Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ray on April 16, 2004, 11:23:19 pm
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We recently quoted to clean some carpets and upholstery in a house.
If we give the sizes can someone give me some idea how much you would charge.
4 bedrooms landing and bathroom total 86.6 sq yards. 80/20
2 8 by 6 feet wool rugs
1 3 seater cotton sofa
1 2 seater draylon sofa
2 armchairs Draylon
Look forward to your replies
Ray
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Ray
As you have already quoted why ask? My reply in your area for approx 2 weeks 4 bed house £160 this includes all carpets-curtains-upholstery and windows we also deodorize and stain protection and I love the word retexture. Plus vat no hidden costs. ??? ???
Len on his high horse again. ;D ;D
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i was thinking more like £300 myself
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I would go for £300
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4 B/R @ £30 each = £120
Rug £30
3pc dralon suite £95
3 seat cotton sofa £55
so about £300
time taken approx 6hrs = £50 an hour, about right
Mike
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When I first saw this post i knew it would'nt get many answers, because post like this are a double-edged sword.
In some ways they alianate a broad section of members who charge at the lower end of the price scale, They think they will be ridiculed because they are charging £50 to clean a suite or £15 for a bedroom.
these men won't answer this question, I think is a mistake because for every carpet cleaner charging £160 for a suite there are 20 carpet cleaners who charge the £50 price ( or Lower)
if they keep quiet then they are allowing a false impression of price to permiate through the industry, if you read the answers so far you would assume that for the cleaning stated the average price asked would be about £300.
but
the other side of the coin is also very relevent, if all the carpet cleaner who charge the high prices don't answer then how can the low priced companies see that higher prices are achievable.
yes its a bit of a quandiary ???
Mike
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Len of St Gribble
I keep telling you. Your so CHEAP. And you know more than anybody I keep telling you that to stain protect is more money....Add on's,thats what you have to look for once your at a job it cost's no more money to get there your there,If the customer ask's then SELL.That's what were in business for to make money.
Sorry Lads i'm getting on Lens horse again.
Kevin
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i have to be fare that the prices i give on my web site i don't always stick to . it depences on what i think the customer will pay
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4 bedrooms landing and bathroom total 86.6 sq yards. 80/20 = £100
2 8 by 6 feet wool rugs = £40
1 3 seater cotton sofa =£33
1 2 seater draylon sofa =£22
2 armchairs Draylon =£30
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£365
Shaun
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Would get around £350-£380 here.
Nick
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4 bedrooms landing and bathroom total 86.6 sq yards. 80/20 = £ 140
2 8 by 6 feet wool rugs = £ 40
1 3 seater cotton sofa = £ 60
1 2 seater draylon sofa = £ 40
2 armchairs Draylon = £ 25
All prices dependant on doing all jobs on same day.
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Mike,
I do not know how you survive.
When I looked through the Beverley Free Paper
Every cleaner charges £45 for three piece suite.
Rooms £10
I think there was 4 of them
and you can do it yourself for £15 including chemicals.
Regards
Ian
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Hi Ray
What price did you quote for the work?
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£397
I have done work for them before. They have always forced me down on the quoted price. But this time I was not dropping the price.
Ray
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Ian your dead right!! there are companies advertising suites for £35, rooms from £10 and I laugh everytime i see them.
I let them take all the crap, council estate work (because £35 is all they can afford) suites that are 10years old and disgusting.
My clients would'nt touch them with a bargepole. they appreciate the high quality that i give them and know the best does'nt come cheap ;D
Mike
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Ray,
I think your quote is about right and would take me around 7 hours. I certainly wouldnt be interested if I couldnt get £350 minimum.
Dave.
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i base my prices on how long i think the job will take and this particular job sounds about a days work for which i would charge £120 - £150.
by the sounds of some of the posts i must be one of the cowboys (yee-ha) but for me thats enough. i personally think £300 - £400 a day is excessive for what is largely an unskilled job but if you can get it good luck to you. there must be a lot of very rich c/c's out there or a few with very big noses.
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Shaun, you should aim for between £200 to £ 300 if only to enable you to replace/buy new kit and also to make up for those days when you sit at home watching Vanessa.
