Site Map | Search This Site | Contact Site Owner



DOG OWNERS: Love your dog -- hate poop?
Help is here at last!
 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.

Archive Page 1 | Page 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106

Page Thirty-Eight


Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 11-Dec-99 02:22:24

First Week In Our Business...WOW...clients already

Since this is the perfect time (holiday shopping)to have fliers and trifolds available at retail stores like PetCo & PetSmart because people are shopping for their pets for Christmas. They are finding our service a wonderful gift to give themselves or to others. We have gift certificates available. What a great idea to have neighbors give each other gift certificates for a dog waste removal service for Christmas? It is a polite way of saying...hey clean that poop in your yard. It has only been 2 days since we have officially opened our business and we have 5 clients ready to sign up.
Happy Holidays Everyone!

-----------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 13-Dec-99 23:40:01

Re: First Week In Our Business...WOW...clients already

Congratulations! I'm very happy for you and hope to do as well when I start. :-)

---------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 13-Dec-99 21:33:28

New Pooper-Scooper

Hello, Boy I just love this message board. I was a social worker for the past 7 years. I want to retire. I have a passion for animals and scooping the poop. It is neat to see all the others doing this. I am a single-Mom with a 4 year old son who thinks its great his mom has a new name 'Ms. Poop-Scooper' Left my job October 99. Just began advertising. I have 2 customers.
located in Akron, Ohio. Will scoop in surrounding area. I haven't seen any other business like this in the area. Gwen

---------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 14-Dec-99 13:05:01

Is this s--- for Real

Seriously...I'm sitting here reading these messages and I'm not sure if you people are making serious inquiries about s--- scooping or what? do people actually do this for a living or are you all in some sort of strange s--- cult?

weird!

--------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Dec-99 14:37:25

Re: Is this s--- for Real

LOL -- Laughing Out Loud :)
Well, it's the sort of question one has to get used to in this business -- it's a Frequently Asked Question, after all.
Yes, this is for real. When people first hear about dog-waste removal services they often laugh and ask if it's for real. It's just a very new concept for a lot of people.
But more and more dog-owners are looking for this kind of service. I find generally three types of customers: busy professionals with very little leisure time, dog-owners with physical limitations that make it difficult or impossible for them to take care of this necessary chore themselves, and a large number of folks who have plenty of time and are physically able but who just prefer to have someone else do this particular task for them. All of these people are grateful for the much-needed services that we provide them.
With the number of two-earner households increasing, and the aging of the general population, I think it's clear that trends indicate an increasing acceptance of and need for this type of work. I know that the number of dog-waste removal services in North America has increased from a total of fewer than 40 just 2 years ago, to close to 200 now. There are pooper-scooper businesses in more than 40 of the 50 states. (I'm sure it won't be long before the rest are included, as well.)
So, yes, it's a funny idea when you first hear of it. But it's certainly a real industry, growing pretty rapidly, and providing many people with the chance to get into their own business with very little capital requirements up front. As a friend and associate of mine put it, "It smells like money to me!"

Matthew Osborn
Author, "The Professional Pooper-Scooper"
http://www.pooper-scooper.com

---------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 16-Dec-99 14:25:52

Re: Is this s--- for Real

Dear Doubter,

So what do you think of Diaper Services, Porta-Johns, Roto Rooters (septic tank cleaners), professional Scatologists (with advanced degrees), toilet paper manufacturers, Janitorial Services that clean public restrooms, inventors of scooping tools (check out your local pet store), the creators of incredible variety of cat litter, etc., etc. While you are in denial about bodily functions, some of us have realized that there is a need for services to keep our communities clean & sanitary for health purposes as well as a quality of life. The fact that we communicate in order to do the best job we can and to bring this business to a professional status might seem weird to someone with nothing better to do than "surf the net."

Can you imagine what life in America would be like without some of the above services? Try visiting some other countries! The Rest Stops along the European highways, for instance, do not
offer restrooms or even porta johns. You don't need signs to find one, you can smell it coming!

