Should I or shouldnt I?

**TRC77** · 03-12-2010, 10:05 PM

I currently work at Stanely Steemer aka "The McDonalds of carpet cleaning"...lol Anyways, I have a problem and maybe someone might have an answer for me. I know there are a ton of products out there that work great for spot removal, pet odor removal etc etc. I am basically stuck using the same old stuff that I HAVE to use according to SS guidlines. I feel sometimes I cannot perform the best possible service due to this. I know of a few places here in town that sell all sorts of carpet cleaning magic in a bottle. I want to try some of these products, but I know if management found out, I know I'd be in trouble. I know I can get out ink, I know we can greatly reduce those dark traffic patterns and in some cases even get red stains out. Guess what, we rarely can get out ink, red stains and traffic patterns are just explained away through "damage control" as I call it. I hate having to look my customer in the eyes, having just dropped a huge bill in his/her lap and explain why I could not get out some of these things that I know we should be able to get out rather easily in some cases. I do the absolute best job I can with what I am given to work with(chemicals). Our equipment is excellent and I have no complaints at all whatsoever regarding the equipment we use, but we need some better options as far as chemicals go. Should I go ahead and sneak in some stuff or just keep playing the "damage control" game? What types of cleaners might you suggest I try? Thanks

**Jarrod E** · 03-12-2010, 10:35 PM

Atleast your an honest person wanting to better yourself as a businessman/employee, I dont see how they would ever find out if you just poured your new chems into blank bottles, that way they would never know. I think you should do anything you can to make yourself feel better about these types of situations.

**Dave Y** · 03-12-2010, 11:28 PM

Using unauthorized chemicals could open up SS to liabilities and would likely lead to your dismissal.

You should just follow their protocol and methods of service delivery.

SS Can and likely has spent thousands of hour of research into their chemical selection.

What It comes down to is if the chems and procedures they offer don't work.

It's not your problem.

Changing it up would be like working at MCDonalds and changing their hamburger for steak.

Consistency either good or bad is what franchising is all about.

Just get in line and do it the SS way.

Look at the good side:

At least you don't have to wear a paper hat.

**Rafa-L** · 03-12-2010, 11:44 PM

Dude I luv the fact that you care about the customer much more then protocol.
Keep up the great work. If it bothers you that much have a talk with the owner of your franchise. If at that point you make no sense at all to him/her, then it maybe time to move on.
Any employee that cared much about the results and client is an employee I should listen to.

I'd hate to deliver mediocre results followed by a fat bill. As a customer that would not go well with me and I'd probably not use that service company again.

On the other hand if you were in my area I'd say keep up the good work and keep up the indirect referrals. Luv you bro Stanley.

**CCWorks** · 03-12-2010, 11:55 PM

Some chemicals can ruin some carpets. Safe chemicals don't discolor carpets and saves the franchise owner and SS money.

**PaulDavisBrunswickGeorgia** · 03-13-2010, 12:03 AM

Have you spoken to who ever is in charge about your concerns in the quality of the work?

You can not bring your own chemicals to work, that is opening up the company to a huge liabilty issue, and potentially you as well

If you cant get any headway with management find a new company to work for, you should have no problem finding a home with that type of work ethic

**bonesheal** · 03-13-2010, 01:57 AM

A long time ago I was an annuity salesman. It didn't take a long time to figure out that my company's product wasn't the best one out there. I didn't stay long because I had to spend every day doing something I didn't believe in. In the end I left to become an independent stockbroker and sell whatever I wanted. I loved that aspect, but without the company structure a lot of things were much harder for me. I'm not a stockbroker anymore.

**Jason Whaley** · 03-13-2010, 08:32 AM

Talk to management before using anything that they do not approve.... So are you plaining on paying for these items on your own? The good stuff is expensive!

**shane deubell** · 03-13-2010, 09:09 AM

You work for the owner, not your decision to make

If one of my team did that i would be extremely mad, this my money on the table.Some day hopefully you will see what i mean

**markp** · 03-13-2010, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by shane deubell

You work for the owner, not your decision to make

If one of my team did that i would be extremely mad, this my money on the table.Some day hopefully you will see what i mean

Shane is rite,
Your responsibily to SS is to do what your told, as long as you take a paycheck from them, follow procedure. What I here in your post, is an owner-operator in the making, buy a porty and get started on the side. You have the desire to be better, don't wait for others to share your conviction, be a leader not a follower!

