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maxcarpets

Re: stupid question
« Reply #20 on: February 21, 2008, 07:14:08 am »
They do a better job
They save time
You look more professional
They leave carpets drier
etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc ....................................................

bluez

  • Posts: 519
Re: stupid question
« Reply #21 on: February 21, 2008, 10:35:19 am »
I looked back over about five pages but found no reference which is why I posted the question. Many thanks for the replies they are helpful.

I will probably be back on with some more stupid questions soon as it looks like I have to get into carpet cleaning if I am to keep my biggest window cleaning client sweet.
hi

garyj

Re: stupid question
« Reply #22 on: February 21, 2008, 12:04:44 pm »
That was easy  ;D ;D

Of course the truckmount arguments are right. If I had the workload to support one I would buy one immediately.

I've only used a truckmount once, it belonged to someone on here called Dave and it was fantastic.



richie

  • Posts: 1179
Re: stupid question
« Reply #23 on: February 22, 2008, 02:48:57 pm »
Gary,

Are you a full time CC?  Many carpet cleaners do not buy or upgrade to a TM just because of high work load.  Most would have a TM as they more often than not create a more proffessional image.  When i started my own CC company in 1998 i did it without having one single client.  I had been CCing for another company for about 6 years prior to starting on my own.  I bought a brand new HydraMaster 3.2 with extras costing me about £11,000, because i bought all new equipment i could only afford a van that was about 8 years old however the van was very tidy for its age.  I created work via friends & family to begin with then started sub contracting to the company i left to set up on my own.  I admit i never made a fortune but i did make enough money to feed my family and pay the bills.  I also did alot of demonstrations with John Gotts. 
My point been.......you dont really have to have masses of work to own a TM. 

Richie.

garyj

Re: stupid question
« Reply #24 on: February 22, 2008, 03:42:48 pm »
No, not a full time carpet cleaner, although I have been cleaning carpets for over 6 years ( 8 I think ) my main business is unfortunately commercial contract cleaning, which I hate, hence my 3rd venture into carpet cleaning on my own.

The image I portray to my customers is professional, even with a small Ninja, to them it is a big professional machine, it is to me too! The biggest mistake that a lot of carpet cleaners make with their marketing is they market to other carpet cleaners, not their customers. Sorry to tell you but a high majority of your customers have no idea what a truck mount machine is, let alone the difference between Hyramaster 3.2 and a Ninja 135psi. Every customer I have comments on my 'big' machine, don't forget 9 times out of 10 it is being compared to a Vax.

I have only had my Ninja for a couple of months and bought a van as well at the same time. In that short time they have both paid for themselves which is pretty good going but I cannot justify the expense of a truck mount at the momment, the girlfriend would never agree for starters as much as I would love one.

I accept they are more powerful and on the whole are capable of doing a better job with the extra psi and vac's they have, don't agree though that they portray a more professional image to the ordinary folk on the street. I would like to have a truck mount and if I stick at this and I get the volumn of work I will buy one, just for the ease of it more than anything else, I lose half an hour on every job dragging and carrying the Ninja around, but time is a luxuary I do have at the moment, I'm happy with one or two customers a day, it is all profit for me as apart from the paperwork and dealing with staff I do little else during the day, and I can assure you cleaning carpets is far more appealing than the hassle and stress of running a cleaning company.

I've heard of John Gotts, he used to write on here many years ago, what happened to him?


elliott cleaning

  • Posts: 778
Re: stupid question
« Reply #25 on: February 22, 2008, 07:44:28 pm »
Gary
Don't dismiss what Richie says to lightly.  Ok your business is general cleaning and yes I come across general cleaners all the time who vacuum office carpets with a Henry. We all know that they do very little to clean anything out of a carpet, but so be it.
If you hate that business so much & are thinking of venturing into the carpet cleaning business seriously, you would be wise to listen to the Richie's of this world.
Customers who value their carpets & thus are prepared to pay good money to have them cleaned do know the difference as to what system/machinery you employ.  The riff-raff who want their carpets cleaned for a tenner really don't care. But is that the market you want to aim for?

Luc

  • Posts: 247
Re: stupid question
« Reply #26 on: February 22, 2008, 09:09:32 pm »
I changed over to truckmounts 2 years ago and i have not looked back. i was always worried about using one at first as to whether or not it was a good finacial move due to the cost of one or if i could get to everyjob. To be honest i have only used my ninja 2 this year. I would have to say that the TM certainly  dose clean a lot quicker and dry carpets quicker. I have found that it draws a lot of attention when in use as people often comment on it. They do require more tlc and yes running costs are more. But, i have more time in the day and have found that i can fit 1 - 2 jobs more in the working day. I was really worried at first at how much quicker i was working and as to whether or not my clients would think that i was cutting corners, but to be honest i spend more time chatting to them at the end of jobs. After a year of using a spitfire i went and brought a promount 20 and now have both working. it was one of the best things ive done for my company

garyj

Re: stupid question
« Reply #27 on: February 22, 2008, 10:23:53 pm »
Elliot, I don't think I dismissed Richy at all, I think I agreed with him!!

richie

  • Posts: 1179
Re: stupid question
« Reply #28 on: February 22, 2008, 11:08:29 pm »
Hi Gary,

I didnt say you cant give a professional image with a portable.  You can do with ease however, a TM can easily produce a more professional image.  I agree alot of customers dont know the difference between a TM & a porty, but lets face it,  what would you rather if you were a customer.  A self contained carpet cleaning machine that does not use your water, does not use your drain/sink/toilet to empty dirty water down, does not use your electric or a porty that does use your hot water, that does empty dirty water down your sdrain/sink/toilet, that does use your electicity..  Not to mention a deeper drier clean and so on

Richie.