The last few weeks,
are the slowest since i started this year. :-[
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: oliver collins on November 22, 2010, 07:39:25 pm
Hi Guys

How is every one doing leading up to xmas i have 12 jobs booked in this week two really good ones and 10 more already for next week and the phones still ringing

Regards Oliver Collins Rise & Shine
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Matt Seymour on November 22, 2010, 07:39:30 pm
Yes, the Xmas rush seems to be noticeable only by its absence around here as well.

Where is it?
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 22, 2010, 07:45:04 pm
OK so what did you do today about it?

No sorry scrub that.

Yeah, it's been dead quiet the phone hasn't rung all day, even though I was waiting for it. Hopefully tomorrow I will have better luck.

Sorry can't resist on these threads, I apologise for unhelpful sarcasm. :)
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Steve. Taylor on November 22, 2010, 08:13:46 pm
Wynne i have to agree with you

option 1 sit and wait

option 2 Get out there in peoples faces drive into a industrial estate go and speak to people

Example managed to speak to a manager from a package suppliers the other day at first no intrest 5 minutes later bit of small talk cleaning round the vending machine came about 20 minutes later 320sqm in the bag to do end of this week its good to talk ;D
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Deep Cleaning Solutions on November 22, 2010, 08:14:09 pm
I'm glad you scrubbed that wynne.
The reason... - it was pathetic.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Carpet Dawg on November 22, 2010, 08:15:05 pm
Its mainly December where the real rush happens.

But over the years the xmas rush is not what i used to be! It used to be heaving from October, November and through to December working 7 days a week up to late at night! If you wanted to do that.

Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: M.Acorn on November 22, 2010, 08:41:08 pm
Picking up for me,thank feck !! Mainly as i am chasing past commercial jobs and reminding them it`s time for a clean,just got back from a big bookshop,and broke my £100 p hr threshold,well happy.
Got another big com job booked just before crimbo,1, 3 bed tomorrow,then lounge,hsl,and 2 quotes,1 quote wed,then that`s it again.got a fair wack outstanding again,so even if i don`t do anything else i can survive crimbo
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 22, 2010, 08:48:55 pm
I'm glad you scrubbed that wynne.
The reason... - it was pathetic.

Well to answer your question then. It may not come at all.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: derek west on November 22, 2010, 09:00:07 pm
been steady all year, will hit my year end target (barring a complete disaster) without the so called xmas rush. i think if your waiting for december to be a life saver then your doing something wrong. yeah selling toys or perfumes or wrapping paper, but carpet cleaning? not exactly the first thing i think of when xmas approaches. working til the 22nd this year then its feet up and chill, done my quota for the year, roll on 2011.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Joe H on November 22, 2010, 09:29:52 pm
Got more phone calls in the last 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 22, 2010, 10:21:48 pm
OK then serious question (for any time of the year).

Say you look in your diary Sunday night and you have a full day monday and tues but wed thurs fri are empty or not much on.

What are you thinking on Sunday night?
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Steve. Taylor on November 22, 2010, 10:30:59 pm
Put clubs in van hit a bucket of balls down the range wednesday if swinging well book 18 for thurseday go on the beer friday ;D ;D  worry about it following sunday am i close wynne ;)
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 22, 2010, 10:37:20 pm
You see I'd be thinking fck mee this 19th hole needs cleaning where's the club sec.  ;D
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Steve. Taylor on November 22, 2010, 10:40:45 pm
I SIGN ON WEDNESDAY BUT WOULD NEVER ASK THEM IF THEY WANTED THE CARPETS CLEANING ;D
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 22, 2010, 11:15:34 pm
It's a great place to pick up cheap nearly new CC equipment though!
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: derek west on November 22, 2010, 11:25:42 pm
OK then serious question (for any time of the year).

Say you look in your diary Sunday night and you have a full day monday and tues but wed thurs fri are empty or not much on.

What are you thinking on Sunday night?

sounds like a normal start to the week for me, monday and tuesday the phone brings in enough work to keep me busyish thursday friday and poss sat. the rest of the week gives me work for next monday and tuesday and we're off again. wednesday is college.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 22, 2010, 11:41:14 pm
Yes Derek I can realate to that and don't start panicking as from past experience those days fill up through the week. I gues the question is aimed at those who know from past experience it doesn't fill up.

