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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 Ninety-Two

MINESWEEPERS
SNOW ($%#%&%##^%)
Tue Jan 8 21:14:22 2002


How the hell do you find it all.i ran over the whole yard with my rake (yes, i said rake)to scratch the snow up then went back over it with the shovel.that took a long time any speedy tips, looking for the brown spots is not fool proof
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Pete
Re: SNOW ($%#%&%##^%)
Wed Jan 9 16:39:44 2002


Some times ya just gotta sit it out. The bad part isn't losing money waiting (although that sure isn't good), it's trying to catch up when the snow melts.

So far this season, we've lost only 5 working days to snowfall. That allows me to keep my workers on the clock at about 75% of normal hours. The trucks are clean, the tools repaired, the new guy hired and we're ALL ready to hit the yards tomorrow!

As a point of reference, we lost 14 full days in December of 2000 alone.
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
look for lots of dog prints - EOM
Wed Jan 9 15:04:54 2002

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PoopScoopKing.com
imagine
Wed Jan 9 05:46:36 2002


Imagine doing what you did in that yard multiplied by 30 yards a day and you'd know what PoopScoopKing must go through in the winter.
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PoopScoopKing.com
lol
Wed Jan 9 05:45:19 2002


Welcome to winter scooping! lol
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minesweepers
snow( nothing funny here)
Wed Jan 9 13:36:38 2002


how do you do it i was ready to throw my shovel thru a window
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PET PICKUP
YOU DON'T DO IT LIKE THAT!...EOM
Thu Jan 10 21:41:01 2002
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Alameda Scoopers
another article
Tue Jan 8 21:23:39 2002


Last week, I emailed a local columnist for the little free paper in response to a column she wrote about shopping in our town.

I complimented her on her article, and then suggested that if she wanted to cover service business in town, I'd be the ideal one : )

Today she called and she agreed. She's going to follow me on my tiny route. Maybe I'm on my way to more clients!

Stefani, who's typing while holding my 2 month old associate.

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Pat _ Tidy Pets Unlmited
RE: Article
Wed Jan 9 15:08:22 2002


Every 6 months or so I call the paper and ask them to do a followup to my press release and/or previous story. They love it and I get more customers everytime.
Pat
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CA Mike
Re: another article
Wed Jan 9 00:30:05 2002


Stefani (and 2 month old associate) - Congrats. This could be the start of many new customers. My business began to grow faster when our local paper did an article on me. Be certain to get copies for your files (and possible future advertising).
Mike
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Poo Nanny p.w.r.
Way to go!
Tue Jan 8 23:25:58 2002


Good job!

It really feels great when you start to get media attention!

Good luck and hope this is the first of many!

Dirty Joe
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NIMBY
Hey Dirty Joe!!!
Wed Jan 9 12:43:00 2002


We were all wondering what happenned to the Leno spot... did 9/11 change all that? Are you rescheduled... or did you actually tape? Please let us all know..Laura
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Dirty Joe
Leno taping
Thu Jan 10 02:45:43 2002


Did not get the chance to tape. Made a few calls after 9/11 no word. Understandable.

I did an interview with a major Magazine over the holidays and it will be in an upcoming issue (HOPEFULLY). If I make it into the mag I'll let you all know where you can read about Poo Nanny. They wanted to find 10 of the quirckiest jobs in hollywood.

Keep Scoopin' all,

Dirty Joe

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Anonymous
the Leno spot... did 9/11 change it, ???
Wed Jan 9 13:27:27 2002

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George
Bags
Tue Jan 8 21:39:25 2002


Wondering how many of you are double bagging. We do. Currently using a 3mm bag, then double bagging. Gets to be expensive after a while. really want to know what strength bag everyone is using and if you have found a janitorial supply source on the web for cheap bags. any info is appreciated.
George
New York
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rouglas odor
thin is in
Mon Jan 14 01:26:41 2002


we have cleaned up weekly for over a hundred dogs for two years running. we use retail .95ml -- 10 cents a piece. One customer requested double bags due to "the smell". rather than remind her that smelling inside garbage cans is dumb we invest the second ten cents a week to keep her as a client. on thaws and other occasions where the five gallon bucket nears capacity we will opt for a second bag as well. but as a rule a ten cent bag is all you need. no breakage, no calls from a client-- none.
Happy Slinging!
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CA Mike
Re: Bags
Wed Jan 9 00:35:58 2002


