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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.
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Page Eighty-Eight
dogpile patrol
magnetic poop pile on roof of truck !!
Mon Dec 31 11:10:34 2001
came up with a brain storm. i just finish my magnetic pile of poop for the top of my vehicle i created it out of the foam you spray to fill in gaps around pluming pips and gaps around stuff , i used a roundish piece of metal scree n,and a magnet (like on our business magnets) with glue(hard as nails)on the top side of the magnet so it would sure to stick when dried and not pop lose , got a couple cans of the foam stuff and started out by spraying in around the edges. unevenly sorta like a soft ice cream but more like dog poop, with breaks in it(el-natural) its about nine- 12 inches wide and about the same in hight, painted it in shades of brown, sealed it with lots of apoxy/sealent. Its light weight and hasn't flew off as of yet. My husband though i was wacked when i came up with the idea but thinks it looks great now that im done!!! hey every one needs a gimmick!! and talk about the looks (hehehe)
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Scoopy
Re: magnetic poop pile on roof of truck !!
Tue Jan 8 21:15:44 2002
I have thought of the same thing, but did not find the material for it. What a great concept. I know I get alot of looks and comment about my signs, but this would just be the topping:} to it all. Have lots of fun. You don't mind if I get mine done do ya!!
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floyd pets wrs.
mag poop
Wed Jan 2 16:25:35 2002
now all you have to do is get some 18 inch springs 3-4 should do the trick and stick them in the pile and attatch little black fly type things you know like flys flying around the poop i also thought of this but did not act on it good job and good lock
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dogpile patrol
Re: mag poop
Thu Jan 3 19:11:32 2002
got some 18 inch springs 3 stuck them in the pile and attatched little black flys to the ends, put some directly on the pile too. looks cool going down the road
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Red
Re: magnetic poop pile on roof of truck !!
Mon Dec 31 11:59:01 2001
Oh my...
Wow, I've laughingly thought of dooing(!) something like that but never had the guts (or insanity) to carry it out!
Doo(!) you think it will turn anyone off or scare them away?
-Red
PS: You GOTTA send NIMBY a picture for Scooperspics.com!!!
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dogpile patrol
turn anyone off or scare off customes...
Mon Dec 31 13:51:15 2001
have been toying with the idea of adding a cap, safari hat to it, sealed of course, like whats on my lady in my logo, make it look a bit commical. just not sure as of yet
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mel
love it
Mon Dec 31 16:53:18 2001
i was thinking about it hubby said i was crasy glad not to be alone happy scooping mel
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minesweepers
pick up set up
Mon Dec 31 13:10:11 2001
how do most of you hold down your "cargo"in the bed.i dont want to put to many holes in my bedliner.any ideas .I',m charging the drill now and i just got a new circular saw for x-mas.so before i build a new house on the back i figured i would check
merry new year
ron/minesweepers
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MEL
HAPPY NEW YEAR EOM
Mon Dec 31 16:59:03 2001
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Catherine
Welcome 2002!
Tue Jan 1 00:05:20 2002
Hi all and HAPPY NEW YEAR'S. My computer has been getting a labotomy in the shop,so I have been away from this board. Just now on a friend's computer ... so HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!! Be chatting again soon I hope. Catherine
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Yucko Debbie
Happy New Year
Mon Dec 31 21:55:59 2001
Happy New Year to everyone. To all good health, happiness in whatever you pursue.
And how many will write 2001 instead of 2002...
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone take Care
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yucko debbie
what an collection agency told me
Tue Jan 1 10:24:14 2002
You need to have on your receipts, bills, or contract, what ever you use:
A service charge of 1 1/2% per month, 18% APR, will be added to all overdue accounts. Also liable for all legal and collection fee.
This way you are covered and they also can do thier work in collection interset and legal fees.
meet with an collection agency and see what they have to offer and what they tell you is legal doesn't mean you have to go with that particular company but you will know what goes on if you go after any in court yourself or hire an angency
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PoopScoopKing.com
Re: what an collection agency told me
Tue Jan 1 11:43:52 2002
Is 2%, 24%APR okay too?