Have you got a job as a Caretaker Wednesdays then?  ;D ;D ;D

What you learnin matey?
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: derek west on November 23, 2010, 01:21:49 am
morning is origami, the afternoon is flower arranging and then in the evening i do an hour of pilates, its great for my carpet cleaning, i'm agile on the stairs, when moving flowers out the way they always look better in the vase when i'm finished and you should see the look on the custy's face when i hand them the bill in the shape of a swan.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: MAX Carpets on November 23, 2010, 07:36:07 am
should get a bit busier, no rush though. On the up side, if you market right you should stay steady through Jan.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: chrisjohn on November 23, 2010, 08:25:16 am
Very quiet this week,but ive got plenty booked in for 1st two weeks in December.

Chris
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Neil Grainger on November 23, 2010, 08:25:54 am
Done something different this year, my wife is off work so got her to send out letters to my client base for Jobs done in October November and December, she has sent out approx 500 letters. Letters went out first weeks of December

So far I have picked up 20 jobs just from these letters to existing clients. From now on we are going to do this every month to my client base.

After saying this i bet my phonedoesnotring today.

Xmas is never any different from any other time of month, August is always my best month.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: MAX Carpets on November 23, 2010, 08:30:35 am
hi Neil

How is it going? We've just done our usual xmas mail shot 685 letters, fngers crossed! Its been a tough year though.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Joe H on November 23, 2010, 08:32:10 am
morning is origami, the afternoon is flower arranging and then in the evening i do an hour of pilates, its great for my carpet cleaning, i'm agile on the stairs, when moving flowers out the way they always look better in the vase when i'm finished and you should see the look on the custy's face when i hand them the bill in the shape of a swan.

That was funny Derek, very witty.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Neil Grainger on November 23, 2010, 08:35:25 am
Yes it has been tough, result are as low as my 2nd year this year, New customers have been rubbish but got work from my existing customers.

My Van has died so am waiting on a new one to arrive. Need to hire one for the next 4 weeks.
How you doing anyway
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: MAX Carpets on November 23, 2010, 09:01:19 am
As I said it has been a tough year, but most of it was mistakes that I made, costly and take a long time to correct. It didnt help all the snow at the start of the year. Its looking good now thugh, roll on next year!
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Doug Holloway on November 23, 2010, 04:56:13 pm
Hi Guys

A couple of weeks ago the phones were quieter than usual but end of last week and beginning of this has seen a lot of bookings/enquiries.

People soon forget their woes as Xmas approaches.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: clinton on November 23, 2010, 05:04:58 pm
The jobs will come in guys and you will get that last min job when they phone .
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: colin thomas on November 23, 2010, 05:50:57 pm
i hate this xmas rush business, i like it steady all the time, i either turn the 'phone off or say that i am fully booked even if i perhaps could squeeze another in.

derek, i was finishing on the 22nd also but i have to do one job 1st thing on the 23rd and then that's it!
colin
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: richy27 on November 23, 2010, 05:56:45 pm
i shall be finishing on the 10 th this year get married on the 11th and then off to sun tll end of first week of jan cant wait
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: derek west on November 23, 2010, 05:59:14 pm
congrats RBF, av a good en. ya jammy bugga.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: richy27 on November 23, 2010, 06:01:26 pm
cheers del . nohing to worry about apart from burning my feet getting off to he sunbed to the bar . havent had a holiday since i started up an had a good year so time for a little treat
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 23, 2010, 06:11:13 pm
So you couldn't persuade her to have it in January then?
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 23, 2010, 06:15:43 pm
I wonder if the xmas phenomenon is something that is more prominent amongst the lower classes and because this sector of the market is more affected by the bad economy it has a knock effect to our industry.

I've got to say Xmas only slightly increases my business from its normal busy state. i put this down to the type of customer I clean for who get their carpet cleaned no matter what time of year it is and not just for xmas.

i believe people who think" its xmas I need my carpets cleaned" are a bit daft



Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 23, 2010, 06:22:01 pm
I think it's more because family is coming round and that's the only time they worry about living in poo. 'Oh what will Auntie Mary think?'