George - Why use the web? I just go to a local janitorial supply store and buy them. I usually get either 4.5 or 6 mil bags - whatever they have. Either one works fine and they only cost about $30 for 500. I almost never have to double bag using them.
Mike
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george
Re: Bags
Wed Jan 9 15:26:03 2002


Mike,
I must be getting hit over the head for bags. The best deal i can find is home depot 3mm bags. 10 bucks for about 25 bags (42 gallons). I cant find a store locally, thats why i suggested the web
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minesweepers
bags
Wed Jan 9 13:34:44 2002


like it says in matthews book target bags are the way to go 180 bags=8.99
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Anonymous
i use stor bags
Tue Jan 8 22:04:41 2002


walmart is best i double bag it one wasmart one food store bag, then all in to a container thats lined with a sturdy trash bag, wahla, cheep and does the trick, i carry it out of the yard in a handled bucket and to my truck i go.
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PET PICKUP
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HIRE HELP.
Tue Jan 8 22:39:56 2002


Have those of you who hire help found any similiar characteristics in your workers? For example say age, sex, college student, high school graduate etc.

Sincerely,

Kevin
PET PICKUP
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Pete
Re: FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HIRE HELP.
Wed Jan 9 08:15:50 2002


"Any sufficiently broad generalization is wrong. -- Including this one"

My personal bias is towards intelligence rather than education, maturity rather than age and people who can
work by themslves without getting lonely or wandering off.

I require

21 years old (for insurance)
Acceptable driving record - my insurance company does the check
Physically able
Able to read and write English
Able to pass a simple map test
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PET PICKUP
JUST SPEAKING STATISTICALLY...EOM
Wed Jan 9 08:41:39 2002

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Pete
Re: JUST SPEAKING STATISTICALLY...EOM
Wed Jan 9 16:33:24 2002


I don't recommend hiring statistics, I recomend hiring people. I understand what you want, but there is no simple reliable answer.

Big companies have strict profiles and perform special testing. I don't fit the "corporate mold" and neither have my best employees.

I want the best poeple for the job. There are no stats that will guarantee that. It's personal. Like scooping poop, ya gotta get in there and do it. Might as well face it, you'll make some mistakes.

Here's an interesting situation. Less than half of the population is left handed but more than half my employees are, as am I. I don't select for that. How/why did it happen?

Here's another. I just hired another employee. I was looking for (preferably) a woman in her late 20's to early 30's. I hired a mid to late 50's man. How/why did it happen?

I'll tell ya one thing, it wasn't stats (left handed people are injured more often) or profiles (This guy's 20 years old and the wrong gender). It's about finding the right person for the job, and that's an art.

Keep this in mind, I've been very, very wrong as well as right.
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PoopScoopKing.com
I'm a southpaw too
Thu Jan 10 04:08:28 2002


PoopScoop King is left handed too Pete. Anyone else?
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PET PICKUP
GEE PETE THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WISDOM?!...EOM
Wed Jan 9 19:53:23 2002
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Leslie
parvo proof?
Tue Jan 8 23:44:42 2002


Does anyone require clients to show proof of dog's vaccination? Does anyone clean yards where pets are not vaccinated? Does anyone have libility insurance incase the worst may happen? Thanks
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mel
no proof no scoop eom
Fri Jan 11 07:52:33 2002
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timdog
re:parvo proof
Wed Jan 9 14:15:33 2002


I'm a day late and a dollar short(not to mention a new comer) but could you not give your customers a time slot that you would be cleaning their yards and ask that the dog owners put their dogs away as to protect your safety?

