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

stacey1981_2

Hi, just a quick question if I can, I plan to start up a service but my main problem is that I already work one week on one week off, im not able to answer my mobile in work, but im home by 3.30 ish, do you think from your experience people are happy to leave messages on my answer phone or is there any way around this?

cazi

Change the voicemail message to something like " as we are very busy at the moment we will call you back etc etc etc"

autismmum

my ironing lady and laundry godess, is fine taking messages and im fine leaving them, i think people are guided by the first load and the proffesionalism and price , my lady does a large black sack of laundry washed dryed neatly folded for 12.00 and shirts at 80 p each, and so well done they look new. she can do this on a 24 hr pick up drop off turnaround too!

AJH_2

Hi. New to this posting thing but trying to start an ironing business in Bourne in Lincs and have leafleted about 300 flyers and put some up in local newsagents but only had one enquiry:( Only going to be working 16 hours a week when I return to work after Maternity Leave but now have 2 going to nursery and the fees are more that I will be paid so need extra money!! Any more ideas for getting customers????

picklepick

hi AJH
not sure how serious you wanna get but theres lots of ideas on this thread for you to try.

ive done lots of leafleting aswell but i think u have to be selective about where u leaflet.
the more affluent (posh houses) are more likely to be able to afford your services and ive focused my leaflets on those areas.
you could try local schools or nurseries where moms are too busy to do all there own.
local church notice board?
office blocks if u live near a city. i live in the city centre and am finding that people like it if u can collect from their place of work.
how about an advert on gumtree, its free or your local newspaper
u could even try and set up your own website, this is something im looking into at the minute,

hope this helps and good luck :j

AJH_2

Thanks picklepick - Think I will try my kids nursery - maybe even arranging something with the manager to pick up and drop off there if they have the space! I have tried to pick good areas to leaflet - am going to target some of the more affluent villages around about here as not in a city. Have never looked at gumtree but will now.
Thanks again.

autismmum

most carers get their laundry and ironing done ... like me, and the council pays
as it part of a carers assesment, so i dont pay a penny for my laundry bill, therefore carers are a way to get more clients and longterm , with regular payments direct to you. try advertising or contacting your local carers centre.

claireismumof3

I have setup a Laundry Company here in Leicester.
I have the website up and running, some customers.
I was wonderng if anyone can give me some advice.

1) I do wash,dry and iron facililty, what equipment would you use for pre spraying stains. And could you recommend any supplier.

2) I have just signed a contract with a couple of hotel, and i have mainly white flat sheets.

What equipment would you use, and recommend someone who sells what i need.
Obviously i want to do a good job, please help out, cus i dont want the sheets to go back dirty, an washing machine is ok but dont get rid of stains.

Thanks so much

dizzyf

I currently run an ironing service, and it's going pretty well. Does a website generate much more business? How easy / expensive are they to set up/maintain. CanI do it myself or pay someone. Sorry for all the questions, but I haven't a clue about websites!

nra02ejm

I'm just setting up an ironing service in the scun thorpe (sorry gets censored out otherwise) area. ive set up a website and advertised with netmums and other free advertising boards and also put cards up in local shops. Still waiting for enquiries but as its only been 1 week im not worried. Have just drawn up flyers and am posting them to local guest houses and b+b as have been through the yellow pages and phone book and there are no ironing services here that take commercial customers. There is only one other ironing service listed in my area total so im hoping there are lots of people needing their ironing done. I set up my website myself for free and have registered a .co.uk domain name free for 2 years with free hosting too. if anyone wants further details pm me and il get them to you.
Put a free add on yell.com and having a listing in the local yellow pages too (strangely for 131000 minimum potential customers its really cheap), if anyone has any other ideas i would be very grateful of ways to draw in more customers.
If anyone is in the scun thorpe area and looking for an ironing lady....