[MAX Carpets]

Well we cant blame the snow (yet) Normally January is a good month for us, done a big mail shot and usual offers etc, but very slow? Think we are being hit with VAT increase etc etc etc .............and Enterprise maybe? How are you all finding Jan so far?

[Matt Seymour]

Haven't had a single call in Jan.

VAT increase, generally bad economic climate and Enterprise doesn't really do anyone any favours.

Can't see things getting any better anytime soon either.

[seamus campbell]

Happy New Year,

think its to soon to start worrying about January, let people get over the hols, And im pretty sure the v.a.t rise wil have no impact on carpet cleaning  extra £2.50 on a £100 spend , Dont think it will put to many of if they need the job done .

[Matt Seymour]

I agree that the VAT increase in real terms doesn't make all that much difference to carpet cleaning, but it's the psychological effect it has.

At the moment it's all doom and gloom and stories of financial woe. VAT increase, public spending cuts, redundancies, dead housing market, fuel price increases and only today it is being reported that Christmas high street sales figures are well down on last year.

All in all it just makes people nervous and less inclined to spend money.

[from edge2edge]

Guys I think the problem with the 20 per cent rate of vat is that its a no brainer for customers to work out that if one guy says £100 no vat then the other guy says £100 plus vat then its a fifth extra so if you charge vat the customers can easily work out how much extra they give you for the same value job to them.Regards Alan(not vat registerd)

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

Took 5 bookings this morning for Jan and 4 of them asked if the VAT was included. This VAT rise is hot topic at the moment but will dye down. Something else will takes its place as the hot topic... like the Royal wedding or something. Patience dear fellows... thats all we need

[The Great One]

Took 5 bookings this morning for Jan and 4 of them asked if the VAT was included. This VAT rise is hot topic at the moment but will dye down. Something else will takes its place as the hot topic... like the Royal wedding or something. Patience dear fellows... thats all we need

What colour will it dye down too 

[Colin Day]

For those who don't need to charge VAT, this can work in your favour if you advertise the fact.... Just don't get too busy and crash through the VAT threshold though  

[JandS]

Would imagine VAT increase does make a difference between
getting a job and not getting.
Get 2 quotes for a job and both quote £100 but one is + VAT
why would you choose to pay £120.
The bigger the price as well the bigger the difference.

John

[derek west]

always look on the bright side of life,

do do, doo do do do do  do.
 

this is my third january and i'm positive i won't be busy, never have been, never will be, but i bet by the end of the year ive beaten last years total.

[JandS]

Probably been asked less than 10 times in the last
3 years if I charge VAT.
Might be a bit more now though.
Good idea by the way Colin.

John

[wynne jones]

Whatever seasonal or other excuse we come up with, generally the trend for carpet cleaning is lessening year on year for domestic.

Getting into CC is not as cheap as people think and the expected returns could take years to materialise. Although I love it, I wouldn't start in CC now. Most people have just invested too much time, money and energy to admit it's a declining industry.

The good news is, those that are most flexible will still be around when the rest have all given up.

[M.Acorn]

What`s the V.A.T Threshold ? Are you allowed to earn 65k before you need to register

[jasonl]

I have beaten last years turnover in total already with water damage jobs started , will take until March to complete them all.


Oh sorry WD is a waste of time for an  independent operator

[absolutecleaning]

What`s the V.A.T Threshold ? Are you allowed to earn 65k before you need to register

70k now Mark

[M.Acorn]

Won`t need to worry about that for a bit then.

[seamus campbell]

Gentlemen,  I think we are getting confused between paying vat and the vat increase, Its an extra £2.50 on a £100  if your vat registered, of course your prices will be cheaper if your not charging vat, but you also cant claim back vat on petrol, chemicals, equiptment , and any other business expences, The same way i would bet that no-one saw a big upturn in business when vat was reduced to 15% last year, Either swallow the rise or charge it on, But dont its somthing that going to effect yours sales,

[MAX Carpets]

Mark

VAT threshold is based on turnover not profit

[clinton]

Should pick up for everyone when the month gets into gear..lets hope the newbies do get work too.

[Ian Rochester]

I did a 120 leaflet drop yesterday on my way back from Restormate, it was just in one estate ...... it's already turned into £960 worth of work.

If you're not getting people calling you, get out there and look for it, people don't naturally think "I need a carpet cleaner", or "I need a window cleaner" you need to remind them that they need you!

Asa for VAT, we've just increased our window cleaning prices by between 10-20% across the board to cover VAT rises and fuel costs.  So far nobody's complained, and why should they, every other ligitimate business is doing the same, our diesels gone up from £1.179 to £1.329 over Christmas and people are still driving around and filling up.