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 Sixty
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 13-Aug-00 09:03:24
C'Mon People... post something
C,mon folks , there haven't been very many messages posted lately. About all we are having is new companies starting and being added to the directory. I wish Debbi (you know who u r) and some other folks would post - even if it's routine stuff. I like to get to know fellow scoopers. How can we get to know one another and learn from one another if we never post.
On a more sour note; in being fair and realistic to all the new scoopers - I don't know the % , but I would think a healthy percentage of new scooper companies will fail. Matthew, do you have an estimate?
K, I'm going for now and I'll be checking the board to hear back from all of you. Ya Hoo!
--------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Aug-00 10:28:49
Re: C'Mon People... post something
In life a high percentege of everything fails. All industries, endevours, blah blah blah - most people fail so yes this one is definitely not the exception.
In fact, in my opinion it is more the rule. Scooping attracts all types, especially those after a quick buck without the staying power to see it through the often times years of ramp up.
Red
--------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Aug-00 12:51:14
Re: C'Mon People... post something
i would like to know why people fail also. i hope it is from not hanging in there. i am in ca. foot hill grass valley. my population is about 12,000 people. do you think it is possible to have this kind of businees here?. i have a pet sitting business i think that this could be a add on. i am addvertising now its been two weeks on no calls on it yet. i will hang in there. i will be going out to two pet stores and three vet clinics to put up a brochure i made up. its just card stock one page. my rates are $9.00 per yard one dog and $2.00 for each dog after that. i feel i have to be a little higher than what will be charged in the city because of the longer traveling and the fewer people in my area.
becky's pet sitting
--------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Aug-00 17:43:48
Re: C'Mon People... post something
The statistic for small business, in general, is that 90% fail in the first year. But don't let that be a "doom & gloom" statistic. The reason most fail is because they haven't done any business planning or marketing strategy planning. By reading this website and buying Matthew's book new scoopers have done that. The rest of the success comes from:
PERSISTENCE + PATIENCE + POOP = PROFIT
Tricia
P.S. Marketing is everything---if dog owners don't know your service is available, you don't have a business! That is where most new business owners, of ANY small business, fail. Just note how many pages in Matthew's book is devoted to marketing!!
------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Aug-00 18:20:34
Re: C'Mon People... post something
Why do you think a high percentage of new scoopers will fail. What do you think the key is to making your business work? And what do you think the reason so many fail? How busy are you and how long have you been scooping?
Arrowhead Pooper Scoopers
--------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Aug-00 21:27:33
Re: C'Mon People... post something
Howdy Gene Haven't heard from you for a while either. How's Business. I think the last i heard you had 100 clients is that still the number? Business is real slow here for me. Doing alot of marketing getting my name out. No calls yet but my hope is that early fall my phone will ring off the hook. I even dare to say i would love it to ring like it did in feb. with the front page story. Only this time i know there is an end to all the calls and then the routine and calm is there. Take care Gwen
---------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 01:12:32
Re: C'Mon People... post something
Like the most basic business book will tell you... most businesses don't plan to fail, they fail to plan. I've seen about 8 other scooping businesses in my area fail. Like a previous poster said, they try for the quick buck but, have no staying power. Me personally, I only get to this site about once a week or so. Too busy with biz! Hang in there scoopers!
Tim
--------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 08:20:51
Re: C'Mon People... post something
I've been in business almost a year and am doing well. Some of the reasons that I'm doing well include, but are not limited to:(1)I advertise extensively and it does take some money to advertise as I do. (2)Im serving a very populated area.(metro detroit)
I was asked how my business is fairing and why I think many newbies fail. One of the reasons is the fact that the qualifications for entrance to the field are low. Many people that lack business savy jump in with $500 and a love for dogs. If you don't understand basic business principles, it's an uphill climb to say the least. If you live in an area with a population of 12,000, don't compare yourself to companies in Dallas, Chicago, ETC. Use percentages for comparing.
