[Mike Halliday]

Have any of you broken down what your average customer is?

out of 14 customers  I did this this week 10 of them where 'retired persons' ( they hate been called OAP's)  and as I think back most weeks are like this.

I don't know if this is because I offer a 10% OAP discount on all my marketing.

This suits me down to the ground because I get on really well with older customers and they always love me, so tell all their friend what a nice man I am

Mike

[Mark Betts]

Yep!!!

majority  "Retired Persons"

I too like workin for them cos they are so grateful and always recommend you to their friend.

Also my partner is happy that most of my clients are Oap's cos shes paranoid about me being propositioned hahahahahhahahaha.

Chance would be  afine thing (not by the ol biddies I might add  lol)

Mark

PS

I find the younger people are more used to our throwaway society and would rather buy a new suite etc on buy now pay september and interest free for 4 years than have their suite cleaned.

Also if you are cleaniing a suite for a retired person you can betcha its a draylon which suits me fine!!!!!  

[Dave_Lee]

That is an excellent point Mike, I'm starting my survey on that one today.
Dave.

[Ian Gourlay]

The majority of mine are OAPS this suits me fine as they are usually available when you want them.

I find younger customers argue about price.

[BeeClean]

Maybe oaps are just dirtier and soil their carpets more often

[Fintan_Coll]

Just one OAP this week, the rest were mainly young housewives and a few middle aged people as well. But it does vary from week to week.
Fintan

[HolmansUKLTD]

oaps spend more time in the home hence the more soiled carpets

[Mike Halliday]

Don't forget that OAPs have the best biscuits

I don't think Yuppies exist anymore but Dinkies ( double income, no kids) are a big growing market, but I don't like them because they always want you to work weekends and evening.

Another thing about OAPs is they live in bungalows so the work is easy, I can blast out a 2 bed bungalow in 90mins

Mike

[HolmansUKLTD]

And there allways baking cakes, i love the oap's!!

[Derek]

Hi

I take in all the points raised and Yes, many of my customers are 'mature' in age.

One thing to remember if your client base is made up with a majority in this catagory....you may find the clientbase continually dwindling. This is sadly due to deaths, moving into residential homes, moving in with family.

Don't forget all those mince pies now we are getting near to Christmas....plays havoc with the waistline.

Derek

[Ian Gourlay]

:-XAs I understand it the pensioner poulation is actually growing and there will not be enough workers to support them in their trips to spain etc. :

[Mike Halliday]

the reason you need to know who your customers are is because it helps you write your marketing more effectively.

OAPs have different priorities, what is unimportant to a young person can make a vast differance to an OAP eg they cannot move any furniture so in your marketing its important to stress that you'll move and replace all furniture.

Some OAPs are vunerable and weary of strangers, if possible intreduce yourself to the local Age Concern and ask them to reccomend you. mention in your marketing material you're regestered with Age Concern.

Mike

[Ian Gourlay]

That is a good tip yet again Mike.

Our Social Service Dept operate s a list of aproved tradesmen

Im not sure what the criteria is as I  meant to phone them up but did not.

As Mark says I should get a Thing to do Chart.

On Boards like this we can all kick each other into action


Regards

Ian

[poolking]

mmmmmmmmmmmm mince pies !!!

yummy!!  i LOVE OAP'S ( but not literally you understand   )