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 Forty


Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 11-Jan-00 12:14:18

New Pooper Scooper

I have seen a commercial on TV about a new pooper scooper. It is a round, plastic scoop on a pole with a bag coming out one end. You basically scoop the poop up much like playing shuffleboard. I am trying to order on, but I can't locate the phone number anywhere. I don't even know the name of the product. If anyone can please help, I would be appreciative.

Please e-mail me at dafreeds@gte.net with the answer. Thanks.

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

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 11-Jan-00 16:22:30

Re: New Pooper Scooper

Drew-

You are in luck. Check out www.hound-dog.com.

Even if this isn't THE scooper you saw, this is a great one. I am the PR person behind it, and you made my day by recognizing us.

If you need more info, don't hesitate to e-mail me at nate@kohnstamm.com

Thanks!

Nate Dybvig
Kohnstamm communications

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

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 22-Feb-00 11:15:55

Re: Re: New Pooper Scooper

There is another site www.k9picapoo.com that has the product I think you are looking for.
--------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 11-Jan-00 21:10:51

HELP! I'M NEW!

Help:
I've recently decided to start my own pooper-scooper business in my spare time but just lost my full time job on Friday Jan. 7/00, so I'm diving in earlier than I expected. I placed a class. ad in my local paper and have had some responses already. My dilma: I've ordered the book by Mathew Osborne but won't receive it for another week or so and need some info. What about insurance, do I need it? what kind? What kind of disinfectant should I use? Anything else I should know?
Thanks for any help given.
Rosanne

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

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 12-Jan-00 12:08:25

Re: HELP! I'M NEW!

Read & print out the archives. All your answers are there. Good luck with your new business :)
---------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 12-Jan-00 12:47:15

Re: HELP! I'M NEW!

Hi Rosanne...

Sorry about your job. My advice is to find another job quickly (preferably in the animal world---Vet receptionist, Groomer helper, Kennel cleaner(!), Animal Shelter attendent, etc., etc.) The reason is that you need to cover your costs of just living (food, rent, etc.)AS WELL AS, the costs of start-up for a new business (of any kind) If you can find a job in the animal world, that is a bonus because you can start spreading the word in person of your budding business and get the support of your workplace as well! Take the pressure off yourself and then you can have fun with this business.

I taught a course in "Small, Home-Based Business" for several years at a local Community College. Your dilemma comes up more often than you'd think! It's not that you couldn't jump in and start a successful business right away, but the profits (or income to live on) won't be there for awhile. Typically, small businesses need to be fueled the first several years with marketing which means EXTRA costs (even the IRS understands this and allows lotsa write-offs for the first 5 years) Also typically, Poop Scooping businesses start out slowly because it is a new and rather unusual service. I have had several clients say that they held onto my brochure for months before calling. When you build a new business, you don't want to be in that "desperate" place, because people sense it. Ever notice when a salesperson is pushing you (his kids need shoes!), your tendency is to back away and think about it. But if the salesperson is backing away, the tendency is to want to buy before it is taken away.

As you read through the archives, most businesses are lamenting that it took them months before they had any clients. TAKE NOTE!
Every area responds differently to marketing techniques...and it takes money and time to find the ones that work best. My classified ad ran for a month with absolutely no response, for example. However, Matthew's ad got him started in his area (go figure!) Brochures at the Vets and Groomers worked better for me. Ya just never know...and that is what's fun---if you're not under pressure.

Read through the most recent archives---the disinfectant types are listed. Forget about insurance for now---that is a very low priority and a high cost.

Take heart, don't panic (take deep breaths!), and hang in there. Sit down and plan this all out with your budget in front of you. If you decide to focus on getting another job that gives you afternoons and weekends off to scoop, don't worry, the work will still be there when you are ready. That's one nice thing about this business---it is always there waiting for you!

Tricia

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

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 12-Jan-00 20:46:57

Looking For Pooper Scooper seen on TV

I saw a commercial on TV that advertized a Pooper scooper that was created so that one can attach (and recycle) the plastic bags we get at the grocery stores to scoop the poop in. It was basically a cylinder shaped scoop with fork like prongs on the "scooping" end, attached to a long handle. Has anyone out there seen this add... Do you have the 800 number to call to order one?
I really would appreciate your help.
Shante

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

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 14-Jan-00 23:08:00

Re: Looking For Pooper Scooper seen on TV

Hi Shante (and Drew, who also asked about it on the message board),

I JUST NOW came in from my route, sat down, put up by feet, switched on the TV...and the ad came on! It is called the "SCOOP & SACK IT" and it sells for $19.95. The phone is: 1-800-999-3775. The Web address was listed as: www.batmann.com. If you or Drew gets one, be sure to let us know on the message board what you think of it! Those grocery store plastic bags don't seem very sturdy, but maybe there is another way to attach sturdier bags.

