Tough times...economy is starting to affect the service plumbing here.

[Service Guy]

Wow, I can't blame it all on the current economy, but for some reason this week it seems I am getting nothing but bogus tire-kickers and price-shoppers calling. :scratchhead: :mad: I am definitely getting more than usual. Probably 70%+ of the calls that have come in this week just immediately want a price on the phone and they won't make an appointment. I have never had so many as I have had in the last couple of weeks. Especially the last two days has been very slow. I have NOTHING scheduled today and so far I have had only one call and it was just some guy who wanted a price to repair his outside hose faucets and then said he'd call back...:sigh: I had a record month in September, it was great, but so far October has started off VERY POORLY.:frown:

Oh well, hopefully it will pick up soon. The last quarter is usually the busiest, but this year with the economic crisis we are facing, I am not so sure what will happen.
__________________

[tinmack]

In my experience, anybody calling and immediately wanting a price over the phone is not doing anything. Remember, you gotta get paid for your time, whether it's at the job site or on the phone. Tire kickers and price shoppers just rob your time for free.

You are a professional, with a lot of time and money tied up in your business. Deal with the spenders, give them your time, and ignore the price shoppers.

Might be time to do some direct mail/newspaper advertising for a fall check-up? Check in with some old customers for referrals? Or maybe it's just a bad week.......

[Service Guy]

Well, part of the reason I am getting so many bargain-hunter calls is my own fault. I did a direct mailing of 5000 postcard coupons for $20/off. It has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand it helped a lot and I have landed several thousand $$$ in sales in only a couple weeks because of those postcards.:thumbup2: On the other hand, the "$20 off" coupons have attracted the stingiest, cheapest, bargain-hunting customers in town!:rolleyes:

The downside is I am getting almost no calls from anywhere else. I talked to the other service plumbers in town, they have even bigger, established companies and do more advertising than I do, but even they said they ARE EXTREMELY SLOW, and are starting to worry.:(

[PLUMBER RICK]

don't want to get you down, but wait till property taxes come out. this will also slow the selective plumbing calls.

1 thing for sure, drain cleaning is not a selective repair.

the more you offer, the more people and other contractors will call you.

the name of the game is referrals. typically with a referral, you already have the job.

when i'm referred, i rarely have to tell them anything more than my hourly rate and my availability.

another good source of work is from hoa associations.

if you can get into an association or homeowner, you will typically start to get the entire building.

let your customers spread the word for you.

rick.

[Service Guy]

I usually get lots of referrals, but not lately. I think I am just in a slow spot. I just came off of two great months, August set a record for me in sales, and then September blew that record out of the water!!!:ok: I was starting to feel invincible.....and of course, inevitably it slows down. I always get worried when I am sitting at home. But hopefully, this worrying is just silliness. Maybe by next week I'll be rolling in calls again.:D

[rookie plumber]

Don't worry, people are nervous right now, keep your head screwed on tight. I remember every year we would go through "mini" slow times that would last a week but rarely two. There was always the first of the year when all of the holiday bills came in, then there were tax times, graduation week and at the end of summer when the kids would go back to school it would slow down for a week. Guess what? They really can't wait..... They will have to call someone and if your good and fair, your just a week away from the phone ringing off the hook. Our shop never did any billing on the spot unless the customer had a track record of being a slow payer, so giving extra time to pay their bills was always a plus. Being creative will separate you from the competition.

[MrsSeatDown]

I always get worried when I am sitting at home.

But you are spending quality time with your daughter;)

[ToUtahNow]

Carl,

I know things seem tough at times but you need to remember to look at the long term and not the next week. Adjust your business model to fit current times and remember when you're not working you should be networking.

Mark

[Frankiarmz]

What a fine support base of caring people! Yes, spend time with your new daughter and rest assured things are turning around for the better. The passing of this Bill will encourage small business and everyday people to have work done and you are ready to fill that need. I wish all of you prosperous times and happy and healthy moments with your families. :happydance:

[drtyhands]

don't want to get you down, but wait till property taxes come out. this will also slow the selective plumbing calls.

1 thing for sure, drain cleaning is not a selective repair.

the more you offer, the more people and other contractors will call you.

the name of the game is referrals. typically with a referral, you already have the job.

when i'm referred, i rarely have to tell them anything more than my hourly rate and my availability.

another good source of work is from hoa associations.

if you can get into an association or homeowner, you will typically start to get the entire building.

let your customers spread the word for you.

rick.
Referal today...Toilet repair and faucet install in the other bath.I told her to go ahead and sell a couple of T-Bills and I'll be there in the morning.:D

[drtyhands]

Hang In there Carl.You know what's going on in your heart.Just chill for a few days.Daughter first.While she's sleeping you can sharpen your drain cleaning heads and file the teeth on the channel locks.Kidding...
Take a few days off.

