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-Five

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 23-Nov-00 00:42:58

Christmas Marketing Ideas

Greetings fellow scoopers! As Christmas is nearing, I am wondering what extra promotions we should offer: both to increase our customer base right now, and to gain regular customers before the post Christmas spent-all-my-money-blues settle in. I am wondering if anyone has suggestions (low cost would be ideal) and tips for this type of marketing?
------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 03-Dec-00 12:36:38

Re: Christmas Marketing Ideas

May I suggest you do a good deed and possibly help yourself at the same time?

PET BUTLER is distributing flyers informing people about a dog rescue group. One side is their adoptable dogs and contact info. The other side is mine.

PET BUTLER supports www.ColumbusDogConnection.com
because we believe that everyone deserves somebody to love.
--------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 24-Dec-00 20:15:16

Re: Re: Christmas Marketing Ideas

How about contacting the"Humane Society" in you area and offering them your service for free, in return you will get free advertising and support from them.....plus you would be helping out a GREAT CAUSE........Christmas is a time of giving!!
----------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Nov-00 19:32:46

Collections

A couple of months ago I answered a post as to the best way to collect money for services. I said I billed after the fact because it is more professional and much easier to start new clients on the phone or via email.

Recently, this was demonstrated to be rather expensive to me because of clients whom I trusted who were late the first month, late the second month and who skipped town in the third month.

(Today, I found two of their dogs abandoned in the back yard with no food or water and an eviction notice on the front door. I did call 911 on behalf of the dogs who need shelter)

Also this month, I have had too many late payments. I bill on the 30th and payments are due on the 14th.

I am thinking of billing on the 14th of the current month with a due date of the 30th. No payment? No service! The most I'd be out is 1 month's worth. If they are late and want to continue, they must prepay. I could still sign people up on the phone w/o meeting them, but just bill them after the first or second service.

The other option is for all to prepay - but what I said 2 months ago still holds true: It is easy to stop service. Just forget to send the check.

On the prior idea, if they are late once and become a prepay only and then don't pay in time - all I'm losing is a deadbeat who doesn't value my services.

What do you do when you have a slow pay or no pay? What are your experiences? For those who do prepay, do you send a bill or expect them to remember you? How many do you just never hear from again? Let's hear about some success stories.
-------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Nov-00 21:43:03

Re: Collections

I'm one of the odd balls around here, I bill one month in advance and I pro-rate everyone to the first of the month. Everything is printed and mailed to the customers (with a return envelope)to arrive on the first of the month. They have until the 25th to pay otherwise there is a late fee added to the next billing cycle. In contrast to the ability to start new clients by charging after the month, 99% of my new customers are already signing up BEFORE they know how I'm billing. The other 1% still sign up knowing I'm billing them in advance. If they really want the service, they won't mind. (No one has complained yet!) There are actually 2 who I bill after the month due to their type of service.

As for late pays, it can be frustrating at times. I employ a set list of standards for reminding customers of their bill... by phone call, letter, letter of cancellation of service with 10 days to pay, then it goes to my collection agency. Most of the time they are simply behind on their bills and double up the following month, or out of town etc. Of course there will always be the flakes who skip out and that's just the nature of business. They get to have their credit report messed up for their efforts, so when they apply for that loan, "oops, we couldn't afford to pay the pooper scooper!" won't make any points with the lender.

Fortunately, I haven't run into too much trouble with no pays, of the 15 or so I've turned into collections over the years, more than half end up paying. As for the rest, well, I'm only out one or two months.

Tim - Scoop Masters
------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 01-Dec-00 08:52:07

Re: Re: Collections

Tim, do you mind sharing who you use for collections? I am certain we could all benefit from your positive experience with them

Thank you!
--------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 02-Dec-00 23:05:50

Re: Re: Re: Collections

Asset Forfeiture
Michael L.
818 240-6174 or 888 4ASSET4
P.O.Box 250325
Glendale, CA 91225-0325
25% contingency fee

I like his business card:
"You don't want their goodwill!"
You just want the money they owe you!!!
-------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Nov-00 22:34:28

Re: Collections

Hi Mark

It seems as though you have been doing your billing in a very well thoughtout process and it sounds like you may have some clients that are not very good people. I don't think you would even want these type of people as clients, so I would suggest that you move on and cut your losses. I bill on the 14th for the end of the month and it has worked well so far. I only have 6 clients and haven't had a problem as of yet.