Poop Scooping Services have been around for years (I have a friend in Sacramento who is celebrating her 10th anniversary) Our scooping service businesses are very important to the elderly, disabled, pregnant, and terminally busy.

Instead of scoffing at a VERY lucrative business, you might want to read Matthew's book about the kind of money to be made helping other folks out...unless, of course, you were just looking for a cult to join.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 14-Dec-99 23:03:21

small town

I live in a town of around 40,000 people and I'm curious what the average earning potential is say for monthly or annually? I also wondered if any of you scoopers out there worked on rainy days or if you waited for clear skies? I also wondered about how many of you used a car for your clean up business? I know I have asked too many questions, but this sounds like a great opportunity! I hope to hear from some of you soon. Thanks so much, Tamara L.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Dec-99 14:24:08

Re: small town

It's hard to say what the potential business in a given population size may be. Most scooping businesses are so new that they are still creating awareness, so there is still many dog owners who've never heard of this kind of service. A town of 40,000 does seem rather small, but if there are more people in the area, outside the town itself, and if there are more than 10,000 dogs in your service area, there may indeed be enough potential business to support a full-time dog-waste removal service.
The type of people that comprise that 40,000 souls surely has something to do with it, too. Busy professionals who make use of services like house-cleaning, yard care, etc. will be the kind of people who will also appreciate this kind of service. If everyone in your area is more of a do-it-yourself, self-reliant, farmer type, the acceptance of this kind of service might take more time.
As for the rain, I tend to say that it's best to work in just about any kind of weather. If you are starting out and your schedule is not full, you'll have more leeway about postponing some service for a day and making up the work the next day. But especially if you have a lot of customers, you may find that it's tough catching up on work if you put it off from one day to the next.
I used a car for business in first couple of years. I can tell you from experience that a pick-up truck is way better. :)
But I also say to start where you are and do what you can with what you have. For many of us, that means starting out using a car. It does work, even if it's not the most convenient vehicle in the world. And a good used car is a lot easier to find at a bargain price than a good used truck.

Best Wishes!

Matthew
matthew@pooper-scooper.com

---------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Dec-99 19:09:05

liability insurance

I need to revisit what is probably considered an old subject on this board,but forgive me, I'm kinda new. As many in the scooper business have experienced , I'm having trouble finding an underwriter for general liability here in Mich.. I'd appreciate it if everyone insured would list contact info of their insurer and I'll see if I can have them cover PoopScoop King here in Mich. Thanks everyone.

-----------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 23-Dec-99 18:11:41

Re: liability insurance

Use the sites Search feature. Look up "insurance"

------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Dec-99 20:53:18

magnetic signs

Has anyone tried a 12x24 magnetic sign on a newer Tacoma? If so,did they fit well?

----------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Dec-99 00:28:33

Re: magnetic signs

I recently added a 98 Tacoma to my fleet and I peeled off the "Toyota" and the "Tacoma SR5" from the tailgate and installed the vinyl signs right on the truck. Plus the logo fits well on the extended cab portion on the side. (Be sure to put Prolong in your engine after you next oil change.)

------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 22-Dec-99 02:47:26

Re: magnetic signs

I use magnetic signs on my pathfinder,on the rear hatch there is a offset or a depression, and no problems as far as the mag sign sticking to two different surfaces!

-----------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 24-Dec-99 18:42:58

Re: magnetic signs

I met a guy who did a FAB vinyl job for me with a 3' tall dog, custom lettering for name, phone and web address on both sides and ditto on rear with a smaller dog, all for $420.

Magnetic looks here today and gone tomorrow. IRS can question the use of your truck while ALL my driving is ADVERTISING (deductable).

Pooper-scooping is not a commodity and needs PUBLICITY. Go with as large of graphics as will fit on your truck.

