Want to make your own x-jet?

[Larry L.]

I liked the part where ron said he is getting CDL's for his monster rig,dat should scare a few newbee's for sure.

yeah Luckyboy,I told you to stop getting your hair done at that place longtime ago,girlesh.
Mine cost 7 dallors but I give a 3 dallor tip,I get to set in the chair longer as he trys to make me pretty and not a hair out of place and what do I after he goes to all that trouble,yeah put my cap back on.

Understand Chuck about making things nomatter how much money you have,a penny saved is more money in the pocket.It doesn't haveta look good to taste good but than again you can spit it out if it doesn't,dat is if your not married.

 

[Jon]

You guys truly made my day, I am laffin so hard I probably lost several pounds of fat...

Hey Bigboy I bet the reason you only pay 7 bucks and sit longer is ain't notin under dat hat U wear.

Girlish, hey she massages my head nicely

Paul-UK, yup that's me ok, a year ago, or was it two. Someday I will get a better picture.

East Coaster, West Coaster, BIGBOY Country, what about the Northeners?

Don't tell me all our Northern friends froze already for the winter?

Y'all right, when you get a group that talks different then another group people tend to see the funny talking ones as strangers, even if all do the same work.

Then you meet a guy like me who has a speech impediment and people think I am either drunk or on drugs! Yes many times I have been asked that question, are you drunk or on drugs.

Now if some cop would just pull me over and arrest me for that I could retire when I am done sueing them for false arrest!

Oh Bigboy I wonder what else you get for that funny money tip you give HIM? or HER? or ???

All in all no one should take a dislike to another for the way they post or say things UNLESS it is truly a wrong. Even then we should find out the reason first.

Sure a few exceptions and we all know who those are. NO DAN S. NOT YOU so stop worrying buddy.

 

[Clean County]

Justin,
I agree with you only to a point. Newbies have a lot to learn so I wouldn't compare them to any group becuase they are so fresh under the collar.

As for full timers compared to partimers I'm sure on average most full timers are better because of what you said but there are exceptions which I can explain.

These are examples only and I'm not refering to myself except for #2
1-Some guys are just more talented then others no matter what. We all know people like this especially with carpenters that have other fulltime jobs. My Father I can use for an example. He owns a Laboratory(Sheetmetal) Co. and he can design and build a deck better than anyone I know and he only built a couple in his lifetime.

2- Other guys such as myself had other opportunities in different fields that where to good to pass up which is the reason why I am considered part time in this field.

3-Others may have been fulltime/partime in the beginning but moved on to other fields. An example here would be the Actor Ed Harris who is an Academy award nominated actor who use to paint and restore houses. I bet you he was excellent at it then and now if he wanted to do it but with his money he would pay guys like you and I to do it for him.

4- Some guys go back to college to better themselves and move on. A possible example one day here would be Jon Fife who posts here and on other bb.s. I bet years from now if he becomes a Doctor or whatever his dream is he can still do an excellent job restoring a deck.

I could come up with a bunch more examples but I think you can see the point I'm making.

Just to reiterate I do agree that most fulltimers would and should be better then most partimers but in some cases as stated above it is NOT ALWAYS true.

 

[ron]

one more note on fulltime/part time.
If i have the same bills as a full timer and am a part timer i have to charge more to make the same as a full timer.
A FT has 40 hrs a week to spead out his cost's.
A PT only has 20 hrs/or whatever to cover most of the same bill's.
I either had to go fulltime,sell the buis., or drop my insurance.
Being PT and the same bills as a FT is killing me.
$2000 truck ins-reg. truck $200[every year]-truck maint[$300]
Accountant[$300] buissness ins[$1300]
$4000 just to be in buissness, not inc. equipment or putting money away for new equipment. Also wear parts and breakdowns. Suppose i need $600 for a new set of tires or a break job?
So FT can spead the costs out over a 40 hr week and I,over a 20 hr week.
Now in NJ we might loose 6 to 8 weekends per year during daylight savings time and now have less time to work,taking more money away from the work done in the spring/summer/fall.
Now some use there pick-up truck for personal use and there reg job. So the buissness is saveing them money because they can write it off in taxes. Not CHUCK,DAVE OLSEN,ME,ECT....
Because we have trucks set-up for buissness only.
As much as i dont like trailers,PT'S should stick with them.
I cant see how they could'nt, unless you live where insurance is cheap.
The other side of the coin is health insurance. Most PT are getting covered at there FT job and FT have to foot the bill.
In my opinion heath insurance is what is causing the depression.
Both money wise and in peoples heads.
People are sticking to fulltime jobs they hate because they cant afford to loose the health care. I know,I USED to be one of those people.
Getting married has set me free not caged me in.
How meney people here wish they could have 2 years exp. under there belt,all of your equipment and truck paid off,and have health ins for $50 per week,and a base of 25 trucks to clean at $40 each/with zero compitition in the local market?[fleetwash not inc.]

