[Chris R]

I have always found that this time of year is the  best time to put up your prices.

Its going to be busy for the next couple of months, so a few customers that moan about your new prices dont really matter ! 

It also allows you to offer discounts in Jan and Feb, without really discounting your CURRENT price .

Stick £5 to £10 on now,,,,,,,,,,offer £5 to £10 off in Jan and Feb.

Its worked for me anyway 

regards

Chris

[PaulKing]

there always time for a price rise

so far this year only one previouse customer said it was to much and then booked in with our sister company ( who run at last years prices) so she is knacker next year!

 best bit is it was the same lady on the phone that she spoke too and she never twigged.

[carpetguy]

This is when the nutters come out of their hidey holes offering XMAS SPECIALS.

robbie

[Les]

We had a leaflet popped through our door the other day offering 'HALF PRICE'  cleaning of upholstery..Armchair £12 etc. Curtains Carpets and lots more. All prices subject to VAT. The cleaning to be carried out by a 'Local Family Business' in your area for 2/3 weeks.

My wife for some reason checked out the VAT No on the internet.....NOT REGISTERED.

I contacted the Inland Revenue who checked the No. THe number was no longer in use and strangely had been previously been registered at an address which turned out to be that of an Inland Revenue office. "Whoops" 

The phone number was also for a town some 50 miles away which makes you ask, "why on earth would you want to travel 50 + miles to do work at 'Half Price' if you were legit 

Just to say it's worth checkin out who may be offering silly prices in your area.
Les

[NigelD]

Les,

There is a company in our area doing the same thing.

Everything is half price, and the more you buy it gets even cheaper. The VAT number doesn't exist.

They have a Milton Keynes number, 01908 is it the same?

Nigel

[Mark Stanley]

Had one with a Huntington area code with the same 1/2 price offers.

Must be flooded with work, if not its a lot of money on leaflets.

Mark

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

Old customers and reccs are going to get my normal prices, but new enquiries are going to be charged a Xmas premium of about 25 %.

They don't have to pay afterall , they can always go elsewhere.

Most other businesses such as restaurants , hotels , airlines etc charge more at Xmas so why shouln't we ?

Cheers

Doug

[Steve Chapman]

I have always found August is the best month for a price rise and have stuck to that every year!

people seem to be more cheerful and more generous then (must be the sunshine), at xmas thery're all worrying about spending too much so a bit more money conscious.

And Jan/feb  nobody spends anything anyhow

regards
steve

[Chris R]

And Jan/feb  nobody spends anything anyhow
regards
steve

Steve
A couple of years ago I did a mail shot to 2000 of my previous customers in January. The offer was for £10 off any cleaning work, completed before the end of Feb, only on production of the enclosed voucher.

I got about £4500 of business back from those vouchers !

People will spend in Jan and Feb , but only if its a GENUINE bargain.

Mail shots to previous customers are a very cheap, but effective, way of generating trade.

regards
Chris

[calmore]

I had a leaflet for half price..but from a company based in Exeter.

No fake VAT number but logos for a couple of made up trade organsiations.

Apparently they are the "UKs leading" and "the nation's favourite" carpet cleaning company...never heard of them myself!

[Steve Chapman]

Chris fair comment,

i must admit i've never done this during Jan/feb time but i might just give it a go.

i sometimes like a few quiet weeks after the xmas rush, but after a while you start to wondering if it will pick up, so it may be good to give them an extra push


regards
steve