Beth n Rod

Very nice Barry! Way to go! Beth :cup:

Your gamble paid off. Nice job Barry. Rod!~

Do you really think those are elves in the bucket trucks putting up lights, and holiday flags at shopping centers nation wide? Bah Humbug! It's service companies who found a niche and marketed to property managers.... Beth

I agree. It's all in how you aproach it. Attitude means everything if it is the right one. I think you have this one down pat. Rod!~

That's not a silly question. We never quote wood over the phone sight unseen. Beth

Welcome to TGS! Beth :cup: :sunshine:

I am not practiced with Steve's products but am sure you are not going to have an easy time of it. Many waterborne's are including acrylic in their formulations and I would suggest that in order to make sure his product is right for the job to do a test spot. Do it on the vertical surfaces as these will be the most difficult to strip. If the test is not satisfactory, go to EacoChem's site http://www.eacochem.com/cleaningsolutions.shtml#ACRYLICREMOVAL Keep us posted on your results. Rod!~

Jon, I understand your point of view on that one. It could also have a great deal to do with demographics. In our area it holds true more than not. Thanks for your perspective. And I agree, it depends on which side of the fence you are on as to what people call it. Profiling or market analysis, it is all looking for indicators as to what you are dealing with. For the other readers, I have heard the Ziggy story before when I attempted (emphasis on that word is key)to be a salesman in my early years. They used his and Dale Carnegie's strategies to motivate people including a pathetic philosophy that condensed itself down to four words. "No Pain, No Gain". Truth be told, I was in a great deal of pain trying to sell something to people who didn't really need it. Did I gain anything from it? Only a huge distaste for the door-to-door salesmanship. Problem was, if I couldn't buy into what I was selling (Cutlery, china, cookware and vacuum cleaners), the techniques and strategies would not work for me. I wasn't convincing anyone because I wasn't convinced myself. Here is the one I had the most problem with...Enthusiasm. 'If you act enthusiastic, you will be enthusiastic' is a crock. You have to be enthusiastic otherwise you are pretending and people can see through that. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious, fabricated enthusiasm repels. Being in wood restoration, something I really enjoy and gain satisfaction from makes it easier to be the enthusiastic salesman. Knowing what I know and enjoying what I do makes it come naturally. With Enthusiasm, it becomes almost effortless to sell. You learn to understand the questions and the best way to answer them. The main point for all I am making is this; Do what you enjoy and you will become very notable for what you produce. Learn all you can about the materials you will be working with besides the wood besides the chemicals. Learn about the coatings and what they can do in comparison with others. Learn to take into consideration all the aspects surrounding wood restoration and become knowledgeable. But only do it if you enjoy it. If you don't, you're in the wrong business. Rod!~

First off, telling them up front what your lead time for scheduling is, is paramount. Informing them of this and that you have other clients who have already signed with you and applied deposits who have been waiting patiently is next. Reminding them (by way of relating unoffensively) it is just like getting in line to order. No cutting allowed! Some tend to think they can get faster service by *****ing the loudest. This is abusive and you didn't get into business to be abused did you? Taking the time to lay out these conditions helps. Also, reminding that you are weather dependant and not just the rain being a factor. Heat can slow things down as well and even create temperature range conditions that are not favorable for application according to manufacturers instructions not to mention "The Human Element" which can also play into things and make the jobs take longer. Asking for their Patience and understanding beforehand assures that they have gotten the message. Having a cancellation fee after the 3rd business day works too! Rod!~

It is easy money if you have a surface cleaner ta'boot! Nice work. Makes it look like new. Rod!~

I agree with Celeste. If he is going to do something with it, might as well make it count. Rod!~

