I'm Just glad the state of MN requires people to carry auto insurance and the mortgage companies require home insurance.
Therefor I'm still in business.
Comment
PaperTrail07
SBR Posting Legend
08-29-08
20423
#37
BIGDAY...dont rake it all in at once selling state minimun coverage to bums....and dealing with their car changes ect.....all about
commercial ins...know a few guys that triple my annual income with 2-4 large accounts...
Comment
Sdotbold
SBR MVP
12-24-09
1444
#38
Originally posted by tatommack
yeah i noticed that a few years back when i started getting service calls for something they bought online. most things like cleaners are cheaper online than i can get them for.
yes , i am also in the pool and spa service business. i can find alot of things on the internet cheaper then i would get them for at the supplier. Do you do just service work or do you build pools?
Comment
TheMoneyShot
BARRELED IN @ SBR!
02-14-07
28672
#39
Originally posted by tatommack
i have struggled the last 4 years the previous 10 were great all my advertising is the same. Not sure what to do at this point but if this keeps up my wife will have to go back to work. Anyone else struggling with a small business?
I've owned tanning salons for 10 years. Down to only 1 now. The Obama administration fukked everything up with the tanning tax. Nobody wants to pay 10% tax on anything... Who knew it would end my livelihood?
You aren't the only one feeling pressure. Anything to do with "luxury" items people have bailed out on... Now I only have 3 options:
1. Thankful that I've experienced business... and be a Gigolo.
2. Change professions... and shack up with someone in the medical field?? Possibly a nurse?
3. Be a professional gambler?
Comment
milwaukee mike
BARRELED IN @ SBR!
08-22-07
26914
#40
small businesses in the milwaukee area have really been destroyed. just in the last 5-10 years i have had clients go bankrupt that owned restaurants, lawn services, motosports, cabinetry, etc
anything catering to the consumer has been creamed, they are feeling pinched and are looking for ways to save a buck vs. 20 years ago when they would pay good money for good service.
i think vegasvixen gave some good advice, do some online marketing, social networking stuff that is pretty close to free
Comment
paranoyd androyd
SBR Hall of Famer
10-01-11
6459
#41
i hope things turn around for all you small business owners, much respect to all of you. gl
Comment
BIGDAY
SBR Aristocracy
02-17-10
48245
#42
Originally posted by PaperTrail07
BIGDAY...dont rake it all in at once selling state minimun coverage to bums....and dealing with their car changes ect.....all about
commercial ins...know a few guys that triple my annual income with 2-4 large accounts...
It's just what I tell people. When that ask me how's biz. I just say the state still requires it. Lol
You are correct with the larger commercial accounts.
My agency just gears toward personal lines with our leads.
My agents and CSRs do all the service. I just keep the lead sources happy. Taking real estate people and loan officers to sporting events/ golfing/ happy hours is majority of my job.
Comment
PaperTrail07
SBR Posting Legend
08-29-08
20423
#43
LOL...for sure BIG....Well it looks like you got it figured out then!.....ive been in both positions and I just know that selling small policy ins dosent go a long way....lot of paperwork...preassure from people/companies you rep..ect...and non-pay is at an ALL TIME high....and the industry of insurance is going nowhere but UPP in pricing....everytime I look we lose a few poeple...but premiums go up so comission stays the same!!!...Next ill be voting for higher state required limits!!
Comment
Louisvillekid1
SBR Aristocracy
10-17-07
52143
#44
I've been having problems using companies to get me on the first page of Google...
3rd company and each promise the same thing, not too expensive but they all say they can do it...
Last few years biz was down like 30% but going to have a huge year next year and going forward...
Picked up a few new complexes...
Comment
Shafted69
SBR Hall of Famer
07-04-08
6412
#45
you have a shitty product that is an out dated dinosaur
Comment
Louisvillekid1
SBR Aristocracy
10-17-07
52143
#46
Originally posted by Shafted69
you have a shitty product that is an out dated dinosaur
Comment
RunningMan7
SBR High Roller
01-03-12
137
#47
Originally posted by TheMoneyShot
I've owned tanning salons for 10 years. Down to only 1 now. The Obama administration fukked everything up with the tanning tax. Nobody wants to pay 10% tax on anything... Who knew it would end my livelihood?