Good luck and stay away from the trouble.
------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 30-Nov-00 20:22:04

Re: Collections

Hi Mark,
This is the 3rd and last time that I am going to attempt to submit this! After many failed submissions I learned to copy and save each submission to this board in a Word document. Tricia told me after 3 submissions that she did that were never posted, she was done. Well, I agree with here if this one doesn't work....
Here goes:
Hi Mark,

Great topic!

I have always billed every 2 months for 3 reasons.
1. I hate to bill.
2. I think clients prefer less hassle (writing a check half as often).
3. I feel I am more likely to loose a customer when they receive a bill thus I bill less often.

However, starting in January, I will begin billing monthly for several reasons:
1. It's easier to stay on top of who is late.
2. The every-other-month bills where sometimes too large for a few of my customers who work within a MONTHLY budget rather than bi-monthly.
3. I will begin auto-debiting many of my client's credit cards on a monthly basis thus removing one more hassle from their lives - paying my bill individually.

Next issue: late payers.
I love 'em!
You see, in my brochure as well as on every bill I include the statement(s): "There is a $7.50 late fee applied to accounts not paid by the due date following the service and each month thereafter." "$15.00 for apartment communities." "$25.00 for returned checks."
I make an extra $100.00 per month in late fees and have never had a customer complain about them.

I also OFFER a 6 month and a 12 month prepayment OPTION with the appropriate % discount attached to each as an incentive.

I have only been cheated once and that was for only $35.00. The lady had paid perfectly for over a year and then moved. And she even told me she was moving. I think it was an honest mistake ...although her mail doesn't forward?

One of my many funny slogans is "Double-Your-Poop-Back Guarantee!". This, like, all our slogans gets a good laugh and is included in my brochure. However, I ALMOST look forward to the day that I get to tell a drastically late customer what it really means! "You see, We "guarantee" that if you don't pay us every penny that you owe for work already completed then we will return to you ATLEAST "Double" the amount of poop we have taken from you. And since we collect over 50 gallons of it a day, it won't take long for your front yard and driveway to be covered with presents."

Of course, I give them every opportunity to pay before it comes to this but one day.... :)

For those who prepay I DEFINITELY send them a bill - they'd never remember if I didn't.

I spend a lot of time and over $100 for each customer I get so I never just let them go or "moved on and cut my losses" - they pay or "they pay". I don't pick up crap for fun and luckily have never had to prove this.

Takin' crap from everybody in town!

Red

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

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 02-Dec-00 22:58:08

Re: Stepping on your feet?

Steph,
That's like opening a restaurant and asking: Am I stepping on anyone's feet if I call my new business a restaurant!
Call it a pooper scooper business - definitely!
Red
------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Nov-00 18:35:57

Keep the light burning!

Hello fellow scoopers!
I just wanted to say keep the light burning. Even though business seems slow and you are going no where, there is a suprise around the corner. We have been scooping since May 2000 and business started out slow, picked up, then we lost 3 customers after having 5. We were stuck in a rut for months during all this we were advertising! Well just this week we picked up 2 more customers and have not been advertising because funds have ran out. What has happened is the advertising we were doing in the summer is now catching up! As so many of you suggested "Don't Quit Your Day Job Yet". We haven't, but we are enjoying this too! I believe that God will only give us what we can handle.
I'm glad to see every one is coming along well.
I wish to extend to Phil & Mel....follow your heart and dreams. You'll never know what you can do and how well you can do it if you don't try.

