Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: David_Annable on November 02, 2007, 05:36:34 pm
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Hi
Who diliberatly dosn't have a signwritten van.
I find that it dosn't really generate much work.
But obviously when you pull up outside a customers house it looks better.
Dave
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Plain vans get broken into more often ................ plus i do not know why a business would not use its prime advertising space :o
I used to have magnetic signs when i sub contracted work but would not be 'unwritten' now.
www.bossdog.co.uk ......................... top finish, great prices and good service 8)
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Dave unless you have been in business ages or have a massive customer base then a sign written van is a no brainer. I get a few jobs every year just from the van.
In our business the work comes from a lot of different areas. eg
Papers
flyers
yellow pages
bt
local mags
referals
internet
recommenations
etc etc
the van signage also plays it part.
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A "good" sign written van has to generate work whether driving round or parked outside a job people are going to see it. The name has to be prominant both on the side and the back.
BICS (contract cleaners) used to use unmarked vans until they got a marketing guy in who was flabbergasted. Just putting a simple logo on the vans increased their profile and orders greatly.
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going back to the original question
Who diliberatly dosn't have a signwritten van?
the bloke that robbed our local petrol station, strangley didnt have one
HE STILL GOT CAUGHT THOUGH ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Just got a job today, regular commercial office clean, 3 days a week, 4 man hours a time and they want their carpets deep cleaned to start with.
When I asked where they got our details from, the reply was "I've seen your vans all over the place and got the number from one of them"
No doubt it was parked outside a burger van!!
Just bought a Doblo MPV yesterday and that's getting all liveried up on Saturday, nice and simple, who we are, telephone number and a cover all sub title of "Commercial & Domestic Cleaning" One decent job and it's paid for.
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I think having your van sign written is a must!
Answer to your question though: People that dont have their van signwritten are:
1). Too busy, they dont need extra work
2). Contract cleaners that MUST have a plain van
3). Splash and dashers that dont want to be caught
4). Driving around pretending their not a carpet cleaner, plumber perhaps ;D
5). Cant think of another reason ::)
Its free (when paid for) 24/7 advertising and re-assurance when you arrive at a job that you're the company the customer called from whatever advert.
I get a job once or twice a month from my van (sometimes more, sometimes less), latest was week before last when at a petrol station. Lady came over and asked for a quote while i was filling up, booked her in and did the job this week.
Also jobs from neigbours seeing van working on their road.
Even had calls while driving from people behind me in traffic!
As said above, it is a no-brainer. For what it costs possibly the best one-off advertising cost you can have.
All the best,
Jason.
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Exactly as Jason says.........took a call once and always ask where they saw my number........reply was "I am in silver Range Rover behind you" ;D
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Some of the best, most high priced carpet cleaners in the UK and USA have vans that are not signwritten. They don't want to waste
time Auditing/quoting and trying to sell to people who have just seen the van and asked for a price. They much prefer to spend time with "Pre-qualified" clients; i.e. referrals that already know from friends that they aren't the cheapest but ARE the best.
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Hi
That is more on the lines I was thinking.
Thanks
Dave
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We use unsigned vans as we work for a number of companies and utilities and when attending jobs on their behalf we represent them not us. Must have cost us thousands of pounds in lost opportunities over the years.
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Never had to go and quote for job from van.............told them £4 per sq metre and they have an idea of how many metres involved so have figure in mind..........book job, then confirm amount before starting.
Luckily i do most of my work in affluent areas so that is one hurdle overcome, as the spotters must be in that area ....... often pick route home so i do not go through council estates etc .................... a bit snobby but realistic....... brought up in council care and lived in council flats but i know where the bigger jobs are and target them.
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Dave Liahona doesn't have a sign written van. I guess it's partly security reasons for his bigwigs and he goes after the clientele he wants so no need.
As a relative newbie I think indirectly it helps. When I quote I quite often get another close to the first because they saw the van and reminded them to call on a leaflet.
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A good thing to do as well is when you arrive at a job, quickly stick some leaflets through the surrounding letter boxes saying you will happily give them a quote when you finish. I think Servicemaster do this to good effect.
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Hi Guys
Just looked at my Stats , just under 1200 so far this year and hasn't cost me a penny (this year).
