[neil 47]

What would be the things you would change or do different.

saw this topic on another board

I wish I,d started sooner.

Neil

[Glynn]

I'd get a TM first off instead of wasting 22 years.

[John_Flynn]

I would have started at the age of no older than 30 years 9instead of 51) and like Glynn bought myself a truckmount instead of playing with toys and kidding myself that I was doing the best job possible without the Heat and Power for 4 years!!

[Ian Gourlay]

I would have liked to have been in the position to invest more on marketing especially leaflets Unless you can do this you do not get full thrust.

Plus not wasted money on Cards in Hombase etc

[Karl Wildey]

Put my prices up, sooner.

[Dennis]

I wish I hadn't bought a franchise (and wish I had marketed much more in the Norwich area  Not really Karl )

[Ian Gourlay]

Im Launching in Norwich in November followed by Yarmouth in Feb.

Not really

Ian

[mark_lane]

investing in a larger van instead of cramming everything into a smaller one ,an expensive lesson

[mark_roberts]

With the hindsight of what Ive achieved over the past few years good and bad, i would have got a newish van instead of the cheap banger I bought when starting and a truckmount instead of wasting money trying different portables and the pain or sorry Bane machine. 

Would also have not bought some of the crap equipment thats on the market.  Should also have keep marketing hard instead of laying back and enjoying the slower grow of waiting for the phone to ring which thankfully it did.

Mark

[ollie]

In reference to the truckmounted replies - Ive only been trading for 8 months but ive had 2 customers who had used truckmounted companies complaining the carpets were to wet and still dirty (and i know another cleaner with the same experience) I will use a portable until i perceive a serious threat from other companies ( I got a very nice tip today and a £20 bottle of wine from one customer who had, incidently ,seen a truckmount at work 4 doors down last week lol!) Its all in the marketing - All the customer wants is a clean carpet or upholstery- who cares how they clean it? Ask joe public what a truckmount is.  One of my customers described them as a "pipe coming in through the door, with a van outside" I think my NCCA membership means more than how i clean.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

It's true about marketing, it's the percieved cleaning of a truckmount the sizzle of the steak cooking not the taste.

The operator does the cleaning the TM just speeds things up (alot) remember a good workman should never blame his tools!

Shaun

[ollie]

But how do truckmount operators use the perceived cleaning power of a truckmount to gain a customer? I market amongst other "bullet points" "Fast drying". I use an Ashbys Ninja and leave most carpets dry( But Clean) within 45 minutes. How would having a truckmount benefit my customers Or my advertising? Most customers of mine like seeing  my machine work and watching me empty the dirty water down their loo (Health and safety!)

[mark_roberts]

Customer satisfaction can be achieved with a bucket and spoonge.  Its doesnt matter to them which system is used as long as their needs are met.

Different systems have different marketing slants.  A TM has more slants than a portable but the same quality of job can be achieved if the operator is capable with the correct attitude.

The main benefit of a truckmount is for the businessman.  Quicker working time equals more profit per hour.

Id be interested to know how you get carpets dry in 45mins with a Ninja.  Do you hang around with a blower and check?  From my research drying is not the customers main concern.

Mark

[BRSL]

 
theres only two ways too look at it TM "restoration clean""
                                                         P  "maintainance cleaning""

I stated with truck mounts and wouldent change a thing !!!!!!!!

 

[ollie]

I get them dry by doing about 7 dry strokes and i know they are dry cos when i do more than room i keep a check on the room before. Not all carpets are dry in 45 mins but about 60%. The longest ive had is around 1 and a half hours. some carpets are almost dry as i finish the room (the part i started on) I probably take more time than necessary but ive had refferals purely because the carpets are dry quickly. I had a couple of customers who used one of my rivals who stated their carpets took 3 days in one case and 2 in the other to dry!

[John_Flynn]

Hey Ollie you sound to be be fantastic at carpet cleaning, let me have your number to pass onto my customers after I have sold up.

[ollie]

Yorkshires a bit to far for me John!  Im not trying to make out im fantastic at carpet cleaning- if you look at some of my posts from last week or so im always looking for help on here and thanks to doug i sorted out loads of probs. If i was that fantastic i wouldnt be on here at this time of day-id be out cleaning!
regards
Ollie

[John_Flynn]

No you wouldn't be out cleaning at this time, organised cleaners are done by 1.00pm each day.

Why does yous lads with a potty bite every time a T/M is mentioned?? I did used to be the same until I got a T/M, 7 dry passes could equel 2 dry passes and a lot of time saved and a much dryer carpet!!

So less hours worked more money earned home by 1.00pm.

Back to the question Ollie 'If you had to start again' cannot be too hard to remember your mistakes 8 months is not too far back!!

[ollie]

John in answer to the original question - (although i only started 8 months ago!)  I would have waited until the yp came out next april before i started and i would have delivered my leaflets a lot quicker instead of having them clogging up my front room!  I would have also taken the advice given to me on my first ever post which was to have 6 months wages in the bank before you start! 

[John_Flynn]

Thank you Ollie.