Free spotter for life.....

I am implementing this program in my business. Lots of talking heads in the industry recommend this type of program. I think it is a good idea on two fronts.
1 It gets your business name in FRONT of the buyers. You are in there home, like a frige magnet.
2 It may help you in the end, stopping customers from dumping crap like Resolve in carpets.  

So, what I did was order bottles AND sprayers. I also ordered an empty gallon jug to mix up my spotter juice. Ordered a 1 ounce pump too, to make life easier dosing SOE into the mixing container. 72 bottles and spray head, including shipping, cost me about 90 bucks (with the other stuff I mentioned.)

I plan to put 4 ounces of SOE and 4-5 drops of tropical in a gallon. That will fill 8 spotter bottles.

For labels, I am getting some 3.5x4 inch labels from Staples and making my own label front and back. I will seal the label over with self sealing lamination sheets (I already have these). Chem and water proof that way.

I bought my bottles from www.usplastic.com .

Specifically these bottles:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=97581&catid=556

I am now, looking for a cheaper and hassle free way to get empty spray bottles that I can fill myself. Gotta have the spray tops though.

Sure, I could have bought some distributor's spot out bottles, but I chose to cut my own path. I want to use Joe's stuff with Joe's "smell good". My cost per bottle are running about the same as those big guys, but I have the advantage of having MY own label. MY own product. Not just some crap that everyone else has to buy.

I've thought about doing this, and I think it's a good idea......But....

It sure would put a damper on me selling customers the best spotter ever (Chemspec Spot Lifter), for $25 a quart. It's like crack for carpet haha, once a person uses it they are hooked and always call back for more carpet crack.  

Giving it away is advertising. You get in front of every person that gets a free bottle. Guaranteed your name is in their home and on their mind exactly when they have issues.

Sure, you will not make money off selling these, but the advertising cost per customer is very, very low.

Anytime they want a free refill, it gives you an opportunity to sell. Your signature scent also reminds them of the great work you do. A positive smell to remind them of the positive experience they have with you.

I really figured this would generate a little discussion...

Guess I was wrong.

That's a big bottle for a give away at 32 oz. I used to give away the 16 oz from Jon Don should have stayed with it. It's a great way to stay top of mind in a customers home. I wonder if adding the fragrance will affect the S/O encap properties. What say you Joe B?

Freemind's link I clicked on above showed 16oz (pint) bottles, where are you seeing 32oz, Mo?

I would think going with 1/2 pint (8oz) bottles would increase your customers contact with you, which I thought was one of the main points in giving away free spotter w refills with your label on it?

you can buy some small spray bottles 8 oz size at any beauty supply supply store.

Mine were the 16 ounce size. You can get ANY bottle type, and any top type from US Plastic.

Their prices are the lowest I have seen.

Jon Dons price is double of my cost, plus whatever shipping ends up being. I know what is in the bottle making them myself. I can honestly say I am giving the customer a QUALITY product. With pre bottled stuff, I don't really know.

I toyed with doing that, but I always had concerns about liability if they mis-use those spotters. At the very least, I would provide a much weaker product than you would normally use. By providing a weak version, you ensure that they can't fully replicate your ability to remove a spot and will provide greater safety.

It just scares me to think what would happen if a child drinks from a bottle that has my name and logo all over it. Choosing a product like S/O/E is far greater than other toxic spotters, but it can't be good for a child to drink it. Remember, many of your customers might be idiots when it comes to chemical control safety...you have seen what is under the sink in their homes haven't you?

What size bottle does the Jon Don thing use?

I use those little 4 oz bottles, fill them from a 1gal jug like Freemind, using a 1 gallon hand pump, 1oz per pump, the kind you screw into the top of the 1 gallon jug. Now you're a Starbucks girl.  

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the liability.
Just put a standard Caution statement on there and carry insurance.

I would not recommend Tropical in there.
It smells too much like something you would want to drink.
How do you think it got it's name?
Just use SOE. It has that boring, non attracting smell.

Mix it strong enough to really work, say 6 oz/gal + a little LP.

If you wanna stay in front of your customers I'd write them a simple newsletter, quarterly.
Teach them about Safe, the difference between Safe and Green. Why they need an OO.
How to get out coffee the RC way... ( 3%LP+ammonia)
How to get out common stains the RC way... SOE Spotter
How to get out Kool-Aid... they gotta be told "this is one you need me for. Teach your whole family to just blot it dry, keep it dry, no spotters at all. Cover it up til I'm scheduled to clean or call me to come by when I'm in your area."
Stuff like this, that personalizes you.
You've given them something and sold yourself as the Pro they need.

JonDon does 8 and 16 ounce spotters. Hence why I wanted to do 16 ounce.

I wanted to give my customers something of real value. Something they could expect to pay 20 bucks or more at the store. Something with the benefit of SAFE, rather than who knows what's in the bottle.

I liked the idea of giving my "secret" scent, but I think you are right Joe. The smell of the tropical may be tempting for the little ones to drink it. I hadn't thought of it that way.

How much HP would you suggest per gallon of RTU?

Thanks for the input.

Good thread here guys. I have my client tell me al the time when I hand the their FREE bottle of spotter how much they love it. Just gave one yeaterdau two bottle cause she is selling her house and I want her to know I understand how clean is important when showing her home. I don't want her to get to a place where she may run out. And as always more FREE spotter if ya just give us a ring.

Always pissed me off trying to get carpet stores to refer me for cleaning.
All I usually got was repair jobs or the owner saying 'go make her happy Joe... so I can get my dough' jobs. All the while, they had spotter bottles on their shelves from who knows who, nothing but dish soap, selling for $12.95 a pint.
Thought just hit me, maybe could work for ya'll, should Give them my spotter with my label and my phone number on there then let them sell it for that same 12.95.
I don't know seems like it might make your phone ring, seems smarter than goin in there like a mutt without a leash begging for a bone.   
Goofy or  
Genius:laugh: 

That's a smooth sell.

Hey guys get your own label made

mix up some procyon or STPP and fill the spotting bottles with it
you have a cheap ultra safe spotter. This spotter will not leave any soap or suds when you have to come back and clean the carpet.

The big plus is they cant hurt anything with that product.

ODIN wrote:Hey guys get your own label made

mix up some procyon or STPP and fill the spotting bottles with it
you have a cheap ultra safe spotter. This spotter will not leave any soap or suds when you have to come back and clean the carpet.

The big plus is they cant hurt anything with that product.

What's STPP ? Also what kind of procyon do you use Terry ? I heard great feedbacks about that product.

most of what procyon is sttp

http://www.chemistrystore.com/Chemicals_S-Z-Sodium_Tripolyphosphate.html

So you can buy 50 lbs of that stuff in that website and use it to clean ?? What's the dilution in hydroforce ? Is that what you use to clean carpets ?

use it as a rinse I mix about a cup and a half in 5 gallon mix jug and meter at 1 gallon an hour

regardless of how you mix this stuff you cant hurt anything with it.