Give folks a reason to smile.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 20-Dec-99 19:13:33

Poop Scooping in general

I live in Dublin, Ohio - how many if any poop scooping businesses are in the area?

Also, I'm inquiring for my son-in-law in Glendale AZ. how many are there in the Phoenix area?

appreciate your response.
Thanks
Dean

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 21-Dec-99 02:13:33

Re: Poop Scooping in general

I try to keep as current as I can with the listings on The International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services at pooper-scooper.com. As far as I know, there are three services in the area of Dublin, Ohio: PET BUTLER, Pet Valet, and Happy Lawn.
I have listings for three in the Phoenix area: Ahwatukee Poopee Patrol and Personal Pooper Scooper in Phoenix, and The Doo-Doers
in Tempe.

matthew@pooper-scooper.com



--------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 21-Dec-99 07:16:28

Greetings!

Hi everyone! It's been a long time sinced I've sent a message. Just thought I'd pop in and say Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all of you former fellow scoopers. Hope the new year is prosperous for all of you.

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S!!!

Take Care and Happy Scooping!!!
Pat

--------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 24-Dec-99 18:50:53

Referrals

Merry Christmas and H2K (Happy 2000)

I was doing some fantasizing about how many referrals I can get. For those of you scooping for more than a year or have more than 50 weeklies, what kind of referral response are you getting (%of clients giving referrals/month) and how are you rewarding them?

I'm considering either one or two free visits/referral and a free visit to the referred. I'm looking for a 13% rate of referrals/month. Also considering quarterly drawings for the folks who did the referring for dinner gift certs.

$300 at the newspaper did nothing. Door hangers produced more blisters than clients.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

-----------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-Jan-00 10:14:03

Re: Referrals

Well, I don't have the exact numbers for you, but expecting 13 percent new customers every month from 100 customers seems too high to me.
Giving the referring client one free clean-up for each new client she refers has worked well for me. The cost of getting a new customer this way is cheaper than the cost of getting a new customer through advertising.
I would also mention the referrals and credits in the monthly customer newsletter attached to the invoices; something like: "Mr and Mrs. S. in Columbus got a free cleanup last week for referring their friends to our unique service. You can get free service, too! Just tell your friends about us and when they sign up for regular weekly service, you'll receive one service visit FREE." -- you get the idea.
When you say "$300 at the newspaper did nothing," how was that $300 spent? All in one or two display ads in the large daily paper?
I think that amount be better spent in regular weekly classified line ads in the neighborhood weekly papers.
And the time of year affects response rates, too. If you did your advertising recently, I wouldn't expect much response. If you do the same thing in this coming spring, say late February or March, I would expect a much larger response.
And yes, distributing door-hangars can produce blisters. :) It's not nearly as effiecient as classified ads, for instance. But if you have more time than money it is very cheap to run off a couple hundred flyers and a little create awareness in targeted neighborhoods and maybe pick up a few new clients.
Overall, marketing success will come from the total combined effect of many efforts. Publicity and Public Relations is very important; classified ads run as consistently as you can afford, especially in the spring and fall; attractive, easy-to-read signs on the sides and back of your work vehicle; monthly newsletter to existing customers; a presence in the local yellow pages; informative business cards placed at pet shops, groomers and vets; an unquestioning, customer-first, satisfaction-guaranteed attitude to customer service; professional-looking stationary, invoices, business phone line with clear and informative voice mail... all of these and more contribute to success.
It looks like a lot, but the thing is to start with what you have and do your best. With continuous improvement, little by little, small steps ad up to great strides.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 27-Dec-99 16:40:57

Try the Poop Hound

Hey Scoopers!

I work with a pooper scooper manufacturer, and we are currently looking for some unique promotional ideas that would include our product, the Poop Hound (www.hound-dog.com/poop_hound.htm). One of the items we are discussing is a test run among professionals. If anyone out there has any wacky promotional ideas, or would like to be considered for the expert testing program, please drop me an e-mail at nate@kohnstamm.com.

