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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.
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Page Fifty-Six
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 21-Jun-00 17:15:10
what is the best way to start out
should one pass out fliers?
1. in rich areas or in 2 working persons areas
2. does one really have to "hire" the people?
I was going to just pay cash on a percentage
is half too much???
thanks
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 11-Jul-00 08:07:09
Re: what is the best way to start out
Concerning hiring, check out the IRS guidelines on independent contractors.
If they decide you had employees when you thought you didn't, you pay the taxes plus fines plus interest. The IRS won't play around or wait. They will seize assest including bank accounts. NOt much fun.
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 21-Jun-00 22:40:09
Competition
Big question -
I live in an area where there are 4 other pooper scoopers doing business, how do companies deal with the competition?
Should I not think about starting a business here where there are 4 other companies already working? Or is this an indication that business is good and I should hope to get a small piece of the pie? Can all pooper scooper's get along.... help.... confused....
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 29-Jun-00 12:10:10
Re: Competition
Hi Thinker...
Do not assume that these 4 Pooper Scoopers are still in business! You might be surprised. Try calling their phone number and pretend to be a prospective client with 2 dogs. If they answer "Hello" or seem fuzzy about prices, they aren't very active. If they don't return your call, they aren't doing it anymore. Of course, if the phone is disconnected or has been re-issued to someone else, they are out of business. Also, I would call your city/county business license office and ask if the four business names you have found have business licenses (and if so, how long have they been in business!) If not, report them. They will be contacted by the dept. and asked to comply (you will not be mentioned) This often levels the playing field. Of course, YOU need to play by the rules and get a business license!
Okay, once you have established that there IS competition (or not), then look at your demographics of the area. Figure a 3rd of the population owns dogs. Divide by 5 businesses, etc., etc. You only NEED 100-150 clients to live comfortably. Of course, you might want more eventually as you expand into employees or independent contractors...but by that time, some of the competition may have dropped by the wayside and you can pick up their clients.
It has been my experience that most Poop Scoopers and Pet Sitters don't last long enough to take advantage of their Yellow Page ad when it finally comes out! However, if you do have some hot business competition out there, THIS IS GOOD! Their marketing is going to educate people and help folks notice that their is not only such a service, but that there is a CHOICE of services. Then, you proceed to offer something more and better. This is a win/win situation!
PERSERVERANCE + PATIENCE + POOP(!) = PROFIT
Tricia
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 22-Jun-00 06:45:25
Starting out - Visit SCORE
I just wanted to let everyone just starting out know that they should definitely contact their local chapter of SCORE as Matthew suggests. I went to see them yesterday and they were so helpful. They have alot of useful information. One of the counselors had already helped another Pooper Scooper start his business so he was familiar with the whole process.
Have a great day!
Jacki
Tidy Pet
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 23-Jun-00 19:32:12
More poop than I can handle
I own four dogs and I enjoy them to the fullest although I would love to have someone else do the dirty work. Can you tell me if there are any pooper scooper services in the New York area code 516 (Nassau County) or 631 (Suffolk County).
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 25-Jun-00 01:47:41
Re: More poop than I can handle
Dear Sasha,
We will have a route in your area within the next two weeks. Give us a call or fill out the requisition form on our web site. We will be happy to take care of all your "canine land-mines". (908) 231-0684
Major Doody
"WE'RE ALWAYS ON DUTY"
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 23-Jun-00 23:19:18
score
What useful and interesting information did SCORE offer?
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 24-Jun-00 22:42:56
Re: score
Info on licensing, insurance, how to prepare a business plan, taxes, everything you need to know to start a business. Any questions you have they can answer or help you get the answer. They were also very shortly going to be interviewed on a local cable station about people they have helped. Had I been a little further along in starting my business they said they would have loved to feature me. So I almost got alot of free advertising. Hope this helps.
Jacki
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 25-Jun-00 02:09:46
What have I done?
Matthew e-mailed me and asked if I could give tell everyone a little of how the interview was with Howard Stern. I could not believe how nice and respectful he was to me on the air. He can tear people up at times. I went dressed in my Marine Corps Drill Instructor outfit. He laughed and then got real serious about the entire service. He even endorsed it himself! You can't buy advertising better than that. It was like having a 20 minute Info-mercial.
If anyone would like a copy of the interview, I will gladly send it to you.
I got a call from the David Letterman Show!
Guess what guys and gals? We are going to have more publicity!!! I'll let everyone know what day I am going to be on. Out here in the East his show is on at 11:30pm CBS Monday-Friday.