To all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a Happy Tails Day!
Happy Tails Pet Waste Removal Service
-------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Nov-00 13:41:25

Ideas on Fall marketing

Hello everyone, I have posted 3 messages before and only 1 has made the message board, it gets extremely frustrating, and i do want to participate on the board because I think this is a great way to help each other out. Anyways I was wondering if anyone had any special marketing techniques they use in the Fall, because of all the leaves and the colder weather. I personally try to emphasize the fact that I will come to a clients home in all types of weather and do not need the leaves raked before hand. I have been handing out brochures and have noticed that alot of people love the idea but do not receive many follow up calls. Am I missing something or does it just take time for people to call.

Any suggestions? What have you tried?

Thanks
Craig
" Business stinks but it is picking up "
------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 17-Nov-00 21:16:15

Re: Ideas on Fall marketing

Craig,
The main "fall" marketing I do is for my current clientele, and that's Christmas gifts. Sometimes I simply send a card. Other times I give little token gifts. This year it is a plastic dog food scoop with company name and number etc. printed on it. Also, I add three words to all my advertising... Gift Certificates available! As for brochures and the like, I've received calls from different marketing ideas as much as TWO years later! It just takes time and consistency to get the word out.
Good luck!
Tim
----------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 30-Nov-00 20:23:35

Re: Ideas on Fall marketing

I've replied to this this 3 times and this one better get posted or .....I'll probably do post it again! :)

Hi Craig,
"A lot of people"? Shoot, EVERYBODY "likes the idea"! But you are absolutley right, few will call. My experience says about 1 out of 2,000 to be more precise.
Sounds like your doing what it takes - it just takes "a lot"!
Red

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

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Nov-00 17:27:12

Greetings Scoopers!

seems that the board is being tempermental once again. sent a message yesterday and it hasn't arrived yet...
-------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Nov-00 12:57:37

New Service in Atlanta!!

Greetings all!
I've really enjoyed reading all your posts/archives. Me and some entreprenurial neighbors have started a new service in Atlanta, Doody Calls.

Matthew, please list us in the directory. Our email address is: doodycalls@doglover.com

We signed up a bunch of our friends in the neighborhood, so we're starting out with 20 clients -- we're grateful for that. Just 5 more and we'll get the voicemail and PO Box. (No point in getting them yet, all my neighbors that signed up know I'm running it out of my house so there's no impressing them!)

I've heard that Major Doody will have some outlets down here in the Greater Atlanta area. I don't know if there's enough interested dog owners to facilitate all these scooping businesses (a lot of people down here in the South, very sadly, aren't yet beyond just keeping a dog tied outside -- let alone PAYING someone to clean its waste up) but it's really just to suplement the 'ol income anyway. Anybody know if he is coming down this way?

Thanks again!
Victoria
----------------------

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 15-Nov-00 22:30:34

Re: New Service in Atlanta!!

Hi Victoria,
I wouldn't be concerned about him. My guess he's out of business. Think about this: Do you know any national lawn mowing companies? I don't. Well, it's more difficult to start a lawn mowing company than it is a poop scooping one so I don't think there will be much competition from him and if he does enter your area the promotions efforts should help you rather than hurt plus to pay for all the advertising they'll have to charge a bunch!
Red
----------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 13-Nov-00 23:02:20

Need pooper scooper business in Fresno

The Fresno, Calif. area is desperate for a pooper
scoopers business. The two businesses in this
area have both closed for personal reasons.
There is a large market here waiting to be scooped up! Let me know if there is any interest
in starting up in this area, I'll be your first
customer. Jan. e-mail: redkaty@hotmail.com
-------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 11-Nov-00 19:07:05

so here I am...

cold feet and all....those of you who have just started out probably can relate to this...got the book, read it got really excited....started reading the forum....got really, really excited...and got cold feet....anyone have any sock warmers they aren't using?
------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 12-Nov-00 21:50:31

Re: so here I am...

Hi Phil and Mel,

Your feelings and fears are certainly justifiable. Virtually no one that knows me was aware of what I was doing for the first 20 months or so of being in business! Yes, we all have pride! I saw it as either I am a complete idiot or total genius and I was going to do my very best to hide my stupidity until my genius was so obvious that I was respected and admired rather than laughed at and ridiculed. (Unfortunately I'm not quite there yet although the cat is indeed out of the bag!)