[wrench spinner]

Carl, from the impression I get from you, consider it a forced vacation... you seem to be a real go-getter and i cent think of the word but someone who is very concisncuis(sp) of your work, you want to be the best plumber out there!! as soon as other people realize this and you will and cyou just continue doing what you are doing everything will work out!! You are a straight shooter and as far as i can tell a great plumber! The word will get out my friend and your phone will ring. Take advantage of this time and spend it with your family as so many other have said because once that phone starts ringing again you never know when it is going to slow down enough for you to do this again!! GOOD LUCK- Rich

[plumberscrack]

I wouldn't sweat it too much Carl. The phone has been a little slow here lately also. It's getting harder to sell a new faucet when all it needs is a couple of washers. Emergency stuff is still coming in strong like stoppages, leaking pipes and garbage disposals.

Cold weather is coming soon so we are stocking up on water heaters. October and November are big heater months for us.

Heat work is picking up some slack from plumbing service.

Everyone is on eggshells right now.

[Service Guy]

Thanks everyone, I'll hang in there. The service business always comes in waves, I just need to learn how to surf! :lol: :cool:

[Service Guy]

Carl, from the impression I get from you, consider it a forced vacation... you seem to be a real go-getter and i cent think of the word but someone who is very concisncuis(sp) of your work, you want to be the best plumber out there!! as soon as other people realize this and you will and cyou just continue doing what you are doing everything will work out!! You are a straight shooter and as far as i can tell a great plumber! The word will get out my friend and your phone will ring. Take advantage of this time and spend it with your family as so many other have said because once that phone starts ringing again you never know when it is going to slow down enough for you to do this again!! GOOD LUCK- Rich

Rich, thanks! You are right on in your analysis and that is exactly what I needed to hear right now. Mark (duck) said the same thing in different words on a different forum...I need to just keep doing what I am doing and not sweat it just because I have a couple of slow days once in awhile.

Its a bane to be a perfectionist sometimes.:smilewinkgrin:

[rookie plumber]

Hey Jack, I'd like to hear a portion of your 100 reasons why people would call you.

[JCsPlumbing]

I don't know how much longer I can be affiliated with a Forum participated in by BESTLINE PLUMBING, it's owners, business procedures, & ethics.

J.C.

[plumberscrack]

I don't know how much longer I can be affiliated with a Forum participated in by BESTLINE PLUMBING, it's owners, business procedures, & ethics.

J.C.

I say we vote him off the island

[rookie plumber]

I used to have a plumbing shop in the West Los Angeles area and I've never heard of you. Something here doesn't sound right and that goes for just about everything I've read.

[ToUtahNow]

From Jack:

The way I see this is; members are happy as long as posts refer to what you cannot or do not want to do. You would rather that I tell you that I am a starving plumber with no business.

Are you telling me that I don't 'fit in' because my business is successful and it earns more than you can fathom?

You tell me that I make you sick. It sickens me to make as much money as I do and read posts that are in great denial. If I was in your shoes and you told me you could net $20k per week, I would fly to the opposite side of the world to check you out before opening by big mouth.

There is a big difference between you and myself. I listen and educate myself before making ignorant statements.

You cannot say one bad thing about my company because you did never met me, nor do you know me.

I sold two small drain jobs today. One for $4400 and one for $3400. Does this hurt your feelings? Must I post pictures of the jobs again to prove that these customers needed the services I sold?

Should I be like you and tell everyone my sad story how the economy is swallowing up my business? According to you, because I closed two sales today, I must have done something wrong today.

I posted pictures of the jobs I sold, on a daily basis, and I proved that ALL my customers need the services I sell. I posted pictures of flooded houses every day. Does the fact that I have the ability to seek out these customers hurt your feelings?

Are you so uneducated that you think the only way massive sales can be closed is with dishonesty?

What is the real problem here?. Are you telling everyone something must be wrong because you can't do what I can do?

Should I disappear because you would rather not have a member who can do better than you?

Is a successful person so hurtful that I should be banned?

Is there only friendship amongst the less fortunate?

Is this forum only so members can discuss what they cannot do?

You inability to see the opportunity bother me and this does not stop me from writing posts.

I am actually trying to get you to understand how much money can be made when you make some small changes in the way you market and close sales.

Yes! After reading the posts on this forum, I am feeling that I am 'The Master' of marketing and sales. I never felt like this before. You made me feel this way with you inability to see there are better ways.

