Ken Snow
RIP
Pretty much agree with what you said Greg, discounting the insults to Brian. I think Groupon can work for a cleaning business that is trying to create a brand- which I think is exactly what Brian is trying to do.
My take on groupon different than the make no money room
- Thread starter XTREME1
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Ken Snow
RIP
How about the one in your last post? I am not going to re-read any and point them out, they are pretty much in every post after the first one if I recall correctly.
Royal Man
Member
Bundy said:
You can't help yourself can you.
The constant attacks really degrade this board.
Too many post just become pissing matches.
Brian R
Member
Bundy said:
I "need" to upsell in every house...why am I there? To give it away? Come on Greg...this is business. If you have a good product or service you shouldn't be ashamed to offer it.
What I mean by "risk" is if I sell over 1000 and can't keep up with demand...it could be a problem. I can't do them all myself and at the end of the day...I'm the only one I can depend on....I don't care how "good" or trustworthy a Tech is.
But like said...such is business.
This thread had everything to do with me because I've been so hot on Groupon lately...I've been saying it's a good thing...and you and others have said the opposite. And that's cool....it's what make this board the greatest.
We run our businesses different. I created a price point where I can make a living and don't need to put a below cost price(which hurts the industry as whole) to get into the home for the pressure sale. That is the bait and switch, offering a price to get in the door and pressuring to make your money. I have no problem with what cole and you do or anyone else, it is a business but don't p[retend and act like your doing the same type of work as some of us. It is okay to be what you are, embrace it
Brian R
Member
Do you not read my posts...or do you just not believe them?
One more time because I like you Greg
1. No high pressure sales
2. This does not hurt out industry
3. No Bait n Switch
I surely embrace what I do and how I run my company...if I didn't, I wouldn't come here and tell it to everyone at risk of being bashed.
I do things differently than most...and yes I'm proud of that.
I firmly believe that I help other cleaners get work and make money...My sub in Sacramento just leased out my company from me because he was making so much money working with me.
He will hopefully continue to provide work for himself and the other cleaners in the area.
I've started 2 (actually 3) other areas where I hope to do the same thing....but a lot quicker this time. lol
One more time because I like you Greg
1. No high pressure sales
2. This does not hurt out industry
3. No Bait n Switch
I surely embrace what I do and how I run my company...if I didn't, I wouldn't come here and tell it to everyone at risk of being bashed.
I do things differently than most...and yes I'm proud of that.
I firmly believe that I help other cleaners get work and make money...My sub in Sacramento just leased out my company from me because he was making so much money working with me.
He will hopefully continue to provide work for himself and the other cleaners in the area.
I've started 2 (actually 3) other areas where I hope to do the same thing....but a lot quicker this time. lol
Brian R
Member
The difference between a bait n switcher and myself is this.
If they want the job for that price...the get it with no hassles and we still do quality work.
If they want the job for that price...the get it with no hassles and we still do quality work.
Brian R
Member
The last time we did Groupon...we did plenty of jobs for the $79.00 price.
But yes...we DID offer them more...always.
Even if it was just Scotchgard.
But yes...we DID offer them more...always.
Even if it was just Scotchgard.
no where in the definition does it say hassle it says persuaded. maybe the more blatant news stories skewed your thinking but the definition fits
lets say 300 sold
$79 for 3 rooms $23,700 (which is your regular price so there is no discount, so that is an FTD type fraud)
($39.50) (11,850) to Groupon
39.50 11,850 Left
($10.00) ($3,000) to you for phone services, phones, scheduling, time, invoicing processing, taxes insurance.
($29.50) ($8850) to the techs for equipment, travel, operation time, clean chems and spotters etc and taxes insurance
so you Paid $11,850 or $39.50 per customer to already start in the whole. You said your guys have unmarked vans with truckmounts and I beleive it is something like $48.00 to run a truckmount per hour with depriation and repair and initial cost so they are paying $18.50 for the job you already paid 39.50 to acquire and you don't think this is ripe for pressure sales?
Before you start the job you and the other people you are relying(so if your not getting screwed you better bet the little guy your subbing to is) are in it for $58.00 with the cost of taxes, chems, .