You aren't the only one feeling pressure. Anything to do with "luxury" items people have bailed out on... Now I only have 3 options:
1. Thankful that I've experienced business... and be a Gigolo.
2. Change professions... and shack up with someone in the medical field?? Possibly a nurse?
3. Be a professional gambler?
Did you ever consider that the recession put a kibosh on spending on entirely discretionary things like tanning than a 10% tax? There will be a few who will get fake tans less if they have to pay 10% more. I don't doubt that you will lose those clientele who limit was reached on the old prices. .But that's probably only a small percentage of clientele who quite compared to those who don't want to pay at all. 10% tax may be the convenient excuse they can use to avoid telling you why they are quitting. If you added a 10% tax on beer, I think people will still drink a lot of it.
Nevertheless, I will say that the tanning tax was a stupid idea and a waste of time. The amount of extra revenue the IRS is not worth it. As much as I love , I do think there should have been a major breast implant tax if you dont have a masectomy or are under 30. The tanning tax was a stupid tax added under the Obamacare plan. Considering the side effects of breast implants, I wouldn't have minded seeing that. Pot is less harmful than breast implants and that is illegal. If you want to stimulate the economy, make pot legal and watch tourism thrive.
I know that I quit having my pool cleaned because I felt like I would be better off using the exercise to clean my pool and save my self 90-100 bucks a month on pool cleaning service. And the recession was a part of the reason for that. He actually offered to reduce the price a few bucks(the equivalent of a tax cut) and I still refused.
By the way, TheMoneyShot, are the answers to options 1 and 2 going to be the crazy Pittsburgh chick?
Comment
TRE1968
SBR Sharp
08-09-09
425
#48
Originally posted by InTheDrink
its pretty amazing that you can go to a store to pick something out that you want and then find a site that doesnt charge shipping OR sales tax and save a bundle....sometimes from the SAME FUKKIN BUSINESS
i did it with a $2000 refrigerator at best buy....saved myself $100 in sales tax....and the best part was that i still picked it up at the store
Comment
tatommack
SBR MVP
10-10-08
4171
#49
Originally posted by Sdotbold
yes , i am also in the pool and spa service business. i can find alot of things on the internet cheaper then i would get them for at the supplier. Do you do just service work or do you build pools?
Just service where are you?
Comment
SteveRyan
SBR MVP
11-15-11
1654
#50
Here is a couple things you should be doing.
1. Make the social networking angle work for you.
If you don't have a Facebook page for your business, you need to get one immediately. Make sure there are links on FB to your website and vice-versa. Get your friends to like your FB page. Post daily so that they dont forget about you. Social networking is HUGE. It is a major part of any business future. You need to get on board ASAP or you will get left behind. Other things like Twitter, Linkedin, and any other social networking service will help also.
2. Take advantage of Google.
Make sure that when people go to Google and search for your business, a map shows up with the phone number, web link, FB link, etc. If you work out of your home, just map your business to the nearest shopping area and encourage people to call for information. I believe it's free to do this. You just need to register an email address and set up the info.
3. Offer discounts if customers give referrals.
10% off or some type of savings for anyone who gives you business. You can put space on the back of your business card for referrals. Your customer puts his name on the back and gives it to a friend.
4. Go green.
Offer environmentally safe service. I know a pest control guy who uses only safe chemicals that wont harm pets or children. It's a big bonus for his business. I dont know anything about pool service, but I imagine that environmentally safe chemicals are available. Then, make it a primary focus to your FB page and advertising.
Comment
Naz18
SBR MVP
09-10-09
4277
#51
Originally posted by InTheDrink
its pretty amazing that you can go to a store to pick something out that you want and then find a site that doesnt charge shipping OR sales tax and save a bundle....sometimes from the SAME FUKKIN BUSINESS
i did it with a $2000 refrigerator at best buy....saved myself $100 in sales tax....and the best part was that i still picked it up at the store
You have to pay sales tax on bestbuy. If there is a physical store in the US then you have to pay sales tax (ex walmart, best buy, sears). Sites like amazon don't charge sales tax because they don't have physical stores.
Comment
tatommack
SBR MVP
10-10-08
4171
#52
Had a great day yesterday 4800.00 dollar day hadn't had a day that good since this summer. i sure hope this keeps up.
Comment
tatommack
SBR MVP
10-10-08
4171
#53
Also the wife informed me that we would be getting reimburse 12k for medical expenses i had to pay because of that pos.
Comment
cant call it
SBR Hall of Famer
08-29-10
8817
#54
Motorcycle salvage. Things are slow because its cold now, but we look for any avenue we can to create revenue. The possibilities are numerous. A sharp mind always finds a way to get ahead.