Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: davep on January 30, 2008, 04:06:28 pm
-
Are any of you members of the Eco Carpet Care Network?
Do you think you have a good usp going green and using the mini website they offer?
Ta,
Dave
-
It works for some but not all customers want it they just want a clean carpet using whatever is needed
-
Eco Carpet Care does VERY well on searches ...........that should be incentive alone :o
Cost about £100 or so to join now, with no ongoing payments ;)
If you have no site of yur own then it is a good way into first page in searches........... add link to your site if you already have one.
I have got EVERY job i have priced from ECC enquiry ................. the people who look there are looking for a certain level of service NOT a low level price 8)
-
Ta lads, i think its £150 now.. I agree with you Steve as when i have mentioned i am using no chemicals i haven't had much interest, like you say they just want it clean..
Do you think people may think you may be more expensive being green, bit like organic food that costs more?
-
May be a regional thing as i just come off phone whilst reading this .......... called me because of eco angle as the lady has a small child and another on the way.
Did job yesterday for comedian Marcus Brigstocke ............ just been in The Independant newspaper for carrying out a £100k eco friendly extension to his house ............... i only got the call because i am GREEN
People think your eco service will cost more but are happily surprised when it costs around the same ........ more for their money.......... plus the added value in their eyes.
-
Maybe people also think eco cleaning will not achieve the clean they require.
I think if you use the line 'no chemicals' it leaves the customer wondering what on earth does he use then.
Mark
-
I had an Eco carpet care website two years ago, after paying to 'rent' the site for one year, many of the benefits and facilities were taken away.
I received about twelve jobs from the site in a year, we developed our own sites after the above mentioned experience, on one more than one occasion our own site delivered more than twelve leads in one day, it now dominates this area in the rankings.
Personally, I do not trust the person running Eco carpet care, who initially contacted us, asking if we would join his network because the people he had originally signed up in this area were 'incompetent and unreliable' in his own words, interestingly, when we terminated the year long agreement with him, he immediately re signed the same people, which in my opinion suggested that money was his real motive.
Also, on last years carpet cleaners day out, I met other network members who did not only use Eco friendly products, they had made this very clear to the person running the sites, who didn't mind!
I believe its poor performance for us in this area was due to the fact that the way the site has been designed suggests that the site is owned by a National company, which is what people do not want, something else they don't want is a written disclaimer on the site, saying that Eco Carpet Care takes no responsibility for the work carried out by its members........mmmm this would certainly put me off as a potential customer.
Don't forget that the site is NEVER yours, and you will ultimately have very little control with it, this is my opinion.
Get a smart man like Mark Roberts on your side and don't waste time and money with someone else's site.
Regards
S
-
I had an Eco carpet care website two years ago, after paying to 'rent' the site for one year, many of the benefits and facilities were taken away.
I received about twelve jobs from the site in a year, we developed our own sites after the above mentioned experience, on one more than one occasion our own site delivered more than twelve leads in one day, it now dominates this area in the rankings.
Personally, I do not trust the person running Eco carpet care, who initially contacted us, asking if we would join his network because the people he had originally signed up in this area were 'incompetent and unreliable' in his own words, interestingly, when we terminated the year long agreement with him, he immediately re signed the same people, which in my opinion suggested that money was his real motive.
Also, on last years carpet cleaners day out, I met other network members who did not only use Eco friendly products, they had made this very clear to the person running the sites, who didn't mind!
I believe its poor performance for us in this area was due to the fact that the way the site has been designed suggests that the site is owned by a National company, which is what people do not want, something else they don't want is a written disclaimer on the site, saying that Eco Carpet Care takes no responsibility for the work carried out by its members........mmmm this would certainly put me off as a potential customer.
Don't forget that the site is NEVER yours, and you will ultimately have very little control with it, this is my opinion.
Get a smart man like Mark Roberts on your side and don't waste time and money with someone else's site.
Regards
S
Good post Spencer and makes loads of sence.
-
If your pictures / news are beneficial to the network then they will be used, Spencer was having trouble getting his left on his site.
My own website can show up above ECC in some searches, it is doing me okay with regular 2-3 jobs a month, all for NO outlay ;D
-
ps .................... i have also spoken with CC's who do not always use eco products but were using on ECC jobs.
I don't always use allergy products unless asked (for benefit of Paul & Steve :P) .............. i do not even carry any non eco products these days ::)
Have to say that the fact that the site is run for no profit now, does lend more confidence :)
-
Just one other piece of information, I cleaned a spillage up at the person's house that owns Eco Carpet Care, he had a difficult stain for me to remove, he sent me an e mail saying, 'try to get the stain out, I don't mind if you use non Eco friendly products' ???
He is a nice enough guy- family man, well educated, but I still feel annoyed that he showed himself to be someone that was not worthy of my trust, which I can't forgive.
S
-
If you go Green you can make it a win-win situation.
