So my wife has been receiving several calls recently from other power washi g businesses accusing us of stealing their signs. Of course, we’re not that type of people and have even had several of ours stolen as well. Even been the victim of some dirty stunts by another guy who totes around a small washer on wheels and 50 feet of hose in his pickup bed haha. However, the call she got today takes the cake…
She received a call from the wife of a power washing business in another county and this lady said that her husband has operated a PW business in that county for 6 years and that we don’t live there and are not allowed to have our signs in the county. She went on to say that she had placed several calls to the county commissioner to have all of oir signs removed. She was screaming at my wife while her husband was in the background telling her to say this or that. All the while my wife was basically laughing about it. I told the wifey I guess it’s time to just get a large roadside billboard down there since we’re not allowed to have yard signs out.
I feel conflicted about this post because I myself am suddenly being assaulted by a barrage of competition that I have never had before. One guy clearly has more money to invest in equipment than I do.
I have enjoyed a relative lock on my market for years because of repeat business and word of mouth. Heck, I’m the guy who doesn’t even have his name on his trucks because I don’t need to, and suddenly here comes an army of new competitors. I find myself griping to my wife every night about it and walking around muttering to myself out loud why these people suddenly decided that pressure washing was the new gold rush and why are they laying claim to my territory?
I’m conflicted about your post because if I had it to do over again I would have chosen a different business altogether. One that is scale-able and doesn’t require so much labor and equipment. Yet, I don’t want to diminish anyone’s ambition and dreams.
I totally am on your side about the calls and signs, that’s just wrong. I’m just saying I know what it feels like to work hard at something for years, build a respectable clientele and suddenly feel threatened by competition.
I’ve noticed that too but it’s high school kids and ppl that have home Depot pwers the don’t make it very long once they realize it’s more work than they thought…
Why say that? They may very well be legitimate contractors. Lot of people on here seem to have home depot washers. That’s capitalism doing what it is supposed to. 20 years ago I was one of two contractors in my part of the county. Now there are a dozen. population grows. Demand for services grows. Part of the business. I don’t fault anyone for trying to feed their family. Hollering into the phone isn’t cool, but don’t worry about people advertising around you. My wife has called the same $99 house wash guy for years to wash our house. He does a great job.
I totally understand a guy being upset that he has competition, it’s the making a call and being rude to my wife, what upsets me the most. It’s a free world, i may not like having competition but, I have no right whatsoever to call them and complain they’re stealing my business, or call themaking false accusations that they’re stealing my aigns. It’s just childish. I mean, unless I had absolute proof a competitor stole my signs, I’d never in a million years call and accuse them of it. For one, if they didn’t, I’d look like a complete jealous moron. Secondly, it’s just not the rational thing to do.
And it takes a real IDIOT to call your competitor and tell them they aren’t allowed to work in “my area” lol. I mean WOW!!!
Sure, competition sucks but, it’s reality…
I am not advocating or condoning that behavior. I don’t mess with my competition in any way shape or form. In fact, I funnel my overflow work to one of them because he’s a straight up guy. I’m am just saying I understand what it is to have competition seemingly double overnight and maybe someday you will too.
I have been doing this for nearly 15 years and while it may be good for the body to be outside, the work is hard on the back, hard on the joints, and the who knows what the chemicals are doing to you? Combine that with the added stress of running a business, managing employees and trying not to screw up someones’s property and pressure washing isn’t exactly a lazy afternoon at the beach. Still, I keep doing it. I was just saying that if I had it to do over again I might try a business with less variables that’s easier to scale and sell.
Property development seems like pretty good business. At least you get to write off owning a helicopter that way, lol.
I have a feeling you and I are in the same place mentally. My wife rolls her eyes because I am constantly complaining about how many calls I am getting for service. I say “good lord, don’t these people know it’s Sunday afternoon”!? She’s a Realtor and she can’t believe I say “for crying out loud, won’t these people leave me alone”!, lol
Steve: I completely understanding all of what you said and how a feller would feel that way. I just think handling it the way our competition has been is childish and, unprofessional.
I totally agree with you. They are probably scared of you because you are motivated and seem to have a lot more “on the ball” than they do, but that’s life. Go forth and conquer, it’s your American right to do so and it’s good for everybody. A rising tide floats all boats as they say.
So…my local competition is not going to be happy that I have a very substantial marketing budget! I honestly did not think of the hard feelings that may cause, but hey, I want the dream just as bad as the next. I am fortunate enough to have the resources to launch a multiple county marketing campaign, which I plan to do within the next 2 weeks. Should I not do this?
There’s just a certain type of people that, well, they don’t know any better and you’re better off forgiving them and moving on. Life is easier when you forgive and forget
