Price

MR. STEAMER wrote: I have no one to run it...I've trained two guys other than my brother...they are now my competition...LOL

That's pretty standard for our line of work, it's rare to find someone that will stay once they see how  much money can be made with a machine themself.   they either jump ship to another who pays a little more, or pick up a used machine and start their own business.

rather than pushing how you do it and for home much you do it, go to the prospect's home or office and avoid giving an estimate or a quote.  You are there to do an inspection and one you have determined what needs to be done, tell them how much.  If they bawk at the price, ask them what areas do they want excluded?  Only the traffic areas with no movement of furniture?  Do not cut per square foot prices, just cut down the size of the job.  Protectant is sold at the job site by taking away worries of a clean carpet gone bad with a 1 year warranty of areas cleaned and treated.  Sell is when doing the job.  We already had one fight over the cost of restoration.

im new to marketing for carpet cleaning. ive just started to post to post on craigslist and ive put the minimum job price. at least they can get an idea of what a ballpark figure would be.

Thank you, I appreciate the advice john. Any other advice you can offer?

Whats the easiest way to overcome that?

What you need to do is sit down and figure out your expenses (cost of doing business) and try and figure out what you need an hour or a sq. ft. to make a decent profit. Secondly you want to distance yourself from those type of companies you can never undercut them. I still call them bait & switch but others say not. another thing they are high volume companies where as you are trying to find your nitch?

Yes...what are the prices?