If you were to find a certified green product that you can work effectively with all the time, you will be "killing many birds with one stone"
Your prices would be constant so customers would receive your standard high quality service at your standard, not premium, rate. You would not be harming yourself, your customer, their children/grandchildren or pets with synthetic chemicals. Everyones a winner.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
-
Must say that Spencer is solely responsible for the new policy........... saves £500 joining and annual £500 .
Must get you a beer or two at next opportunity ;)
-
I totally agree Ken, our own personal sites subscribe to this view, I find Eco Carpet Care a little farcical though.
S
-
Chris, I will take you up on that, maybe a bit of singing afterwards. ;D
S
-
Spencer
Carpet cleaning and stain treatment/removal are two different propositions.
You can use your eco-friendly cleaner for pre-spray,rinse if necessary and as a spotter. You can use your vegetable distilled alcohols too. But you may need to discuss with your customer that for some stains you may need to revert to traditional solutions (never say Chemical to a customer).
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
-
I like to use the word solutions ;D
-
Guys I hope your are staying out on the 6th as I would like to hear more about this, ans also Straker owes me loads of 1664 :o
-
The eco owner asked me to remove his logo from my website (when allergstop member)because I had the audacity to question why would I want to pay for another site when my site was already no1 in my area.Would it guarantee me more work no was the reply so why spend another £500 a year plus running costs?
-
Glad I didnt bite on that one Steve. :)
Money saved ;)
-
ps .................... i have also spoken with CC's who do not always use eco products but were using on ECC jobs.
I don't always use allergy products unless asked (for benefit of Paul & Steve :P) .............. i do not even carry any non eco products these days ::)
Have to say that the fact that the site is run for no profit now, does lend more confidence :)
Chris the product was never an issue, it was good and did what it said on the packet.
Dont know what Steves thoughts are now but I would like to put that behind me, how ever J B seems to want to battle a little further :o , , if he knew the truth ;)
-
Hi Guys
I've got both www.greencarpetcleaning.co.uk and www.greencarpetcleaners.co.uk at the top of searches for Green Carpet Cleaning etc
I am currently in the process of upgrading them.
Without this sounding too much of an advert I may offer space/listing for a small fee, not quite sure which way to play it at present.
Cheers
Doug
-
Doug wait till the eve of the 7th and have a auction :D
-
Sorry Ken, I am not sure that I was clear with my last post.
I was trying to express my surprise that the person owning Eco Carpet Care wasn't concerned about the solutions I was using, as long as the stain came out.
Regards
S
-
Speaking as i find the Ecocarpetcare site has worked very well for me ,the owner has not charged a fee for this year for the site though it still gets me very good leads , the design of the site is outstanding IMO and shows up very well in the search engines . I can only speak for myself in running an honest business, and I know some very good established companies who are with Eco Carpetcare, and also some have moved on .Of course you still need yor own site but the two together gives you a powerful position on the net.
Mark
-
Thats what i meant ::)
-
Waters a chemical ::)
I dont find it supprising that the owner said its ok to use non eco products thats because he knows chemestry works best.
-
Literally, "anything could be used to remove mark as long as it is neutralised and rinsed away with appropriate solution " ;D
Many people will adopt this attitude for own benefit ............... i hear it often :o
-
;)
Exactly, we should all aim to leave only one thing in a carpet. Water.
-
Water is a chemical but alternativie words are advised such as solutions or cleaning products etc as some customers go over the top at the mention of the word chemical.
Mark
-
what I do not understand about so called Eco Cleaning is you only put on the equlivent to a pre sray.
Family Pet friendly wool friendly Cleaning companies are able to use a Pre Spray plus an extraction cleaning Agent in the tank therefore increasing the cleaning power over so called Eco companies its a bit like the bait and switch companies that only have cold water in the tank.
Yes the product has been tested to be safe for children pets and wool etc
-
My eco banner is run with MS/MP and rinsed with water or now use PureClean for boost if needed.
Do possess some Ultimate Master for heavy trashed communal stuff .......... still comes under Alltec's Healthy Home banner.
Added incentive is using with cold/warm water ................... saves energy from not using HOT water to clean.
Started to add bio fuel to van........... another point that my eco customers have picked up on and gains me more credibility ;D
-
With regards to the green products there is an alturnitive, Hydramaster do a complete 'Green Range' so you could sell yourself as green and use those also/as well as MS.
By the way 'solution' means a non translucent liquid. So MP is not a solution.
Your science teacher not tell you this.. lol
PS Thats not a critisism, dont take me to seriously just pointing out a interesting fact.
-
Funny enough......... on friends reunited, my nickname is Absent......... due to times i was !!!
Teacher may have mentioned it on one of the many days i was not there ::)
-
Thats a good point you make Ken - terminology can make a big difference - I too always avoid the term "chemical" and opt for "solution" instead. It does make an impression on the customer. I used to carry all manner of "solutions" but am steadily reducing the range. Microsplitters seem to work on most things for me. Has anyone tried Chemspecs Ecogent and if so what is the verdict?
