[Yash]

Hi All,

I've been in the game for a little while now, cleaning on weekends when asked to by word of mouth business. 

I now thinking of upgrading to a Craftex Grace 5020 portable because of it's twin vacs and ability to split in to two so that I can fit into my car.
Just wanted to know if anyone has used or uses this machine as I can't see any other machine with the same spec that I can easily lift and fit into the car.
At the moment I use the Craftex Sabrina Maxi (Most of you are laughing by now) but it's helped me gain confidence and a little in site into carpet cleaning. I only do small jobs with this though as I'm forever emptying and refilling it.

I'm also looking at marketing issues but I'm not sure how that's going to work while only operating on weekends. any ideas on this






           

[Adam Fearnley]

Just go fulltime and get a van.

[davep]

Yip swap the car for a van and then you wont look like a cowboy when you turn up 

[Adam Fearnley]

I still use a car, just took the front seat out and my machine fits nicely in along with everything else

[Yash]

Hi Adam
Good idea about the front seat....What machine do you use?

[Adam Fearnley]

I got a CFR eco 500, customer always impressed with it when I whip it out.

[justin brown]

i have a crafex grace as a back up machine and bought it for the reasons you state, you can split it in two and therefore it can become a one man operation, and secondly it is actually a good machine. good luck

[Adam Fearnley]

Yes its not a bad machine, just depends what car you have, I think it's ok to have a reasonable looking one, not a banger

[from edge2edge]

As has been said it does the job but any tradesman that turns up in a car when a van is required doesnt look committed to his profession to me so get a sign written van asap.Regards Alan(swindon)

[robert meldrum]

Can't agree with the theory of a car looking unprofessional when an estate car is used by dozens of pro's in many busnesses and can look highly professional.

The client doesn't care what you turn up in, it's what you do for them that counts.

Only other carpet cleaners get upset over such trivia. I've known several c/c's and many tradespeople who operate successful businesses from estate cars, some signwritten, some not.

I just happened to have a van when I started, but had the odd occasion when I've had to use a hatch back. Only negative came from a Rainbow guy, but I got his customer the next time they needed a clean ! 

[jasonl]

I used a tidy 53 plate Mondeo estate until recently . Got a signwritten transit now , certainly gives a better image out to  customers , and more confidence and pride in the job for me.

[Carpet Dawg]

Van vs car..... no comparison i'm affraid

Tony

[Paul Heath]

A good signwritten van is a major maketing tool. 

[robert meldrum]

Never make assumptions about " how the public perceive you ".  What they see is THE PERSON in front of them and later THE RESULT that person achieves / whether they deliver VALUE and are CLEAN / TIDY / RESPECTFUL of their property and themselves.

Sure you can get a lot more in a van ( I have a small van but it carries a Bane, a portable, a rotary, 100 feet of hose, buckets, chemicals, tools, and more ) but I could just as easily carry a portable with hoses, etc in a small hatchback and get as good a result.

I've known several c/c's who never used a van ( from choice ) but ran very successful businesses.

One of the highest earning c/c's in his country uses a non sign written van and turns up wearing shorts and unshaven................BUT he is a charming and very knowledgable individual and sells HIMSELF to his prospects.

[Mark Lawrence]

Is this a case of yet another person doing this part time out the back of their car - potentially taking work away from real pro's who do it full time?

Cheap flyers and mobiles by any chance? Who knows.

Havent got a problem with this if someone is starting up and they are serious - its the ones who do it at weekends etc (doing some other job during the week) and merely want 'beer money' or 'holiday money'. They charge cheap - and then the damage is already done with pricing in this industry.

An ongoing problem, that wont go away me thinks :

Mark

p.s. Robert I think you are wrong. Yes this may be the case when the custy is looking for cheapness, hell they dont care what you turn up in. But for higher job values, image (including van), professionalism, equipment, knowledge etc - does matter very much. Using Dave L as an example is a bit wrong as he is very much the exception with his appearance and approach.

[robert meldrum]

Mark

EVERYONE is different or we'd all have BIG VANS with BIG MACHINES and be charging BIG PRICES but we're not the same and although most will see the ideal as a BIG SIGNWRITTEN VAN some will very successfull doing things THEIR WAY. Cest la vie !

I agree with your sentiments about Firemen / Postmen, etc taking a considerable % of the market. It's been happening for many years and might even get worse.

[Yash]

Hi All,

Thanks for your reply's.
I was more concerened about the machine and Justin just put me at ease with reassurence regards the Grace 5020.

yeah I know I don't have a van and I don't work it full time but it's been ok as a tester, I don't advertise and i've only been cleaning for people I know. But now i'm thinkin of upgrading and marketing and i'm being a lot more serious about it. Trying to walk before i can run, so the van will come later.
I'm also thinking about training courses to get me clued up, i think this goes quite a long way to becoming professional and i'm looking forward to getting in the same league as you guys.
I really appreciate all the advice you've put forward, thanks!
Really gutted about the England result, so going back to having a drink, happy cleaning guys!
Talk to you later, Yash