Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Doctor Carpet (Ret'd) on July 11, 2008, 06:35:31 pm
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Received a cold tele-sales call with a difference today. Obviously I didn't make a decision there and then and asked for some info to be sent to me. Below is the email which was sent.:
"We are only looking for a select few companies to become our Priority Partners in Stockport and under your business classification we do not yet have a company on board. If you were to become a Priority Partner then every customer for the time being will be directed through to yourselves until a second company comes on board and it will then start to work purely on a rotational basis.
The cost to cover Stockport for the year is only £600 + vat. You would not be required to pay the full amount up front, in order to secure your area and enable us to start directing customers through to yourselves we would need to take a 36% deposit and the remaining balance would be made payable over a five month period of interest free direct debits.
As discussed, please find enclosed information on how COMPANY can help deliver new customers to your business.
* The Number UK Limited is the largest directory enquiry service in the UK
* COMPANY is the most dialled number in the UK
* We have 42% market share*
* We received 140 million request in the UK in 2006
* Over 40 million SMS text are sent each year
* Over 40 million page impressions on COMPANY.com per year
We can help deliver new customers to you with the following package.
* ENHANCED PACKAGE
* PHONE//AD
When COMPANY receive a request for a specific business type in an area, one of the Priority Partners will be provided on a rotational basis. (There will be a limited number of Priority Partners)
A "call whisper" announcing that the call is from COMPANY will identify each customer delivered to you.
* TXT//AD
Of the 140 million requests COMPANY receives each year, over 40 % are from mobile phones.
Each mobile request automatically receives the number returned by text.
Each text we send will be customised by you to promote your company, special promotions etc.
In addition, it allows your customer to save your number on their mobile phone.
* WEB//AD
When a customer searches for your type of business in an area via our website your priority web ad will be positioned towards the top of the results page. You will have up to 300 characters to customise your Web page.
* COMPLEMENTARY PACKAGE
TXT//AD
When COMPANY receive a request for a business by name in your desired complementary category and location, your contact details will be attached to the text message sent to the customer. For example you are a florist; you have chosen weddings as your complementary category.
WEB//AD
When a customer searches COMPANY.com for a specific that falls in your desired complementary category and area, your company details will be displayed on the right of the screen.
* COMPETITIVE PACKAGE
TXT//AD
When COMPANY receive a request for a specific business by name in your desired category and area, your contact details will be attached to the text message sent to the customer.
WEB//AD
When a customer searches COMPANY.com for a specific business within your desired area, your company details will appear to the right of the page
As discussed this product is based on limited availability, and works on a rotational basis. "
Certainly quite focussed advertising. I would also guess that any potential client who rings directory enquiries isn't going to then ring back and ask for more numbers so that they can make price comparisons.
However, is this more likely to attract those who have just had a disaster rather than a full proper clean?
Would it attract a different type of client to which I am normally trying to generate?
I thought I would share this with all of you as it is a little different (doesn't necessarily make it any better ;)) and gather your thoughts before I converse with the lady next week.
I do have some additional thoughts to the two questions posed above but I thought I would wait for a few responses so as not to influence your ideas as obviously it was only me she spoke to.
Oh, and yes. One big question is how many others from the same category will be allowed to have priority?
Roger
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The only CCs that would take this sort of thing up are those relatively new to the business, because those that have been around for a while will know that this sort of thing is a waste of a money. You would be lucky to even get your money back in my opinion.
Dave.
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Bollox. Stick to time proven marketing. It's been discussed umpteem times on here in the past.
People searching the internet for carpet cleaning they will look at carpet cleaning sites not directory sites. Get a good website and spend the 600 quid to get it optimised and adwords.
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Have to agree with Dave and John.
When people come to YOU with a brilliant marketing idea, the only thing that's likely to happen is you lining their pockets and getting bugger all back from it.
I've never heard of them.
Tell them to stick it.
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I.ve been trading now for about 18 months . the money I have wasted on mickey mouse advertising is unreal . I have had just 2 calls 2day both from previous customers , not asking how much , but can you come and clean my carpets . Do a good job and with decent equipment thats how you build a business .
John
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Thanks for the replies everybody.
The company was 118118. :o :o
Given that you now know the name of the company would your answers be any different?
Personally, I think it would attract the type of clients I do not want. I also think you are right that it probably wouldn't bring in enough business to cover the costs, although I might be inundated with price shoppers- but see also the end of my first post.
Roger
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wouldn't change my reply at all :)
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Had a similar call on Wednesday. Still not had any info. I think they are a rip off. Personally I would stay well clear
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complete waste of money ,imo
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Hi Guys
Second what has been said, all the risk is yours.
Give it a wide berth.
Cheers
Doug
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118118, same answer as before, only more so!
Dave.
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They've got your number ::) ;D
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I get calls like this all the time. What annoys me is I am a member of the telephone preference service which should mean I do not get cold called whatsoever! So are what they doing illegal?
John
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TPS isn't enforced by law, only by voluntary compliance.
Anyway, you may have or have not ticked a box somewhere meaning that they can contact you. Not necessarily with them but with someone else you gave your details to.