I agree with Ian, (even if he wrote in verse) these boards helped me tremendously. --- I had already made the decision to start a pressure washing company before I found the first one. Information on the interent is free, and hopefully will always be free--hell-without google I'd have never graduated college! Fact is, these boards make us better, not worse, and if they became fee based, the people that wouldn't read them would be the exact people that would cut all our necks doing $75 house washes @ 3000 psi! So I say a big THANK YOU to Ron, Bob, Beth and Rod.
Pay to Read
- Thread starter Lou Zehnder
- Start date
SurgeFLA
New member
Same here. I was a PM before starting up with some basic knowledge and a basic setup. The knowledge I have gained from this board has definitely helped me grow and bid more jobs confidently setting me apart from the vast competition down here in Miami. I would suggest "donations" for products such as t-shirts and the decals to help keep costs down. Over at RCIA there is a strange atmosphere brewing over their paid membership changes, and its only $100. Imagine if you had to pay for info on Wikipedia? Paid memberships are meant to keep people out, and I don't think that would benefit the industry or the members of this board. My 2 cents.
Greg Rentschler
New member
Good to see the benefits.... just one question. Your all three are new to the business at this point and the boards have allowed you to tackle projects larger established companies are bidding on. Are you guys full time or is this a part time business for you to supplement your income (as in do you have another full time job)?
welder
New member
I belong to a couple of different boards in a totally different trade.
Their rules are simple.
NEW to board,,, access to this area.
250 posts and time on board, access to another area. Posts are reviewed before access is given.
500 posts and time on board with review and full privileges are bestowed.
Hacks and wannabees don't make it. These boards are free and full of detailed technical info. You just have to prove you are a full blown tech to get in. Not just trying to steal info.
Their rules are simple.
NEW to board,,, access to this area.
250 posts and time on board, access to another area. Posts are reviewed before access is given.
500 posts and time on board with review and full privileges are bestowed.
Hacks and wannabees don't make it. These boards are free and full of detailed technical info. You just have to prove you are a full blown tech to get in. Not just trying to steal info.
Scott Stone
New member
I am thinking that I like welders philosophy. I hate to say it, but the industry is being diluted. Of course, it could just be that I am tired. I really love this industry, but I hate what some people have done to it.
gks72
New member
LOL, you said "hate" twice...shouldn't this be copy and pasted to Kory's thread?
I did business with the vendors who educated me. Made non competitive friends and tutors through smaller roundtables.
The times we are going through are just a wrinkle in the fabric of the big picture.
welder
New member
I personally know 2 guys in North Jersey on one of the boards. Bid against each other all the time. As companys they are at each others throat. But, they are bidding the same way. As a professional business with all of the ancillary expenses involved.
And they actually help each other with issues on the masters level. To reach this you have to be a owner. NO employees, field techs and definitely NO surfers allowed.
That "no clue" makes for an easy sell on my part - thats what I would prefer. We just won a log home bid a month ago at a premium because the homeowner felt I was the only one of three who knew what the hell I was talking about. The other guys (both 1 man shows) had no clue about the proper methods and were lost when she asked specific questions (she did her homework... even suprised me what she knew).
Thats just one, what if you had seven guys that didnt know what they are doing. Customers then would question you, now you at least have a majority preaching the same gospel. Now your positioned as the authority.
DJ Carroll
Member
That "no clue" makes for an easy sell on my part - thats what I would prefer
It's easy to outsell the uneducated. These forums allow them the opportunity to learn my trade and skills at little to no expense on their part and the HARDEST part (pricing) can't be taught IMO. You have to know your business to know your pricing or your just winging it.
I try not to share the business specifics anymore. I know my competitor can punch in my name or biz name and pull up tons of info on me and how we do stuff. It's just too easy to cut your own throat and this is my livelihood.
Actually I find this topic a bit comical being what has happened between Mike and Lou. I have nothing against either party but can completely understand a particular side of it as I've been through it.
BINGO!!!! Give me a guy that isn't a BBB member and Association Member and doesn't know my methods to bid against. Because we all know that just because you know the proper way to clean and are environmentally responsible DOES NOT mean you have business knowledge or know how to properly run a business... All these boards taught me to clean... Mentors, Sales Coaching, College and Books taught me how to run a business.
DJ Carroll
Member
Knowing how to sell and how to over come objections is where this comes in handy.
Everything being equal - aka every one being on the same level turns selling into a price war.
Professionalism, Quality, and Customer Service mean nothing if you are at the same level of those as everyone else that's (and i can't stand this word) BIDDING on the job.
AZ PowerWash Pros
New member
This thread sounds like socialism to me...
I say let every man have the right to research any information about pressure washing or anything else in our free country. If he screws up, take his work. Let every man have an equal opportunity into the industry and the strong survive and stay in business. I know that this board has helped me a lot but with all due respect I would have ended up in my same position with or without reading a thread. The fact the industry is growing should make you excited and make it easier to get work. If there are thousands of companies that means there is a high demand and there are 100's of thousands of potential customers. Let as many people sell the business as possible.
