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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 Thirty-Seven

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 26-Oct-99 19:59:24

Scared to start my business

HI!! I have a professional full time job; however I have school loans looming over my head all the time... I have been tooling with this idea for a "canine lawn maintenance service" for a while and went ahead and made the flyers, did some research, talked to friends who volunteered to work for me if I needed help. Everyone seems to be totally supportive of me but then I chicken out.. I am scared that either I will have no customers or too many... Does this sound ridiculous???? Also, I am not scared of hard work but my whole goal in this is to have someone else "do the dirty work" while I sit back and collect the profits... (probably not possible).. Anyways if anyone can give me a little bit of courage I would really appreciate it!!!!

Also, one question... I live in Ontario and it is now the fall so is this an overall bad time for me to be starting this business???


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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 27-Oct-99 08:04:43

Re: Scared to start my business

Well Jane, I was just wondering were in Ontario you live?? As I too have been toying with the idea of starting and your letter sounds like it could of been written by me..the "scared to start", i feel same way.And yes I'm in Ontario too. If you want you can email me.

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 27-Oct-99 15:26:43

Re: Scared to start my business

Hi Jane,
I remember being terrified shortly after I started my doggie business and was I was going to do my first TV news interview. I told myself, "Yes, I'm scared. OK, now go do what you know you have to do." :)
Fear of actually starting work in the new business is pretty common in all kinds of fields. One of the things that separates those who think about their own businesses and those who really do have their own businesses is moving from the planning to the doing.
I'm not sure there's anything to say to eliminate the fear. The thing is to go ahead and make that step, even though you do fear it.
Old proverb among doers: "Do the thing you fear."
On the question of timing -- now is likely to be a slow time, so your marketing efforts are probably not going to have the same results they will in the spring. This would be a good time to start putting everything together though... so that you'll be ready to hit the ground running as soon as the winter snows start to melt.

Best wishes, and as Nike says, "Just do it!"

Matthew

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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 11-Nov-99 09:37:53

Re: Scared to start my business

I don't want to discourage you from starting, but do suggest that you understand how long it may be between the startup and the "have someone else "do the dirty work" while I sit back and collect the profits."

Think about who you would work harder for, someone who you never see or a boss that who is also out there scooping poop in the freezing rain. I know the answer, and so do my loyal employees.

This does not mean that you can never sit back and collect the money, just that respect must first be earned.

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 30-Nov-99 23:06:42

Re: Re: Scared to start my business

Matthew,
Do you tell your client's that the dogs must be confined before you will go into the yard to work? I'm a HUGE dog lover. I have a Great Dane, Dachshund and a med size mix. But.... I would be nervous being aroung dogs that don't know me.
Thanks,
JLS
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-Nov-99 23:24:01

Heading In Yellow Pages - Pooper-Scooper Service

Waiting for 9 years for the heading in our local yellow pages (Pooper-Scooper Service) and finally in October the new book came out and what a diffence in the calls.....
We can be found alot easier.
So if you have Southwestern Bell or another company that does not have that heading let them know of other companies (yellow pages) do have that heading. Everyone tkae care.. And thanks again to Matthew for the message board and friends, just wish we had spell check....

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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 04-Nov-99 00:45:19

Advertising on the back end of buses

Has anyone tried advertising on the back of buses yet?
I think this spring we might give it a try, one suggestion was to have a back end of a dog, and than the name of company and a little saying, so when you are behind a bus while driving you would have this image of the back end of a dog advertising about a pooper scooper service. Sound Interesting?
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 06-Nov-99 06:20:40

Re: Advertising on the back end of buses

Yes, it DOES sound interesting! :)
I haven't tried it, though; and I haven't heard from anyone who has, so if you do go for it, you might be the first. Please let us all know how it works out.
I would suggest trying it in early spring, though, as opposed to starting it in the winter. I think that will be the time when your advertising will produce the best results, since that's when people begin thinking about being outside and using the yard more. That's the time of year for the biggest increase in new business for pooper-scoopers.

