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Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board Archives

Messages archived from the Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board, going back to May of 1998. The discussion board board is an online forum about the business of pet-waste removal. Browse the messages, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH by keyword, or click here to participate in current discussions.

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 04-Dec-98 17:47:18

Starting up at this time of year ... My wife and I are thinking of joining the world of professional pooper-scoopers and would be interested in hearing any one elses start up stories.Is this a tough time of year?Can waiting until spring be a better idea?Is anyone doing this in the eastern Kansas area?All comments are appreciated,some may be replied to. THANKS!!!:}
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 23-Dec-98 09:31:50

Re: Starting up at this time of year ... I think the Spring will probably be when you will get the most new customers. But by starting up now, at least for the planning and prelimiinary tasks needed, you'll have everything in place and ready to go when people begin to sign up towards the end of February.
It's a good idea to be ready when the rush begins. This also gives you time to start advertising, work out your service routes, etc.
As I recall, there are one or two services in Kansas -- visit the International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services at http://www.pooper-scooper.com to see exactly where they are. (If you don't have access to the web, I can send you a copy of the current directory by email if you send me a note asking for it.)

Best Wishes!
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 01-Jan-99 21:29:33

Re: Starting up at this time of year ... Eastern Kansas. Dr. Doo Litter is doing business in Johnson Co. Kansas. I cover all of Johnson County and Kansas City, Mo. south.

R L Sherwood (Dr. Doo Litter)
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 04-Dec-98 19:54:56

Animals, especially dogs ... Hello!!
IÝm a dogbreeder, living in Sweden. I like to come in contact with breeders from all of the world. But specially with breeders of Cavalier King Charles spaniels and the bruxelllion griffon. What about changing puppies/lines??If te lines are good.. Please mail me for details
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 06-Dec-98 11:06:14

Scooper needed in Tampa and Orlando areas ... I have a commercial client here in the Denver area who also has properties in the Tampa and Orlando areas. She needs service and asked me to help find someone. I see on the directory that Poop Happens is in the Tampa area, are there others? Please let me know if you or someone you know does these areas so I can give her your number.
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 22-Dec-98 11:48:40

Re: Scooper needed in Tampa and Orlando areas ... My Dog Waste Removal Service, Mary "POOP"ins, is located in the Tampa Bay Area.

What kind of commercial business does this involve?

Since I am located in Oldsmar (which is close to Tampa), I may be able to service this client.

Let me know...

Thanks,

Mary "Poop"ins
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 07-Dec-98 16:09:55

up and running ... Panama City, Florida now has a professional pooper-scooper service! Scoopy Doo dog waste removal service is now in business!! Thanks go out to Matthew and all the great advice on this message board. Spread the word, we service the greater Panama City area and the beaches!! We've got great rates and great service! Tell everyone!
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 24-Dec-98 00:27:14

Re: up and running ... Check on the usage of the name, Scoopy Doo. That was the original idea that I had for a name & contacted a trademark attorney to see how close to infringement on Scooby Doo it would come.

His suggestion was - maybe. He mentioned some sound alike problem, confusion of name, and a lot of other stuff (such as calling a soda Koke, instead of Coke). His recommendation was to bypass the name, as even a minor fight over the usage could run thousands in legal fees - even if you eventually win, it could leave you broke.

Would they fight over it? Who knows, but is it worth the potential problem?

John Ross
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Dec-98 01:11:56

happy holidays ... happy holidays
hi matt haven't spoken to you in a while.
yucko's is getting ready to do a television commerical, going to be interesting to how the public is going to react. not everyday you see a commerical on what we do best, ours will be airing during martha stewart program.
seems like it would be a good place.
happy holidays again...
debbie and baby yucko's (avigayil my daughter she's two and 4 months)
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 23-Dec-98 09:25:48

Re: happy holidays ... Sounds very interesting, Debbie! I hope you'll let us know how it works out. Martha Stewart's show seems like an excellent audience for this type of business.
It should be a good way to increase awareness of your business, and should pay off over the long haul in increased credibility, confidence in your company, and a good image for Yucko's.

Good Luck!
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Dec-98 10:24:44

holidays ... Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to say "Merry Christmas" to all of you fellow scoopers and hope 1999 will be a great year for you all. Take care

Pat (PooP b Gone)
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 24-Dec-98 12:56:00

Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, etc. ... Happy holidays to you all!
From us in Winterpeg, where it is a balmy -30 degrees celsius. (That in Fahrenheit, equals frostbite to unexposed skin in under one minute.)
Take care, and have a great new Year!

petra
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 30-Dec-98 10:53:54

Re: Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, etc. ... BRRRRRRRRRRR!

---- ice picks as dog waste removal tools? "Oh, nooooooooooooooooo!"

