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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. Browse the messages, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH by keyword, or click here to participate in current discussions.

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Page Twenty-Nine

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 30-Apr-99 18:48:09

What's the Difference??

I was surfing checking out other sites when I came across one that said $5.00 for bucketing and $6.00 for scooping? Whats the difference? Also what is the going rate for an apartment complex that is about 250 units which is about 35-40% doggie infested? Is there a formula I can use?


Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 01-May-99 02:18:27

Re: What's the Difference??

Charge by the hour.


Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 01-May-99 15:06:46

Re: What's the Difference??

So bucketing is by the hour and scooping is a flat fee?


Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-May-99 00:30:04

Re: Re: What's the Difference??

I don't have a clue what the difference between the two is - I just recommend you charge apartment complexes after you decide how much you want to make per hour and how many hours it will take you to service the property.
By the way, this is where the best money is in my experienced opinion; I just haven't perfected how to get more of them - please share if you do.

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-May-99 14:44:42

Re: What's the Difference??

I've never heard of "bucketing," so I can't explain what that is.
Figuring a fee for an apartment complex is kind of tricky. I would try to determine how long it will be likely to take; I'd walk the entire area that's to be cleaned, looking to see which parts are the most heavily used and which parts stay fairly clean. Walk slowly, and figure that the cleaning will take at least twice as long as the examination. Quote the fee based on your hourly revenue goals. That is, if you think it will take two hours to clean, and you want to generate $40 per hour, quote the job as $80 per cleaning.
People react to $80 per cleaning much more favorably than they react to your fee as "$40 per hour."
Another technique is to imagine the grounds divided into "yard-sized areas." That is, if the grounds are equivalent to cleaning 10 regular residential yards, charge 10 times your normal residential fee.
The situation you mention, 250 units, 35%-40% dog-owners, will vary depending on area, of course, but as a ballpark starting point, I'd suggest $400 a month for twice-a-week cleaning.

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-May-99 18:19:19

Re: Re: What's the Difference??

THANK YOUUUU SOO MUCH!

I have called 6 complexes and 5 want me to mail them some info- they want to add my service to their list of ammenties!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that all those pooper scoopers that are struugling like myself should defintaley look into dooing this- try the upscale apartments first!

Wish me luck Thank You RED & MATT!

God speed to everyones bank accounts!
Adriana

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 01-May-99 15:34:32

Realators

How could we tie in working w/ home builders and realators to our biz?
I can snif out profit in this some how...but how?
Any suggestions?

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-May-99 14:37:18

Re: Realators

I'm not sure how you'd work with home-builders... maybe have them include your flyer or brochure with the materials they give to prospects and buyers. Maybe offer a discount on the first month of service for brand new home-buyers.
With realtors, you can send letters or make personal appointments to explain your service, offering one-time cleanups to get rid of dog waste in the yards of homes for sale. Realtors will understand that a house is going to be easier to sell if it doesn't have a yard full of .... well, you know.

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 01-May-99 18:22:55

Approaching Apartments,Large and Commercial Accounts

It's meeee agaaiin!

How or what is the best way to approach an apartment complex? The rest of yall might wanna use this idea also.
I went on the net and found a site that was an apartment locator that narrowed down your choice of apartments. In my selection I made the rental rate $800-$1500.00 (I like big spenders!)and of course added that they must accept pets, therefore completly narrowing down my search to a very selective audience,anyway, alot of these complexes have web sites. So how do I handle this, do I call them and introduce myself,my company and service, do I snail mail them an commercial account flyer, or do I simply e-mail them? Also in my flyer I have finally located a basic logo, if I was to e-mail this to them, would my logo appear on the e-mail flyer?



Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-May-99 14:34:19

Re: Approaching Apartments,Large and Commercial Accounts

In my own service, I found that condo and apartment managers would call me to ask for quotes on service; I didn't actively seek prospects for that kind of commercial work.
I would be sure to explain that the apartment managers can actually make a profit by hiring your service. If they charge a small monthly fee for each dog-owner, say $10 a month or so, it will more than pay for your weekly or twice-a-week services. For example: you charge $500 a month for regular scooping services, they charge their 80 dog-owning tenants an extra $10 a month... voila, you get paid and the managers have an additional $300 a month pure profit.
Besides that, there will be fewer tenant complaints, less time spent trying to police dog owners who don't clean up after their own dogs, cleaner, more attractive grounds, and a fabulous service for dog-owners that will be a powerful incentive to get them to buy a condo or rent an apartment in that complex.
Your sales approach will be up to you. I think sending material in the mail, with a cover letter stating that you will call to arrange an appointment to answer any questions and provide a free quote, would be a good method.
Whether your logo shows up in the email you send to others depends on your own e-mail program and also the e-mail program used by the recipient. Some will get the logo, some won't.
Best wishes on the project; remember to let us know how it goes!

Matthew
matthew@pooper-scooper.com


Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-May-99 08:21:01

Winter Season

I know spring time is a busy season for the pooper-scooper business. But what can be expected during the winter months when there is 3 inches of snow on the ground? Do a lot of your customers stop using your services? And if so how do you supplement the income?

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-May-99 14:24:46

Re: Winter Season

A few customers put service on Hold for the winter, but other customers start service for the winter months, and those kind of even out. I find that the net number of customers stays pretty steady during the winter.
Snow more than about 1/2 and inch to an inch does stop us for a while. In the Midwest, the snow frequently melts off in a day or two, and we can make up missed days later that same week.
If the snow stays on the ground, but there is no additional snow when the next service days comes around, we go out and scoop poop from on top of the snow. The dogs keep putting it there, snow or no snow, and if we don't keep up with what's on top of the snow, by the time everything melts there could be a huge accumulation. It's important to keep up with the dogs as much as possible.
It's possible for the snow to keep falling every few days, and thus keep covering up the poop even as dogs keep going on top of the old snow. In such a case, all we can do is wait until there is a thaw, or at least no new snow for several days. Then we find ourselves working overtime to catch up.
So, the overall effect is that we do keep working through the winter, though sometimes we lose some days, or even a full week or more.
One way to supplement winter is to work on the problem that stops us from working in the first place -- the snow. Our regular customers are prime prospects for our snow-removal service. They will pay for us to clear walks and driveways of snow. You can use shovels and a snow-blower or snow-thrower.. you might even get a snowplow blade for your truck.
Keep in mind that snow-removal can be hard work outside in the cold, and that it can be difficult to arrange a schedule to please everyone -- everybody wants to be first, naturally. :)


Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 06-May-99 23:23:28

Re: Winter Season

Just a simple idea that I was turned on to a couple of months ago. A dog trainer friend of mine told me about Flint River Ranch Health pet foods and their home delivery system. It doesn't cost anything to become a distributor and you receive appr. 19% commision. The best part is, that after that first order, your customer calls the company's toll free number to re-order and you still receive the commision. I'm not a salesman, so I like the idea of just giving away free samples, letting the customer read the info about the food, helping them order (if they need help) and that's it. I'm going to write a post for the main board with a little more details, but if you want some more details, email your name, e-mail, and phone number with area code if you would like to talk in person, and I'll fill you in on the information. ITimothy25@aol.com


Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 06-May-99 10:26:22

dog shows

I have a few questions for doing dog shows.

1.how often during the show do you clean up after the dogs.
2.are you behind each dog after they do their duty.
3.do you wait till the end of the dog show and then scoop up over the whole grounds.
doing the dog show on saturday.

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 06-May-99 15:32:22

Re: dog shows

I would recommend walking around the area and scooping up waste pretty much continuously during the show hours. I would certainly NOT wait until the end of the show and scoop the whole place, unless that's the arrangement you and the show managers agreed on ahead of time. (I have had a dog show request this kind of service.)
In general, the sooner you can scoop the poop, the better; of course, you don't want to startle the dog in the act. LOL
Of course, you'll want to look as neat as you can, personally. Have something with the name of your service on it, a hat, embroidered shirt, button, name tag, etc. Carry PLENTY of business cards, too. Carry plenty of plastic bags, carry paper towels, too.
That's how I'd do it. :)


Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-May-99 17:09:22

Re: dog shows

In our area shows, we're called into the ring by a loud speaker for a "clean up". We also do the cleaning continually for the ring areas and the outlying RV areas. It takes us two to three good scoopers to cover a 7-ring show.


Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 06-May-99 15:56:08

Promotional Idea

Hello all in poopyland. It's been a few weeks since I've written. I started advertising my business "Scooper Troops" about 5 or 6 weeks ago. I had some promising radio time and a gated community that wanted a bid......Nothin. Well then I had family priority's for a few weeks and had to back burn my biz. But now I'm back on track. Our local newspaper is coming to my house tomorrow for an interview. Time to perk up.
Now my question...I've thought about..get this..renting a full body dog suit, getting permission to walk around outside our local petstores greeting people and passing out dog biscuits with my business card tied to them with a red ribbon. Anyone been this extreme?

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 15-May-99 11:16:53

Re: Promotional Idea

LOL... Well, I haven't done the dog suit, but I think it's a fine idea. I have seen people dress up in dog suits for other kinds of dog-related promotions, and they never fail to attract a LOT of attention.

Let us know how it goes, ok? :)


Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 22-May-99 10:16:18

Re: Promotional Idea

I love this idea. I've handed out cards with the permission of stores, but never in a dog suit. Please DO tell us how this works.




Message Date/Time:
Monday, 10-May-99 02:10:04

I am new and from Israel

Hi everyone! My name is Anat, I stumbled across this site accedently and it got me really interested in "the buisiness". The thing is I'm not sure Matthew's book will help me because I live in Israel and things here are a bit different. In the cities, the gardners of each building/house clean up after the dogs. The streets are cleaned by the municipality. so mabey I could find clients in the rich suburbs, but if they already have gardners I'm not sure it will work...
What do you think?
THANKS!!!!
ANAT


Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-May-99 10:42:37

Re: I am new and from Israel

Hi Anat,
I'm sure many parts of the book will be helpful to anyone in various parts of the world. You may find that the many gardeners you talk about might appreciate having a service to take care of this particular chore. :)

Matthew


Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 03-Jul-99 23:20:18

Re: I am new and from Israel

Do not look for the rich...look for the middle class. Often the middle class have both working.
Look for the middle class that both are working and have children. Plus.....make sure they have a dog.

Dr Doo Litter


Message Date/Time:
Monday, 10-May-99 18:16:53

Insurance

My husband and I are just starting up a pooper scooper business of our own and have ran into trouble finding an insurance company who will write general liability policy for us at minimum's. Has anyone else had this same problem and if so, could you direct us to an agent in Texas that does this? Thanks so much for your help!


Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-May-99 20:09:31

Re: Insurance

Roxanne,

I'm a freelance writer in Houston. I'm doing a story for the Houston Chronicle about professional pooper-scoopers. What area are you from in Tx.? The Houston area, I hope? If so, could you e-mail me? I need more people to interview for this article.


Thanks!


Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 11-May-99 19:28:08

I am new!!

Hello Everyone! I have been reading this board so much I feel like I know everyone already. I just became official in Connecticut (Fairfield COunty) and got my first customer today. I am thrilled!! I want to thank everyone for all the advice and encouragement. You all have a kind of support group here! I love it. I will scoop my first poop on Friday!!
Thanks again. Ashlee

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-May-99 10:40:01

Re: I am new!!

Hi Ashlee,
Congratulations! It feels great, doesn't it? :) I hope you'll have that same thrill many, many times in the near future.
How did your first scooping experience go? We would all love to hear about it.


Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 03-Jul-99 23:06:51

Re: I am new!!

This kind of work isn't something one just "steps into". But you will find that your business will "pick-up". Do not set your goals to high, this is the type of work that one needs to start on the "ground floor" and stay there. At times customers can be difficult, but remember we are a new type of breed in business and we will take "shit" off anyone. If anyone tells you that you stink....just tell them the smell is money.

Dr Doo Litter


Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 15-May-99 02:35:49

pooper scooping servie

For Adriana from Houston who was asking about the poop scooping business...e-mail me, please. I'm writing a lifestyle feature for the Houston Chronicle about the pooper scooper services offered in our area. I'm also just talking to people aware of the service who aren't doing it themselves.
Thanks..