Custom spotter as a give away

[Dion-Indiana]

I saw post 9-8-13 spray bottle give away, where can you find reason bottles and sprayer? I did research the can be expensive.

Does anyone have any success stories?

[Dave Lyall]

We leave behind a little 2oz. Bottle of spotter after every residential job. We purchase about 200 clear bottles with red spray tops - all from www.midwestbottles.com. They usually run between $0.50 - $1.00 each depending on options.
After they arrive we attach our own sticker labels to them (usually purchased from www.psprint.com)

They look awesome when done and only cost us just over a dollar to complete. Here is a photo of what they look like:


After each job, we just fill up one of the spotter bottles with a little leftover encap solution from the job.....we thank the client, give them a bottle of spotter along with some quick verbal instructions on how best to use it.
***if you ever by chance receive a call back for a spot - you can ask the client to try a little bit of the spotter you left behind with them first, and if that doesn't work - you'll be happy to swing back by. It adds value to the cleaning experience for the client, and might even save you from a touch up once in a while....a dollar well spent :-)***

[Dion-Indiana]

Thanks I really appreciate your help.


Are you doing mostly residential? Whats your process? I've gotten burned dealing with residential. Where trying focus more on commercial.

[JuddBowers]

How did you get burned doing residential?

[Dave Lyall]

Hi Dion :-)

Although we started out our cleaning business with a more commercially focused approach, surprisingly it has been our residential side that has seen the greatest areas of growth...and a large part of that success has come from Yelp!
We run a two man team and each tech has an Orbot SprayBorg, a vacuum, and an Orbot Micro (cyclo) on the van. It's amazing how efficient (and in terms of cost, easier to scale) two guys can be with 2 VLM machines on every job!
We pre-vacuum, we don't typically pre spot - we just find that the quality in some of the encap products today is so good, most of the spots are gone after a pass or two with the Orbot. We typically make our wet passes with the Orbot with the grey/blue microfiber scrub bonnets, and follow up with some dry passes with Superzorb pads. Post spot whatever didn't wet clean (typically red spots, rust or gum) and then finish groom with a carpet rake. We are priced moderate to high in our market for carpet cleaning ($0.40 cents for residential).
Don't totally give up on residential yet Dion...there is a lot of money that you might be leaving on the table if you do!
Commercial accounts on the other hand have generally taken us more legwork to acquire, but are definitely worth the effort given the right situation.....things that have worked for us have been networking with property managers - they appreciate the quick dry times. Sell your advantages, 1 hour dry times, no loud truck or hoses, can get to places other cleaners can't, you bring your own water and won't be needing to dispose of any either.....stuff like that :-)

[encapman]

David I like the look of your spotter bottles. Looks sharp!

David and his wife Elizabeth are a couple of energetic young entrepreneurs! I really enjoyed hanging out with both of them a little at Mikefest. In fact, I am planning to put together a little interview with them in the newt week or so, so that Dave can share some of his ideas. They're a super sharp couple and I know you all will enjoy hearing about their operation. Stay tuned.

[Dion-Indiana]

That's what I need energy my sons are taking more interest in the business.