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DOG OWNERS: Love your dog -- hate poop?
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THE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF DOG WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES
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.
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Page Twenty-Eight
A business phone line is a must, if you want to be in business
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 16:41:29
Message:
205.188.200.53 writes:
How can you even think about opening the doors to your buisness without having a business phone line, think people think.... your driving down the road with your signs on your vehicle and someone spots it but couldn't remember the phone number, now children what is going to happen next. That potential customer calls information and you are not, i'll say it again you are not listed. A business line is about 30-40 dollars more a month than your resdiential line so get rid of your residential line get call waiting and a personalize ring so yo can tell which line is ringing. and always have the anwsering machine on when you are out,
A business phone line is a must, if you want to be in business
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 16:41:29
Message:
205.188.200.53 writes:
How can you even think about opening the doors to your buisness without having a business phone line, think people think.... your driving down the road with your signs on your vehicle and someone spots it but couldn't remember the phone number, now children what is going to happen next. That potential customer calls information and you are not, i'll say it again you are not listed. A business line is about 30-40 dollars more a month than your resdiential line so get rid of your residential line get call waiting and a personalize ring so yo can tell which line is ringing. and always have the anwsering machine on when you are out,
Click here to reply
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow Pages results?
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 14:41:34
Message:
209.160.11.10 writes:
Has anyone quantified their results from Yellow Pages advertising? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth $45/month, or if my money would be better spent elsewhere. We do get a free tag line already as part of our business listing, but the salespeople insist a small display ad will more than pay for itself. Does it?
Linda @ DooAway
Re: Yellow Pages results?
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 19:39:11
209.160.101.11 writes:
I wouldn't pay anything if you don't have any competition and it is obvious from your name, tagline or section as to what you do.
Re: Yellow Pages results?
Friday, 30-Apr-1999 18:22:54
152.163.232.31 writes:
It's kind of a tough call... I would ask myself if I thought I would get at least 5 customers per month from the yellow pages ad. I don't think it would pull that much. I probably wouldn't spend that much on the yellow pages if I were first starting out, especially if there is no other scooper in the book.
If there's not much awareness of the existence of this kind of service in your area, I don't think many people will look for you in the yellow pages.
I do consider the yellow pages important, but spending extra money on it, beyond the free line and possibly a bold heading or some other inexpensive listing, would be down on the list of priorities in my marketing plan. First I'd get lots of cards, use classifieds in the paper, have good signs on the trucks, etc.
If the yellow pages salesman is so sure the ad will more than pay for itself, is he willing to guarantee it? I didn't think so....
Maybe some have had better response from yellow pages than I have. But in my experience, it's worth it to spend a little bit extra there for a nice listing, but I'd be hesitant to commit to spending $50 a month or more. The problem is that you can't pull the ad if it's not working in the first few months. It's a year-long commitment. You can't rely on it to pay for itself, so be sure you can afford it.
Matthew
By the way... it would be great to hear from those who have had better results from the Yellow Pages. :)
Re: Re: Yellow Pages results?
Sunday, 02-May-1999 10:03:07
209.252.200.93 writes:
We have had ok luck with the yellow pages. I've found that most people who found us in the yellow pages were actually looking for other pet related services...i.e. pet sitting. Now, we have our own heading "dog waste removal services" We are still the only business listed...
We started out with a larger ad with our logo but that ended up being $190 a month for 2 directories...that was too expensive so this year we shrank up our ad and made it dog bone shaped. Really neat looking, and more eye catching than our larger ad last year.
Good luck...sorry I wasn't any help :(
Allison
Rover Doggy Doo Removal Service
[Moderator's Note: On the contrary, Allison -- your post is quite helpful! Thanks! -- Matthew]
A business phone line is a must, if you want to be in business
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 16:41:29
Message:
205.188.200.53 writes:
How can you even think about opening the doors to your buisness without having a business phone line, think people think.... your driving down the road with your signs on your vehicle and someone spots it but couldn't remember the phone number, now children what is going to happen next. That potential customer calls information and you are not, i'll say it again you are not listed. A business line is about 30-40 dollars more a month than your resdiential line so get rid of your residential line get call waiting and a personalize ring so yo can tell which line is ringing. and always have the anwsering machine on when you are out,
Click here to reply
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow Pages results?
