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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 Eighty-Seven

Doggie Dung Detail
New with questions
Thu Dec 27 08:07:11 2001


Hi, I am just starting in Birmingham,Alabama and I have not yet had my first client and dont think that anyone else is doing this service in my area, should I be afraid to start advertising and let someone else who hasnt bought the book or doesn't know how to think for themselve discover that their is a different service for them to start or should I just go at it full steam and don't worry about friendly competition.

p.s.
If their is someone else doing this service in my area I would like to know? Not to step on any toes because their is more that enough dung to dooo.
Thanks for all of your advice and tips email me if you have any others.
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Red
Re: New with questions
Thu Dec 27 09:36:29 2001


Hi & welcome DDD!

How else would you get customers if you don't advertise? I'm stumped.

-Red

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Doggie Dung Detail
re
Thu Dec 27 12:33:33 2001


I was thinking more on just flyers and business cards instead of news paper articles.
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CA Mike
Re: re
Thu Dec 27 23:38:13 2001


Buy as much advertising as you can afford. Let your competition know you are out there.
Mike
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minesweepers
hit em from all sides
Thu Dec 27 18:40:03 2001
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minesweepers
Does size really matter ????
Thu Dec 27 19:40:52 2001


okay sicko's,I know what you were thinking.I'm talking about litter pans.(again)I found pans that are 16 x 10 1/2 x 7.the height and width are okay i think but is 7" too deep for a litter pan
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Pete
Re: Does size really matter ????
Fri Dec 28 07:50:06 2001


My initial response was that 7" was too deep, but I have some 5.5" pans that the cats used with no problem.

The real question is, will the cat use it? If so, tell the owner that you use them to reduce litter being kicked out.
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
frozen disinfectant
Thu Dec 27 20:40:26 2001


My disinfectant keeps freezing up in the bottle and I can't spray it. Anyone else have this problem and how did you solve it?

Hope you all had a great Christmas and Happy New Years to everyone :)

Pat
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Mark
Antifreeze
Sat Dec 29 15:11:07 2001


One time, I put automotive antifreeze in my 2 gallon pressure sprayer. (Then it didn't get cold).

If I could find some dog-safe antifreeze at a cheap price, I would use it. Until then, I put the sprayer in the garage at night and if the wand freezes during the day, I stick it up the exhaust pipe for a few minutes.

Note, the solution in the pressure sprayer freezes at a lower temp than w/o pressure. It seems to be good to about 25 degrees. The wand still freezes at 32.
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John
Re: Antifreeze
Sun Dec 30 08:36:16 2001


Antifreeze is a class hazardous waste. >not good<
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MINESWEEPERS
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Sun Dec 30 10:33:25 2001


SO IS DOG POOP IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
Re: Antifreeze
Sat Dec 29 19:48:49 2001


Mark,
Thanks for the response. I'd be afraid to try the antifreeze. I heard alcohol might work. Ever hear of that?
Pat
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Doggie Maid--Shari
frozen disinfectant
Fri Dec 28 00:20:30 2001


I keep my spray bottle in my truck cab and it does not freeze. Shari
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Pat -Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE:frozen
Fri Dec 28 21:10:54 2001


Shari,
I also had my bottle inside my truck cab and as soon as I took it out to spray, it froze up wih ice chips inside it.
Pat
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pets wrs.
frozen disinfectant
Fri Dec 28 15:19:42 2001


what does frozen mean? i live in so. cal. and i have not herd that term befor can somone please explain. lol im sure the payback gods are going to get me for poking fun:-))
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Mel
I have the same problem
Sat Dec 29 09:51:10 2001


I know what you mean.Went out yesterday and it was solid ice . I guess that we have to keep it in the cab of our trucks. I don t like that because I keep my truck lock at all times. But what you going to do. Happy Scooping Mel
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Doggie Maid
Dumpster
Fri Dec 28 00:27:44 2001


Got real lucky today at a one time cleanup job. The lady runs a dog daycare--3-5 dogs. The holidays had her busy and she was unable to pick up her piles. She talked about calling me up periodically to do occasional cleanup. Then I saw the dumpster...she uses very little of it and she was delighted to let me use it in exchange for cleanup and she would also post my flyer/cards. Saves me the cost and the hassle of having the waste company come to my home--I will not have to worry about any neighbors complaining either. LOVE IT!!
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Pete
Re: Dumpster
Fri Dec 28 07:46:34 2001


That's a pretty good deal!
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Doggie Dung Detail
service agreements
Fri Dec 28 09:33:07 2001


I have my first client today, could someone please email me a basic service agreement so that I can start on the right foot, or fax it to me at (205)780-9730.