ThankS!


Nate

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 27-Dec-99 18:03:17

How does one get a neighbor to stop allowing thier dog to dump in a yard with no dogs...mine!

Over the last 5 years we have begged our neighbor, who has a huge back and front yard, to stop her dog from depositing....she refuses, saying she is too tired to go out in the cold and open the gate to her back yard, when she comes home from work at night....her dog makes a beeline for our yard, and deposits huge feces, which my friends and children track into my house.
We have offered to open the gate for her, begged to help, nothing works...we have tried pepper...and other deterrants, nothing works...

I am desperate...to the point of posting a sign with the feces in a bag...pointing to hazardous waste and e-coli problem....

Any suggestions?
----------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Jan-00 15:29:17

Re: How does one get a neighbor to stop allowing thier dog to dump in a yard with no dogs...mine!

Hi Leatha,

When I have had situations with neighbors not cooperating...I take the situation in hand so that I can feel better. Even if it costs me...it is only money...I don't need ulcers of frustration! So, if I were in your (yucky) shoes, here is some options I would consider:
1. Hire the local Pooper Scooper service for YOUR yard. It may not be fair, but your carpets will not have to be cleaned so often...so the cost equals out. Also, you can relax knowing that it IS taken care of and you are supporting the American entrepreneurial dream.
2. Put up a decorative fence or barrier of some kind between properties. This is a time honored solution! I would even ask the neighbor to split the cost (who knows, she might be willing if it is a nice-looking solution!)
3. Call your Animal Control and/or your Environmental Health Department ask about ordinances and regulations concerning this problem. There is probably a complaint procedure. Their offices carry more clout (i.e. fines, etc.) than you as an individual do.

Have you tried all the commercial outdoor repellents? There are several new ones out that seem to work well.

Let us know if anything works!

-----------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Dec-99 11:00:55

Parvoicide dinsinfectant

Just received 5 gallons of parvocide disinfectant from NW Pet Supply. No directions were included and I'm wondering what are the proper mixing amounts? I hear it's very concentrated. My sprayer is a two gallon.

---------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Jan-00 06:37:25

Re: Parvoicide dinsinfectant

hey there,

i used the same stuff and i measured 1 capfull for every gallon water.


---------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-Jan-00 09:50:18

Re: Parvoicide dinsinfectant

I think Pat's right about the capful [Thanks, Pat! :)]. But if you will call NW Pet Supply, I think they will send you the information sheets with all the directions, specifictions, and precautions for the product.

------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Dec-99 11:05:46

Direct mailing

Picking up a list of about 20,000 dog owners today. Concerning direct mailing: What kind of bulk mailing postage rates are available and what number of mailings qualifies you? I mean 20,000 X 33 cents is $6,600. Also, what kind of response rate can be expected? I know we expect .5% from door to door fliers. I would think since all these mailings will go to dog owners, the % would be at least twice as high.
-------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 31-Dec-99 07:39:50

Re: Direct mailing

The best place to get detailed information about bulk mail postage is from the Postal Service. You can call your local post office to find out how to get all the information, or you can check out the USPS web site at http://www.usps.gov
They have a terrific kit available at no cost, too. It's called "Direct Mail by the Numbers." Check it all out at USPS: Using Direct Mail.
As for response rates, I think .5% is probably reasonable, but it could vary widely. I do think that sending them addresses to the dogs will increase your response, but I really can't say how much.
Please let us all know what happens, OK?