Market and promote enough to get a handful of clients... Try it out - Can you take the stench?... What about the crank calls?... Does handling the product or cleaning the tools send you hurling?... Or how about the fact that you have to some how get your message in front of at least 2,000 dog owners to get just one new client?

There are practically no "barriers to entry" in this crazy business of ours but there are PLENTY of what I call "barriers to success". Some of them were listed above.

Make all your projections and estimates and then triple them in a negative sense - are you willing to accept the outcome if these new projections actually come to fruition? Triple expenses, a third as many responses to marketing, three times as long to reach your goals...

There is a big price to pay in this business just like any other. Try it out, make a decision, don't look back.

Your bud,
Red
---------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 13-Nov-00 09:24:24

Re: Re: so here I am...

How did you start out Red?
---------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 13-Nov-00 22:16:32

Re: Re: Re: so here I am...

Well, registered with the city, advertised, and said my prayers. It's been a very slow process.

I would wear what I consider my uniform to one or 2 or 3 houses before work, after work, and during lunch - changing in the car behind buildings and in alley ways. I would hide my tools behind work or in the parking lot or wherever I could find some bushes that no one was near. I would have to wait for just the right moment to dump the "product" in the company dumpster so that know one suspected.

I sold Cadillacs at the time at a very "uppity" "old money" dealership in Dallas. You may have heard of it's owner - Carl Sewell who wrote an awesome book on customer service caller "Customers for Life". Anyway, keeping my demo cadillac clean and stink free wasn't always accomplished! Not to mention the few customers that I did have thought I was absolutely rolling in dough - new Cadi every other month!

Slowly I learned more about how to do the job faster, and how to sell it better. A dedicated phone line came early in the process. Borchures came soon thereafter as well.

Still learning every week and hope to continue growing too!

Red
-------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 14-Nov-00 15:11:40

Re: Re: Re: Re: so here I am...

which brings it all back to "if it is to be, it must begin with me." and my favorite from Ghandi.."you must become the change that you seek." I have been dragging my feet on this because of my current work, and my wifes current work. but the reality does set in that if we don't do anything, nothing will happen. thanks red...you are the man.....
--------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 14-Nov-00 23:21:55

Re: so here I am...

JUST DO IT!!!!!! I just read the book i'm excited and scared, but i am gonna follow the manual and start a business because i don't want to be Jack the barber anymore,i want to be Jack the pooper-scooper man! push past your fears,find strength from GOD have faith in yourself and start a pooper-scooper business!!!! GOOD LUCK.....
-------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 11-Nov-00 15:05:07

Starting a business

I would like to know if anyone has read Matt's book? If so, did you find it helpful in getting started?
-------------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 12-Nov-00 20:19:23

Re: Starting a business

I think EVERYONE has read Matthew's book. I read it straight through in one sitting the day I got it in the mail. Go back and read the archives while you're waiting on the book to come. It will take time, but you'll find the answers to all your questions and some you hadn't even thought of yet.
------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 14-Nov-00 17:59:41

Re: Starting a business

Absolutely mandatory reading! It's more important than a shovel to your business!

Buy it, read it, live it, love it!

Red
-------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 09-Nov-00 19:43:31

Scooper in Maine?

I've got a terrific customer who is moving to Maine and will be in dire need of a reliable scooper. Anybody out there yet?

In fact, does anyone even read this message board because I literally check it several times a day and am about to give it up altogether rather than deal with the frustration I receive numerous times per day when I find no responses and no new intelligent questions.

Quite frustrated with my peers,
Red
---------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 10-Nov-00 07:26:29

Re: Scooper in Maine?

I to am frustrated Red. I wish more people would share. I do know , however, that some messages I attempt to post, never get through. I posted a message inquiring as to whether or not there was a scooper in Palm Beach county Florida, and it never got through.
----------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 10-Nov-00 11:52:25

Re: Scooper in Maine?

Hey Red!