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 06-Nov-99 06:29:05

Re: Advertising on the back end of buses

OH... I should have added this to my other reply....
Though I haven't heard of anyone trying the ad on the back of busses, I can say definitely that large, attractive lettering on my trucks has produced new business. Many new customers told me that they learned about my business from the signs on the trucks. Some of them actually called from the road, using their car phones! So I do know that advertising on the back (and sides) of my own vehicles works well.
As for the cost-per-new-customer comparison, well, the bus sign is certainly going to cost a lot more than the truck sign. Whether it turns out to be cost-effective is hard to say without actually trying it.
It seems to me that this may be the kind of marketing that contributes to the overall effectiveness of your efforts, even if the particular time you do it turns out not to bring in enough business directly to pay for itself.
Again, if you do try it, please let us know the results.
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Dec-99 18:31:23

Re: Advertising on the back end of buses

I am a bus driver for Impala Co. I advertise Pokemon figures on the back of the bus and it works! I put a phone number on the back and people call and buy Pokemon cards. I have won 50K+. Quick Wok, as I put it. Well, try out the ole bus advertisement.

Sinsirily,

habbibee's flee market employeement

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 06-Nov-99 00:51:56

Terms and Conditions

I launched my advertising last month and am now getting calls (and referrals) for my services.

Now that I have the tiger by the tail, can anyone share some insights into a terms and conditions type letter to give to clients and prospects?

If anyone has an example of what they give their clients, I would appreciate some pointers.

Thanks,
Mark Walker
www.scoopdoggiedog.com
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 09-Nov-99 02:57:05

add your business to others in the pet industry

have you thought about contacting others in the pet service business? For instance you get a new customer and with your infomation sheets or what you may send to your customer, the information on the other service you may refer and they would do the same for you.
You would have to check out the company you were to refer of course, but you would be able to maybe reach other customers that you may have not.

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 10-Nov-99 11:17:21

Re: add your business to others in the pet industry

Sounds like a good idea to me. Another related idea would be to share the costs of a door hanger ad campaign. Print your ad on one side and the other business(ex. pet sitting service) print their info on the other side. Both of the companies would cut their costs in half. Something to think about! Happy Scooping.

Mick


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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 10-Nov-99 10:57:16

dog poop

Where are the laws, and how do we post them, telling pet owners, ordering them, fining them, if need be, to pick up after their dogs. We read, on occasions, the danger of dog waste eventually finding its way into our rivers, oceans, and most important: drinking water.

I live in Woodland Hills, Ca. 91364, and need help.

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 12-Nov-99 01:57:39

Re: dog poop

Hi Woodland Hills, CA
Call or drop by your county or city
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. They usually have regulations or ordinances. Unfortunately, laws are not always enforceable (who has ever heard of anyone being arrested for littering?) However, if you have an address, you can report a complaint to the Dept. and they will send someone out. Or you can get a copy of the regulation, and wrap it up with a flyer or business card of a local POOPER SCOOPER and leave it tucked under the doormat. Or if you're talking about public places, there are usually regulations about that too. And pet shops everywhere sell fancy little picker-uppers (although a plastic zip-lock bag used inside out works great) Put copies of the ordinance in plastic bags and carry them in your pocket to hand out to the offenders...with a smile. (Note, you might have to include directions for use, as these folks aren't real bright!)
Parents are always getting pets to teach their children RESPONSIBILITY. I guess it just doesn't always take. I was stopped in a restaurant just yesterday and asked for some business cards (I was still wearing my T-shirt)from a fella who had stopped an elderly man and asked him take his dog somewhere other than his front lawn to dump. The old guy's response---"Where are we supposed to go?" Duh-uh! The fella even suggested plastic bags, and the old guy said "you're kidding". What's wrong with his OWN yard and a pooper scooper service? We, as professional pooper scoopers, have to educate
as well as promote our businesses. So tell those offenders in Woodland Hills to hire a professional Pooper Scooper Service...they'll be glad they did!!