-
That said......... M Power does allow some light through its liquid form so is in fact translucent ;D
" translucent
Partially transparent; permitting light to pass through diffusely. "
-
Bennie you are wrong this is the definition of solution....
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution; "he used a solution of peroxide and water"
Has nothing to do with whether light can pass through it or not!
-
No you right. Its not very clear cut at all though.. see number 5 does refer to transparency..
But hey im not going to think to long about this.. lol bit over my head..
PROPERTIES OF SOLUTIONS
1The particles of solute are the size of individual small molecules or individual small ions. One nanometer is about the maximum diameter for a solute particle.
2The mixture does not separate on standing. In a gravity environment the solution will not come apart due to any difference in density of the materials in the solution.
3The mixture does not separate by common fiber filter. The entire solution will pass through the filter.
4Once it is completely mixed, the mixture is homogeneous. If you take a sample of the solution from any point in the solution, the proportions of the materials will be the same.
5The mixture appears clear rather than cloudy. It may have some color to it, but it seems to be transparent otherwise. The mixture shows no Tyndall effect. Light is not scattered by the solution. If you shine a light into the solution, the pathway of the light through the solution is not revealed to an observer out of the pathway.
6The solute is completely dissolved into the solvent up to a point characteristic of the solvent, solute, and temperature. At a saturation point the solvent no longer can dissolve any more of the solute. If there is a saturation point, the point is distinct and characteristic of the type of materials and temperature of the solution.
7The solution of an ionic material into water will result in an electrolyte solution. The ions of solute will separate in water to permit the solution to carry an electric current.
8The solution shows an increase in osmotic pressure between it and a reference solution as the amount of solute is increased.
9The solution shows an increase in boiling point as the amount of solute is increased.
The solution shows a decrease in melting point as the amount of solute is increased.
10A solution of a solid non-volatile solute in a liquid solvent shows a decrease in vapor pressure above the solution as the amount of solute is increased.
-
If one uses green cleaning agents why cant you just dump your waist in the street its safe ant it so we are told. ;)
Solution is also problem solving. ;D
Len
-
Len
The stories I've heard from respected colleagues but not yet from a water authority, is that the problem is not our green or most regular solutions, but the soil we take from our customers carpets :o :o :o
When you think about it, they will take a worst case scenario. There could be blood or other pathogens in the carpet. We do come across some terrible stuff in ouir working lives that we are asked to remove from carpets and other textiles. To allow them to pass untreated into a watercourse or the ground our food grows from would be totally irresponsible.
I also gather that we're not really allowed to wash our cars and allow the water to run into storm drains. Certainly Car Wash facilities have to make other arrangements.
Finally, it was suggested to me in all seriousness, that in our commercial operations, we shouldn't be allowing fresh tapwater to be tipped onto land as this contains chemicals used in making the water hygenic, beneficial to our teeth etc. etc. ???
I firmly believe that the authorities have these regulations knowing that the householder isn't going to polute excessively, but they have the powers in place to take swift action if any person or busininess is creating an unacceptable problem.
A final finally. Many years ago, the water authority visited every home in our village. Fish were dying in our local stream/river. The problem turned out to be a (relatively) few householders who had had washing machines and dishwashers fitted which had been drained incorrectly into a storm rather than a foul drain. I was one of the guilty parties. Although everything was done amicably, all the offending householders were rightly given 14 days written notice to get things put right. The River Arrow through Alvechurch is now fine :)
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
-
Ken
So green is not so green just a marketing ploy big time! We all have to tell pokies some times. ;)
Len
-
Hi Guys
Len, whilst there is tendency towards cynicism with any of these green cleaning issues, getting involved with them has made me think more about how I am cleaning and I am definitely greener.
It is important that we do not make ridiculous claims , afterall we do not like it when our suppliers ridicule us with them .
Having said all that, as Chris has stated people are less worried about the price if they are seeking a green clean.
Cheers
Doug
-
Something that will affect our business was highlighted today, in a meeting with the three local authorities we deal.
It was at " meet the buyer " type meeting today and when discussing the tendering process, it became apparent that the " green " issue is now a consideration with local authorities and will have to be addressed on all future tenders, failure to meet this and other requirements will result in achieving a lower score and make it more difficult to win contracts.
So, like it or not, we have to comply !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rob
-
what is this site and is it realy any good ????
-
Susan
Look at Chris Straker's site and you will find the info in there ............you don't have to go down the A/S route though, there are plenty of other GREEN products around, the latest is Prochems Pure Clean which is getting good reviews.
rob
-
excuse my ignorance..................
but isnt "green carpet care" just another way of extracting more money from the customer?? :o :o ;) ;D
-
Yes and no ;)
Mark
-
Susan
Look at Chris Straker's site and you will find the info in there ............you don't have to go down the A/S route though, there are plenty of other GREEN products around, the latest is Prochems Pure Clean which is getting good reviews.
rob
thanks rob this is the route i want to take , so looking for as much info as poss