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DOG OWNERS: Love your dog -- hate poop?
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 THE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF DOG WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board Archives

Messages archived from the Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board, going back to May of 1998. The discussion board board is an online forum about the business of pet-waste removal. Browse the messages, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH by keyword, or click here to participate in current discussions.

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Page Fifty-One

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Apr-00 17:03:07

flyers

hello everyone from Bombs Away...Pooper-Scoopers.
we are just starting out and have only 2 customers to start with. My question is how many fliers should we start with? We have thought 20,000 would be nice but realistically know the expense won't allow it at first. Should they go on colored paper or b&w? We would love any suggestions or ideals.
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 13:53:56

Re: flyers

If you can afford it, flyers should be part of a varied mix of marketing methods, including classified ads, news releases, signage on your vehicle, business cards, and more.
As for the flyers themselves, whatever you can afford to start with will be fine. You might even start with just a few hundred. If you put three flyers on a page, you can make them for just a 2 or 3 cents each, and copy services often have the paper-cutter you can use to cut them quickly and neatly.
As for color, there are different opinions. You may want to coordinate colors with your company's theme colors, if you have such a thing. I'd use a light color for the paper. White paper may be cheaper. You might experiment with different colors to see which ones are easiest to read, or even keep track of which ones produce business and use the ones that bring in the most new clients.

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Apr-00 18:04:15

Biodegradable bags

Hi,
Does any one know where you can get biodegradable bags for the dog waste?

Thanks,
Barbara


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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 06-Jun-00 10:16:59

Re: Biodegradable bags

You may not be able to find bags for that specific use, but the bio bags for trash should work really well
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 27-Apr-00 16:11:18

New Business

I'm starting up a new scooping business and I'm looking for tips on how to get it up and running. If anybody has any advice I'd appreciate a quick call! My number is 217-581-2159. Call any time! Thanks to everybody who helps!
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 30-Apr-00 14:20:39

Re: New Business

Nick,
The best way to get your business up and running is to order Matthew's book, "The Professional Pooper Scooper." and then follow it. It is the most important tool you will have.
Good Luck! Diane

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-May-00 23:53:16

Re: New Business

I felt like reaching out with a reply, but my fingers are tired. See my response to "Karam Tascoe".

Good Luck! Hang in there!
Dinah

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 28-Apr-00 02:16:44

Where do I start?

I am interested in starting a scooping business and have no idea what I need to start it? I am a 21 year old student, so I don't have a great amount of cash. I own a full size truck and work in a pet store in a wealthy part of Nashville, TN where I could get a lot of clients. The only thing is I don't know a thing about waste removal. Is it a good idea to get the book? Or can anyone send me some helpful advice? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance to anyone who replies.

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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 28-Apr-00 12:03:47

Re: Where do I start?

It's a very good idea to get the book. Its the foundation for your ideas. It is a great assistant to starting a dog waste removal business. Highly recommended.

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-May-00 23:59:19

Re: Where do I start?

Troy-
Sounds like you've got a good launch pad, working in a pet store! You might not want to quit that job for the first 2 months of your new business, just for income purposes.
My wrists are tired from typing...see my response to "Sounds Exciting" by Karam Tascoe. That person (Male? Female?) is also a college student and considering starting a scooping business.
Don't forget to Study!
Good Luck
Dinah
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 06-Jun-00 10:14:42

Re: Re: Where do I start?

Get some lettering that will stick on your truck, adverting the name of your business, phone number. Make up your own business cards on the computor. Go to wal-mart and buy a two gallon bucket. For more ideas e-mail me. I did not have a lot to start out with either.

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 29-Apr-00 16:02:39

Service in San Francisco

I've been looking for a company to provide service in San Francisco. I have 2 large dogs and I share the yard with my neighbor. He'd prefer thir mess be cleaned up on a more rigid schedule.

I found about a dozen in the bay area but none in SF. It seems that with a population of nearly 800,000 people and seemingly as many dogs, there'd be a large market for such a service.

Anyone know if a service exisits here or is anyone planning on starting one.. I'd love to be your first customer.

Keith
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 05-May-00 01:45:36

Re: Service in San Francisco

Hi Kevin!

I would love to clean your yard for you, but unfortunately, I am in Colorado. I am pretty sure, the extra mileage would be a bit too costly. Any thoughts of moving?
I hear Colorado is nice. . . .

Good luck on finding someone! Have a great day!

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 29-Apr-00 19:52:12

Aggressive dogs

I have ordered Matthew's book. I also have been reading the message board archives. There is EXCELLENT information in the various questions and discussions I've read so far. However, I haven't seen anything regarding dealing with dogs that are aggressive or have the potential to be. How do you deal with these clients? Do you ever refuse a client due to the aggressive nature of a breed? I imagine most of the visits to a client are made during the day when everyone is at work or school. How do you approach this situation?
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-May-00 12:56:44

Re: Aggressive dogs

Hi Lori!

