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 Ninety-Four
Tool Time Tom
Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Fri Jan 11 19:53:06 2002
I have posted a JPG image file that you can view at http://members.aol.com/trj48. The name of the file is HOWTO.JPG. This is a flyer I have been working on and you are the first people not related to me to see it. The tool has a 56" wooden handle, the head is 1/2" x 1/8" alum. The whole thing weighs about 1 1/2 lbs. I have found the best way to use it is like sweeping with a kitchen broom beside you, or for you former farmers, like you are supposed to use a hoe (if they had wanted you to hack with a hoe they would have called it a hack, right?). The bags I use are 10"x24" and cost me less than $0.01 each, but you can use just about any larger size if you want to drag all that weight around. I used a big trash bag with Harvey (Turd Busters) and it worked fine. I have 2 setters and a terrier in a large yard and rarely have to use more than 1 bag. No, I don't clean-up every week, either. Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Thanks,
TTTom
---------------------
Pooch Pal
Re: Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Mon Jan 14 22:42:42 2002
Tom, the device looks useful and the idea of only carrying one tool is appealing. But for a commercial scooper, I would wonder about repetitive motion injuries or strain with the constant wrist flipping motion called for.
Any thoughts?
Judy
--------------------
Red
Repetition!!!
Mon Jan 14 23:56:03 2002
Although I am not very found of the tool, I can't imagine having any more repetitive motions than we do now. That's all we do is swing our wrists back and forth all day long. If a scooper works 5 days a week, averages 45 yards a day at 2 dogs per yard, 23 piles per dog, 2.5 swings per pile that would make 25,875 swings per week! Now that's repetition!
-Red
----------------------
Pooch Pal
Re: Repetition!!!
Tue Jan 15 11:44:27 2002
Wow Red, how close together are your yards that you can do 45 a day??!!! I wish we had that kind of clustering.
I agree about the repetition but Tom's tool seems to require a much greater twisting motion than what I already do with my trusty rake and lobby pan. At least that's how I interpreted his picture/instructions.
Judy
-------------------
Red
Re: Repetition!!!
Tue Jan 15 15:38:20 2002
Hi PP,
Yea, I've done 70 yards in one day a couple times.
What "twisting motion" do you do? I can't figure that one out.
Thanks,
-Red
-------------------
ms
SEVENTY(SEVEN -ZERO)?????
Tue Jan 15 16:16:58 2002
YOU DA MAN.But hey, hire some help will ya
-------------------
Pooch Pal
Re: Repetition!!!
Tue Jan 15 16:04:38 2002
Well it looked me that with the tool, you dragged it toward you catching the poop, then rotated your wrist clock or counter clock depending on the hand, to have it land in the bottom of the bag.
70 in a day?? You're the man!!
Judy
What's your email address Red, please?
----------------------
Pete
Re: Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Sat Jan 12 21:38:01 2002
Slick! I think there's a good market for this item for dog owners, especially for the walk away from home.
I think it is not suitable for my business.
--------------------
ms
the tool
Sat Jan 12 20:41:07 2002
kind of looks like a modified pool skimmer
------------------------
Tool Time Tom
Sorry for the big file - try again
Sat Jan 12 10:43:15 2002
Sorry 'bout that. I changed it to a more readable form.
--------------------
Tim
Re: Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Sat Jan 12 02:28:15 2002
Interesting device. Maybe for the homeowner, but I don't think it will work for the profesional scooper. I'm one of the few who prefer a 5 gal. bucket lined with a 13 gal bag. (holds 20 lbs. of poop, easy to carry) And we use a lightweight version of the true temper square blade shovel in conjunction with a paddle that I make in my garage. It's quick, easy and allows us to get in and out of the yard in 5 minutes. You can see it at http://scoopmasters.com/scoops.html
Enjoy,
Tim
Scoop Masters USA, Inc.
--------------------------
Red
Re: Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Fri Jan 11 23:27:42 2002
Forgive my ignorance but I'm not sure if that is the entire scooping tool or are we still supposed to use a shovel as well (or rake for the weirdos!) so that your invention is a replacement for the lobby dust pan but not the SHOVEL.
-Red
----------------------
Tool Time Tom
Re: Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Sat Jan 12 10:54:15 2002
Laura is right, its an all-in-one device. It takes just a little practice to get the technique down, but then its fast and easy. The only the only thing I ever have trouble with is small very dry stuff - a light paddle (magic wand?) would do the trick there instead of a heavier shovel.
TTTom
----------------------
NIMBY
Re: Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Sat Jan 12 00:33:36 2002
Red, I think that since you are to use it like a hoe, it is an all-in-one unit...ie: no need for the rake or shovel. Just drag this along the ground and the poop goes in. I actually like the idea, because you can add anysize bag so you can pick-up as much as your bag will hold. And it looks as if the materials he used are strong enough to hold quite a load. But the down side is, holes in the bags after dragging it across the yard. I would hate to buy industrial strength bags just to scoop one yard. If there was some kind of protective plate for the bag itself I would try one... everything is worth a shot.. as for people who scoop their own yard, this would be awesome!
