Jump to content

Barry M

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    996

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

Posts posted by Barry M

  3. Posted · Report reply

    I actually bought it from sunbrite Don. I checked Steve's site and did not see it but found it at sunbrite so figured it was the one everyone was talking about.

    If you add it in your regular mix, does it have as good of an effect than if you were to put in on after to minmize how much comes off.

    How is it on windows. Does it leave them filmy?

    Steve's never had it on his site, you have to call him. I'm not sure he even sells it anymore because I use to get it in the gallon size and he posted awhile back that he's not dealing with small gallon size of anything anymore. It doesn't bother window just keep them wet and rinse like normal. I think it gives the vinyl a nice luster and it definately keeps it cleaner longer.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Musical chairs, limbo, hot potatoe, squirt gun war with the pressure washer....okay I made that one up but the other three my 8 yr old daughter blurted out.

    Might not fly with a 'boy' b-day party but for my daughters last party I made a big stage with lights and a curtain and we borrowed a karoke machine, man they had a blast.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Round Tables....meet people, make friends, exchange biz cards and phone numbers, build relationships that are priceless. Once I meet someone and get to know them I am more comfortable in calling them and asking them questions and advise if need be and it works both ways. The other day I was talking to a friend about the characteristics of brick and he asked me a question that I wasn't sure about and I said "I'll ask and find out." He said "who are you going to ask?" Like the H&R Block commercials, I said "I got people." ; )

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Daniel

    Very interesting approch, I see the merit in it.

    I will add to your theory of going high end in painting and not necessarily PWing. I have noticed that when I don't use the wet wax on a house that the mold and mildew come back within a year, meaning the house needs washed again in that short of time. But with wet wax houses I did two years ago are still free of mold and mildew. Now it's not the same as a year later failing paint job compared to a high end paint job that could last 10 years or more but it does make me wander if a contractor is really doing the customer a favor by offering a lesser PWing service to save a buck intitially.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    I feel a huge thread comin' on.

    Well since you got your dukes up, here goes nothin ; )

    I've looked into a 3 tier system but just can't come up with something I like. I understand customers like choices and that could very well help sell your services. It's a fact that MOST won't choose the 'budget' or lowest tiered service, most will go middle of the road which is also a plus for the contractor.

    The reason I have a problem with it is that if someone did choose the lower package, I just can't walk away from a house without it looking terrific (wax application, gutters scrubbed clean, and so on). I don't care if I know they bought the budget package but I don't want the neighbors, friends, and family of the customer seeing a half a**ed job and thinking that my service is mediocre. It's not like the customer is going to explain to them that they went with the elcheapo package.

    Maybe I'm over thinking again Ken but I want to walk away from every house with it looking as good as it can, I think that will reap me profits down the road.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    I have a class A cdl with a tanker endorsement.

    John a truck like that is fine but if your going to ever pull a trailer behind it then it's considered a combination vehicle and I believe you'll need a class A. Also if you haul 1000 gallons or more of liquid you'll need the tanker endorsement. I drove a truck like that with a triaxle trailer hauling heavy equipment to the job sites while I was in utility construction. I did it for 2 years with no cdl, my boss just told me to play stupid if I ever got pulled over, I was young and dumb so I said okay whatever. Finally we had an out of state job to do so he decided I needed to get legal. So he scheduled the test, I studied for the walk around test, used his truck and went and passed it pretty easily. It was only a couple hundred dollars for the test. Now every 2 years I have to get a cdl physical to stay legal and that's it.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Neil

    It depends on what your time is worth. Who is going to weed out the potential buyers who aren't prequalified for financing? These people can really waste your time. You might also want to think about the time involved in showing your own home. This is also very time consuming. From the outside it might look like a realtor isn't worth the money. But my wife is a realtor and I can honestly say she more than earns her money. As a matter of fact a lot of times it doesn't seem like her commission is enough after dozens of phone calls, showings, writing up offers, counter offers, dealing with mortgage companies, banks, inspections, buyers, sellers, having deal after deal fall apart because something doesn't work out. It's very stressful and time consuming. People don't care if it's Sunday afternoon and she's at her kids soccer game, if they want to see a house that's just how it is. I asked her to read your post and all she said was "you get what you pay for" and that service you posted about "is equivalent to a $99 house wash".....lol I guess she put it in terms I could understand.

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Why does everyone assume a spying competitor is a lowballing hacker? It's actually a good idea to know your competition so you can take advantage of their weaknesses. Maybe this person wasn't too good at it and got busted but at least their trying. I have all my competitors written down on a list and I add to it when I see a new company around. I don't have time to sit and watch their techniques or call looking for prices but I'm mostly interested in their advertising methods and areas they target.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    I am running out of flyers, so before I make more, I would like to hear some good advise on what to put in them. I have the basic stuff, Free estimates, clean almost everything: pool cages, driveways, gutters, exterior walls, etc... What I have been doing is, print one at home and photocopy it in color paper at staples. Cheap, and I can make more as soon as I need them.

    I was thinking of a 10% discount coupon on them (things are really, really slow for me right now)

    What you guys think?

    Is what you've been putting on the flyers working? What's your response rate? Need more info.

  25. Posted · Report reply

    We all want to do business with people who can afford us right? In my experience, there's 2 kinds of rich people -

    Rich (wealthy) people - People who make a great living and appreciate quality. They don't mind spending more for better things and services. They are pretty down to earth and "normal."

    Rich snobs - These people tend to all live in the same neighborhoods or areas. (Secret society perhaps.) When you knock on their door to give them their requested proposal, they open it just enough for you to slip your quote through it. Of course, the chain lock is still engaged too. They won't really talk to you either. They say "Thanks, we'll call you later." or something like that. Almost always, they don't hire you, they go for the hack. And, if they did actually hire you, they are very nit-picky, fussy, demanding, and often pay late.

    This is my experience with this matter. How about yours?

    I want to see if I'm crazy or not, so please respond honestly. If you disagree, please explain why. If you agree, please elaborate.

    You mean they actually answer the door? I did about 3 estimates for snobby jerkoffs like this and not one of them were home when they were suppose to be. One pulled up 10 minutes late in her lexus, I went over and indroduced myself and asked how she was doing. She replied "Well another long day at the office, I've been better" in a snobby kind of way. Give me a break lady, yeah I feel real bad for ya:lgsad: . I can't stand these type of people and I refuse to work for them.

    John T may be on to something. The way they made their money could have a lot to do with it. I'm real good friends with a few guys that make $500,000 plus a year. They're all real down to earth and a blast to hang around with. Their all business owners and they worked hard to get where their at and they're all very giving, kind, and easy to get along with.

×