[Neil Grainger]

Evening all,

I have just secured a job that I have always wanted to do and am hanging up my carpet cleaning business after 6 years. Just been excepted as a Train driver for South West Trains, always wanted to do it and great long term prospects

I was wondering what parts of the business are sellable, Highly placed website, Customer database with 6 years worth of business, marketing material. Phone numbers and cleaning equipment.

Website would go great for someone up and running in my area.

cheers

Neil

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Neil IMO I would chop it into pieces and sell it like that, you'll make it sell quicker and get more for it.

Not sure how much it's all worth but that's what I would do.

Good luck for the future

Shaun

[Peter Sweeney]

I agree with Shaun. Get Google analytics for the website. This way you can quantify the enquiry levels and place a fair valuation on it.

Best of luck with it Neil.

Pete

[Neil Grainger]

Cheers shaun.

Applied for it after we had to stay in the country after having to change our plans on moving to austrail beause of my wife's parents becoming ill. The whole process has taken a year from start to finnish just to get the Job.

Was thinking the same as regards selling it off. Will aproach some of the locals I know to see if they are interested.

[clinton]

Good luck neil with your new job.

Am sure someone local will make an offer..

[wynne jones]

Well done Neil, it's great to do something you really want to do rather than just a way of paying the mortgage.


Your database is by far the most valuable thing you have. If you invested in CleanersMate or similar and kept in touch with Clients, you will have a pure gold mine for someone. Work out average job price, no. of times per year repeat av. lifetime of customer, av referal value per client. Use this as a negotiating tool.

I can't see anyone buying your website unless they bought your business as well. Who would want a website with someone elses business name?

Sadly most carpet cleaners are one man bands with no system in place, no contracts in place, no maintenance plans, so 30years+ yields a second hand van and a few ebay bargains.    

[Mike Halliday]

how long before you start the new job? i would look to selling an ongoing business which includes a initial training & familiarisation  phase so anyone who buys the business gets to work with you for 6 weeks so they see the business.

this will give a potential buyer peace of mind they are buying a real, moneymaking opportunity. even it you keeps everything going while in-training for your new job.


or why not work part time as a C/C your job will be shifts won't it?

[Neil Grainger]

Mike

Part time would be good but the training programme is 2 years with the first 6 months as classroom Monday to friday. I dont think i would be able to fit it in.

[jasonl]

I would have thought selling the tangible assets off , and then trying to get a sum for the goodwill/phone numbers would raise the most. One tip , get all money up front , I sold a company on a payment plan ,and am having to go to court to get 65k plus costs and interest, leaving me very short.

If you can whip up interest and get a bidding war for your goodwill you could raise a tidy sum.

Good luck with the train Job.

[derek west]

chooooo chooooooo
good luck neil, all the best mate.

stick it all on ebay as relocation or going concern, list the lot, no reserve, and what will be will be, get shut and move on. thats my 2 penneth worth.

[MAX Carpets]

Hi Neil

Give me a call, may be interested. Be gentle with me though! Would be interested in Database & phone numbers, maybe website. I was advised to get out of CC because of health issues, but I am taking on someone to do my job in 2011. You can call me on 07592898298 or 01189 782529 or maxcarpets@hotmail.co.uk Good luck for the future.

Regards

Justin 

[Neil Grainger]

Hi Justin

I'll call you on Monday if thats ok, Have a good New year.

Cheers

Neil

[MAX Carpets]

No problem, when your ready. Happy New Year to you too !

[AJB]

Wife's cousin is a train driver, piled the weight on.
He's a real bloater now, but rather sickeningly
never earns less than 55k a year.

Good luck for the future.

[Joe H]

I would still love to be a train driver. Lived in a station masters house literally on a platform (even though my dad was a signalman at that time) for my first 11 years. Loved it.

[Matt Lindus]

Good luck Neil, should be a great job. The training is very indepth, but the outcome very rewarding. Non main line drivers earn about 25-30k, Main line 35-40K.


All the very best with it.
Matt

 

[Neil Grainger]

Its more the flexible hours than the money that will help me, salary at southwest Trains is £45,000 once qualified going up if you become long haul.

Really excited about it now though.

[derek west]

just make sure you don't go off the rails with all that money, dya get it neil, off the rails! trains!
you won't miss my jokes will ya?

i'll get me train.

[Neil Grainger]

It will be nice to have secure work, will miss not having as much cash in my hand that i can keep away from her in doors.

[waynebarry]

Hi Neil, you have mail