I want to point out this thread had nothing to do with you, it was about groupon and you made it about you. I am just warning carpet cleaners to steer clear. I will be willing to bet with $10,000 in advertising I can personally get you more than 300 customers and not biill you until you have them
lets say 300 sold
$79 for 3 rooms $23,700 (which is your regular price so there is no discount, so that is an FTD type fraud)
($39.50) (11,850) to Groupon
39.50 11,850 Left
($10.00) ($3,000) to you for phone services, phones, scheduling, time, invoicing processing, taxes insurance.
($29.50) ($8850) to the techs for equipment, travel, operation time, clean chems and spotters etc and taxes insurance
so you Paid $11,850 or $39.50 per customer to already start in the whole. You said your guys have unmarked vans with truckmounts and I beleive it is something like $48.00 to run a truckmount per hour with depriation and repair and initial cost so they are paying $18.50 for the job you already paid 39.50 to acquire and you don't think this is ripe for pressure sales?
Before you start the job you and the other people you are relying(so if your not getting screwed you better bet the little guy your subbing to is) are in it for $58.00 with the cost of taxes, chems, .
I want to point out this thread had nothing to do with you, it was about groupon and you made it about you. I am just warning carpet cleaners to steer clear. I will be willing to bet with $10,000 in advertising I can personally get you more than 300 customers and not biill you until you have them
Brian R
Member
Bundy said:
Ok, if being a bait n switcher is going into a house and offering more of my services than ordered. Then so be it.
But you know and I know that bait n switchers press hard to upsell to the point that it makes the home owner feel...Pressured.
There is a line there...but it can all be considered bait n switch
IF you go into a home with a price tag of $100 and only get $90.00...is that bait n switch too?
So if you don't get EXACTLY what was quoted over the phone...you're a bait n switcher?
What if they try to give you a tip Greg?
"NO MAAM, I'm no "bait n switcher"".
I say Tomato Greg sez ToMAHtoe
(that last part was funny in my own head and I only expect a few of your to get it. lmao.)
Just foolin with ya Greg.
Brian R
Member
Bundy said:
That was not my regular price when I did the Groupon Greg. Watch the fraud talk.
Those numbers look great but in the real world, maybe they're correct and maybe they're not.
Brian R
Member
I think the issue is you are looking at this as conventional advertising and it's just not.
Brian R
Member
Bundy said:
Shame on them.
LisaWagnerCRS
Member
I don't agree with the statement that "none" would come back without that low price offer again... I'm sure some may.
But it will be a hell of a lot harder to build the trust to convert additional and future sales with a group coming in ONLY on price, than if they came in through other reasons.
And for me, why do more work on a first transaction that digs a big hole.
Groupon is great for consumers, but not how I would market for new customers. But that's me, I seriously want quality customers who are seeking our expertise and service, and I want a lifetime business relationship with them.
These threads are giving me a headache.
Lisa
But it will be a hell of a lot harder to build the trust to convert additional and future sales with a group coming in ONLY on price, than if they came in through other reasons.
And for me, why do more work on a first transaction that digs a big hole.
Groupon is great for consumers, but not how I would market for new customers. But that's me, I seriously want quality customers who are seeking our expertise and service, and I want a lifetime business relationship with them.
These threads are giving me a headache.
Lisa
Brian R
Member
Groupon has great prices ...yes. But they promote quality companies.
I had to answer a ton of questions, sign crap and assure them that I would do great work.
NO advertiser does that.
Yellow pages doesn't care if you splash in dash or not.
Groupon brings a higher end client...not all of them but that's who it's marketed to.
Just because it's a lower price doesn't mean it's a lower grade customer.
I had to answer a ton of questions, sign crap and assure them that I would do great work.
NO advertiser does that.
Yellow pages doesn't care if you splash in dash or not.
Groupon brings a higher end client...not all of them but that's who it's marketed to.
Just because it's a lower price doesn't mean it's a lower grade customer.
Ken Snow
RIP
Greg I don't know where you get your numbers but it costs us less than 1/2 that per hour to run a $60,000 Butler so I would think if a guy has a portable or lower end used TM it could be under 4$ per hour. And that is just machine time, not counting all the other revenue generated without the machine being on such as Scotchgard etc.
