Quote:

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Originally Posted by mariemay

I have a carpet cleaning business with about $250,000 in sales per year. We paid alot of money in yellowpage ads for residential business the first two years, and it did not provide much fruit. We are now 99% commercial. All of our commercial work was attained by knocking on doors and having a flyer and business card ready.

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I had a question about your answer...
You say all your business is from knocking on doors?
Now is that knocking on commercial businesses?
Also is it just a commercial carpet cleaning co.
Or do you also clean offices?
What are the other means of obtaining these commercial customers?

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

I had a question about your answer...
You say all your business is from knocking on doors?
Now is that knocking on commercial businesses?
Also is it just a commercial carpet cleaning co.?
Or do you also clean offices?
What are the other means of obtaining these commercial customers?

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Morning,

How are you cleaningman? I only have a few minutes, I have a meetings with our accountants and then two appointments this afternoon.

I wanted to say that anything other than residential is considered commercial which includes offices. Whether it is regular cleaning, carpets, windows, etc... these are the two primary markets.

Stringer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

Morning,

How are you cleaningman? I only have a few minutes, I have a meetings with our accountants and then two appointments this afternoon.

I wanted to say that anything other than residential is considered commercial which includes offices. Whether it is regular cleaning, carpets, windows, etc.....these are the two primary markets.

Stringer

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Good Morning Stringer!

Ok ! I understand.. That's always hard to distinquish . I always wondered if windows was considered more residential than commercial but I guess you are right!

Thanks for the input ! Once again! I hope can maybe teach you something one day ! Haha just jkin

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

Good Morning Stringer!

Ok ! I understand.. Thats always hard to distinquish . I always wondered if windows was considered more residential than commercial but I guess you are right!

Thanks for the input ! Once again! I hope can maybe teach you something one day ! haha just jkin

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I know that this is going to sound like an old quote but;

I learn at least three new things a day, everyday. Watching, listening and reading.

Stringer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

I know that this is going to sound like an old quote but;

I learn at least three new things a day, everyday. Watching, listening and reading.

Stringer

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My quote is


"I learn three new cleaning facts everyday from askmehelp.com and from you! stringer"""Thank Heavens"

Haha jkin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

My quote is


"I learn three new cleaning facts everyday from askmehelp.com and from you! stringer"""Thank Heavens"

haha jkin

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Thank you for the compliment.

Talk with you later... gotta go... wish me luck today, always helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

Thank yo for the compliment.

Talk with you later...gotta go...wish me luck today, always helps.

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GOOD LUCK!!

Haha

Wish me some too!
I don't mind rubbing off your successful luck that you carry

Hehe jkin

Good Luck!
TTYL!

Well, we both know that you get 'lucky' when you bust you a$$, put in the time, and are prepared,. and pray a lot.

Stringer

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Originally Posted by Stringer

Well, we both know that you get 'lucky' when you bust you a$$, put in the time, and are prepared, .....and pray a lot.

Stringer

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I try to bust my A$$ out her ein the Chicago Area

But I think you took all the commercial jobs in the Chicago Area!

I have been trying to find a commercial office to bid on in the past 3 months and have had no luck:(

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

I try to bust my A$$ out her ein the Chicago Area

But I think you took all the commercial jobs in the Chicago Area!

I have been trying to find a commercial office to bid on in the past 3 months and have had no luck:(

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Funny (Ha), I wish that were true...

As you know, I have been in this business for 35 years in one capacity or another, and I still knock on doors, along with other methods. Gets new business and keeps my fingers in the pie and besides, I really enjoy it.

By the way, although you may get some jobs sooner of course, the 'lead time' on decent sized jobs from initial contact to contract is generally 3 months. So you should getting a ton... very soon, right? Good luck, keep knocking...

Stringer

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Originally Posted by Stringer

Funny (Ha), I wish that were true....

As you know, I have been in this business for 35 years in one capacity or another, and I still knock on doors, along with other methods. Gets new business and keeps my fingers in the pie and besides, I really enjoy it.

