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 Seventy-Seven

Red
Let's talk about client contracts...
Tue Nov 27 19:02:13 2001


I believe most of us don't make clients sign a contract. Those that do, please share how it has gone, pros / cons, logistics, etc.

If you just make the client meet you on the first visit to sign it then I'm really not interested (no offense). I am much more interested in those who leave it for them to send / mail / give back to you. How do you do it / communicate it / enforce it etc.

Have you done it both ways and if so did you notice a significant difference in the number of delinquint accounts payable or non-pays?

I would absolutely love a copy of it as well :)
Please email me from the link on my name above.

Thanks!
-Red
-------------------------------------------
Tim
Re: Let's talk about client contracts...
Fri Nov 30 01:15:43 2001


Yes, I have used contracts since day one. No complaints yet! However, it is not a contract for lenght of service, it simply outlines our policies and procedures and gives us permission to be on their property. And a few other goodies. We send it with their first invoice. (billed on month in advance) I guess I like to be different. I'll try to send you a copy if I can figure out how. Otherwise I'll mail one to you.
Tim
--------------------------------------------------
Shanti, CT
Contracts/service agreements
Tue Dec 18 11:41:36 2001


Would greatly appreciate if you could email me a copy of the contract/service agreement. My email address is shanti@happyscoopers.com

Thanks
Shanti
Happy Scoopers
-------------------------------------------------
Red
Re: Let's talk about client contracts...
Thu Nov 29 22:48:37 2001


Hi Mike,

Sorry I use that email address so infrequently that I typed it as .com instead of .net.

Thanks for the help. I have also emailed this message to you.

See ya,
Red
------------------------------------
PET PICKUP
CONTRACTS
Tue Nov 27 22:56:58 2001


RED,
CHECK YOUR STATE LAWS, BECAUSE HERE IN MICHIGAN VERBAL AGREEMENT IS RECOGNIZED IN A COURT OF LAW, IF YOU ALREADY HAVEN'T. SECONDLY, DON'T CALL IT A "CONTRACT", BUT RATHER A "SERVICE AGREEMENT". "SERVICE AGREEMENT" IS MORE SOOTHING TO THE CONSUMER PSYCHOLOGY. WE HAVEN'T HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITHOUT A SERVICE AGREEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO "OVER BALANCED" ACCOUNTS.

SINCERELY,

KEVIN
PET PICKUP
-----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------

Dirty Joe / POO NANNY
Vinyl truck letters
Tue Nov 27 21:28:35 2001


Hey All!

Dirty Joe here, how's business this time of year? I'm fairly new to the biz, (under a year)Since this is my first Christmas scooping I'm not sure what to expect as far as dropoff. I would expect biz to be a little slow. What has your experience been. I've been doing well but always looking for the next client.

Also, I just bought my truck for the biz and not sure where the best deal on vinyl lettering can be found. Anybody had any experience with internet companies?

Any info helps.

Dirty Joe
poonannyservice@yahoo.com
----------------------------------
Tim
Re: Vinyl truck letters
Fri Nov 30 01:00:26 2001


Hey Joe,

Check out Ordway Sign & Supply in Van Nuys. They are a wholesale sign company and they can cut anything you want in vinyl. You've seen my trucks, a three color logo on each door and the tailgate, large phone numbers, large business names, etc. I just picked up a new set for my newest truck and the total cost was $170.00. It might cost a little more to have someone install them, but they are real easy to do it your self and they will show you how.

If you want magnetic signs, they can get you all the supplies to do it yourself or they can get it done for you. When I first used magnetics, the material was only $5.00 for a 1' by 2' piece and the lettering only cost a few bucks. They suggested I get a full color print sign for only $12 per foot! Decide what you need and check them out.

I wanna check your truck out when it's done.