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 14:41:34
Message:
209.160.11.10 writes:
Has anyone quantified their results from Yellow Pages advertising? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth $45/month, or if my money would be better spent elsewhere. We do get a free tag line already as part of our business listing, but the salespeople insist a small display ad will more than pay for itself. Does it?
Linda @ DooAway
Click here to reply
Replies:
Re: Yellow Pages results? (Red) (28-Apr-1999 19:39:11)
Re: Yellow Pages results? (Matthew) (30-Apr-1999 18:22:54)
Re: Re: Yellow Pages results? (Allison..Rover Doggy Doo Removal Service) (02-May-1999 10:03:07)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Killed my answering machine
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 14:26:47
Message:
12.20.48.100 writes:
I just spent over $100.00 on a classified add for 2 weeks in my local paper. I had been a little disappointed that I hadn't received any calls during the first week. So last night I decided to call my business line and guess what? My answering machine didn't work. After beating it to death I went out and bought a new one. I hope I didn't lose any customers. Moral of the story, make sure your equipment works!
Duane (Four Paws Scooper Service)
Re: Killed my answering machine
Friday, 30-Apr-1999 02:18:25
205.188.197.162 writes:
Duane,
You should think about getting caller ID. The cost is approx 8 dollars/mo. You would also have to buy a phone set up for this or the box. This feature keeps a log of who called, it will even include answering machine hang ups ! Good Luck
Barry at Doggie Poo Pick-Up
Re: Killed my answering machine
Friday, 30-Apr-1999 18:24:47
152.163.232.31 writes:
That's one reason I use Voice Mail from the phone company. :) It's VERY reliable! And nobody will get a busy signal; even if you're on the line or the service is taking a message, it will pick up for more callers at the same time.
Matthew
The Professional Pooper-Scooper Book
Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 23:15:23
Message:
205.188.192.29 writes:
I wanted to hear of any reviews or comments anybody had on Matthew Osborn's book "The Professional Pooper-Scooper" I noticed that he sells other books such as "How to Get Rich in Mail Order" and "Making Money With Classified Ads" on his web site www.mailordersuccess.com. I feel kind of skeptical on ordering the book and would like to hear of any remarks from someone who has purchased the book.
Re: The Professional Pooper-Scooper Book
Thursday, 29-Apr-1999 16:32:41
153.37.150.231 writes:
I loved the book. I am considering going into the business of scooping and think it is wonderful that there is a book out there with such complete information. It is certainly readable with down to earth advice. I encourage you to try it out.
Re: The Professional Pooper-Scooper Book
Friday, 30-Apr-1999 05:51:57
204.47.167.80 writes:
Buy the book . . .
it will be the best $30.00 investment you make if you are thinking about going into the business.
Good Luck!
Pat (PooP b Gone)
Re: The Professional Pooper-Scooper Book
Saturday, 01-May-1999 20:33:35
205.188.193.166 writes:
The book is well worth the $30. You'd be surprised at all the info in it. Best of luck in the poop scoop business.
Mick
Re: The Professional Pooper-Scooper Book
Monday, 03-May-1999 02:20:47
209.160.101.11 writes:
Absolutely mandatory INVESTMENT at 20 times the price.
Red
Re: The Professional Pooper-Scooper Book
Thursday, 13-May-1999 23:56:58
205.200.28.46 writes:
order it. Trust me.
Petra
dog shows
Thursday, 29-Apr-1999 17:55:55
Message:
205.138.110.111 writes:
can any one give me suggestions on promotional gimmicks for the dog shows.some thing that will really catch eyes.(besides the fact of being a dog waste removal professional).I like the contest on one months free service.
also, has anyone ever had to deal with pittbulls.
do you clean their yards, do you refuse because they are a different kind of dog?are the owners very cooperative with the dogs not being around when you clean the yards? I havent been asked to clean up after one YET! but I really dont know if i would either.they are the only dogs i have a fear of. any information my way would be appreciated. Thank you Robin
personal doggie butler
regarding pit bulls ...
