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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 Sixty-Seven
Yucko Debbie
Why wouldn't you offer your customers
Thu Oct 25 01:58:23 2001
Why wouldn't you offer your potential new customers and your clients now other services other than weekly or every other week service
Some clients feel when its winter time they think they don't need the service but telling them you can do it monthly to least keep it pick up, instead of having that mess after the spring thaw.
This way it keeps a customer instead of losing one and some customers feel monthly is enough for them.
So its up to them and they know there is other options that they can flip flop with the season. Cutomized to fit their needs.
I have clients that call just for when they go out of town because they pick up themselves, or the ones that call once a year for spring clean up or just for parties
Sometimes people do not understand, how many of you have gotten calls asking if your a pet store?
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pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: Why
Thu Oct 25 06:45:38 2001
Hey Debbie,
It's been a long time since I've talked to you. I offer my clients any type of service they desire. I have monthly service, but no one seems to want it. I also have one-time service, like you, for people who clean up for one-time deals, parties, etc.
If I have a client who wants a peculiar type of service and I don't do it or have it, I will, by the time I get off the phone with them. That is why Tidy Pets is "Unlimited".
Pat
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Jim DOO-TY CALLS
Why wouldn't you offer your customers
Thu Oct 25 06:43:16 2001
I was asked once. "What do you do with the dead animals after you pick them up"
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Red
Re: Why wouldn't you offer your customers
Thu Oct 25 10:08:05 2001
I bet I've gotten at least 10 calls from people informing me of a dead animal somewhere who expect me to immediately come clean it up and take it away for free. "Dog (Pet) Waste Removal Service"!
-Red
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Catherine
dead animals
Thu Oct 25 15:10:32 2001
Other then the "for free" part, do you pick up those dead animals?
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Red
Re: dead animals
Thu Oct 25 20:09:06 2001
Sure, but no one has ever been willing to pay for it.
-Red
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PoopScoopKing
Flat Rate cont.
Thu Oct 25 09:03:53 2001
I primarily mentioned the flat rate for the benefit of tthose in harsh winter environments. I'll bill the monthly fflat rate irrespective of how many times I make it out. IIt's in effect for DEC, Jan, and Feb. The rate is pretty much what their full bill would normally be. Example,
Weekly customer @ $11.00 per visit. When I charged by the visit, they normally receive a bill for $44.00. My flat rate is $40.00. So, they actually save a few dollars. My flate rate for two dogs is $50, and for 3 or more is $55. Everyone actually pays less, except the every other week customers. Every other week customers pay the same flat rate. I offer winter suspension for those that elect that option. If they suspend service for winter,I'll bill them in advance in early February for their spring clean. Around $60 for that.
Winter screws everything up in Mich. I fall way behind on my customers because of the elements. If I get to each customer once or twice each month, (and work my rearend off doing so)and keep their yard semi -caught up, so that it's ready for the Spring, I feel satisified. I think others in Mich use what is in effect, a flat rate, but it's not. They tend to charge for visits that do not occur, and thus occasionally alienate their clientelle. One way or the other, you have to protect your financial interests in the winter. Believe me, winter is when you will work the hardest and will be in the greatest demand. You will get a lot of new clients and a lot of one time cleans, while still trying to keep your normal clients happy. The days are shorter and the work very time consuming.
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PETPICKUP
EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER, ESPECIALLY AFTER 10 YEARS+
Thu Oct 25 13:51:10 2001
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Pooch Pal
Flat Rate
Thu Oct 25 10:20:30 2001
Thanks Laura and Gene for the elaboration. I was concerned about customers feeling that they may be paying for service they weren't getting. In Seattle I suspect, that rarely happens becasue the weather is milder. But here in Mich, we're likely not able to scoop many days and then will have a hard time making it up with shorter days, longer driving times, etc, especially if you have big numbers of customers.
