Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: cleanable on April 21, 2011, 08:28:05 pm
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For a number of years we quoted over the phone and did on-site surveys, we found the latter to be more effective when we changed our tactics slightly 8)
When your faced with the customer you have to sell yourself, sell your company, say how good you are, say you use good equipment etc but sometimes it's very difficult for a custy to take onboard all the info.,,,,,, so
......we compiled an A4 glossy logod folder to leave with the customer...
Inside contains photos of our work, our equipment, our staff, services we provide (as we dont just clean carpets), references, corporate bodies we've worked for, certificates of insurance, cleaning guide, our cleaning method, terms, business cards, flyers, discount vouchers, referral discount scheme,. maintenance programme scheme, treatments, what have I missed out??? O yes, a hand written copy of the quote....
This works, the customer can then sit down and look through your booklet and see that you are a professional company offering a professional service.
Try it, give it a go and I bet you increase your conversions, we did! ;)
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Have you got a website?
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Have you got a website?
Yes ;)
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Sounds like way too much information for any customer to either want or take in. We have a 97% conversion rate for over the phone quotes and just don't have time to go out and quote them. One of the advantages of having a long established reputation.
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What's your web address?
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Can we see your web site Carpetmasters ?
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Would you give the folders to everybody you quote? How many do you have in circulation? Do you get trouble in getting them back if the customer doesn't proceed?
In an ideal world it's a great selling tool, but how practical is it in real life?
Regards,
Ashley
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Sounds like way too much information for any customer to either want or take in. We have a 97% conversion rate for over the phone quotes and just don't have time to go out and quote them. One of the advantages of having a long established reputation.
Ditto, however, we have to go out MOST of the time as we have to measure rooms for new carpet and we can't leave that to the customer can we? In terms of cleaning, regulars are still done on the phone, newbies are priced in-situ.... how many time have you gone out to a job and found that there is more staining then described, a light colour but was told different, access was easy but in reality it is difficult.
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What's your web address?
:-X
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I used them in My early chemdry days , the customer looked at before and after photos , short bios of me and my employees , information on protectors ,cleaning methods etc .
These days most proper carpet cleaners have websites instead which have all the necessary information included .
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Sounds like way too much information for any customer to either want or take in. We have a 97% conversion rate for over the phone quotes and just don't have time to go out and quote them. One of the advantages of having a long established reputation.
Even as a novice in the game, I find it difficult to go on site and price up on every occasion. I do prefer to go and quote but most of the time I get it right and if I over-quote, the customer gets the benefit. I want my business to be built on trust, quality and value for money!!!
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Would you give the folders to everybody you quote? How many do you have in circulation? Do you get trouble in getting them back if the customer doesn't proceed?
In an ideal world it's a great selling tool, but how practical is it in real life?
Regards,
Ashley
Everybody gets a folder. We do not collect them. It's a brilliant selling tool, it's right there in front of them laid out in laymans terms, they know exactly what they are getting for their money.
Works very well.
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I used them in My eachemdry days , the customer looked at before and after photos , short bios of me and my employees , information on protectors ,cleaning methods etc .
These days most proper carpet cleaners have websites instead which have all the necessary information included .
Yes we do have a website. Yes we are proper carpet cleaners and we include everything the customer would ever need to know on our site AND in our survey folders.
Websites are ok, but not the bee all and end all (is that the right spelling), you still gotta get out and sell your product, your brand, your way of doing things.
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Ha ha, you said 'bee' instaed of..... Dohhh, I've spelt 'intstead' of wrongly, haven't I? ;D
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Ha ha, you said 'bee' instaed of..... Dohhh, I've spelt 'intstead' of wrongly, haven't I? ;D
That's quick typing for you. I'll slow down abit, but hey, it's only a forum? ;D
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So what's your web address?
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The gloves are off, would you kindly send us a brochure to the address on my website?
I have thought about doing something along the lines of a portfolio but your idea sounds better. I am happy to recompense you for the time, postage and packing..... :)
Maybe you're not such a cok after all.... ;D
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So what's your web address?