By the way, although you may get some jobs sooner of course, the 'lead time' on decent sized jobs from initial contact to contract is generally 3 months. So you should get getting a ton ....very soon, right? Good luck, keep knocking.....

Stringer

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Hey I want to dig my fingers into the pie also lol

When I opened up business one of the ladies at the borders book store in my chicago area said they were canning the company..
so I have followed up with them and have seen no response!

Do you usually randomly walk into businesses even if it says no soliciting? Lol
I also go a residential house bid and the client explained to me they were firing their current cleaning co but not until September (20000 sq ft office)
Her current provider was cardinal cleaning... May I ask are they one of your competitors? Lol

Or are you them hahah! :rolleyes: watch out here comes the pieeeeeeeeee jkin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

Hey I want to dig my fingers into the pie also lol

When I opened up business one of the ladies at the borders book store in my chicago area said they were canning the company..
so I have followed up with them and have seen no response!

Do you usually randomly walk into businesses even if it says no soliciting? lol
I also go a residential house bid and the client explained to me they were firing their current cleaning co but not until september (20000 sq ft office)
Her current provider was cardinal cleaning..... May I ask are they one of your competitors? lol

Or are you them hahah! :rolleyes: watch out here comes the pieeeeeeeeee jkin

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NO, I am not Cardinal Cleaning, however they are a good competitor in my market niche.

Are you saying the Cardinal was/is bidding on residential cleaning? And this house was 20,000 sq ft? Interesting... as they have been strictly commercial from my knowledge of them... We have some accounts that they have been after for many years and they have a few that we want... and probably will eventually get, I believe.

We have won some and lost some to Cardinal. Some companies are not beyond stretching the truth some when it comes to their competitors. Although I am not particularly saying that about them.

"watch out here comes the pieeeeeeeeee jkin[/QUOTE]"

Doesn't bother me a bit jkin, there has been and will always be enough to go around for those companies that do it the right way. In fact, I wish you well, I always enjoy beating a good competitor... ha ha. There is so much business on the south side that you should be busier than h3ll... If things go well, I am certain that we will face each other out there somewhere, better be prepared my friend... be prepared. :)

Stringer

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Originally Posted by Stringer

NO, I am not Cardinal Cleaning, however they are a good competitor in my market niche.

Are you saying the Cardinal was/is bidding on residential cleaning? And this house was 20,000 sq ft? Interesting.....as they have been strictly commercial from my knowledge of them....We have some accounts that they have been after for many years and they have a few that we want...and probably will eventually get, I believe.

We have won some and lost some to Cardinal. Some companies are not beyond stretching the truth some when it comes to their competitors. Although I am not particularly saying that about them.

"watch out here comes the pieeeeeeeeee jkin

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"

Doesn't bother me a bit jkin, there has been and will always be enough to go around for those companies that do it the right way. In fact, I wish you well, I always enjoy beating a good competitor... ha ha. There is so much business on the south side that you should be busier than h3ll... If things go well, I am certain that we will face each other out there somewhere, better be prepared my friend... be prepared. :)

Stringer[/QUOTE]

Ahhh
You have mis read me my friend. Here is how the story goes. This lead(customer) called me for an estimate for a house she was selling, which had her family living it...
This place was disgusting and really dirt...
She wanted me to go under beds and go under couches and the works.. basement etc

I gave her a fair estimate for $175.00

I did a follow up call with her to clean the house.. and received no call back...

She then explained to me that the office she works at 20,000 sq ft. Currently has Cardinal Cleaning servicing their office...
And that she called them to clean her house also...

Which I did not know cardinal cleaning did residential


Apparently they do...

Sooooo


She asked me when I was there that they are most likely going to fire cardinal... and accepting bids in july-august-march

Sooo I am waiting to follow up with it... But for a low fee of 49.99 I can forward you this lead and we can do some business together

Haha Jkin

Yes but I am hoping it may be a chance... who knows until then

If she did not call back about the residential house , I am unsure about the office...