HAHAHA :-)


and a Happy New Year to you, too, Petra!
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Dec-98 12:56:34

i have a question... ... i was hoping that i could get some help from you guys. i'm thinking about starting up my own "poop be gone" service. i was just wondering how some of you got into this business and if you had any tips for an up and comer in the poop removal business. please email me with any suggestions, stories, etc...
thanks,
andrea
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 20-Dec-98 18:55:29

Re: i have a question... ... Where do you live? Have you read all of the archive messages along with all the posted messages?

Frank
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 21-Dec-98 06:09:13

Re: i have a question... ... Order Matthew's manual - it's the greatest!! It will answer any questions you have about the business
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 22-Dec-98 12:27:57

dumpster ... Hi Matthew--
Inyou r book you mention using a dumpster which is emptied by the company that owns it. Do they have a site ofor the dumpster, or do they expect you to have a place for it? If so, where do you put it? I;'m having trouble fiunding a company that has a site for their dumpsters. How much do you pay for the service?
Thanks for all your helpso far.
--mb
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 22-Dec-98 18:50:40

Re: dumpster ... I have a rented space un an office-warehouse complex. We put our dumpster at the end of the complex as far away from everyone as possible. We keep it fairly clean and have it emptied twice a week. That seems to take care of most of the odor problems. My cost is about $200 a month, an outstanding price, IMO.

I don't see why a waste removal company wouldn't keep a dumpster on their site for you at a price. Have you shown need and offered to pay in advance? (That often works wonders) If there are several haulers, play one against the other (gently) and see what you can get.
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 23-Dec-98 09:20:42

Re: dumpster ... I think most dumpster companies will expect you to have a spot to put the dumpster. But pay heed to Pete's advice in the other reply to your question; Pete took over from me. :)
Some people have managed to share dumpsters with other small businesses. You may have good results with that approach if you don't have a spot for your own dumpster -- especially if there is a nearby business that has a dumpster but doesn't fill it up every time. They may welcome the opportunity to reduce their costs.
Before I had enough customers to fill a dumpster myself, I used to take the waste to the landfill in my own trucks. That could be another possible solution, although I must say that getting the dumpster was a great improvement over that system.
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 23-Dec-98 18:09:51

A scoop of humor ... What do you get when the weather is rainy and 60 degrees on Monday followed by a windchill of 15 below zero F? (as it did in Columbus this week)

Poopsicles!

What do you get when it thaws?

poop soup!

(I can't imagine doing this job without the assistance of a strange sense of humor)
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 24-Dec-98 13:05:07

What goes around... ... Just to show you, it pays to care....
We signed on a customer a month ago who was diagnosed with cancer, and is undergoing treatments, so she is too weak to scoop. Anyway, she continues to go to work. I did not ask her where she worked, only what time she left, would the dog be out, etc.
We did a first time clean (it took 2 shifts), and now do her weekly.
Anyway...
She and I chatted the other day about the fact that she was so sore from the treatments, and I told her about a really great massage therapist I go to. She went there, etc., etc.
So, this week, I get a call from this reporter for one of the 2 major papers here. He says to me "you know Miss so-an-so is the city editor, right? And I said, "no, I did NOT know that". Well, she told this reporter to go out and do a story on us, complete with photo shoot, and interviews with our customers! I was SO THRILLED!
Is that not great?
I learned early in life, from my father, that a little bit of caring goes a long way.
On that note, I wish all of you a peaceful holiday, and a happy, prosperous, and healthy New Year!
P.
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 30-Dec-98 10:51:34

Re: What goes around... ... What a great story! Thanks for posting it!
Of course, I couldn't agree more with your comments about "a little bit of caring goes a long way." I know that your caring was not predicated on getting something out of it, too -- but it's always terrific when it works out that way!

Thanks again!

Matthew
Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 26-Dec-98 10:01:34

What is it? ... Hi! I live in Ukraine. I know nothing about Professional Pooper-Scooper Service. Tell me please about this business.
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 30-Dec-98 10:48:18

Re: What is it? ... Hi Lena,
The best way I know to get a general idea of what this business is all about is to read the information at the Professional Pooper-Scooper website at http://www.pooper-scooper.com, including the archived messages from this message board -- and of course, read through all the messages here. :-)
After that, you should have a pretty good idea of what's it's about, and if you have more specific questions, comments, or ideas, we'll be happy to discuss them in this "online support group" .

Matthew
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 28-Dec-98 03:02:28

Dumpster ... Is it possible to service a property, double bag the waste and put it in the dog owner's trash can or dumpster?
The city told me I could do this, and It would be ok,
because a dog owner could put the waste from his own dog into his own trash can. If the property is serviced once a week, the city would pick up the waste on a weekly basis. Is this a good idea? It would keep me from having to get a private dumpster, also I've been having a hard time finding one who would support such a business. Should I use this method?
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 29-Dec-98 06:39:52

Re: Dumpster ... Hi there!