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Yuckos
Is that what
Tue Jan 1 12:23:42 2002
is that what they told you for your state,
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Scoop
New Years Parade
Tue Jan 1 12:46:38 2002
I was watching the New Years Day Parade on CBS. About 11:30 CST some horses went by and a big roar from the crowd went up. The announcer claimed that the roar was for the Pooper Scoopers following the horses.
Who was it?
Share with us and congragulations.
Scoop
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Doggie Maid--Shari
Frozen spray bottle
Tue Jan 1 14:36:26 2002
For those of you who use a 32 OZ spray bottle for your disinfectant and find it freezing up, even in you truck cab: Temps have been in the single digits here and I used a contraption designed to keep a bottle of wine cool. It is called the Wine Duffel--basically 1 inch foam in a cloth drawstring bag. The opening for a wine bottle is the same size as a spray bottle and I have had no problems with freezing as long as I keep it in cab. Shari
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CA Mike
Raking leaves,...
Tue Jan 1 16:59:03 2002
...mowing the lawn and cleaning the pool in shorts and a T-shirt on January 1. 2002. Life is great.
May you be blessed with increased spirituality, a loving family, good health and, of course, a strong scooping business this year.
Mike
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minesweepers
thanks,but i'm freezing to death over here eom
Tue Jan 1 20:26:14 2002
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embarrassed husband's- wife
took the poop mobile to super walmart
Tue Jan 1 19:25:41 2002
who else has had this experence and how did they handle it...need some kind words...or not! Get this... left husband in poop mobile at Walmart- while i was getting college supplies with daughter, some old folk, and middle age folks in droves kept passing by the poop mobile, commenting as they read the signs and window "can that be real, or is a joke ... look its on the doors too!" "look the poop scoopers even sitting in side" my husband, and he tells me the dog too, and in to the seat, after the first few crowds stop to read aloud and comment, he said he had commented back yea,, "its a real business, my wife's". but a few more groups came down the aisle and his face began to turn red, by the time i got back he was steaming. i told him he should of passed out some of my cards in the glove box, he said he would never, ever ride in it again no matter the reason! said my business is an embarrassment to the family, and why did i pick it, i told him its a gold mine ive only begun to tap, he's calmer now, but the funny thing is "i dint feel bad, i like the attention, am i wrong.
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MEL
Re: took the poop mobile to super walmart
Wed Jan 2 12:52:00 2002
I TELL PEOPLE WHO LAUGH THAT I LAUGH WHEN I GO TO THE BAMK TOO ..HAPPY SCOOPING MEL THAN I HAND THEM MY BIZ CARDS
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HUSBANDS WIFE
LEFT OUT THE MOST FUNNYIST PART
Tue Jan 1 21:27:09 2002
messed up the part in the post that was WAS to say _"my husband, and he tells me the dog too sank low in to the seat, dog so low they both got a good look at the under dash," after the first few crowds stop to read aloud and comment,...."-
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minesweepers
damn thats funny
Tue Jan 1 20:25:18 2002
i love the shock value of things like that,nothing better than watching onlookers try to figure out what it's all about.your husband on the other hand may not find the humor so easily.the exposure value alone is well worth a little embarrasment.. good luck and happy new year
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mel
husband will kids won't eom
Tue Jan 1 19:59:57 2002
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Ms. Poop-Scooper
embarassed husband &wife (s)
Tue Jan 1 19:43:20 2002
When i have this happen to me i just hand out the cards, and laugh with them. I have also seen people talking about my car and the advertising when they realize i know they get quiet. I then walk over and just start talking to them. I tell them to tell others what they saw, laugh because people will make us scoopers topic of conversation and they will remember us. My six year old son in the beginning got embarrassed now he is my best sales person. I ask lookers if they have pets whatever the answer i give 3 or 4 cards and ask them to give the cards to someone they know who might have a dog and could use the service. Gwen
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NIMBY
Re: took the poop mobile to super walmart
Tue Jan 1 19:38:44 2002
When you are "Big Time" I am sure he won't feel this way! My boyfriend.. oh now fiance...wasn't real keen on the idea, though he has always been very supportive... has now stated that when I have too many clients to handle on my own, he will help me scoop...QUIT his ELECTRICIAN's job to scoop poop! If you can tap the market, he will change his mind. How long have you been scooping?
oh, my two boys, 14 and 11 were embarrassed to drive with me when this first started... but now they too want to work for me when they are old enough to drive. (they have helped me when on vacation from school & they like the work!)