I haven't had the pleasure of working with "aggressive" breeds yet. But there are a few "frisky" dogs that I deal with. I just ask that the owners have the animal secured for that 15 minutes I am cleaning. Most people have a dog run or something to contain their animals, so they just put them in there. My clients make sure that the morning I am scheduled to clean, they have their animals in the house. I am at the house the same day and time each week so they know when to let the animals out. Hope this helps!

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 07:04:02

Re: Aggressive dogs

Aggressive dogs are a very real concern in this business and one of my least favorite aspects of it. Naturally, when signing up your client, inquire as to the breed of dog and it's temperment. Do not take the assessment of the owner as bible however. Many owners underestimate their dog's potential for being antisocial. Evaluate each situtation individually, what kind of yard (front or back) the fence, is the owner home etc. Do all that is necessary to make yourself feel secure. If you couldn't feel secure regardless of taking these measures, decline to accept the account. Let me give you a specific example of one of my clients. She has 3 (count them -3) Rottweilers. She has a big yard with a privacy fence that I couldn't jump if necessary. I find this environment very disconcerting. I'm not going to pull any punches here, a yard like this is putting my well being at risk. People understand, if 3 mean Rotts attacked you, the owner may not be able to dissuade them even if he or she tried. I will not enter the yard without knocking and making sure that she knows that I'm there. I also told here very emphatically, "do not let them out until you are 150% certain that I'm gone." You have to be able to differentiate the dogs that just like to bark and back up from you the whole time they are yelping and those that are truly a threat to life and limb.

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 13:46:14

Re: Aggressive dogs

Most of the times, as you mention, the dogs are not in the yards. For those cases where the dog is in the yard when you go to clean, most of those dogs will be no problem.
There will occasionally, however, be dogs that you simply can not, or should not, work with. It's important to know how to "read" the dogs, learn the signs of aggression, fear, warning, etc. When there's doubt in your mind about the safety of a dog, I recommend not working with the dog in the yard.
For the dogs you feel are not safe, just talk to the client and explain that for the sake of safety for you and for the dog, it will necessary to have the dog kept inside the house or otherwise restrained on the day you come to clean the yard. I've never had a problem with a client in this regard.
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 30-Apr-00 17:51:57

Milwaukee, WI Scooper wanted!

My wife and I live on the Northwest side of Milwaukee, WI (approximately 121st & Florist). We cannot find anyone in our area to service our location. There's only one service I can find and they say we're not on their route. Anyone out there want to make some easy $$. Everyone I know in the area has dogs and I'm sure MANY would be interested in this service, even if it's only available during certain months. Please repond to my email address. Thanks.
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 30-Apr-00 21:13:33

Sounds Exciting

I am a struggling college student and I think this would be better than flipping burgers. have read almost every message that you guys have posted. Not only does this sound fun it also seems to be very lucrative. I am wondering what are the first steps to getting started? I also have a civic would my car be suitable for such a venture.
Please Help
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-May-00 23:47:24

Re: Sounds Exciting

Hello there, struggling college student!
I'm thirty years old, work full-time for the State (of Washington) and starting my own pooper-scooper business was the most empowering thing I'd ever done! So yes, I bet it would be good for you, too. Now, I've only been in business for 2 months, I only have 7 clients so far, and I drive all over Kingdom Come serving them, so on an hour-by-hour basis, I'm only making about $10 an hour. But as I remember from my own days in college, this is still more than flipping burgers!
It's wonderful to been your own boss, and you'll find it good to be able to set your own hours, and even have the set ones be flexible. People in general don't care what time of the day you get there, just as long as it's the day you said. Also, don't underestimate how good it will look good on a resume (the "Running-Own-Business" part). This is about MUCH MORE than just dog poop. The bigger picture is about learning business skills, managing money, learning to talk business ("Could you please pay me....." which used to be a hard sort of thing for me to say). If you should ever find yourself wanting to join "Corporate America", future employers will take one look at that on the resume and know instantly that you work hard, understand "the bottom line", understand how to please customers, etc. These are skills that are universally desirable, yet becoming rarer and rarer. Having "run own business" will instantly make you "an insider" in the eye of a manager.
I have a Volkswagon Rabbit...so don't think you need a pickup. I scoop into grocery bags taken from the grocery bag recycle bin at the supermarket, then when I'm done I put several of those bags into the kitchen-size plastic bags (get ones made of recycled plastic--Earth Sense!) Four or so of these go into a big garbage-pail sized bag inside a 22-gallon Rubbermaid-type plastic container. I have two of these containers, one stays home while the other is filling, and when I've got both of them filled (about 15 regular visits) it's time to go to the county dump.....$7.77 to dump.
Also, get Parvocide to add to the water, which you put in a sprayer....see my message to Gary about "Cleaning Tools".
Also, get Matthews book!!!!! It's full of information, ideas, and will inspire you! I actually read it within an 18 hour period, because I couldn't put it down.
Good Luck! But don't forget to STUDY!!! That schoolwork will come in handy when you want to start a different business.

