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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 Seventy-Nine

Pooch Pal
marketing idea
Mon Dec 3 13:52:54 2001


While grocery shopping this morning I parked next to a car occupied by a rotweiller. I placeda business card in the driver side window. It occured to me that distributing flyers in parking lots to cars with dogs would involve a lot less walking than leafleting neighborhoods. You'd be targeting dog owners although not having any idea where they lived vis a vis your established routes. Wanted to pass the idea along but also wondered if if anyone else had already tried this and if so, with what results?

By the by, we got a referral yeaterday from the directory!!
Nice to know people are finding their way there and its working for us.

Judy
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the bomb squad
i personally wouldn't
Wed Dec 5 13:09:56 2001


I don't like it if someone puts things on my car so I would not do it to others, although it is tempting sometimes. Good thing we are each free to do what we want!
~Melinda
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Red
Re: marketing idea
Tue Dec 4 00:02:13 2001


"distributing flyers in parking lots to cars with dogs would involve a lot less walking...". How many cars have dogs in them and then how many owners leave the dog in the car while shopping? 1 per 10,000? Sure putting info on cars is easier and faster but only with dogs inside? I don't think you really meant to say that.
Yes, unfortunately it is illegal / not allowed in most large parking areas such as malls (but hey, I love vigilanty / guerilla marketing so go for it!).
I'd recommend a flyer over a business card - more info and cheaper to produce.
-Red
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Pooch Pal
duh...
Tue Dec 4 12:26:16 2001


Of course you're right Red; it would be silly to just do cars with dogs. I think I was just tired! What I was really thinking about was just always having cards in my pcoket and putting them on any car that had a dog in it. Now that it's cooler out, more people have their dogs with them.

Judy
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Catherine
Re: marketing idea
Mon Dec 3 14:16:21 2001


In alot of areas it is illegal to put flyers on cars in parking lots. You know, even if your flyers land on door steps of non-dog owners ... everyone knows someone with a dog or cat and it still gets the word out that you exist. i.e The lady that takes my payment for my newspaper ads has no pets. She went to visit her sister in Calgary (diff city) on her vacation. Her sister and spouse are fighting over who will clean up the dog droppings ... she tells them there are people they can hire to do that ... the scoopers in Calgary just got another customer. (This really happened).

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Pooch Pal
parking lots and door to door
Mon Dec 3 19:20:16 2001


After I posted I had that thought that it may be illegal.
I'll have to check out my locale and find out. I agree with you Catherine that you never know where something will lead, and non-dog owners know dog owners. Where we are, the houses seem to be further apart, judging from the house per hour number I've seen other people post. (Either that or my age is really showing!)It's just so dang time consuming, the little bit of door to door we've done. I think we may focus on doing it in towns that are a bit further out where we're currently driving to get only one customer. But I still think I'll put biz cards on windshields, if only sporadically.

Judy
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: parking lots
Tue Dec 4 06:10:45 2001


Has anyone ever had experience in asking a manager at a Walmart or somewhere whether they can hand out flyers in front of their store? Would you need a permit for that?

Pat
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NIMBY
Re: RE: parking lots
Tue Dec 11 01:42:01 2001


I believe that you don't need a permit, but permission is always nice. I don't think that WalMart, or a grocery store would be places that permission would be granted, but maybe a PetSmart.. I think I will give that a try myself.. iwill get back to you all on the results..
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Anonymous
PetSmart adopt out.....waste....$ deters adoption
Tue Dec 11 07:17:26 2001


PetSmarts have adoption centers ,, i would think if people kenw they would put to gether dog + waste + $$$$$ + no adopt no buy ...no get no food bought no $$$$$
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PoopScoopKing
Re: RE: parking lots
Tue Dec 4 07:41:32 2001


Pat, you wouldn't need a permit inside a WalMart,but the odds of a manager signing off on the idea, are slim and none, and slim done left town.

PSK
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: Parking lot
Tue Dec 4 08:15:10 2001


Not "in" the store - outside their doors :)
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PoopScoopKing
Re: RE: Parking lot
Tue Dec 4 10:15:26 2001


I don't even think they'll signoff on out doors.