Hang in there.. in time, he will come around.
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Anonymous
A HOPEFUL WISH
Tue Jan 1 23:16:56 2002
"'Twas the night before Christmas, in the Mills of Missouri"
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the mills,
not a puppy was stirring, it was strangely quite still.
While back at the pole, Santa readied the sleigh,
to pick up these mill dogs, it was such a long way!
The reindeer were dressing all quick in a hurry
They were headed for RESCUE, and straight for MISSOURI!
On Dasher on Dancer on Comet and Cupid.
Those pups go to Pet Shops! We know! We're not stupid!
As his sleigh did approach, the mill gates opened wide,
Santa called to them all, and they all jumped inside!
On Poodles, on Bichons, on Golden Retrievers!
Grab up the babies, we save those for grievers!
On Westies, on Lhasas, on cute Weenie Boogers,
On Shih Tzus and Scotties, they're all sweet as sugar!
On Schnauzers, and Maltese, on Wire Haired Fox Terriers!
We've got room for ALL, the more now, the merrier!
And the sleigh just grew bigger as they all made more room,
These pups lives were changing! No more gloom and doom!
While out on the lawns there arose such a clatter
The millers ran out to see what was the matter!
When they found their "stock" gone, how the millers did sob,
while a Voice from above boomed, "GO GET A REAL JOB!"
As it seemed it could not get much better than this,
I started to wake, did I dream all of this???
There was no red sleigh, no reindeer with wings.
I guess it was sadly, just one of those things,
That you dream and you dream, till one day 'twill be.
That glorious day, when the mills are history!
And I think as we tell them, and tell them again,
Soon it will be that we all know that when,
One buys from a pet shop, there are pups you don't see.
The Mama and Daddy, who are longing to be,
loved by a family, and scratched on their heads.
Not sleeping on wire, that are now called their beds.
One day it will be, oh how great that will feel!
We won't mill our puppies like paper and steel!
And I heard it exclaimed as I woke up that night,
We won't stand for this, we'll stand up and fight!
With each breath we do have and each word we do say,
we'll tell about the mills, till that glorious day,
when the mills are all outlawed, and all over Missouri,
The occupation of milling, will be but a memory.
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mel
amen eom
Wed Jan 2 12:48:45 2002
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NIMBY
Frozen disinfectant...continued
Tue Jan 1 23:58:25 2002
Ever since I read the posting below regardng frozen disinfectant, I have been thinking about it. I finally asked my other half and told him I was afraid scoopers are using or going to use antifreeze. This can kill an animal...He thought that "winter-time" window washing fluid could be substituted for the antifreeze and is non-toxic. One would need to work with the mixture...one cup to one gallon etc.... I don't have a clue what you would need.. but on a freezing night setup a few buckets marked with differant ratios... and I am sure something could be done. Good Luck to you all
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PoopScoopKing
I'm with you Red
Wed Jan 2 04:33:22 2002
It took me 3 full years for 100k, and I'm talking gross. I've reinvested an awful lot of that. Basically, the more that comes in, the more that goes out. I'm not sure I've put quite as much back in as Red, but I probably have not grossed as much either. As for 7 figures, if PoopScoopKing.com gets to 7 figures, I'll be very pleased. By that point I'll be involved with a lot more than scooping. I'm an obsessed business man. I love business and have tons of ideas, but not much capital to turn them into reality, yet.
PoopScoopKing.com
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minesweepers
ideas/no money
Wed Jan 2 22:34:30 2002
you ain't kidding,it takes money to make money and if i spend any more on this biz i'll be living out of a cooler!!!
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PoopScoopKing.com
Viva Las Vegas
Wed Jan 2 04:40:40 2002
Red mentioned that someone was engaged - who was that? As for the convention, we may have to have two per year. I don't see myself traveling as far as Vegas. I want very badly to see all of you in a recreational, warm setting, but Vegas is too far. I still want to consider Atlanta, Orlando, Mertle Beach SC, or Dallas. I think it will be great fun meeting folks that you've never met, yet you know them. Are you guys going to wear name tags?