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

" [/I][/B]

Doesn't bother me a bit jkin, there has been and will always be enough to go around for those companies that do it the right way. In fact, I wish you well, I always enjoy beating a good competitor...ha ha. There is so much business on the south side that you should be busier than h3ll....If things go well, I am certain that we will face each other out there somewhere, better be prepared my friend...be prepared. :)

Stringer

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Ahhh
You have mis read me my friend. Here is how the story goes. This lead(customer) called me for an estimate for a house she was selling, which had her family living it...
This place was disgusting and really dirt...
She wanted me to go under beds and go under couches and the works.. basement etc

I gave her a fair estimate for $175.00

I did a follow up call with her to clean the house.. and received no call back...

She then explained to me that the office she works at 20,000 sq ft. Currently has Cardinal Cleaning servicing their office...
And that she called them to clean her house also...

Which I did not know cardinal cleaning did residential


Apparently they do...

Sooooo


She asked me when I was there that they are most likely going to fire cardinal... and accepting bids in july-august-march

Sooo I am waiting to follow up with it... But for a low fee of 49.99 I can forward you this lead and we can do some business together

Haha Jkin

Yes but I am hoping it may be a chance... who knows until then

If she did not call back about the residential house , I am unsure about the office... [/QUOTE]

If you have the address of the 20,000 sq ft office...then if I were you, I would go knock on the door. Good luck.....

Hi, guys!

When I was picking up my meds at Wal-Mart, I got a piano tuning simply because of what I said to the check-out lady about what I needed to do for the evening.

It can pay to mention what you do, no matter what situation you're in.

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

Clough where are you!!! I want to continue this :) I hope all is well

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I'm still here, but am still having some difficulties here with which I need to deal.

Am looking forward to further dialogue with you, Cleaningman23!

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, guys!

When I was picking up my meds at Wal-Mart, I got a piano tuning simply because of what I said to the check-out lady about what I needed to do for the evening.

It can pay to mention what you do, no matter what situation you're in.

Thanks!

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I've been saying...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

I've been saying.......

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I know what you mean!
I was at the gas station getting my winning lottery tickets lol
And
This construction worker behind me started asking me how old I was and what I do for a living and I stated I owned a cleaning company...
Before I knew it the cashier and him were amazed that I owned a cleaning company
Which I don't take into consideration that often...
I actually felt special for a moment hehe

But he then asked me for my business card and I went to go in my wallet and sure enough...

I WAS OUT

I was never so pissed in all my life at myself...
The man did take my business number down though.. and stated he may need help in the future

NEVER AGAIN will this happen to me

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cleaningman23

I know what you mean!
I was at the gas station getting my winning lottery tickets lol
and
this construction worker behind me started asking me how old I was and what I do for a living and I stated I owned a cleaning company....
Before I knew it the cashier and him were amazed that I owned a cleaning company
which I dont take into consideration that often....
I actually felt special for a moment hehe

But he then asked me for my business card and I went to go in my wallet and sure enough....

I WAS OUT

I was never so pissed in all my life at my self...
The man did take my business number down though.. and stated he may need help in the future

NEVER AGAIN will this happen to me

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That has happened to me 3 times in 35 years in business. Now I have cards in my car, all my jackets, shirt pockets, and tucked in my materials.

Calling cards are a whole different subject... by that I mean how they are printed, what they say, colors, the back of them, size, shape, etc. Another whole subject matter.

The big question here is... did you get his name and direct phone number?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

That has happened to me 3 times in 35 years in business. Now i have cards in my car, all my jackets, shirt pockets, and tucked in my materials.

Calling cards are a whole different subject...by that I mean how they are printed, what they say, colors, the back of them, size, shape, etc. Another whole subject matter.

The big question here is......did you get his name and direct phone number?

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Im going out for the door to door-kill tomorrow wish me luck ! I am picking a shopping center and attacking hehe