There is enough work out there for everyone to stay in business. And if they are not then they are not working hard enough. There is no secret to success in any industry. Hard work always pays off. I don't make as much money as other guys on this board and I'm not trying to offend anyone or step on any toes. But the industry growing just sounds like more money in my pocket to me. Just my opinion.
Fees for internet research sounds like federal taxes. Unconstitutional.
I say let every man have the right to research any information about pressure washing or anything else in our free country. If he screws up, take his work. Let every man have an equal opportunity into the industry and the strong survive and stay in business. I know that this board has helped me a lot but with all due respect I would have ended up in my same position with or without reading a thread. The fact the industry is growing should make you excited and make it easier to get work. If there are thousands of companies that means there is a high demand and there are 100's of thousands of potential customers. Let as many people sell the business as possible.
There is enough work out there for everyone to stay in business. And if they are not then they are not working hard enough. There is no secret to success in any industry. Hard work always pays off. I don't make as much money as other guys on this board and I'm not trying to offend anyone or step on any toes. But the industry growing just sounds like more money in my pocket to me. Just my opinion.
Fees for internet research sounds like federal taxes. Unconstitutional.
welder
New member
DJ, You are forgetting one thing. College won't give it to you. You can't buy it, it is earned. And this will get you more work than everything you mentioned above. It is called a Reputation.
When I had a welding business years ago, I had a excellent rep for fixing difficult stuff and doing quality work. Thing is DJ. It took years to get that. So all things being equal in a bidding situation, your REP will carry the day. In another 5 or 10 years you will understand that.
Oh, in case your wondering, NJ divorce law killed what bad economies couldn't.
Greg Rentschler
New member
You pay fees for internet research every month to your internet provider so how is it any different?
I'm not necessarily an advocate for fees but more to put a leash on the information made available to the public.
oxfordlawn
New member
Not sure why the bad vibes for lawn care/pressure washing combos. This combination has allowed us to become a major player in our area of operation. Our business is different than yours--no better, no worse---just different. If you lived here you would get it.
But....on the other side of the coin...who gets these donations moneys. So many great people have offered me advice over the last couple years on different bbs'...arent these the guys who deserve the rewards. If the sponsors--who I do buy from--pay for the site costs through advertising fees----where would the monies go from the pay-per-view or donations.
No disrespect to anyone--I was just thinking and typing at the same time
Im in a different part of Florida, over run with people trying with home depot units but after several years of watching them come and go, these guys are disappearing slowly. I too feel well educated and confident in any residential work asked of us and it is all due to these boards--I am not the cheapest guy, but know I am very very busy, and as said, education will sell itself.
+10 for this--a golf cart forum I used to be a major contributor on had a donations tab--and it worked very well, and the donators had a little "tag" and symbol under their screen name.
But....on the other side of the coin...who gets these donations moneys. So many great people have offered me advice over the last couple years on different bbs'...arent these the guys who deserve the rewards. If the sponsors--who I do buy from--pay for the site costs through advertising fees----where would the monies go from the pay-per-view or donations.
No disrespect to anyone--I was just thinking and typing at the same time
AZ PowerWash Pros
New member
I'm not necessarily an advocate for fees but more to put a leash on the information made available to the public.[/QUOTE]
Why would you want our industry to not be available to the public? That's who were selling to... When they read your post and see your equipment compared to their lowes cold water machine you will get a call. When they read about your pressure washing techniques and years of experience you will get a call. They will be impressed that you sit at home and talk on these forums about pressure washing. As long as you be careful about what you post you should be okay. Even if they do see your pricing as long as you are not low balling then it sets industry standards.
But I agree that certain topics should be private for members only. No fees. I pay enough already. That's my vote even if it doesn't count.
Why would you want our industry to not be available to the public? That's who were selling to... When they read your post and see your equipment compared to their lowes cold water machine you will get a call. When they read about your pressure washing techniques and years of experience you will get a call. They will be impressed that you sit at home and talk on these forums about pressure washing. As long as you be careful about what you post you should be okay. Even if they do see your pricing as long as you are not low balling then it sets industry standards.
But I agree that certain topics should be private for members only. No fees. I pay enough already. That's my vote even if it doesn't count.
Lou Zehnder
New member
Greg- To answer your question, yes I am doing this part time, but only because I have to for the time being. I have a family, a mortgage, and a pile of student loans. I HAVE to continue working until washing can become full time. BUT it is my intention for it to become full time. And yes I am new, does that mean that I am likely to fail? Of course. But does that mean that I am not trying as hard or that I am not putting as much in to this venture as others, I don't believe so. I have put every spare dime and every spare moment into this business. I commend all those who have helped me so far--wittingly or not. One final question-- If you guys are so tired of us "newbies" learning so easily because of these bb's- then why do you keep posting on here? Create your own club and make it for all your "special" "professional" friends. --- Sorry, don't mean to rant.
Ohio pressure wash
New member
You still have not answered my question.....why?
What is the ultimate goal of limiting access to the info and knowledge? There had to be a reason for suggesting an additional expense to an entire industry.
welder
New member
When you are full time and your entire life is on the line, family, food, clothes, etc. then will you understand. Those that can fall back on their "day job" just won't get it.