Tricia, TAIL END PooPER SCooPERS
(in Reno, Sparks, & Carson City, NV)

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 10-Nov-99 23:04:52

Sometimes you have to watch out for the neighbor

The other day my worker was picking up at a customer house we do every other week, the next door neighbor approach him complaing about the smell and the looks of it that she couldn't sit outside in the morning and drink her coffee, etc..
She told him she was calling his boss. So today I get the call.
She was very nice, but wanting to know who she could call to complain about the smell and offensive looking piles. I ask if she had talk with the neighbor about maybe picking it up more often, they listen and that was about it.
I do agree, only because the customer has a great dane and the size of the yard, the waste does need to be pick up more often.
So you listen, the only thing i could suggest is to talk with neighbor again or call their city hall. What a postion to be put in... But if you every want to send a letter anonymously there is a company here that for a small fee will write one for you 314-609-7777.
anyone else been put in this position before....

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 12-Nov-99 23:30:29

Good Pooper Scooper

Does anyone have any advice on scooper equipment? I have two large dogs I clean up after every week or two and I also clean my grandmother's yard for her. I would like to get a scooper that works well and is fast and easy to use but am not familiar with the different products on the markets. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 15-Nov-99 09:44:16

Re: Good Pooper Scooper

Hi Tonka,

Personally, I prefer to use something not generally marketed as a pooper-scooper at all. :) I like the Rubbermaid brand "Lobby Dust Pan," a long-handled dustpan used in many restaurants, hotels, and other commercial establishments.

In this picture you'll see that a clip has been taped to the handle. That's to hold the end of a 13-gallon "tall kitchen" size plastic trash bag. The trash bag lines the pan, so you can use a small shovel or rake to scoop the dog's mess directly into the bag in the dustpan.
When you're done, just pull the bag out of the pan, tie it shut and throw it away.
You may find this kind of dustpan for sale at a large hardware or building supply outlet; if not, you could certainly find them at a janitor-supply store, listed in your local yellow pages under "janitorial equipment and supplies."

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 13-Nov-99 17:07:08

% of population that own dogs

I know Matthew or someone knows - what is the percentage of housholds that own dogs in this country? I heard 80% but that seems high to me. Another question. Does anyone know the gross profit a pet store would earn on a 20 pound bag from Iams or Science Diet?
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 14-Nov-99 13:19:18

Re: % of population that own dogs

Hi,
Regarding the number of households with dogs I would say that 80% is too high. That might be a good figure for cats as they outnumber dogs in the U.S. I did some research a while back and the population of dogs was somewhere between 55-60 million. Hope this helps you calculate the % of households that have dogs. On my street one half of the houses have dogs!

Mick

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 15-Nov-99 09:21:00

Re: % of population that own dogs

According to the U.S. Census Bureau report, "New Statistical Abstract Highlights -- Household Lifestyles," Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1997, one in three households keep dogs as pets.

Here are a few quotes from some articles in American Demographics magazine:

"In 1991, 37 percent of households owned a dog, down slightly from 39 percent in 1987..." -- Cat Beats Dog, Wins Spot in House, by Patricia Braus, September 1993, American Demographics


"Most animal species come nowhere near the popularity of dogs and cats... dogs can be found in 32 percent of households and cats in 27 percent, ...according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
"...This decline in rates for birds, cats, and dogs was offset by an increased population--people who do own them are likely to have more than one." -- "The Truth About Birds and Horses", by Matthew Klein, American Demographics magazine, March 1998

Some marketing experts expect the number of dog-owning households to increase, in addition to the already-occurring trend for people to spend more and more money on high-end products and services for their pets, as the baby-boomer generation ages over the next couple of decades. Consider the following...
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November/December 1996, Marketing Tools

Reigning Cats and Dogs
Americans are clearly crazy about their pets. Our cats and dogs get premium pet food, sales of which are growing five times faster than the population. The nation's companion animals run the gamut from the humble goldfish to exotica like ferrets and iguanas, but "man's best friend" and the furry feline are the vastly predominant pets of choice.