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

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 30-Jan-00 20:35:50

Re: Re: Looking For Pooper Scooper seen on TV

I know the commercial you are referring to, but do not have the 800 number. About a month ago, I had visited the PETSMART store near me and there it was. If you don't have a PETSMART near you try PETSMART.COM. If I,m not mistaken the price was around $12.00.

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

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 13-Jan-00 14:23:58

How to bill the customers

I am trying to work out all the final details before starting my company and one topic that keeps comimg up is how to collect payment from my customers. Do most of you collect payment on the day you perform the service or are you customers on payment terms?? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Steve
-------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 13-Jan-00 22:46:55

Re: How to bill the customers

Send them a bill at the end of the month for services rendered

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

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 15-Jan-00 18:39:23

Re: How to bill the customers

Steve,

Look at your own personal bills. When I looked at mine, I realized most of my bills ask for payment IN ADVANCE! Rent (or mortgage), Car payment, Cable bill, car insurance, life insurance, college classes, magazine subscriptions, etc., etc. In other words "set" fees can be paid in advance. Fees such as utilities and phone can't because they won't know what to charge due to the variable of use.

When I started in small businesses over 20 years ago, I made a decision to ask for payment in advance---(everything from a Dance classes, Pet Sitting, Cat Kennel, Pet Behavior Consultant, to Small Business Instructor) and I have NEVER had a single client go into shock!! In fact, most folks are just waiting for you to TELL them what you want (you ARE your own boss now!) I created a boarding "resort" and managed it for 10 years before I sold it. It had the distinction of being the only successful boarding facility in the State (and in the Nation?!?) that requested payment when the pet was dropped off rather than picked up. It worked because people could budget better for their trips!

In my Poop Scooping business, the fees are set according to how many dogs and then I bill monthly, in advance (on the 15th of the month, payment due before the lst of next month) It makes setting up the next month's routes easy. If the payment is late, there is no late fee to play with, they simply are dropped from the route (after a friendly note and/or phone call) That way, I don't labor for a month for nothing if they don't pay. We rarely have a problem, but if someone IS late with their payment, I offer a 3 month, 6 month (discounted with a FREE 2 week service), or 12 month (FREE month service) advance payment. This has REALLY worked well.

NOTE: Be sure to be professional in your billing with a Post Office box, printed statements (on your computer), return envelope, etc. All this says you are a serious business and are to be treated with respect. It also keeps your accounting of who has paid and who has not easier. Leaving a note on the client's door or gate can get lost and just looks tacky. There have been no less than 14 Poop Scooping businesses in our area who have failed because of thinking small.
------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 18-Jan-00 11:24:00

Re: How to bill the customers

I recommend sending a bill in the mail at the end of the month.
Of course, there are other options; some of the suggestions in the other replies to your question are very good. And the beauty of owning your own business is that you get to make these decisions -- which is also one of the difficulties of owing your own business.
Some customers may want a particular payment method, and I generally try to accomodate the customer's desire. But I find that sending a bill in the mail at the end of the month, and including a pre-addressed envelope with the bill, makes it easy for the customer to pay. (And I always like to make it as easy as possible for people to pay me .)
Collecting at the door after every service is very inconvenient both for you and the customer. Most of the time the customer won't be home, anyway. And for you, taking five minutes to collect payment at every house will add quite a bit of time to your daily schedule; time you could use cleaning another couple of yards.
Asking for payment in advance is certainly an understandable approach; it's easy to see certain advantages in that for you. Looking from the customer's point of view, though, one might not be confident paying in advance, especially if your business is very new and has no track record. Personally, I think charging for the service after it's done makes it much easier for the customer to get started and I think it's part of the reason my own service grew so much more rapidly than a competitor of mine who charged in advance. But the other reply to your question did make some very good points for the idea of charging in advance.
Again, it's just one of those things you'll have to think about carefully and decide for yourself.

Matthew

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

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 31-Jan-00 01:03:16

Re: How to bill the customers

I have found people are pleased to know that they must be satisified before such time as I send the bill. I also like to market my service as a utility and thus bill after the service.

As for professionalism and accuracy, I bought window envelopes (no worry about using the wrong envelope for a statement) so that the name on the statement shows through the window and include a 6 3/4" return envelope with my address label already on. I bought Avery return address labels and printed 12 sheets on a laser printer. It will be a long time before I run out of mailing supplies.