Last message for newbies,if you do live within a population that can realistically meet your goals (however so humble - 50 customers in small towns or 500 in Dallas), you either need money for consistent, well allocated, long term advertising, or a very effective free or low cost advertising campain such as press releases and flyers. With the low cost advertising, again long term persistent flyer campains. Pass out tens of thousands if you are not running paid advertising. 300 flyers in total or 4 weeks of classified ads, that's not going to be enough folks.
---------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Aug-00 13:51:25
Starting up
Matt,
Please add us to the directory
Ruff Duty
30 Foote Ave.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
413/443-9079
My husband is a police canine handler, he has considered himself a professional pooper scooper for the last nine years.
After deciding to enter into this part time, we tripped across your web site. The info you made available here has assited us.
Thanks again,
Debbie
----------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 07-Aug-00 19:26:54
Poop Picking Blues
Hello All,
I am needing some pick me messages. My husband and I have been picking up poop since May and we have had 5 customers however with in the last week we lost 3! Two to a move and one due to non payment of her bill.
I was wondering if this is normal to loose so many in such a short period of time or if this is just not a good area to start our business. We were hoping that this business would be able to support itself by September however it looks like this is not going to happen. This is really discouraging when this happens in such a short period of time. Any advise?
We have depleated our savings on advertising. Direct mail with 2 seperate compainies, classified ads in 5 different papers, passing business cards out, haning flyers on doors, hanging flyers in Wal-Mart stores, an interview with the local paper, a "funny" joke played on us from a local radio station, and we are lined up to have an interview with the local news station on Tuesday.
What else can we do? Any suggestions?
Thank You for "listening" :)
Alicia
Happy Tails Pet Waste Removal Serivce
--------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 08-Aug-00 09:52:52
Re: Poop Picking Blues
Alicia:
It sounds like you are doing everything you can
so do not feel bad. Please remember that to many
people this is a strange & new idea and it may take more time to build up your good name than in other industries. Try and keep your focus on the long term and you may feel better about your efforts.
One key thing to keep in mind is that to many people our service is a LUXURY and you may want
to market more directly to those who can afford
it in the future.
good luck!
--------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 08-Aug-00 11:44:19
Re: Poop Picking Blues
Hold your head up Alicia, after that news story you may be swimming in doo!!!I just started in July and have only one customer from all my work.
( I have another but I don't count them, cause
they know me and just want to help)
I wish I could get a radio station or paper to do a story on me. Just be careful and only use paid
advertisement that works. The customer I got came from the flyer at the grocery store!!! I made a deal with my husband and myself when I started this to only spend the money I made back in ads.
I have a limit of 200.00 to spend before I have to live with this deal. I have spent 140.00 so far and 58.00 was waisted on an ad that didn't do a thing.Buy the way where are you located? I was
thinking the same thing about Maryland maybe this
is not a good place for this, but then I think,
how many people have really seen my flyers or that one ad. As my husband said to me DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB...YET!!! HANG IN THERE!!!
Paula From PLOPPER'S
----------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Aug-00 23:36:57
Re: Poop Picking Blues
Hi Alicia,
Don't feel bad. When I started out I had a customer that I had to drop for non payment. I could not believe that a person would stiff a pooper scooper! Any way hang in there and keep thinking positive thoughts! Keep that scooper ready!
-----------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 11-Aug-00 11:45:29
Re: Poop Picking Blues
Alicia,
Hang in there! The customers you have lost are not due to poor service, just the luck of the draw.
I started last may 99 and had VERY slow growh until FEB 00.
I financed my growth on my billings, any money that came from the business went back into advertising. Here (CT) our newspapers have a section for services, listed by category. That is were I advertise on a daily basis. People see my ad over and over, then call me or tell a friend.
I believe that advertising is cumulative and after the market knows you it will accept the service you offer.
This has worked for me and I hope it works for you. Right now there are hundreds of dogs in your area creating job security.
Hang in until spring!