I'm right there with you. I've written to you and several other scoopers, and I am seeing that you guys haven't received any of my E-mails. I don't know if Matt is dropping the ball or if he's gotten more than he can handle? Hang in there......I for one really appreciate all the info and helpful hints that you've been giving, not to mention in a light and humorous way. By the way my Dad's nickname is Red. ;-)
I check out this site several times a day and like you, am disappointed with how slow the service is. Plus when I do put my input, it either takes awhile to get up on the message board or it may or may not get put up at all. Matt's a good man so I'm sure he's working on this situation. I'm in Florida so I can't help you with Maine, but if you ever have any customers relocating to South Florida, send them my way. I look forward to hearing back from you, if not on this message board then E-mail me: litangel@bellsouth.net You'll always get a response back. By the way did you receive my thoughts regarding Major Doody??

Best Wishes Always
Ric Downing ;-)
Pooches' Pickup Service
----------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 10-Nov-00 17:54:00

Re: Scooper in Maine?

Red, you are killing me here....you mean I have to have an intelligent question to post on here? I am not worthy.........
-----------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 10-Nov-00 23:02:53

Re: Scooper in Maine?

Red,
Maybe Major Doody is in Maine! There have been several inteligent answers to your's and other's questions. Perhaps you could reply to some of them (Thursday Sept. 28). I'm glad you have the time to read this message board 4 or 5 times a day. It's posible that the moderator only updates the board once a day and maybe likes to take a few days off once in a while.
You can be a real help to other scoopers just starting out with your 2.5 years of experience, but not everyone prefers to write to this board. I've had several personal calls from new start-ups who have asked lots of questions even after reading this board. My point being... that several people read these messages and are learning from them. I personally hope you don't abandon this site, but continue to be patient with your "peers" and help all you can.
By the way, where are you located? I too have customers that move all the time and I prefer to send them to a new scooper personally, otherwise I refer them to the directory and several of those scoopers are no longer in business or have not updated their information.
Thanks for your input on this board and good luck with biz!
Tim
Scoop Masters
------------------------------

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 11-Nov-00 13:58:54

Re: Re: Scooper in Maine?

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the response! Sounds like this might just be an exciting topic.

Sorry I didn't repsond to my own question from Sept. 28 - I VERY much appreciate your, Tricia, and Cindy's responses. I guess I acted selfishly in not answering it - although it's a lame excuse, I was just bothered that out of at least 250+ scoopers listed in the directory only 3 cared enough to respond to a question that would be very helpful to all of us (they just take and don't give!).

To answer some of your other questions / comments.

1. "Maybe Major Doody is in Maine!" - I'll tell you where Major Doody can go...

2. "Perhaps you could reply to some of them" - I believe over the past 3 months no one, including Matthew, has responded to more questions than me.

3. "I'm glad you have the time to read this message board 4 or 5 times a day." - I also own 2 small employment related Web sites and therefore am on the Net a lot and since this message board is such a priority to me, I make time (30 seconds per day) to check it several times per day.

4. "It's posible that the moderator only updates the board once a day and maybe likes to take a few days off once in a while." - Matthew rules! and he doesn't even make any $ from being the moderator. That being said - look for yourself at how often our fellow scoopers post / reply - it's rare. It's not the moderator I'm frustrated with (he posted my previous question within 20 minutes!) it's the users (or lack thereof).

5. "I've had several personal calls from new start-ups who have asked lots of questions even after reading this board." - DITTO, and some of them have become competitors! :)

6. "where are you located?" - Dallas / Fort Worth, TX. I understand wanting to help new scoopers grow by giving them your relocating customers - just try make sure that the customer (your #1 priority) will be taken care of both in the short term and the long. As you know, a very high percentage of newbies will quit - leaving your ex-customer knee-deep in product and cussing you in the process! :)

Tim, thanks again for all that you do and for your caring and compassionate attitude. I look forward to sharing (and bantering) with you some more in the near future! :)

Red (Matt Boswell)
Pet Butler (of Dallas)
-----------------------------