 

[melsmobile]

Ron,

sounds like youve got it made! If your making $40, TO $45,000 per year part time, i worked 7 years p/w part time before i went full time.

And health Ins. is a mother , my wifes is free but the 2kids and I cost $525 per mo. but it comes in handy.

I went without business Ins. for the first 10 years but in the past 7 or 8 years companys have started asking for it, you have to have it now days. Everyones sue happy!

Mel

 

[ron]

mel thats $40 per truck not $40,000 a year

 

[melsmobile]

Sorry Ron,

when you said you worked 20 hrs a weekend , i was thanking you did 25 truck a week end , 25 x $40 = $1,000 x the # of weekend you could work i guess 40 to 45 weekends a year

when i was layed off from the last real job i had i was making $36,000 a year power washing part time!

Mel

 

[Larry L.]

Fultime,partime,newbee then there is that almightly want-a-be.

I know one fultimer that a newbee could do a better job,he has been in business for about 11 years.He is also a lowballer and his word want hold water plus he has always got dat chit eating grin,some of you know the type.

The newbee that calls almost everynight I call him CheapO but he is trying to get his prices up.When I answer the phone I say HI CheapO or when I see him out and about I say HI CheapO.When someone calls looking for a cheap price I give them CheapO's # b/c he is better than one of the Fultimers.

Same here I think,,I would go for another job if it wasn't wet,muddy,dirty,cold,HOT and mind blowing.

 

[Clean County]

Justin,
I have 2,000,000 in liability insurance, I had Workers Comp. when I needed it. As a Sole Proprietor in my state you don't need workers Comp. but if you have workers you must have it.

I have a cushion "other job" where I only work 125 days a year and my schedule is extremely flexible. I basically do most of my Powerwashing during the week and on weekends when I get backed up. I have worked Powerwashing 14-20 straight days when I get real busy. This is tough because sometimes I have it linked in with my other job where I might only get 3-4 hrs sleep a nite when I get like this. (Money makes you do the damnest things).

Also the cash is always nice(Read into this any way you want). If you had another job and you say you would do things to better yourself with that other job, Yes that makes sense but sometimes you can get real job burnout. I know guys in the Computer business that would do any type job on the side then what they do full time.

As far as customers preferring fulltimers I never had a problem there. Its a matter of can you sell the job whether your fulltime or not.

I look professional(Polo shirts with Company name on them etc.) My equipment is state of the art(Landa's Mit-m's, etc.etc.) and I carry my portfolio of the work that I have done.

So to me its no difference whether I'm fulltime or not. Its actually almost Therapeutic at times doing some of these jobs because I don't do it as much as you and I may have a better disposition at times.

Also very few of my customers know about my "Other job" because I don't tell them. No need to. I am at there house to sell and to do the work, not to get to know them on a personal bases.

Anyway this is my view which may be different than others. Its just a matter of what you think you can do with what you got No holds bared.

 

[Austin]

Because someone who is washing part time can and will blow off a customer has nothing to do with being part time. That is a poor work ethic.

I wash part time and I don't blow off customers. There are full timers in my area who are by no means better for the customer. Being better for the customer has to do with the quality of the work. Although I can see some minor scheduling conflicts with some part timers, full timers also have to schedule their customers around other customers.

There is a full timer in my area who at one time was very successfull. He had eight rigs going at one time and he started out part time. The sad thing is he got complacent and now I have several of his accounts all of which are pleased with my work.

To me it just sounds like someone wants to wear the crown, everybody is fighting for a higher spot in the pecking order and for what?

Generally speaking most power washers are just "Getting By" very few are probably building any wealth so there is no need for arrogance because there will always be someone better.

Nobody bothered to ask Ron if he "capped" his $99 dollar rate. Maybe he advertises a house wash for $99 and in the fine print is where it says $99 for up to 1300sq. ft.

I remember when it used to cost about $500 to have the carpets cleaned in a three bedroom house. Now Stanley Steamer is a household name "the $99 dollar guys" I bet the competition was pissed when they came to town. Now what little competition is left is doing carpet for $99 for three rooms.

Ron hopefully I'll be around to congradulate you on the success of your business when you have all of those good employees knocking out houses for you while you're sippin margaritas on the beach in Cancun. Just don't get complacent. lol

Austin

 

[Austin]

For some reason it cut out the part about insurance. Anyway I carry liability $1,000,000 Anyone who is in business wether part time or full time should be insured period!

 

[Larry L.]

Originally posted by justin



Then once you get on the cheap boat and start sailing in that direction... you cannot just jump off when you learn your are not making any money. Especially when you have earned the reputation of being cheap.


Justin

The newbee I call cheapO is going though that now,now he is staying 5 dallors under me on all new business he picks up BUT.I told him it would cost him by doing it that way,I would use it againest him if I wanted to hurt him.I forwarned him on his cheap price but his reply was I'll charge more when I learn how to do a better job.

