Guestbook

Three years ago, I moved my carpet cleaning business to North Carolina from Illinois. The competition in NC is vicious. I could always do a superior job with my Von Schrader Machines, but the competition was driving my prices farther down than what I was used to up North.

I found a nice profitable niche down here though. I received a call a couple years ago from a district manager for a Wendy's restaurant chain in this area. It was a random call from my yellow page ad. He said he was approaching a number of carpet cleaning companies, and he would like for us to send him a bid. I sent him a nice looking presentation that I had put together, using some materials I had from Von Schrader.

The manager was impressed enough to give us a opportunity to show him what we could do. We came in and gave the carpet a nice cleaning. We did three of his restaurants that night. The next day I received a call from him, saying that all three of his store managers called, raving about the job we did.

This process is superior to any other method of cleaning for this colorful carpeting. It gets the grease up and brings back vibrancy that you wouldn't imagine.

I've attached some pics of our first cleaning.

We began by using two LMX machines, but soon picked up a Mach 12 to help out with speed. Now, I take my son with me. I run the Mach 12 and he runs an LMX. We can go in, put up all the chairs, move the tables off the floor, clean the carpet and put everything back in about an hour. Last week we had it down to 40 minutes a store, start to finish. We are making more than an attorney per hour. Smile.

Needless to say we got the business in all twelve of their stores on a four week rotation. They have been customers of ours now for over two years. I can work one night a week and pull down over $2400 monthly. I know I could get all the business I want if I would approach other franchise owners in this venue.

An interesting side note here. One of the store managers wanted to re-arrange some of the booths in one of the restaurants. I knew it would take four people to move the things. I called a friend of mine to help push them around. He was a steam cleaner who owed me a favor. I thought I would like to see the difference between what he could do and what I could do with the Von Schrader machines. I told him I was running behind a little and, since he already had his truck there, could he help me clean the carpet. He said sure and off we were.

He had a brand new $50,000 high pressure, super vacuum steam cleaner in the back of his van. He dragged all his hoses out, hooked everything up and started to clean. I whispered to my son to get one of my Von Schrader machines ready. I chuckled. I fired 'er up and cut a path straight across a section of floor that the steamer had already cleaned. My buddy stopped dead in his tracks. The look in his eyes was like he had seen a ghost. He couldn't believe how much cleaner we got the carpet. I just smiled, knowing my nominal investment into my equipment was more than worth the price.

Herb, just pass this on to your guys. This could be a very profitable niche for them. If any one would like to see more pics, feel free to contact me. There is plenty business to go around.

A Master's Touch

–Terry Bauer

I wanted to send you a couple of my, "Before & After" pics to be enterd into your contest...I hope I'm not too late! In the first set of pics, I "zoomed" in a bit too much on the "after" pic, but if you look closely you can tell that it is the same hallway...talk about a nasty job!!! One of the many reasons I love Von Schrader! At times I'm still amazed at the fantastic job the lmx is capable of!! Thanks Herb, for the continued support I get from you and the rest of your staff. You guys truly are the BEST! I know I'm just a "little" fish in a big sea of carpet cleaners but...I truly love what I do and I have the utmost faith in my machines and in Von Schrader...THANK YOU!

Take good care!
Bonnie Cole

I started my carpet and upholstery cleaning business in February 2009. Mark demonstrated the LMX Carpet Extractor and I bought it for myself for my birthday. A month later I purchased the Esprit Carpet Extractor. Carpet cleaning is a great business. Even though mine is only part time, the extra cash is great. My father-in-law, John, has come out of retirement to work with me. We are convinced that the LMX and Esprit are safe, fast, and easy-to-use. Thanks to the VS staff, which keeps us informed with the latest cleaning techniques, procedures, and free classes, JC’s is becoming well established in our community.
– Joly Castellanos
JC’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

My name is Dewey Mallory. I'm from the farm country of central Michigan. I have worked at General Motors for 30 years. I retired in 1989. I am now 74 years of age. I have been a Von Schrader Associate for the past 36 years. I started part time with a Von Schrader Carpet Deterger in the trunk of my car. Now I drive an SUV with my name on the sides... and buy a new one every year. Times are terrible. There is no place worse than the state of Michigan as far as I'm concerned. This is not the case for carpet cleaners. I am busy 7 days a week. This is the perfect time to be a carpet cleaner. I am as busy as I want to be. I love this job. I even dream about it. I never get in a hurry on a job. If a customer offers me a cup of coffee, with conversation, I accept and pause. I don't advertise... just word of mouth. One exception... I placed a small ad in our weekly paper. Why? Because the editor called me explaining that if I did not advertise, he would have to run ads for me... because he gets calls from readers who are wondering how to find me. I only charge 14 cents per square foot. I am probably the lowest price around, but I work alone, so I make money at that price. I can make $1,000 a week easily. Not bad for 74 years old. Everybody's house needs cleaning. There's always work available. I love it.
- Dewey

I got a call from a lady the other day who had some very dirty carpets. Her VERY LARGE dog basically ran the household and his dirty traffic patterns were deeply embedded. The house smelled like an outdoor doghouse. Honestly, I thought there's no way this carpet could clean. When I passed over the area with the first couple of passes, it only cleaned slightly. Then I pre-sprayed with the UPHOLSTERY pre-spray (cause that's all I had), raked it in, then went over it again... and honest to goodness the blasted carpet looked brand new. I thought the lady was going to kiss me. On top of that, she loved the smell the pre-spray left. $400 for two hours. Awesome!
- Tony

I just started my cleaning business with a Von Schrader upholstery machine and carpet cleaner. I had my first job today and the pay I received in only 4 hours of work was equivalent to over 1/2 a weeks pay of my normal 40hr job. I honestly cannot think of any other job that you can make that kind of money on without having a college education. This system is for real, not another one of those "get rich quick" schemes that seems too good to be true. You truly get exactly what is promised, a fun way to make a lot of money and a way to get out of your dead beat go nowhere 40 hour job that is making the big money for somebody else, why not let that person be you?
- Jonathan

These machines are actually worth their weight in gold! They run for years without breaking down, and if you ever need parts or advice you can call Von Schrader Technical Department. They will help you and answer all of your questions. No matter how many times you call they are NEVER rude or unprofessional.
– Jim

During the 1980's, Von Schrader equipment was the backbone of my cleaning business. Because it did such a terrific job, I was able to raise my two children on the income from that business. (I started the business in 1982 during a recession that nearly shut down the town where I lived.) Thank you.

Just wanted to let you all know how much I do appreciate all the support and advice I have received after becoming a Von Schrader associate. There is no company I know that backs there associates up like your company does, its one of the main reasons I chose to become an associate with Von Schrader.

This is the best opportunity a military wife with 2 children and a husband always on the move can have. I can have my business anywhere.

I am grateful that your company offers this opportunity to become an associate and to better your life without ongoing franchise fees or any fees of any sort after equipment is purchased and ongoing support as long as you own your equipment. I love the fact that with your company I can expand my business and offer more services at any point. Keep up the good work.
– S. Mc Nish