hi
my family going back to grandfather retailed floorcoverings,
myself started cleaning in 1986, opened my first retail shop (carpets) 1993 by 2002 was making silly money, then a split up forced sale.
since doing a bit fitting , cleaning , retailing.
carpet retailing is by far harder, the rewards great, but to build up customers, takes along time. you have the two options top end brintons, axminster ect, who when trying to get account wont even look at you even if you have a shop, warehouse, 100 grand.
They like to price fix this end of the market. then theres the low ,to middle end. plenty of work, as much as there is, if not more, in cleaning carpets in this group of people.
But harder now, as so many options of floorcoverings, wood, vinyl,tiles, ect. then the cost to advertise to these people, find a wholesaler, who would give you discounts and deals, (give you discounts but only on turnover,)
So you have to gain customer, and more customers to get deals, and volume discounts.
so to summarise you are paying for expensive advertising, selling it for nothing, in hope of discount later to make yer profit, which will work and happen, but have you the nerve for 5 years no money and lots of debt, which most buisness of any type after do.
Thats why cleaning is great, its cash ,its tommorrow, costs little to get into, carpet fitting nearly same if you can find 2 to 3 shops to work for, but harder work.
As add on, carry a few samples hope to sell it high, even though its cheap, great profits, but you wont get repeat customer.
darren
