[neil 47]

Has anyone ever seen a carpet cleaning shop on the high street?


Neil

[Chris Bailey]

There is one in Wigston, Leicester - apparently.  Not been to it or seen it but the adverts say its a carpet cleaning company.  me thinks I need to make a trip and have a look.

Chris

[Steve Weatherley]

I live in a very small town in East Kent and last month a shop opened up doing just that right at the end of my road! Most of my business comes from the locals so I am a little concerned that this shop may take some of my trade. On the whole though I am confident that my customers who have already used me will continue to do so.

Steve

p.s the shop is also doing plumming, plastering and small building jobs!

[Ian Gourlay]

As many of you know I sell window blinds.

I have often considered opening shop combining Carpet Cleaning and Window Blinds.

But have vowed never to get involved in retailing again .

Problem is

You have rates,

Rent

Staff

So minimum operating expense is in excess of 20K and that in a very secondary location.

Better taking a Stand in BQ


You may be locked into a lease.

Think how much promotion you can do for  20K

Which you can change quickly.

If you take on a shop you cannot change quickly if you are in the wrong position etc.


Retailing is about location location

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

As Ian has pointed out a shop will take an awful lot of jobs to cover the cost.

A cheaper alternative would be signs in related shop windows, such as dry cleaners.

Lloyd Owens used to do this.

cheers,

Doug

[ianharper]

Hi Guys

The very best way to get your business on the high street is though joint ventures. One that Joe polish uses is with dry cleaners, you get them to give out gift vouchers to all their customers, its means you cleaning for free one room, but if you do the audit the right way you should get extra areas. or if you get any uses then get photos of homes and get testimonials.

To use this system you must belive in newsletter etc so next time around they want them cleaned its your name in frount of them.

And as an extra incentive you give the dry cleaner a cut of any work you do on the first visit. this will give then an incentive to give out vouchers, the system is called free money, as they get money for doing nothing.

This system can work with any type of business,

Respect

Ian Harper