[Jamie Pearson]

What happens when you buy an oven valet from curries / comet.

Is it an independent that attends?

[Hilton]

I have to have a chuckle at those who post things along the line of ' Its only a maybe' I bet Quick Fit were not saying that when they heard Tesco were entering their market, or Homeserve when they got wind of it. They would have prepared themselves to hit back with all manner of incentives and improved service.

Forewarned is forearmed, If they do not use the major franchisors then I suspect they will be looking towards local suppliers who would all be members of the NCCA (who will probably ignore this) fully insured of course and maybe Trading Standards Approved. I reckon if you were to get included you could probably guarantee year round custom.

Tesco's are definitely operating their Home Services in Swindon but not carpet cleaning (at present) at this stage its only a trial.

As for Rug Doctor operating out of their stores, how easy would it be for Tesco to look back over the past 3 years and see how many times the cleaners have been ordered out at any particular store, put the data together and then asses the benefits of offering their own service, with the might of their marketing machine behind them. As people do  now, walk in get your shopping and then book a carpet clean at the same time or do it on line with a guaranteed date and time slot.

Tesco is the 4th biggets retailer in the world, they want the lot I would not be at all surprised if at some point we have Tesco approved cleaners out there.

[seamus campbell]

Do you seriously think every carpenter , plumber and spark, is sitting worirng about Tesco breaking into the market, And nobody knows if its even a maybe, I dont think i will start drawing up my battle plan just yet .   ;

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

If, as has been suggested by others on this forum, there isn't enough work out there to keep carpet cleaners busy - why on earth would Tesco want to get involved.

Or, just maybe there is shed loads of work around just waiting for you to capture.

Its not that there isn't enough work... Its the fact that its getting to expensive so they won't buy. Our prices are in a way being dictated by the suppliers of equipment and chemicals. The price of the machinary now by some of the sellers is astronomical.

[JandS]

Your right about the equipment prices Monty.
Been looking at buying a new Drymaster tool.
£480 including "the dreaded" over here.

From America it's less than $480 inc shipping.
That's approx £263 + £37 shipping = $300
Know where I'll be buying.

John

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

I now get most of my stuff from the US as allot cheaper. I am thinking of setting up and importing equipment and spare parts etc and selling on to the end user at a more realistic price. We are not paying for just the product anymore... we are paying for the particular brand. Makes me laugh cos most of it made at the same place. For me, it's not about masses of profit... its's about the right product at a reasonable price and this inturn should create customer loyalty. If we all stick together we could infact drive the prices down here

[clinton]

Sounds a good idea monty and am sure you would have a good few clients form here for a start too.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I was thinking about this topic today and was thinking like a customer may think here goes,

"can I have my 3pc suite cleaned a pack of pork sausage please"

Shaun

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

I wonder if they will get double points?

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

To be onest I was thinking of rounding up about 20-50 of us and each throwing in equal amounts and all becoming equal share holders importing the stuff, and we become our own supplier, and the supplier to others. When you really think about it.... not that hard to sort out.

[jasonl]

...And dont forget my clubcard points .

Tesco sub out all non core services, insurance is with aviva, mobile is with voda, credit card is with lloyds , etc , transport is done by Stobart , would not be any different with carpet cleaning.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

possibly go to that chemy dry thingy or is it dry chemy clean

[Ian Gourlay]

If everybody was happy there would be nothing to talk about.

Except  committing suicide because you are the only one who is not

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I remember a few years ago some cleaners decided what they wanted from the US then put a shopping list together and then found a supplier that sold or could supply it all, how it landed in the UK and got distributed I have no idea, if I remember the £ to $ was the same as it is now.

Shaun

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

I remember a few years ago some cleaners decided what they wanted from the US then put a shopping list together and then found a supplier that sold or could supply it all, how it landed in the UK and got distributed I have no idea, if I remember the £ to $ was the same as it is now.

Shaun

Sounds like they were hoping to make a CLEAN break from UK manufacturers

Rog

[Jamie Pearson]

From America it's less than $480 inc shipping.
That's approx £263 + £37 shipping = $300

Add import duty and VAT to that too.

I bought a load of snowboard gear a couple of years back.
Was saving a fortune basically the £ price was what it was in $
Got a card from Parcel Force to say that I needed to collect from delivery office.
Stung for best part of £200 before they would hand it over.
Ended up being close to the £ price after it all.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

I have already spoke to these http://www.pmftools.com/index.php

[Shaun_Ashmore]

You get vat on items wherever you buy from. Roger the 'deal' was done I think by Martin Lightbown I think probably 5 years ago.

Shaun

[John Kelly]

It all sounds great until you actually start doing it. The carriage and finance charges are the killer. Its fine when you are just bringing the odd item over but when you start to bring more stuff the costs start to rack up.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

get the numbers right and anything works