Do you not think potential high profile customers may be lurking in the depths of this wonderful forum looking, reading about carpet cleaning companies and who to employ, or not as the case may be?
They do that on Facebook why not here? My website will remain :-X I value our customers (which include major brands)!!!!
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So what's your web address?
Keep asking because he/she's never going to tell us likewise we're never going to find the real name.
For what it's worth I'm sure 100% that a package containing shed loads of everything sells on it's own, but most people make up their minds wether to use you or not from their initial search ie a website.
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So what's your web address?
Keep asking because he/she's never going to tell us likewise we're never going to find the real name.
For what it's worth I'm sure 100% that a package containing shed loads of everything sells on it's own, but most people make up their minds wether to use you or not from their initial search ie a website.
We do all sorts of advertising, papers, flyers, boards, local mags, sponsorship, in carpet shops, upholstery repair outlets, corner shops, AND on the web. Not everybody has a computer, not everybody surfs the net, most of our business is repeat, however, new business comes in from bog standard old fashioned advertising ;)
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Why would you not want us to know your website, am i missing something because its sounds ridiculous to me.
Regarding the documents you leave, i just give them the info then add if you want any more information check out my website.
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Do you not think potential high profile customers may be lurking in the depths of this wonderful forum looking, reading about carpet cleaning companies and who to employ, or not as the case may be?
Oh yeh I can just see that.....not.....just what are you on?
Let's ask Simon shall we. Did the likes of the cruise ship companies find you by looking on CIU for a carpet cleaning business?
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Why would you not want us to know your website, am i missing something because its sounds ridiculous to me.
Regarding the documents you leave, i just give them the info then add if you want any more information check out my website.
Please read my previous answers ;D
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Do you not think potential high profile customers may be lurking in the depths of this wonderful forum looking, reading about carpet cleaning companies and who to employ, or not as the case may be?
Oh yeh I can just see that.....not.....just what are you on?
Let's ask Simon shall we. Did the likes of the cruise ship companies find you by looking on CIU for a carpet cleaning business?
You never know Mr Williams ;D :-*
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Carpetmongster, what's your web address?
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why does everyone want to see his website? makes no sense. thanks for the tips carpetmasters. sounds a tad too much imo for each customer to get, but maybe i've misunderstood how large this folder is. do you ask for them back or are they theirs to keep? we do something similar for commercial cleans so i suppose it's not too different
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Carpetmongster, what's your web address?
Hey, Major SIR ;D (I've said that a few times) i've been asked 4 times the answer is :-X
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why does everyone want to see his website? makes no sense. thanks for the tips carpetmasters. sounds a tad too much imo for each customer to get, but maybe i've misunderstood how large this folder is. do you ask for them back or are they theirs to keep? we do something similar for commercial cleans so i suppose it's not too different
Your very welcome. The folders are not that big, they're more presentation type/style, in fact they hold a few sheets of A4 plus a wallet insert for cards and flyers. It's our main selling tool if I am honest, works very well. We also give a simular presentation folder for commercial quotes/contracts.
We give them out and dont ask for them back. We just dont have time to do that.
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It's pretty hard to take your friendly tips too seriously when you hide yourself behind an anonymous user name. Mostly folks on here ignore people who don't have the guts to even say who they are.
As for your info pack. It sounds like a distraction tactic to draw the attention away from something else. Can't think what that could be. ::)
Other people are hidden behind anonymous names ??? ???
and anyhow, this is my trading name (more or less, give or take) ;)
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Doesn't mean you have to do it. Are you a man or a mouse?
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Sales aids are all part of the big picture but if you aren't a natural saleman then a brochure is a fantastic way of selling all of your services also as customers are looking through they can ask for services and products which they didn't necassarily ask for.
Shaun
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shaun ashmore: that was my thought too, by putting all the services you do then it may lead to more work which for the sake of what £2 per folder at most it's not a bad idea. we often go do carpet quotes and then say when you last get such and such done and book in more services.
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The best sales aid you can have in this day and age is a good website that lays out who you are and what you do. If you get that right by the time people ring you they have all but chosen you, subject to the price being acceptable.