Again, I agree woith much of what you say, but why knock it unless you really know how it works for Brian. I will not be trying it, but couldn't really care less what others do.
Again, I agree woith much of what you say, but why knock it unless you really know how it works for Brian. I will not be trying it, but couldn't really care less what others do.
Brians guys as previously stated have unmarked newer vans with truckmounts not portables. Do your butlers run more than the average or average Ken?
Do you buy service supplies direct and have mechanics on staff or do you take them out for service? I am willing to bet that you have a different set of circumstances than a single operating subcontractor
Do you buy service supplies direct and have mechanics on staff or do you take them out for service? I am willing to bet that you have a different set of circumstances than a single operating subcontractor
Brian R
Member
I can only go on what I know to be true Greg
You're an adventurous fellow.....Do a deal and report back.
You were ready to throw a couple thousand dollars at a marketing program a coupld weeks back and that didn't pan out...
Whatdya think?
You're an adventurous fellow.....Do a deal and report back.
You were ready to throw a couple thousand dollars at a marketing program a coupld weeks back and that didn't pan out...
Whatdya think?
F
FB7777
Guest
totally agree with Ken on this
when I started, I used to spend between $15-20,000 a year to get my name out there
every offer was a low room price offer in Super Coups, ADVO mailers , local shopper weeklies and YP ad
every advertising avenue I've tried has been 'money up front'
I won't be trying Groupon either but will be interested in hearing how and especially why it worked for others
when I started, I used to spend between $15-20,000 a year to get my name out there
every offer was a low room price offer in Super Coups, ADVO mailers , local shopper weeklies and YP ad
every advertising avenue I've tried has been 'money up front'
I won't be trying Groupon either but will be interested in hearing how and especially why it worked for others
Brian R
Member
Bundy said:
Not all my subs are the same.
Some have full wrapped vehicles....some have unmarked vans.
Some have newer equipment...others not.
I don't have rules on equipment...only on quality of work.
And I've worked with guys who run prorties etc ....higher buildings etc.
You can get a carpet clean with a porty if you take the time.
Ken Snow
RIP
A "newer van" whatever that means could be in the 5-10k range and add a 6k used TM and you have a 16k system on the road (I would bet most got in it for under 10k total).
Heck - Chris Adkins just got a terrific setup for I believe 17k and if not for the freezing issue would be jumping up and down about how great it is.
Like I said a fraction of what it costs to run a 60k butler, especially if they do the wrentching themselves. When I sell my Butlers half the calls I get are from guys looking to spend half as much as mine will sell for~ they are the perfect target for Brian's subcontracting.
Ken
Heck - Chris Adkins just got a terrific setup for I believe 17k and if not for the freezing issue would be jumping up and down about how great it is.
Like I said a fraction of what it costs to run a 60k butler, especially if they do the wrentching themselves. When I sell my Butlers half the calls I get are from guys looking to spend half as much as mine will sell for~ they are the perfect target for Brian's subcontracting.
Ken
Brian R
Member
pfred said:
It worked well the last time I did it. It really jump started the dallas area.
I've been doing repeats recently from it as it was just about at year ago.
Yes, it was a better deal for me then but I'm pretty sure I can make this work still.
Brian R
Member
Ken Snow said:
As it works out most of the "new" guys are in need of work and that's how we get hooked up.
a few of these guys start making some money and buy better equipment.
I know it's hard to believe that my "subs" make money...but they do and they are all happy and ready to jump on this groupon thing.
One of my subs here in Dallas just bought a brand new Hydromaster and trailer and has another guy running it so that makes 2 trucks I can utilize.
Cool beans!
Unfortuantely I have to say this wasn't an introspective on your and your company Brian(I know you seem to think everything is and you hijack all these threads) but it was about Groupon
If you want to recite the studies showing the success of groupon please do
Just a an side not on portables, I was in a few mansions this past week and actually thought they may have been easier to do with a high powered portable and a 175 rather than TMs. I could have left one guy all day and made more $. Unfortunately my porty needs a pump
If you want to recite the studies showing the success of groupon please do
Just a an side not on portables, I was in a few mansions this past week and actually thought they may have been easier to do with a high powered portable and a 175 rather than TMs. I could have left one guy all day and made more $. Unfortunately my porty needs a pump