I do not leave the waste at my customers house . . . to me that defeats the purpose of what we are all about . . . waste removal. But, I do double bag and put the waste in my trash cans. My garbage company does not seem to have a problem with that so far. The only problem I have with it, is the trash cans get SOOOOO heavy I can hardly move them to the curb.

Happy Scooping!

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 30-Dec-98 10:44:45

Re: Dumpster ... Whether you *should* use this method is entirely up to you-- that's the beauty (and sometimes the frustration) of running your own business. You get to make your own decisions. :)
Personally, I agree with Pat from PooPbGone; I like to offer a complete service that entirely removes the concern about dog poop, so the customer doesn't have to think of it at all.
But I do understand your situation, and I know of successful operators who do leave the bag of waste in the customer's trash. So it can work either way. The main concern is the satisfaction of your clients. So it's up to you. And if this is the only way you can find to offer the service, then clearly it's better to do it that way than to leave people with no service at all.

Matthew
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 29-Dec-98 10:40:59

Profit ... Hi everyone. I understand that the success of your business is dependent upon how much you put into, therefore there are never any guarantees, but I would love to hear about how successful you all are. Is this something that took awhile to profit from? If you are profiting from this business, is it something that can carry you without additional income? Please email me with your answers, comments and suggestions. I live in Aurora, Ohio not too far from Cleveland.

Thanks!! Happy New Year.
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 30-Dec-98 10:38:44

Re: Profit ... Hi Daphne,
I think your area should be very good for this kind of business. I know there are many people around the Cleveland area, and I would expect that several scooping services could eventually be supported by that region.
One important consideration (among many others) is the size of the area you choose to serve. Especially when you're first starting, you have the trade off of covering a larger area and offering your service to more potential customers -- but you might get one or two customers on the edges of your area and end up driving a long way for that single customer.
If you have a smaller service area, you can keep the density of customers high, and travel times low -- but you limit the number of potential clients.
When I started, I carefully made the decision to start off right from the begining by offering service to a fairly large area, the entire Columbus metropolitan area (which is a little larger than the whole of Franklin county). I figured that it would take a great deal of work and time to create awareness of the existence of my service. I didn't want to have the additional effort and expense of changing public perceptions that we were not available in the whole area down the road.
It should be interesting to see how others started and read about their progress, I look forward to reading the other replies to your message. :)
When I started back in 1988, I had practically no money to spare. I was working at two jobs and had a small and growing family to support. I spend a total of about $150 to get started, and the business provided its own resources after the first month. That doesn't mean I was able to live on it right away, but it was definitely providing me with more money for the hours I worked at it, compared to my other jobs. Because of my very tight resources, it took about a year or more before I had to quit one job to keep up with growth in the doggie business. Then another year or two I had to quit the the last job I had and I've been entirely self-employed ever since.
By the time I sold the operations of the service, ten years after I started it, we were grossing over $20,000 per month in revenues. I had 7 employees and a fleet of 6 trucks to serve about 650 customers every week. Not bad! :)
A lot of people start out very small, with very low capital requirements. Then they can bootstrap the business to bigger things. It's such a new concept (most people across the country still don't even know that business like this exist, I think!) that there are probably more part-time operators than full-time businesses right now. I'm aware of something over 100 scooper services across the whole of the United States and Canada. The largest one I know of is also the oldest one I know: Poop VanScoop in Denver, Colorado. Last I knew, they were serving more than 2,000 customers each week!

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 24-Jan-99 18:59:24

Re: Re: Profit ... Just curious to know how your business is in the infant stages. I am in the Dayton area and considering the same opportunity.
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 29-Dec-98 19:42:28

poop scooper ... hi,
we are thinking of relocating in the R.I. area. Could you tell me if there are any poop scooper businesses out that way.
Also, could you give me any info. that I should know in starting this kind of business. Anything will help. Thanks
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 30-Dec-98 10:17:20

Re: poop scooper ... I'm not aware of any pooper-scooper services currently available in Rhode Island -- and I try to keep up with that kind of information (See the International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services at http://www.pooper-scooper.com). You may be able to be the first in your area, which is clearly an advantage to you.
Of course I recommend my book, "The Professional Pooper-Scooper: How to start your own low-cost, high-profit dog waste removal service." :-)
Also see all the freely available information at pooper-scooper.com, and read through the many messages of this message board, INCLUDING the pages and pages of archived messages maintained at the pooper-scooper web site. The folks who participate here are friendly and very helpful; I know you'll pick up a great deal of information.
Of course, after all that keep reading the message board and ask about specific questions and ideas. We have several experienced professional scoopers among us, and a lot of great brainpower!

Best of luck,

Matthew