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Shaun,
Daves correct, been where you are at (For many years) in the long run it simply doesnt work. You dont only have to make a wage, you have to make a profit for the very reasons Daves explained - I got sick of having to pay for repairs and new equipoment out of MY wage, so following advice from those that knew better, I increased my prices significantly - started making a profit and this now pays for those things.
Dave.
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Shaun, listen to Dave Lee, i have only been going for 12 months, untill 4 weeks ago i was doing the job for the same prices as you, but after biting the bullet, being laughed at by my local collegues i put my prices up, now instead of doing a suite for £45 and a loung carpet for £35 and a 3 bed house for £75 i now charge a minimum of £85.00 for a suite and that has to be a maintainance clean only from £3.00 a square meter for carpets and believe me it works, its all down to presentation of the quote and selling yourself, i have gone from a few hundred a week running ragged to over a grand booked in every week just on domestics, i am so confident of that continuing that i have just taken on a full time cc so i can concentrate soley on getting in new business. Listen to what these lads are saying, you can go on all the courses in the world jo polish, or whatever but you will not find a better training course than what the lads on this forum give you and its free!
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Shaun,
You say in your post "unskilled work", sorry but i have to differ with you. There is skill in this work, and i am sure an awful lot of others will agree. I price my work to reflect my skills and training, if a customer wants to pay for that, then fine, if not then thats fine too. Having seen the so called quality of work of people passing themselves of as cc's, as many others have, then you see where the skills come into this game. Its not just about what price you charge, its about what you deliver to the customer.
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Shaun,
I have to echo what Mr S/C/lakes has said.
If you think that the work is "unskilled" it makes me wonder about your own skill level.
John.
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Shaun is right £120-£150 sounds right for a days work for unskilled person (Shaun) with a Mickey Mouse machine GEORGE spring to mind. Then again he may be on a wind-up and wish he was on this type on money.
Shaun if you are in my neck of the woods Thursday afternoon I have a 638.5sm job it shouldn’t take you long to earn £275 that way you can have the next day off, by the way it’s empty nothing to move. Ooh thanks Kevin for passing it my way we’ll split the difference, if Shaun takes up the offer.
Len
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We may be teetering on the verge of loosing newbie members with this sarcastic banter. It may be mildly amusing to us experienced and seasoned business men, but it could quite easily alienate people like Shaun who, I gather, is relatively new to our industry. Many of us on these boards have a wealth of cleaning and business skills to pass on to others. So lets be constructive, yes have a wry smile or grin, but not at the expense of new, inexperienced fellow Cleanitup members.
Safe and happy cleaning:)
Ken
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Ken
I understand where you are coming from, how ever Shaun already quantified himself as unskilled and implied the all cc in the same category, yes that winds me up I have spent god knows how much on training and equipment that I think best. Yes I was flippant in my first post the person already quoted so there no going back
Ken surely any new venture one dose there home work? Be it machines (training) joining forums like this (scrolling though) gaining info.
I also have reservations who is posting i.e. newbie’s when they don’t give the profile, who are they? Possibly a duplicate of an existing member under an alias. As I posted under another forum the admin should stop duplicates IP addresses, but I don’t think that will happen!!
Yes these boards have wealth of experience and I would/will be one of the first to assist if possible.
As usual Len on his high horse
Len
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Len I hope you don't live in a block of flats ;D
Shaun
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Shaun
Corrected thanks
Len ;D
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hi guys
im sorry if ive caused offense it was not my intention.
i never said c/c's were unskilled, i said the job was largely unskilled, pushing a wand does not take much skill and this constitutes a big part of the job. i understand that there is lots to learn about carpet cleaning and there is endless amounts of knowledge on this board alone. your right about charging too little for jobs but as i said for now im happy to earn £500 - £700 a week. in more detail to the question i charge £35 for one average sized room wich takes me no more than an hour, thats not bad money for the work involved. for a three piece suite i would charge £60 - £70 which would take 2-3 hours, again good money. my costs currently run about £100 a week all in, leaving me £500-£600 a week for about 30 hours work. there are lots of highly skilled people in this industry and im not here to mock. i believe a lot of the skill is in the management and developement of your business which many of you's are experts and true proffessionals.
in answer to the question of my skill level, im a fully qualified engineer which takes 5 years training with your skills tested regulary and exams to pass, that sounds patronising but im just answering the question.
cheers shaun (profile updated)
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£100 overheads WHAT!!!!!!!!!!