--------------------------
Tool Time Tom
Re: Pics of Tom's ScoopingTool
Sat Jan 12 11:03:59 2002
Thanks for keeping an open mind! I know its kind of hard to visualize how it works without touching it. In my short experience its easier to use a couple of smaller bags than one large one due to the weight and they are surprisingly durable. The bags come 100 to a cardboard header which you can attach to your belt. If you would like to try one out I would be happy to send it to you to evaluate.
TTTom
------------------------
Paul
Tool
Sun Jan 13 00:47:56 2002
How much is your tool? Do the bags last or do they get ripped up as they move over the grass? What brand of bags do you use that don't rip. Any and all info. would be appreciated.
-----------------------
Tool Time Tom
Re: Tool
Sun Jan 13 18:19:58 2002
Paul, if you would like to try one out, I will be happy to send you one. I plan to sell them for $20 plus shipping. The bags I use are newspaper bags. I haven't had any ripping problems on grass, pea gravel or dirt. I am sure there are some situations where it won't work but in most cases its easier for me than the pan and paddle. I plan to include 100 bags with each tool. Right now I get my bags from the Denver Post for $17 for a box of 2000.
Tom
------------------------
Paul
Tool
Mon Jan 14 05:09:17 2002
What is your E-mail? I might want to try one out. Thanks,
-------------------------
Anonymous
Huh?
Fri Jan 11 20:55:21 2002
Ya gotta scroll just to read one caption.
On a course surface, that bag will shred off the hoop.
Sticking to lobby dust pan
-------------------------
------------------------
Mark
Billing
Fri Jan 11 20:48:51 2002
Maybe I've been to generous. I've been billing at the end of the service month with the due date on the 14th of the next month.
By the time the due date comes and goes, I've been to a house two times in the next month.
If I give 7 days of slack only to find the customer is gone, I'm out 7 weeks of MONEY.
I've argued against a pre-paid system as being difficult to start customers if they are not home and they have no chance to evaluate me before leaving a check on the door for a stranger. (And if a good customer forgets and I cut them off cold, that doesn't lead to good long term relations either.)
So what can be done?
I am thinking of mid-month billing where I send stmts on the 7th of the current month and they'd be due on the 21st. Service would stop 4 days or so after a telephone call from me.
There are problems. I can speculate that I will go to a house on future dates, but hey, I could be wrong. Small, but has potential.
What are some other things that may not work so well? What does work well?
------------------------
PET PICKUP
BILLING
Sat Jan 12 15:42:47 2002
We bill on the week of the thirtieth for services already rendered. Payment is due back by the fifteenth of the following month. We also impose a $10 "account maintenance fee". We put out 2 newsletters for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter to keep personal. We give a $200 limit before the customer is put on the s#!t list and then we really go after payment. So far so good. Hope this helps all of you.
Sincerely,
Kevin
PET PICKUP
MICHIGAN'S PREMIER DOG WASTE REMOVAL SERVICE PROVIDER
---------------------
Pooch Pal
Re: Billing
Sat Jan 12 09:59:16 2002
I"m sure it;s only a matter of time until we experience getting burned but so far (9 months, approx 25 customers)
it hasn't happened. I know this has been said before, but one thing I believe helps is doing whatever you can so you're not just an anonymous service to your customer. I know this will get harder as we get bigger. We try to talk to people on the phone, not just when their bill is late. When we send out a late payment reminder card, it's light and we sign our names to it, we send out a monthly tip and very brief newsletter with each invoice and we try to make it frendly and personal as well as professional, we made doggie bandanas for client's dogs at the holidays. We also charge a five dollar late fee (we give 2 weeks to pay) and most customers who are late pay it without question. If they don't pay it and they usually pay on time we overlook, otherwise we add it to next bill. Those five dollar fees have been a good revenue stream which we don't mind!
Hope this is helpful.
Judy
---------------------
Tim
Re: Billing
Sat Jan 12 01:39:17 2002
I know this won't matter to most, but for 14 years I have billed one month in advance, pro-rated to the first of the month, and due by the 25th of the month. (that way it gives me a couple of days to print out statements and get them in the mail by the 1st of the month.) After the 25th, I charge a $5.00 late fee. No one has ever complained or refused to do it. Incedently, I just signed up my 492nd customer,the 11th this month. (no, I don't actually have that many customers, this includes one time clean ups, temporaries and cancelled customers.)
Happy New Year!
Tim
Scoop Masters USA, Inc.
