Why do manufacturers continue to sell odor products that don't work?

Able 1

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Instead of working on things that might?

To me it seems they just keep selling this total GARBAGE and nothing new(that WORKS) comes out of it??

Here's a tip for you manufacturers... Get some pissed up carpet, and treat, see what it smells like the next day,or week..

Just saying...:icon_twisted:
 
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SMRBAP

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#1 rule (in my book) to proper odor correction is eliminate as much of the source as it is possible - then treat. We have tried several and had good luck with most with this approach.

Secondly is setting expectations with the customer.

If you have a cat corner that has been abused pretty badly - communicate to your customer - success will be considered getting the odor controlled to a degree you can't smell it in the room under normal indoor living conditions.

That being: functional hvac, preventing re-occurrence, and not expecting to stick your face on that area, taking a full inhale, and not getting a minor hint of odor.

If they want to be able to use that corner as a dust mask and not smell a trace, let them know carpet patch in plus pad and tack replacement plus sealing the subfloor is their only option.

After quoting that cost - not being able to smell it in the room is usually a wonderful option to them.
 

Desk Jockey

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Too many clients want it cheap and dirty, they don't want the hassle of what it takes to truly improve the situation so there will always be a need to the cheap products that are little more than fragrance.

I still remember the worst pet urine home I ever cleaned. I walk in and asked her if she also wanted us to deodorize the carpet and see said "for what?".

You could hardly breathe from the ammonia piss smell. :errf:
 
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We see way too many people going down the deodorizer aisle repeatedly asking for the price, and what it "smells like". That is their sole criteria for selection. As long as these people exist, a smart company will supply their "need".

The manufacturer I used to work for had a variety of deodorizers that ranged from cover scents to active chemical deodorizers that don't even need a scent to work. While I might cringe a little when I see someone with a difficult odor problem select a cover scent, I would at least try to inform them that their choice is not likely to solve the problem.

What should we do with the customer who insists that the manufacturers are simply making the higher end deodorizers for higher margins, and that the "cheap stuff" is as good or better, because it has a more pleasing scent?

Carpet cleaners are asked to do the same thing. There are those customers of theirs who want the $5 fix, and those who will pay for the $50 fix. They may not know that they get what they pay for, but you please your customer, even when he is wrong.
 
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Larry Cobb

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Keith;

You need to talk to the chemist who should be able to tell you exactly how the specific odor-control product works, to control the odor.

We have used bacterium that produce enzymes, actual enzymes, oxidizing agents, and odor-pairing agents to counteract odors.

Some of these work on microbial odors,

and some work on odors from other sources (chemical, dog hair, etc).

I can assure you that there are odor products that actually work.

We have some trauma specialists than can attest to their effectiveness.

Larry
 
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Another thing to consider as to the effectiveness of a high quality deodorizer, is just how to use it. This would include procedure taken before the deodorizer is even introduced.

The first step to any effective procedure is source removal. Deodorizers, can be either deactivated by too much organic matter producing the odor, or simply overpowered by it.
Any deodorizer works best on what we can make a minimal or trace residue of the source. Take urine for example. If we leave, what can potentially be the residue of literally gallons of urine, the amount of material soaked deeply into padding, subfloor and carpet backing can be quite high. Apart from the use of a deodorizer, you first have to remove all but a trace. This requires either cleaning or disposal (e.g. padding) of affected materials. Only then can the deodorizer perform.
 
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floorguy

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The other thing...

is it in a few areas????

or does the whole damn thing smell, or it would take to long to find them all???

i have found very FEW who will pay for what it takes to figure it out and treat it...thus...putting a band aide on it....

if you have those that pay.....then track down the good stuff and go at it
 

idreadnought

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So you want to solve an odor problem with a chemical? Try arsenic, put a little in the pet food and a lot of the odors will begin to dissipate. OK, that was a little cruel but it is usually true. Customers most the time just want an improvement and the same pets will be using the spots again anyhow. We have had the best luck with the pairing agent deodorizers like odorcide.
 

Able 1

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Thanks guys, just needed a little confidence... Local guy guarantees odor removal(with his proprietary odor remover) and he has been attacking my money making accounts with his BS.. I have checked on it(units he cleaned) and I have nothing to worry about. It's all BS, and the way he gets into them (they love me) good luck if you read here, about to reduce you from 8 trucks to 1 truck with your deceptive marketing. Funny I was losing sleep over this... To me it all comes down to honesty, if your honest you will go far, just might take a little longer!
 

Goomer

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Everyone here should guarantee odor removal.
Just explain to the customer that if the pad can be replaced, the floor sealed, and the carpet properly flushed and treated then you can guaranter it. Then tell them the price and give them the "other" options, and they will never mention your guarantee again.
 

John Olson

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You post was very open ended. Every product I sell works exactly how it was intened to work. Since there are,only a couple of the legit brands that I do not have the opportunity to carry I would like to know the one your judging all the rest with. You've got my number Keith you know I'm not gonna blow smoke up (_*_)
 

Able 1

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Yeah, I'm an idiot I thought since he has 8 vans and no complaints he had the silver bullet.. Must be how he handles his call backs it what is key.. We will all see how he does that soon!
 

Goomer

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Must be how he handles his call backs it what is key.. !
8 trucks he has to be doing something right, if even only his marketing strategy.If he is generating enough business by using this strategy, if he is successful 80 percent of the time, and handles the remaining 20 percent the right way, then he is still well ahead. Don't forget, most people NEVER act on a guarantee, as it's easily forgotten being "good enough".Don't let your initial dislike for him cloud your ability to study EXACTLY what he is doing, and possibly apply certain aspects to your own game.
 