How on earth are your overheads so low?
I spend about £80 a week on my van alone, insurance, tax, diesel, loan, repairs/servicing.
Do you even advertise?
thanks
Mark
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Hi Guys
I remember a few years ago a certain Robert Saunders of Alltec fame stated at one of the NCCA Conferences that 'carpet cleaning was not rocket science' :o
At the time I took great exception to this remark and commented, in writing (no names), in the NCCA magazine Newslink with my own thoughts.
On reflection Robert (and Shaun) are right! ::)
It takes very little skill to push a wand which is the physical side of cleaning and incidentally the side which the customer sees...
where the skill comes in is knowing the intricacies of the substrate you are cleaning and deciding which of the equipment/chemicals/technique you would use to clean efficiently and safely to obtain a satisfactory result.
I reckon its this apparent simplicity that attracts many new people into our industry, suddenly they find out (usually the hard way) that there is another aspect to the job that they may not have considered before... its at this point many of the new people opt out of the business.
Some years ago the survival figure rating quoted for start up businesses in carpet cleaning was four months!
Makes you think doesn't it?
Regards
Derek
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That is an interesting statistic. Four months survival for start ups.
I have often wondered if the purpose of this business was for the Supplying companies to sell new machines to Newbies.
Looking at some of the packages I wonder if they go for the Max hit.
Is the market they are serving redundant disolusioned people who perhaps can not raise £20K plus for a Franchise.
If the statistic is correct what happens to all the machines.
If I can be critical of us all if you look at another boards site which has a Marketing section there is rarley new topics. It is Marketing that insures your company survives.
I accept its all be said before but fresh in put is interesting.
Think I might have gone off topic but Derek said somthing I have been thinking for a long time.
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Ian
Take a long look at the work we do...its hard work, often carried out at unsocial hours.
You will notice that there is a dramatic increase in new start-ups when there are redundancies in other industries... this has always been the case.
There have been some potential start-ups who have been on training courses and suddenly realised there is more involved than just simply pushing a wand about and given up there and then.... I have experienced this first hand.
I believe that as professionals we tend to make the job look very easy to the customer and lets really be honest, the cleaning industry is still so often referred to as the 'Mrs Mop' industry.
This is how we are perceived in the wide world whether we like it or not
Regards
Derek
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Derek
I think you have hit on the nail again but I will add some do it to on a part time bases to supplement there income.
Ian don’t worry if going off the topic all types of questions/replies are good. Knowledge is power.
Len Mr Mop
(Ex black top (asphalt) /banker done the exams all mean squat in this game been cleaning since 11 and I’m still leaning but I love it)
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Ditto Len, I'm still leaning, but its usually on a thursday after a few pints. Also make sure your not on your high horse when leaning. ;D ;D ;D
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Dave
I on my high horse can’t get my legless in the stirrup; Saturday I have a free range can’t wait.
Len ;D ;D
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I have been working in Huddersfield for 3 years as a Carpet Cleaner, for a company that charges approx £35 for a 3piece suite, and £15 for a carpet. (There is also competition that is cheaper).
I am considering starting up on my own, but am concerned about quoting the prices you gentlemen seem to achieve, as the competition will be undercutting me considerably.
Your wise words would be greatly received.
Jason.
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I dare gamble that if you leave your present employer and go self-employed he will under cut you to close you down.
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Thanks John, but I am not sure he can go much lower.
My problem is that obviously the members that are charging considerably more than my employer, are providing a better quality service, but how does one translate that to the customer, as if they see one charging £30, and the other £60, then they will more than likely choose the later...........
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You will have got loads of time when you first start to go and quote jobs face to face that is a big help, then don't knock the competition just go over the best points of your service, ie more dry passes, care taken, turbo drying, personal guarantee, etc
Price over the phone with new customers and they will price compare you with other cleaners how ever good you or they are.
Shaun
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I think the guy who the Huddersfield man works for charges £49.00 for a suite any any 2 carpets!!
