ICS June 2011 : Page 8
ICS eRants & Raves Questions, Insights and Outbursts from ICSmag.com Why Is It? I read posts here all the time. Constantly it is the same 3-5 people suggesting that people pay their people MORE? Never is it suggested based on the merits of well above average performance, but rather because the “tech works his butt off”. Giving away money for no reason makes little or no sense. For the sake of argument: So these poor 2-3 truck operations pay their guys more; doesn’t this mean the owner gets paid less? All the work, all the risk, all the late nights. Who here got into business for themselves to make less? How to deal with these types? I had this happen just once. I did the job for the wife and the husband came home and had her call me back to complain about how much I charged. She and he were very happy with the results, just not the price. I then asked her what her husband did for a living. She said he was a CEO of a company here in town. I said that it was evident that he did very well for himself and probably made quite a lot of money doing what he did. She said yes, of course. I then said that the corporation that he worked for could surely hire someone much cheaper to do what he did for them. She then started going on about how he was very qualified and pointing out the qualities of his work when she stopped in mid-sentence and said, “I get it. And I will make sure he does also, thanks for the great work.” – Scottie – Greg C. How Do I Stop This From Happening Again? I went out on a residential estimate the other day. Husband showed me everything to clean, I went through the spiel with him, measured, threw in coupon for 15% off. Total comes to $730, after discount. We charge by the square foot. Husband did not want to move furniture. Set up the job for cleaning today. My tech arrives with all instructions, rooms, measurements etc. Wife is now there, she now wants all the furniture moved. Now the job becomes much larger, more carpet to clean and all the bedroom furniture she now wants moved. So the tech starts to refigure the estimate that I prepared. Of course she says either do it her way for the original price or forget it. How do I stop people from renegotiating the deal when we get there? Of course I am not going to turn around a leave a $700 gig, but I am also tired of getting screwed. How do I put an end to this type of practice from consumers? – Bruce S. Finding a Way to Gauge Water Use Does anyone know of a water meter that will tell me how many gallons or cubic feet of water I’m using? I need something that can connect to a garden hose spigot or something like that. I’ve seen plenty of timers out there, but I want to know how much water I’m using. I have a shop/warehouse space and I would like to be able to show my landlord how much water I use. Gotta Find the Right Way to Tap This Market! Stopped by a dry cleaner today to pick up my son’s tux for his prom tonight. While I was in there, I asked them if they clean rugs and they said “No, but we get calls all the time for it” Wait, WHAT?! PLEASE tell me how to market to these guys and tap into this business being thrown away!!! I mentioned maybe I can give them 10% or something, but I want to revisit them with the proper marketing. – Sonny W. – Joe D. Ideas and inspiration for the industry, by the industry. For more go to the ICS and CFC Bulletin Boards at www.icsmag.com. 8 Cleaning Specialist | June 2011
eRants & Raves
Questions, Insights and Outbursts from ICSmag.com<br /> <br /> Why Is It? <br /> <br /> I read posts here all the time. Constantly it is the same 3-5 people suggesting that people pay their people MORE? Never is it suggested based on the merits of well above average performance, but rather because the “tech works his butt off”. <br /> <br /> Giving away money for no reason makes little or no sense. For the sake of argument: So these poor 2-3 truck operations pay their guys more; doesn’t this mean the owner gets paid less? All the work, all the risk, all the late nights. Who here got into business for themselves to make less? <br /> <br /> – Greg C.<br /> <br /> How Do I Stop This From Happening Again? <br /> <br /> I went out on a residential estimate the other day. Husband showed me everything to clean, I went through the spiel with him, measured, threw in coupon for 15% off. Total comes to $730, after discount. <br /> <br /> We charge by the square foot. Husband did not want to move furniture. Set up the job for cleaning today. My tech arrives with all instructions, rooms, measurements etc. Wife is now there, she now wants all the furniture moved. Now the job becomes much larger, more carpet to clean and all the bedroom furniture she now wants moved. So the tech starts to refigure the estimate that I prepared. Of course she says either do it her way for the original price or forget it. <br /> <br /> How do I stop people from renegotiating the deal when we get there? Of course I am not going to turn around a leave a $700 gig, but I am also tired of getting screwed. How do I put an end to this type of practice from consumers? <br /> <br /> – Bruce S.<br /> <br /> Gotta Find the Right Way to Tap This Market! \\ Stopped by a dry cleaner today to pick up my son’s tux for his prom tonight. While I was in there, I asked them if they clean rugs and they said “No, but we get calls all the time for it” <br /> <br /> Wait, WHAT?! <br /> <br /> PLEASE tell me how to market to these guys and tap into this business being thrown away!!! I mentioned maybe I can give them 10% or something, but I want to revisit them with the proper marketing. <br /> <br /> – Joe D.<br /> <br /> How to deal with these types? <br /> <br /> I had this happen just once. I did the job for the wife and the husband came home and had her call me back to complain about how much I charged. She and he were very happy with the results, just not the price. <br /> <br /> I then asked her what her husband did for a living. She said he was a CEO of a company here in town. I said that it was evident that he did very well for himself and probably made quite a lot of money doing what he did. She said yes, of course. I then said that the corporation that he worked for could surely hire someone much cheaper to do what he did for them. She then started going on about how he was very qualified and pointing out the qualities of his work when she stopped in mid-sentence and said, “I get it. And I will make sure he does also, thanks for the great work.” <br /> <br /> – Scottie<br /> <br /> Finding a Way to Gauge Water Use<br /> <br /> Does anyone know of a water meter that will tell me how many gallons or cubic feet of water I’m using? I need something that can connect to a garden hose spigot or something like that. <br /> <br /> I’ve seen plenty of timers out there, but I want to know how much water I’m using. I have a shop/warehouse space and I would like to be able to show my landlord how much water I use. <br /> <br /> – Sonny W.
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