Deck: 3K+ House: would need to inspect it. Didn't get whether the house was shake, clapboard, t-111, panel-board or wood species which could affect the price <$$$>. Sometimes a call like that can be a tactic to see how hungry you are. Let it go. You have not made an impression of quality with them and they are probably stuck on price since the presentation did not give them anything to validate it. You did not find their pain, but your price was more painful than what they may have had in mind. Your costs are your costs. For the services you were giving and the product being used, the price was quite fair and possibly even a little low considering the work necessary to complete a house. I think that giving a price over the phone is a waste of your time. Getting in front of the customer on a job that size is a must. They will never appreciate the amount if they haven't gotten a chance to know you and ask many questions. Next time try this...check the type of car in the garage. How old is it? What condition is it in? This is another indicator for you to determine if the person you are dealing with is even worth the time. Anything over 4 years old is a dead give-away. Most people with money to afford this type of service keep their vehicles newer. I have seen some people with high priced fancy schmancy cars (European and such) that have a very tight hold on their finances though (Scrooge types). These you can't please for the most part anyway so it is best to let others deal with them as they will end up losing money to them in the end as has been our experience. Rod!~ Ps, Jon, interesting analogy on 'weeding out' customers. Funny.

I have seen some homes with some pretty tough mildew to get rid of in these areas. Got any pics? Rod!~

So much for the truth setting you free?!?!?!?! Rod!~

Do you think the US will get involved in the Hezbollah/Lebanese conflict? Rod!~

Bingo! Well put! Beth

They are the authority for cedar roofing. Very helpful folks too. Beth

OOOOOh That's gotta hurt! :lol: Rod!~

Worth reading.... http://www.cedarbureau.org/about-us/overview.htm Beth

Michael, Thanks for sharing your work! Looks great! :cup: :sunshine: Beth

Here's what ran in the Washington Post today. No story, but a real nice photo and caption from down on the Mall. Beth CAAMONUMENT.pdf

Jon, Welcome to TGS! Good to see you here. :) Beth

Ok, I'll ask, what are you washing? Roof? Siding? What? Beth

Cool! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have high resolution of these.... ;) Beth

Most people who have been in business a few years now know that there is quite a bit involved with running a business and the costs that come into play usually are an indicator of your growth stage. Friday while working on our Charity cleaning event, I suffered a severe sprain to my left ankle and foot from jumping down into some vegetation growth (weeds) covering an old stump left behind from what must have been a large bush. This will have me going through about 6 weeks worth of recovery including therapy while in the meantime, I am extremely limited to what I can do as I am now on crutches for a not yet determined duration. This is a personal cost because it affects me outside of the business as well, and I found it ironic that it happened during an event that we were conducting for free to benefit those who live with handicaps of one sort or another that need advocacy for finding work. Fortunately, we have health insurance to help where this is concerned and it is for this reason that we also carry Workman's compensation insurance for our crews in the event of an accident. Stuff happens...when you least expect it. We also carry insurance on our vehicles, the drivers, the equipment and are also required to participate in unemployment insurance. The costs of insurance in each of the categories is quite steep but how it outweighs the actual loss in any instance, is it worth it to you? I know the answer for myself but wanted to offer this perspective for others to consider. Other costs that become more frequent are repairs and maintenance on the equipment and vehicles. While advertising, office supplies, telecommunications pretty much flat line into a regular monthly figure, others tend to fluctuate and sometimes spike. Ordering supplies and restocking various depletable items can be quite high at times. Buying fuel for both the vehicles and machines happens several times a week. The costs of these supplies has increased due to the costs of fuel that affect production, shipment, manufacturing and sale of them. Costs are not always under our control is the point I am getting to and how we contend with them in the course of doing business is a challenge that most of us face each day. Our customers do not always understand the back of the house costs that we have no choice but to pass on to them as it is not a function of business to absorb them. We must make a profit or the business stagnates and will soon begin to lose money as economic factors impose forcing a decision: increase prices, cutback budgets, create ways to do business cheaper, find other less expensive services to offer or go out of business. Many are in areas of economic distress and cannot raise prices much if at all and suffer the most. Others who are in areas of economic diversity also suffer to those companies whose operating costs are lower and can offer prices the consumer is willing to pay while those with higher operating costs face downsizing, layoffs and budget cutbacks in order to maintain their competitiveness. What does it cost to do business? How is your business doing? Rod!~