I will say the same thing over and over. Come to my office and visit before you put your foot in your mouth. Spend a few days with us and you will be amazed.

Now, what other member has made this offer. I run a very clean and successful business. If this bothers you, hit your 'Ignore Button'. I have made a lot of people $millions and I never ask for a penny. Is there something wrong with this, also?

I am not your average plumber, businessman, nor marketer. Sorry, if this hurts any feelings. I will continue to tell other plumbers that they don't have to listen to you because you are not telling the truth. There are $millions waiting to be plucked and business is not slow because of the economy. Business is slow because you keep telling everyone that this is the way it has to be.

Come on over and visit. I will show you all my records, contracts, and bank records for last week or any time. This is not bragging. This is about proving that you plumbers are losing out because you can't see what can be accomplished with good marketing and more educated ways for closing sales.

Maybe you need to look in the mirror and ask what your problems are.

Mad Jack

Jack,

With all due respect your people skills suck big time. I agree with many of your marketing tactic and feel many here could prosper by using them. However, the problem is the presentation of your message makes many shut you out before you even start.

Mark

[Tyman]

Carl,

Stand fast my man. Your last two months were great and I know their will be more to come. I believe it has to do with consumer confidence right now. For the first time in my life I debated buying shoes last week. :lol:

[Service Guy]

I did a $450 service call today. Nothing major, but not bad for a Saturday. I also have a $1000 repipe scheduled Wednesday and several small service calls scheduled next week.
I'll repeat August was a record month in gross sales, September was a new, bigger record. So obviously JACK, I know what I'm doing! :wink: I am hoping for October to be a record also, but if its not I won't be too upset. I was only slow for a couple of days. That isn't why I posted this. I posted this thread because I have been getting a slew of cheap bargain-hunters calling, and my competition in town is very slow recently. I just learned that my former company had two service techs quit, because they were not getting paid enough since they are on commission and that company is suffering currently. Everyone I talk to says the same, plumbing here is very slow.
Its rare that something as important as a flushing toilet or hot water gets put aside the budget. In most small recessions I never even notice it. People tend to cut back on luxury items such as jewelry or going out to eat. People cut back on plumbing service only a last resort....we are in tough times by that measure.

[Frankiarmz]

Jack,

With all due respect your people skills suck big time. I agree with many of your marketing tactic and feel many here could prosper by using them. However, the problem is the presentation of your message makes many shut you out before you even start.

Mark

I'm not a plumber, but I am a educated consumer and I don't care what line of crap "Jack" was spouting, I would be respectful and listen if he came out on a call but I would shop around for a better price. I don't know if you Pros really believe he is a "Master" or simply has come across a lot of stupid customers. I don't believe in overpaying and that's what his sales pitch comes down to in my opinion. I understand cost of doing business has risen but customers are also falling on harder times. Would a professional plumber overpay for electrical or carpentry work? I'm sure it hurts to lose a job to a competitor who will do it cheaper, but bragging about overcharging is not something I respect. I just have the feeling I would ask this man to leave my house and not come back.

[Service Guy]

From Jack:

Who is Carl? Are you Carl? My recent posts are not directed to any specific member.

I hear what you are saying. I disagree with your reasoning regarding slow sales. Several times, we discussed judgment. You do not know that people are deferring their repairs because money is tight. My current sales tell me this is not true.

Jack

Yes, I'm Carl. Anyway, I have listened to your ranting, looney posts for too long, and you mostly just sound like a jerk. You are going on my IGNORE list.:wave:

[Frankiarmz]

From Jack:

Where is the proof regarding over-charging. Is a 'higher price' the same as over-charging? Is 'twice as much' the same as over-charging. What school did you learn this at? You can't be my General Manager. You're fired!:)

You talk about bragging. Does this mean you are bragging you are more honest and you earn less? I did not write this statement for a joke. Is your 'half as much price' more honest than my 'twice as much price'.

Jack

Overcharging is an abuse in my opinion, and Yes!

[DuckButter]

Jack,

With all due respect your people skills suck big time. I agree with many of your marketing tactic and feel many here could prosper by using them. However, the problem is the presentation of your message makes many shut you out before you even start.

Mark

The "Bob Dole" stylings don't help either.
Respectful that he DOES try to help and he does seem like a good guy...just a wee bit wordy at times.