You are probably right Mike about more high end. Becasue they are more 'maintenance' orientated they may look at it at Christmas and think it's fine, but don't think for a minute they are not susceptible to the same thoughts as the less well off when it comes to the powerful human motivator that is SHAME.  :-[
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Neil Williams on November 23, 2010, 06:26:20 pm
There's no ryme or reason on how things work in this industry.
I'm roughly in the same area as Neil and Jason and overall this year hasn't been too bad compared to previous ones.
We hit lucky with some nice large-ish jobs that will be ongoing and although in it's infancy it's helped with some diversity into another market.
But we must have put out some 600 leaflets the last couple of days which pulled in 2 jobs, but strangely we had 2 seperate enquiries from the same street within 30 minutes of each other which we haven't leafleted yet :o
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 23, 2010, 06:27:59 pm
Wynne

I think it's more because family is coming round and that's the only time they worry about living in poo. 'Oh what will Auntie Mary think?'


this is exactly my point.... its the lower classes that live in poo so have this attitude of cleaning  for xmas.
If you target this sector then you will suffer from their hard times.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 23, 2010, 06:33:41 pm
I totally agree with you and I'm not sure anyone is saying target this market merely that traditionally response goes up over Christmas because of it.

You can't beat the custy who gets 'maintenance' because they don't see it so much as a cost, more of a long term saving and you end up cleaning fairly clean carpets multiple times a year as opposed to once every 3 years. 
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: will_turton on November 23, 2010, 08:16:30 pm
 i do very very well out of xmas, mostly its 12 hours days 7days a week, and its stacked up with work now,
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 23, 2010, 09:04:04 pm
Same here Will. It was a bit quiet a few weeks ago but it's make hay while the sun shines and if that means 7 days a week then so be it.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: richy27 on November 23, 2010, 10:06:29 pm
i would actually say that i think xmas is busier as far as enquiries but i wouldnt say its the most profitable period as from my experience the average job ticket plummets. personally i love end of jan right through to may.

if your waiting around hoping for the so called xmas rush what about the other 10.5 months of the year some must be near jumping off the fly over.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Carpet Dawg on November 23, 2010, 10:09:10 pm
morning is origami, the afternoon is flower arranging and then in the evening i do an hour of pilates, its great for my carpet cleaning, i'm agile on the stairs, when moving flowers out the way they always look better in the vase when i'm finished and you should see the look on the custy's face when i hand them the bill in the shape of a swan.

ha ha ha thats very funny!  ;D i'm stealing it! 
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: The Carpet Cleaning Pro on November 23, 2010, 10:15:55 pm
For me xmas goes mad for upholstery cleaning so i do a good deal for the room carpet to be cleaned at the same time and always overlap 6-10 inches into the next room. This inturn leads to a quote for the rest of the house ... usually booked in the week after. Anyone getting plenty of suite cleans should use this ...it works.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Doug Holloway on November 23, 2010, 10:33:59 pm
Hi Guys

How much is a fresh turkey now compared with 6 weeks ago.

How much will you pay to dine out on Xmas day?

What will a hotel in central London cost you in the next month?

I will be busy but I will also charge higher prices so that I don't have to work 7 days!

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Steve_Knight on November 24, 2010, 07:44:39 am
Congratulations Rich
Where you off on honeymoon?
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 24, 2010, 08:52:25 am
Hi Guys



I will be busy but I will also charge higher prices so that I don't have to work 7 days!

Cheers

Doug


So busy for you is just 5 days work then.
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: richy27 on November 24, 2010, 02:41:07 pm
Congratulations Rich
Where you off on honeymoon?

cheers steve

off to hurghada onthe red sea

regards

Rich
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Colin Day on November 24, 2010, 02:49:19 pm
Congratulations from us too RBF :)

Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: wynne jones on November 24, 2010, 05:44:39 pm
Sounds nice Richard, not that you will be getting out of the room much.  ;D
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Steve_Knight on November 24, 2010, 08:31:04 pm
You should enjoy it there mate
Been to Sharm el Shiekh three times and i love it!
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Doug Holloway on November 24, 2010, 08:42:25 pm
Hi Guys

Well done Richard, remember your snorkel.

I will work 5 and a half days flat out, thats enough, bearing in mind I'm busy 45 weeks of the year so no need to break my back just for Xmas.

I'm already letting my phones go to answer and filtering the jobs.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Errrrrrrrr the xmas rush......
Post by: Steve Gunn on November 24, 2010, 08:45:33 pm
Phone has been steady even getting bookings for January, but those wanting it done before xmas who have missed the boat with the cheaper guys booking them in
working 6 days a week at the moment