[paul moss]

Is it just me or is there a bigger influx of wannabe  carpet cleaners recently?

By me there has been a number of new comers for many months, many with no experience or training.

So it also begs the question are the forums providing too much info for these guy's?

[Pristine Clean]

I thought that was the reason for these forums, to help others new and experienced.

Ive been in the cleaning industry for years. Just like many others But I am still learning.

As for new carpet cleaners yes there are a few, just like window cleaners.

We specialise in commercial office cleaning, there are loads of people trying to do office cleaning. The main reason why they jump in is because its a fairly cheap startup in any area of cleaning industry.

We added carpet cleaning to our business a few years ago. I would say it was one of the best moves ever so far.

I will advise any new comer. I feel I owe it. I was helped on here and I still am helped out a great deal.

Dave

[Colin Day]

Perhaps you're right Paul, but if they are getting knowledge from CIU, that's got to be better than not finding out at all and having them ruin people's carpets/sofas. Nothing makes up for proper training though and I think they'll learn that from this forum.

I do think we need to be careful when it comes to marketting and pricing structures though, although I'm guity myself of dropping my guard, we should really never be making it so easy for other C/C's to see how we operate in case they are in your area. I remember my old C/C boss telling me how he used to ring other C/C's up for a quote to see how how he was measuring up.... You don't need to do that if someone's spilling the beans on a forum!

[paul moss]

 
Colin your nearly getting there.

[Len Gribble]

Paul

One has to start somewhere so I think this forum has the niche above others (unbiased unlike some) I don’t give a lot away but always willing to help if local

Yoda Len 

[Mark Lawrence]

Have to agree with Paul to some extent.

Its not the genuine CC's who want to stay the distance, but the ones that see themselves as making a quick buck cos they heard it somewhere (or part timers inbetween shift work - who want to pay for their hols or home improvements).

They believe that they can undercut everyone and take over the world. Invariably it doesnt work and they give up - but by then the damage has been done and the public like the cheap prices.

But how do you tell the difference between the genuine ones and the dodgy ones?

Mark

[Colin Day]

There's only one way to find out....... "Fight"

[garyfindlay]

I think the public need to be educated, in as much that turning up in an old car, with a puzzi under your arm is not professional. Lost count the number of times people say "that's a big machine" when you turn up at the door, or expect you to be finished a suite in 30 mins, because they don`t know any better. My favourite has got to be the custy trying to get me down in price. I asked if she was happy with the previous low price clean and she replied "NO" I rest my case your honer

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Have to agree with Paul to a point as Colin said but then again i started of with advice on here after doing some research at the cleaning show at the  NEC. One of the people who have helped me most IS PAUL !!!

REGARDS TONY

[paul moss]

Have to agree with Paul to a point as Colin said but then again i started of with advice on here after doing some research at the cleaning show at the  NEC. One of the people who have helped me most IS PAUL !!!

REGARDS TONY

Tony, that was a couple of years ago now.
I think times have changed fast in those 2 years and there are far more cleaners out there and with the economic down turn getting worse, then there will be less work.

Giving help is good but to what level does it then affect your own business?

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Three year Paul don't time fly when your having fun 

Cheers Tony

[Jim_77]

I think a Darwinian sort of natural selection comes into play.  Yes there may be an upturn in those guys with a redundancy pay-off who fancy a crack at it, but what % of those will even get off the ground?  Despite the best advice and all the training/help to hand, lots of guys will not take it all on board and will be gone in 12 months or so.

The ones who are left, most will realise they have to up their game, produce good results and price it up a bit, and then they become less of a problem because they'll not be so much of a competitor on price which helps the rest of us to win jobs on our own merits.

The low-priced new guys who copy price lists on leaflets are more likely end up squabbling over the lower end of the market, and to be quite honest they can have them

[Mark Lawrence]

But thats the problem Jim, its the low price ripple effect that does the damage. So why 'help' them put pressure on the genuine CC's to potetntially go out of business?

You can tell to some extent who they are....they only post with what they want, usually only a couple of posts alltogether, and never hear from them again. So for those, I wouldnt assist whatsoever, sorry.

Mark

[Colin Day]

It comes down to the fact that most don't allow you to see who they are or where they are from! If they were transparent, they'd get more help!

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

I can see wright through you Colin 

Cheers Tony

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Carpet cleaning is a classic market situation, there is no artificial interference and the Darwinian analogy is a good one.

It is the reason I am happy to give advice to potential competitors as they will always be there and they might as well know what they are doing

The market in Essex can only support so many CC's and only a few will survive on a full time basis.

Cheers

Doug

[sherco]

Another forum i belong too (Tiling) have an elite status, you either get elected or by putting up 500 posts, but not just saying 'I agree ' to other posts....Then there is an elite area on the forum where you only have access, so if you want to talk about carpet cleaning secrets etc you can without telling the whole world.

[Colin Day]

I can see wright through you Colin 

Cheers Tony

Funny you should say that, I am related to a large family up North called "Winder"... That's true as well

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

The people who really benefit are the suppliers, how many new starters have you seen with enough chemicals to last them 5 years, there must be loads of machines sitting in corners of garages and sheds!

Cheers

Doug

[Jason Ryan]

Agree with Jim, starting up cleaning or/and carpet cleaning service is one thing but running a BUSINESS is another thing.

How many will be around in 12 months time. You will see some newbies (in various trades) setting up in nice new vans and top equipment spending all there redundancy money or getting it on finance. All well and good, but things take time-especialy building up a good client base and they will find it hard to survive. Away from business bills you also have you OWN bills and if you have a family then it goes up even more, then its trying to get a constant flow of work. Most want it now, and its not like that - its long term.

Look at now with the weather and how its affecting work for most of us, those who been around a whille will have some work through regulars (and even then aint hard to get to in ice/snow). The new-ish ones will not have regulars and im sure would struggle to make ends meet at best of times while starting up.

Compertition is good and the longer your around it,s shouldnt be that much of a 'problem' (so long you do a good job). Id say it's worse being a builder/ paintor & decorator - look at how many are listed around where you are.

Cheers