------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 01:40:29
Re: Poop Picking Blues
Look at the bright side... you have plenty of time to work at your business! Use this non-working time to do your research and marketing plan. Find out who your customers are and find them. Use this time to do a little reading. One suggestion is a book called "Guerrilla marketing" by Jay Conrad Levison. Many , many ideas for no-cost and low cost marketing. Another book that's really helpful for us pooper scoopers is "Selling the Invisible" by Harry Beckwith. The title says it all! Whether we like it or not we have to become salesmen (woman) and sell our services. All this time can be spent wisely by finding the resources needed to build a successful business. Contact SCORE (in the white pages under gov't) If you're near a large city see if there is an economic development center where you can go to get advice and help, usually for free! Research and marketing are probably the most important use of this start up time. You gotta get the word out there that you exsist! Good Luck!
Tim
----------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 22-Aug-00 10:59:58
Scooper Mag?
Gang,
What do you think about the idea of a bi-monthly (every-other-month) Scooper Newsletter / Magazine?
Don't get me wrong - I love this message board and have gotten a tremendous amount of useful information from it. We all owe Matthew a debt of gratitude for putting it together. The newsletter I am invisionsing would be yet another way to encourage, communicate, grow and expand ourselves in this crazy industry of ours.
I consider myself a "pup" in this biz since I've only been "down in the dumps" for a little over 2 years now however, "I" wouldn't be writing much of the info. Ideally we could put something together like this: pictures of scoopers, a letter from the Godfather a.k.a. Matthew, "Notes from the Pile" (submitted writings from various veteran scoopers, Q&A, Surveys and results, Successes & Failures, new products, and even advertising to help pay for the publication if there is a demand. It would probably be around 6 pages front and back and cost around $18 a year +/-.
Let me know what you think. It's just an idea and would by no means replace this invaluable PS Message Board. Also, any other ideas on the subject would be greatly appreciated by all.
Red
Pet Butler (of Dallas)
Takin' Crap from Everybody in Town!
-------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 23-Aug-00 07:49:12
Re: Scooper Mag?
I think a news letter has lot's of possibilities.
-----------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 23-Aug-00 16:09:33
Re: Scooper Mag?
I think it is a great idea! I had the same idea and talked about it with the co-owner of our Dog Waste removal Service. I also ask a few people online, but everyone thought it would replace the message board. That it would be a put down to the board. So in return I droped the idea. I am glad to hear you have thought of it too. I think it would be fun to have and would be an addtion to the message board. Good luck and let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 24-Aug-00 12:25:31
Re: Scooper Mag?
Red...
Having "been there, done that" with a newsletter in a another business, let me say it takes A LOT of time, a LOT of work, and a TOTAL COMMITMENT. I began hating those deadlines (and mine was quarterly!) and once you start, you have to keep at it... Whew! Vacation time and any free time was channeled to the Newsletter. Burn-out is real! Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great idea, BUT, a newsletter is ANOTHER business, if done right. Trying to do both a Poop Scooping business and a Newsletter usually means one or the other will suffer.
Here's an idea---focus all that creative effort on marketing your Poop Scooping business until it is built up to level of success that allows you to invest in Mutual Funds (or something that doesn't take too much attention). When you have enough invested that the interest on it (after taxes) brings in a comfortable income, turn over your Scooping business to a Manager or sell it for a tidy profit (remember Matthew?) and THEN put your full attention on producing the best and most unique newsletter out there.
By the way, $25 a year, is more like the going rate for a simple, bi-monthly, 8-page newsletter.
