Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ben Lugg on September 01, 2009, 07:54:49 pm

Title: P O boxes
Post by: Ben Lugg on September 01, 2009, 07:54:49 pm

I don't have business premises, so I am considering using a PO box address for feedback questionnaires from customers.  A PO box costs £63 for a year and seems a good way of maintaining privacy at home. 
What do you think?
Does anyone else already use a PO box or other method of keeping your home address private?

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: Simon Gerrard on September 01, 2009, 07:56:43 pm

What's wrong with using your home address?

Simon

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on September 01, 2009, 07:59:28 pm

Ben

The majority of one man businesses work from home, so what's the problem ?




Steve

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: Ben Lugg on September 01, 2009, 08:02:20 pm

Thanks Simon
I'm thinking about the PO box as I don't see a need for customers to know where I live.  
After all I don't know where the manager of my local shoe shop lives, for example!
It's just trying to keep home and business separate, which would be a normal thing if I had an office or other business premises.
Cheers
Ben

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: Joe H on September 01, 2009, 08:05:20 pm

I would think its more important having a separate telephone line.
Imagine your wife on the phone for an hour and potential custys cant get through.

No problem I dont think in custys knowing where you live. Ive got jobs because of the locality to the custy, or they lived round the corner years ago type of thing.

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: gwrightson on September 01, 2009, 08:22:14 pm

i agree, a custy should know your address , and why not ?

I believe majority of people are put off from phoning if no address,

have you some thing to hide ? ;)

geoff

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: Ben Lugg on September 01, 2009, 08:32:08 pm

Nothing to hide, Geoff! 
Being a redhead means it is pretty difficult for me to hide anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your comments everyone.
I'll ponder this one......

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: GWCS on September 01, 2009, 10:03:50 pm

Quote from: Ben Lugg on September 01, 2009, 08:32:08 pm

Nothing to hide, Geoff! 
Being a redhead means it is pretty difficult for me to hide anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your comments everyone.
I'll ponder this one......

I have a PO Box - I live in a rented house and im not supposed to run a business from it (in the contract) so id rather not have my address on it for 2 reasons..

1) Im not supposed to - however i dont think it would be a problem since im not trading from it, just using as a base.

2) If i was to move or get evicted for any reason i would have to change all my flyers/invoices/bus cards/free directory inserts etc etc of my change of addy what an expensive and extensive effort!!

If anyone asks about the PO Box i tell them why - for which they understand however I do offer out my address if they really need it - no one has asked for it.

My contact details are available via the Electoral Register so it not like im hiding anything, as I generally give my full name to clients anyway.

Im a member of various trade organisation i have a website, direct email from the website and give my land line and mobile so it not like im going anywhere.

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: daysdeepclean on September 01, 2009, 10:26:46 pm

There are obviously good reasons for and against.... My custy's think I live at my old address, which is good cos I'm in the business of making peoples carpets stink now ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: Ryan Smyth on September 02, 2009, 03:12:35 am

Col  ;D ;D genius!!

Ryan

Title: Re: P O boxes
Post by: Ben Lugg on September 02, 2009, 04:04:51 pm

Thanks for your reply GWCS.
Its a good idea in your situation especially with the cost of redoing flyers etc.

Colin, lol   ;D