Thanks for all the help
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Shanti, CT
service agreement
Fri Dec 28 13:04:20 2001


I could use a copy of the agreement and my fax #203 929 1432. Thanks a lot.

Shanti
Happy Scoopers
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pets wrs floyd
service agreements
Fri Dec 28 15:13:50 2001


I don't use them - if they dont pay they dont get picked up- my customers seem to like the flexability and convienance of no contracts and it allows you to build a a good solid relationship with your customers which in turn will give you a good name in the community - for example with a contract you assume that if they dont pay ,you will try and get the monies through court or a collection agency bad idea - im not going to court to recover anything under id say $250.00 and im not going to pay the collection agency the 75% thay want so in conclusion if they dont pay put a hold on that account and comunicate w/ them that if they dont pay, you can no longer service the account hope that helps-- get to know your customers communicate with them and you should have few problems happy new year floyd seres -pets wrs.-
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Red
Re: service agreements
Fri Dec 28 22:47:23 2001


"with a contract you assume that if they dont pay ,you will try and get the monies through court or a collection agency" - And this is a bad thing? Whether you actually follow through with this assumption isn't the point - I WANT all my clients to not just assume or think but rather I want them to KNOW that I am going to do all that and more if not paid.

I do all that you suggest but many don't care - they'll milk me for all the free scooping they can get but unfortunately for them there is no such thing - in the nicest way I can say it: They'll pay one way or another... Also, a collection agency as a last resort is better than nothing.

-Red
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Bert
Re: service agreements
Fri Dec 28 21:45:59 2001


I am lost why is going to court for nonpayment a bad idea??
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pets
time vs. $ eom.
Sun Dec 30 20:21:49 2001
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minesweepers
yeah right!!!
Fri Dec 28 21:10:20 2001


your right a good healthy relationship with your customers always helps......then again tigers eat their young !!!!

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Catherine
Re: yeah right!!!
Tue Jan 1 00:18:07 2002


I had a good relationship with a particular customer but now she's real ticked with her boyfriend, moving out on him and wants HIM to pay the bill ... so much for me! I am thinking small claims court for her. I don't know yet what's involved with that but I'm going to look into it. Maybe it's just the principle of the the thing that gets me.
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minesweepers
re:principle of the matter
Tue Jan 1 22:04:53 2002


thats what would bother me.i had a very nice older lady who i would speak with every week i cleaned her yard.her dog would even wait by the gate for me each week.she was one of those people who when the bill was a little late you would feel okay because she was so nice and we always talked.who knew how much older she really was and who knew she had not paid anyone including her mortgage for over a year!!!anyway she was put in a home and her house was sold.i finally settled with her lawyer(why he paid me even half i still have no idea (lawyers are not exactly known for things like that) but what really got me was when i would pass the house looking for signs of life before i collected usually on the regular day she would have had service ,the damn dog was sitting there waiting looking so sad that i had to stop and say hello anyway because the neighbor was taking care of the dog while the lady was in the "hospital"
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Red
Another Aquisition
Sat Dec 29 01:15:08 2001


Not a big deal but a friendly competitor of mine is moving out of the area and just sold me his all of his clientele. Before all the high-fives I should tell you he had a whopping 3 weekly customers with 2 dogs or less. Hey, I'm not complaining!

Since I know you'll all ask: I paid him $25 each for them.

The facts are facts and one of them is that most of the people reading this board will fail in the scooping business. When that happens or perhaps you move as is his case, I hope you'll be smart and caring enough to contact your local competitors about a buy-out. It's a win-win-win.

Scoop on,
-Red
PS: I'm still praying for a NIMBY-type deal where I can aquire a huge number of clients - I promise if you grant this one wish I'll never ask for anything again, honest!
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: Acquisition
Sun Dec 30 08:50:40 2001


Hey Red,

Congratulations!! Those 3 clients will make big money for you in the long run. Consider yourself blessed :)

You are very right about the competitors who have to fold up business to use the "buy-out" method. Helps out everyone involved. I sure wish my competition would call me if they ever decide to give up the business. I would definitely consider the buy-out method. (That's a HINT competitors - ha!!)