I have got a job in the area that he covers tomorrow and I'm charging £235.00.
No problem do what Shaun says get out there and talk!!
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Hi Jason
To succeed, you need the technical ability and the tools to perform. So you need to perfrom to a higher standard than with your current employer. Formal training is vital for this. You need to project your professionalism. Well mannered, well presented and on time, telephone calls must be dealt with in a businesslike manner (no music in the background, children shouting etc. etc). Your marketing must be well packaged, and the advice given by Shaun and others on Clean It Up is very worthwhile reading. Finally, your prices must be realistic and reflect the costs of being in and running a business. Working for yourself, you should reasonably expect to achieve in excess of the typical UK average industrial wage which is in excess of £20kpa, plus a typical minimum overheads, without advertising, of > £10k. Plus profit for re-investment and expansion.
You will not be competing on price. No matter how low your prices, someone will always be cheaper. At the prices you illustrated above, you'd probably scrape a reasonable living together, but you're unlikely to runa healthy, profitable business. Certainly not as a one man band.
Safe and happy cleaning:)
Ken
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Hi Jason
Firstly don't compete with current employer, why on earth would you want to.You are leaving to better yourself not get into a low price bidding war in an area that will only support low pricing.Get out of that area.
Which areas around you are more affluent compared to where you are working now?
Target these starting at a higher price, going by what your current employer charges I would suggest you raise that by over 3 x the amount and offer it as a 20% discount so you are charging £150 less 20% = £120.00
The hardest thing in the world is to start off low and then try to charge much higher prices at a later stage.This way you can revert your charges to £150.00 after your 'offer' ends and you are more established in your NEW area.
Differentiate your self from your low price,low service employer by offering the very best you can in terms of the service provided and the time spent on each job, the quality of the product used and the knowledge you bring to the job.
You will have to advertise so once you know your target customers pick the right magazines and papers to advertise in as well as leaflet dropping using a good quality ad'.
As a famous man once said 'you can wink at a pretty girl in the dark room but unless you turn the light on only you will know you are doing it' ::)
This subject could go on and on suffice to say that it would seem you have woken from your low priced slumber and want to progress. You ain't going to where you are now, are you!
Good Luck
Trevor
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Thankyou gentlemen, its nice to know that there are like minded professionals out there, unlike the cowboys I have become used to, to date.
Thanks again
Jason
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Now I'm really confused! Jason,are you not the carpet cleaner advertising in the weekly news 1 carpet £15 Suite(upholstery and leather)£30? Your advert first appeared 5 weeks ago originally with NCCA and PROCLEAN logos neither of which you are a member of?
You are advertising for a Prochem machine yet your advert talks about the latest in cleaning technology and on site drying system,everything left dry?! Is this a case of mistaken identity or is there something you need to tell us?
Dave ???
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Hi Dave
I seriously hope that the scenario you describe is not the case... I refer to your comments about Jason allegedly advertising membership of organisations he doesn't belong to.
If so, it tells me a lot about the person straight away.
I also know that both organisations mentioned would be talking to the local Trading Standards pretty quickly
Derek
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Hi Derek,
That particular scenario has been dealt with and the logos now removed, you may remember a thread on another forum entitled r**** trader, Yes that's the one!
Best regards
Dave
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Thanks Dave
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The plot thickens :o
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Lets not knock him, it's now been corrected and it looks as though he's come to this forum for help and I know everyone will.
Shaun
Ps I don't know him and have never met him
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I think we should knock him as hes dragging the rest of us down especially in the customers eyes.
To advertise the NCCA and Proclean logos without being a member is totally dishonest and he is taking advantage of the rest of us.
In my opinion.
thanks
Mark
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Mark
You are correct, it is dishonest/enethical but a lot of people try it on. Hopefully new people reading this will not go down this route.
If ever they foul up bigtime, and it does happen... frequently, it gives their agrieved clients more ammunition against them.
The first people a disgruntled customer will call is the organisation whose logo is being used so that they can complain about the 'member'.
They are initially quite upset to find that the company's membership is denied and it is suggested that they contact Trading Standards.
You can now add misrepresentation to the crime!