Nearly six in ten U.S. households include a cat or dog. By contrast, only one in three households has any children in them. We take for granted that people are emotionally attached to their children. But Americans' devotion to their pets is becoming legendary. According to a recent survey by the American Animal Hospitals Association (AAHA), most pet owners (55 percent) consider themselves to be "mom or dad" to their cat or dog; more than three-quarters give them holiday gifts. One-third of pet owners even talk to their pets on the phone when they are away from home. (Really.)

Mere demographics are insufficient tools for forecasting how many Americans are likely to own pets in the future. There is a clue, however, in one finding of the AAHA survey. Nearly two-thirds of cat or dog owners say that caring for their pet fulfills a need for parenting.

If pets are, in fact, substitutes for children, we might expect that more older couples will adopt or buy a pet as our population ages and more households become empty nesters. Mediamark Research reports the highest penetration of cat ownership at age 45 to 54, traditionally a time when children leave home. But Mediamark also finds that the highest percentage of cat or dog ownership occurs where there are older kids (age 12 to 17) in the household.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey confirms that families with older kids spend heavily on their pets, and that consumer units headed by 45-to-54-year-olds spend the most on pet food--62 percent above average. Since that age group is growing the fastest, averaging about 4 percent a year, we can expect pet products and pet-food sales to keep growing.

The question is: will the parents keep the pets when the kids leave home? Up to now the answer has been generally no. Cat or dog ownership--and spending on pets--falls off pretty sharply after age 55. The first baby boomers will turn 55 in a few years. Their larger numbers alone will mean more cats and dogs in the mature market. But their attitudes and feelings may be more important than their size.

If boomers decide that they will feel better in their mature years if they have a pet, then we can count on continued high growth in cat and dog ownership, and spending on pets. Expect to see a flurry of attention to studies showing the psychological benefits of pet ownership (e.g.; "Pets versus Prozac"), as well as the emergence of day care for pets when their older owners/parents are at work or traveling.
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 14-Nov-99 17:46:39

Jacksonville, Fl

Hello
I was wondering if anyone is doing the pooper scooper in Jacksonville, Fl.. Thanks

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 20-Nov-99 00:11:20

one year already

Hello, pooper scoopers, We have a few customers that are coming up to their 1st year with us. We were wondering if anyone knows of a good way we can show our appreciation. we will be giving free scoops etc. We're looking for more ideas from you. We'll let you know how things go. we are quite happy with the way business is picking up :) thanks in advanced
Dennis&Roxanne
Little Scoop Of Odors
dog waste removal service

ps.our e-mail has changed if anyone wants to e-mail us
littlescoop@mybc.com

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 23-Nov-99 20:29:07

Re: one year already

CONGRATULATIONS on your first year -- and on keeping those customers! That's great!
One thing I'd suggest, if you haven't already thought of it, is to send out a news release about your business anniversary. Try to include the fact that you've had some of the same customers since you started.
I think some kind of show of appreciation for those clients is a great idea, too. Something as simple as a card with a note from you personally will really show that you're not taking them for granted.
If you really wanted to make an impression, and have a little money you can spend on it, you might send them a gift certificate for $5 or $10, good at one of the local pet-supply stores.
Other than that, you sound like you've already put some good thought into it. And it's clear that you've been doing something right all along.
Keep up the good work!

Matthew Osborn
matthew@pooper-scooper.com

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 24-Nov-99 09:39:51

Need Scooper in West Bloomfield, MI

Working couple is in desperate need of a scooper in West Bloomfield MI. We just moved from Dearborn where we had a wonderful woman doing it for us but she is now an hour away and can't do it anymore. We have 2 dogs and 1/2 acre yard and would really appreciate ANY help.