The results from the Howard Stern Show was overwhelmingly sucessfull. We sold over 7,000 bumper stickers from my web site, 1,500 t-shirts and 372 hats! I sent my wife out today to buy a new car!
I never dreamed this would happen. I also have people in 37 states that want to buy a franchise from me. I had the name "Major Doody" tademarked before I went on Stern. I even have two people in Canada interested. It is costing me a bundle to put all this together, but I am hoping it pays off in the long run.
Keep scoopin everyone! The Major
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 25-Jun-00 10:20:50
Re: What have I done?
Major, that is incredible. I would love to see you on Lettermen...let us know when so we can be sure to tune in. Good luck!!!
Katie
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 26-Jun-00 04:43:00
Re: What have I done?
To "The Major"...
Wow...Letterman! Let us all know WHEN to watch! Also, could you do a huge favor for all your fans on the message board?!? When you do get on Letterman, mention the "International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services." If folks are intrigued with Pooper Scooper services, they can look it up and find one of us in their local area. By mentioning the "directory" it also will emphasize that Professional Poop Scooping is a "for real" business and that there are serious businesses all over the country and around the world. It is always fun to laugh at what we do, but a little respect would be nice too!
Thanks and good luck on the show!!
Tricia
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 26-Jun-00 19:54:12
Re: What have I done?
Major!
Wow! What an encouragement you are to those of us who are just starting out! I thought we had an exciting week with our first 4 customers but I can't compare with your news! Now I will be anticipating your appearance on the Letterman show! It will be nice to put a face to the name. It will also be nice to see what comes of your interview with Letterman. Good luck! Many Blessings!
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 26-Jun-00 21:19:41
THANKS TO MS. POOPER-SCOOPER
HEY GWEN
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TURNING ME ONTO THIS OUTSTANDING WEBSITE. I'VE BEEN HEAR FOR OVER AN HOUR READING AND TAKING IN ALOT OF INFO. I NEVER KNEW THIS WAS EVEN HERE. IT WAS A PLEASURE MEETING AND TALKING TO YOU. GLAD TO KNOW YOUR AROUND. AND MAY YOU HAVE CONTINUED SUCCESS. THANK YOU AGAIN AND GLAD TO KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THATS CRAZY.KEEPING ON SCOOPING !!!!!
SINCERELY DR. SCOOP
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 27-Jun-00 14:02:30
GETTING A BOND
HOW MUCH DO YOU GET THE BOND FOR? WHAT DOES THE BOND DO THAT THE LIABILITY INS DOESN'T AND VISA VERSA?
THANKS
TRACY
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 29-Jun-00 03:51:07
Re: GETTING A BOND
Tracy,
If you have employees, you will want to be bonded so that if they break or steal something from your client, you are covered---because ultimately, you, as the owner of the business are responsible. It would make no sense to bond yourself! By the way, insurance agents are in a profit-making business too, and they often will FORGET to explain bonding to you in hopes of getting a bigger premium. If one DOES explain this to you, then you know you have found an honest agent (they ARE out there!)
Tricia
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 27-Jun-00 14:28:29
saw this -just an idea
while looking around on ebay. I came across someone auctioning off their pet sitting services. Heres one of the items ...http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360587545 Just thought maybe someone doing scooping might like to give it a try. I think if you put a good enough discription down it may fly.
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 29-Jun-00 14:33:48
Just found this sight Mon June 26, 2000
Hi, I am in poop heaven, I found this page buy searching under doggy doo. Early this spring as I was dumping my second 5 gal bucket of ploppers that I got out of my own yard I got an idea. Would people pay for this sh..y job?!!!I told my husbandI was going to start a pooper scooper service. He laughed and spoutted, when!( I have a full time job and we have a hauling business.) Well I informed him he was going to help do the scooping. Of course he had a good laugh. I kept it up and then he relized I was NOT kidding. The other day he called me at work to tell me about Major Doody, he was listing to Howard. Now he is ready to get it up and running.So here I am, the new kid on the block, I haven't even read all the
past pages yet, but I'm a trying.I have my flyers almost ready, cards on the way and Bank account coming this weekend. I don't really need any tools cause we have three dogs. I really need help on the Insurance end. With our Hauling we don't ever use outside help and we only have our trucks insured for flying objects on the road.We don't ever move anything except stuff they are throwing away so we don't worry about breaking anything. Do you have to use an Insurance company in your own state? Someone talked about $ 500 a year, That's not so bad! As soon as I get up and running I'm going to get Matthew's book with my first earnings! (After gas cost!!!)I only have a full size pick up.I'm going to target my area with flyers neighborhood by neighborhood (we have some around here that have 800, 1000, 2000 homes
each! (20 miles south of Washington DC in Maryland) Hope I can report great success soon!
