Being a business owner sucks.

[Two Lane]

Originally posted by tjthorson


Yet, I look here and certain vendors royally SCREW people over, and they keep on getting customers - and for big bucks.

Tell you what - instead of sending CAS that $1000 for a FM, send it to me.

You'll get the same product in the end (nothing) and I'll at least give you call to thank you or answer the phone if you call.

I just don't get it sometimes.

We haven't "got it" (our parts OR our near 4-digit refund) for the past 16 months!! And the felonious fool still "lurks" & posts around in the TR internet community daily, as if he's done nothing despicable OR illegal. There is no intention of EVER returning the ill-gotten monies and it's all just a frakken joke to this sleazoid slacker.

Todd, the points you make about honesty & reliability are 2 of the most crucial aspects of character & integrity a person OR business must consistently maintain...IF they have any guiding inner principles, beyond sheer greed.

You remember when a person's word was his bond, and valued as much as his very life.

That's ONE reason why those of us who do remember just don't "get it".
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All honest people are pulling for you, Todd! Don't forget it!

 

[phil conrad]

Being a business owner does suck and it is also the best thing. I grew up in our family locksmith business. The headaches were huge and lots of long hours. The help is what fianally made us decide to sell. The plus side was a lot of $
I have since taken a job at a state university. The pay is so so the benefits are great and going home at 3:30 every day is great. What sucks is knowing that if you do a good job nobody seems to care. My plan is to retire early and start moonlighting a lot. I hope there will be not much stress( no help) and lots of $

 

[webleyaz]

Looks to me you did it just right, almost. You lost 2 of 11 that were below break even. Profits are up. The other 9 are still a drain, however. At break even they are potentially a loss with no potential for profit. (loss potential=insuranse claims, worker injury, re-dos, etc.)

 

[tjthorson]

Heh. Thanks all. I know these are the kind of customers I want to lose anyway, its just hard because I am not even close to paying myself yet and it seems like the money is just flying out the door!

I am going to apply for an SBA loan. It may help me sleep better at night knowing I have that money in the bank for additional advertising and such.

Dennis - if you have an independant cleaner, I will not be able to compete on price. Not even close. What I do offer over an independant is a safety of liability for you. I pay all the taxes, workers comp, unemployment, etc. My maids bring everything with them - you supply nothing. I use $500 industrial triple filtered HEPA backpack vacuums. Cotton mops, cotton cleaning cloths. I use alchohol based industrial cleaning solutions, instead of chlorine and ammonia which can be toxic to kids, pets, etc, let alone the fumes, or accidental spillage.

With an independant - usually, you supply all the cleaning solutions and the vacuum. You also are open to liability. If you maid falls, steals, breaks something, they will just shrug their shoulders, say "Sorry" and walk out the door. If she falls, the first lawyer that speaks her language will file a suit. Furthermore, because of the "nanny tax" crackdowns of the 90's, most homeowners insurance will NOT cover a domestic employee.

Also, because I am a professional service, it is not necessary to tip my maids. Some customers give a little at the Holidays, but a frequent tip is not necessary.

My maids drive my company logod cars to your home and do not leave your home until the job is done. They leave a "quality card" which is stamped and addressed to me at the office which you rate the level of cleaning. Those cards are directly used in the calculation of the ladies' bonuses. That keeps the quality up time after time of regular cleanings.

With a professional service, I can accomodate most scheduling changes because I have multiple teams, so if you need to move a day because of an emergency or party event, we can usually do it.

My customer is supposed to be double income families with a combined income of $100,000+. Those families which value having a professional service that provides good customer service, and reliable, quality cleanings.

Unfortunatly I have too many customers left over from the prior owners "mom and pop give away the store just to get a customer" attitiude.

But, I am heading in the right direction!

Dennis - give me a ring at (847)253-9800 if you are still interested.