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 13:40:49

Re: Sounds Exciting

The first car I bought to use for my poop-scoopin' business was an old Honda Civic. :) I used to have horrible fantasies about having a wreck with a few hundred pounds of dog poop in the back...OH, what a field day for the news! -- Fortunately, that never happened and I moved on up to pickup trucks -- which worked much better. But that little Civic was economical and got me around long enough to build up my customer list and get enough money together to buy a used truck.
The first steps to get started would be to get your tools together and then start putting out the word that your service is available. Put a classified ad in your local weekly newspapers, send out news releases to all your local media, start distributing cards like crazy.
There are a great many details and things to work on to improve as you go along, but the most important steps are the very simple ones to just get you going. After that there will always be things to fix or make better, but without actually getting the tools and making yourself available to real customers, nothing will happen.
Oh, and of course, I recommend buying my book, "The Professional Pooper-Scooper: How to start your own low-cost, high-profit dog waste removal service."
Once your service is up and running, let me know the business name, address, and phone number and I'll be happy to list your business in the International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services. You can also include a line for a slogan, the geographic area in which your service is available, the business owner's name, and your e-mail and web page address, if you like.

Best Wishes!

Matthew

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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 01-May-00 23:52:54

family & friends

i am about one month away from starting this unique business. i am very excited but of course a little scared. i have been reading some of the articles and it seems as though no one has brought up this topic.

FAMILY & FRIENDS

i am married and have an 18 month old son. we live a couple of blocks from her parents in the town she grew up in. her entire family lives within a 5 mile radius. im sure some of you might be thinking i am nuts for living that close, but i was blessed with very good in-laws. the problem is my wife thinks this is an absurd idea and is embarassed by the thought of it. she is afraid to tell her family. she thinks we will be the laugh of the town. she is also worried about are son and that the kids will make fun of him and his poop scooping dad. i am determined to move on but it is tough when you do not have support.
i was hoping to get a response from anyone on what there feelings are, especially if you have kids. i do not want to quit before i even get started.

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-May-00 20:15:01

Re: family & friends

Kevin, Your situation sounds quite familiar. I have a 13 year old daughter who when I drop her off for school asks me to drop her off across the street because she is embarrased about my pooper scooper signs. I just laugh because I know one of these days I will be making enough that anyone who laughs now will not be then!!!! Just don't let it bother you. I know that it will all pay off for me in the end. As a matter of fact, I am making more now than I ever did as a pet sitter!!! Also it's better to have a job you enjoy and that is stress free than die from a heart attack trying to stay in a job you don't like and are unhappy with. My husband is in that situation and we are hoping that he will soon be able to quit that "corporate madness" and come join me! I think over time when your wife sees that it is paying off she will come around. Stay committed - strive to please your customers and you can achieve success! Feel free to email me personally if you want! It's great to reach out and support my fellow poopsman.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-May-00 20:19:41

Re: family & friends

Hi,

I too had the same questions as your wife. I have a 14 and an 11 year old son, and a 5 year old daughter. I thought that they would be embarrassed with their mom going to pick up dog poop. Come to find out, my darling little children are PROUD of their old mom. My 14 year old has friends that ask me to hire them part-time. They all have a company t-shirt that they wear with pride. And they all try to drum up more business for me by asking parents of friends, teachers, doctors, dentists and the various other people we run into, if they need anyone to help with cleaning up the dog doo. As far as your wife being embarrassed, she will soon change her tune when you start receiving checks in the mailbox for doing something as mundane as scoopin. She'll be glad you took such a risk. Like my husband tells me now, "You have a successful business, and you did it when everyone else thought you were nuts, be proud of what you are becoming". I am now the proud sponsor of our son's baseball team! That would have NEVER happened a year ago when I first started and people looked at me cross-eyed. Everyone out at the fields knows who I am and, of course, some chuckle, but most all folks think I am pretty damn smart for doing this. I tend to agree. Good luck on your venture. And know that if you believe in yourself, ANYTHING is possible! Have a REALLY POOPY day!

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 06-Jun-00 10:08:22

Re: Re: family & friends

Don't be afraid of what other people might think. Have fun with your new job. Make fun of it. Tell your wife that she will soon be rolling in the dough from the doo. My son is five and he helps me hand out fliers and such. I use to sell Mk for a living, I am making more in poop than I was in goop. Keep your head up and be proud!!!!!!!!!

