This message board has been upgraded to a new forum with a number of user improvements.
You are currently viewing archived posts from the original EncapBoard (2002-2012).
Please visit the NEW EncapBoard carpet cleaning forum at http://Forum.Excellent-Supply.com to join an active online community for commercial carpet cleaning.

RETURN TO INDEX  

need help on pricing.

July 14 2011 at 8:36 PM
Carl  

Well it finally happened. The restaurant we have been cleaning got a quote and used another guy with cimex at 1/3 of what we were charging. Now the manager wants us to come down so he can continue using us.
the place is 3200 sf. we vacuum and move tables and chairs ( heavy *** ones to boot) after the staff move them the first time to one side of the room.. We usually wind up moving them across to do other side of carpet. In the past they did it. we did not say a thing just started moving them our self. plus when they re carpeted at least 150 sf more got carpet so we were doing that as well no addition cost. They used to pre vacuum but there crappy vacuum never work so we started do it no cost..

the grease load is much less now the carpet is new.. we use 12oz DS for 2 gal of hot water. and pre spray with punch at 1.5 time strength.

The other guys are charging, according to GM, $225 for the place.. It take 2.5 -3 hrs with 3 people and 2 machines.

Would you do this for $225 every 5-6 weeks.

 
 
AuthorReply
David

Re: need help on pricing.

July 14 2011, 10:40 PM 

As I responded on the other board NO 9 man hour for $225 do the math it does not add up.

Sometimes it is better to walk away from the situation, you may find your self staying or coming back in later on. Don't burn any bridges but I would let them know in a polite manner you cannot afford to give them the service they deserve at a lower pricing structure.

You might try a new strategic plan and clean what causes the grease problem to begin with, almost guaranteed the others have no idea to do that.

 
 

Rick Gelinas

Re: need help on pricing.

July 15 2011, 2:54 AM 

"Live by price - die by price."

Price alone can not be the deciding factor! I would carefully decline to go into a bidding war on this account. In fact think about it - why is he asking you to bid against this other guy? Sounds like (1) he isn't 100% satisfied with the other guy, and (2) he wants you to come in $5 less. (Where will that end?)

My advice, don't go there!






Rick Gelinas

encapman.gif






encap-clean-ds2.jpegbio-encap.jpeg

 
 
Joe M

Many years ago

July 15 2011, 10:18 AM 

Many years ago on this board, someone just like you to be exact asked something like you are asking.

One of the old timers here responded. "Only you know what you need to pay the bills".

Well, only you know what you need to pay the bills.

 
 
Geoff Alger

Re: need help on pricing.

July 16 2011, 5:41 AM 

It's not worth your doing it for $225.

Ask yourself how can this other bloke charge so little?

Ask the owner?

Is he doing the same job? Moving furniture or just doing whats's visble?

Obviously not, or the owner wouldn't ask you to match his price.

Ask the owner does he want you to be cleaning the carpets next year. If he does, tell him that if you matched prices you wouldn't be in business next year. Let it go and remember what goes round comes around.

Good Luck


 
 
David Edwards

Re: need help on pricing.

July 16 2011, 9:22 PM 

There's probably a McDonalds down the road from this place with $4 happy meals. Wonder if this place will cook you a meal for $3.50?

At already only about $0.07/sq.ft, I'd never go lower. How hard would it be to replace this account with another that can be done earlier in the evening and require less chems, hence a larger margin?

This is precisely why I refuse to even consider doing restaurants. It's gotta be late at night, prior agreements (vacuuming, moving furniture, etc.) are rarely, if ever, kept. And it's a breeding ground for hacks and low-ballers.

I would be interested, though, whether the manager has verified the certificate of insurance and business license of the new contender.

Maybe if he'll allow you to exclude his place of business from your insurance coverage and use Greased Lightening or Purple Power to clean his carpet, then you could drop down to $0.065/sq.ft.

These people kill me.

David Edwards

 
 
Carl

resturant work

August 3 2011, 10:56 PM 

Sent the GM email about cost, values and profit. Said they would give them (other guys) another try to see and might get back..

I figure all good thing come to a end at some point. Was good while it lasted.. paid for both my used cimex machines several time over,.

I come down on price about 10% or so and let him know that was what i needed to make some money on the deal.

thanks for the input


 
 
Current Topic - need help on pricing.
RETURN TO INDEX  
EncapBoard Guidelines: 
This forum has been provided by Excellent Supply Inc for sharing information about encapsulation cleaning technology and the business of commercial carpet cleaning.  
Excellent Supply Inc and its agents assume no responsibility for the accuracy of information displayed on this message board. You alone are responsible for any repercussions resulting from information posted here. Content posted on this message board may be used or published by Excellent Supply Inc. 
(1) Unauthorized advertising, promotion of rival products/brands, or listing items for sale without consent will not be permitted. 
(2) No profane, vulgar or abusive speech will be tolerated. Your privilege of posting may be blocked if you flame, use profanity, or are disrespectful. 
(3) We reserve the right to delete any post and block any  individual that we feel is inappropriate. 
(4) This forum is politically and religiously neutral, so please avoid discussing those subjects here.
(5) Maintain a good sense of humor! But keep it clean.
You are a guest here so we invite you to please post respectfully. Enjoy!

Cimex + Releasit = RESULTS
www.Excellent-Supply.com