Cheers
Doug
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I suppose what we dont know is how many people see a sign written van, dont do much about it there and then.
but when they do want their carpets cleaned and perhaps look in a directory and see the same name or logo then it all clicks together "Ive seen that van-I'll give e a ring".
Hopefully my van will be signed by this time next week.
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Dave
For two years now I have an un-signed van, I seem to get more work when filling up the tm at a petrol station, or the noise it makes a defiant attraction! Have considered having it re-done, but gunny nicked my idea (shame on you I feel pretty Oh so pretty I feel pretty and witty and gay 8))
Think I may fall into Jason categories, what a bummer! ;D
Len
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Dave, in answer to your question, I deliberately dont have a sign written van.
For the same reasons I dont advertise either. Mostly I dont want as a client the person that would phone me because of a van add.
As John has said, I too represent so many different people that I couldnt have a sign written van.
As has also been said. Well at least in the states that most of the higher earners have just plain vans. I might add too that they are usually any other colour than white.
Mine is white but one day I will spray it again in my own colours.
I still am able to use my van as an advert so to speak but thats by whats in it, not its cover.
Chris, may be different over here but in the states more written vans get broken into because the add not only suggests what you do but also suggests what you may have in the van.
Plain vans dont get broken into for the same reason. Nothing suggested on the outside so probably nothing on the inside.
Not only that and again maybe this is a yank thing but sign written vans cost more to insure and are targets for the sue happy Americans.
Best, Dave.
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Dave......... luckily English scumbags who break into vans, generally have no wish to tidy up so they look for builders vans for tools........they are widely unwritten and therefore make other plain vans a target.
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I definitely get business from our domestic cleaning signwritten cars. However, for carpet cleaning, my van very often is not on the street or visible from the street. I was thinking of having a small stand-up sign (like those metal signs outside newsagents etc) but smaller, with the card holder box saying something like 'Carpet & upholstery cleaning here today - please ask operator or take card'. What do you think, or has anyone already done this?
Turney
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Sorry but sign written vehicles are very beneficial for corporate branding on a nation-wide basis. examples would be Royal Mail, Warburtons, TNT, Parcel Force etc.
As for a small independents Its not really worth bothering with, you may get the odd 1 or 2 jobs a year but no more.
But, and I do say BUT, this business is all about pride and if it makes the owner and the owners family proud, why the hell not!!
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Been thinking about using a "novelty" van to attract the gaze, what do you think of this one?
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Sorry, cannot get the pic to show, tried to attach but it will not play.
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Now I have a van (for long time worked from an estate car) I look at it as my shop window - its just mobile.
So have had some stencils done and fitted today.
Attached a photo. Photos taken BEFORE I fitted business card holder so see other post re business card holders for altest shot of that.
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Very smart ........like the & MORE bit .......... that is why i added PLUS..
People ask me what else i do without me pushing it ;D
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Chris - I think I pinched the idea from someone........ I'm just wondering who it was!!! Ah yes! .. it was YOU. Thanks.
The guy who did the stencils for me has got a new machine and he is happy to do some free extras for me (to test the machine).
Would you, Chris, put anything else on or is it enough in your opinion?
I'm not NCCA but am thinking taking the course early next year, if i pass could put that on - but thats a maybe and not til next year anyway.
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Personally i would have put more detail on sliding door ....................... still visible when it is open.
Or you put your number larger onto glass there.......it would show all the time plus it would disrupt the prying eyes looking at your stuff in van......... could fit white mesh inside to highlight and provide security...... i have black one inside my rear windows that does both jobs.
Website would be good as LARGE letters along bottom from wheel to wheel.
Mobile could be made bigger on doors as it will remind people looking at it, that they will be calling you direct!! ....... not such a good idea if you look like me though ::)
Really think number should be larger as it is the most important part that needs reading and you wont always be stationary..............................very crisp and smart overall ;D
Imitation is a form of flattery .........so thanks for that :)
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Yes, I was looking at doing more on the sliding door.
I'm happy having the & leather on its own line. Why? I like cleaning leather, and I get the impression a lot out there don't know there are cleaners of leather.
Thinking of adding on sliding door stain treatment & carpet protection (not stain removal cause removal is not guaranteed).
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Stopped adding too much text to mine .......added the line Wandsworth Guardian Green Business Of The Year 2007 in reflective white on green strip ....... eye catching day & night ;D
Luke at BossDog is responsible for design and application 8)