Help needed with Cleanfax feature article

[JeffCross]

Cleanfax is putting together an article for the December issue on the topic of the top 10 biggest business mistakes cleaners and restorers make and why/how they should avoid them.

So I'd like to quote you... what are the biggest mistakes you can think of?

You can post here or send an email to jcross@cleanfax.com - be sure to include your full name, company name and city/state.

 

[Desk Jockey]

 

[Louis]

You want a bunch of guys to admit they made a mistake and learned from it. We don't make mistakes, it was a series of unfortunate events that caused the problem.

First lesson Do not believe the return on investment numbers that any sales person tells you in this business. Especially advertising. Cut them in half or lower. If you can live with that then consider it.

 

[JeffCross]

No truer words have ever been uttered.

 

[Barry-QDCC]

Not unique to carpet cleaning but I once knew a guy, who knew a guy, who wasn't diligent in getting his employee payroll taxes paid in full. That caused BIG problems and took a lot of time and effort and $ to fix that mistake.

 

[rhino1]

I have seen some guys come and go after dropping a ton of money or going deep into debt for the newest and biggest van and machine they could find, thinking that will sell the job. They end up with no real marketing strategy, payments they can't meet, and they are gone fast.

 

[Total_Rookie]

I am willing to share my mistakes, I'll send an emai over.

 

[JeffCross]

I got it, just catching up... (well, the other email you sent).

 

[Askal]

Expensive equipment on taxes at a lower tax rate and then pay it off at a higher tax rate. Now I only expense what I buy in cash (meaning not borrowing to aquire it). I guess not a huge mistake but it can catch up to you. Oh and drapery drycleaning. Oh and don't make friends with employees. Take more time to play with your kids and dogs.

 

[JS41035]

I have seen some guys come and go after dropping a ton of money or going deep into debt for the newest and biggest van and machine they could find, thinking that will sell the job. They end up with no real marketing strategy, payments they can't meet, and they are gone fast.

I agree
I would also say that on the flip side. I think not going out and buying new equipment holds a lot of cleaners back. A 1000 payment can bankrupt a new business. But the downtime and endless repairs to keep an old machine running can end up costing an established business far more than a payment per month. I think some cleaners underestimate the impact new equipment can have on there overall attitude.

 

[SamIam]

Biggest mistake is going it alone with your own expertise, Finding these boards connecting with others doubled my business, by putting a few suggestions into play. Dont be a know it all, seek help, In the magazine's or forums. There's alot of good input.

 

[handdi]

dont..buy..in.to.the.bb.hype.on.equipment.sorry.space.button.on.computer.broke

 

[Desk Jockey]

 

[rhino1]

dont..buy..in.to.the.bb.hype.on.equipment.sorry.space.button.on.computer.broke

Any piece of equipment in particular?

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Any piece of equipment in particular?

Obviously not keyboards.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Running solo too long was my mistake.