[garry22]

I just had a real lesson in low cost effective marketing from a chip shop. My usual one was closed for a refit.

When I walked into this other one I was really impressed.

The first thing you see (right by the entrance) is at least a dozen food hygiene course certificates and awards (reassuring).

Next is a black and white photo of several generations of the family at the first shop they opened in 1959. Underneath it explained who was who at which businesses they now ran (great credibility).

The service was really quick and the staff had been really well trained.

The lady put a leaflet / menu in the bag (and told me so). "here's a list of what we do and any specials available". I wondered when was the last time I gave a list of full services available to a client?

She then asked me how far I had to go and I said four miles. She then got a roll of aluminum foil from under the counter and wrapped the package up. "That will keep them warm until you get home".

All these things cost a few pennies but left a lasting impression.

[clinton]

Sounds like some good old fashioned service mate.

Like the little effort with the foil too.

[garry22]

It's reminded me of another chip shop / restaurant in Bournemouth (maybe Jason knows the name) that a friend took me to.

When you look around, the walls are covered in autographed photographs of most of the showbiz stars who have appeared in Bournemouth's theatres. Literally hundreds.

Funnily enough, there always seems to a queue to get in.

You're right Clinton, it was just great service. The foil thing cost pennies as did the smiles and pleasantness. It made enough of an impression for me to put it a post on here.

[derek west]

i clean regularly for a pub and got chatting with him,

he told me 2 things of many that he does.

1) he sells chips in pint pots for £1.25, when there a few in he will give a couple of the lads a free pint of chips, before you know it there all ordering them.

some may find the next one disturbing and therefore should look away now

2) he said the only guys in that spoil the pub are the man utd fans so when utd go a goal down he knocks 10 pence off a pint while there down. he doesn't get many man u fans in now and says the pub is bustling with all fans because of it.

he took it over 2 years ago and has me in every 6 months to keep the place looking clean as its mainly a food pub with 3D tv's everywhere and he has 100 pairs of 3D glasses behind the bar.

good on him.

[jasonl]

I have started saying to every customer " is there anything else I can do for you today?"  at the end of the job , also every doorste gets cleaned along with the water channel at the bottom of every upvc door. 

The small things make all the difference.

[Carpet Dawg]

I have started saying to every customer " is there anything else I can do for you today?"  at the end of the job , also every doorstep gets cleaned along with the water channel at the bottom of every upvc door.  

The small things make all the difference.

good tip!

I do this, espically important when there rubbish weather and the wheels of your machine brings in crap. I also out down a big rolled up mat down and put the machine on there and wipe down the wheels before bring in to the location in the home. Not always possible to have it outside.

[Phillip Mold]

I always clean the first three steps of the stairs for free when doing the lounge or hall, then point it out to the custy before packing away. Funny how the odd extras mount up.

Another one - never quote to the round £10, eg £80.00 or £110.00, my quotes always end in a fiver now, £85.00 or £115.00. I reckon I get a five tip at least once a week, after all the cashpoints don't give out fivers anymore (shows his age!) 

[davep]

Isn't doing the bottom 3 steps forcing them to have them all cleaned?

[M.Acorn]

Another one - never quote to the round £10, eg £80.00 or £110.00, my quotes always end in a fiver now, £85.00 or £115.00. I reckon I get a five tip at least once a week, after all the cashpoints don't give out fivers anymore (shows his age!)

That can also work both ways.
I have a customer who owes me £5 as he didn`t have change that`s from last year !! Worked my arse off for him,and was kind of expecting him to say don`t worry about it,how wrong was I !!

[clinton]

Doing the bottom few stairs wil show thye rest up maybe

Is that so they get you to do the rest 

[JandS]

I've always quoted in 5's, just so they might just
round it up.
Like Phil I get probably one a week on average that
round it up.

John

[davep]

Clinton stop robbing my posts 

[clinton]

Sory dave just seen your post Old age on my part

Il get you that drink when i see you 

[Phillip Mold]

To those in doubt, yes, when the custy has the bottom three steps cleaned they often want the rest doing, and pay for it!

[davep]

Erm, is that legal 

[derek west]

i find just cleaning the hallway prompts them to have the stairs done

[clinton]

Your right sometimes it shows the stairs up after extracting the hall etc

[davep]

I used to do a demo on leathers but felt bad leaving a clean patch, forcing custy to having it done. 

[Griffus]

But, the big question - were the chips anygood and if so will you now only use this chippy?


 

[Carpet Dawg]

Yeah, I dont like that idea... Sorry Phil.

Same with patch demo cleans on sofas and leather.

Also, when a customer just wants a stain removed, I explain to them on the phone that 9 times out of 10 the whole room needs doing as a clean patch will look as bad as a stain!