Tricia
-----------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Aug-00 20:13:31
Another news story
There will be another story printed on me in the Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine. The Story will Be run in mid September. What great timeing for all of us scoopers in the area. Will keep you updated. gwen
----------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 20-Aug-00 01:40:15
Re: Another news story
Hi,
How do you go about setting up these stories in the magazines? How long have you been scooping and about how many clients do you have? We've been doing it a month and have 1 client. What state are you in? We're in Arizona. Any scooping tips are welcomed with open arms.. We can use all the help we can get. Thank you
Arrowhead Pooper Scoopers
--------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 21-Aug-00 11:36:27
Re: Another news story
Congrats on another news story. I am in my first month of business and have 5 weekly customers. How did you go about getting stuff writen about you? How long have you been in the business? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Congrats again,
Tami
K-9 Waste Removal
--------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Aug-00 18:45:04
Picking the RIGHT Name for your company
Okay....So Now I did it wrong.....I am the owner of Pooches' Pickup Service....which is NOW in the stages of be RENAMED. Here's my story: I am a hurry up lets do it kinda guy.....maybe alittle to fast.....so anyways I've went ahead and went thur the proper stages....I applied for the Fictitious Name with the state, and got all the permits, city & county then got my Employer ID Number. I also got Matt's Book (which is the a MUST DO). So I'm thinking COOL, this is going great! NOT! I FAILED to tell what kind of service, I would be providing for in the name of my business. This I found out through joining the Chamber of Commerce! Let me just say that I am very gratful to have found out now, so that I can make some changes before I even actually got the name out there and then had to withdraw it. So with that said and done I would now like to withdraw "POOCHES' PICKUP SERVICE" from the Directory......and will notify you at a later date with the "NEW NAME". Okay then.....NOW the Good New is that by joining the Chamber of Commerce, I am now in the process of LANDING a City Contract, worth $$$$ and that will not only give me some CREDIBILITY but will become the corner stone of my business. I will be meeting the the city manager with my proposal....and let's just say....I'm told its just what our city NEEDS ;-) So I will keep you updated on that issue. Oh and I do have a new name in mind, but I'm going to do just alittle more homework, before I put it out there. Also Tricia, I'm sending for your pamphlet "Cheap Marketing Tricks: A-Z, so you can be expecting to hear from me soon. Like I said, I like to move fast. Oh and just so you know, I hadn't printed any business cards or flyers with Pooches' on it, so no money was wasted....and no one will ever know of my dirty little secret, except for you guys.....shhh ...until next time....may the poops be with you.
PEACE OUT
Ric Motamed
--------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 17-Aug-00 17:25:17
TV
Has anyone tried advertising on TV?
-------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 20-Aug-00 19:07:16
Re: TV
Hi Drew,
We had a commerical running from end of April until the end of July. In 2 days we got a customer from it. We only ended up getting 2 customers but we did get our name out there.
We have about 100 customers at this point. Our commerical aired on The Animal Planet, Life Time for Women, Discovery, Fox Family and the local cable news.
Good luck!
Barbara
Dog-Gone-It
----------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Aug-00 13:49:31
i got my first pooping scooping interview tonight
i am getting my first pooper job. i just had to tell some one. i hope it works out in my area because i am in a small country town of 12000 to 13000 people to sell to. if this really could work out i could travel to the next town of Auburn and work.it takes a 1/2 hour to get there. are there any pooper scoopers that travel like that for work? Tricia Timmons if you are reading this do you think Auburn would be worth the travel time?
------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 17-Aug-00 02:22:09
Re: i got my first pooping scooping interview tonight
Becky...
When my husband and I were in California, we owned "Tail End Litter Box Service" (we only did litter boxes then), and we serviced Nevada County (which has over 85,000 population, by the way), Auburn, 1/2 hour away, and Sacramento, 1 hour away. When you are in a small town, you gotta go the extra mile, literally!! But it pays off, and eventually you can cut back to be closer to home by hiring help in outlying areas if you want to. By the way, all that mileage is write-off-able!
Tricia
----------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 19:50:38
Taxes
Greetings dog fans
I have 2 question"s 1st we are in N.Y. State and would like to know if we should be charging sales tax on pooper scooping services would like to know before we start servicing.
2nd out of curiosity who was the scooper featured on The Animal PlanetChannel,(sorry cant remember the name of the show.
Also i just recieved Tricia's free "Cheap Marketing tricks :A-Z. Which is more than worth the cost of the 33 cent stamp that it takes to recieve it. It is full of good common sense ideas
I recommend it.
Brian
Best friend pet waste cleanup service
--------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Aug-00 12:23:27
Re: Taxes
Cal your local municipalites.
Tricia, If you read this I'm definitely interested in your "Cheap Marketing tricks :A-Z".
Where should I send the stamp?
Red
--------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Aug-00 12:51:39
Re: Taxes
Hi Brian...
Glad you liked "Cheap Marketing Tricks: A-Z." What is fun about them is that I have tried all 26 of them and they ALL worked! Let us know, on the message board, which ones work best for your area.