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 02-Jul-00 23:59:07
Re: Just found this sight Mon June 26, 2000
Paula,
How much were you planning on charging in that area. I know that some of those homes are very expensive.
Good Luck!!
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 01-Jul-00 00:01:08
NEW BUSINESS 1
Matthew could you please add my company to your directory.
CLEAN SCOOP Dog Waste Removal Service
P.O. Box 253
Oreland, PA 19075-0253
Phone #215-887-7698
Servicing Bucks and Montgomery Counties
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone whom I talked to or received emails from. Your support is what gets everyone over the hump.
A few months ago my wife was about to ring my neck when I told her I was going through with this unique adventure. Not that she is hip to the idea, but she is helping me more than I expected. The other day she was home by herself and heard the business line ring. She was so excited to answer the phone in hopes of starting a new customer. Unfortunately, it was a salesman trying to get us to buy something we didn't need. I was happy just to hear she was looking forward to answering the phone. I think it will take a few more customers though, for her to really warm up to this poopy business.
I started putting flyers out one month ago. I gained one customer 2 days later and tomorrow I will start my second. It is exciting and frustrating. Always checking your voice mail for hopes of a new customer.
Thanks again to everyone for your support. And a special thanks to Tricia (Tail End Pooper Scoopers) and Diane Rossi (Have Doggie, We'll Doo) for taking the time to talk to me over the phone.
A quick reminder when you call someone from another state: Remember the time zone difference!! (sorry Tricia)
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Jul-00 07:39:29
Re: NEW BUSINESS 1
Thanks for the information, Kevin -- your listing has been added to the International Directory of Dog Waste Removal Services at www.pooper-scooper.com. Please be sure to e-mail me when any changes or corrections need to be made.
Best wishes with the new business! I remember my wife wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea at first, either; but she was pretty excited the first time someone called up and wanted to pay $25 to get his yard cleaned up for the first time. Of course, things went a long way after that.
Hang in there, keep your customers satisfied, and remember that "Nothing takes the place of persistence," as Ray Kroc said.
Matthew
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Jul-00 18:28:14
Cleveland in the News!
Good news from Cleveland! We've been sending out press relesaes for the last few weeks and have been featured on National Public Radio (NPR Marketplace), the Sunday Plain Dealer, Cleveland's largest AM station (WTAM 1100), and now finally the 6:00 news on TV (WEWS - Channel 5). What more is there?
Here is the story that aired on TV for those of you who are interested.
http://www.wews.com/news/stories/news-20000701-204213.html
Visit our website at: http://www.awagaway.com
Because of this great release and stories featured, more news radio stations from around the country have been calling us all day.
Business keeps picking up!
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Jul-00 23:26:42
Re: Cleveland in the News!
Hi, congratulations :-) Everyone on the board seems to be having so much success lately. I hope I do even half as well once I begin...which brings me to another point. I keep hearing about all of this success and I'm really afraid someone else in my area of Mass will hear about it and begin there own business before I can open mine. I'm shooting for a Feb 2001 opening...and keeping my fingers crossed that this successful idea doesn't reach Mass before then :-) Again, congrats!
Katie
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-Jul-00 07:39:00
Major Doody to be on "E" channel
Hey everyone,
On Tuesday July 11th at 11:00pm EST, I will be on "E" Entertainment. This is from the live interview with Howard Stern. If your interested,
tune on in. Where I live its' on channel 39. You can find out more if you log onto www.eonline.com. Find the Howard Stern Show link, then click on "whats' on Howard". Al the upcomming shows are listed there.
Major Doody
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 05-Jul-00 13:57:28
Northern VA Company
I'm trying to find a company to come clean my yard in Alexandria, Virginia, and having an awfully hard time! The numbers off the wonderful list don't seem to work and I really need my yard cleaned! Any help would be great!
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 06-Jul-00 00:28:07
Re: Northern VA Company
Carolyn,
Thank you for your interest. I own a scooping business in Northern Virginia called DoodyCalls.
I will send you some information to your email account.
Thanks again,
Jacob
DoodyCalls@DoodyCalls.com
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 05-Jul-00 16:20:47
North Carolina - May Need Scoopers!
We were just featured on WBT 1110 AM in Charlotte, NC. Just thought we'd let you all know we mentioned this website for dog-owners to look up scoopers and prospective scoopers to list themselves on this site.
We didn't see anyone from Charlotte scooping yet, so we couldn't do a plug for anyone...but we thought this was the best we could doo!
Happy Tails to You!