[craigp]

this is the sort of publicity those cheapos are going get us


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCOaNpinFPM

[Neil Grainger]

Thats why you never put prices on things, Very easy for the reporters to miss report the subject but the IICRC guy is never going to say that its common practice including their members. Did these guys do a proper survey, dont no reporters never said, Did they explain to customers why the prices are so different.

This is why when I quote I give them 3 prices for different levels of cleaning, Basic Full and Premium. It covers for all types of customers from those rental people who just want the very basic so they can get their money back to Mrs Bucket who wants the Premium service and all that comes along with it.

If the Public really think that they can get this done for this price then I'm sorry but more fall them.

Nothing is Free in this World. Want BMW Pay BMW Price Want Skoda pay thier prices too.

If you put this stuff out into the market people will believe that these prices are standard so you are only making it worse for you in the long run.

[Ian Gourlay]

This type of advertising does work.  It must work for the companies or they would not do it.

I did not hear what the $19.99 covered.

In other companies that use low price to lure customer its usually an end of line item that people did not want ie purple curtains

[craigp]

only a matter of time before watchdog or someone does this in the UK, giving us all a bad name.

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

There's another way of looking at this.

Firstly it's nothing new, I first saw it in the U.K in 1990.

Secondly most people have an idea of the rightish price for a professional job and would see through this immediately.

Lastly this type of advertising will mop up some of the 'customers' who buy only on price and which we do not want.

Cheers

Doug

[Mike Halliday]

$9.95 is about £5.80, what sort of person believes they can get a good job done for that amount :

I'd love to see someone give them $9.95 and say thats all the money my husband has left, and I''ve no money in the house.

Mike

[Liahona]

I am sure we all get the jist of this but on a side note.  And this is for the N.C.C.A. to listen too.  It was commented on that in the near future the I.I.C.R.C. would suggest the carpets would have to be cleaned by a qualified tech.  For some companies in the states this has been done for many years making our lives so mich easier as the client would be a little aware of what, why and how we do things.  They would also be aware that we werent bait and switch cleaners.  Bait and switch in most states has been banned but it is still allowed in some states.

 Since living here I have always wanted the N.C.C.A. to do the same but as yet I am not aware if they have done anything to promote us as cleaners to the manufacturers or the suppliers of carpets and textiles in general.  I hope I am mistaken but I dont thnk so.  Best, Dave.

[Steve Dudley]

I agree totally with Doug - this is nothing new.

When a customer expects to pay peanuts, they will 9 times out of 10, get monkeys. I think these sort of stories are great - they draw a customers attention to the fact that you shouldn't use companies that advertise this way. Stick to reputable companies that have been recommended.

[Ken Wainwright]

Dave has brought some valid questions to this topic, and I feel many others have similar queries to his. I'll try and enlighten you all as to some of what goes on behind, as well as in front of, the scenes. There is a lot that the NCCA does behind the scenes that only some of you will be aware of.

Firstly, the NCCA has begun the process of setting cleaning procedures and practices that will be recognised, not only by our industry but government departments and agencies and any other parties with a vested interest. This could be commercial organisations, insurers etc. The name of this initiative is PAS86 and is formed in conjunction of BSI. After being a Publicly Available Standard for two years, BSI have the option, at their discretion, to make this PAS a full fledged British Standard. This will be their decision, and nothing whatsoever to do with our industry or the NCCA. There is also the possibility that it could become an ISO in the future.

As for communications with carpet manufacturers, this goes on extensively. We have a working partnership with The Woolsafe Organisation who are in frequent contact with the UK Mills. This helps to keep correct carpet care on the agenda with the manufacturers. There are carpet mills that will use or recommend the NCCA, particularly convenient to them as all paid up members are listed by region on our  website.

For my own activities with manufacturers as an NCCA Director, I have in recent years been invited on several occasions to attend the Best of British Carpet Roadshow to demonstrate good carpet care procedures on behalf of the carpet manufacturers. I have organised events at and in conjunction with Axminster Carpets in Devon, Brintons in Kidderminster, Ulster Carpets in Northern Ireland and another next month at Axminster Carpets again. I have developed a working relationship with British Wool and I know that other NCCA Directors have worked with the likes of the British Carpet Foundation, Ryalux and others.

We also have involvement with The Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers and are regularly campaigning both through them and their trade press about cleaning related issues with their industry. We also have communications with both the dye and textile manufacturers.

As for trained technicians, from 1st April 2007, all NCCA Member Companies will need to comply with the new One to One rule. This means that as well as the NCCA or IICRC suitably qualified techs, ALL technicians will be required to meet training requirements acceptable to the Association. All members have been informed of these requirements.

So as you can see, the NCCA has a much larger presence beyond the trade shows, AGM and Technical Roadshows. Especially when you become embroiled with the politics, procedures and differing requirements of the "non-cleaning" world, many projects and initiatives that we take on can be become slow and drag on for much longer than we like. And it should be borne in mind that the NCCA Directors are all volunteers who have their own businesses to run, sometimes putting another restraint on development of projects.

If you'd like to be more involved with the Association and our industry, becoming a member is a great place to start, then you could attend the AGM and make your needs and views known. You never know, you could even become the CEO in a few years time....

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[carpetguy]

 I think this is an awful lot more than the IICRC do, I joined about 8 years ago but never renewed, as I felt it had little significance to the UK

I certainly agree that having a STANDARD is a good thing..........but ........experience of life, has shown , if you promote a Standard..........you will quickly be forced to accept standards from Government departments.

The only way to avoid this.......something I've raised before.........is, for a large enough, national institution, to establish, there own industry standards and produce this at levels, which would correspond to the NVQ standards, which start at, very basic indeed, to Diploma level and higher.

I said before..........that a body, such as the NCCA, or BICCS, could quite easily put modules together, train Trainers, to deliver the modules, or carry out the training themselves.

The only problem, is the industry will become " governed "by the ensuing Standards and legislation, will undoubtedly follow........

The advantage will be, that, once a standard is set, everyone will have to meet a minumum standard to carry out certain tasks............it will take a number of years to implement........

[Liahona]

Thank you Ken for the in depth reply.  My concern though was when I joined and still is having since left is: 

In the states a large number of carpet suppliers and manufacturers advise Joe Public that they should have their carpets cleaned at least once a year.  They in some cases even advise if they dont have them cleaned (and a specific way but I wont go into that because it causes to much agro) then they will void any guarentee.

So it is much easier for us as cleaners to offer services when the potential client is already primed that they need our services.

I, as I am sure many other cleaners, deal with the manufacturers and suppliers of carpets in this country.  Save a few most dont advise in any way of having there carpets cleaned.  Most, in my case all, havent even heard of the N.C.C.A.

At least the I.I.C.R.C. in the states have made their presence known to the suppliers again helping the cleaner in his or her quest to clean carpets.

Can the N.C.C.A. do the same thing here?  Or are they?  Best, Dave.

I would love to be in a position to promote this industry as and most of you know I have a lot to say.  I wasnt listened to nor was afforded the curtesy of return contact by the N.C.C.A. on many occasions of situations I wanted to discuss.  No names as it isnt needed but I even wrote and sent "stuff" to a director but alas was still ignored, best, Dave.  P.S. Hey even get lost is still a reply.  No reply at all is just plane bad business of which there is no excuse.  Hence I am no longer with the N.C.C.A.