[ToUtahNow]

I'm not a plumber, but I am a educated consumer and I don't care what line of crap "Jack" was spouting, I would be respectful and listen if he came out on a call but I would shop around for a better price. I don't know if you Pros really believe he is a "Master" or simply has come across a lot of stupid customers. I don't believe in overpaying and that's what his sales pitch comes down to in my opinion. I understand cost of doing business has risen but customers are also falling on harder times. Would a professional plumber overpay for electrical or carpentry work? I'm sure it hurts to lose a job to a competitor who will do it cheaper, but bragging about overcharging is not something I respect. I just have the feeling I would ask this man to leave my house and not come back.

The marketing skills I am referring to are not ethics related skills but forms of advertising and tracking. I would never conduct business like Jack and I survived just fine but some of what he has done makes sense.

Mark

[JCsPlumbing]

The marketing skills I am referring to are not ethics related skills but forms of advertising and tracking. I would never conduct business like Jack and I survived just fine but some of what he has done makes sense.

Mark

What parts of his business would you "never conduct" in the same manner Mark?

J.C.

[Service Guy]

BTW, the reason my business is growing and prospering these last two months is partly from advice I have received from people here like : gear junkie, plumber rick, Mrs.seatdown, ToUtahnow, duckbutter, westcoastplumber, jerrymac, NHmaster, plumberscrack, Allclear, drtyhands, dunbar, JC, masterplumb, Tinmack, wrenchspinner...and more I may have forgot to mention.

So don't assume you are "better" than the other members here, JACK-off None of your advice has been memorable, all I remember about you is that you do $49 drain-cleaning to get your foot in the door, its a called a loss-leader, and while it is perfectly legal, I consider it a dishonest marketing technique. I don't remember anythign else about you or your advice....

Something like this:

BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH, Make money,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH, $10,000 job off some old lady I sold yesterday,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH, I am better at business than anyone on this forum,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH, You are all idiots and you must listen to me or you will never amount to anything,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH, I have a serious superiority complex that I need professional help for,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,, BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH ,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLA H,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH, I am awesome,, I will snend you my free software to make you millions, did I mention how awesome I am,LAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BL AH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,B LAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH, BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,LAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,B LAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH, BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH ,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLA H,BLAH,BLAH
:lmao:
LAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH, BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH ,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH,BLA H,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,LAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH ,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLA H,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BL AH,BLAH,BLAH,,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,B LAH,BLAH
:killingme:
:rant-off:

[ToUtahNow]

What parts of his business would you "never conduct" in the same manner Mark?

J.C.

I appreciate the fact he does not spend money on the YP as I always felt you could spend your money in better areas. I like his idea with fliers as we used them when ever we were in an area doing anything more than a service call. His flier/package is far superior to anything we ever had. I like that he inspects home for addition work and advises the owner of such.

I do not like the fact that he comes off as a little more high pressure than I would. I do not like the fact that at least it appears he is charging more than he should for the work he is doing.

I don't believe there is a thing in the first paragraph which would not lead to more work and/or money for anyone who is looking for it.

Mark

[Service Guy]

I guess I was worried for nothing...I posted this thread on Friday, now its only Monday and I did 5 service calls today!:jumping:
Surfing the waves!:cool:

[DUNBAR]

My water heater job on the 3rd floor was confirmed today...



Son of a.....!


God D.....!


Mother F.....!

[Service Guy]

Today, 12:44 AM
This message is hidden because PCPlumber is on your ignore list.

:killingme: Silence is golden.:ignore:

[DuckButter]

:killingme: Silence is golden.:ignore:

I don't like his approach - he goes on lenghty lectures, I think his posts are rediculously verbose.

I also think it's extremely important to at least acknowledge that he has experience with a level of success that many of us don't.

Will I adopt his philosphy?
Not likely, but I do think he has offered some degree of perspective for those of us who have not gotten to where he is yet.

If we could just get him to stop referring to himself by first name, I'd be a lot less creeped out.;)

I keep thinking Bob Dole has invaded the forum.

[DuckButter]

Jack,

With all due respect your people skills suck big time. I agree with many of your marketing tactic and feel many here could prosper by using them. However, the problem is the presentation of your message makes many shut you out before you even start.

Mark

Had to jump back to this and agree, he might have some incredible messages, but if I had the kinda time it takes to read them, I'd enroll in a marketing course at a local college.

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

My screen is turning brown....Turd alert!

[Service Guy]

Another 12 hour day of service calls!:eek: Its ironic, Friday I posted this and I was crying because of no work:crying:...and yet I did over $2200 between Monday and Today...and I am booked up all week!

We're you guys praying for me or something? ;) :grin-angelic:

[Frankiarmz]

Another 12 hour day of service calls!:eek: Its ironic, Friday I posted this and I was crying because of no work:crying:...and yet I did over $2200 between Monday and Today...and I am booked up all week!

