[Jim_77]

Thanks Roger & Clinton

Clinton - I almost always try to get an in-home quote arranged.  I have got pretty good at filtering out the time-wasters, usually it's their first line that gives you the best idea.  The price shoppers ask for a price, simple as - I don't waste my time and simply give them a nice high estimate but emphasise that I can't fix a price until I've seen the job.

Those more quality-oriented ask for a quote or say "I'm interested in having XXXXX cleaned...", to which I'll respond by asking them when they'd like me to pop round and have a look - most are happy to oblige and that's where I do the selling.  Quality customers generally want to know what you're like before they book you in.

I have had a few surprises from phone quotes actually, some of them do phone back later to book in, but not many.

[clinton]

Jim

Like the part when you say you give them a nice high price to put them off well same here as i dont waste time either.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I try to get rid by offering high prices but they keep coming back

Shaun

[richy27]

i haven been goin long about 6 months now and things are goin pretty well. haven quoted over the phone whatever the job but got kind of forced too on thu evening tried to arrange a time to go and quote she wouldn have it excuse was goin on holiday in morning not back till 28th and her new tennants moving in on the 1 st need to book it in for the 28 th. so it was 3 bed new build carpets through out but 2 carpets in bedrooms being replaced lounge was bigger than normal asked her approx size sorry haven a clue. so gave her price of £105 but said i would give her a written quote before on the day i arrive.  guess what text in morning cancel 28th found someone to do it for 30 quid.

I tend to get 8 / 10 jobs i quote on site generally i work out how long its goin to take me and look for about 40 pound an hour.   

[clinton]

Thats good richard the way you quote over the phone thats what i do and spec on commercial jobs rather than per sq metre etc and they seem to like that way

[Shaun_Ashmore]

8 out of 10 is great selling, 9 out of 10 and you're not charging enough.

Like Clinton I charge commercial based on what I see but will measure up to look the part I'm usually about 80-100 an hour on commercial.

Shaun

[richy27]

i find it hard to quote by sq m on domestic tend to do it by eye take in to account all aspects work out how long its goin to take me then quote my price then try to sell protector. always quote comercial by sq m .  when i quote in person have been 2 or 3 times dearer than yeehas with there a4 white leaflets quoting 30 quid for a suite still got most of jobs quite satisfying

[clinton]

Looks like your selling protector on some jobs then

Sometimes i do the hall for  them  or if am doing the bedroom the landing as an extra free

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Protector isn't sold much because many believe it doesn't work, you have to really believe in the item/product/service if you want to sell it.

Shaun

[clinton]

Right there and because i have lots of regulars i dont sell it as much as i used to do as they do question the method and price.

I have not seen many good jobs done on protector done as they dont leave it to cure long enough  :

[richy27]

i agree clinton i offer them protection give an advice sheet about keeping off the carpets for as long as possible etc etc. thats all you can really do i dont pester them to have it i show them a quick demo test piece of carpet i have in my quote bag a consumer leaflet and then they make there own mind up. at then end of the day we are all working to make money and it does boost income dramatically especially on those smaller one or two room jobs makes it more worth while

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'm surprised that Alltec haven't done courses on selling and applying protector a bit like a cheap skate version of fast track but for the ones that don't subscribe to higher priced cleaning.There's a big hole in the market for the middle ground carpet cleaners that could be utilised also that would include the average to low end of pricing structures, ideally Alltec could show them the way to high end prices.

God I ought to be in marketing!

Shaun

[richy27]

shaun do you subscribe to higher priced cleaning or would you say you are middle of the road (not criticism just curious)

[clinton]

Shaun

Was chating to alltec last week am going to ask that question next time

The only ones i do ask is the new clients as you get a feeling if its just a one off or they are going to be a client for a few years.

Just myself i didnt really trust it as its the taking time to cure and also the ventalation issue nowadays as we have to be carefull ..

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'd say middle ground may be someone may tell you better as I don't know what middle is really, Fast track boys charge another 50% ontop, a guy in Blackpool charges 60p per sq ft plus protector at I think 40p so that's £1.
If FT could show me how to sell properly I would join.

Shaun

[clinton]

Saw brian do the big sell years ago thing is he was good at the selling side with the waffle

[Shaun_Ashmore]

The Alltec stuff is premixed and ready to use providing you do your job right there should be no problem, I always turbo even after applying, a dry carpet may not be a cured carpet but will give a far better chance of working.

Shaun

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'd love to see a good presentation, Jim Neal has offered to show me but I have been too busy to take him up on his generous offer, I hope it still stands.

Shaun

[clinton]

Yes read that post when you were going to go to see how he presents it must say he sounds professional a bit like roger

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I can see how customers book Roger he sounds and looks like a school master or policeman, he looks like a professional not like us lot!

Shaun