PSK
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Red
Re: RE: Parking lot
Tue Dec 4 19:41:24 2001


They definitely WON'T. "It's better to ask forgiveness than permission..."
-Red
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minesweepers
another one of my crazy ideas
Tue Dec 4 11:31:55 2001


how's this for an idea .if each one of us was to add one line to our bills and ads "out of state gift certificates available in most areas" or something like that.it would make your company look bigger having country wide affiliates.it may get some business from places we never thought of.(ie; distant realatives who want to give a gift but don't know what and don't want to spend alot)the scooper who fowards the customer or gift certificate it self would obviously get a small finders fee.i malso think it would be eye catching and create more credibility for our biz in general.
o.k i'm done, go ahead yell at me
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dogpilepatrol
in fla central pasco/hernano/hillbourough/pinellase countys
Tue Dec 4 14:37:26 2001


ive decided to create a flyer / voided gift certificat for all my customes for christmas gifts an start leaving them all this week and next it will of course include out of state scooping for friends and reletives for the upcomming holliday, birthdays, house warming owning friends ect. i service fla central in and around the bay area(pasco/hernano/hillsbourough/pinellaes countys)(not right spellings, not the first ) dogpilepatrol@aol.com

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Anonymous
in fla central pasco/hernano/hillbourough/pinellase countys
Tue Dec 4 14:37:03 2001


ive decided to create a flyer / voided gift certificat for all my customes for christmas gifts an start leaving them all this week and next it will of course include out of state scooping for friends and reletives for the upcomming holliday, birthdays, house warming owning friends ect. i service fla central in and around the bay area(pasco/hernano/hillsbourough/pinellaes countys)(not right spellings, not the first )
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mel
great idea
Tue Dec 4 14:17:49 2001


I could use someone in bakersfield calif. any one there. Please let me knpw email me at petpoop2001@yahoo.com till then HAPPY SCOOPING MEL
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dogpile
Re: another one of my crazy ideas
Tue Dec 4 13:19:24 2001


have alreay add a line or two to my ads and certificats for "out of state gift certificates available in many out of areas" me
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: certificates
Tue Dec 4 12:58:35 2001


I love your crazy idea . . .
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Anonymous
cool idea
Tue Dec 4 12:52:33 2001


COOL IDEA,"out of state gift certificates available in most areas" having country wide affiliates.getting business from places we never thought , distant realatives who want to give a gift but don't know what and don't want to spend alot.
eye catching and creating more credibility for our biz in general. the scooper who fowards the customer or gift certificate it self reciving a small finders fee, how would or could all this be worked out??
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minesweepers
working it out
Tue Dec 4 16:58:12 2001


i'm not really sure i guess we would all agree on a reasonable finders fee and then just keep it simple between the two involved in each transaction.good ideas are one thing making them work are quite another ,i think we need RED for this one
RED COMMENT???
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Red
How'z this...? :)
Tue Dec 4 19:34:44 2001


Hi MS and Gang,

Thanks for asking. It is a cool idea and as this industry grows so will the profit potential for these type of referrals.

The one referring is like a broker however don't use that word in front of the prospect.

1. Someone calls Scooper #1 wanting info and pricing on a gift cert for a distant relative.
2. Scooper #1 gets their basic info: name, phone, # of pets, exact location of relative, general desires like amount wanting to spend and / or time wanted to buy (ex: 6 months).
3. Scooper #1 tells the prospect that #1 will get back with them within 48 hours(?) with an answer. Then #1 looks on the Int'l Directory and posts the need on the message board.
4. Scooper #1 finds Scooper #2 (or doesn't) and gets the pricing and other applicable info from Scooper #2.
5. #1 decides whatever #1 wants to / can make on the deal and then calls the prospect back with the price that #1 has decided on.
6. If the prospect bites then the prospect will need to pay #1 who will then turn around and send the net to Scooper #2 along with contact info for the client(payer).
7. #2 contacts new client (prospect), introduces themself and arranges for the gift cert to be mailed out to the buyer or the recipient (whoever the payer wants).
* If the new client (the payer) asks Scooper #2 their pricing it doesn't matter because the money has been spent and most everyone understands brokers have to eat too.

How'z that.
-Red
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CA Mike
Re: How'z this...? :)
Wed Dec 5 01:24:02 2001


Red -
I like your idea, but why bump the price up? You and I have both talked about the cost of acquiring a new customer. Why not treat the referring scooper as a cost of acquiring a new customer and deduct it from your normal fee?

I would gladly give up 50% of the prepaid amount to the referring scooper. Even if they prepay 6 months, my cost of acquisition is in line with what I am now spending. Then if the customer continues with me, the fee to him/her wouldn't change.

We have discovered that our customers are not all that sensitive to price, but someone giving a gift has a definite budget in mind. I think that keeping the fee at the "normal" level, rather than inflating it, provides the giver with a better sense of value - and gives the referring scooper a better chance to close the sale and earn a commission.