Matthew

-----------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Jan-00 16:03:20

Re: Direct mailing

Gene,
We looked into bulk mailing, but found it too expensive. Here is what we are doing:
1. We created a large (post office approved size) post card on "hot" colored card stock. Photocopies are cheaper than printing them. Our logo is cute and our text is humorous...so even if the recepient throws it away, it is remembered!
2. We use peel-off $.20 stamps and buy them as we can afford them per month. We have a weekly number of post cards we send so that it is an ongoing process. (The post office clerks know us by first name now!!)
3. At the same time we have a similar "hot" colored brochure in "take one" holders at all the Vets, Groomers, Boarding Kennels, Shelters, Feed Stores, Pet Stores, and Garden Shops in the area. That way responsible pet owners on the dog license list will see our brochure several times (a marketing must!)
4. We surveyed the list itself, and marked the owners of 2-3 LARGE BREED dogs. Those we sent out first!

By doing it this way, it keeps the cost under control and makes sure our business name is constantly out there. Don't forget, many of these smaller service businesses come and go. We want to establish the fact that we are for real and still here. I am not too concerned about the percentage of sign-ups from the mailings (although 1/4 of our solid clients came from our mailings) because I KNOW that they tell their friends and neighbors about the service because they are so amused. I even have people calling me to tell me they don't need my service, but they loved the card and will pass the word along!!! Word-of-Mouth advertising is the BEST.
Also, now, when I ask my sign-ups how they heard about us, they list several sources...got the mailing, saw our brochure at the Groomer (or other), and saw our T-shirt (or spare tire cover sign)!!

-----------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-Jan-00 15:15:46

Re: Direct mailing

We do the same as Tricia--.20 stamps on photocopied postcards. We average about .5% response, but some neighborhoods are as high as 3% while other areas net almost no response. We don't even mail to those "no response" areas anymore.

---------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Dec-99 20:53:20

This is pretty cool

Why instead of waiting for responses over a message board dont you chat directlly with those who's intrest are similar to your own. Thats were we come in and make that possible with Internet Relay Chat (IRC) which is virtually lag free and you have the ability to go where you want and even create your own channels and moderate them. This is a free chat service.. all you need is a easy to use program called mIRC that can be found at www.mircx.com, from there you need to install it and run it. Then just add irc.zerolimit.net and once connected type /join #services where we will advance you to whatever you want to do!

--------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 29-Dec-99 01:30:47

Visiting Dogs

To anyone that can help me:

I have one particular customer that there daughter comes to visit once in awhile and brings her dog. They are going on there 3rd week of visiting and was wondering if I should put some sort of service charge on the next bill. It doesn't really take that long to scoop but there is extra time in searching the yard. Please help me. I don't know what to do.

Frank

K-9 Connections

-------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 31-Dec-99 07:29:43

Re: Visiting Dogs

It's really a matter of judgement, that is, it's up to you. :) When visitors' dogs stay just a few days or a week, I would generally just clean up the extra piles as a courtesy to my customer. But in a case like the one you describe I would probably charge for the extra dog.
I wouldn't recommend just adding the extra charge to the bill if the customer isn't expecting it, though; especially if you've cleaned up after the visitor's dog without charging before. I would call the client and mention the extra charge so she would know what to expect.
This is a good example of the kind of thing you might include in a New Customer Welcome Letter. That would be a letter you send to new clients, explaining your policies on rain delays, holidays, what happens when you come to clean but they've locked the gates and you can't get in, and so on.

Matthew Osborn
matthew@pooper-scooper.com
--------------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 02-Jan-00 15:16:15

Re: Visiting Dogs

Hi Frank,
We have a -guest dog- clause in our "POOPER POLICIES TO PONDER" which is discussed at the time of sign-up with a new client. The client knows in advance that they will be billed the following month for an extra dog @ $5 per service visit. We explain that our routes are very time sensitive and that if we have to take the extra time, it could mean a client at the end of the route isn't serviced due to running out of daylight! We ask them to call us and let us know (and most folks are very nice about this...they DO NOT want to lose our service!) However, we do notice the extra poop(!) when they forget to tell us and I always call to confirm the guest dog and to remind them of the fee that will be added to their next bill. This call is REALLY important because sometimes it isn't an extra dog, but rather a change of food! We had one client who was actually out of town the weekend before I arrived, but she had quickly picked up a cheap brand of food for the 2 dogs before she left...and the number of bags at that stop went from 3-4 to 7! And it took me a half hour longer to clean up throwing my whole route schedule off. She was as surprised as I was, but this was a good time for me to suggest a better food for her dogs which means easier work for me at the "Tail End."

