[Spot On cleaning]

As mentioned on this forum before, we could in effect be giving away all our hard earned secrets to a newbie who is in our area. I don't mind this so much as long as there is a cross exchange of information.

What puzzles me is the fact that many forum users have hidden details, so you do not know from what area they are from. It also struck me that somebody registered in 2003 has only made approx 10 posts in 26 months, but is obviously studying the forum closely as they have defended a criticism made indirectly about their system. For a forum to work well it needs a good back and forth exchange of information.

I would not like to think that the opposition is gleaming information from this forum to bolster their working practices or advertising at our expense.

What does anybody else think?

Dave

[Rousey]

Dave, I see your point, but competion is healthy and it should improve your business if you have someone to compete with.

The facts are there are enough carpets to go round 20 fold!!!

A good moto..Don't worry about the competion, You are the competion!!!!

Mark.

[Spot On cleaning]

Good point mark and yes theres enough to go around. But looking at some websites it seems that some of the big well known franchises are trying to knock out the smaller competitors with unfounded fears of shrinkage, wicking and staying wet for long periods.

I make good money as you do, but i think character assasination to further a business is not in my advertising strategy.

I know we all have our preferred system and good luck to all. Unfortunately there will always be cowboys who ruin the business. I beleive people are wary and like referrals, but if you look at some websites it seems to me that the majority of us are suffering character assisination in furtherance of their franchise business.

Dave

[Rousey]

Dave, as long as YOUR business is Honest, Ethical, Good Practice,Excellent Customer service and you are always honest with your cleaning results, then you wont have a problem. If you also have a good referral programme and a testimonial file you will also have a good business.

The other problem is, that I have been to houses after other cleaners have been in and I have come across the problems of shrinkage, wicking and clients complaining of wet, soggy, smelling carpets!!

Mark

[John Rimmer Marshall & Rimmer Ltd]

I am with Dave on this one wye would anyone on this site not want to give out basic information such as what part of the country do you work. Something
to hide ? hope not.

                                Take Care John

[therapist]

Rousey

I think we've probably all been to clients who've experienced, bad practice, in fact I've been to three over the past couple of weeks, most recently, this morning.

A long standing customer, for the past 8 years, she'd bought a new carpet about 6 months ago and it was ' stain protected ' by a very well known company who sell protection and maintenance...........

When the ' protector ' had been applied, the carpet was corrugated and the concerned customer phoned to express her concerns. " Don't worry "  she was told,  " it will be OK when it dries out "

God knows what was done to the carpets.

I  h/w/e'd them with no adverse effect and found no evidence of protector.  Now, this is a large and long established company and you have all heard of them............and  we get constant references to, splash n dash, and inexperienced guys causing problems.

ROB M

[Liahona]

good question.....accordingly I mostly work in the Tetbury and Bath area, however I trouble shoot for an organization of which I am not sure if I can say on here or not, they have me service clients all over Britain and rarely but into Europe as well. The Cotswolds "house" very nice and exclusive properties and treat me very well. Please note I do not live in these areas but travel to them. I travel some 6 to 800 miles per week sometimes but get compensated very well so it is not a problem. I am happy to post information back and forwards to other members but must admit I am dissappointed with some members comments towards others. I am willing to gain experience from members by what they say and hey, you never know maybe what I have to say may help someone else.

[craigp]

hi spot on,

               i to have thought these things, its worse than you think have a look at the members list 7740 members thousands of whom have not even posted despite being members for 1 - 2 years, and as you say hind there identities,

               i think there are some that study this forum and benifit, yet do not contribute.
craig.

[craigp]

surly it can be agreed some advertising is bad for the industry as a whole,  ie.

"unscupulus carpet cleaners"   "warning dont call any other carpet cleaner"

etc etc.