Pat
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minesweepers
re;failure
Sat Dec 29 22:44:12 2001


thanks for the vote of confidence,just when i got my head out of the oven too!!!
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NIMBY
Re: Another Aquisition
Sat Dec 29 01:23:23 2001


Hey Red! HIGH FIVE on your three new clients... one ad that nets just 1 new client costs more than that! I will Pay 475.00 to anyone who brings me 3 new ones! Ok, so it was a bunch, but hey I would definatly take um! Laura

p.s. I am so very lucky to have run across such a sweet deal. I count my lucky stars.
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yucko debbie
Nimby where the shirt....eom ha ha
Sat Dec 29 22:14:43 2001

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NIMBY
I am using it as a hostage..hoping to get you to Vegas! read
Tue Jan 1 19:31:46 2002


please email your address to me again... so much happening lately! I would lose my big toe if it were possible! I have accepted proposal from my longtime boyfriend on December 30th. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Proposal, New Year's! It has got to slow down! Now what...Vegas, engagment party, wedding, honeymoon...does it ever stop??? Well, I am so excited, I don't know where to begin... your address again would be a good start.. however, I would love to give it to you personally in Vegas.... how are you doing? Is it possible for you to attend...have they passed? I hope all is well... laura
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Red
Re: I am using it as a hostage..hoping to get you to Vegas!
Tue Jan 1 22:44:21 2002


Laura,

Ya'll have GOT to take some pics in Vegas and post 'em on Scooperspics!!!

I realize it's a little early but if you could really try to decide on a date and place for the bigger convention this summer that would be great. IT's actually not too early to get these things nailed down - especially for those of us long range planners. Hope you'll still be able to do it seeing as now your ENGAGED and all - YEAAAAAA!!! Congrats to the max! He's a lucky guy!

-Red
PS: Still wishing I could be there in Vegas!!! :(
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NIMBY
Thanks Red! ...read on!
Tue Jan 1 23:19:57 2002


I wish you could be there too! I was thinking that I will try to see some of the differant facilities while in Vegas to find out where a bigger summer convention can be held. This one is the little one, getting organized is all... summer I hope to have 30-40 scoopers there... and I think that I am thinking big! more might be able to show up in summer but many are still small enough that just wouldn't be able to go... here's to hoping!
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yucko debbie
convention any speaker phones
Sat Dec 29 22:17:36 2001


so when your in vegas at this meeting, any way I can listen in ....
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Magna
best rocks to use
Sat Dec 29 23:08:56 2001


Just wondering if pea stones (pebbles) are the best for a dog run?
Are these the easiest to clean? If so, where would I recommend a customer to purchase this? Home Depot?
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Pooch Pal
Pea Gravel purchase
Mon Dec 31 15:41:06 2001


Look under stone or gravel in the yellow pages.

Judy
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Mel
rocks
Sun Dec 30 21:17:34 2001


I have set up 2 dog runs pea gravel I don't mind it. You can use a rake with pea gravel unlike river rocks that my friend you use your hands all the time .Once you clean up the yard it will be alot easyier to take care of.
So you scoop a few peas no biggie
Happy Scooping MEL
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Red
The SMALLER the better! eom
Sun Dec 30 12:13:59 2001


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magna
pea gravel
Sun Dec 30 09:14:55 2001


hey
f not pea gravel then what is better?
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: pea gravel
Sun Dec 30 09:00:15 2001


Hi,

I HATE pea gravel!!!! I have a client who has 2 dogs. He let them poop under his second-story porch for over a year without cleaning up the mess. Then he calls me. I had to get down on my hands and knees and pick EACH turd out individually with my sterile gloves because of the pea gravel that was down. If I would of used my stovel/rake, I would of had a lobby pan full of gravel. It was a nightmare!!! My vote . . . forget the pea gravel :)

Pat
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MINESWEEPERS
I AGREE
Sun Dec 30 10:29:28 2001


I REALLY AM NOT TO FOND OF PEA GRAVEL.I HAVE GOTTEN BETTER AS FAR AS NOT TAKING TO MUCH OF IT BUT IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO SEE THE INTENDED VICTIMS FOR SCOOPING
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PoopScoopKing.com
Re: best rocks to use
Sun Dec 30 06:42:55 2001


I definitely would recommend the pea gravel, it's very easy to keep clean and to remove the waste from. I'm not sure where the best place to purchase it is. Anyone else?