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

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 15-Jan-00 20:45:32

I WANT TO IMPORT POOPSCOOPS IN LARGE QUANTITIES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT IS THE BEST BRAND; AND CHEAP ALSO??

Please somebody tell me where I can find cheap poop scoops so I can export them to South América. Anybody interested in helping us out in this task??? there is a lot of money to be made!!!

YANG
-------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-Jan-00 11:04:26

Re: I WANT TO IMPORT POOPSCOOPS IN LARGE QUANTITIES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT IS THE BEST BRAND; AND CHEAP ALSO??

What kind are you looking for? I have a great scooper give me a call - 773-286-4727

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

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 18-Jan-00 09:09:49

Looking for inspiration, inovation & poop scoop manufacturers

I live in the United Kingdom and have been watching this site for sometime now and yes, I do have Matthew's book.
I am sure dog waste removal service would work well over here, however, our gardens (yards to Americans) are a little small and our main problems seem to be on public foot paths (sidewalks).
Dogs mess is a big problem here and I've been considering starting up a business selling a range of poop scoops etc, basically just targeted at that end (so to speak)not any other pet products.
In the past I have marketed a number of unrelated products at exhibitions, mail order and via QVC London, hence, are there any manufacturers out there who have innovative poop scoops not available in the UK at the right price that could be marketed over here??
Also a question to you all - will people really give up their free plastic bags and pay money for a better way of picking up the dog mess?
Please tell me your ideas and if you think I am on the right track or wasting my time?

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

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Jan-00 10:54:51

Request to scoop goose poop

I got a reqrest to cleanup GOOSE poop out of a gentleman's yard. Anyone out there done this?
My Question How to Charge for the service. i am willing to do the service and the man really sounds annoyed with the goose poop. Any advice or ideas appreciated Gwen Ms. Poop-Scooper in Akron Ohio.

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

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Jan-00 17:44:28

Re: Request to scoop goose poop

We scooped goose waste - it was exactly like small dog waste :) We just charged as we would a "normal" yard. I don't know if there are any special waste disposal requirements in your area for bird waste (there was here).

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

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 21-Jan-00 16:21:31

Re: Request to scoop goose poop

I've scooped goose poop several times, sometimes as part of cleaning a larger area, and for one or two clients we did the goose poop specifically at their request. I remember that I cleaned an area on the grounds of the Limited Company's headquarters on a regular schedule for several months.
I would charge a flat fee per visit, based on how long you expect the job to take. Bill as you do for your other clients.
One thing that might make the job go faster is to try a leaf rake, by the way. :)

Best Wishes, and please let us know how it goes!

Matthew

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

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Jan-00 20:18:18

Is anyone scooping poop in Lubbock Texas

Getting ready to start a poop scooping business and just wandering if anyone is doing such a service in Lubbock, Texas. Just wanting to know what the going rate per yard, per dog and any other advice you might give me. Anything would be greatly appreciated.
-----------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 20-Jan-00 23:36:41

Dog Bites

I went into a clients yard to take care of the business at hand, Max the client's 3 yr old lab/rott greeted me with something I would not call a warm welcome.Max took about a baseball size hunk out of my upper rear cheek!!!! Keep in mind I had visited with the dog before starting. So what I am getting at is after I get off of my donut pillow, what kind of response to any of you get when you ask clients to secure their dogs for our arrival? I am asking not just for Max but I think I am going to ask this of most of my clients, at least until the soreness wears off.

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

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 21-Jan-00 16:17:51

Re: Dog Bites

I've never had clients object when I've asked people to keep a dog inside or otherwise restrain it on the day our service was scheduled. Most of the time dogs were not in the yards, anyway.
Most of the dogs that were in the yards were OK, but there would sometimes be dogs that made it clear that they were not going to allow me to be in the yard with them. In those cases I would talk to the owner so that they would do something with the dog on our service day, making the yard available for cleaning.

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

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-Jan-00 15:02:35

Re: Dog Bites

Oh my Gosh, Mary! I was so distressed to hear about the attack on you...although I try if at all possible to meet with the dogs beforehand, this is a situation that I think everyone thinks about when serving clients. As my business is still very small, and some of my clients dogs are inside, there are a few that are outside. I haven't had any problems yet but I also am very leery of aggressive/large type dogs (at least the ones with reps: chow, rotties, husky, etc.). If the dog is out when I arrive to clean, I enter cautiously, announcing myself (so as not to surprise them), and if the dog(s) seem even remotely aggressive (this has NEVER happened, thank goodness) I guess I would promptly leave and leave a note for the client...did Max come straight up to you and bite you or did he seem okay at first and then go after you? I know it is probably difficult to relive this but if you could offer any retrospective feedback as to whether you noted any (potential) aggressiveness beforehand it might help anyone else out there who encounters a similar situation. Also, in answer to your question, I have NEVER had a client get upset with me when I have asked them to confine their dog. Most of the time, THEY are the ones to suggest it if I am in any way concerned.

