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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.

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 25-Jul-98 18:00:46

disposal ... Another manner of disposing dog waste, when your business has grown to the point of 'what do I doo with this stuff now' but is not large enough to afford it's own bin, is to share the cost of a waste bin with a local business (preferably one without close neighbors!).

Works for me, and the cost is about a 6-pack of your favorite beverage a week...

John
Scoopers Dog Waste Removal Service
"Your Dog's Business is Our Business"

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 27-Jul-98 21:18:19

Re: disposal ... Good idea. But you failed to mentioned who it is that you are sharing the cost with. Service Station....???

Richard Sherwood

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Jul-98 01:57:54

Re: Re: disposal ... It's a little time consuming, but first make calls to find out which waste disposal outfits will accept dog poop. In my area, some will, some won't. When you find out, check local industrial areas for shops that use one of these companies. Approach the owner/manager and explain what you are looking forif you're lucky you'll find one that uses gaurd dogs and can swap a scooping for a drop.

Mine is actually an office complex with a bin on the far side of a large parking lot (no other surrounding businesses), although a local (large) gardening outfit also said they'd be ok with helping me - they have several large bins on a dirt lot for yard cleanup, tree cutting, etc.

John

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 25-Jul-98 18:38:05

why get insurance? hmmm..... ... Fido, an expensive blue ribboned show dog, manages to get out of the yard. Relishing in his new found freedom he bolts after the child riding her bike down the street, looking to play. Said child is afraid of dogs and Fido's playful bark terrifies her. She screams and starts peddling for home, Fido following closely behind.

Riding her bike too fast she loses control in front of her house, falling over - unhurt but dazed and crying. Parents hear the commotion, look out the window and see Fido standing over the crying girl, panic and run for the door to protect their child. The father trips on a step and breaks a leg, the mother (who has just hung up from a 911 call to the local authorities reporting a viscous dog attack) runs up to the dog and chases playful Fido off, who, by the way, hasn't had so much fun in years!

A little further down the street Fido sees Kiko, a $2,000 African Grey Parrott, in the front window of old Mrs Brown's house. The bird is talking away. Wow! Never having seen a talking bird before, Fido runs up to the window and starts talking back in his best bark! Kiko, always a little on the high strung side, starts frantically flapping around the cage, damaging a wing. Mrs Brown, who had just finished boiling a large pot of water for the pasta dinner she was making for her son Mark (on his way over with the family for dinner), heard Kiko screaming and flapping in the background. Turning quickly to see what was wrong she knocked the boiling water off the stove, burning her legs with scalding water.

Fido, now bored with the no longer vocal Kiko, turns and runs down the driveway just as the son and his family pull in. Poor Fido never knew what hit him (Mark was too busy looking down the street at the police cars that had just pulled up, lights flashing), but Mark's 3 children saw the whole thing and will be traumatized for life. Years of therapy at $100 a visit to get over this.

Then you see all of the fingers pointing at you, standing there, scoop in hand, wondering how this could have happened so fast...

How many lawsuits can you see above? And if you're in California, even the bird will probably sue.

Why get insurance? hmmm...........


John
Scoopers Dog Waste Removal Service
"Your Dog's Business is Our Business"

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Aug-98 12:42:49

Re: why get insurance? hmmm..... ... Yup, and no one will believe you weren't the one who left the gate open, even though there are more likely candidates.

Meter readers? They don't care about your dog.
Lawn services? same
Neighbor kids?

You get the idea. Get insured.

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 26-Jul-98 00:35:33

where is everyone? ... where is everyone? i love getting in here to read alll your messages and i guess cause it's the wekend no one comes in here.. i just want to advise all of you who don't know if you should buy matthews manual or not to go ahead and do so you will be so surprised at all the info avail. because if it i have changed some things and i ;know it's for the better his way of advertising, his business cards...i have some neat acards printed up so i can m;ake them as i need them so i am lucky that i can make changes as i go along i always felt i should put the price on the back of the card or somewere but "those in the ;know" advised against it..well matthews card was great so i'm making little changes to mine wwhen i get my scanner hooked up i'll see if i can scan it into here i've only had this computer 1 week so i really don't know how to use it the only other time i used one was aat kinkos oh yeah i have two wonderful pot belly pigs for pets so i include pigs in my ad.... if it hadn't been for matthews manual i wouldn't have thought about the physically challenged folks either giving them and seniors the blind etc discounts is a wonderful idea and i really think that doing so will give the business a wonderful feeling and can only increase business.. it's 12:30 am and i didn't win the fla lottery tonight so i better get reading to get my business in gear good luck to everyone out there don't give up [ i hope i heed my own advice] hope to letters in here with some advice, warnings, new ideas'old ideas made better and just some good old fashioned pep talks for those discouraging days!!!!!

Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 26-Jul-98 11:55:02

Getting rid of it? ... I'm taking an Entrepreneurship course in college, and I have to develop a business plan, so I decided to do one on the "Pooper Scooper" business. My research is going so good that I am actually considering to start this business. I just have a few questions to help me get over a few sketchy questions. My partner and I were thinking of leasing a truck, pick up the waste, put it into plastic buckets, then bring it to the sewage treatment plant to get processed. Now if we decide to send it to the plant, it has to be in a semi-solid form, and it would cost 4 1/2 cents per gallon to dump it. Is there a better way of doing this, especially since it is highly recommended to use bags (I'm not going to start emptying littly bags!!!)

Also, I was wondering if there is any way of processing the waste into a form of fertilizer? Then, we would like to sell it (or will I have to do more research on this subject?).

Thanks for your help!

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Jul-98 13:26:01

Re: Getting rid of it? ... We are in the process of turning our canine waste into fertilizer.
We have worked with researhers here at the university and also happened upon a gentleman that was a researcher for Harvester for years dealing only in waste and energy.
It has been a long process as we had to find a place out of town to bring the waste and it does NEED to be heat treated to be processed into fertilizer. We should be up and running in the next few months. It is a costly venture and one that takes time. We are now designing our bags that we will sell back to the public, not to mention city parks, etc. Your best bet is to find an investor as it does take a lot of time and money.

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 06-Aug-98 20:31:41

Re: Re: Getting rid of it? ... It is an excellent fertilizer if you cut it 16 to 1 with water, however the smell of such quantity of waste to process and convert is way to overwelming and costly. Hell, epsom salt, ammonia, and beer is a great fertilizer, and under $5! (hint) Add lawn gypsom, tide and epsom salt to ironite and you can prevent burn-out spots!!!and that my friend is the ultimate ? How do you treat burn out spots and prevent them? I got all the tricks!! plus you can entertain the family while picking up the yard! Want to know how? wait till i'm on OPRAH! just kiddin as far as bags go, never buy hefty or steel sak, etc.. because theyre made of soft flexible plastic. The fumes which are called(do your home work)will get through plastic no matter how many you use 2,4,6,doesnt matter, the cheaper bags are way more dense and when you bag them 5 times over then spray them down with bleach and water, will keep the bugs and magots off! and the stench down! also keep the bags in the shade!If you want to get rid of them, SURPRISE,it's illegal to put that out as regular trash. call on the same co. in your area that collects stable waste and your IN! also tip now and then. E-Mail for more fax

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Aug-98 07:29:24

Re: Getting rid of it? ... Marc Hi,

I am also very interested in finding out more information about the Dog Waste market and as I understand you already investigated this market.Can you help me with info. that you found. I was also planning to start a research (business plan) on this subject.

Thank you very much

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 28-Jul-98 16:27:06

DOODY CALLS! Update ... Hi All!
Well, as we continue to gear up in preparation for our first month of actual work in the Scooping business, I thought I would take a moment and tell you of some successes we've had with gaining the interest of our city in this new concept.
I went to our City Hall, and asked who I would see about contracting with the parks department for dog waste removal. I was given the name of the gentleman who oversees such things. I went to his office downtoan and called on him unannounced. He agreed to see me and Kaite, my ten-year-old daughter who was tagging along since I had no place to leave her for the hour. At any rate, he was very interested and promised to contact me around August first for another meeting. He indicated that what would likely happen is the Parks department would give me one park *there are three in the city where I live) and see how it goes. If all works out well, I would get the remaining two parks on a year-round contract basis.
I also mentioned the new business to the manager of my bank, and was very pleased that she took such an interest in it. She is a member of the Country Club (in fact she lives there) and wants to "talk the business up and get everyone excited" during the Golf Tournement next week. She has a lot of pull out there and I am looking forward to getting my first real customers from that exclusive area. The bank manager also expressed that she was quite certain this business would do exceptionally well, and was sorry she didn't think of it first!
Anyway, just thought that perhaps some of you could do as I did and look into proposing contract work with the Parks departments in your own areas. Don't know what to charge yet with the park work, but I'll let you all know what I finally come up with and how well it was recieved at the meeting.
I can't believe how excited everyone is about this new business here. Everybody I talk to thinks it's a great idea!

