Hi Guys (and Girls!)
Firstly I apologise if my post was misconstrued as an advert; I was directed to respond to Ray Young's post which was spotted by one of our franchisees. I guess I got carried away.
Anyway, looks like I've created a bit of interest, so I'll try and give answers some of your posts:
1. Please feel free to have a look at the website if you want, it's at
www.hydro-dynamix.com. HOWEVER, it is completely out of date, totally the wrong design (I HATE flash sites, especially those that give you a headache with twirly images which this one does) and I am trying to find the time to take it down and start again. Much of the information on this site should be ignored since it is not current. On reflection, I think I'll just take it down and put up a holding page...
2. Cinemas - yes we have a contract, but no, it's not UGC.
3. Has this franchise company changed? - Yes, it was originally set up by Adam Swan. He has now left the company and we are taking it in a very different direction. We think our changes are of huge benefit to the franchisees, but then I would say that, wouldn't I?
4. Graffiti removal: We use technology rather than brute force - knowledge is a great weapon in graffiti removal. However I would agree that a bigger machine would give a better flow rate that might make the work fractionally quicker. The rates we can achieve are still very good though - better than carpet cleaning (and I am not referring to the rates on the website!).
5. Our franchise territory is sold as a minimum of 60,000 User Delivery Points, however you get a primary and a reserved territory for your money, i.e. 120,000+. If another franchisee wants to buy your reserved territory you have first refusal over it. We don't charge for it (apart from documentation costs), but you then have to pay the flat rate royalty on it. If you don't take it you are allocated another reserve territory, subject to availability.
6. Prices charged: Like every business we are flexible on prices. Some of our guys charge £1.50 per m
2, some charge £3.50. It's your business, your prices!
7. The other big point is that we have developed the truck mount into a very versatile tool to clean anything, not just carpets and upholstery. Some guys focus on doing just that, but most like the variety that we can offer.
8. Re Catman's questions: This isn't really the forum to go into this sort of detail, but I'd be happy to answer your questions if you give me a call.
Once again, sorry if I have 'misused' this board, I have attempted to respond factually to as many of your posts as possible. I will not make any comments about competitors - I don't think that would be appropriate!
James