ARCS classes; department of shameless self-promotion.

[rmann]

We run a wash plant, and do a large volume of commercial/residential area rugs every day. A fair number of 'collectables' come in though, and we set them aside to wash them in groups a couple of times a week. Today it was mostly Caucasian rugs. See attached photo.
It's a privilege to have people send us such nice stuff to wash; you get to study and enjoy the pieces without the big checks or 'buyers remorse' that collectors have to struggle with.

This February ARCS is offing an intermediate level hands-on wash class - check the ads and articles on the main page here - and we are hosting it on our wash floor. Taught by Aaron Groseclose and Armen Dohanian - two guys who really know what they are doing - it will be hands on, working right next to our crew; fun, educational, and a chance to get out of town (February is prime ski season here). I hope some of you can make it.

 

[Joe Appleby]

Robert Mann's plant is State of the Art and the envy of most rug cleaners. I'm not ashamed to say I've copied much of what I've seen in his plant. If you're serious about rug cleaning, GO!

 

[Mikey P]

I wish I was serious...
This sounds great!!

 

[Papa John]

Robert Mann is my Hero and would love to have him as my mentor... I think I forgot just about everything in the rug repair class but was really impressed with Him and his plant. I guess I'm going to Colorado again-- hum-- maybe ski in summit county again..

I think I already know everything I need to know about rugs-- Hum that thought could be dangerous!

I'm going just because its at Robert Mann's place..

 

[dealtimeman]

His place is just setup great and set up for efficiency. They even have a rug vault to lock up all of those pricey rugs up every night, should be a killer hands on class that will teach and simplify a lot of cleaning processes.

 

[T Monahan]

What an environment to enhance your skills or embark on some developed.

 

[hogjowl]

Is it free?

 

[Mikey P]

If you go, I'll cover the tuition.

 

[dealtimeman]

It is in Denver not Montgomery bama

 

[Papa John]

There are two different 2 days classes one after the other. 1 class is hands on cleaning and the other is rug identification. they are $800 for members of ARCS and $1200 for non member for each class. ARCS membership is $600 a year and membership is held in Company name-- so multiple people from same company can take advantage of membership discount. I asked if there was a discount for multiple people from same company attending the same class and was told no.

Who here likely to GO?

2 from my company will be going and I'm budgeting about $6k for this INVESTMENT/Insurance for my company.

 

[Papa John]

What an environment to enhance your skills or embark on some developed.

Tom--Are you going to give a discount on Centrum Force stuff if we attend this class and invests in your "toys" shortly after taking the class?

After all-- IT will be a "hands on infomercial" for your stuff

 

[rmann]

Tom and Greg make some nice stuff, but I'm not sure what they'll have to say about discounts.

The ARCS intermediate class is a chance to get hands-on experience with modern in-plant wash equipment. But if buying the latest 'toys' was going to make you a brilliant rug washer then it might also be true that building a fancy kitchen would make you a good cook. It's just not so. I used to think machines were evil - just ask Lisa; she can tell you about it. It took me a long time to realized that the right equipment could increase your capacity and even improve the quality of your wash if you did it right.

There is no substitute for good teachers, practice, and experience. A class like this can make a difference. The big rug cleaner associations didn't offer this sort of training when I was starting out. I wish they had. It would have saved me a lot of time.

 

[Papa John]

There is no substitute for good teachers, practice, and experience. A class like this can make a difference. The big rug cleaner associations didn't offer this sort of training when I was starting out. I wish they had. It would have saved me a lot of time.

I agree, But it doesn't hurt to ask for discount-- We are lucky to have you available as a teacher- See you in February Robert-- I already booked and paid for everything for myself and my lead guy-- hoping this really motivates him.

 

[rhyde]

This is a really good opportunity Robert Mann's operation is the best I've be been to

 

[Mikey P]

Whos the next best?

 

[Papa John]

Whos the next best?

I haven't been to Lisa Wagner's yet-- but her articles are very helpful.

 

[rhyde]

There are plenty of good cleaners Talisman great has a very good but perhaps a little too anal & methodical

The thing about Robert is I don't know anyone else at that level? He's known nationally with "rug" people collectors and those in the rug trade not because of fancy equipment, a blog , slick postcards & marketing campaign. It's delivering knowledgeable, quality cleaning and restoration services particularly and with this level client smoke and mirrors don't work!