Simon
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I think I know who our Mr Rug Doctor is... "Enterprise!".... Do I win a prize? ;D
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Carpetmongster, what's your web address?
Hey, Major SIR ;D (I've said that a few times) i've been asked 4 times the answer is :-X
The silence is deafening, "my website is secret" i thought the whole point of seo was shout it from the rooftops, it just makes people think you are one of those silly jokers who comes on here under an assumed profile to stir, could be wrong but i dont see the point of hiding on an information sharing forum.
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major clean up: i disagree. it depends on what they've called you for for starters as to how likely they'll chose you just because they've called. also i'd think that once you're in the door it's harder to up the price to what you'd like to get without additional support. some may use their mouth to sell their services, some may use folders, so may use both etc. this is just another way to stand out.
james: he isn't going to say oh you're right i'll post my website now for the simple reason people are so hostile on this forum, as soon as it's posted it'll get picked apart. how is he stiring? he's offered a tip then others have stired up a storm asking for his website again and again. this thread is about sharing this tip of his and discussing it, not about his website. what's the point in keep brgining it up again and again. also the point of seo is to get google to see your site, this forum doesn't allow google to index it users websites, so it's pointless to post his website as google wont see it. there will be no seo gain from posting here
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major clean up: i disagree. it depends on what they've called you for for starters as to how likely they'll chose you just because they've called. also i'd think that once you're in the door it's harder to up the price to what you'd like to get without additional support. some may use their mouth to sell their services, some may use folders, so may use both etc. this is just another way to stand out.
james: he isn't going to say oh you're right i'll post my website now for the simple reason people are so hostile on this forum, as soon as it's posted it'll get picked apart. how is he stiring? he's offered a tip then others have stired up a storm asking for his website again and again. this thread is about sharing this tip of his and discussing it, not about his website. what's the point in keep brgining it up again and again. also the point of seo is to get google to see your site, this forum doesn't allow google to index it users websites, so it's pointless to post his website as google wont see it. there will be no seo gain from posting here
I suggest you switch on and see how he plays... I love it because I see it as mess deck banter... You are the ginger pasty faced kid in the corner saying "Why can't we all just get on.....?" In a whining voice... Carpetminger is just having a laugh, and we're all joining in ;)
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Thanks for all the sensible comments. I didn't realise I was going to be persecuted in this way, but hey, I can take it :D
I was going to offer further advise on offering add on services for the carpet cleaner, really easy good ideas but people like Colin will just post silly comments which is really petty and childish.
This forum is hostile, worse than the Argies ;D
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Thanks for all the sensible comments. I didn't realise I was going to be persecuted in this way, but hey, I can take it :D
I was going to offer further advise on offering add on services for the carpet cleaner, really easy good ideas but people like Colin will just post silly comments which is really petty and childish.
This forum is hostile, worse than the Argies ;D
I know I shouldn't have had a battle of wits with someone who is un-armed. I was only matching you mate... Please don't cry :'( :'( :'(
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Now I remember some one here a number of years ago , ( but can i hell remember his name ) perhaps somebody might remind me, who joined the forum ,and posted loads of info and self opinionated verbs on here,
I nick named him 7 poops, if you have had 6 poops he would have had 7 , he had a chataux or villa in france, he had top end cars, the list goes on . He did cause quite a stir at the time with his bragging and arguments on here, including me.
How ever after a longish period of time it gradualy emerged he was infact a genuine guy ,who had what he said ,had done what he said and offered numerous marketing tips, advise and information ,he even offered to take a few of us cc on trips to france etc, Sadly , he did become rather ill and i believe passed away, shame really because most on here did actualy like him in the end and learnt from him.
The point i,m trying to make is, and i,m on the fence with this one, you just never know !!!! time will tell,I do find it strange that the website is so elusive how ever.
Geoff.
ps. what was this guys name? I,m sure shaun will remember him!
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Simon, 97% conversion rate over the phone!?
Yeah right.
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Hi Guys
Geoff he was known as Ron, Sherlock and various, a Walter Mitty character for sure but never malicious.
Carpetmaster was just intent on causing troulble so I have stopped him!
