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Lost another bid, The poor economy taking its toll |
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jaymark1 
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Joined: 27/January/2009 Location: Willow Grove Status: Offline Points: 129 |
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 Topic: Lost another bid, The poor economy taking its tollPosted: 27/January/2011 at 3:42pm |
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I live in one of the best counties in PA, and the country. I ran an estimate for a real estate agent selling a rental home, it was a reference, and the person who referred me to this real estate agent was another real estate agent I work for who also happens to be the number one seller in the entire county, so I felt confident I would win the bid. The carpet was 3100 square foot, covered in dirt, dog vomit and urine. I normally would charge booku for this but I came in at .25 cents a sq ft since it was empty, total was around $850, plus an additional 800 for tile and grout. It was going to take alot of work, plus my buffer machine to get this carpet clean. Buts its dead winter and work is work. Didn’t hear back so I followed up, turns out I lost it to another company for $399, or .12 cents a square foot! I know this guy and he has crappy outdated equiptment, poorly trained techs and skimps on cleaners. It doesnt matter to me, I am now loosing bids I never would have questioned a year ago. I think the economy is finally hitting parts of the country that were uneffected during the recession. I am glad my business is debt free and only have to pay a small mortage and have great benifits through my wifes job. Hows it going in your neck of the woods? |
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I dont predict the future or sell glides, am I allowed on this site?
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CCandmore
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Joined: 07/December/2006 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 150 |
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Posted: 27/January/2011 at 9:26pm |
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I live in Virginia near the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley. I didn't feel any effects of our country's economic woes until this year. My gross sales are WAY down. It's mostly from the big commercial/ institutional jobs I usually enjoy in the summer. I give them good rates and they aren't using other companies, they're just not spending the money now. Putting off some work and probably having their maintenance people do some extra.
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NJPSR
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Joined: 26/October/2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 90 |
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Posted: 28/January/2011 at 7:49am |
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Well I'm in florida and the county I live and work in is very slow. Mostly retired
folks who are watching their pennies. I can't say I blame them. Even the commerical
end is very slow.
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N.J.P. Property Maintenance, "We take care of all your cleaning needs"
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jaymark1
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Joined: 27/January/2009 Location: Willow Grove Status: Offline Points: 129 |
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Posted: 28/January/2011 at 8:22am |
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My biggest drop surprisingly has been from my regular customers. I used to service a large number of people every few months, twice a year or once a year, but even with reminder notices its dropped. I know they are happy as well with the work.
Another drop has been from the people who live where I do and work in New York City. They used to be the customers who never wanted a price but wanted the work done. It would be nothing for them to spend a few thousand a year with me doing CC, upholstery, power washing and such things.
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I dont predict the future or sell glides, am I allowed on this site?
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westcovina
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Joined: 17/December/2010 Location: West Covina Status: Offline Points: 103 |
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Posted: 28/January/2011 at 6:32pm |
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Unfortunately carpet cleaning is one thing people or holding off on until things turn around in the economy.
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John L
Carpet Cleaning Guru 
Joined: 29/November/2004 Location: I'm Right Here! Status: Offline Points: 4013 |
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Posted: 30/January/2011 at 12:55pm |
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Great info above. Its like the library of CCing!
 Find landlords.. After a move out they either have to clean or replace.
 Also hookup with big restoration Co.
Chinese Restaurants will keep you busy you will take a cut in pay but
some pay is better than no pay.
 Just some ideas!
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John L
Carpet Cleaning Guru
Joined: 29/November/2004 Location: I'm Right Here! Status: Offline Points: 4013 |
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Posted: 30/January/2011 at 12:55pm |
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Mark McMaster
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Joined: 22/October/2007 Location: Trenton,Ontario Status: Offline Points: 170 |
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Posted: 30/January/2011 at 7:50pm |
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I've lost bids as well but now I don't sweat it. I've seen many lowballers and hacks come into business and try to undercut me and next thing you know, they're out of business. Either they don't charge enough, do a dungty job so there's no referrences or they just go broke.
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CDRX
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Joined: 18/October/2007 Location: Bellevue, Wa Status: Offline Points: 35 |
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Posted: 31/January/2011 at 4:31pm |
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I've also noticed a big drop off from my regular clients that I send mailers to. Also clients that used to have me clean the whole house are just having a few rooms done.
Winning bids from people who are selling their house is difficult for me also as most just want the cheapest price possible. |
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puppup
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Joined: 18/February/2011 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 28/February/2011 at 2:25pm |
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I think that the recession is really taking its toll on everyone - even those that have not financially lost anything necessarily are definitely being more precautious with their money. This, in turn, is affecting a lot of our businesses, but hopefully things will start to get better!
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John L wrote:
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