[Tosh]

I've been offered the opportunity to have an advert in a free local services guide which goes out monthly to over 6000 houses.

I am the only one offered it, and would be the only window cleaner in there, which is nice.
   

That sounds really good, Roger, a monthly mag that goes out to 6000 houses. 

But, I remember speaking to one of those guys who posts leaflets for a business, and I'm sure I remember him telling me there's 2000 houses in Bulwark, where 80% of Chepstow's population live (fact).  So where the hell are those other 4000 houses?  I doubt Garden City, Sedbury, Itton, Shirenewton... (etc) all added up account for the missing 4000; and even if they did I've NEVER seen this mag; and I'm sure they'd target where I live before they go delivering in the posh suburbs.

Something smells a bit fishy to me.

Still it's only £20 and sounds good.  I reckon it's worth a shot.

[Sir Squeaky]

God, you lot are so suspicious and paranoid. :

It's perfectly legit. I've seen it myself.

Tosh, it's mainly in the good areas actually, as there's not much business to be had in the crappy areas.
She's trying to stay out of Bulwark unless it's asked for.

There is easily that many houses and more within 10 miles of Chepstow.

[Tosh]

Rog,

You're a nice bloke, but your snobbery does wind me up at times.

I may live in what you call a 'crappy area' (but I love it), but last year I forked out nearly 6K on a whole new heating system and a further £1200 on a fireplace.  Both those tradesmen who did the work from me seemed to be happy with what they got.

The bloke over the road from me is having his roof fixed; I can still see the roofer still working from where I sit; there's scaffolding and stuff; I bet it's going to cost my neighbor a small fortune.

My next door neighbor; the one with the 40K camper van thing; is getting a conservatory built, I don't know how much it costs, but I bet you it's not going to be cheap. 

And since these are older houses; nearly 100 years old; they need maintenance; many of the residents are elderly and need gardeners (old houses have bigger gardens).

So why they don't push their advertising mag here?  It's a good place for tradesmen.  I'm sick of people cold calling me.  It's not a difficult place to push leaflets out too; I've done it myself (though not for work reasons; I helped in a campaign to try and get a Sultrans cycle route authorised from the council).

Did they push the mag through your door?

[mark dew]

not suspicious squeaky.  
Just a few precautions anyone could take to minimise any loss or hassle if things don't go as well. Not saying it won't though.
How you described it sounds fine. And for £20 you have nothing to lose.
I advertise in a parish mag. Did from the start, but it did take several months before it got noticed and i got regular calls from it.

[Clive McDonald]

Can't say if it's genuine or not, but let me take you to task about something else. I can't believe that you post on here that photography is one of your hobbies and you've not got the wit or the gumption to take publicity style photos of you and your van.

I'm usless with a camera but I take pictures like this (my eight year old snaps away while i pose and smile and maybe one will be okay). I've also had loads of bylined snaps in the paper(not all of me and my van  )

You have to go with what you've got. I never made the school team at anything but what talents I do have I use.

[alanwilson]

squeeky, its only £20, go for it.  If anything comes from it then great, if not, boo hoo.

what I will say though is get your arse out the door and canvass - you've been wc'ing for years and you haven't got a big enough round - thats just not acceptable, you seem a really nice bloke, but also lazy and you seem to hate the thought of canvassing.

just get out there and canvass, don't wait on them calling you - trust me, after a while you will start to enjoy canvassing.

[Clive McDonald]

The reason for the photo of you plus van- not that you asked- is to biuld brand awareness. They see the ad, and they say, i've seen him/that van about driving round chepstow. It's got a ruddy great yellow duck on the top and has a sort of ice cream 'quaking' chime when he pulls up at a job....

I know the last bit's not true, but people do become aware of you, and because they have seen you about they trust you automaticaly.

[Ravensford]

Squeaky,

a couple of years ago I was in the position you are in now. I told the publisher of my concerns & they willing sent me a copy of their circulation contract with the Royal Mail. It was enough to put my mind to rest.

Didn't get many jobs out of it though!

[Sir Squeaky]

Did they push the mag through your door?

Ha ha! Of course not!

There's barely a complete family in my street!

[Tosh]

Did they push the mag through your door?

Ha ha! Of course not!

There's barely a complete family in my street!

What about your family?  Any of them have the mag?

[Sir Squeaky]

Did they push the mag through your door?

Ha ha! Of course not!

There's barely a complete family in my street!

What about your family?  Any of them have the mag?

Only my parents live around here, and yes they do (or they will this month apparently).

[TVCS]

knowing squeaky if he spends £20 and dosent get thousands of new customers he will be back on here moaning about the waste of money and how other w/c get work without trying,     

[Sir Squeaky]

knowing squeaky if he spends £20 and dosent get thousands of new customers he will be back on here moaning about the waste of money and how other w/c get work without trying,     

Too right I will be.

It's seriously annoying.

[Tosh]

Roger,

Just a thought; a few weeks ago some bloke from the council left a vague message on my answer phone about 'a job'.

I returned the call thinking I was going to be asked to quote for a council building, but it turned out this bloke said he was from some business (I can't remember the name) and was working on behalf of the council and they were going to be putting out some montly advertising publication that would go through X amount of letter boxes. 

Oh, and I'd be the only window cleaner in there; he may have even praised my business (which is still Mickey Mouse; so how the hell could he know how good it is).

I naffed him off; he was smooth-tongued, and it sounded a bit dodgy.

The above is honest.  Just I can see some similarities with what you've been told.

[Sir Squeaky]

Roger,

Just a thought; a few weeks ago some bloke from the council left a vague message on my answer phone about 'a job'.

I returned the call thinking I was going to be asked to quote for a council building, but it turned out this bloke said he was from some business (I can't remember the name) and was working on behalf of the council and they were going to be putting out some montly advertising publication that would go through X amount of letter boxes. 

Oh, and I'd be the only window cleaner in there; he may have even praised my business (which is still Mickey Mouse; so how the hell could he know how good it is).

I naffed him off; he was smooth-tongued, and it sounded a bit dodgy.

The above is honest.  Just I can see some similarities with what you've been told.

It's not the same one.
This is run by a woman in Shirenewton, and it's nothing to do with the council.

This one is also much bigger, smartarse.


Do you lot see what I have to put up with?!!

[geefree]

I think it was an example, he was trying to help .

[Sir Squeaky]

I think it was an example, he was trying to help .

If you knew him you'd know that wasn't the case.

He's taking the mick and on the wind up.
He dedicates his life to it.

He'll be on here later denying it.

[matt]

I think it was an example, he was trying to help .

If you knew him you'd know that wasn't the case.

He's taking the mick and on the wind up.
He dedicates his life to it.

He'll be on here later denying it.

more importantly, why are you home, you part timer 

[Sir Squeaky]

I think it was an example, he was trying to help .

If you knew him you'd know that wasn't the case.

He's taking the mick and on the wind up.
He dedicates his life to it.

He'll be on here later denying it.

more importantly, why are you home, you part timer 

It's friday.

[mick hay]

In my previous business, i made bery good money at selling ads in "local guides" and surgery advertising, charity advertising etc.

My advice........leave it!!!