Every rug snob here in portland knows Robert and has sent stuff to him the only reason I have a chance is they don't want to bother with shipping most things to Denver.

 

[Desk Jockey]

But if buying the latest 'toys' was going to make you a brilliant rug washer then it might also be true that building a fancy kitchen would make you a good cook

Well stated. We all can get caught up in the tools of the trade, whether its rugs, carpet cleaning or WDR and over look the fact that it is the knowledge and experience we possess that truly makes us experts.

 

[Papa John]

The thing about Robert is I don't know anyone else at that level?

I got the opportunity to talk with Robert about his life and how he got into the business.
A documentary on his life would be very interesting to the point of being LIKE porn to us Rug guys.

 

[Ron K]

Randy I agree,I have sent Robert work too and it came back wonderfully, but from what I've read the class is just using his place not his methods or ideas or his vast knowledge or am I not reading this correctly.

 

[Papa John]

Randy I agree,I have sent Robert work too and it came back wonderfully, but from what I've read the class is just using his place not his methods or ideas or his vast knowledge or am I not reading this correctly.

You could never learn Robert's vast knowledge in a 2-4 day class-- It took him a 50%- of a lifetime (may you live long and prosper) to learn. Him sharing his knowledge will cut that learning curve for us.... I doubt Robert would allow other people to clean rugs Under HIS name without some sort of supervision---Robert- YOU will be teaching us Right!???

 

[hogjowl]

It sounds to me like you guys should be happy to just have the opportunity to bask in his glory, whether he teaches the class or not.

 

[rhyde]

Ron, I don't know the curriculum exactly what will be taught ? From what Robert posted above Aaron Groseclose and Armen Dohanian are teaching the class and people will spend time on the wash floor working with his team. It doesn't sound like Robert will be teaching but i'm sure he will be around to to answer questions. Regardless, learning by doing on a wash floor is much better than a classroom with a book.

 

[sweendogg]

Armen is the wash floor manager and 2nd in charge down at Oriental Rug cleaning in Dallas and hails from Bonton Rug Cleaners in Boston. Aaron's Chemistry and Rug Knowledge with Robert there as a bonus will make this a great class indeed.

 

[Ron K]

Is there a preferred Hotel where everyone is hanging out? Airfares are going up. Any ground transportation? Any more information? Who is going from here? I know Papa is sending some. I've registered I think. Haven't paid don't know.......Paypail?

 

[Papa John]

Is there a preferred Hotel where everyone is hanging out? Airfares are going up. Any ground transportation? Any more information? Who is going from here? I know Papa is sending some. I've registered I think. Haven't paid don't know.......Paypail?

I got a good deal on tickets at Cheaptickets.com. You will need to take a taxi to the class; which can be kinda a scary-- all of Roberts employees and students had left and my Taxi didn't show up yet-- he probably got lost. even with GPS it can be confusing. I got a good deal on Kayak for the car rental. It was cheaper to use different booking sites the to bundle w one site.

I'll be staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver Aurora/medical center. If you stay there Ron then you can catch a ride with me if you want to.

Book soon-- it seams that prices on everything are going up fast

 

[kingjoelking]

What is a caucasian rug?

 

[Ron K]

I got a good deal on tickets at Cheaptickets.com. You will need to take a taxi to the class; which can be kinda a scary-- all of Roberts employees and students had left and my Taxi didn't show up yet-- he probably got lost. even with GPS it can be confusing. I got a good deal on Kayak for the car rental. It was cheaper to use different booking sites the to bundle w one site.

I'll be staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver Aurora/medical center. If you stay there Ron then you can catch a ride with me if you want to.

Book soon-- it seams that prices on everything are going up fast

Will do Papa look forward to meeting you maybe you can teach this old dog some old tricks!

 

[Papa John]

Ron- Im looking forward to US learning from each other..

 

[rhyde]

I'll be staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver Aurora/medical center. If you stay there Ron then you can catch a ride with me if you want to.

Thats on the otherside of town google says it's a 45 minute drive To Roberts place?
During the ARCS event most stayed at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel it's about 15 minutes away
1550 Court Place, Denver, CO ‎
(303) 893-3333 ‎ ·
sheratondenverdowntown.com

I'm not sure if I'm going yet haven't made up my mind.