[garyj]

Yes, one is called soft cleaner, one is called strong cleaner and it looks like its available  to everyone. Each bottle doesn't come in different strengths does it?
Judy's answer made me think there is a general public range and a technician range, there are also various other kits available to everyone.

I'm not trying  to be a pain, there are just things here that do not add up to me that I am trying to clarify.

[craigp]

**The key benefits of having a trained cleaner to clean leather are that they will understand the type of leather (finish) they are dealing with and clean or restore it accordingly.They will be able to spot any potential problems that the customer may be facing (fading, cuts, scratches, colour loss, dye transfer etc) all of which can then be dealt with.  They will be able to converse with the customer about the type of leather they have purchased and about its on going care, and will be able to deal with all the types of finish that are on the market of which there are hundreds. **

judy,  so why not put that on your website?

i think you really know your subject give good advice regarding leather cleaning and maintainence,

its just the concept of selling to both commercial / domestic im uncorfortable with, from one website, how can you be a supplier to the industry and retailer to domestic, with the same product. your sales to domestic takes sales from the industry.


i think selling soley to industry would increase sales overall long term, as then all the small companies advertising these services will increase awareness in the public, therefore doing your job for you.

a bit like say, prochems 'protection' leaflets, by helpling us sell protection, THEY SELL MORE PROTECTION.

ITS IN YOUR INTEREST TO HELP TECHICIONS SELL.


the way your set up is selling to techicions, then taking business from them by selling domestic. there in absolutly a conflict there.

 

[LTT Leathercare]

We do not take work away from technicans.

Most of our technicians carry leather care kits with them as Steve Gunn does and he finds this a good thing to do.  He also makes some extra money by selling the kits on.

Our website is being revamped and I will take your suggestions on board and make it more obvious.

We have never found a conflict between consumers and technicans products and have sold far more since technicans found the benefits of carrying them with them as they are always asked by their customers where the kits can be bought.  Thsi makes sure they use the right products and not the cheap alternatives which will do them no good.

Our technicans site is hidden from the public so there is no conflict over price.  There are many more technical products available and we only sell the basics to consumers.

Yes we do sell Strong Cleaner to consumers but only when we have spoken to them to make sure they are using it properly and with care.  We speak to all our customers who order product personally.

Regards

Judy

[Prestige1]

I think the opportunity to clean leather will increase and should not be dismissed lightly, after all 10 years ago you couldn’t get a leather suite under a £1500 now every suite retailer has a range from £500 upwards. there’s loads now on the market and its increasing all the time as Polish leather is flooding the market, as we get a few years down the line all the suites sold in the last 5 years will need cleaning. I am seriously considering the training course which Judy is promoting. Having read posts of people who have been on the course give it the thumbs up. I am sure it will be a worth while addition to your Marketing. “Fully trained Leather Technician” as for the products I don’t see a problem in selling it to both trade and public, every one else does.  I would think if you specifically targeted leather you would get work. Kind regards Phil

[craigp]

i agree its a growing market, esp. people being annoyingly pratical these days, like lammitnate flooring, lol

it just from what i see, (i admit i've not read in full the website) i think maybe LTT should place themselfs more behind the techicions.

but, if there finding that its working as they are, maybe im wrong.

regards craig.

[LTT Leathercare]

Thanks for your comments

If the public can see that we sell to both the best trained technicans and themselves it gives them more confidence in the products, which is how the technicians sell their kitson, if the customer sees the product working they like to buy it for themselves.

We offer huge support to our technicans as anyone will testify both in product support and technical advice via the website and via our helpline which is available to all technicians who have completed the course.  We support technicians and cleaners even when they are on site  and need help.

Like our consumer products our technical products are tried and tested products drawn from the best products available.

Regards
Judy

[scott.]

Judy

I have a black soft leather suite, and The Cleaner which I use (Prochem) is causing dye transfer to the cloth....any suggestions as to what I could use, that wouldnt cause this?  I'm guessing their conditioner wont do any harm.

[LTT Leathercare]

This very much depends on what type of leather you have.  Some aniline leathers do tend to bleed dye when they are cleaned.  If it is a pigmented leather it would suggest that you have a problem with the finish and it has not been sealed properly

If you want to discuss the problem further you could give us a ring as it is difficult to guide the questioning on the forum.

