[Simon Gerrard]

As a professional carpet cleaner what is your weakest point?

I'm not the greatest at stain removal, but it is something I'm working hard to improve. For some reason I just seem to struggle with the more difficult stains, despite having all the latest and greatest stain removers.

Simon

[Colin Day]

Mine's being able to sell stain protector.... I can't seem to bring myself to sell something I have no faith in I suppose.

I did a test on my sofa and followed instructions to the letter.... Utter waste of money IMHO!!!!

[M.Acorn]

With you on that one Colin !!
In the 6 years i have been running i have prob only used 1x5ltr of protector,did buy a fresh batch last year,but got too the job to find polly prop,and not wool like the owner said it was,have been asked to protect polly in the past,but have said no point !
Really should try and up sell that a bit this year.
And knowing when too stop ,instead of banging away at a carpet that will never come clean,as it`s worn out..
Oh and trying to clean shadows !! Have spent ages trying to clean shadow away,only to turn on the lights and see it disappear before my eyes !!

[Colin Day]

Oh and trying to clean shadows !! Have spent ages trying to clean shadow away,only to turn on the lights and see it disappear before my eyes !!

Guilty of that myself

[Hilton]

I haven't got any    

[Ken Wainwright]

Cold selling is my weakest point. So I don't do it!

Colin.  In my earlier days, I had similar reservations about protector too. I am now utterly covinced that protectors work, and work really well.

If you protect a fabric, especially one with polyester in it, you are unlikely to get a significant surface bead-up if at all. Often the same with any carpet. But this doesn't mean that it isn't working.

The product I use has a guideline that it's effective for about 5 years. My lounge, Axminster's Dartmoor, was treated once when new in 2002. Two weeks ago my Grandson's potty was knocked over. Terry towel followed by paper towel. Totally dry. No stain. pH tested the next day and it was neutral. Play safe I spotted it anyway. So my protector works well, even if past it's "use by date".

I've started a very easy way to upsell protector. So far this year, I've sold more than in the previous four years : I might copy the details here after I've published in NewsLink.

Oh, and like Simon, stain removal is perhaps my weakest trade discipline, but if you are realistic of safe expectations and always under promise, you will never "own" someone elses carpet.

Safe and happy cleaning
The Ken

[M.Acorn]

if you are realistic of safe expectations and always under promise, you will never "own" someone elses carpet.

The only way to go about it in my opinion !
But i have had great results,but every stain is different,as you well know

[fenman]

Silly I know, but what the heck.

My Kids
My Wife
Norwich City

Not always in that order but don`t tell my wife.

[derek west]

no weak points on the carpet cleaning front and marketting is good, i would say finances and business knowledge are my weak points.

[Colin Day]

Thankyou for the invaluable advice "The Ken".... Maybe I need to really look into it in a lot more depth!

[AJB]

I've had amazing results removing virtually impossible
stains. usually the ones under the sofa . Unfortunatly
the same stuff out in the open where it glares at you,
is a different kettle of fish altogether.
Used to sub-contract and heavily sold protector, deoderisers
etc. I now hate upselling having spent 10 years under pressure
to. Used to sell regularly 45% plus on £1000 supplied.

[MAX Carpets]

lager

[Neil Grainger]

Eating to much crap whilst I am out working, struggle to drive past the greece spoon. Sometime's my spelling.

Urine stains for me, i hate them, also find upholstery can be a pain. Soem Upholstery just does not come up well.

[M.Acorn]

Eating to much crap whilst I am out working

Same here !! Terrible for eating garage sarnies,crisps,choc,mars drink !!
Not sure how i manage to keep below 11 stone

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Too much tea and coffee sends my inside brown

Shaun

[Ian Gourlay]

A leak.

Not getting £8 metre

Not  having customers queing to pay £8 metre
Not having a Cruise Ship to clean on a regular basis

[clinton]

Sometimes not charging enough when i do a small extra job ie small rug etc :

[diamond]

I dont have enough confidence in going for the big bucks. I know I can put my prices right up but am a bit scared when face to face on quotes.
Think a shot of whiskey before a quote will get confidence levels up.

[Joe H]

We have no weak points.

Just that some strengths are not as strong as others. 

[Simon@arenaclean]

Cotton floral print suites, hate them, hate them, hate them!