David

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 29-Jul-98 11:20:29

Re: DOODY CALLS! Update ... now that you know you hav an opp. go to the parks and take a walk hat will help ou figure out how much to charge good luck

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 30-Jul-98 11:41:29

Re: DOODY CALLS! Update ... I'm very interested in contracting with the parks also in my area. Did you submit a proposal? I'm not sure how to go about writing up one professionaly. Any suggestions?

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 30-Jul-98 15:36:57

Re: Re: DOODY CALLS! Update ... Well, to tell you the truth I went in there cold with no idea of what to say or how to say it. I have always benn one who is good at selling myself, so it was a matter of popping in htere and talking a mile a minute to get this man's attention. As far as a proposal, I will deal with that during the meeting we will have soon. I will definitely take nots on what is said and what seems to get their attention, and then post them here for anyone who is interested in pursuing that sort of contractual work.

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 29-Jul-98 12:34:09

Interested in the business ... You folks sound as though you are really enjoying this business. I have dogs and have done the job myself for years. I've wondered if there was money in those "yard bombs"...I guess there really is. I've read everyone's comments about Matthew's book. Couple of questions that I didn't see asked: 1)There is another service in my area(next town). Do all of you have competitors?
2)You're only returned what you invest, but how
long did it take to make a liveable wage? 3)What is the biggest obstacle? Thanks for the input...and the idea.

Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 04-Aug-98 06:36:57

Re: Interested in the business ... Most places have no dog waste removal services at all, yet, so the majority of services starting up now don't have any competition. But some cities that were introduced to the idea several years ago do have more than one service - even as many as three, four or more.
In my own experience, I was worried at first when I'd see somebody else start a service in my city. But as I came to learn, there was really nothing to be afraid of.
Many of the services that would pop up were apparently started by folks who weren't really serious about putting a lot of time and effort into customer satisfaction, so those were no threat. That kind of "competition" (really imitators more than competitors) would disappear in a few weeks when they learned that this is seriously a business with many of the same concerns that any other business has.
But over time just a few of the new startups did stick around. The presence of one or two more services, rather than taking business away from the first business in town, actually expanded the total market. They contributed to the promotion and adoption of the concept, appealed to a wider range of prospects, and for the most part created their own client base. With more than one service available, the idea didn't seem so unusual.
The first dog waste removal service that appears in a given market area is going to start the process of introducing the concept. Many of those first customers are going to be what marketers call "early adopters." As the idea becomes more established, largely with the help of an additional company or two in the business, more and more mainstream consumers will begin to feel comfortable with the idea -- "if so many people are doing it, it must be a legitmate business."
I do think it's an advantage to be the first service in your city, but there is often room for more than one -- especially if you've got some ideas to improve things for your customers or specific appeal to one or more segments of the market.

When I started, I was working two full-time jobs and making less than $6/hr. I had to work in my "spare" time and grow gradually. Still, right from the start I was making a lot more money by the hour than I could have hoped to make at a regular job. I remember some rainy days, in muddy yards, saying to myself "$30 an hour.... $30 an hour..." Real need can be a powerful motivator!
It took a year or more before I was putting in so many hours scooping poop that I had to quit the first of my jobs, and at that point I was making more money each week from the scooping business than I was from the regular job that I kept. After another year or so I was making my living entirely from the doggie business.

The biggest obstacle would change from time to time... the thing is that there are always going to be obstacles in any endeavor. That's not just in the pooper-scooper business. :) Some of the obstacles I overcame were: Lack of money would certainly be considered an obstacle, but I learned to use free publicity and otherwise do what needed to be done with very little money. There was a period of time when I had no vehicle. So I had a buddy run the routes and I shared the money with him. Then when I started to have sizeable quantities of dog waste to get rid of, and the local disposal facilities wouldn't accept it. So I found out how to get approval from the state e.p.a. and used that to get permission to use the county landfill.
New and changing waste-hauling regulations became obstacles to overcome, and we learned to comply and deal with those. When I started hiring help, getting good employees seemed like an obstacle, but we learned and ended up with a really super crew. And so on.... what I'm trying to say is that not only will the "biggest obstacle" be different for different people (some folks have rather a large obstacle just to deal with being laughed at by a few people, for instance), but it will also vary over time for any particular individual.
For many people, obstacles are barriers that prevent them from achieving their goals and creating new realities. For others, they are hurdles to be overcome. The difference isn't as much in the obstacles themselves as they are in our responses to them.

