Today I am hitting the streets and knocking on doors, so to speak. There are a couple of property management companies here that needs their dumpsters cleaned. Going to try to sell myself and services to these companies. Also hitting up a couple of trucking companies to set up a demo and try to win some contracts. Also, the trash companies here needs someone to clean up after themselves if they have an accident in the neighborhood. The guy that was cleaning up after them just retired.
Starting out sucks, but I enjoy the challenge of selling myself and the product I can produce for them. Iāll be doing this all week so hopefully I get a couple of bites.
I know how it works. I just need to learn to perfect it. Last thing I want to do is makes someones truck all fuzzy because I used the wrong chemical or it was on too long.
Went out kicking in doors today. Went pretty well when I was able to talk to a decision maker. Sometimes its hard as hell to get past that āgate keeper.ā A lot of the businesses had āNo Solicitingā signs so I just walked in and introduced myself and gave them my flyer and business card and asked to be contacted if I could be of service to their company, in and out within a minute.
The same company that I did the box trucks for this weekend (Ford Storage) has another division and I stopped there first. Talked with them for a little bit and he finally asked what I was charging. Told him $45 for a 53ā trailer, $35 for a tractor and $25 for box trucks. If there were more than 40 pieces I could give a 5% discount. He countered that he can get his 53ā trailers cleaned for $10. I am sure he was just seeing if I would budge, which I didnāt. Told him I couldnāt even buy my soap for that, verbal jockeying done by both of us.
I was going to go to property management companies today as well but my dumbass dropped an olive relish on my pants (right over you know what) and couldnāt walk into businesses with a wet spot right up front. At least I have something to do tomorrow.
And then I was about 5 minutes too late to respond to a facebook mention to get a BDubs gig (damn not driving and checking those text messages when driving). Talked with the lady and she said she would keep me in mind the next time she needs the outdoor eating area cleaned.
When is it appropriate to contact companies after first contact with them? 2 weeks is what I was thinking.
Thanks again guys for the ones that replied here and that sent me PMās. I really appreciate the mentorship
Are there a bunch of owner opps in Nebraska you could track down near you ? I tend to go after them because it pays way better and you actually have a good relationship with there pride n joy and they want them washed at least biweekly.
I have one that I am doing this weekend. I tried to clean for him once before and didnāt have the right soap, technique, etcā¦
Told him I would get better and when I thought I was good enough Iād come back to him. Talked to him today, gave him my card and he wants me to come this weekend because he is tired of paying to have them taken to truck washes. Itās just two International straight trucks. I told him I didnāt want to jump into his Peterbuilt with a bunch of polished aluminum right now until I can perfect that before messing up one of his trucks. He was thankful that I came back and stuck to my word, albeit 5 months later.
Wash the dang Pete.Even If you just get the run of the mill mild truck soap and dollar general purple power and brush a little for a while till you learn more about techniques and proper soaps,degreasers and acids.Then youāll be safe,happy and go home with confidence and a lil coin to show for it.
If itās polished, you donāt have to worry about applying acids yet. But Iād recommend citric acid after your comfortable. Same stuff thatās in soda pop. Save you alot of ,ugh ,I swear I brushed that air breather or fuel tankā¦
Paving the pavement again today. Currently sitting at an Amazon Hub in Omaha. Have noticed that all their vans need cleaned for some time now. The waiting game sucks though, have sat here for 30 minutes waiting on the right manager. Not sure how long I will wait for though. Probably an hour and then head off to the next one.
Well that one sucked. Amazon will not allow them to wash vehicles on site, even with reclaim. And they have been trying to find something to work since October.
If you find the owner of the truck ,they might have a place to wash.Word gets around the water cooler that your washing and doing a great job,then BAM,your golden.I was told they have to own atleast 3 or more to be signed on with Amazon. My 2 cents.
They said corporate would not allow them to wash on site due to EPA. I asked if I was to reclaim water could we make it happen and he said no.
These arenāt Tractors. They are the Amazon Prime Vans, Chevy 2500 vans and Mercedes Vans. But there are every bit of 100 of them. And they arenāt getting cleaned at all, every single one is filthy. I gotta figure this one out.
A couple of months back tried cleaning some trucks for a small trucking company. Turned out I needed a little bit more training and let him know this. My sister-in-lawās nephew does fleets so I passed on his information. After doing the Nebraska Furniture Martās trucks last weekend I talked with the owner of the trucking company and asked if heād found anyone to clean his trucks, which he hadnāt. So we scheduled me to come out today and do some washing. Sent him these pictures and he was extremely happy. Now I may have his tractors and trailers as well.