Friday, 30-Apr-1999 09:08:23
206.97.235.230 writes:
I have seen dachsunds and poodles that are more viscious than pit bulls. It is the trainer (dog owner) that is the problem, not the breed itself. Regardless of what type of dog you encounter, don't let it sense your fear, don't look directly at it, etc. That will only make the situation worse.
Jill
Re: pit bulls
Tuesday, 04-May-1999 14:47:22
205.188.192.167 writes:
Sometimes there will be a dog that you simply cannot work with, regardless of what breed it may be. In such cases it's usually no problem at all to explain to the owner that the dog will have to be kept inside or otherwise restrained away from the area to be cleaned on your regularly scheduled service days.
This method has worked quite well for me.
Matthew
Seriously Considering DOOing It!
Friday, 30-Apr-1999 12:52:45
Message:
205.188.199.47 writes:
Hello There in Poop Scoop Land!
I am seriously considering dooing the poopy scoop biz. I know i could make a mint in the area I live in.
I was actually in a chat last night called Entrepreneur on AOL when everyone got to joking around, then this one guy started talking about how he sold his business. When we asked him what kind of business this was he said Doggie Poop Removal. The whole room was laughing and makin jokes. But then when he said he sold it for $215,000 it suddenly got quiet??!!?? ( I wonder why) The idea of that much money in the K-9 waste removal business completely floored me!
Everyone laughed at first but by the end they were'nt.
How do you do this kind of business in some place like Chicago where it's like a concrete jungle?
And lets say the fee that you charge is $6.00 per dog and $3.00 each additional, how long does that cover service for?
What kind of beginning supplies do I need to start (other than Mathews Book)?
Can this really be done w/ out a vehicle?
Is there a tremendous amount of cash to be made doing this at the beginning?
What do yall think about employing neighborhood kids to help me out? Paying like $1.00 a dog or so.
Hope there's enough ?'s to keep yall thinking!
Thanks
Adriana
Houston, TX
Adriana
Re: Seriously Considering DOOing It!
Friday, 30-Apr-1999 18:14:47
152.163.232.31 writes:
You're right, Adriana, that IS a lot! LOL
You'll find some of those topics covered in some of the past discussions here on the board. Be sure to read the whole board, and don't neglect the archives stored at www.pooper-scooper.com
Chicago is a fine place for this kind of business. It's huge, for one thing! There is room for more than one such service; in fact,there are some in that area now. But I think there is still room for more.
The "$6 for one dog, $3 per additional dog" price is for each clean-up, once a week. That would be about $24 a month for one dog. I think most of the services are charging a little more than that nowadays, though.
Supplies to start would include a shovel, a scooper (I prefer the Rubbermaid brand Lobby Dust Pan), and plastic trash bags. That's probably the minimum for starting up. You'll also want some kind of vehicle, special kennel-formula disinfectant and a sprayer.
I wouldn't really recommend doing it without a vehicle... but if you don't have one you can make a deal with someone who does have one -- they run the routes and you split the money with them. I've done that for several weeks when my car died back when I first started.
If you were just cleaning up in the local neighborhood, you could get by without a vehicle to start, too. It wouldn't be my preferred method of getting started, but it's possible.
A "tremendous amount" of cash is relative, of course. In my own startup the first year or so grew pretty slowly, so in absolute terms there wasn't a whole lot of money then. Still, for the hours I was working, it was a heck of a lot more than I was making at my regular jobs. Even then I was making $25 to $30 an hour for myself scooping poop.
Some start-ups grow more quickly. I know of one in San Jose that says it grew to 100 customers in the first several weeks. One in Dallas started with $10,000 and grew to more than 300 customers in the first year.
I don't know about the neighborhood kids... it sounds like a good idea, but I could see some problems with that. :)
Matthew
matthew@pooper-scooper.com
(booktrader@aol.com)
Re: Re: Seriously Considering DOOing It!
Wednesday, 05-May-1999 00:49:08
204.50.3.48 writes:
Interested in Canada....need good removal machine...saw one on the internet...can,t find again...any info out there?
JOHN