Thnx.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 30-Nov-99 10:19:57

Re: Need Scooper in West Bloomfield, MI

We are on the job and happy to provide services to W. Bloomfield and all of Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Gene and Alice - PoopScoop King

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Jan-100 21:36:19

Re: Re: Need Scooper in West Bloomfield, MI

CONTACT ME A.S.A.P WITH YOUR INFORMATION

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Dec-99 18:36:15

Re: Need Scooper in West Bloomfield, MI

I am a pooper scooper in West Field, but I haven't had the courage to start a business. Thanx to your request, I will start tommorow. Be over there in a few hours. Always Quick Wok! Alwayz Proffessional Pooper!

pps
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 25-Nov-99 00:25:55

Couple Finally Started Business in Northern CA

We bought the manual. We made the fliers. We just got our business license. K-9 Katers is now ready to roll. We are very excited. Where we live in Union City, CA there are many new developments - new communities - which means more business. We can't believe we are finally ready to start this business. Wish us luck. Please submit any advice as we begin our new business.
Thank you Matthew for inspiring a great business idea!
Angela
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 02-Dec-99 06:46:12

Re: Couple Finally Started Business in Northern CA

Congratulations on getting your business up and running!
This may be the slowest time of the year to get started, but you'll be sure to have everything in place and prepared for the early spring, when the most new customers sign on for service.
Work at getting the word out in as many ways as you can - don't neglect to distribute news releases to all your local media. Creating awareness is a big job.
Hang in there and keep plugging away -- it's hard to overstate the importance of persistence.
From time to time, please let us know how it's going!

Best Wishes

Matthew Osborn
matthew@pooper-scooper.com
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 27-Nov-99 20:18:14

a beginner

I'm considering starting this type of business on a part time basis. There are none in my city and only two in my state. I guess the first thing I need to do is get Matthew's manual? Open for suggestions...Thank you, Diane

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Dec-99 00:55:33

Re: a beginner

My two cents worth. Keep at it! Have fun with it! If your start up capital is low (like mine was) stay in a part time job until your business can be self supporting. Matthews manual is probably a good idea too. I haven't seen it but, any help is good help.
Good luck!
Tim
www.scoopmasters.com

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 30-Nov-99 00:06:44

poop in one spot

I bet there are dog owners who would say that the size of the yard didn't matter because the dog used one particular corner only. What do you say then?

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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 02-Dec-99 06:41:24

Re: poop in one spot

I would normally say "Fine." :) In the interest of keeping the prices simple I would normally charge without regard to the size of the yard, anyway.
I would reserve the right to charge extra for a very large yard if it turns out that it does take an extraordinary amount of time to clean it. But I don't think I've ever actuallyl had to charge extra for yard size.
Many dogs really do use the same small area of a yard to poop in, especially if the yard is cleaned up regularly.
I remember one dog that actually pooped in the exact same spot every time -- he would poop on top of his previous poop! That yard took almost no time to clean. ( I liked that one -- hehe)


Matthew Osborn
Author, "The Professional Pooper-Scooper"
matthew@pooper-scooper.com

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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 02-Dec-99 15:00:37

bags blowing out of bed of truck?

Was wondering if anyone ever has a problem with full bags blowing out of the bed of the pickup? Was thinking that if they were stacked high- such as near the end of the day- that the air flow might grab em. If this does happen, what's the solution?

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 03-Dec-99 19:34:04

Re: bags blowing out of bed of truck?

No, I've never had a problem with full bags blowing out of the back of a truck.
I do recommend that you take care with empty bags, to make sure they are in a box or under a strap or something to keep them from blowing out of the back of the truck, because the wind can blow them around pretty easily.
But I don't think there's any danger of a full bag blowing out; it should weighted down enough to keep it in the truck.


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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 03-Dec-99 07:28:30

Customers

I would like to know the average number of customers per month everyone has.

I am thinking about going into this business. However, I live in a town of about 40,000. I'm not sure if this is large enough to hold such a business.

Thanks!