How to Impress Carpet Cleaning Customers

With Your Carpet Cleaning Machine

Don't be Misled

Some manufacturers and distributors of truck mount carpet cleaning machines will suggest, to new entrepreneurs in the business that one of the deciding factors, when purchasing a new system, is to obtain one that impresses or "wows" the customer.

The Customer's Perspective

The reality is, many unscrupulous carpet cleaners will take advantage of the customer's unknowing belief, that carpet is some type of magical, undefinable material and so is the cleaning and maintaining of it.

If a customer sees your carpet cleaning van, truck or trailer, their curiosity or intrigue with the machine inside, that they do not understand, will more times than not be nonexistent. Now, if you have a vehicle that is filthy, unkept, dripping fluids', shedding rust on their property and has a putrid odor that carries for a hundred yards, that might spark their interest.

Business Expenses Come First

You may find the occasional customer that is familiar with carpet cleaning equipment, or is impressed (even if invited) with your huge, expensive machine. But, I promise, the value of that bogus ego boost will seem small, compared to the inevitable and huge maintenance/repair rates and downtime generated by long labor costs.

When shopping for a carpet cleaning system, don't be unknowing too. Remember they all do the same thing, clean carpet. Be aware, that the four main components of any system to be concerned with are the engine, pump, vacuum blower and how the water is heated. The true power of your carpet cleaning machine is in the power of the vacuum blower. There are several ways to heat water and apply it to the carpet, but it's what you get back up that "really" counts.

Ask Basic Questions

Always, always, always ask questions about the cost of upkeep for your new carpet cleaning system. When it comes to repairs, put your concerns into three parts, "Can I do the repair myself? How involved is it?" And most importantly, "How long will it take?" Some good ones to start with are, belt changes, oil changes, fuel pump change, pressure pump repair, hose changes and (my favorite) if the starter on my engine goes out or oil seal pops out (and they will), how much labor will it take, one hour or four?

This is your money, business and future, take all the time you need and ask about any part or procedure that you don't understand.

The Answer to the Question

So what's the answer to the question? How do you impress carpet cleaning customers with your carpet cleaning machine? Use that machine to do the absolute finest carpet cleaning job, you really care about doing. Just like you, customers want to be cared about, not sold. As long as you operate keeping that in mind, they won't even mind if you make the occasional mistake, whether they look at your equipment or not.

By: C. Stephen Smith