Timdoggie dog
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Anonymous
These diseases are in the poop! eom
Sat Jan 12 01:04:51 2002
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Pete
Re: parvo proof?
Wed Jan 9 07:53:24 2002


Nope, don't require proof. Yep I clean yards with possible risk and take precautions. Good practices are the first line if defense, good insurance is the last.
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Red
DITTO Pete's post - I do ask about vaccination EOM
Wed Jan 9 11:48:51 2002

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CA Mike
Re: parvo proof?
Wed Jan 9 00:37:15 2002


No. Maybe. Yes.
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Jill
Where do you find people with pets?
Wed Jan 9 00:42:06 2002


Where and how do you find pet owners in your area? Besides spending years driving around? Like a mailing list or something - but a list compiled of those for a specific town/city?
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Pat - Tidy Pets Unlimited
RE: Where do you
Wed Jan 9 15:13:45 2002


Jill,
I called my county animal license bureau and asked for a print out of dog owners in my county. It cost me $12.00 for well over 10,000 names of dog owners. It's a good place to start.
Pat
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Jackie
customer list
Tue Jan 15 13:36:39 2002


Wish Florida would sell lists. Here they tell you it's an invasion of privacy, so Us pet related businesses are on our own. Hey Pat hows it going?
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PoopScoopKing.com
we are the business
Wed Jan 9 06:09:02 2002


Regardless of an emloyee's feelings regarding what they feel they should be paid, we the busineess owners have to look after the best interest of the business. An employee is an investment and an expense and we have to determine the appopriate amount of that investment and expense. Seems the employees opinion on a certain level is irrelevant. Advertising is similar. I'm amazed that every newspaper I deal with has no flexibility in their pricing. In fact, seems the entire advertising world operates like this. They all have firm prices. I can't understand why they have no flexibility. Anyone worked in advertising and know the answer? It seems that if say $500 for a direct mailing to 20,000 homes is profitable, so would $480. However, they won't negotiate. Or will they? Am I doing something wrong?

----------------------
Mike
Advertise Negotiate
Thu Feb 21 13:27:01 2002
216.77.244.230

I used to sell Tv and Radio advertising, there is always room to negotiate. A few factors are involved, the 1st being is how much are you spending and how much commission can I expect on this sale? The salesperson has to do a cost/benefit on his time/commission/and effort to make your commercial. Just like you, if you charge someone $10 for a cleanup that takes you 3 hours, its now worth your time/effort. If this a one time thing, you will be charged near the top rate? Buy a whole year or quarter(for TV/radio, the rates will go down...you can claim an agency as a prior response said, but a better approach is this...tell your salesperson you'll go direct and not thru an agency, the salesperson gets a higher commission for a direct account, be honest with the salesperson, tell him you're a bottom feeder, you want the lwoest rate possible, don't take the 1st rate given to you, ask him to call you when there is open inventory not sold and you can buy it at the lowest rate, the radio/tv station will be glad to sell it and make some money instead of using for a freebie or promotion of their network. It also depends on what radio programs/tv shows you are buying, the popular ones, you will pay the top rate no matter what, unless you are pouring in alot of money throughout the year in advertising for that station...As for print, there is less room to negotiate there, they give you the price take it or leave it, there is alot more but hopefully this scratches the surface for you...if have nay more questions, I will try to answer them.
Mike
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M. Richardson
Pretend your an advertising agency
Tue Jan 15 16:56:44 2002


Hi,

I own a small advertising agency and we get 15% off all advertising list prices.

You are supposed to be an accredited agency in order to receive this discount but in recent years media outlets seem not to care. I no of some firms that have lost a lot of clients due to them going straight to the media outlet weather it be a newspaper, radio television or flyer printing and posing as an advertising agency buy for a client.

It's worth a try.

Good Luck
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Erin, Dirty Work
Re: we are the business
Wed Jan 9 12:15:31 2002


If an employee has a *legitimate* reason for wanting to earn more, I want to hear it. If they go up to every person they see walking a dog, pass them a business card and rave about our services, that has a value to me. Likewise if they have can do a few extra yards a day for the same amount of hours, I understand them wanting to benefit from that a bit.

Also, if they stay on with me for a very long time, I benefit from not having to place ads, hire people, train, etc.

As far as advertisers, I haven't found any that will change their prices. BUT, I have found folks that will throw in color for free, give us an extra couple week run in the paper, that sort of thing.

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Red
Over half of mine will reluctantly negotiate eom
Wed Jan 9 11:47:13 2002

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Leslie
deals
Wed Jan 9 09:58:05 2002


I got a deal on coupon package mailings. For 10 000 homes was $ 500. For 40 000 homes was $ 1300. The only problem is that it does not target dog owners directly. It is a general mailing.
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