Cheers
Doug
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Thanks for that Doug, yes Sherlock , how could i forget .... my age I guess, and do you know did he pass away?
i seem to recall this been the case.
geoff
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Simon, 97% conversion rate over the phone!?
Yeah right.
Yes there is something wrong with that percentage..........................
It is a bit low......................................................................
Mine is 100%............................... but then I do advertise my prices in my leaflets and online.
Craig why are you so sceptical????? just because your conversion is not so high does not mean that no one else can achieve that.......
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why does everyone want to see his website? makes no sense. thanks for the tips carpetmasters. sounds a tad too much imo for each customer to get, but maybe i've misunderstood how large this folder is. do you ask for them back or are they theirs to keep? we do something similar for commercial cleans so i suppose it's not too different
So why are you defending this guy, he seems big enough to fight in his own corner......... ;D
or is there an identity problem here???
Who are you GCS ?? rug doctor??? carpet musters???? :o :o
hmmmmmmmmmm
methinks more sniffing is needed :-\
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Hi Guys
Geoff he was known as Ron, Sherlock and various, a Walter Mitty character for sure but never malicious.
Carpetmaster was just intent on causing troulble so I have stopped him!
Cheers
Doug
How have I been stopped? If I was banned from this forum I would appeal to Mr Boxhall because the decision would not be right.
I posted very good ideas and idiots posted rubbish underneath. You're just defending the people you know and that's wrong Doug, very unfair!
As a moderator you should be able to also stop those 'well kown' names from making silly belittling remarks that other members are fed up with on here.
Why do you think this forum is so quiet?
Why do you only see the same old posters?
Why have you seen a real decline in experience depart this forum leaving wanna be's and hopefuls behind?
Come on Mr Moderator do your job properly, stop defending your mates otherwise I will do something and contact Mr Boxshall to explain a few things and let him make the biggest decision about his 'staff'!!!
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Craig,
We've been in this business for 36 years and have worked damned hard to generate a great reputation through providing great service and fantastic quality and are now reeping the benefits.
Simon
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Lol if I converted all enquiries I be dong ten jobs a day, perhaps if you raise your price and you won't be a busy fool.
I still remember you saying on tmer s that you don't need to advertise, funny your always on here asking questions about the best places to advertise. And with 97% conversion why do you need to?
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I once read somewhere that if you are converting more than 6-7 out of 10 then your prices are too low, I think it all depends on the amount of enquiries and how much you really want that job, if someone calls with 1 dining chair 50 miles away then your chances of converting the job and making profit means that you probably won't get it and that deminishes your conversion rate.
Most of my work is recommend and referal which after 23 years in the industry you would expect but I still need new blood to fill in the people that leave the area, die or just don't want for loads of reasons, so the need to do selective advertising keeps me ticking along and allows me to price without thinking that I'm going to be skint (even poorer than I already am, because I am really poor)
The real trick is keeping the phone ringing then then next trick is getting them to book.
Shaun
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Hi Guys
Geoff he was known as Ron, Sherlock and various, a Walter Mitty character for sure but never malicious.
Carpetmaster was just intent on causing troulble so I have stopped him!
Cheers
Doug
How have I been stopped? If I was banned from this forum I would appeal to Mr Boxhall because the decision would not be right.
I posted very good ideas and idiots posted rubbish underneath. You're just defending the people you know and that's wrong Doug, very unfair!
As a moderator you should be able to also stop those 'well kown' names from making silly belittling remarks that other members are fed up with on here.
Why do you think this forum is so quiet?
Why do you only see the same old posters?
Why have you seen a real decline in experience depart this forum leaving wanna be's and hopefuls behind?
Come on Mr Moderator do your job properly, stop defending your mates otherwise I will do something and contact Mr Boxshall to explain a few things and let him make the biggest decision about his 'staff'!!!
Such whinings of mis justice from an faceless idiot who attempted to intimidate me because of the various services I offer to my clients on my website which is fully visible to all to see.
You need to get a life mate!
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As a moderator you should be able to also stop those 'well kown' names from making silly belittling remarks that other members are fed up with on here.