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MINESWEEPERS
MASON YARDS SELL IT BY THE YARD
Sun Dec 30 10:30:06 2001

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PoopScoopKing.com
How Many Years Til 100k
Sun Dec 30 06:40:56 2001


There are only a handful of scooping companies that do more than 100 k annually, and even fewer that participae on our board. Nonetheless, I ask, how many years did it take from the start of your business until you had your first year with a 100 k in sales?
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Pete
A note of encouragement
Thu Jan 3 07:49:23 2002


I won't say how much or how long, but I grossed well over $100K four years ago (the business was 10 years old) and have increased the gross by about 40% since.

Starting is tough. After that it's all about small improvements and not getting too greedy.

BTW, my ad budget is under $12K a year
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Red
Re: How Many Years Til 100k
Tue Jan 1 13:39:05 2002


Boy PSK, that is a more complicated question than it would initially seem. "do" I guess means gross and not net. I piddled around with this business for the first year and a half to 2 years before getting very serious and committed so I'm not sure if it took me 1 year or 2 and a half. A better question is how much MONEY INVESTED IN MARKETING did it take you to get to that magic 6 figures?

-Red
PS: I'll let you know how long and how much it takes to get to 7 figures... :) !!!
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Red
Re: How Many Years Til 100k
Tue Jan 1 13:42:58 2002


To answer my own question - I very wisely and carefully invested about $32,000 in marketing my first serious year (Most of which was on credit!). My second full serious year is more like $45,000.
-Red
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minesweepers
HOLY CR&P,HOW MUCH!!!
Tue Jan 1 20:29:35 2002
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Red
INVESTMENT - the more IN - the more OUT! $$$ eom
Tue Jan 1 22:37:46 2002

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Yucko
Poop Scoop King
Mon Dec 31 21:59:10 2001


Well have you reach that mark yet and how long did it take?

I think everyone kinda grows at the same rate, from one s I talk with that were in their first and second year seem to be following the trend
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Anonymous
how many years did it take for you
Mon Dec 31 02:03:10 2001


how many years did it take for you
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MINESWEEPERS
RE 100K ,HOW MANY
Sun Dec 30 10:31:25 2001


HOW MANY CUSTOMERS WOULD ADD UP TO 100K(ABOUT)

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PoopScoopKing.com
Re: RE 100K ,HOW MANY
Mon Dec 31 05:54:58 2001


Someone asked how many customers it takes to get to 100 k annually and it depends on how much you charge and so forth. In general, you'd need about 200 customers.
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minesweepers
RE;100K
Sun Dec 30 10:26:56 2001


I 'LL TELL YOU THAT I HIT THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS,ONLY BECAUSE BY THE TIME I HIT 100K IT WILL BE WORTH JUST AS MUCH AS THREE HUNDRED IS NOW!!!!!!
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Pat - TidyPets Unlimited
guess I won' be reponding to this question . . .EOM
Sun Dec 30 09:02:15 2001
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minesweepers
scooperpics/nimby
Sun Dec 30 21:16:05 2001


i tried to send my pic back to you but it keeps telling me your box is full.do you have another address?
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NIMBY
Re: scooperpics/nimby
Tue Jan 1 17:19:40 2002


As I emailed you today, I guess this response is redundant... but I have recieved your pic MANY times.. I will see when my webmaster can post it...Laura
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Anonymous
pic location again?? link please
Mon Dec 31 11:15:44 2001

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Anonymous
www.scooperspics.com
Wed Jan 2 00:23:56 2002

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PoopScoopKing.com
rocks and surfaces
Mon Dec 31 07:35:08 2001


I don't know what you guys are doing wrong, but I love pea gravel. I have one customer in particular, she's been twice weekly for over two years and she has pea gravel. Man, I'm in and out of her yard in 4 minutes. I might take a few stones with me, but there's tons of em and they are not missed.
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CA Mike
Me, too, and...
Tue Jan 1 17:04:43 2002


when the gravel starts to get low, I call my customers and tell them that is is time for me to freshen it up. I charge $20 plus the cost of the gravel. I pick up 4 or 5 bags when I'm near Home Depot and spread it around on the next trip to the house. Customers love it.
Mike
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Red
Amen! eom
Mon Dec 31 11:59:40 2001
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