[Simon Gerrard]

Joe,
But when you're dealing with existing customers, as you are, they are buying you, not a system, because they know and trust you. It's a different ball game when dealing with new potential customers, many of whom are looking for something better than what they had last time around and that is where the Truck Mounted System appears more attractive to them, becuae, rightly or wrongly, they believe that such a big machine must do a better job.

Simon

[Glynn]

Colin you’re quite right the skill is in the hands of the user and as your say it’s the first impression the client has when meeting you no matter what machinery you run.
The secret to success in any business is the marketing and any recommends that come from the service you have provided is down to the skills you posses.
Having started my business both in Newbury Berks and again in Wolverhampton having a truckmount did not make a blind bit of difference !

It’s MARKETING that got the phone to ring all the truckmount did was make the work easer. Saying this I do pad a lot more carpets now than I ever did, but that’s another story.

The only time size matters is in the porn industry and all the big guy's get the work

A truckmount DOES generate a lot of potential new customers.
And good old fashioned business methods combined with top quality service that keep them coming back to you time and again.

[Nigel_W]

I think people buy from people they like, respect and have confidence in.

Which machine is used to produce a result is a secondary matter in my opinion. It helps having a truckmount because it makes the job easier and it does impress some people once they have seen it in action. Many others couldn't care less

This business is first and foremost about people skills -  not machines, chemicals, cleaning systems, advertising etc.

Nigel

www.designcare.co.uk

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Derek you are spot on with your comments, if you focus your customers on the USP then they tell their friends about you and your unique cleaning features, birds of a feather flock together and if one person from that demographic likes your style of service then you can guarantee the others in that demographic will.

Shaun

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

I think people buy from people they like, respect and have confidence in.

Which machine is used to produce a result is a secondary matter in my opinion. It helps having a truckmount because it makes the job easier and it does impress some people once they have seen it in action. Many others couldn't care less

This business is first and foremost about people skills -  not machines, chemicals, cleaning systems, advertising etc.

Nigel

www.designcare.co.uk

Well said - if you can't deal with people and offer exceptional service then you have no chance, in any service industry.

[Simon Gerrard]

'Well said - if you can't deal with people and offer exceptional service then you have no chance, in any service industry.'

I think that pretty much goes without saying, doesn't it?
Simon

[Anthony Rowan]

I have gone from a truckmount back to a portable as my main machine and can defiantly say I have not lost jobs because I no longer have a truckmount.

Thats prob because you only do 3 jobs a week, if your lucky.

It does not really matter what you clean with, as said above, its about how you market and run your business. :

Common wakey wakey

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

'Well said - if you can't deal with people and offer exceptional service then you have no chance, in any service industry.'

I think that pretty much goes without saying, doesn't it?
Simon

What I mean by that is, for example, both sides of my family are full of tradesmen - builders, master carpenters, plumbers. Most of them are experts in their trades with years of experience but I cringe when I hear them speaking to clients or prospects - no people skills whatsoever and particularly when they speak to women clients. It beggars belief that they get any work at all.

Meet, Like, Know, Trust - the key to any healthy working relationship.

[derek west]

as far as i'm concerned, the jaguar makes the grade for becoming tacca registered. so it'll do for me tommy

[Billy Russell]

as far as i'm concerned, the jaguar makes the grade for becoming tacca registered. so it'll do for me tommy

You Likkle Liar!!!!!!!!!!!

[derek west]

its just them pheonix's that just aren't quite powerful enough to make the grade

[Billy Russell]

Don't be like that!!!!! Just because Dave said mines got more suck than yours!!!!!!! 

[happy mondays]

Although Doug has yet to agree  

Simon,

I am glad you agree that a portable is more versatile than a truckmount, because it is. I dont know if it is just me and the area I work in, but I have yet another job tomorrow and another on Thursday that has parking issues where a tm couldnt do it. So even if I had one, I would still have to use a portable.

As has already been said, its you they buy off and not what you use to clean with. Its very easy for a business to try and justify to others the amount of £'s spent on such a great fast system, when really a £2k portable will actually give a better return on investment for most businesses, the best thing for return on investment I have ever made was a £400 rotary eight years ago.    

[derek west]

Don't be like that!!!!! Just because Dave said mines got more suck than yours!!!!!!! 

gutted

[Joe H]

I have gone from a truckmount back to a portable as my main machine and can defiantly say I have not lost jobs because I no longer have a truckmount.

Thats prob because you only do 3 jobs a week, if your lucky.

In recent months I have done 3 jobs a day and 3 jobs a week.

What YOU dont know is what was the job price when I did  the 3 jobs a week.  

[Carpet Dawg]

I have gone from a truckmount back to a portable as my main machine and can defiantly say I have not lost jobs because I no longer have a truckmount.

Thats prob because you only do 3 jobs a week, if your lucky.

In recent months I have done 3 jobs a day and 3 jobs a week.

What YOU dont know is what was the job price when I did  the 3 jobs a week.  

No wonder your super-duper pump lasts for years 

[D Ingram]

Colin £400 for a rotary, that's a bit steep ever Simon would'nt pay that much.
The one I used on Saturday at the workshop with the guy's cost me £35 off flea bay last year and by now it must have earn't me over £10,000 with the help of SPM and encap.

[Joe H]

I have gone from a truckmount back to a portable as my main machine and can defiantly say I have not lost jobs because I no longer have a truckmount.

Thats prob because you only do 3 jobs a week, if your lucky.

In recent months I have done 3 jobs a day and 3 jobs a week.

What YOU dont know is what was the job price when I did  the 3 jobs a week.  

No wonder your super-duper pump lasts for years 

but what YOU dont know is how many times I have done 3 jobs a day or 3 jobs a week, nor how long the jobs are.

All you are doing carpetdawg (or whoever) is highlight WHY so many really good carpet cleaners choose NOT to use CIU, which is a shame as they have so much to offer.

[Carpet Dawg]

Or maybe they are tired of YOU banging on about Solutions every other post!!! 

[Bob Robertson]

Now now, put the hand bags away ladies.