Tim

----------------------------------------
PET PICKUP
SHOP FOR REMOVALBLE TRUCK MAGNETS W/ VINYL LETTERING...EOM
Tue Nov 27 22:42:55 2001

-----------------------------------------
Rachelle
Truck vinyl lettering
Tue Nov 27 21:44:46 2001


Dirty Joe
Check out your local advertising companies. The industry is very competitive and you should be able to come up with a good rate. Also, they can do a logo for your truck as well. I have not had experience with internet companies.

Rachelle
What's Left Behind!
-------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------

Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
inserts
Wed Nov 28 08:30:09 2001


Hi All,

Has anyone had any experience with printing flyers and using them as inserts stuffed inside newpapers for distribution?

If so, please let me know if they were effective in getting business and the cost of something like that.

Thanks!
Pat
-------------------------------------
Pooch Pal
inserts
Wed Nov 28 08:44:39 2001


Pat,

When we first started our bus, I had a job subbing on weekend morning paper routes. I took the opportunity to put inserts in papers on my route. I can't comment on cost since I didn't go the "formal" route. But your local paper can easily tell you--ours charges so much per 1000 inserts.

I think I only did 150 or 200 homes that way and we got one call from it. The person who called waited several months until she called, and she is now a weekly customer. That's a very limited experience with this sort of advertising but I wouldn't consider paying for it as I'd be spending lots of money on non-dog owners and people who throw it out without looking. Just my opinion

Judy
-------------------------------------------
Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: inserts
Wed Nov 28 10:12:22 2001


Hey Judy,

I thought about that, too ... delivering to people who don't even own a pet. I tried the dog licencse route 3 years ago and that was not effective at all. The only phone calls I got were from irate people who wanted to know how I got their address. If you take the door-to-door marketing approach distributing flyers, you take that same chance too, of reaching people who don't own animals.

Just trying to come up with the most effective way to market my business without going broke. I guess that is what everyone here is trying to do, too:)

Thanks.
Pat
--------------------------------------------
Pooch Pal
advertising
Wed Nov 28 13:08:35 2001


Pat,

We've tried lots of things and spent money that in retrospect, I'm not always sure was well spent considering the return on investment. It's always hard to measure the value of just getting your business name out there, even if it isn't the thing that prompted someone to call. We have a very catchy looking display ad that costs us, comes out in a popular, and well read by upscale people, monthly rag. We know that our business is well known because the ad stands out. In casual conversation if our bus comes up, people always say, "oh that's your business? I saw that ad!") But virtually everyone who calls us for service says they call because of the $144/month 3 line ad we run every Sat and Sun in the local paper. Almost the only calls we get from the fancy display ad are other ad salespeople. Oh and we got one "invitation" to volunteer to pick up horse s**t" for a children's parade downtown. We declined.)

The longer I have my own businesses the more I think it's just consistently keeping your name in front of people and knowing that it will build over time, time being the important factor! I think when you're in the middle of it and need the income, a year or two seems forever and that it can feel like you're not being successful. But I think it just takes years to build a solid foundation and the winners are those who can stick it out for the long haul.

Judy
------------------------------
Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: advertising
Thu Nov 29 08:20:42 2001


Hey Judy,

I agree that getting your name out there is the best way. Repetition, repetition, repetition :)

I have tried the display ads too, but unfortunately they get expensive. I'm going to try the smaller lines ads and see how effective they are.

Thnks!
Pat
-----------------------------
Anonymous
Alrighty then Pat EOM
Thu Nov 29 10:09:21 2001
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Catherine
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Wed Nov 28 12:05:54 2001


Since starting my biz late last spring, I have flicked & scooped 'it' .. I have also swooshed 'it' when mushed by the rain .. flipped 'it' when baked by the sun .. joined 'it' in a game of hide & seek in the long grass .. tolerated 'it' playing peek-a-boo amongst the leaves. Now how do I handle going undercover (that's snowcover) to expose 'it' ???? Our annual 2 days of snow have arrived. I guess I will just do my routes a day or two late but now I can appreciate what some of my fellow scoopers have to consider in making it through the winter. My hat goes off to you, your job is much tougher then mine!
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
P.E.T.S. FLOYD
press release
Wed Nov 28 20:43:31 2001


has anyone had success with them i think i have a pretty good idea and i need help getting the word out there. if anybody is interested in helping me you can e mail me and we can talk about my press release idea its an idea that could work in any town u.s.a.
thanks floyd by the way business is doing greeeeat!