PoopScoopKing.com
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NIMBY
Re: Viva Las Vegas
Wed Jan 2 12:57:55 2002
Hey PSK, as far as two conventions a year go, NO! Just this year (maybe). Ok what do I mean? Well, this first "meeting" is not a convention. We just don't have enough happening to quaify it as one. We will be meeting to setup the groundwork for the organization of professionals. If all the work can be done, the Organization COULD have another meeting this summer. It would then become an annual meeting or "Convention". Where any other further get-togethers will be held, well, I guess that would be upto the membership as a whole. This is all future worries.
And, I am the newly engaged scooper! I am so excited.. more planning though... like Vegas wasn't enough for me!
By-the-way, I don't believe there is enough of us going this trip to wear nametags. If we grow large enough then sure.
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minesweepers
congrats eom
Wed Jan 2 22:32:50 2002
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Mel
need your email nimby
Wed Jan 2 15:10:10 2002
i need to give my info for vegas i am not stay in circus circus my plans have change stii going just not circus cirous CONRATS HAPPY SCOOPING MEL
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NIMBY
Re: need your email nimby
Wed Jan 2 21:34:39 2002
Try the link above!
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PoopScoopKing
Congrats Laura EOM
Wed Jan 2 13:41:10 2002
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NIMBY
Thank You!!! eom
Wed Jan 2 21:35:08 2002
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Rachelle
Ditto on the Congrats, From Rachelle EOM
Wed Jan 2 20:02:30 2002
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Anonymous
pooper scooping biz
Wed Jan 2 18:42:06 2002
where do l buy the best pooper scooper for the job
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timdog
advertisement
Wed Jan 2 21:45:58 2002
What has been the two best advertisements that have been used? I am a greeny with this business but I see the potential.
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minesweepers
scheduling/routes
Wed Jan 2 22:38:18 2002
do all of your customers want this service worked around the landscaper.these "requsts" are killing me.i try accomodate when i can but sometimes it just fit and i can't afford to turn away customers.any ideas
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Pete
Re: scheduling/routes
Thu Jan 3 07:23:46 2002
What a great time to offer twice a week service!
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CA Mike
Re: scheduling/routes
Thu Jan 3 00:53:43 2002
This is probably a common request we all get. I handle it by explaining to my new prospect that I would love to serve them on the day they requested, but it just won't work out. "I'm in this area on Tuesday, but on Thursday when your landscaper comes I am in the other side of the county. I hope that you can understand that I can't drive all the way over here from there in the middle of the day unless I charge you more than you would want to pay. I think you will find that this schedule will work out well for you. Why not try it and see? If it doesn't work for you, perhaps your landscaper will be able to change the day he comes."
I have always been able to sell it this way. Good luck.
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Red
Re: scheduling/routes
Thu Jan 3 01:40:25 2002
I DITTO CA Mike plus I heavily down play the whole idea and act as if it's the first time someone has ever made such a request then I assure them that half a week's woth of product is not going to interfere with the yard guys.
-Red
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Mark
Re: scheduling/routes
Fri Jan 4 03:42:34 2002
I charge $3 extra for off day service, and then it has to be on the day I do my 2x/wk in that area. I got burned on one of those off day requests and won't do it again.
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PoopScoopKing.com
Re: scheduling/routes
Thu Jan 3 06:19:08 2002
I tell clients that there are literally hundreds of landscapers in the phone book and to insist that the landscaper be open to changing their day, rather than us changing ours.
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alamedascoopers
Red's advertising
Wed Jan 2 22:53:31 2002
Red, I know you're the marketing king here, but I'm not sure just what you're spending the big bucks on.
What do you buy? What would you tell someone who's not at your volume to concentrate on at first? I'm ready to go beyond flyers and handing out cards, but I don't know what to do for the next step: a weekly classified ad, what?