Be great my freind!!
PS: keep us posted!

**idreadnought** · 03-13-2010, 11:10 AM

**** your in texas? Want to relocate to sunny norther California? Like everyone said and I agree. SS is a mcdonalds of carpet cleaning and they fit the that market really well. Unfortunately your more of a chef stuck flipping burgers. You should really consider moving to a company that has higher standards or starting off on your own. Another thought might be that the owners don't want to buy the good stuff and it is available to them but not to you. Keep up the good work ethic and the offer stands if you want to relocate to an amazing place to live.

**CoastalCleaning** · 03-13-2010, 12:05 PM

Talk to your branch manager about your quality concerns. I know him personally and he's one of the good guys. Maybe they're some techniques or changes he can help you make to your cleaning that can improve the results. Despite what some say here you can do a quality job working for SS and your branch in particular is one of the few branches that does put an emphasis on quality. Don't just go about doing things your own way. It'd be the quickest route possible to unemployment or payroll deductions. Perhaps you just need some additional training.

The citrus you guys use is basically citrus solv and does great with inks. You might have to give up the urine battle because SS isn't likely to approve any urine stain removers like the Bridgepoint stuff. They usually err on the safe side.

**shane deubell** · 03-13-2010, 04:38 PM

I just dont think terry realizes how hard it is to supervise people today and run a small business. In NYS employees can walk right out door and collect unemployment, drink cheap beer all day. Its ridciulous the babysitting you have to do with techs nowadays they have more power then you with govt.

So if you want to gripe about your employer, on behalf of every other employer out there I have a couple gripes about the current labor force.

**ACC** · 03-13-2010, 05:04 PM

When you work for a company you represent them and follow their guidelines strictly. I know it is hard to take pride in your work when you feel you may not be doing everything as well as you think you could. That said, you wear a SS Uniform not a Terry Christopher so you can take pride that you do the best job possible with what you have to work with and the customer will not hold you personally to blame. They will hold SS to blame. If you feel strongly enough about improving quality , your best bet is to use your chain of command and voice your concerns. Good Luck

**JDS87** · 03-13-2010, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by TRC77

I currently work at Stanely Steemer aka "The McDonalds of carpet cleaning"...lol Anyways, I have a problem and maybe someone might have an answer for me. I know there are a ton of products out there that work great for spot removal, pet odor removal etc etc. I am basically stuck using the same old stuff that I HAVE to use according to SS guidlines. I feel sometimes I cannot perform the best possible service due to this. I know of a few places here in town that sell all sorts of carpet cleaning magic in a bottle. I want to try some of these products, but I know if management found out, I know I'd be in trouble. I know I can get out ink, I know we can greatly reduce those dark traffic patterns and in some cases even get red stains out. Guess what, we rarely can get out ink, red stains and traffic patterns are just explained away through "damage control" as I call it. I hate having to look my customer in the eyes, having just dropped a huge bill in his/her lap and explain why I could not get out some of these things that I know we should be able to get out rather easily in some cases. I do the absolute best job I can with what I am given to work with(chemicals). Our equipment is excellent and I have no complaints at all whatsoever regarding the equipment we use, but we need some better options as far as chemicals go. Should I go ahead and sneak in some stuff or just keep playing the "damage control" game? What types of cleaners might you suggest I try? Thanks

You sound like the type of person that should start your own business!
I wouldn't use anything that Stanley Steemer doesn't provide.
You might find yourself in some trouble.
The problem with franchises is that they have a certain procedure and if you
don't follow it you're out the door.

**Blind Dr** · 03-13-2010, 09:11 PM

Sounds like it is time for you to go out on your own.

**Gymee** · 03-13-2010, 10:23 PM

Since SS is on the order of a McDonald's it's all marketing to them and they are not really in the business to provide GOOD carpet cleaning.

Just like McDonald's doesn't make good hamburgers.

They are garbage gut burgers.

Either follow their rules or strike out on your own.

**TRC77** · 03-14-2010, 12:49 AM

Thanks for all the replies....It was just a thought. I've decided not to try anything outside of what SS uses. IBTW, speaking to my branch manager about this is pointless as all choices on cleaners are made in Ohio. I just think we might have some other options.