Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Neil Williams on January 12, 2009, 08:28:53 pm
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By any standards today has topped all days for enquiries.
5 calls that I picked up not one converted into a job.
Yes there's a recession but why do the public think that everything has become dirt cheep.
The classic today was from someone moving out of rented this week. Located 8 miles away in the middle of nowhere, the sort of journey that you would be lucky to do 30mph and if anything on the road bigger than a mini came towards you, you'd end up stopping in the hedge.
Anyway she knew the room sizes :o which was basically 3 rooms each of 20 sq/m. With further questions she forgot about the stairs ;D then added I need the windows in and out done too.
Went through the speal about giving her the letter for the letting agent so that we would deal with any issues (piece of mind and all that) and then dropped in the price £152 plus vat.
5 seconds of quiet broke out and then "Oh the people who do my mothers place said they would do it for £90"
So why did she ring me when someone has quoted so low >:(
Another wanted so little doing that it fell into our min charge catogry. She asked how much more to 'protect it' so I said I'll do that within that price. "Oh thanks I'll call you back in 10 minutes" Never did >:(
And another 3 similar. I don't think the public are aware that they will be the cause of so many businesses going bust if they carry on like this.
Seriously thinking of buying another holiday rental caravan at this rate. 4 enquiries over the weekend....all converted with £2k+ in the bank.
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I had a customer today call and ask the price for cleaning his lounge carpet gave him a price and he huffed and puffed and said he'd call back but I knew he wouldn't and I've done work for him before.
I think people think that because there is a so called recession on that workman have to do things for peanuts the fact is that my phone at tea time has been busy so I was quite happy to stand my ground it was only £60 but I have just had in 4 other bigger jobs so I feel better i let it go.
Shaun
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I've found the people who would usually give you trouble on price are being extra thick at the moment.
Quoted a job this week and the lady was shocked that I should be charging more than £10 for an 8 x 6 rug.
On the whole though it does seem to be the time wasters that are suffering with the current economic climate as I am getting far less of them call even if the ones that do bother are extra stupid.
On a slightly different note I had a repeat client stop using me this week because she found out that "the carpet cleaner" (me) had been able to obtain a mortgage and move out of the rough end of town. (She is a midwife and did'nt realise she was talking to my sister in law with my wife also in the room). Can you believe some people - Does she think we should live in a mud hutt because we clean carpets for a living.
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Nice attitude she has there!
You should tell your wife to report back... you can't believe she can afford such luxuries as carpet cleaners, simply for pulling a few babies out of dark holes.
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jon777
you wanna try being a market trader for 14 years, ive moved up a class or 2.
derek
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I've found the people who would usually give you trouble on price are being extra thick at the moment.
This is why I'm noticing a different type of caller.
Not so long ago you could tell the price shoppers with the first 6 words they spoke "I was just wondering how much..........." and at that point you could throw a stupid high amount at them because you'd know you weren't going to get it.
Now I'm going through the full speach thinking there's a 80% chance of getting it (which is the way it used to be) but times have clearly changed.
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Hi Guys
I've had a good time this year, have got most quotes even a couple I didn't try very hard on ;)
I think sometimes we just get rubbish enquiries and when they come together it seems like you will never get another decent job and the recession is looming, but really just a bad run.
Tommorow will be better and just think do you really want the minimum charge jobs ?, just leaves space for a decent one.
Cheers
Doug
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People think they are going to get a good deal with cleanin carpets as most shops have offers on at the mo to keep afloat so guess they think we are the same,
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Spoke to a guy today and asked hows business. He said he was off to clean a three piece suite (Draylon not cleaned in seven years) and had quoted £60.00. The lady was most upset because she thought he'd charge her about £30!
I suppose its all about the conception about what we do, how we are going to do it, how long it takes etc.
Scary!
Gary
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Gary ;D
Thirty pounds ;D think they expect it cheap at the mo then lol ::)
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these people are PEASANTS >:( >:( >:( >:(
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these people are PEASANTS >:( >:( >:( >:(
another one for truckmounters. ;D
derek
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Derek
You mean fred ;D
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I had a scab ring me today, over using the word "mate" as they always do. He was ringing around for quotes to clean his a staircase carpet, in his tenement no doubt.
I told him to go away as he was blocking my line, he then told me to f** off! ;D
Matt