[therapist]

Liahona, your posts leave more questions than answers, which although fascinating to some, are bound to frustrate others'

If anyone is seeking a troubleshooter in any industry, they will normally approach the relevent Trade, or Professional associations for a highly regarded, qualified and experienced individual.............I trust you would meet their expectations.

rob m

[Rousey]

surly it can be agreed some advertising is bad for the industry as a whole, ie.

"unscupulus carpet cleaners" "warning dont call any other carpet cleaner"

etc etc.

I don't see the problem with these adverts. There ARE unscrupulus cleaners, and the warning one is to direct you to the companies advertising which then tell you about there services.

[Liahona]

Rob, fair comment. A lot of what I say is to be unanswered so helping us as cleaners to think about what it is we do and maybe to change our ways if we think it is maybe a better way to do things. Wasnt my intentions to be frustrating so I will try to be better at wording what I say. With regards the trouble shooting I have left a message with whom I deal with and will find out if I can say who it is. Maybe I worked in California too long, you cant name names of any sort there and so I am not sure what I can say on here. With regards the qualifications, yes I am in the fields I service in. If I leave anything unanswered please just ask what it is you need clarifying...... ps thankyou for your post, it is much nicer to reply to genuine statements or questions other than that that has been thrown around recently. .....I need to learn what I can the same as the next person....... best, Dave.

[Ian Gourlay]

Dave,

Its alright to say who you trouble shoot for.

If you know where good training can be found etc

What upsets Forum members is constant plugging.

Also if product compete against Express Cleaning Suppliesdonot constantly plug it.

A good example is John Kelly, hes helpful, runs a cleaning supply company but does not constantly plug it.

[BRSL]

getting back to the original debate about members contributing to the forum, I cant help but feel that the ones that have been viewing only, arent the splash n dash bob a job man with a vax looking to pinch secrets, secrets what secrets, we should hold no secrets that is the aim of the forum, but if the bob a job man phoned me and was stuck with a problem that he believed I could help him with I wouldent say to him "ill help you as long as you tell me something in return" id be more than happy to help him out, in the end he's looking for help not just thinking oh well they can put a rug over it next week when it drys, these people are looking for advice to further there knowledge this can only be a good thing. The other thing we should be aware of is a lot of people would find it a bit intemidating to post, we can be a bit off putting at times, and theres others that are still afraid of the internet, they maybee able to log on but would take a week to write a post.

But I also belive that some parts of the profile should be mandatory, comon guys what you got hide

James

[Liahona]

ok then, as it would appear I am alowed to say who I troubleshoot for. I work for The National Heritage Society.......not just of course...... Therefore going into Castles, Palaces, Stately homes etcetera..... Believe me Gary they have no problems paying what I charge. Any other questions just keep asking and I will try to answer, best, Dave.

[busydaffodil]

What is so important about knowing peoples area?   Will it change how you reply on here?  Probably not.

People have the right to be as secretive as they like here.......why change that policy......as it obviously works!

[Ian Gourlay]

Dave ,

I am not supprised you are able to get a pound a square foot.

And obviously the Carpet you worek on is very expensive.

In my local Government role I am amazed how much Consultants receive, what they are able to claim for mileage, how much they charge out the office junior etc.

And this is after the best value company has been found.


Regretably not many Carpet Cleaners gain this kind of work so although it is another thread maybee £3 to £6 a square foot is a more realistic objective.

[Liahona]

Ian, many times I just get paid for what I do. To price per square foot on some of the carpets I clean would just be silly and also make me look stupid (no comments please) and more important would be an insult to the client. If I did work it out it is indeed close to if not well over what it is you suggested of 3 or 6........ To clarify, how would you charge for using 2 to 4 or 5 air movers, wrapping all internal hoses and often returning the next day to remove plastic tabs poly blocks etcetera..... You cant very well charge per foot so it is often just a charge. hope this helps, bes, Dave.

[Liahona]

not only that but look at all the stick i get for charging a pound a foot, can you imagine if I said I got 4 or 5 a foot..... but it is out there, you justhave to find it and be able to service it, a lot of cleaners I know dont want it, funny old world eh?