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 30-Jul-98 11:33:13

What's the problem? ... I bought Matthew's manual and picked up on a lot of great ideas; delivered well over 1000 flyers and still delivering; put flyers up in stores, vets, etc.; had press releases published in 5 different papers; and drive around with magnetic signs and I only have 1 customer and 5 inquiries in two months. My rates are consistent with the market. I'm starting to bum out here. I know persistency and hard work is the key, but that's what I'm doing and still only 1 customer. HELP!! Any suggestions from you poop-scoopin' pros??

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 30-Jul-98 23:38:45

Re: What's the problem? ... Chin up :) I just got my first customer today. The only thing different is I don't have signs for my truck yet. I did see your signs though, Nice. The www.magneticsigns.com showed them to me.

Keep on scoopin!!!!!!!

Frank

Poopy Scoopy Canine Waste Removal Service
Serving All Of Hampton Roads

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Aug-98 07:26:04

Re: Re: What's the problem? ... How did you get to see the signs? Did they show you a sample or something?

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Aug-98 13:15:02

Re: Re: Re: What's the problem? ... Hey whats up? Yeah they showed me what you sent them as an alternative to what I want. Thanks for replying. Frank

P.S. You need to have your e-mail address fixed. Check it out because it is not working at all!!!!!!

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 26-Aug-98 12:30:37

Re: What's the problem? ... Keep doin' whatch do. Where are you? Are there established companies in your area? If so, that could be a problem. Imitators in my market rarely last a year. In Denver, same thing. What makes you better than a well established and reliable company?

Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 30-Jul-98 23:33:28

Hello ... Hey everyone!!!!!! Much to my relief I finally got my first customer. She has 5 dogs!!! Babysitting 2. She had broken her leg and is using a walker. She also told me she called information they laughed at her but didn't care. Finally a groomer that I left a flyer at gave her the number. I called and thanked the groomer. To everyone who are still waiting, it will happen. Give it time. Take care

Frank

Poopy Scoopy Canine Waste Removal Service

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 31-Jul-98 14:31:03

Great idea for marketing your new business ... Hi all. Well, my mind has been going non-stp since I decided to start this new business. I think I have come up with an idea that will make a big difference for a lot of you.
We've all driven to a Walmart or a K-mart and seen the crad tables set up outside the main entrance with people promoting everything from free puppies to charities. Who's to say a person couldn't set up a card table with information sheets (flyers) and business cards? You could even make a large sign out of white carboard and letter it with thick black magic marker. Under the name of your service, perhaps you could write something like, "Got a question about dog waste removal? Ask me!"
Now you have set the stage (in a big way!) for drawing attention not only to the idea, but directly to you. I think the majority of the people passing by your table will at the very least take a second to read the sign, and will likely ask more about the service. Your perfect oportunity to go into your short, sweet sales pitch, which would end with you handing them a card and a flyer.
Have some sodas and snacks handy so you can remain at your post for as long as possible (except for bathroom breaks of course), and set up just before they open the doors to the store. People who also come early to shop (especially the senior citizens) will appreciate the fact that you are right there to show them your stuff so early in the morning. Stay as long as you possibly can. heck, set up your table on more than one day at as many locations as you can. Perhaps you could call the local TV station and tell them that you'll be at such-and-such store at all dal long and ask them if they would like to do a local interest story about dog waste removal. The key here is to sell yourself, and make the idea of dog waste removal as appealing as possible.
I will be using this method either this weekend or the next, and will let you all know how it goes. I would like to hear from others about what they think of this fresh idea, and also how it works out fro them. Good luck!

David (DOODY CALLS!)

Message Date/Time:
Friday, 31-Jul-98 17:26:31

Re: Great idea for marketing your new business ... great idea hope it works for you but the publix, wal-marts , k-marts etc in clw fl won't allow it i hope yours does then again maybe i asked the wrong person

Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 22-Aug-98 17:43:43

Re: Great idea for marketing your new business ... Hi all,

Well I am very new in this although I have been researching and toying with the idea for over a year. i have decided to do it. I live in a very affluent area that use to be all farms. I have a couple of businesses including petsitting and one of my businesses is a speed booth that i use fpor fundraising on weekends. i am going to be at the local agricultural fair with that doing a fundraiser for a animial rescue group, so i am going to get 1000 flyers made up and advertise there.