Like I told him,go ahead and charge what we are charging nomatter if it takes him a hour or 2 longer to do the same job as us as it is hard to go up on price unless all powerwasher go up in the area.Speed is alot easier to learn as to go up in price later on in cheap pricing.

Some of us can stay 5,10 and somethings 15 dallors higher than others when doing fleets but anything over that your crown had better be glued on.

Your personality plays a be part as does trustworthly when getting new business.By charging two or three differents prices in the same area for the same job will cost you accounts IF I'm looking for more business,I'll use it againest you or you'll charge everybody your low price if I don't get the account b/c they'll want to know why your screwing them...trustworthly hmmm.

 

[FBromley]

I Would like to jump in on this one, there is no way anybody could survive washing houses for 99.00 I buy equipment from people around my area from the 99.00 dollar guys.

 

[ron]

Bigboy is sure right about what is basicly a contract.[truckwashing]
He sell's the job once and can wash for a very long time.
So $5 per rig ,per day, can mean a ton of money.
I have allways said "you make more money with your mouth,then you'll ever make at the wand."
Bigboy is a salesman first and a PW second. That is why he get's what he get's. Of course you have to walk the walk as well as talk the talk and he seem's to have that covered.
House washing on the other hand can change day to day if you want too. Every deck you get to learn from your past and re-adjust. Your loss is limited to each job, so you cant get hurt to bad.
Hey BIGBOY, come over my way and sell some jobs for me and ill give you 2% of the gross for a year. Work WITH me for 1 week and make it 3%.[bring your rig and chems]

 

[Austin]

Justin its obvious that you missed my point entirely. I don't see how it could have been misunderstood but people see things differently.

But it is still true that some on here think for some reason that they are superior to others. Wether or not you believe that its true. I see alot of arrogance here and I feel there is no need for it.

 

[Austin]

Also Justin I don't see why you feel the need to try to redirect that back toward me when I'm not the one who wants to wear a crown or a higher spot in the pecking order. I think its obvious who does and I didn't mean you.

Go back and reread my post a couple of times it was a metaphor I used meaning an implicit coparison not to myself but to others.
And not you but the ones crticizing the way another individual operates their business as if it were unacceptable.

Again a figure of speach when I stated that I hoped I would be around to cogradulate Ron when he is sipping margaritas. I realize that that may not be realistic, I'm not even going to try to explain this one@@??@?@@@

I will do m best to explain myself in a more thorough manner to my fellow sophisticates in the future.

 

[Larry L.]

Originally posted by Austin
I see alot of arrogance here and I feel there is no need for it.

Do not let arrogance fool you,it works if you know how to use it.What you see any not be what goes on in the front office nor any other place but around you,see your already superior then the ones you judged.Who cares if anyone thinks they are better then you,I'm sure everybody puts their pants on the same way,one leg at a time.Just b/c one acks arrogance and dumb doesn't mean they are but as long as a competitor thinks so you have a open line to his accounts.Mentality is better then mephitic,with omniumgatherum you can set on either side of the fence.

Ron it would take a few weeks to do the bookwork as to walk in and walkout with the business.You can do that on small accounts but larger accounts you need to do your bookwork,you any not even want them as in my meaning it would take a few weeks of seeding and weeding.Besides you have it in you,all you have to do is let him out lol.

 

[Austin]

Uh? Esta Loco??

No

 

[johnny]

Does what Ron's doing sound like:

THE BAIT AND SWITCH TRAP
Unscrupulous merchants often advertise fabulous but fake bargains just to get you to come into their store so they can sell you something more expensive. This scheme is commonly referred to as "bait and switch." It's simple enough: they advertise some item at a price low enough to lure you into the store. But here's the rub: the advertised item is not for sale. The salespeople may give you any number of reasons why you can't or shouldn't buy it . . . "there aren't any left. . ." " many customers who bought it are dissatisfied . . ." "the product just isn't any good . . ." "you can't get delivery for six months . . ."

The truth is that these salespeople never had any intention of selling the advertised special. They kill your desire to buy it and instead try to get you to buy the item they had in mind from the beginning.

"Bait and switch" is an unfair practice and is against the law. Although you can't always spot bait ads in advance or know that the switch is going to follow, there are a few steps you can take to avoid the trap.

First, realize that a good salesperson may try to persuade you to buy a better quality item or a different brand with more features at a higher price. There is nothing illegal or unethical about this. The important thing is that you are given a choice without undue pressure.

Keep in mind, though, that if a product or service is advertised at a price that seems too good to be true, this may be a bait ad.

Then, if the merchant refuses to show you the advertised item, to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time, disparages it, or demonstrates a defective sample of it, take this as a sign that you're probably being "switched."

Try to do business with merchants who want you to buy from them again and realize that a satisfied customer is their best advertisement.

 

[Chuck Richard]

good post. i like the repeat customer myself.

I would rather have 100 satisfied customers than 1000 unsatisfied.