Advertising with Home Depot

I stopped at a Home Depot today looking for some Flitz polish to clean the frets on an old guitar that I found.  They didn't have the metal polish, but while I was standing there in my uniform shirt, one of the employees came up to me and asked if I could speak with their shoppers.

There were 2 women in the store wanting advice on how to clean a bathroom shower tile and how to clean their stone floors.  I told them that I don't work there, but they said that they recognized the company on my shirt and thought I would be able to answer their questions.

We spoke for about 30 minutes and I even took them over to discuss the tiles that the store sells along with the various cleaners that they had been using in the past.  Then it snowballed and I was approached by a couple looking to buy carpet and then one that asked about pet odor issues.

I didn't get out of the store for 90 minutes, but each one of these shoppers asked for a business card and wanted to know if I had any time next week?  

Talk about free advertising!  I think I will always go in uniform to these places and linger around the carpet and tile areas   in the future.  Like I always say, it is the personality of the cleaner that is the most important tool that we have.  IF the customer likes you, trusts you, they will hire you......even if you aren't the best cleaner in the world.

The quote Patrick Swayze (somebody has to):

LOL...I was at the market the other day picking up some food and the lady in front of me was renting a rug doctor....the lady asked how much they were and when the gal said the price she said we have the regular for $24.95 or the professional with the scrubbing head for $34.95 (or whatever it was) I laughed and was in uniform....the lady renting it seen me....then said he will tell you this one is better (I was biting my tongue until invited in) I said actually I wouldnt rent either of those...I make lots of money off of people who rent those...they buy the soap and then lack power and training to get it out....it soils quick and here I am! she rented anyway.

I wanted to not pipe in out of respect of it being someone else s store....but when I was put on the spot to back her (as if!) I gave em my truth. when she rented it anyway I wanted to force my math on her lack of savings. Chances are she will have it for two days...use the chems they sell, do it herself, damage the carpet, move the furniture ALL into one room creating more work, soaking the carpet....thinking to herself....I wonder how much that guy charges that i seen at the store! LMAO

$34+34 (two days) soaps $14.95+ her labor $50 at least =$132.95 not counting damage and fuel and cleaning equipment and the fact she will pay me anyway next year. This could easily cost her $175 and my fee would have been maybe $120 for whatever she tried to clean.

milspec6 wrote:........ 


 Like I always say, it is the personality of the cleaner that is the most important tool that we have.  IF the customer likes you, trusts you, they will hire you......even if you aren't the best cleaner in the world.........

Good story, n tip.

And I totally agree with the statement^ above, so true!!

BTW where's Mo been?

the soap for Rug d is like $15 but thats only enough to do about 1 room maybe stretch it to 2.

plus you have to empty it about 3x per room.


Ive used them about 4 times before, long before I was ever into carpet cleaning of course

I always want to slip a business card behind those rental machines when I walk by....might be in bad taste, but I really want to do it.

Mo...Mo who?

AC....you've come a long way!

Honestly though, Rug Dr and Resolve make us lots of money guys. Oh and Woolite!

milspec....me too. but when you see who usually them, it doesn't take long to figure out you probably don't want to clean for them anyway. Not being mean, but its true...Ive rented them back when it was cool....(like AC) but to much education has been provided since then.

Good point Devon....probably not the ideal customer base in most cases.

Here I am.

Thats what I was going to say AC the bottle is not enough to clean more than two rooms. If you do need to clean more consumer get a backache cuz its not very ergonomic.

I have often considering purchasing a an extractor to makeavailable for rent for the do it your selfers and charge for tech support

That isn't a bad idea actually Mo.

I have been renting water damage equipment along with "technical assistance" for years. People really seem to like it, they save a few bucks and I don't have to lift a finger.

Just have to be careful not to give away any trade secrets.

I scare all my customers away from Rug Ds... just mention urine house, bed bugs, and fleas lol

theyll never rent one again. They dont even clean those things, right back on the shelf

ACpower1 wrote:I scare all my customers away from Rug Ds...     just mention urine house,    bed bugs,  and fleas lol

theyll never rent one again.       They dont even clean those things,  right back on the shelf

The rented bowling shoes of the cleaning world.

I went to HD with my uniform all the time and noone ever ask me anything we really live in different part of the country

DP....you have to dress sexy when you go to HD like maybe a hat with a feather in it? or some shinny white platform shoes? don't be afraid to show some skin either! Winking a lot helps. Ask Rob...bet he was dialed in when he went. Chick magnet Rob!

Devon07 wrote:DP....you have to dress sexy when you go to HD like maybe a hat with a feather in it? or some shinny white platform shoes?

Sounds like an ol' school pimp.

pimpin aint easy!