[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Last night was at a dinner and chatting to a couple of carpet retailers who said times were getting tough.

Today was speaking to a banker customer who was saying it's going to be as tough as the 1930's, not quite old enough to remember that myself.

Personally I am busier than I have ever been and am getting lots of calls from all angles, not just the internet.

Do you think us CC's may be in a reasonably strong postion with cleaning taking over from replacement ?

Cheers

Doug

[markpowell]

Yes Doug i think us specialist cleaners will be some of the few winners in the future months. 
mark

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Being on both sides of the fence Doug (supply and fit as well) I think that is definately going to be the case.

And quite frankly if I didnt believe that then I may as well jack it in now.

I certainly think we are going to have to work harder for it.

It's bad enough the tv and press trying to talk us into a recession without us all believing it and sitting back waiting for it to happen.

Steve

[Barry Livingstone]

Mr Holloway, do you do all your own sites ....

Just asking as am getting a few site names bought.....and looking subdomain names too ..no sure how that works tho...

[liahona]

I am not busy now as I dont work this time of year.   Apart from the exception to the rule I did my last job today untill maybe the end of September.

 Having said that a lot of my clients are extremely busy as their clients are still spending.

 If there is this so called credit crunch, might I suggest to market clients who arent affected by it. 

There is so much work out "there" we just simply dont go after it or ask for it.  I know this is a generalization but I am sure you get my point.

Best, Dave

Best, Dave.

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Yes Doug. I certainly think these COULD be good times.

Those who have been trading for a number of years SHOULD have been wise enough to put something away and have some "wool on their backs" for the tougher times. (Those of us of a certain age should also be able to remember how times were in the past; and that life carries on.)

Bad times WILL come to an end; it just doesn't seem like it at the time.

If you have looked after your customers, gained in knowledge and training and not over-extended yourself then you will come through the other side in a better state. You may have to work a little harder but your success will prove how good you have been in building a solid business during the good times.

Keep up the hard work (play hard as well) and see you on the other side (or at least at the next CCDO).

Roger

PS how well you have educated your customers will also shine through as one aspect of the level of business you will enjoy.

[Neil Grainger]

I'm getting alot of commercial enquires at the moment, in the last 2 weeks it has gone mad. Domestic is also doing well.

[derek west]

you only have to look at your ad words impressions to see more and more people every day are searching for carpet cleaners, this cred crunch is the beginning of good things, i really think ive started this business at the best time, may be wrong, lets wait nd see.

[*Chris Browne]

The old saying is,  that if you can start a business in a recession things can only get better

Chris

[Mike Osbourne]

Get up in the morning, put a brew on and listen to the morning news. 10 mins later feel that I'm going to get stabbed as soon as I step out the front door, there's a pedo on every street corner and we are all financially doomed.

Only listen to music now, feel great, just hope nothing important happens.

[Doug Holloway]

HI Guys

Glad to hear things are reasonably good, I must admit I thought it would be worse by now.

James, yes I do all my own and optimise myself also.

Have loads of sites in top (1-3) Google

Cheers

Doug

[John Kelly]

I stopped buying newspapers years ago. Just have to wean myself off tv and radio news and the world will be a happier place. Caught a glimpse of GMTV this morning, they show you a view of the weather in Spain then show you a crap weather forecast for the UK. I think they should be sent to the North Pole.

[Joe H]

Wow - a few days ago some newbies coming on here were being advised "wrong time mate, you'll find it tough".
Now its the complete reverse! Carpet cleaners are in a good position!

I too think carpet cleaners are in a good position.
People will put off buying new but invest in having their existing stuff cleaned.
"All" we have to do is be there to provide the service they want.
Some will be our existing clients but hopefully some will be new ones too.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

GMTV is like watching a red top newspaper anything for sensationalism, Sky are the same, it's getting like America. Now they have slow news days and invent rubbish.

I'd like to ween myself off this computer as me and the wife don't talk anymore

Shaun

[Mike Osbourne]

If they got rid of the table I'd watch it with the sound down.

[liahona]

Joe, but look who was posting about it not being a good time.

Best, Dave.

[Joe H]

Yes I know Dave, different people but whilst the negatives were being posted I didnt see too many positives (and I include myself in that).

Too much news today. Years ago I used to come home from work and look forward to the 6 o'clock news. If I missed it I would have to wait till News at Ten.
Now its news 24 hours, and not much good news either (not only now but "normally")

One of the east euro countries (Bulgaria I think), the new rule there is newspapers must carry at least 50% good news, and the largest newspaper has objected.
Bad news sells papers.

The only time I buy a newspaper is on holiday, then I will have a walk in the morning to get a reasonable paper, something like the Telegraph or the Times. Majority of the others IMO are rubbish and only fit for the cat litter tray.

[maxcarpets]

I think the truth is none of us know whats around the corner, but it seems we are all busier than expected, but I also think we are waiting for it to get worse. I did a job for a lady who worked at the NATWEST the other day and I asked her how long she thought the credit crunch will last, her reply, IT HASNT EVEN STARTED!

Sorry to put a downer on things.

Cheers


Justin

[Gary Webber]

I believe if your marketing is right, you have a good customer base, a good ratio of domestic / commercial clients you will be ok. There are a number of companies "not getting work" of going out of business if you ont have the right business balance.

Gary

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

I have a theory that different recessions affect different sectors and that this one will primarily affect Banking and Building, there will of course be knock on effects.

Both Banking and Building have boomed recently ones ridiculous lending leading to the others massive inflation, afterall hosue prices rocketing is still inflation.

The market as it always does is correcting things.

As has been stated we live in a media world which craves something to fill it's space, look at Robert Murat, not a shred of evidence against him, guilty of maybe getting too involved but nothing else.

Down south we have most of the media and most of the banks, coincidence ?

Cheers

Doug