Thermax rental packages...

sounds like a great way to decrease your customer base.

rentals,bissels,and DIY's are a CC's largest competition IMO

so do us a favor and buy some real crappy machines and sell some real lousy chems

Dixiedrifter,

Do-it-yourself carpet cleaning rental units is how I first entered this business. I owned Steamex of Canada. When I first entered what I though was a lucrative business it looked like I would become a millionaire almost overnight. That of course was only on paper.

In actual fact I had so many consignees stiff me over & over it became a nightmare. They spent your money and never have it on your arrival. They never keep the units clean and free of odor causing complaints. They take such poor identification the renters simply keeps the unit at home until someone calls.

No one ever calls as the clerk gave the machine to him not asking for the proper identification. Freezing and leaking water over other customers furnishings in the winter caused threats and law suits. You don’t want to hear the rest.

Some years later my company took on the task of servicing and picking up invoices for a large U.S. company who owned all the Home Depot rentals. The number of units that were stolen was totally unbelievable. You would need a police force to keep track of it.

NOT A GOOD MOVE…my opinion only.

Now if you choose to advertise both do it yourself and save or have us do it professionally that works. Why? Because the DIY market is twice as large as the professional market and will attract three times as many inquiries.

You can switch your potential customer back and forth. I actually did this and you would be amazed how many will rent from you then say next time we will have you do it. Then you have the people who totally refuse to pay professional price and will rent instead. Now the bigger profit is in the chemicals as they are packaged small and sold with attractive margins. The secret is for you a professional to actually deliver the unit, set it up and show them before you leave and suggest the proper product for them to use.

Have a delivered flat fee + product used. With this service why would they go elsewhere.

I have often wondered why some one has not started a franchise to offer this service. Now if you are still interested in placement in stores I would personally look at the Rental Package from EDIC.

Good Luck

Ken and whoever else is listening.

The rental of an OP Machine is a fantastic idea. Less investment and much easier for the customer to comprehend. Forget how good your professional cleaning system is for the moment. And think about how many do-it-yourselfers there are wanting to rent a carpet cleaning machine.

Tap into this market. It sounds very profitable.

Superglide Ken wrote: We will be doing just that with machines that will have a selling price under $1000. The pads and chemicals that go with them is where the real money is at.

Ken that last statement will probably piss off a lot of professional carpet cleaners and crank the board up again. But what they should understand is that the do-it-yourself carpet cleaning rental business is huge. And can be profitable.

This is a market that the professional carpet cleaner should own and not the grocery chain.

Food for thought.

Good Deal, John.

IF you like underpowered equipment! Give them that price on a 3/4 hp machine and you might have something .Turboteck will be offering a 3/4 hp machine this Spring for only $999.00 that comes with the superior Sahara Super Pads