Anybody work with local dry cleaners on area rug business? I wanted to start visiting our local dry cleaners and working something out to do their rug cleaning. I would like to provide them with a checklist to fill out when taking a rug in so we know what we're dealing with. Any suggestions?
I use to be in the dry cleaning business and this is what I can comment on so far: 1) They might not want to take the rug in because of space requirements. -You might be better off having them offer pick up and delivery of rugs HOWEVER you would be the one who does it, this way you could price and check on the spot. 2) Customers might not want to haul rugs around, I wouldn't, plus I don't think my car is big enough. -You going to the customers house eliminates that problem PLUS why you are there, you may pick up additional cleaning business. Any time you are in the customer's house, it is an opportunity to pick up more work (their other carpet and hard surface flooring along with anything else you do like inside automobiles, dryer vents, mattresses, ect.) You would probably pay the dry cleaner a percentage of the job or finders fee. Make a flyer, very simple that they can staple to the garment bags which says something like, "we now offer area rug cleaning" or "free pick up and delivery of area rug cleaning". In advertising, the words call 'now' or 'free' are good words and very effective when used properly. Whatever you put on the garment bag, make sure it is about the size of one of their tickets. It should have a number to call and maybe a website, perhaps a simple one just dedicated to area rugs. One you can set up relatively cheap. No SEO or anything like that. Maybe even put a flyer on the counter to hand out if they let you. You are going to have to articulate to the cleaner how this will not add any costs to him and will be a way for them to pull more revenue and perhaps gain additional customers through referrals. The more you can do and the less they have to do, the better off you both are going to be.
Thanks Ob1, The cleaners in the same shopping plaza as one of our retail locations is the one who approached us. He currently does it and uses his leather cleaner to do it but would like to give us the business. He does the pre-qualification (fabric id/pet contamination) on site and claims that he does a fair amount every month. He also does the pick up and delivery with his dry cleaning pick up and delivery. I guess this is not the norm but sure looks like a great opportunity. I would possibly set up different options for the different dry cleaners but i feel this is a great avenue to market. I understand the idea of getting into the customers home but i certainly wouldn't mind making one trip a week to pick up a batch of rugs. What would a good rate be to offer the dry cleaners?
Rates I can't help you with from a carpet cleaner point of view as I am not a carpet cleaner however I do have extensive practical and specific business knowledge. When working for the cleaner you technically are putting yourself in a wholesale category. So you would use a wholesale price with a margin attached to it for the dry cleaner. Ideally you must remain profitable, allow the dry cleaner to stand a profit for his work and still be competitive. When being competitive, price yourself in line with others who are doing the same quality and service you offer. You should have an advantage already with this dry cleaner arrangement. You can use this as a stepping stone for other dry cleaners if you wish I would think. I still think it would be worth it to do as I described, perhaps down the road with some other cleaners unless you can duplicate a proven system but that will require you to hand hold with any other dry cleaners you get involved with in the beginning. Make sure they don't compete with this guy if you do it. Don't want to ruin a good thing.
