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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:
Thursday, 11-Feb-99 00:52:37

$$$$$ ... 1. if you are paying employees to work for you, about how much are they earning an hour?
a.how many yards do you really expect out of them

2. do you find a large turnover of workers, or do they stay with you as making this a job for their future with your company?

3. how do your customers feel about not having the same person to service them

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 11-Feb-99 17:32:40

Re: $$$$$ ... I just want to add a question to this posting.

Does anyone pay by route--so employees can take as long as they like to clean their X number of yards?
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 15-Feb-99 16:39:16

Re: $$$$$ ... I pay $8.00 to start, workers are eligible for $.25 raise after their four week probationary period ends. After that, they are eligible for 2 raises each year of up to $.50 each time. All raises are based on performance.

PET BUTLER employees get six paid holidays each year, paid vacations after one year, paid personal leave days and health insurance (with a small portion paid by the employee.

Workers are expected to clean at least 4 yards per hour averaged over the week. A bonus plan enables them to earn more money for more work done. Top quality is a requirement to keep the job and to earn bonus. We do check quality, especially with new workers, and customers know to tell us if they aren't getting what they pay for. That having been said, a true sense of pride in our work is what keeps us at our best.
Experienced PET BUTLERs earn over $10 per hour.

Turnover is a problem in every small business. Half of my current work force has less than one year's experience. The rest have 2 or more years.

When I began to work for Matt, it was clear that we needed to attempt to transfer the respect and affection he had earned personally to the company in general. That's not an easy task, but friendly, helpful people can and do succeed.

As owner, I tell people that whoever they talk to at PET BUTLER can take care of their needs as well as I can. Employees are encouraged to do little things that don't take much time to make life a little easier for our customers.

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 12-Feb-99 10:19:10

Information Needed!!! ... I'm starting a new business, and I'm looking for information concerning current charges for waste removal; weekly, biweekly, monthly, initial clean-ups,spring clean-ups, kennel, and dog runs. I also need information on where to obtain the regulations for disposing of the waste. Any information will be helpful and greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Shawn
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 16-Feb-99 18:59:32

Re: Information Needed!!! ... We charge $7/wk, plus $4 for each additional dog.
Twice weekly, we charge $6 per visit ($12/wk) for one dog, plus $3 for each additional dog per visit (i.e. for 2 dogs, twice weekly we charge $9 per visit, or $18/wk.)
Twice monthly, we charge $13 every two weeks for one dog, and $2.50 for each additional dog. (We don't like twice monthly service.)

The best resource for more information is Matt's book, Matt's book, Matt's book. And of course, you could read back through this board for previous comments.
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 28-Feb-99 18:22:28

Re: Information Needed!!! ... Linda responded to the pricing portion of your question, and you should also read through all the archived messages here. When my company was starting up, we printed every last message, put it in a binder, and use the messages as a reference point to this day.

As far as regulations and the like, that's nothing that anyone could tell you, especially not knowing your locality. You will just have to work your phone, and call various government agencies who will steer you in the right direction to answer your questions. It was tedious for us, but it is worth the peace of mind to know that you have yourself researched all appropriate regulations, zoning, and ordinances.

Good luck & Success to you!
Erin
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 19-Feb-99 07:07:05

Disposable pooer scoopers ... I have been looking for the best advise on disposable pooper scoopers for walkers and park users, need as much information as possible especially for paper based product rather than plastic.
kind regards for ant assistance.
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 22-Feb-99 19:11:06

Re: Disposable pooer scoopers ... While browsing the internet's pooper-scooper hits a week or so ago, I saw a poop-scoop container like a McDonald's french fry container. It was made of recycled cardboard and had another little flap for a lid. Try browsing for it. I'll try to find it again when I have time.
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 19-Feb-99 22:06:07

Change E-Mail ... Sorry for the confusion Matthew. Our E-Mail address is: poopbstr@gte.net. Please change it on the directory and messages if possible. Thanks.
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 23-Feb-99 16:48:40

Hiring employees ... Hello everyone.
I need some ideas on how to advertise for part time help. We have 3 scoopers at the moment, and they are wonderful, but we have been friends for years. I am really nervous about hiring someone we don't know.
Does anyone have any good classified ads examples they could send me, for hiring purposes?

Much appreciated, from Winnipeg, where it is melting, big time!
Pet
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-Mar-99 00:46:50

Re: Hiring employees ... pooper-scooper service now hiring turdherders

thats my ad for hiring catches a lot of attention and also has gotten us jobs from landscapers and such

I feel you know in your heart if the person you are going to hire is going to work out from the beginning, that gut feeling that sometime we don't listen to
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 04-Mar-99 09:10:07

Re: Re: Hiring employees ... Deb,
Thank you, that is a great ad!!!

Petra
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 29-Mar-99 12:34:58

Re: Help! Swamped with Poop Slushies :-( ... Greetings and salutations!

I stumbled onto this wonderful site by chance today and am delighted! No one here seems to understand my frustrations and poop problems :-)!! You people probably doo!

My name is Deborah and am the proprietor of the new business "Sirius Pet People" in the hinterlands of Northern Canada. One aspect of my business is poop scooping. I have several clients who have left the doo all winter and now that the snow is not hiding it are calling me to clean the yard.

Unfortunately, much of the poop is in slush form, so even picking it up there is brown smears that can't be picked up unless half a pound of snow is taken too. Can anyone offer me some ideas on how to clean these poop slushies? Please?

With a smile ,
Deborah
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 25-Feb-99 01:02:44

New kid on the block! ... We are new to this. We have gotten our business license, and equipment, and are ready to scoop, only lacking customers. However, we are not lacking in high hopes, and are ready to get the word out in our local area and start working. I have enjoyed this board and appreciate everyone's hints and advice.