--------------------------------
Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: Press release
Fri Nov 30 10:15:07 2001


Hey Floyd,
Did you receive my email with the press release attachment? Did that help you? If not, let me know and I will email again
Pat
-------------------------------------
floyd P.E.T.S.wrs
email
Tue Dec 4 23:06:46 2001


i didnt get the email lets try again pets54@hotmail.com thanks for the help floyd seres

--------------------------------
--------------------------------
Diane, Pooper Scoopers
Advertising Bench
Wed Nov 28 21:11:49 2001


Hi, I have had an advertising bench for 15 months. $45 per month. It's bright and humorous, placed in what I think of as the "heart" of our little city (population 35,000). I am a part time scooper (Saturday) and have 13 clients. Since getting the bench, every client after that has seen the bench and say they love it and chuckle everytime they pass. If they forgot the number on the bench they looked me up in the white and yellow pages. I think my bench is a great advertising tool.

Do we still have a page where photos are placed? Thanks, Di
-----------------------------------
Red
Re: Advertising Bench
Thu Nov 29 10:57:09 2001


I've had one (actually a third of one) for 2 years now. It's very visible for people leaving a popular grocery store. I was such a sucker as I paid $1,300 for 6 months! Fortunately the company that sold me must have moved on 'cuz it's still up and I haven't dropped another cent. Oh, the best part is that I haven't gotten one single solitary client from it ever - another one of my MANY marketing "failures" (a.k.a. learning experiences!).

-Red
--------------------------------------
minesweepers
marketing failures
Thu Nov 29 23:11:37 2001


you have mentioned alot of failure in marketing.would you care to share with the rest of us what really stinks and don't work

------------------------------------
dogpile patrol
benches
Thu Nov 29 08:52:28 2001


Hi, I have had an advertising bench for 15 months. $45 per month. It's bright and humorous, placed in what I think of as the "heart" of our little city (population 35,000). I am a part time scooper (Saturday) and have 13 clients. Since im wanting to getting a bench,but now pasco is trying to get rid of them, designed on and all, for a friend who what going to get the permit, for a few, shes in the sign busness. gut a hold is on it, I figuted no need to pay some one for one if i knew the ins and outs of how, and a way of creating one and displaying it with outthe middle man, she was gana even advettize her end as well. well see... they want 60 $$ for them here a month thats why i was going solo so to speek


-------------------------------------
PoopScoopKing
Hi Dianne
Thu Nov 29 07:34:32 2001


Wanted to congratulate you on having 13 clients in such a small town. You've done very well. We do have a place for pics and i hope to see your bench there.


PoopScoop King

Laura from Nimby services will tell you how to post the pic. Right Laura?
-------------------------------
NIMBY
Send your pics to...
Wed Dec 5 02:45:02 2001


Nimby Services
P.O. Box 357
Milton, WA 98354

Sorry I didn't respond sooner... I took a trip to Washington DC... It was a spur-of-the-moment type thing...
--------------------------------------
Diane
Thanks
Thu Nov 29 22:04:36 2001


Thanks Mr. PSK! Wow, Red, 1300 smackers is a lot, but hey, it's still there, huh? cool. Yes I want to put my beautiful bench on scooper pics. I have scanned it and await direction from Laura. I started scooping December 1999, so almost 2 years, small town that had never heard of it, 13 clients. yep, i agree, not bad. makes for a full Saturday.....but all I see are nuggets. That's my mascot dog's name, Nugget. Talk to yall later. Di
---------------------------------------
Dr. Poop
poop
Thu Nov 29 12:52:33 2001


