What I've noticed about the economy and our business.

[diamond brian]

1. We're doing more partial home cleanings than a year ago. "Just the living room, the stairs, the halls, and in the corner of the dining room where the cat pees..." kind of stuff.

2. Less T&G than we were a year ago. We're not turning folks away; just receiving less calls for it.

3. Our commercial cleaning has not been negatively affected. In fact, commercial accounts represent an ever-increasing % of our revenues.

4. As the rain-maker, I am getting a little skittish on residential. I find myself doing phone quotes a little cheaper when dealing with price shoppers.

5. The verdict: I believe certain factors in the economy, whether real or imagined, have hurt residential sales. I sold two vans last year that we do not anticipate replacing in the foreseeable future.

How's business in your neck of the woods?

 

[bob vawter]

Lik i sED before...i'm in an early spring rush.....it's the ones that put off cleaning at the holidays and can't quite make it to spring.....

 

[Bruce Humphrey]

We are still ahead of last year, that doesn't mean it's good, just better then last year.

 

[steve frasier]

I am heavier in commercial and it is up due to a couple of new accounts

residential is the same

 

[Chris A]

real good jan, up a little in Feb, 90% resi.

 

[maker]

What I've noticed about the economy and our business.

It seems to me that our industry can do well in any economy.

In a good economy people that don't usually get there carpets and upholstery
cleaned are doing it.

In a poor economy people that may have otherwise replaced their carpets are getting them cleaned and protected to make them last a bit longer.

 

[ScottM]

Brian,

On the lighter side.

You can fix all of your problems. Bubba has the answer.

Click here for The Solution

Seriously, I do have a lot of respect for Bubba.

 

[Jimmy L]

Bubba's carpet cleaning?

 

[Mikey P]

My January was up from last year, February I dont know yet but it looks like March is gonna kick ass.

We had two solid weeks of rain that killed our phones back in late Jan early Feb. I was reading all the Chicken Little threads here and on ICS and I got sucked into the negative mind set too.



Fook that!

 

[XTREME1]

Kicking ass. I had about 1 down week and the last week and a half has been killer on top of a huge January

Only 1.5 trucks so not that hard to be busy

 

[joey895]

I'm up 77% from last year so far. Of course that's not as impressive as it sounds because I had just went full time in Jan 07.

 

[Ken Snow]

It's commercial that is taking a pounding for us, with businesses scaling back. Residential is holding okay.

 

[XTREME1]

Ken you always have a job with me, if you don't mind getting back on the truck

 

[Al]

Were up from last year for Jan and Feb in cleaning not including restoration.

 

[dallasdj]

The secrets out rugsuckers, rich people make $$ during all economic turns...buncha tards.

 

[Ken Snow]

Thanks Greg but I'm getting a little long in the tooth to clean anymore~ heck I'll be 49 in a few months.

 

[Kelly]

biz iz boomin

 

[TimP]

Jan and Feb were pretty slow for me. I increased my marketing and now I'm starting to get the jobs coming in. I think I booked 10 jobs last week and that's pretty awesome. I have gotten an institution to clean and possibly another one if I work it right. Right now things are looking good for me. I have to contribute it to everyone suggesting to market and my wife pushing forth with spending the money to try and get more jobs. I hope it continues through the year however I expect September and October to be slack. But right now I'm optimistic.

 

[Out of Character - 0]

Unlike some who are way too proud to acknowledge the economy exists or effects them, I'll say I can relate to what Brain said. Like everyone else our sales are up from last year but it only takes a few good new customers for someone to say that.

Our residential division is requiring more ad $$ to keep growing, call per $ is down, price shopper calls have increased, more partial cleanings, less protector & t&g sales, credit card payments up 70%, longer intervals between requests for cleaning from our residential and non contract commercial regulars.

 

[Jim Williams]

I'm several grand ahead of last year at this time. About 20 new customers from the internet and referrals. A little slow this week but I need to do my taxes and catch up my database anyways.

 

[XTREME1]

I thin it will be a huge year for cleaners and a down year for retailers