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-May-00 21:39:50

Re: family & friends

Hello I have a 4year old son and he loves telling people that his MOM scoops poop and that she owns all the dogs in the world. When i was featured on the front page of our major paper and on Tv Channel 8 on Feb 21, 2000 he really had a ball and was excited for me. He has gone scooping with me a few times and loves it. As far as worrying about people and them making comments ;Let them. When you begin to make a nice living at it then the laugh is on them. Just today at my little bank credit Union a teller was telling me that when people see my cards and flyer in the lobby the laugh and the teller tells them "The lady is doing good at the business." then they laugh. This is just a new service that takes time to adjust to. I have people, total strangers tell me what a great idea when they see my car signs. I make people smile on the road when i see them read the sign. Long ago and maybe still today Garbage guys had to deal with reactions from people but once it got old noone thinks about. Good Luck Bye the way my son wears a Ms. Poop-Scooper shirt to school and to ball games. He walks up to strangers when we go to the park and asks them if they want OUR Poop-scooping. Good Luck. Gwen

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-May-00 00:17:46

price -vs- take it or leave it

i believe a big selling point in this business is taking the waste with you. how do you know what to charge versus if you leave the waste at the property. there is alot to consider when you haul it away (travel to landfill or dumpster costs). i want to make sure i charge enough, but not too much to drive away the customers.
the biggest problem is knowing how many yards per hour i can average. then i guess you just figure how much your time is worth per hour. does this make sense or not.
please help!

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-May-00 20:08:11

Re: price -vs- take it or leave it

Hi!

Personally, I prefer to leave the waste in their trash can. Most people don't mind, and I don't consider taking it with me or leaving it to be my biggest selling point. The best selling point I have is to be professional, courteous, timely and most of all FRIENDLY to everyone. Besides, the people are wanting someone to clean up the waste first and foremost. At least this is what I have found. A few of my customers have asked me to take it with me, and I do as a courtesy to them. So as far as your question, maybe you could ask the customer first if he/she would rather you take it with you. If the customer doesn't mind you leaving it, maybe offer a small discount. Just a thought! Have a poopy day!

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 09-May-00 21:44:31

Re: Re: price -vs- take it or leave it

Personally I'd wish my service took the stuff. I hate having it in my can for a couple days (until the trash gets picked up). But then again, I have a cat and the liter is also in the can...so I have to put up with that and my cans smell either way.

Chris
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 06-Jun-00 10:00:41

Re: Re: Re: price -vs- take it or leave it

It will cost you more to haul away the poop than to put it in their trash can. When you get over two clients then maybe you could haul it away to your special dumpster. If the clients did pick up the dog wates, where would they put it? over the fence, in the flower beds, or the trash can?

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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 02-May-00 20:30:33

CREATIVE POOPER MINDS > > > HELP!!!

Hi fellow poopers!

I have a HUGE favor of all of you. I have an event coming up hosted by our local animal shelter. They have offered me, ME, a table to share my business. This table is going to be 4' x 8' and they want me to decorate it with things regarding my business. So far, I have come up with: bright pink (1/3 of a page) flyers, a banner with my name, dog biscuits, a box for a drawing (1 free month). I figure all of this stuff will take up 1/4 of the table. I need some more very inexpensive suggestions to make the most out of the rest of this space. Any ideas? I sure appreciate it! Remember: Think "crappy" thoughts!

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 16:27:37

Re: CREATIVE POOPER MINDS > > > HELP!!!

FAKE DOG POOP !!!! Works great for me at the shows I doo.

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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 06-May-00 16:43:49

Re: CREATIVE POOPER MINDS > > > HELP!!!

I just hosted one of these events today and I had everything you mentioned except I also had magnets with my business cards on them. You can find them in wal mart in the stationary dept.
I had fun I have to go back tomorrow. Good Luck. Oh the paper will interview me tomorrow.
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 00:51:01

Flyers, etc. starty up

For the flyer or business cards--what is absolutely necessary and what is beneficial to include>>>> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 03-May-00 13:30:48

Re: Flyers, etc. starty up

Naturally the name of the business and the phone number for prospects to contact you will be the most essential things on flyers and cards.
I think it's helpful to include your basic prices, as well. People may think the service is for rich people only, and very expensive. Many are surprised to learn how cheap it really is.
And if you guarantee satisfaction with your service, I would include "Satisfaction Guaranteed" to promote confidence in your offer.
If you offer discounts to seniors or to owners of assistance dogs, I'd include that, too.
Including your name on your business card is professional, and helps build confidence, as well. It looks more responsible when you're willing to put your own name out there.

Matthew Osborn
Author: "The Professional Pooper-Scooper"