Mysteriously Slow...

[rosselliscarpetcare]

We're a 24 year old, fam owned business with approximately 4K customers. We employ 4 people, myself included and all of whom are family. Top shelf equipment and training. Our 4 core services include carpet, upholstery, pick up area rug service and tile and grout cleaning. Last year we were awarded the "People's Choice" award after thousands of local newspaper readers were polled, asking who there favorite CC was. This spring we started using HousCall Pro and have never been so in touch with our custys as we are now. You get the picture....Having said all that normally we'd be booked 3-5 jobs per day, for 3 weeks, this time of year. For the last 3/4 weeks we've been booked only a week to week and a half. As of now we only have 5 jobs scheduled next week. This hasn't been the case in many years. Have we had it to good?? Is anyone else unusually slow?
Thanks in advance....

 

[Mikey P]

How hot is is there now?

 

[Lee Stockwell]

We used to schedule 3 weeks out, but now people won't wait that long.

The other side of that coin is that many wait till later to book their cleaning.

Get used to it, the new normal. If you handle calls and scheduling well you will find your days and weeks will fill up well.

 

[rosselliscarpetcare]

It's not hot. We did have epic rain fall in the spring but not sure how that would affect business now.

 

[Mark Saiger]

We are busy, busy right now with the 2 vans...

We are similar with me and 2 others on vans, and my wife taking calls and doing some office and bookkeeping...

She is also in charge of the GrandKids all day too....

For awhile we were booked out 3 weeks...and did start loosing jobs...

Now we are booked out 2 weeks, and we still are squeezing in people when we can....

We have seen some really large, large jobs for us this year...which we really enjoy...but then somehow, we will get someone who will still get us conviced to still take on just one more that day....

I always looked at, if it is quiet...that is sometimes just the calm before the storm....

 

[jcooper]

Could be anything, Darren.

How soon school starts, vacation time of year, whatever. Could be completely random.

Do yourself a favor, check the internet for your biz and check out your reviews. Make SURE there is no reason for the slowdown.

Good luck.

We used to schedule 3 weeks out, but now people won't wait that long.

It's true, people don't plan ahead. They just assume we can be there anytime Ms Smith wants.

 

[Able 1]

We have been busy as hell this year, but next week looks like crap here also.. Probably people trying to get in their vacations. July and August were never my best months(well maybe early on).. Enjoy it, you will be busting ass soon enough!

 

[hogjowl]

If Ofer could have gotten Hillary elected we'd all be rich now.

 

[Able 1]

I'm up 20% over last year, I'm good with Trump! People in this area are paying, I got a forty dollar tip today! Usually ALL tips go to my helper, but he was cleaning rentals.. Sucker!

 

[Mikey P]

My brother who works at Coit in Seattle says it's the slowest summer he's seen, ever.

 

[Able 1]

I don't doubt it.. Not sure I can spell it out on here..

 

[Desk Jockey]

Things are bound to pick up once they start on the wall.

 

[Able 1]

No, that's not what I'm talking about.. AT ALL!

 

[Desk Jockey]

lol

I know. I just had to throw a jab in there.

Unrest, it's just my nature.

 

[Brody Robert]

This is interesting. We have been busier than normal the last month but this week and next don't look real good.
Hoping it's because school is getting closer to starting.

 

[Mikey P]

Vacations.,....

 

[Mikey P]

We're a 24 year old, fam owned business with approximately 4K customers. We employ 4 people, myself included and all of whom are family. Top shelf equipment and training. Our 4 core services include carpet, upholstery, pick up area rug service and tile and grout cleaning. Last year we were awarded the "People's Choice" award after thousands of local newspaper readers were polled, asking who there favorite CC was. This spring we started using HousCall Pro and have never been so in touch with our custys as we are now. You get the picture....Having said all that normally we'd be booked 3-5 jobs per day, for 3 weeks, this time of year. For the last 3/4 weeks we've been booked only a week to week and a half. As of now we only have 5 jobs scheduled next week. This hasn't been the case in many years. Have we had it to good?? Is anyone else unusually slow?
Thanks in advance....

Take the crew camping, the rush is coming

 

[Mark Saiger]

I am actually taking off starting tonight for a few days going up the North Shore with the wife and puppies and Fat Tire Bikes....

Also, we backed off the schedule the next couple days and trying to give the guys a bit of reprieve....

We have been blesses with busy....but I know they need a little breathing time too....

No problem with hours because we will guarantee them their time...and actually hope I get to pay for them not working for a little bit...

They have been getting overtime starting on Thursday's most weeks....and they love it (bless these guys! )

So for me....I hope we can have a little fun hiking, fat tire biking and seeing a lot of great scenery, water falls....enjoy some fresh air.....

And lack of cellular (as my phone just rang from a carpet cleaner from the south at 6 am.....LOL)

 

[Steve Lawrence]

Economy imploding quicker for you maybe than some other areas. Don't believe the govt. This economy is in shambles.

 

[steve_64]

This is interesting. We have been busier than normal the last month but this week and next don't look real good.
Hoping it's because school is getting closer to starting.

I usually get slow around the fourth but was busier than normal. The last two weeks have been slower than normal but then the phone has been busy the last couple days filling up this week and into the next couple weeks.
School doesn't start till after labor day here then I'll have another slowdown. Usually a slower week in August too.


The changes I've seen mostly has been my online campaign. Getting better customers almost weekly now.

 

[Mikey P]

Economy imploding quicker for you maybe than some other areas. Don't believe the govt. This economy is in shambles.

What radio station do you listen to?

 

[Jimmy L]

Just waiting for the stock market to take a dive . And the rich harvest us again.

 

[steve_64]

I think we will see a big bubble for at least a few years probably longer.

Wages will increase due to lack of labor for new job market. That will drive up customer demand of product and services. Of course it's all temporary but I see another big increase in prices of goods setting up another crash.

 

[hogjowl]

I see us bitching about vlm 10 years from now

 

[Bob Pruitt]

Hand over fist... $

 

[Jim Williams]

Busiest year in 13 years here. The few previous years my income dropped a little but looks like this year may be a record. In my area the pattern is usually that the worse the weather is the more calls I get. If it's 95 degrees or it's snowing the phone rings off the hook. I guess people sit inside and look at their dirty carpet.

 

[steve_64]

It stinks from the humidity?

 

[rosselliscarpetcare]

Thanks for the perspective guys. As fate would have it....the phone rang of the hook today.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Thanks for the perspective guys. As fate would have it....the phone rang of the hook today.

Happens often, don't let slow times go to waste.

 

[FB7777]

Just waiting for the stock market to take a dive . And the rich harvest us again.

Two points

1. Look at VXX

2. Don't sell when the market corrects...even 40% like 2001