[Jason Hedges]

Hi all,

I've been carpet cleaning for a couple of years now and when I had some money part bought a year old vauxhall vivaro and had it nicely sign-written. 2 years down the line the £250 a month repayments on the van are taking its toll (with 3 years left on the finance). I've recently bought a smaller older van and had it written the same and have noticed a noticeable increase in van enquiries!

Does having a new smart van put off prospective customers because they think you'll be more expensive? On my experience yes it does!!!

Any comments more than welcome.....

Kind regards,
Jason.

[therapist]

Interesting point Jason and you are probably right with your observations.  When a tradesman, or sales rep turns up in a flash vehicle, I suspect we all subconciously adopt a defensive mode and are less likely to want to do business'

This kind of comment, will be rubbished by some of the '' wannabee high fliers '' but I suspect that, reverse psychology, takes over when people are  confronted with, what they percieve to be Mr Flash and Mr Reliable on their doorstep.

I hadn't thought of this before, but I suspect I am personally affected in exactly this way..........

rob m

[Bill Robinson]

suddenly my old banger of a van looks much better 

[gwrightson]

Jason , i would say the complete opposite, rob is talking twaddle
So we all might as well go out and buy an old clapped out transit, "sure to make an impression"
and just imagine if all the top companys thought like that, no new van sales
Infact while you at it , might as well turn up in a scuffy track suit bottoms and a jumper with holes all over it, and perhaps a pen and the back of a fAg packet to take the  details
Having said that Rob might have a point   If that is the type of custy you are seeking
   Geoff

[AJCleaningServices]

I have just bought a new vehicle, so now should I buy an old number-plate 
Regards,
Arthur

[Liahona]

As you may or may not know I dont sign write my van but having said that I clean it before every customer so that they do indeed see a clean smart vehicle. My opinion is that as we are cleaners shouldnt we present clean when we arrive. When I meet new designers and interior decorators which are my main source of business it is my van and how it is and looks that gives me the first impression that I am looking for..... Having said that I understand what else has been written on this subject just feel it is not for me. With the customers that I have do you think they would have me on their grounds if I looked clapped out so to speak. With regards looking expensive, that is exactly the impression I want to give!!!!! Therefore I ask, do we want to give the impression we are cheep? Best, Dave.

[John Kelly]

I don't agree with this idea. Its one thing a rep driving up in a top of the range BM or Merc. That instantly gives an impression and different people will react in a different way.
But vans are a different kettle of fish. Personally I would prefer any tradesman to turn up in a resonably new van. If he turns up in a P reg Transit, I immediately think "he can't be making much" with the thought that he isn't very good at what he does.
Also Mrs Smith & Co probably wouldn't know a brand new van from their elbow.
New vehicles give you reliability and also the RIGHT image.
I would guess you have had more enquires because your message is concentrated in a smaller area and has more impact.

[boshravie]

Hi Jason
It’s all down to how you approach the customer and how you educate the customer and most importantly which kind of customer do you want.

Professionalism always pays and when you have clean sign written van, you always command respect from customer.

[Ian Gourlay]

Jason.

I am glad changing your van has increasedyour sales.

You have lowered your overhead cost.

Now you can put more money into Marketing

[mark_roberts]

I think your wrong.

A builder comes to your door in dirty clothes and an old rusty dirty van.  Whats your impression of his service and ability to care for your home if he cant care for himself??

Only last week a customer commented on how good my van looked compared to his plumbers.

Of course those who think cheap buy cheap and are they the customers you really want?

Mark

[AJCleaningServices]

Of course those who think cheap buy cheap and are they the customers you really want?

Good point Mark, so I am not changing my number-plate

[Ian Gourlay]

But do  you really need a 15k plus van?

[Liahona]

Ian, mine didnt cost anywhere near that but point taken, with regards the market I am in then yes I need the van I have and what is in it too. I have 30k invested in my van and set up but as you know I charge accordingly. Best, Dave.

[mark_roberts]

Ian

You could get a 2 year old transit in VGC for around £5000.

SWB that is.

Mark

[Liahona]

but what good is a short wheel base?

[Ian Gourlay]

Mark,

My point exactly

But if you work out the costs of the origional post The cost of the van was 15k over five years

[Liahona]

Oh ok, wasnt paying too much attention, sorry mate,.... thats why I pay cash for everything, best, Dave.

[Mike Halliday]

if you pull up outside a customers house in a clean van how do they know if its 1month or 4yrs old? do they come out and look at the number plate?

if your worried why not go out and quote in your car on an evening, ( oops that would be worse for me because i drive a  Merc )

Mike

[Liahona]

Mike, good comment...... mine is 4 years old just looks clean. As you suggested it doesnt have to be new just look good. Oh and my van is a Mercedes he says with a smile, best, Dave.

[therapist]

DON'T THINK I SAID .............OLD DIRTY VAN AND CLOTHES............ETC

The point was..............you do not impress people by being FLASH after all, it's your voice on the phone that's got you to their door and it's how you present yourself, VISUALLY AND VOCALLY at that point, that will win, or lose the day.

If you feel the need to spend a great deal on your signage.........fine..........I have a number of vehicles and the one that arrives at clients doors is unlettered, but always clean and tidy, as are the machines and equipment I take to their door.


have a nice day

Mark.............you read much more into a few generalisations than what's been written
and I repeat  '' the filling is more important than the packaging ''

for filling substitute..........person
for packaging substitute................van

nuff said