Tricia

--------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 29-Dec-99 10:29:57

Services to Vets/Kennels

Any pooper scooper outfits out there that offer services directly to vets/groomers? I have toyed with the idea for a little while, but am not sure of its feasibility as I would have to offer AM and/or PM daily visits in order to be of benefit to the vet. I am thinking that they are probably required to keep the pet areas cleaned throughout the day (health codes?). What are your experiences and what is average you charge the client? Thanks for your feedback.

---------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 02-Jan-00 14:55:20

Re: Services to Vets/Kennels

Hi Roxanne,

Yes, I have direct experience working with Veterinarians, Kennels, and Shelters! They are called employees and they are paid minimum wage!!
They come in early in the morning and swamp out and then a small crew are kept on all day to keep things picked up. Also, "someone" has to come in on weekends to clean-up too. For a Pooper Scooper business that means working 7 days a week! Veterinarians are famous for paying bottom feeder wages (...and then expecting you to have Animal Technician training to help with surgeries, medication dispensing or front desk paper work). Been there, done that!!

Shelters are similar, but they usually have no choice due to lack of funding and so look for volunteers. (Again, been there)

Groomers take care of the small amount of scooping themselves or hire a student to help with the sweeping up and bathing as well as any poop clean-up. Minimum wage and part-time.

In short, these businesses are not willing to pay for "professional" sub-contractors. They can pay someone $6 an hour or less to do the job (with no benefits!). Why would you do that when you can make up up to $40 an hour (4 clients with 2 dogs @ $10 each) AND have the freedom to be your own boss??

I have found that desperate dog and cat owners are the best bet! Next would be Property Managers with rentals that need cleaning between renters and after that would be Apartment/Condo complexes.

However, if you come up with a proposal that works and is accepted by the Veterinary community in your area, please share it!

Tricia


----------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-Jan-00 09:46:28

Re: Services to Vets/Kennels

Twice a day, daily service might not be economical all the way around. Unless you lived very close to the place the travel time alone would make the cost too high.
That's why I think vets and groomers generally do it themselves or have an employee take care of it.
But I have worked for a few groomers. I would go twice a week, and usually charged a price equivalent to charging for 3 dogs. That worked well for me.


-------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 27-Jan-00 19:21:37

Re: Services to Vets/Kennels

Roxanne,
I serve two veterinarians in my town but all I clean up is the outside of their offices. It caught me off guard because they called me. I had been to each vet and asked if I could put a flier
for my business up in the office and both places said it would be fine and commented on what a great idea it was. Then about a month later they called and asked if I could come and give them an estimate. I had no idea what to charge or how to go about figuring out what to charge. So I went and just walked the yards and tried figuring about how long it would take and how much there was to pick up. I didn't want to charge to much because I was just getting started and I knew this was going to be an important account so after walking the yard for a while going back an forth trying to figure out what to charge I went in and gave them my estimate and to my suprise in unison the whole staff said, " Is that all ?" I couldn't believe it. What I thought was maybe a little high they didn't even blink at, and thought they were getting a great deal. That was 4 years ago and it has been a wonderful relationship, they are two of my very best customers. I only go once a week and charge them a monthly fee. I think it would be worth your time to try the just outside approach and I've found them to be very generous. Any questions or more details feel free to e-mail me.
Good luck,
Jerry
Pooch's Poop Removal
------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 01-Jan-00 12:31:31

Signage

Anybody seen clever yard signs that remind dog-walkers to pick-up after a 'pit-stop'?

Cheryl

--------------------------------------