Able 1

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8 trucks he has to be doing something right, if even only his marketing strategy.If he is generating enough business by using this strategy, if he is successful 80 percent of the time, and handles the remaining 20 percent the right way, then he is still well ahead. Don't forget, most people NEVER act on a guarantee, as it's easily forgotten being "good enough".Don't let your initial dislike for him cloud your ability to study EXACTLY what he is doing, and possibly apply certain aspects to your own game.

I completely agree, you are totally right with the good enough also.

Oh, don't get me wrong... This guy is really the only competition I think I have here, and have studied him well (I actually went as far as chemically test his miracle Deo) . I am all about applying it to my own game the problem is I won't lie to a custy, kind of like selling protector..
 
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Goomer

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I think the the trick to not have to "lie" is to develop a creative dialogue for each situation that steers the customers decisions in your favor, and lessens the possibility of an issue. You should be able to explain the odor correction process, the options, set expectations with each, and be able to field any questions regarding it, with the goal of creating the best results for both parties. This guy has most likely established a specific initial dialogue regarding odor issues, and specific dialogues to address the most common questions and issues that arise during the process. I find it tough to do until I actually run into an issue where I say to myself "Next time.....I should say this, and explain it this way..........", and build on that dialogue as I gain more experience.

I think the safeguard to getting burned too often on any guarantee is proper communication to set the balance in YOUR favor.
Comes with experience I guess
 

Able 1

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I think the the trick to not have to "lie" is to develop a creative dialogue for each situation that steers the customers decisions in your favor, and lessens the possibility of an issue. You should be able to explain the odor correction process, the options, set expectations with each, and be able to field any questions regarding it, with the goal of creating the best results for both parties. This guy has most likely established a specific initial dialogue regarding odor issues, and specific dialogues to address the most common questions and issues that arise during the process. I find it tough to do until I actually run into an issue where I say to myself "Next time.....I should say this, and explain it this way..........", and build on that dialogue as I gain more experience.

I think the safeguard to getting burned too often on any guarantee is proper communication to set the balance in YOUR favor.
Comes with experience I guess

Your absolutely right.. But after you explain all that and someone says they can alleviate the whole problem with THEIR product(that they invented) is where I had a problem.. Now seeing what they are bringing to the table I'm not really concerned and hope to ban them from ALL their properties.. If I get them all I can add a van or 2 myself by just being honest and explaining it all to them.. If there is one thing I can do(after all I have read here)is explain everything!

 

Able 1

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This is what he shows to all the accounts that I work for(I know it's sodium p and wtf ever that he mixes in his bathtub(well cobb might make it for him for all I know))

I am all over him though.. He uses Ozone and turns the AC to 70. Turning the AC to 70 will improve any situation 70% and the Ozone will mask(and give me a headache) another 5% and he subsurface extracts another 5%. Problem is when the humidity(open windows) is back in the unit, it IS going to smell like piss. SO, now you have covered up the problem enough to get it rented, but they soon find out that the tenant complains of odor. So why not charge the whole deposit to the tenant that caused the problem?

Oh, and BTW these units rent for o average of $1,300..
 
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Able 1

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Ozone isn't very effective for urine odor removal.

Though it IS overpowering in a unit that is closed up with the AC on.. ALL deception! I'm working on an email to all of these accounts, any ideas? Just don't want to sound like I am bashing him, but at the same time I want to tell them he is FOS! Stay tuned, this will be a good thread!:icon_twisted:
 

Desk Jockey

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Ozone works best at completing the oxidation process of unburned hydrocarbons, fire, smoke odor. It doesn't penetrate well and does little for urine. It will clean the airspace but once the generator is removed and humidity hits the source, you'll smell urine again.
 
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idreadnought

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I would never create an email to talk about a competitor. If you are serious about this then belly to belly is the only way.

Second I would beat him at his own game. subsurface extracting 10% with a boatload of pairing agents like odorcide will do more for urine smell in my opinion than ozone. Keep the ac on, that wont hurt.
 

CrazyRay

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So.... you start a thread about chemicals manufacurers sell odor products that don't work. But your real motivation to post was that you let a competitor get his foot in the door of your accounts, most likely because they aren't happy with your work. Especially the odor problems. If you are going to survive, much less grow, in this business you must be brutally honest with yourself. This is even more important in the unforgiving multifamily market that you service. As long as you blame the "chemicals that suck" or "my competitor is a liar" you fail to focus on the real issue. YOU!

I know. I grew my business to be the largest apartment carpet service in the state of Texas. I will be happy to help you in anyway that I can. But then, because of that little, "I'm clueless", jab at Cobb Supply aka Dynachem chemicals you will have to switch to Dynachem exclusively. He, he he. Ok?

Ray
1-800-634-2622
 

ruff

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I will be happy to help you in anyway that I can. But then, because of that little, "I'm clueless", jab at Cobb Supply aka Dynachem chemicals you will have to switch to Dynachem exclusively. He, he he. Ok?

Wouldn't that be clueless?
 

Goomer

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I would never create an email to talk about a competitor. If you are serious about this then belly to belly is the only way.
Second I would beat him at his own game.

I would never go there either.
There would be no way to write an email regarding a competitor that would not be interpreted as a attack.
 
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Able 1

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Doesn't smell today but the A/C is set to 70 and he sprinkled on this weird powder. The last time he cleaned it(cleaned this unit twice)was on Wednesday and the moisture sensor is going off in the entire unit not just where the urine was, kind of odd??
IMG_20130629_171628_zps1eb0e2fd.jpg
 

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