Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Barry Livingstone on June 13, 2008, 04:58:21 pm

Title: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Barry Livingstone on June 13, 2008, 04:58:21 pm
Hi i thought id try and take the easy route for a few years, but the company am working for is now pulling out of Scotland ......yeah yeah i no what you lot are saying down south ...lol....

But really is there a good time to re-start CC AGAIN .......ive been in touch with my leaflet supplier and hes ready to go!.......

So whats the market like for you guys the now in general?...
Oh and am looking out for some 2nd hand CC stuff the now.....

And before you ask why did i stop.......to stop the ex taking for for a fool.....and more ..$$$$$$$$ than i could be bothered with...
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Mr Dvae on June 13, 2008, 05:02:42 pm
now is the best time do start..... and the same answer at any time of year

regards

Dave
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Mike Osbourne on June 13, 2008, 05:05:56 pm
You will be able to pick up cheap kit over the next year or so that's for sure.
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Barry Livingstone on June 13, 2008, 05:26:54 pm
yeah due to the fact CCs are chucking it in !!! i no 2 or 3 cleaners that arent doing so well, they say they are but you see there van sitting in the asda car park .....!
Might just go TM straight away to get back with a bang!
time to do the sums i think?
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Dave_Lee on June 13, 2008, 06:11:05 pm
I dont think the present economic climate is the time to start anything, although I started in the midst of a reccesion back in !980. It was hard work trying to get going and nothing really happened for two years. Then as the reccesion receded, things got gradually better. Met a guy the other day who had put all his money into an estate agency franchise. He signed up just before the market went bump. He has to pay rent on his premises and his broadband etc and only has a couple of Grand left for his launch. But he has been advised not to launch yet as he would just be wasting his time and throwing his money away.
Dave.
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: john rees on June 13, 2008, 06:31:45 pm
Hi James,
              I have to agree with Dave totally, I've never had so many phone calls as I have had lately from carpet cleaners asking if I want to buy equipment from them or asking if I have any jobs going! I think it's only the long established cleaners with the large customer base will survive. Sorry I couldn't be more positive but I would hold fire at the moment if I were you, but you will surely pick up some bargain price equipment now ready for when you restart in the game when it picks up a bit.

                         All the best
                                           John
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Paul Kettless on June 13, 2008, 06:42:30 pm
Either that or you back it up with an additional income.

Monies for me are ok as a boost of income to a growing concern (established cleaning side)  I could not survive on carpets alone at the moment.

I hope you have plenty of money set aside for advertising, as you are going to need it.
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Barry Livingstone on June 13, 2008, 06:53:39 pm
I was thinking along with leaflets cold calling on commercial customers, if there are 300 local company offices around me, so some must need carpets cleaned!...either that if ive a TM go to my local RACE track and see if they need a mobile carwash...the foam type! they have events on all weekend every weekend!..........or have i just told you all my secret ...lol.... :P

I think you should be able to maket your way out ofthis so called CRUNCH...from a standing start....well it wouldnt be standing cos, id mail all my old custys.
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: maxcarpets on June 13, 2008, 08:01:51 pm
Now is a great time to start....................training as a Baliff!
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Len Gribble on June 13, 2008, 08:44:00 pm
Two estate/letting agents have closed last week in my town wonder which ones will be next; also have a large office block near me car park 1/3rd full.

James123 Go for it, there’s a couple of TM for sale in buy section look good (both are upgrading)

Justin

Be polite but forceful 8)

Len
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: *paul_moss on June 13, 2008, 08:55:38 pm
Two estate/letting agents have closed last week in my town wonder which ones will be next; also have a large office block near me car park 1/3rd full.

James123 Go for it, there’s a couple of TM for sale in buy section look good (both are upgrading)

Justin

Be polite but forceful 8)
Len


 ;D ;)
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: paul wright on June 14, 2008, 02:34:45 pm
james i hav some cheap gear all that u need to be truckmounted but not the high costs of buying and running a prtrol truckmount in a huge van, email me mate
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Doug Holloway on June 14, 2008, 02:54:15 pm
Hi Guys

I started just before the last recession , had a wonderful 12 months the the problems began.

It was extremely tough and I would strongly suggest you get some other income and build part time initially.

Getting a TM is going to make little difference in the short term.

Regards

Doug
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Barry Livingstone on June 14, 2008, 02:56:37 pm
they way i see it i need to get back to it and be better than whats out there the now. There is only one other TM near me and hes 20miles away.

Paul email on its way .
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: sherco on June 14, 2008, 03:25:46 pm
I have been meaning to start my cc for a couple of months now, done the training got all the kit etc i wanted to run it along side my wall and floor tiling buisness...But whats happened over the last couple of months is alot of tilers in my area who have only been doing it for a few years have packed up, so the tiling is booming in my area as i have been doing it 20 plus years and im really busy..So maybe this could happen in the cc buisness,  people wont be able to survive and the ones that can will keep busy.
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Barry Livingstone on June 14, 2008, 03:35:55 pm
Why be a CC when yor a tiler?
plus the good thing is i dont need to be the main bread winner .....and i have all my old client list......
with all the new sales and maketing methods i picked up over the past 2 years should hold me in good stead.......i think .....i dont see as any diff as from when i started the 1st time round in 1999..
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Kev Loomes on June 14, 2008, 03:50:26 pm
...people wont be able to survive and the ones that can will keep busy.

Unfortunately in this industry there will always be someone who will do a cheap job with cheap equipment to boost their full/part time job.

Even though there is a 'credit crunch' at the moment this is probably actually forcing more people to find extra work apart from their normal job. Yes some could disappear because times are hard, but then again there will always be new ones starting trying to earn extra money.

Its a vicious circle.
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Doug Holloway on June 14, 2008, 05:04:46 pm
Hi Guys

A sure sign of the times is the amount of equipment for sale on eBay.

In some ways it is very cheap to start up, but as we all know it costs ten times as much in marketing as it does equipment.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: mark_roberts on June 15, 2008, 04:44:31 pm
A TM will not get you business.

Getting business is up to your own personal sales abilities and drive.

Getting customers at the minute is more difficult as some idiots are quoting really cheap just to get work so your having to be more effective at selling.  A local gut quoted £60 for a job I quoted £340 for.  i got it as the customer thought it was too cheap and this guy has been going a while.

Only you know if you really have it but I wouldnt sink all your money at one go rather start small and build over time as the market allows.

Mark
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Mike Osbourne on June 15, 2008, 05:16:52 pm
I'm really glad I got into this business, I really enjoy it. However I'm not sure if I would have started if I knew then what I know now.

I thought it was a small setup and small income business. Now I realise that if you break even in your first year you are a superstar or very lucky. That means you probably need 12 months living expenses in the bank rather than a truckmount.

I also now know that you only see the fruits of your labour a few years down the line offerring a reasonable income and a flexible lifestyle.

It's different if you have been in the job before and should be an easier ride old clients an all, but I'd try to remember the reasons I got out of it in the first place very carefully.
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: markpowell on June 15, 2008, 09:04:57 pm
Well said Mike and Doug my thoughts exactly
mark
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: Barry Livingstone on June 18, 2008, 12:24:07 pm
it was more to take time out, and so the exwife wouldnt take me to the cleaners.
Looks like i might team up with someone local.....

In fact no looking at all had a goog meeting the day were going joint on monday . ::)
Title: Re: Good time to RE-START?
Post by: ollie on June 18, 2008, 08:44:35 pm
Its funny but this month is the best month ive had since i started trading 3 yrs ago by £2000 up till today. Ive got nearly too much work on at the mo. I hope its not a bad omen!