Mike
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minesweepers
i agree
Fri Dec 7 18:21:17 2001


i would lower my price to pay for the referal

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Red
Excellent Point!
Wed Dec 5 15:47:50 2001


Good idea Mike!
Also, I use AT&T cable which gets their emails service from Excite, who just declared bankruptcy so if you emailed me in the last 5 days a copy of the contract that you use - I never got it. If you could I would love to check it out.
Thanks!!!!
-Red
The address I listed above should definitely work.

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CA Mike
O.K. it's on its way to you. EOM
Wed Dec 5 23:30:28 2001
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minesweepers
re;How'z this...? :)
Tue Dec 4 20:08:38 2001


by golly i think you got it,although i'm an idiot and had to read it 12 times to get it figured out.thats why i like this board we can figure things out and get reasonable opinions BEFORE we do thing.in the end we all win
E PLURIBIS UNUM ....HAPPY HOLIDAYS
RON/MINESWEEPERS
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Anonymous
always charge a wire fee 4 refuals-
Wed Dec 5 07:44:31 2001


or at step 5 (iff scooper #2 wishes to lower his price so be it....

5. #1 decides an amount to be added in to the sale for the work on his,(call it a wire charge – of $6 - $7.00, then calls the prospect back with the full price.

6. If the prospect bites then the prospect will need to pay #1 who will then turn around and send the money for the scooping to Scooper #2 along with contact info for the client(payer).
or
Have all checks made out to the company who will be doing the scooping, (get wire charge in cash for self) That way Scooper #2 is responsible for job competition for payment,
not scooper #1
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Anonymous
Re: re;How'z this...? :)
Wed Dec 5 00:21:35 2001


how is this for an extention of your idea, Give "1 month free/or half off coupons" to real estate agents that sell homes to buyers with dogs! Print 20 or so per agent with their name on them. Let them tell their client that they prepaid for the service. I think that this is a great idea because the agent will want to give them away for you because it looks like he his paying for something he is not. Also, in the first month of owning a new home, the last thing that people want to do is pick up dog poo! Once they see how valuable you are in the first month, it will be hard not to sign you up. Just kick around some ideas, let me know what you think!
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minesweepers
kicking it around
Wed Dec 5 12:10:25 2001


i already sent letters to realtors iom my area (no response,not that i expected one)i like the gift idea.i also have gift certificates that i bought from adams business forms.(not very pricey and easy to set up in word) staples has them.anyway i was planning to give them to pet stores to do what the wanted as a coupon or in some cases to anyone who buys a new puppie. i was also going to do the same with the locale shelters.i just don't need fifteen years worth of free service floating around then showing up at once
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A. Dover
Looking for info..Starting a business
Tue Dec 4 19:22:20 2001


I am interested in starting a business in North Carolina. Does anyone have any suggestions for waste disposal in this area?
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Red
A couple cool national exposure happenings of late...
Wed Dec 5 19:06:32 2001


These aren't anything huge but every little bit helps...

My pastor, Jack Graham (of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano TX - 20,000 members) mentioned my business several times in a sermon that was broadcast to probably 100 or more Christian stations across the country. I even got a call from a guy in NYC. Unfortunately he did own a pet - ?

I was just informed that Zig Ziglar (also a church member and rare acquaintence) spoke in detail about my service. No telling how many times Zig has mentioned it since he literally gives the same speach hundreds of times. The coolest part is that it was also included on his weekly (or monthly - not sure) tape that he sends out to over 10,000 movers and shakers.

In both of these cases had I known that I would be mentioned I would have asked that they include mention of the Int'l Directory but regardless, it's good to get more folks aware of the industry. If they look hard enough, they'll find us.

Scoop on,
-Red
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Diane, Pooper Scoopers
WOW! THAT'S GREAT-THANKS! EOM
Thu Dec 6 21:30:08 2001
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CA Mike
Congratulations!
Wed Dec 5 23:26:44 2001


Hi, Red - Sounds like these were two good P.R. coups! I hope they result in some new business for you.

Mike
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Rachelle
Excellent Red!
Wed Dec 5 21:07:55 2001


That is great news Red. I hope you get many new clients from it. It is also good to know there are other Christian scoopers out there!

Take Care
Rachelle- What's Left Behind!
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Pooch Pal
great news!!
Wed Dec 5 20:12:11 2001


Those are fabulous news flashes Red! You're right that increasing awareness of the industry is valuable even without direct reference to company names or even the directory. Zig Zigar is no small potatoes. He could speak to thousands upon thousands and usually his audiences are filled with folks who also speak to lots of people. Way to go, and thanks!

Judy
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