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

Maz

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to ressurect my ironing service and wondered if I'm better off pricing per kilo or per item?

What do you find works best?

missspeedy23

:T I iron everything as best as I can but they never look shop perfect and I've never had any complaints. You can only do your best!

I love Vistaprint - I've been so tempted to get some door magnets but have talked myself out of it!!

Maz - I price by the kilo as I find it so much easier than counting items out. If it comes in a bag you can also weigh it in front of the customer if they wish with some luggage scales. I've never had any negative comments about charging like that.

Maz

missspeedy23 wrote: »

Maz - I price by the kilo as I find it so much easier than counting items out. If it comes in a bag you can also weigh it in front of the customer if they wish with some luggage scales. I've never had any negative comments about charging like that.

Up to now I've charged per item but this seems an easier way of doing it. I have no idea of how much to charge per kilo though, any pointers would be appreciated!

missspeedy23

Maz wrote: »

Up to now I've charged per item but this seems an easier way of doing it. I have no idea of how much to charge per kilo though, any pointers would be appreciated!

I charge £3/kg but it all depends on how much other companies around you charge. I worked out that my minimum charge of 5kg covers around 20 shirts/t-shirts and then compared that to other people charging per item. I'm considering increasing it to £3.25 or £3.50 in the next couple of months.

missspeedy23

Has anyone put their prices up this year? I'm considering it with extra fuel/power costs but not sure how much is acceptable to increase it by. I thought about comparing the average fuel price last year to this year and making the increase in line with that??

lil_Amz99

I am seriously interested in doing this and I've been googling to see how many people already do this around my area. I've not found many so I dont think I would be treading on too many toes!

If I do it though I would be doing it on the side of my Full Time Mon-Fri 9-5 job, do you think that would be do-able or would it be too time consuming?

I'm happy to work late nights and weekends I just wanted to hear from anyone else who works full time as well as ironing!

missspeedy23

lil_Amz99 wrote: »

I am seriously interested in doing this and I've been googling to see how many people already do this around my area. I've not found many so I dont think I would be treading on too many toes!

If I do it though I would be doing it on the side of my Full Time Mon-Fri 9-5 job, do you think that would be do-able or would it be too time consuming?

I'm happy to work late nights and weekends I just wanted to hear from anyone else who works full time as well as ironing!

Hi and welcome!

I started off doing mine as well as working full time as I couldn't afford not to. I only had a couple of customers to start with and it got busier so allowed me to drop one day a week after 6 months or so. It has got a lot busier since and I could have possibly packed my job in but decided I didn't really want to iron full time so employed someone instead! I still do ironing at the end of the week and she does the beginning of the week for me so it works well.

I won't lie and say it's not hard as it is, especially when you first start as it feels like it takes you forever but if you're up to the challenge then it's worth it! I found that most people wanted collections in an evening anyway so it didn't really restrict my customers. I also told them standard service was 48hrs so I didn't have to rush around too much trying to get it done for the next day.

Good luck!

Jo

Maz

missspeedy23 wrote: »

I charge £3/kg but it all depends on how much other companies around you charge. I worked out that my minimum charge of 5kg covers around 20 shirts/t-shirts and then compared that to other people charging per item. I'm considering increasing it to £3.25 or £3.50 in the next couple of months.

Thanks for the info! I currently charge per item and using your example of 20 shirts, I would make a lot more sticking to my individual rates. I have checked similar services in my area and looks like I'm undercharging in comparison to them anyway!

kettricken

Hi all, not been around for a while, Wow! I really need to increase my prices especially in light of fuel and electric increases, not sure of the percentage to incerase though, I want to keep the maths easy. I had to turn my first customer away last week as I couldnt fit in their required time schedule. I felt terrible but just couldnt turn it around that quick with the other ironing I had. Nice to see everyone doing well. Keep at it.

ellebee1986

How do you tend to deliver the freshly ironed clothes? Do you fold them or hang them?