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I think your right here, we have already taken on one call but they have paid labour upfront, just seems a bit unprofessional when they are communicating on the phone plus Companies House makes interesting reading : ) probably complete this one and give them the heave ho !
Re: The use of manufacturer names on vehicles
Martin I think you offer good advice, all well sticking logos on the vehicles but could invite unwanted attention and a Cease and Desist letter.
Think we will stick with accurate descriptions
Re: The use of manufacturer names on vehicles
Yes this is my feeling about this and I see a lot of vehicles running around who would not have permission to use these trading names or logos but that does not stop them doing this.
I
Re: Checkatrade
Thanks Martin, thing is my view is that for customers who are planning say a new bathroom, new heating system then they might take time to look around for a tradesman and the job values are far higher. With our trade its a reactionary situation with lower job values hence why I think the model wouldnt work for us.
Re: Are you busy?
In one way its nice to know that the climate of trade is slowed across us, its also interesting that from people working on their own to larger businesses and bearing in mind we all have different ways of running our businesses that the current trend is across these business types. Thats the negative out of the way but on a positive vibe I wonder how you all place any advertising you might have.
Currently we operate in a densly populated area and have a mix of compeditors from the guys working from vans to those with a retail front through to the nationals. Advertising wise we are well represented on line with our own website, Yell. Com, Facebook, multiple directories, other social media and still Yellow Pages. Despite this I am surprised that in such a densly populated area that we do not get more service calls even when you think that as part of the cake which is split between customers who have extended warranties, service plans, those who just scrap and buy cheap, to the customers who buy better quality appliances and will spend that there is not more work.
We have lived through all the major recessions and normally at such times historically we see make do and mend but it feels different this time. Having said all this since a week ago Monday we have been flat out until this morning and now its as if someone has thrown a switch and this cycle has been repeated a number of times this last six months.
Re: Are you busy?
It appears that in talking to various suppliers and reps that trade has slowed significantly and certainly we are down 34{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} on the last two years comparing the same weeks and months. When you look at other businesses like Sainsburys, M&S they are also reporting significant downturns so my view is that the slowdown/downturn is cross sectional with both the retail and service sectors.
It’s a worrying time for many I would guess and with Brexi the General Election both being hammered by the daily media people are being very cautious. The current warm weather also means people are either out and about, or not using dryers and so much cooking. Either way none of which helps us lot !
Re: Are you busy?
We have had a patchy few months, some weeks very good with a increase in finished goods being sold but taking the last quarter into consideration there are not so many calls coming in. We are seeing a marginal increase in spares sales where customers are attempting their own repairs and if I hear one more telephone enquiry where the call starts off, right our dishwasher is not working right and we saw on You Tube how to fix it but it’s still not going, do you come out for free !!
Speaking to other businesses owners I know they are also seeing a big slowdown in sales and services so it’s not just our trade. With the media banging on about prices increasing due to brexit, currency fluctuations and the moon being in the wrong orbit we are probably all looking at our turnovers and running costs. With the Government increasing business rates, the national Minimum wage, cash strap councils increasing council taxes and car parking charges in our area the latter a 133{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} increase there’s pressure on people’s finances from all quarters. Our Rubbish Collections are being increased by 5{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} and of course we are seeing increases in spares costs. What we are not seeing is small businesses increasing their costs and our Labour Rates are pegged at 2015 prices as to increase them could jeopardise what work is coming in and of course there’s always some local Johhny who will do a free call out hoping to make a quick buck changing a set of brushes and who tell the customer the machine is not worth fixing if the fault takes longer than 10 minutes to locate or a built in appliance they walk away.
We are operating in turbulent times and just maybe as we no longer have a UK manufacturing base of Appliance manufactures with all appliances coming from the EU that prices of these are increased to a point where make do and mend reappears but then again it could all be relative numbers.
Re: UK Service Maintenance Group Ltd
Thanks Guys, I have booked a Call with them but they have paid upfront !
Re: Are you busy?
Grooster I think that all plays a part, sooner they increase prices of appliances the better