We're you guys praying for me or something? ;) :grin-angelic:

I'm still praying for you! Profit from a job well done, pass along a good moral compass to your children and sleep well at night. Wealth is not the barometer of a good person or a rich person for that matter. Nothing wrong with making money, it's just how you get there that counts. Best of luck staying busy and balancing your life.

[Service Guy]

I'm still praying for you! Profit from a job well done, pass along a good moral compass to your children and sleep well at night. Wealth is not the barometer of a good person or a rich person for that matter. Nothing wrong with making money, it's just how you get there that counts. Best of luck staying busy and balancing your life.

I agree. Yes, I worked 12 hours today and made a good profit. But thats not all! I also made friends with 3 NEW clients today. Each one said they would give more more business and that they liked me enough to refer me to friends!:love:
Then I came home and spent some quality time with my baby...and my wife. I try to keep everything in perspective. Money is great, but SUCCESS in my life means MUCH, MUCH more than just money...relationships are even more important.:love:

[DuckButter]

Another 12 hour day of service calls!:eek: Its ironic, Friday I posted this and I was crying because of no work:crying:...and yet I did over $2200 between Monday and Today...and I am booked up all week!

We're you guys praying for me or something? ;) :grin-angelic:

Said it before, I'll say it again...
Every time I go through what you went through, I wind up on ther business end of a furious streak, thinking I wish I'd taken the time to just relax and enjoy the down time.

[Bob D.]

Wow, I can't blame it all on the current economy, but for some reason this week it seems I am getting nothing but bogus tire-kickers and price-shoppers calling. :scratchhead: :mad: I am definitely getting more than usual. Probably 70%+ of the calls that have come in this week just immediately want a price on the phone and they won't make an appointment. I have never had so many as I have had in the last couple of weeks. Especially the last two days has been very slow. I have NOTHING scheduled today and so far I have had only one call and it was just some guy who wanted a price to repair his outside hose faucets and then said he'd call back...:sigh: I had a record month in September, it was great, but so far October has started off VERY POORLY.:frown:

Oh well, hopefully it will pick up soon. The last quarter is usually the busiest, but this year with the economic crisis we are facing, I am not so sure what will happen.
__________________

Here's a thought on all those calls you're getting of late. Maybe they are people who are contemplating selling or buying a house and are trying to get an idea of the cost of repairs to either make the house more marketable or how much it will costs them to make it livable if they buy it.

[plumbertim1975]

Slow here in my area too. Only woked three days last week. Slowest its been in about 8 years. Hope to pick up soon.

[Service Guy]

Just as a happy update to this thread... as of today, October 14, I am on track to have ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING MONTH. ($7000 in work last week alone):D
ITS NOT SLOW AT ALL, RATHER I AM ROLLING IN GOOD WORK!:rotflmao1: :happydance:

[drtyhands]

Just as a happy update to this thread... as of today, October 14, I am on track to have ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING MONTH. ($7000 in work last week alone):D
ITS NOT SLOW AT ALL, RATHER I AM ROLLING IN GOOD WORK!:rotflmao1: :happydance:
See,
Words getting around.
There is a serious plumber in town.
Not a selfish pig,a whiner or an uneducated tech.
But a hard working efficient plumber.
Congrats Carl.

[Service Guy]

See,
Words getting around.
There is a serious plumber in town.
Not a selfish pig,a whiner or an uneducated tech.
But a hard working efficient plumber.
Congrats Carl.

I sure hope so! But my main point is this: I am staying away from all the "doom and gloom" media coverage of the economy. It does no good to sit around and worry about things that are out of our control.

[drtyhands]

I sure hope so! But my main point is this: I am staying away from all the "doom and gloom" media coverage of the economy. It does no good to sit around and worry about things that are out of our control.
:clapping::clapping::clapping:
Westcoast/Robert looked at it the same way.He knew what it was going to take for him and his abilities to get running.No matter what the cost.
This is not an easy gig even when times are at there best and everyones throwing money away.
If a guys gonna make it now he better start looking at it the way you are Carl.
He better Shut up and get busy.

The guy I have been working with found out last week he lost 60% of the work he was counting on getting everyone through 2009.
Now it looks like I'm buying a van and painting some stencils on it.
Anyone know a good graphics designer.;)

[Service Guy]

Thanks a bunch Adam! :) Your encouragment means a lot to me. People like you are so positive that nothing can get them down long-term. Even if the new construction is cut way back for you, I know you'll find the pot of gold somewhere. Knowing it exists (positive thinking) is half the battle.