------------------------
Mark
Re: Billing
Sun Jan 13 00:37:09 2002
So you billed for February already and the Feb payment is due by Jan 25th?
Mark
PS Congrats on 492. Counting that way, I'm at 190 something.
----------------------
Tim
Re: Billing
Sun Jan 13 21:20:25 2002
In answer to your question... no. I print all the statements on the 25th of the month and mail them out to be received by the 1st of the month. So on Dec. 25th, I printed January statements, and the customers received them on the first of January. Their payment is due by the 25th of January.
On January 25th I will print out statements for February and get them in the mail to be received on the first of February. I hope this is a little bit clearer.
Congrats on your customer count! 492 is misleading, it's just the quickest way to get a customer count when your in a hurry. My actual monthly count is closer to 375 with an additional 30 or 40 that use us a couple of times a year when they're on vacation. And my personal favorite... the management companies that use us several times a year for one time clean ups. (Hey, that's a little depressing! That means I have lost over 100 customers over the years. Oh well, that's business.)
How do you get your name printed in red?!?
Tim
Scoop Masters USA, Inc.
--------------------------
Mark
Re: Billing
Mon Jan 14 00:42:46 2002
To answer your last question: <b><i><font color=red>Mark</b></i></font>
The "b" makes it bold, the "i" makes it italic and the red is obvious.
How many employees do you have? 200 stops in a week would be near a maximum for a well-fit guy to do alone. (Nice pay at that rate = $8000/mo)
RE: billing. You do what I described as mid-month billing. Send the bill in the current month with a current month due date.
Do you find that reduces the delinquent accounts? Do you cut people off on the first of the next month, give a call or apply a late fee if you don't receive payment by the 25th?
-----------------------
NIMBY
Re: Billing
Sat Jan 12 00:48:47 2002
Hi Mark! I was one who felt the same way about pre-billing clients. Then when I bought the other company, he did all pre-pay. Because of the way we set up the sale, I would have gone 2 full months without any $$ from the new clients if I were to follow my after the service billing routine. So I switched to the pre-pay. I bill for the following month on the 20th. (So January 20th would bill for Feb) The due date is the 10th of the month. (I don't call until the 15th) So if I am out anything, it is only 2 weeks of service. I have not had any complaints regarding this. However, I don't require payment for the start-up cleanings until the next billing cycle...this allows people to try out the service..and know what they are getting before their first bill... I do warn them that their first bill will be higher than the regular monthly billing. And, I like to call them when I send out the bill to ask them about the service, are they happy with it etc... That way when they recieve the bill, they are more likely to respond quickly..they get their bill within 2 days of our conversation. I hope this helps you. Laura
----------------------------
Mark
Re: Billing
Sun Jan 13 00:32:10 2002
And, I like to call them when I send out the bill to ask them about the service, are they happy with it etc...
Good ideas
Mark
-----------------------
Red
Re: Billing
Sun Jan 13 10:28:22 2002
You call every customer every time you send them a bill?! Isn't that annoying to them?
---------------------
Mark
Re: Billing
Sun Jan 13 20:58:09 2002
<>>
No. That would be!
I had quoted NIMBY regarding the phone call for the first months bill. It didn't look like a quote when it got posted.
I thought calling the new customers when sending out the first bill was a good idea.
I wouldn't call every customer. Thats what the message area on the bill is for.
-------------------------
nimby
no
Sun Jan 13 15:51:58 2002
I don't call every customer, only the new one's that will be getting their first bill. The first bill will have the partial first month and the prepay for the full month to come. So only a few calls.
-------------------------
Catherine
Re: Billing
Sat Jan 12 00:23:07 2002
Excellent question ... I'm listening to the responses on this one. I have another likely $100 lose at the momment. The couple is splitting up and she (who hired me) wants him to pay (and it's her dog) ...
don't think I'll ever see this one.
------------------------------------
ms
billing
Fri Jan 11 22:53:57 2002
i've learned to hate everyone,no ok i'm kidding .i bill the same way and your right you start to rationalize why they did
not pay and you don't want to lose a customer so you let it go an extra week or you call .suddenly your out over
100 bucks in some cases.i did consider pre pay but i just don't like it.i don't think i would pre-pay someone to cut
my lawn or wash my car what if they do a bad job,i can go scratch because i paid already.mid month billing is good
except if they need to postpone service on occasion then they would be ahead for the month.what if they only give four
weeks instead of five now next month they have to play catch up (mine do this anyway,it's amazing how people send in
whatever they feel like regardless of what the bill says).best bet hire a couple of real nice fellows to do your "billing" for
you.welcome to small business take an advil and start calling
------------------------
Red
Absolutely perfectly said ms - is that you Minesweeprs? eom
Fri Jan 11 23:22:47 2002
------------------
ms
incognito(plus it's just easier)eom