If anyone else would like a FREE copy of them, just send me a $.33 stamped, self-addressed envelope (or $.55 stamped self-addressed envelope if you would like some copies of some of my marketing materials) If you have a business card and/or brochure already, please include one (for my collection)
Tricia T. Timmons
TAIL END POOPER SCOOPERS
P.O. Box 51554
Sparks, NV 89435-1554
------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 17:29:04
My new Buisness
We are brand new to this buisness and are extremly excited so far we are the only known Scooping Biz in Tucson Az. So we have the corner on the market so to speak. However we are having some problems getting the word out any helpful suggestions?
-----------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Aug-00 12:20:38
Re: My new Buisness
Read the Archives and buy Matthew's book and you'll have more info. than you ever dreamed
----------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Aug-00 17:37:20
Re: My new Buisness
Okay....I see that you do need help....when you start out by misspelling "BUSINESS". Second of all you have to start thinking like a business person. When starting a new business and wanting to get the good word out.....why not start with contacting your city's Chamber of Commerce and join their membership....this will give you some credibility....and also a good way to meet Who's Who in you area...so then you can start "NET WORKING" The Chamber of Commerce will help you in many ways, they love to help new business, especially a new & different kind of service that they have not heard of or thought of before. They can best provide you with all the info regarding your area. Also get Matt's Book if you haven't already and then there's Tricia's free pamphlet "Cheap Marketing Tricks: A-Z" send for it. Child, you better get busy........GOOD LUCK and BEST WISHES to you. PEACE OUT :-)
---------------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 08:20:48
Getting to know us
This is how Ruff Duty came to be. We were at a beach in CT and saw a vehicle marked with "land mines" (not in the international directory). We had never heard of this type of service in our area. We have wanted to open a kennel and provide dog training. Our current zoning laws have made it almost impossible to do. When we came home from the beach we got onto the internet and found this great site. After some research, licenses and a permit from the City Health Department. We are in business. We signed our first customer up less than 24hrs after getting some cards out. .... About failing, It may or may not take off. But we will have tried our best rather than watch someone else take OUR chance and run with it.
-----------------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Aug-00 20:06:39
Dogs' shots & Disinfecting
Are you fellow pooper scooper asking when you have new clients sign up if their dogs have all thier shots up to date?
I feel this is very important especially if one of your client catches parvo.
We had a client whos dog didn't, The dog was still a puppy, and the son was taking it places and to where he work and it was a Kennel...
guess what...
So do remember after each and every jop you do to clean and disenfect...
And to remember it takes ten minutes to kill the germs...
Disenfect after the job you just done (the top and bottom of your shoes and of course your tools and might what to give your floorboard where you sit a squirt too), not before you get to the next one, but you can spray again to
Remember the 10 minute rule....
--------------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 13:52:27
Re: Dogs' shots & Disinfecting
10 minutes!?
How about less than 10 seconds!
40 to 50 yards a day times 10 minutes extra per lawn is not a business I care to be in.
Squirt squirt, squirt squirt, done.
Red
PS: Good idea about asking if they are up to date on their shots.
----------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Aug-00 17:32:59
Re: Dogs' shots & Disinfecting
Curious as I am new to the buisness what is the proper method for disinfecting for the Parvo virus. Or should I just refuse service to clients until Their pooches have the proper shots
------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Aug-00 09:57:25
Re: Dogs' shots & Disinfecting
I have been told by different vet's, and some research that it takes ten minutes to kill any virus that may be present.
so if you go to a job and spray your tools and footwear you need to wait ten minutes to be sure,
so you would want to disenfect your tools and footwear after each job so by the time you get to the next you are ready
--------------------------------------------------------
Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Aug-00 19:58:18
Growing business
yea Poop Scoop King You Picking On Me This Week (ha ha ha)
This year has seem to be better compare to the last nine in this particular season when it seems to be slow.
This year has already done what it did last year and still have aug, sept, nov and dec to go.
It seems like the idea of having a pooper scooper service is catching on.
---------------------------------------------------