[tim handley]

can anybody offer any hints on selling protection?? not something i push, but i know i shoud be doing and intend to start.
id like to know what products folks recommend? methods of selling? conversion rates? suggested price guides for protection??
many thanks...........

[Paul Wisdom]

I used to be a licensed applicator for Scotchgard until 3M decided to knock us all on the head. I carried a small piece of carpet treated in the van and after a clean would demo the water bead up properties of the protector to the customer - worked a dream

All the guys who worked for me did the same - they made a very nice commision on this add on.

[tim handley]

thanks mate, what protector do you use now??

[Paul Wisdom]

Still use Scotchgard as i still have some left. I don't do a lot of CC  these days. Chemspec have a protector which I thought was quite good.

[COLIN BRIGHT]

Did you go to TACCA, there were lots of people there who could talk you through all aspects of anything you needed  to know from cleaning to protectors, if you didn't go then it's one for your diary  for next year

[tim handley]

i did go  to tacca yes!!!         heard about some bloke called colin bright, described as " the protector guru", talk to me Colin, how do you sell so much protector and what product do you use?? many thanks............

[Mike Halliday]

Tim do you do in house quotes or over the phone?

In house quotes make selling protector easier,  you don't even need to sell it just leave a information sheet and tell them ..... "There's some important information to read before I arrive"  it can contain information about vacuuming & moving small items of furniture as well as information about protector

If you price over the phone then ask for thier email address and email it to them ( thus has the added benefit that you can collect a database of email address)

Or to keep it simple just use the magic words...... "including protector the total amount will be  .£xxxxx........"

Don't even give them the option not to have it

[tim handley]

thanks Mike, food for thought..........

[COLIN BRIGHT]

Excellent answer mike, do exactly that tim and you won't go far wrong, it's really easy to sell protector on the job, as to what one, well that's a personal choice, I suppose it's down to how much you charge for it, there are many different ones at different prices, some love nano from solutions  or Chris at Alltec sells a good one, and john Kelly is another supplier, what I am saying is pick the one with the most active ingredient in it, it may cost slightly more buy will also work the best, because you went to TACCA then I'm still not sure of why you didn't find the answer to your question there, with all the guys in the room, and the wealth of knowledge, then surely with impartial advise you will have a good idea of what one you are going to use and sell?

[tim handley]

it was being at tacca, attending the marketing seminar and talking to restormate and alltec thats fired me up re stainguard. im leaning towards johns stainsheild.....  . taken two bookings today over the phone and sold them both stainguard, so im certainly out of the starting blocks, thanks!!!!

[Mike Halliday]

Just asking if the carpet were stain guarded when new is an easy opener into selling protector, if they say yes tell them it can wear off with age......... ask  them if they want it re-applying after cleaning

Anyone who paid to have thier suite protected when they bought it are prime prospects for selling protector too as they've  already bought protector in the past

 I once saw   a great survey  form  from chemdry (which gets filled in on every quote) which has a tick box that says "the client has declined protector"

[tim handley]

also picked up a hint from tacca about carrying around a carpet sample, half treated half untreated and putting some liquid droplets on to show the difference between the two halves.....  bit like my days as a detailer, treating a section of a car bonnett with boutique wax/sealant then pouring water over to show the beading effect, always worked well as a sales tool.........
i apprciate all replies, many thanks............  onwards and upwards.....

[COLIN BRIGHT]

stainguard is indeed a good protector Tim, and being woolsafe approved is another great selling point, I offer it on the quote, and if declined, on the job halfway through cleaning and you will be amazed that after seeing the before and after, how the ones that said no, quickly say yes to it at that point
, try this on every job and watch your profits and conversion rate soar, best of luck, but saying that luck has nothing to do with it, just mention it and the magic happens

[sean oregan]

Is strain guard from restormate? ?

[tim handley]

stainshield is from restormate, most operators ive spoken to speak very highly of it......... obviously there are others to look into as well......

[Dave_Lee]

I too was a registered  'Applicator' of Scotchgard many years ago and did the days training at Bracknell. I must say since they finished that scheme I have not bothered too much with protectors unless customers have specifically asked for it.
A carpet or upholstery properly protected will last longer and be easier to clean in the future.
The difficulty is in the proper application, when people are going to be walking over it, sitting in the room etc. before the cleaned carpet, re-dampened with protector has had a chance to dry and cure. If they can't stay completely off the carpet for at least 24 hours, then it's a waste of time. Of course you could just take the money and be gone, but is that the right thing to do?

[COLIN BRIGHT]

I sell loads Dave, I always explain about keeping off of the carpets until completely dry, but if people choose to ignore the advice then that is their look out, having said that, ive been back clients after a few years and ok the carpet might need a clean but mostly the protector is still very active and working well, so it still benefits the client Hughley

[Brendan (chem2clean)]

Interested to learn what you charge for say an average room 12x14 and say stairs and landing.

[COLIN BRIGHT]

depends on the size of the stairs and landing

[Brendan (chem2clean)]

hey Colin,your average semi,14 steps and landing?