Wooh! Pot, kettle and black springs to mind
(almost like I predicted.....100 posts and good bye)
Hopefully we can get back to normal business now.
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Hi Guys
Among all the dross and childishness he actually had some intersting thgings to say.
It's a shame that something prevents these sort of people from acting reasonably but as we know they come and go.
Cheers
Doug
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Shaun same as me really and we still need new clients still.
I try and convert as many but guess with the web sites i seem to get more price shoppers ..
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Reminds me of: http://www.carpetzest.com/ ;)
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Among all the dross and childishness he actually had some intersting thgings to say
I have to agree Doug,
The person has something to contribute, particularly to people just starting out. David Jenkins used to leave a 17 page folder with prospective clients which apparently, worked very well.
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Among all the dross and childishness he actually had some intersting thgings to say
I have to agree Doug,
The person has something to contribute, particularly to people just starting out. David Jenkins used to leave a 17 page folder with prospective clients which apparently, worked very well.
So did hitler/maggie thatcher/mao/Gaddafi /
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if you are going into the quote with a folder which is designed to be left to help the customer make a decision to chose you then you are in the wrong mindset... you should do every quote with the aim of walking out with a booked appointment.
you should sit there and give all the information they need to make a decision to chose you, walking out of the door without the job hoping a folder will get yoiu the job is for wimps
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Just stick some pictures of animals on your van, that'll do it :D
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Surely the whole point of going out to do a quote is to geta clear picture of what the client wants done and then have them like and trust you to do a good job. If you can't achieve that during a half hour visit then no amount of bumph is going to help you get the sale.
A friend of mine got a quote from someone down south who was there for 45 minutes with his lap top and then quoted £228 for a basic clean of two small bedrooms and a stairs and landing. He left leaving a folder full of pages of meaningless information which ended up in the bin. My friend didn't book him simply because he didn't trust him and thought he was only interested in hyping up the price for his own gain. >:(
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A friend of mine got a quote from someone down south who was there for 45 minutes with his lap top and then quoted £228 for a basic clean of two small bedrooms and a stairs and landing. He left leaving a folder full of pages of meaningless information which ended up in the bin.
Based in Reading by any chance?
I picked up a job in exactly the same circumstances. You can have the flash van with the flash equipment, the flash measuring gear with the dimensions loaded onto a laptop, which then prints off reams of paperwork, with a super high price to match all this stuff, BUT didn't close the deal.
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It has gone very quite since mrs trouble left te building.... ::) ::)
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Yes but isn't it a lot more peaceful and less stressful too :)
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I think underneath the banter (which thats all it was) he had some interesting things to say....shame hes gone
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he might have had some good to say but why be so obnoxious about it, was just rude and hurtful to some others obviously a bully as wanted to become friends when stood up to. there is just no place for keyboard warriors
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I think underneath the banter (which thats all it was) he had some interesting things to say....shame hes gone
I agree Sarah, although we tore strips from each other, we did kiss and make up in the end. :D
He sounds like he knows what he's doing and some of his advice was spot on, but by initially rubbing everyone up the wrong way, he was never going to win people over very quickly.
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Makes you wonder whether he annoys his customers too, not many are drawn to a bragger ;)
Steve
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Surely the whole point of going out to do a quote is to geta clear picture of what the client wants done and then have them like and trust you to do a good job. If you can't achieve that during a half hour visit then no amount of bumph is going to help you get the sale.
A friend of mine got a quote from someone down south who was there for 45 minutes with his lap top and then quoted £228 for a basic clean of two small bedrooms and a stairs and landing. He left leaving a folder full of pages of meaningless information which ended up in the bin. My friend didn't book him simply because he didn't trust him and thought he was only interested in hyping up the price for his own gain. >:(
" EXACTLY" Cheers just saved me a lot of typing.
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I used to use a similar pack (20 years ago) these days it is a lot more sensible to post the info on to the web and give people the relevent address to access the info. Printing an info pack for each customer is very time consuming and expensive. Unless you are very good at the printing and presentation it can also make you look a little outdated and unproffessional.
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)