Wish nme luck

jeff

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Aug-98 14:27:06

Help needed ASAP ... Howdy,
I got my first "big" chance. I sent out "press releases" and one of them hit. A local TV station wants to come to one of my clients in two days and video me and interview me, and I sure don't want to blow the best opportunity I've had to promote myself. I don't want to come off as a person with a pooperscooper shovel and that's it.
Has anyone else done this kind of interview? How do I come off as professional? Please....any suggestions??????????????
Thanks,
Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Aug-98 15:05:49

Re: Help needed ASAP ... Hi Deb,

Congratulations on your news release getting picked up by the tv station! Are you nervous? LOL..... me, too! I was always scared to death of tv and radio interviews, but I would just consider it part of the job I was getting myself into. And it ALWAYS went very nicely. :)
Just be yourself and answer the questions as completely and honestly as you can. The story is plenty interesting in itself. The reporter will have the questions all ready, so you shouldn't have to come up with any speeches or anything like that. They should make it easy for you!
Be sure to let the customer know what's going to happen, and make sure that's ok with them (but you probably already did that, anyway.) The news will probably want to film you in the act of scooping, so you might not want to clean the yard before they get there, or at least leave something so they can get pictures of you doing the work.


Best of luck, and be sure to post to the message board to let us all know how it goes!


Matthew

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 05-Aug-98 13:17:04

Re: Re: Help needed ASAP ... Hi Matthew,

Thanks for your message. It truly helped me more than I can say.

I just came back from the interview. It was held at one of my client's houses, and taking to heart what you said in your message, I think it went really well. They were there for over an hour-and-a-half!!!!! It's supposed to air on the 10 pm news this evening. I can't wait to see it, and be assured, I will record every last bit of it !!!!

I think it will really help generate a lot of business, but even if it doesn't, it sure was one helluva lot of fun!

Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Aug-98 16:09:45

wish I could help ... I would just like to congradulate you on a great chance to promote your business. The only thing I can suggest is be yourself and if your heart is into this then it will come across in your interview. I hope that helps!

Anyway,
Good Luck!

Kerry

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 05-Aug-98 13:19:32

Re: wish I could help ... Hi Kerry,

Thanks for the congrats. I was nervous as hell, but it went well. I talked about it in my post to Matthew and I don't want to take up valuable board space reiterating what all happened.

I'll be sure to post about what happens as a result! All I can say to y'all out there is to hang in there and be relentless in your marketing. It does work!!!!

Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 03-Aug-98 17:45:53

Re: Help needed ASAP ... Hi Debbie,

I have done this before with other businesses I have owned, and it's really fun! The biggest thing is just to relax and enjoy the interview. News folks are aware that you may be nervous (they do this all the time, after all) and they will do their very best to make you feel comfortable. I like to shake hands with everyone on the crew, which usually consists of three people, the reporter, the camera operator, and the guy who carries the battery pack. Just be yourself, don't worry so much about looking like a "pro". I will be doing the same thing in the next two or three weeks, and have already thought it through to a degree. Maybe you could choose one of Mathew's slick little sayings, like "I hope to make a pile of money doing this!" or something similar for the closing statement. But most off all I would advise you to just relax and have fun with it. People will see you enjoying yourself and that will make a much better impression than if you try to be all professional-looking. Think back on the times you have watched short human-interest stories on the local news. The ones that come to mind the eaiest and quickest will invariably be the ones where the person the story was about was smiling and interacting with the news crew in a favorable manner. Smile, project what a freidnly, responisble, knowledgable gal you are, and things will go well. Good luck!

Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 05-Aug-98 13:23:35

Re: Re: Help needed ASAP ... Hi David,
No doubt you have seen my posts to Kelly and Matthew, so I'll try not to duplicate what I said.
Your advice really worked. I just kind of tried to make believe I was talking to a new friend about what exactly it was that I did. I smiled a lot, joked a little, and basically just tried to be informative at the same time.
I could tell the folks that came were a bit non-plussed about doing a bit of a story on pooperscooping, but by the time they left, I think they actually had a pretty good time of it!
I'll keep y'all posted on the results, and I sure am going to tape the news this evening!

Thanks again,

Debbie

Message Date/Time:
Monday, 10-Aug-98 11:40:36

Re: Help needed ASAP ... I had my first TV interview last week. It went very well. The TV station got a big kick out of it and used a lot of puns during the story! The only problem was that they would not mention my phone number during the interview (since that is considered advertising), so the results I was hopeing for it not pan out. I guess you don't get anything for Free