Start an ironing service... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

bbaby_2

Maz wrote: »

Hello everybody!

Right, have had some enquiries (horrah!). BUT, they all (all two of them! lol)seemed to think I was charging too much, tell me what you think please?

I am charging £12.50 for 20 items (or part thereof), with free collection and delivery.

Should I be charging per item? By weight? (nothing to weigh stuff on tho'!) By basketful?

Am really confused, don't want to price myself out of the market of course, so some guidance would be very much appreciated. What does everybody else do?

Hi Maz,

I think your prices are fine.

Have you researched what the other ironing services in your area are charging?

If you havent done so already, find out what the other services are charging and that should give you an idea on what people living in your area are prepared to pay.

But I think your prices are fine.

I myself charge by weight.

Good luck!!

picklepick

Thanks Whoooooooosh
im a private tenant and as im only going to be doing it on a part-time basis at first (just to test the waters) i dont think im breaking any rules so im just gonna keep quiet

I guess its only the same as doing a spot of ebaying or mystery shopping and i dont think my landlord would expect me to tell them about that?!

Thanks for all the response!
:A

picklepick

To everyone.....

I found a deal on ebay for 500 metal hangers, 400 garment covers and 500 trouser guards for about £45 plus delivery. do you guys think this would be reasonable?

I dont wanna get ripped off by being naive!!

Ive had a look at a few other websites and this seems pretty good to me!

affordmylife

i used to do this a while ago and i was very fortunate that my neighbour was offering this service but then gave it up so she passed the business on to me.

i charged by the hour so my customers would trust me to be honest about how long it too.

i found that the first couple of times i did their stuff it took longer but once i got into the swing of it i could do it much quicker. i must confess i always overestimated the amount of time it took in order to make my rate per hour acceptable for me. approx £10 per hour.

also you get to know your customers and their financial situation so you know who can afford it and who cant so you can adjust your costing accordingly.

i did it for a couple of years and only gave up when i moved areas so it was too far for my customers.

what about a poster or a flyer to local schools (teachers) and solicitors etc business people are the most likely to be able to afford the service and too busy to do it themselves to get some more business.

bbaby_2

picklepick wrote: »

To everyone.....

I found a deal on ebay for 500 metal hangers, 400 garment covers and 500 trouser guards for about £45 plus delivery. do you guys think this would be reasonable?

I dont wanna get ripped off by being naive!!

Ive had a look at a few other websites and this seems pretty good to me!

Just pm'd you

stacey1981_2

Hi all, iv been reading all your very usefull posts, iv decided to set up a service in my area but want to check something, I was planning on going door to door myself to sign up some cusomers and explain what im doing and prices ect, is this leagal? will I have to ask the council or carry id to go door to door, any advise would be great , thanks, stacey

Stephb1986_2

Hi stacey your best just popping your leaflet through the door of potential customers as some of them might be doing shift work or you might be putting them on the spot so they feel obliged to use your service.

Maz your charging the same as we do to be honest and we've been running 6 years without anyone moaning about the prices saying that we havent put them up in 6 years even with the prices of diesel going up. Just charge 63p per item which equals £12.50 per 20 items its not asking the world people pay for quality not quantity and if people are charging less then good luck to them but i can guarantee they wont be doing a good job as they are rushing to get through it all.

Ive always found that sleeving the clothes in the plastic sleeving makes them creased or if left in them for a while it will put mould spots on the clothes therefore we dont use them as the customers will probably have to run a iron over the item before wearing it because the sleeves creases them that much grr!

Steph xx

Maz

I'm hyper today - my bank book arrived this morning all emblazoned with my business name on it - it all feels like reality now. I just need a van !!! We've off to the van auctions next week to try to get me one there. Once I have that, within a week I'll be up & running, waiting for my first customer

[/QUOTE]

Wow! you're really going for it big time! Fantastic!

Keep us posted, it'll be brilliant to see how you get on. Very best of luck, we're all rooting for you!!! :j

bbaby_2

Whoooooooosh wrote: »

I'm hyper today - my bank book arrived this morning all emblazoned with my business name on it - it all feels like reality now. I just need a van !!! We've off to the van auctions next week to try to get me one there. Once I have that, within a week I'll be up & running, waiting for my first customer

Hi again Whoooooooosh,

Can I ask which bank you went with?

I have been looking at the different business banking options and not sure what is best.

some offer free banking for life "Abbey National"
and others offering 18 months free banking but with this they offer advice, guidance, book keeping software ect.

what did you go for?

picklepick

bbaby
your website looks fantastic:D
have PM'ed you!

Whooooosh as im setting up as a sole trader i dont need to register my company with company house. do u have to for the purposes of setting up a dedicated bank account? good luck getting your van thats what im most excited about :j