Best wishes for a quick recovery!

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

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 31-Jan-00 17:23:58

Re: Dog Bites

Mary,

I ALWAYS ask my clients to please have their dog(s) restrained if I am uncomfortable about them running free when I am there. Most folks are understandable. The ones that aren't, I tell them that I would love to help them when they are home to handle their animal. It NEVER hurts to have lots of dog biscuits on had either. Rather have the dogs chewing them than my rear!

Good luck with the recovery!

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

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 22-Jan-00 16:36:02

New Jersey Laws

I am just starting up, and I am getting mixed answers to the questions I ask of my local and state officals. Some say I need special licenses or permits to haul dog waste to my local landfill and that appling for these will take 6 months to a year! Some folks say I don't need anything but to be weighed at the landfill. Can anyone help me with information on laws and regulations surrounding scooping poop in New Jersey?

Thanks!

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

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 24-Jan-00 14:34:08

Re: New Jersey Laws

Kelly,

It really depends upon which township u are starting your business in. For example, I have a service in South Jersey and the laws differ from North Jersey. I would check out the township that you live in first and then you may or may not have to apply for a license; which also costs money to do, a license in the shore area just to be able to do work (merchantile is about $300).

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

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 31-Jan-00 00:52:38

Re: New Jersey Laws

Kelly, You might be better off getting a dumpster where you park your truck. Running to the landfill when ever your can gets to be 80# is expensive and time consuming and you run the risk of damaging tires. My dumpster is a little 1 yard and when fully loaded is probably 1000#. Every three weeks or so I pay $15 to have it emptied. If the waste hauler will let you, do it.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Jan-00 15:13:52

Max the "fear biter"

What happened with Max and I was in hindsight my fault.I blame nobody for it,not max and not the owners.....well maybe a little.When Max was introduced to me I felt that he was uneasy about the meeting,however being a dog trainer I just brushed it off and said to myself that I would just watch him.I was over confident and let my guard down and that is how I got bit.It was strange that he did get me from behind because last I remember seeing him was about 20 yards away and most fear biters would not just come up and attack if not provoked.When I entered the yard he was not in the best of moods as he had his head lowered and lips rolled but again I thought if I just gave him his space and payed little attention to it things would be o.k...thought wrong.
If I had to tell you all what I have learned from this I would have to say no matter how long you have been in the dog business training,scooping or other wise, no matter how much you think you know about dogs dont get a big head and get over confident as you might wind up on a donut pillow like me..:)dogs can be unpredictable.
But thanks to all that showed concern and hope to hear from you all again soon.

Mary

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

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 27-Jan-00 18:08:43

Re: Max the "fear biter"

Mary, thanks again for your information and feedback about Max and his behavior (I have always worried about this type of situation). This is not a pleasant aspect of the biz, but so very important for everyone to hear about because it can happen to YOU - not just someone else!!! Although I feel that it is important to meet with the client/pet beforehand (if at all possible) to gain some insight and feeling as to how the dog will respond to you; it also shows that dogs can be unpredictable and just because they might "behave" with you in their owners presence, it doesn't mean that you are safe when the owner is not there...to always be on your guard, beware of the signs of aggression (I really think that in this case, it was NOT a fear biter - it was aggression plain and simple), and if in doubt, just leave the premises and notify the owner to begin making arrangements to confine the dog on your future visits. Better to be safe!!! Mary, thanks so much for the valuable info!!!


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

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 29-Jan-00 23:10:09

shovels ?

I have been reading the messages in the archive.I have not yet started my business, but I have been doing my research.
I have found that alot of you "pooper scoopers"
have tried many different type of shovels. So tonight I went over to my local Home Depot and found something very interesting. In the spackel area, I saw a lightweight,wide,flexable, long handled taping tool. I wonder if this would work? I'm thinking, less bending over.
Any thoughts?
P.S. I was very cautious about Matthew, I am not big on trusting the internet. I e-mailed him, and left a message on his phone. To my surprise,
(no offense Matthew) he called me back! We had a wonderful conversation, and just maybe has restored my trust in mankind again!!!!!!

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

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 31-Jan-00 08:49:11

Re: shovels ?

Hi Jack,

Wanted to tell you that Matthew is on the up and up and that we at PoopScoop King owe him a debt of gratitude for all the help he has provided. His book is a great value and his help invaluable. His reputation for honestly is well established in the dog waste community. I know many, many others will tell you the same.