my new business !! need advice !!

lav2009

hi,

Ive recently bought a very large blind cleaning machine .... as im really going to make a go of this ..what im asking is do you think it would do enough business .....is it the type of thing you would get done ?

It cleans blinds to nearly new standard and saves a lot of money for customers instead of them having to buy new blinds....we also collect them for you and re hang them ....

Below is the questions i need answered ...especially the price, as this could determine how much il charge ..

do you think its a good business?
would you use this type of business?
what would you pay for a average vertical blind to be cleaned ( abt the size of front window 12ft wide )
what ould you pay for a average venician blind ( like in a bathroom ) ?

thanks for replies and look forward to reading them...hopefully it will all be positive, and you will see the potencial

dannyxx25

don't meen to sound negative, but was just reading your thread and thought 'i've never thought about cleaning blinds before'. I believe supermarkets etc are selling what can be described as little gloves, a duster you wear as a glove, very good for cleaning wooden or plastic blinds. I assume that you're talking about fabric blinds, I would expect most people to buy new blinds than would want to have them cleaned.

Oldbanger666

Hi,

I've never heard of blind cleaning before but it does sound interesting...

To start with, my first question is, do blinds get dirty in the short run ? Where i work, our blinds are very dirty due to the evironment its in with alot of people walking about... however... at home, the blinds in my room are still looking white after 4 years having them in.

I think you should have a go at targeting Old Hotels or refurbish companies, who may want your service with some contract work... or my best bet, try targeting old folks... they seem to have a bit of money with their pension & benifits... and i'm guessing their blinds might be a bit dirty The good thing with old folks... they love to talk... so you won't have your nose pushed out or get the feeling they're not interested.

1) Do you think its a good business?
Answer: It has potential, targeting the right market is most important

2) Would you use this type of business?
Answer: If i was refurbishing my Hotel or my business - yes (from reading this thread, i never knew Blind Cleaning existed)

3) What would you pay for a average vertical blind to be cleaned ( abt the size of front window 12ft wide )
Answer: £20 - £30 (this is difficult as everyone is in different finance positions)

4) What would you pay for a average venician blind ( like in a bathroom ) ?
Answer: £10 ? (again difficult as everyone is in different finance positions)


Overall, its definately worth a shot... get some nice leaflets describing more about your business... what the savings are... and show how blind cleaning really does make a difference.. i.e compare a dirty blind with a cleaned blind.... Then when people look, they think gosh, that is a difference & if your charge resonable prices, i'm sure they'll have them done ( if the right market is targeted i.e Refurbishing Hotels, Pubs or Old Folks houses etc... )

Hope this is of some help :beer:

lav2009

thank you for all replies thus far ...i really appreciatte it !m glad some havent hear about it as it big in usa but hasnt been heard of here ..... im looking forward to getting it going, and will take replies on board ...any other suggestions please ........... ????????????

PasturesNew

Here's a random PDF I found online: http://www.sonicclean.com/marketing.pdf which might give you a few ideas about pricing/marketing.

knowloads

I think oldbanger666 must have bought his blinds in 1966,
Good idea except;

1)Many recent 3 for £99 verticals have non-clean 'felt' style fabrics.
2)Most older verticals will have weights and hanging clips that will be brittle and may not be available anymore, the chain also gets brittle so care removing and re-hanging or your profit may be lost.
3) Venetian blinds get very dirty, and this could be your main target.
4) Office blocks. BIG blinds and plenty of them. Also get a good local blind maker (not an agent, someone who makes them in-house) , and agree a commission rate for the inevitable leads for new blinds you can not save. Offer weekend in-out service, summer here soon, blinds needed Mon-Fri
5) Spend on good quality leaflets (A5 full colour both sides from about £200 for 10,000) Give a good impression.
6) Target your dropping (leaflets) do not use dropping companies, (too random).
5) The public..... small low value jobs, cheap blinds, use as a stop gap.
6) FREE ADS, Gumtree, Adzooks, LOOt, Sun,Friday Ads etc use web and blast every free ads site with your advert, same one, every week (many repeat with an e-mail reminder, so do as many on one day to aid repeating.
7) Send my commission once you reach £1m turnover.

PS There are 000's of office maintenance co's and cleaning cos that may use you, but agree an immediate payment clause or 90 days ,nooooooooo

macman

Wouldn't it have been prudent to ask these questions before you bought the machine though?

ormus

absolutely.
..............
the only person making money at the moment is the man selling the cleaning machines.

27col

Why would you buy something before you had established that there was a demand for it? Wrong way round I think.

Inactive

Being blunt, I think that the OP has been sucked in by some slick US type sales talk from the machine seller.

I just take my vertical blinds down, run them through a bowl of soapy water, rinse and rehang wet, with old towels under the bottom to catch any drips.