I do have one tip that our local vet gave me. They said to use 1 cup bleach to one gallon water to kill parvo, etc. What do you all think about that?

Thanks again,
POOParazzi
We get the SCOOP
on your dog's POOP
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 25-Feb-99 15:49:44

Re: New kid on the block! ... Welcome Aboard!!!!!

Where do you live? Are there other scoopers in your area? Good luck, I'm sure all of us out there wish you the same. If you need help, just ask.

Frank

K-9 Connections
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 04-Mar-99 22:51:00

Re: Re: New kid on the block! ... yes helo i am also new at this. Iam in montana, I have applied for a state license and come to find out I am the only one in montana.I guess thats good on my part.but i will be going on trial and error.so any advise is greatly apprieciated.I know i will need the support.
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-Mar-99 13:07:13

Re: New kid on the block! ... I think it's wise to consult at least one veterinarian about various issues involved with this kind of business.
I'm not sure about the bleach, though. Personally, I prefer to use a kennel disinfectant specifically designated for use against canine pathogens, especially parvovirus, distemper, etc. There are several such products available, and they are very inexpensive to use.
While I haven't found these products in pet stores, they are generally listed in mail-order pet supply catalogs, groomers catalogs, etc.
One other concern about the bleach... wouldn't it tend to destroy your shoes if you spray them after each yard?
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 25-Feb-99 07:56:35

I heard u on WRKO ... i think a pooper scooper service is very good it is definitly a nice way to make money and creative. i heard u on wrko one night and i think that is also a very good way to advertise im 12 years old and i lovvve dogs keep up the good work and good luck!!!
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 25-Feb-99 12:09:40

Re: I heard u on WRKO ... Thanks for your message.
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 25-Feb-99 12:28:46

Marketing thoughts ... I gotta stop taking time out for this bulletin board. But no one else understands when I want to talk smear problems or parvo.

Here's another note on marketing. We're suddenly booming (for us). We've gotten 34 customers since the middle of January. Our response rates on all types of advertising are running at about 0.5%. We've had an article in the newspaper, appeared on the 6:00 evening news, had radio interviews, have put flyers around at vets, and have sent out a postcard mailing. Our best response has been the postcards, with 5 callers off 600 postcards. It seems like money well spent--costing $140 for the entire mailing, with about $200/month return from the customers.

We also figure the postcard method is a great way to control growth. We've just hired our first part-time employee. We've promised them to do a mailing to a specific area of the city to build up their route to about 20 customers. It'll be nice to have someone else doing all those first time cleanings!
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 28-Feb-99 17:31:43

Re: Marketing thoughts ... Congratulations!

That's a lot of growth since January. My business partner and I have recently been discussing the merits of direct mail ... thank you for sharing your experience!

Erin
Dirty Work™
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 28-Feb-99 18:58:22

Re: Marketing thoughts ... Hello Linda, I was reading about your marketing results and I'm curious what list or source you used to mail the postcards? Have you any marking advice for start up ? Thanks
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-Mar-99 13:27:35

Re: Re: Marketing thoughts ... We got our list from the county animal control division. The list contains the addresses of people who've applied for or renewed dog licenses in the past year. We made sure the name line read "resident" so people didn't feel targeted--they don't need to know where we got the mailing list. Animal control even put them on labels for us.
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 28-Feb-99 11:51:47

Slogans! ... Hello all.
Just wondering if any of you have any slogans, that you use as a tagline for your business...
Ours is mostly
"Picking up where your dog left off"
Anyone have any good or funny ones they would like to share?
Could be an interesting thread...

Pet
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-Mar-99 12:57:34

Re: Slogans! ... Hi Pet, :)
You'll find a lot of slogans and tag-lines in the International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services, at http://www.pooper-scooper.com
I've used:
"The Dog Owner's Ultimate Service" (That's a registered servicemark in Ohio, by the way)

"Don't do doo? We do doo!"

"...Because you have better things to do!"

"Your dog will love you for it."

"Dogs like a clean yard, too."

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 10-Mar-99 11:11:18

Re: Slogans! ... My slogan (and registered service mark) is
"WE DO DOO-DOO"
My shirts say "We take a lot of CRAP from our customers"
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-Mar-99 06:20:09

Proposal ... Hi Everyone,

I'm sending out a park proposal tomorrow and was wondering if Matthew or any one with proposal experience could advise about something.

I am sending it directly to the parks director, but I understand he is not very concerned with dog waste problems in the parks. BUT, there are some members of the board that are VERY, VERY anti-dog waste and have voiced their concerns about it during board meetings.

My question is, should I also send a copy of my proposal to the board members also, or should I just send a letter informing them that I'm sending a proposal to the director. Is there a proper way to handle this?? I'm I out of line doing this?

HELP!! . . . please advise

thanks for the input
Pat
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-Mar-99 12:52:53

Re: Proposal ... I think if you send copies to the board members, and clearly note on everybody's letter the fact that you are sending copies to all the others, you should be OK.

Matthew

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-Mar-99 05:41:48

Re: Proposal ... Thanks Matthew for the input . . . Greatly appreciated!!
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-Mar-99 12:38:09

Re: Proposal ... I realize that it's probably too late, but I definitely would send anyone who has power and you can get on your side to lobby for you -DO IT! If they know that there is a simple cure to their problem then they are much more likely to bring you up in their next meeting. Best of luck and keep scoopin'!
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 04-Mar-99 05:55:54

Re: Re: Proposal ... Thanks for responding.

I sent a letter and copy of the proposal to ALL members.

Hope it works!