Its not worth it!
Derek
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Jason,
You've gone very quiet. If you want to get the best out of this forum, indeed if you want to get anything out of it you will have to be honest and upfront with everyone.yes we all know some of us exaggerate from time to time but we know that and we have great relationships built on trust and truthfulness.
If you're serious about building your business the same applies; Trevor and others have given you great advice but remember the market he's pointing to you is my market and the clients my type of clients so to get them you have to be as professional as me in terms of vans, equipment, training and everything else. If you're not at that stage yet don't try and fool people that you are.In the case of your advert don't say you're a "national company operating since 1987" if you started a month ago - but you could say you had three years experience, see what I mean? If you don't have an "on site drying system so everything left dry " don't claim you have or you'll come a cropper.If you do share it with us and tell us how you can do it and stiil only charge £15 for a carpet and £30 for a suite!! we all need to know and that's how the forum works!
Best regards
Dave
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Hi Dave
Sorry for the late reply but have been very busy.
In reply to your many questions, I answer as follows.
Yes I am the alleged rogue.
Naively I believed that joining the associations concerned was just a case of completing a direct debit mandate, and it would just be a matter of days (silly me).
On realising that this was not the case the logos were withdrawn, as highlighted by Mr Ashmore (my apologies to those of you that are members of these associations and for belittleing the effort it takes to become a member).
I am not a rogue and believe that the quality of my work is of a good standard and my presentation excellent. Many customers have asked if I am a franchise such is my presentation. I wish to continue to improve in all areas and thus the reason in joining this forum.
Regarding the question of kit, i have 2 Prochem steampro 2000's, and was seeking a back up in the advert you highlighted. I 2 have turbo dryers (onsite drying system), and insurance of £5m.
The national company bit was a response to something Sampsons put in his ad, but having read your comments this has been removed from my ad. (Whose to say I dont listen to my better and elders).
How can I afford my prices....I cant, thus my initial enquiry about pricing.
I think we are there now. My apologies once again.
Jason
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Philip or Jason or what ever your real name is you are just on a wind up just looks at your posts under Philip and sadly I replied too. I can understand banter between true pro’s as far as I’m concerned you are more then a rogue if you mislead us what are you doing to your customers? Don’t bother replying.
This ones for Mike and Derek I know you do this on voluntary basis, but why do you let these people duplicate there id’s? As far as I can see at times jokers rule on this forum with exception to a few! I suggest you use the forum name cleanitup and cleanup, but Len I hear what you are saying but I’m not listening: an old proverb! Oh by the way on another forum a gentleman man if you could call him that who threw his teddy out the pram because he couldn’t get a passkey. Sorry if this offends but?
Len
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Hi
I applaud Jason for 'coming clean' (excuse the pun).. He says he participated on this forum to learn...he has ...albeit a rather harsh way.
I believe Jason will read what other professionals are doing, raise his game to the benefit of himself and the profession as a whole.
He may even join the Associations in the correct way and if he fulfils all their criteria he would be made welcome.
Len
I, personally, cannot see if any duplications occur but this may well be picked up by Mike (in the engine room) and I know that he does deal with them as and when they take place.
Regards
Derek
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Derek
I agree in principal what you have to say about Jason, but why did he do it? Because he and others can!
Thanks for the feedback; I totally agree one needs to raise the game and profession.
I do hope Mike weeds out the rouges.
Len
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Len, you've got it all wrong mate, no wonder your other post says you get confused with names, it's really quite simple:
This is Jason, who thinks he's called Phillip who's profile says London but he's really in Huddersfield.He's new to the business and would really appreciate your help even though he's been doing it 3 years and would like some advice on his first machine purchase although he owns 2 steempros.Now what could be simpler and more straightforward than that? Honestly Len It's at times like this I think you're losing it! Get a grip for goodness sake!
Best Regards
Dave who thinks he's called Derek
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or was it Ken......Anybody know the way to La La land?
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Feeling completley depressed today/
Did some price shopping with regular advertisers in my local paper.
Not Advertising cut price image.
19x 12 room £25
They have
Been advertising at least 15 years
Phoned another £30 plus £15 protection
Now I know why I do not advertise in local papers.