Its funny, but I am proud to announce that my web site, www.hudlab.com, was named the greatest tribute to pets and their poop in the online ezine "Pickin' Up Pooples"! I am so excited I decided to let all of you know (considering I haven't frequented this message board in almost a year). Good to know you're all still out there.
The Doc
--------------------------------------
minesweepers
you missed alot eom
Thu Nov 29 23:13:20 2001

-------------------------------
Anonymous
whats the pic place location
Thu Nov 29 08:53:28 2001


have a link??
------------------------------------
PoopScoopKing
scooperspics.com
Thu Nov 29 09:31:49 2001

----------------------------
----------------------------
Ray Rucker
Gift certificates
Thu Nov 29 15:06:11 2001


Does anyone have any luck with the gift certificate idea.If so any suggestions on the wording or just any help at all.Just starting out and could use any help you can give. THANK YOU in advance for any and all help.
------------------------------
Anonymous
a template i found of web/ free is what i use
Thu Nov 29 15:39:02 2001

----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Pooch Pal
Dog Walking
Thu Nov 29 16:29:11 2001


We've gotten a couple requests for dog walking/pet sitting this week. Since winter is going to going to be slower, I'm considering selectively taking on a few. Just wondered what those of you who do that charge per visit for either walking a dog or a pet sitting visit.

Judy
-------------------------------
Pooch Pal
Thanks all! EOM
Mon Dec 3 19:21:29 2001

----------------------
Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: Dog walking
Fri Nov 30 08:19:06 2001


We charge $15.00 per hour/visit
--------------------------------
mel
petsitting
Thu Nov 29 20:43:28 2001


Judy I pet sit for 4 of my clients. I charge them $20.00 per day. Sometimes I make 1 trip but most of the times I make 2 trips. They have no problems with the price.As far as dog walking I would like to start that but there is no call yet for it but I will if they call . I would charge $15,00 per half hour. HAPPY SCOOPING MEL
------------------------------------
the bomb squad
Re: Dog Walking
Thu Nov 29 18:35:31 2001


I've just recently started pet sitting...my fee ended up at $15 per visit. This is for approximately 45-60 minutes. I haven't set a price for a daily walk but wouldn't go much less.
If you would like more details on what all I've learned recently, please call at 541-617-1900 Pacific time or email me. Pet sitting is a much different game from scooping!
~Melinda
----------------------------------------
PoopScoopKing
hi Mel
Fri Nov 30 08:56:20 2001


I'm always interested in anything related to pet sitting. Please share a little of your experience with the board.

PSK
---------------------------------
Mel
pet sitting
Fri Nov 30 15:05:44 2001


Not much to tell When talking to some of my clients they asked me and I said yes.I wasn't sure how much to charge so I said $20.00 thinking that was too much. To find out that is not enough. For some one to go to your house and feed your animal and play with them $ 20.00 is not enough. The one good thing is that they are all in my town . I do like to play with the dogs.Well that is it .HAPPY SCOOPING MEL
---------------------------------------
Jackie
petsitting
Mon Dec 3 11:13:43 2001


Hi, I use to get on this site quite ofte, but have been too busy. I started petsitting about 5 years ago part time and the last three years fulltime. It has turned into a great business for me. 20-30 minutes visits are what I do, depending on the pet. I charge $15. per visit. If I go to a home 3 times in a day, it's $45. You have travel time there each time. This Thanksgiving was the busiest holiday I've ever had. With so many people driving it was alot longer than the usual 3-4 days. I was getting up and out of the house by 5:30 and would get home around midnight. I did have acouple breaks during the day, about an hour each time.
New clients you get at the holidays will usually stay with you all the time.If anybody wants any info, feel free to contact me.
---------------------------------
Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: sitting
Tue Dec 4 06:36:33 2001


Hey Jackie,
Guess you made it through Thanksgiving okay. Better get some rest, cause Christmas is just around the corner:) The sitting is going great. I've been running some ads in the local paper for the pass 3 weeks and it has paid off. Thanks again for all your help! Have a great holiday if I don't talk to you before that:)
Pat
---------------------------------------