[chrisjohn]

This is only my third month of trading,and I seem to be cleaning a much higher percentage of Fabric sofas compared to Leather.So far its about a 90/10 split.I charge the same price,I advertise in the same places.

Only thing I can think of is,that when I give quotes on carpets,and spot a Leather sofa,many people reply with,'Oh we clean it ourselves'

Most use products you can buy from Wilkos.I know there a bit naff,but customers still persist in using them

Is this typical?

Chris

[Joe H]

Its about right for me as well.
This last 12 months leather has slowed down a lot.
Much prefer doing it then fabric though.

[Mike Osbourne]

Yep you got it. They will be whinging to you when you tell them they have taken the laquer off and it's going to cost them big time to fix it.
But they won't be told.

[Colin Day]

I still advertise that I do leather on the side of the van and actually got asked for the 5-6th time since June 2008 how much the leather cleaning is today.... I advertised it initially too and the plan was, if I had enough enquiries, I'd do the course.... Don't think I'll waste my money :

Instead I'm going to invest in a brand new dip tank (Electric) for the oven cleaning....

[Mike Osbourne]

It's really repairs that you are going to get work for and cleaning is just a bonus.

Like anything else new it will require spending time and money on initially before your efforts bear fruit.

[JandS]

Average about 2 a month but love doing them, very therapeutic.
Quick set up, Sky tv on and tune into Radio 2 and away we go.
I really could do it all day every day.

John

[Mike_Roper]

Too right, it all sounds great to get into leather repairs ,but to be honest most fall at the first hurdle or maybe the second. We a carpet cleaners just havn't got the patience to see it through we are used to booking a job in knowing pretty much how long its going to take and coming away with a reasonble fee for it. leather repair isnt like that until you really know your stuff and most give up long before that stage.
Not beig presumpuous but didnt Mick Halliday say recently tha he now subs out leather work- Mick is that the reson behind it ?
There are so many variable with leather repair and it can be very time consuming hence  problem getting the money you want for the time involved
Just my take on it !
Mike
sorry bt my key board is playing up and missing letters.  

[Neil Williams]

,'Oh we clean it ourselves'
Most use products you can buy from Wilkos.

Those who use products from Wilkos to clean a 'leather' are those who have spent £200 on a 'leather' sofa, which of course isn't true leather as it has a coating of polyurathene thick enough that you can use just about anything on.

I'm currently working on a leather cleaning/restoration web site that will be aimed at those who have the real thing, and the type of person who doesn't spend a few hours on their hands and knees for any reason.

[Fintan_Coll]

While on the subject of leather has anyone heard how Andy is since he went into Hospital about two weeks ago.

[Mike Halliday]

Mike, 2 reasons I no longer offer repairs

1)I don't hit the same amount of money doing leather repairs that I make carpet cleaning, so as long as I'm busy with carpets there's no reason to do them

2) I've done a deal with my local furniture clinic franchise, they advertise on the back of my leaflet and we split the cost 50-50, so if I do get asked about repairs I pass it on to them out of courtesy.

[Neil Mc Anulty]

Colin
Where would you find a dip tank, I have done a search and it only seems to throw up an oven cleaning service. Is it ultrasonic?

[Mike_Roper]

Spoke to Andy on friday ,he'd just come out of hospital day before and was pottering around. Said he'd had big op and hopefully alright. I was certainly glad to hear his voice and that he was on the mend. Go steady Andy and wish you a full and speedy recovery.
Mike

[Fintan_Coll]

Glad to hear that Mike.