[Mike Halliday]

Ian I was not suggesting you  are doing a wind-up but perhaps someone else has started the rumour as a wind-up.

 where did you hear about it?

[Ian Gourlay]

From Chem Dry Doncaster, and Sheffield

[Barry Livingstone]

I quoted against a chen dry the other day, I was first in and the job was a small bedroom at £55.00 the CD price was £80......they did try the buy one get one free......I got the job as she liked me more than the CD guy as I talked her through the Job that was going to be done ....Vac, pre spay etc....

Id say it was on price tho, but thats customers for you......

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I know Allan a little bit I can imagine him doing it, the main problem with customers and CD is that customers expect the world for some of the prices they charge and the sales person isn't always the cleaner, also if you get the biggest in the trade to do work for you then you expect more.

Shaun

[Mark Lawrence]

I know its not CD, but I saw a Servicemaster van the other day and I have to say it was the most disgusting wreck Ive ever seen. There was more rust than paintwork on his TM, and his wand was the filthiest minging mess - and he takes that in to a custys house!

Then you look at Jim Neal and his servicemaster van and kit is spotless

What Im trying to say is just because they're a franchise doesnt mean they are better than anyone else - each cc is an individual (like already mentioned), and the high charges are just marketing and brand awareness.

Its amazing how many custys actually think that CD will 'dry' clean

Mark

[Ian Gourlay]

I could not make out if he meant one with red/ orange light on top or one of those LCD ones you see in shop windows .

Just watched a Dragons Den there is a bloke who has a pedal type bike cum billboard with an electronic type display, video for parking in high traffic areas at £1700 a day
  I do not know how big you can get those portable DVD players

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I used to have some flashing lights on my van didn't bring much in the way of work when I used to put them on just looked annoying to me, I looked at the moving signs but thought nothing more of it.

Shaun

[Ian Gourlay]

As I AM CALLED  CARPET MEDIC MY ORIGIONAL  idea was to have blue flashing lights.  But never did it.

I believe The US Branch is using the flashing light

[Dave Roberts]

John's point about it being good having competitors who are charging high end prices is spot on.   Other than a couple of fine gents from these forums who are local to me, most of my competition is from 3 x local Chem-Dry franchises (Durham, Sunderland and West Durham based), as well as a 'Bone-Dry' franchise, and a 'Zero Dry Time' franchise.

The vast majority of my new business (non existing customers) come to me after having called these competitors.  I try to give a service and brand my business in a franchise 'style' but with 10-20% reduction in prices, due to my lower overheads. I still consider my pricing medium to high end.

[PaulKing]

lost a job I quoted to too Chem-dry today they were apparently £80 cheaper, now thats a first!