Stefani in rainy NoCal
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Red
Re: Red's advertising
Fri Jan 4 10:19:05 2002
hi AS,
I'm not sure what advice to give you. I try just about everything! Weekly classifieds haven't done well for me but they have for others so - ? I'd maybe step up the flyers. I've never handed out cards. Remember my rule: 1 new client for every 2,000 qualified prospects that see and comprehend your message. Basically anything that get's you in front of a whole bunch of people, a whole bunch of times, for as little money as possible! (Yea, that's real specific!) Maybe local mags, signs, fax blasts, etc.
Hope this helps you in some small way I just don't have any special "gets incredible results" type of advice to give.
Best wishes,
-Red
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Gordon
referral incentives?
Fri Jan 4 11:49:56 2002
Couple of questions from someone considering this business.
A couple of questions from someone considering the business. I'm in northern California, looking at Yolo and Solano counties as a possible territory. Anybody on the forum working this area? There is someone listed in the directory, but since I can't get anyone to answer their number I assume they are inactive.
Reading the archives, I see interest in getting new clients through referrals from existing clients, but haven't seen much about how people are rewarding their clients for referrals. What do you think about a cash payment equal to the new client's monthly bill, payable after the new client has paid for the second month of service? That way there is real incentive to make referrals, and you get new customers at the cost of a monthly payment. Given what I've read in the archives about how much it costs to get a new customer from marketing, this doesn't sound unreasonable. Anybody tried this, or want to explain why it's a bad idea?
Y
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the bomb squad
referral incentive
Mon Jan 7 21:10:17 2002
I give my clients one free week of service (two weeks if they live within one block) when they refer someone who signs on for regular service (one time clean-ups are excluded). I wait until the new people pay the first month's bill and then credit my existing client on their next bill. In one year of service, I've given away 4 free weeks for referrals.
People will talk about you to their friends no matter what you offer. Don't give yourself away.
~Melinda
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NIMBY
Re: referral incentives?
Sat Jan 5 21:08:48 2002
I actually seem to give away the most. I give one full month of scooping to the referrer. And this is given to the referrer one full month from the sign up date of the new client. I really believe this is reasonable considering how much we all spend to get one client through other means. And, when I send the client info on referals, it states that they could get scooping free for a whole year....that gets them to read the info... they just have to refer one new client a month....
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: referrals
Sat Jan 5 08:21:21 2002
Hi,
I offer my clients a free scooping if they refer me to someone who will sign up for my any of my services on a full time basis. After I have that new customer established for 2 months, then I service my referral client with that free scooping.
Pat
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Pete
Re: referral incentives?
Fri Jan 4 19:25:42 2002
I offer one free cleaning to my referring customer when a new customer signs up and mentions the existing customers name. More than 20% of my new customers are word of mouth, mostly from existing or previous customers.
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rED
Re: referral incentives?
Fri Jan 4 11:59:28 2002
Sounds good to me but don't expect much - you could offer clients an immediate $100 as soon as their referrals sign up and it still wouldn't get you many more referrals. People are weird that way. Don't get me wrong, I get referrals and I pay good for them but I bet I would get almost as many if I didn't pay at all. I don't see the extra $20 or $50 as much of an incentive to most folks - not sure why, because contrary to popular belief, the majority of my clientele are not "rich".
Best wishes and let us know if you find the magic referral generator!
-Red
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Mark
Re: referral incentives?
Sat Jan 5 02:32:41 2002
I have noticed the same effect regarding referrals with or without a bonus. Could it be that people don't like the idea of getting paid for names of friends?
Maybe they would be more motovated if we gave the referred a bonus.
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minesweepers
referal bonus
Sat Jan 5 17:29:30 2002
now that you mention it maybe a bonus for both may add a little incentive
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PoopScoopKing.com
i agree with Red
Fri Jan 4 16:40:15 2002
I agree with Red that you are probably just throwing money away to offer more for referrals. Just give a modest incentive and hope for the best.
PoopScoopKing.com
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minesweepers
listen to these guys
Fri Jan 4 17:27:05 2002
i agree (as usual) with these guys unlike me and most people on this board money is NOT everyones motivation.for referall or to sign up.i give one weeks service that could be $8.50 or it could be 17.00 depending but for the year i'm doing this i have not gotten too many anyway
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