Hope this hepls

Regards
Judy

[therapist]

Hold on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the 22 years I've been in this industry, one of the things that has, initially concerned me, then amused, me, is the availability of domestic products which are targeted at consumers;-

Starting with hugely successfull ( in sales terms ) VAX
I have come accross dozens of those...........in cupboards

Currently, there are a number of, so called professional machines, with heat, with brushes, with Scotchguard, and judging by B&Q, Makro, etc, they are selling well.

This will account for quite a bit of the lost business and laminate, unfortunately, is still selling.

Marketing the health benefits of carpeting won't work, as the problem is more a combination of '' ease of maintenance  ''which is very difficult to argue with.

Modern attitudes and behaviour is influenced, hugely, by TV programmes and the marketing of products by IKEA, B&Q, ETC.

However, there are still a lot of people buying carpets and suites.

ROB M

[Ian Gourlay]

Judy,

Why not post the dates of The Courses held at your centre in Harrogate  in the events section.

[LTT Leathercare]

Will do that thanks Ian

[stains-away]

I'm getting a few calls through for leather, having done a half day course in cleaning it (in my opinion a waste of time, no information on removing ink or dye transfer was given),I still feel that thorough training in the area is the best way to go and I will be attending a course as soon as I can find the time.

Recently I was talking to a branch manager for a major national retailer who gave me some sales figures for leather suites,over 55% of stock going through there was leather, which means that there is a market for it, maybe its a case of waiting until the suites are out of the insurance period ( they offer a 3 year deal), some will get thrown out as fashions change but many people ( like myself) are too tight to keep swapping and changing , Andy

[LTT Leathercare]

Hi Andy

Cleaning will not be covered by most warranties, in fact you will find that a lot of them do not cover a lot of what customers expect them to.

Can you let me know what you are need ing the photos for and we may be able to help.

Regards

Judy

[stains-away]

Hi Judy,im after one or two pics to swap into black and white format, so maybe something tan or slightly darker would do,it needs to have a slight sheen to it, or if its a "work in progress" a noticable difference in colour, probably pigmented or aniline would best suit the purpose, many thanks for your help, much appreciated, Andy

[Bob Robertson]

Hi

Myself and Steve have just attended this course .I have been knocking back jobs as  I have never cleaned leather before as I was not trained nor had the knowledge where to start . Before I started carpet cleaning and as most people are advised on here I done the NCCA course , which helped give me the confidence to do the job. I looked at the leather cleaning the same way , learn how to do it properly. The LTT course not only gave me that but  other skills that I don't think I would have got anywhere else. The hands on training on ink removal, scratch / tear repair and restoration are skills in themselves and an add on to anyone's business. If you don't think its worth it then don't go but don't start crying when it goes wrong . Knowledge is good  but skills and knowledge are what you get when you have done this course . I for one found it worth every penny.

P.S Just raided Leatherland and Dfs for loads of samples to practice my new skills on 


tihson

[Robert Watson]

OK. Sounds good.
How much is the course?
Cheers.
Rab

[Bob Robertson]

Hi Rab

2 Day course at Harrogate was £350.00 + VAT

LTT 3 repair kit (large) £395.00 + VAT

B+B- £96

Chinese meal - £11.65

Petrol- £45

Finding out Steve Gunn is a Blue Nose - Priceless 

tihson

[Shaun_Ashmore]

tihson what do you think to your mattress cleaning machine?

do you find much work for it?

Shaun

[Bob Robertson]

Hi Shaun

I get small amounts of work from it  but to be honest if you were thinking of buying it i would advise against it . I have spoken to several people who have bought it and they all struggle to find business. I only use it as an add on and if I get a job then its easy money for 20 mins work.

tihson

[Jason Hedges]

Hi all,

Back to the original post....

I've had the best couple of days since I started. More enquiries in 2 days than I normally get in a week and booked jobs in for the rest of this week (and Satuday) and most of next and a few for after. I can't explain it, perhaps its the nice weather!

Long may it continue!!!

Kind regards,
Jason.