But it makes sense that you're going to be doing as much work even if in fewer visits. It sounds like, your customers don't feel they're being cheated if you don't make it out one week--that would be my concern
Judy
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NIMBY
Winter pricing
Thu Oct 25 20:19:16 2001
Hi Judy,
I just wanted to let you know that my major competition raises his prices in the winter time due to the shorter days, and he says that he has bigger disposal fees due to the "wettness". He also charges a monthly rate, so he makes a bigger profit, or has less clientel in the winter...
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PoopScoopKing
Re: Flat Rate
Thu Oct 25 14:38:54 2001
I don't see anyway around this type of winter pricing.
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pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: flat rate
Fri Oct 26 06:49:54 2001
I've been reading these posts about flat rate and still don't understand how you expect your client to pay for a service they may not get for a while because of weather conditions during the winter. I live in Ohio and it really hasn't been that terrible. I might miss one week of service here or there, but then I'm back on schedule again soon. I hate to lose the money too, but I am sure my clients don't want to pay either for something they don't get.
Make me understand how this is beneficial to "everyone" involved, please. I would definitely make out and not them.
pat
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PoopScoop King
More from the King
Thu Oct 25 09:09:30 2001
Laura at Nimby Services charges a flat rate all the time and ultimately, I would love to go that route also. Michigan scoopers should not be held responsible for the weather. When we miss due to weather,the waste remains and we will have to pick it up. PoopScoop King is fanatically committed to keeping our customers yards clean, but Mother Nature is not always a willing partner is this effort.
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Mark
Re: More from the King
Sat Oct 27 20:10:36 2001
Seems fair to charge the entire amount if you do go in the snow and collect what you can find.
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PETPICKUP
FROM: EMPEROR OF DOG WASTE REMOVAL
Thu Oct 25 14:03:58 2001
We subtract $2.00/visit due to weather:
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minesweepers
insurance
Thu Oct 25 14:46:21 2001
what is our insurance called.liability for what?. we don't really do a whole hell of alot.also is there a group rate discount thing that several businesses could do to get cheaper rates.since our biz is so odd allstate told me they have no market for it(suprise!!!).
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nimby
liability insurance
Thu Oct 25 20:09:51 2001
Well, what could one be liable for in this business?
1. Dog getting out of a gate that wasn't fully latched after service. (if the animal gets hit by a car, and such, vet bills are very high!)
2. Stepping on someone's $15,000. Azeala bush that was imported from Timbuktu.
3. Breaking a lawn ornament by bearly tapping it with your tools while trying to get the stools next to it.
These are just a few of the reasons I had heard of. I personally have never had a problem (crossing my fingers) but I am insured none the less.
But now that you mentioned it, and as we chatted last night, we really should form an association of pooper scoopers so that insurance can be more affordable.
I will look into how this can be done... give ma a month or so and I will get back to the board with it...Nimby
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Pooch Pal
insurance
Fri Oct 26 09:32:08 2001
Laura,
For now, scoopers can get good coverage through either of the two pet sitters orgs. It covers us for all the "exposures" (insurance talk!) that we face, and it's pretty reasonable. Also, they would probably be a good resource for learning how to set up an organization. I bet the insurance company that insures them would be agood pet to carry us since they already are familiar with the pet services industry. I'm pretty swamped for the next few weeks but after that I'd be glad to help with this.
Judy
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Kim
re: insurance
Fri Oct 26 21:58:30 2001
I would be glad to have the names and/or numbers of the insurance carriers too, even your specific brokers. I cannot seem to find anyone who can create a policy for me, and if they can, it will cost an arm and a leg. I'm growing very frustrated because I'm set to go except for this insurance stuff. I really don't want to start without it. Thanks all!
Kim
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nimby
Re: insurance
Fri Oct 26 21:33:40 2001
Thanks Judy, I would love to get the phone number for the insurance carrier. I am working on this so that we can have something together by the time we have the Convention....I hear January is good for most people... So I have to act fast. Thank you for your help...Laura
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