Those RE customers

[Mikey P]

Thoughts?

 

[hogjowl]

False hope
Unrealistic expectations

 

[Desk Jockey]

I get what you're saying, its poor marketing to fish for shitholes, showing before and after if you don't want those clients.

However I don't think in your tiny market you can afford to only clean moderately soiled carpet.

Are you sure you even want to clean anymore? That sounds awful picky, being a cleaner generally means anything and everything.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

As your business matures, it isn't unusual to start becoming more picky about who you want to work for.

I think you're a little young to be taking a major cut to working for annoying people, but surely a price increase will weed out people who wait too long for cleaning because it just isn't a priority to them.

A very successful commercial carpet cleaner who I know has these rules regarding commercial work that he's asked to provide a proposal for:

1. Sign. If there isn't a company sign on the building, they don't have strong commitment to staying there, or being a part of the community.

2. Parking Lot: If it isn't paved, he won't pull in.

3. Landscaping: If they don't care enough about the exterior to invest in landscaping, they likely won't care enough about the carpet and floors to pay for a good cleaning job.

4. Carpet and Floor Condition: He won't give an estimate if the carpet or hard floors are heavily soiled. In his mind, he only wants to work for people who already care enough about their image to keep their floors cleaned, not have them restored each time they are trashed.

Obviously, there are exceptions, but he built a profitable business around that model.

 

[steve_64]

We are growing out of shit hole work for Genny.
I'm still slow as hek. Been working for Genny too much.
Lost a lot of high paying jobs the last year. Apartments are slow too.
I don't mind shit work because I've always charged extra and I'm only there a couple hours at most. I don't have to touch much and wash up at the van before I get in. Shower when I get home.

But I agree it's not what we should market towards. If I'm paying to advertise I want the best customer possible. But it depends on where you run the ad.

 

[Mikey P]

Haven't needed to use mine is close to two years now.

I get what you're saying, its poor marketing to fish for shitholes, showing before and after if you don't want those clients.

However I don't think in your tiny market you can afford to only clean moderately soiled carpet.

Are you sure you even want to clean anymore? That sounds awful picky, being a cleaner generally means anything and everything.

Aside from my military account I'm pretty much only working for retired folks. The sort of people that retire over here have enough money and common sense and decorum about them to keep their homes nice and tidy.

It's only when the local folks that have been here forever that somehow didn't get squeezed out call that I see the need for deep cleaning..

 

[Nomad74]

Sell him a glide

 

[Rick J]

Just run it over the bad areas first, after applying heavy pre-conditioner , without vacuum cuff on.
I know, not really on topic!!! LOL!!! but an realistic alternative, and do not need extra equipment set up.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Honestly I prefer to use a RE or Zipper Spinner when cleaning. I want to deliver a cleaning superior to a simple scrub wand cleaning.

That's just for everyday cleaning, not shitholes. I'd pass on a lot of the jobs I see some cleaners clean.

I wouldn't pass because I think I'm above cleaning shitholes but because I think replacement is the better option vs restorative cleaning of them.

 

[steve_64]

Honestly I prefer to use a RE or Zipper Spinner when cleaning. I want to deliver a cleaning superior to a simple scrub wand cleaning.

That's just for everyday cleaning, not shitholes. I'd pass on a lot of the jobs I see some cleaners clean.

I wouldn't pass because I think I'm above cleaning shitholes but because I think replacement is the better option vs restorative cleaning of them.

A lot of people don't want the hassle or cost of replacement. I advise replacement when I feel it's best but in the end I give them what they are willing to pay for.

 

[Desk Jockey]

A lot of people don't want the hassle or cost of replacement. I advise replacement when I feel it's best but in the end I give them what they are willing to pay for.

As long as their expectations aren't too high.

A worn, filthy, stained carpet will still be a worn, clean, stained, carpet afterwards.

 

[Cleanworks]

As long as their expectations aren't too high.

A worn, filthy, stained carpet will still be a worn, clean, stained, carpet afterwards.

You mean you can't make it look new?

 

[Desk Jockey]

You mean you can't make it look new?

I can but I'll need to take you on a trip in my Delorean to see it.

 

[steve_64]

As long as their expectations aren't too high.

A worn, filthy, stained carpet will still be a worn, clean, stained, carpet afterwards.

Of course there is a discussion on results. I usually tell them I will do my best but....and I can be brutally honest.
I usually don't want to do it that's why the replacement is mentioned.
People will beg you to clean.

 

[Dolly Llama]

if you don't want to clean dirty carpets, CCing might be the wrong career path....




..L.T.A.

 

[Mikey P]

if you don't want to clean dirty carpets, CCing might be the wrong career path....




..L.T.A.

 

[Dolly Llama]

View attachment 108869

no.
I was talking to "normal" CC's .
Not semi-retired 30+ year wand sloggers that make $ix figures on side gigs without touching a wand, pad or tube of caulk

..L.T.A.