I just happend to come across the franchise company's  Service agreement last night.  Good reading if you like fiction.  All the inflated promises & low pricing.  The frequency they think they are getting away with on floor care is not going to work.  The flat mop system they speak of so highly & promote to death, we have tried & pulled because it was ineffective.  They include spotting , carpet & walls as well as weekly buffing!  I am not sure how they are gonna be able to acomplish all this for so little money unless they provide each franchisee ( tiny little cleaning fairies to help each night )

 I will say this though......As I read it I though what a bunch of bull blah blah blah BUT.....I reread it as a potential client & thought alot of it sounds pretty good if you dont know any better.  Not what they offer because we all know that you can fill a bid with a bunch of stuff, but then you have to back it up.  What I am saying is the way it was presented was not bad & I may tweak our a little to battle them.

Brian

I know about 3 to 4 people who have a franchise with Coverall.

they completely stretch the truth on there contracts.

they advertise about the microfiber flat mops and how they use

colored coded microfiber rags.  

But there franchisee's don't use them. actually the franchisee's I know

still don't even know what a mocrofiber rag is,lol. they buy all there products

from the dollar store.

But I will admit, 90% of BSC do stretch the truth on the contracts and what they say to get the sale.

if I was you I would keep in contact with the account, call them once a month.

EXSPECIALLY after the franchise has been there for 3 months, they usaully bite the dust around the 4th month

of service.

 

I think I can send you some really good information. With the Information I have I might be able to help you save your accounts. Grvz5247@cs.com

If you ask me...sounds like you may be a little intimated or fear the franchises...says something about a person....Listen Franchises are a  every day thing....Let the customer learn for themselves...All you have to do is the best you can with your business and let it lie..."If you can't run with the big dogs...then stay on the porch"....Don't complain start your own franchise with your own company if you can sell yourself or it...Some people don't agree with under cutting the "other business' but you don't want them under cutting you or yours........I personally do ALOT of PR in my business never lost one to anyone.....(ok well we do still wear pink tight tops...and we do wear short Kaki skorts..lol) There are other ways to beat a competitor....it does not have to get political...lol But be careful if you have some skeletons in your closets..lol lolThink of it this way... Ask yourself why would someone leave your business anyway and go with another one? 

Totally disagree.  After 12 years in this business & taking over many accounts that went with one of the "franchise" services, I very easily can run with the big dogs :)

But some clients see big companies with hot shot websites & a reference list that includes what the franchise is doing nationally along with a cheaper price & they get fooled.  I see nothing wrong with a little client education.  We are in the business & know , why not share that with clients.

you say that you  never lost one, how long have you been in business?  Maybe commercial is different, but price is a big factor & many times these guys low ball the bids badly.

Sorry but I do disagree...........domesticateddiva

Well if you are going to get the clients from a franchise anyway.....because they were not satisfied...... Wait till they come to you..Or would you let them know "hey your not going to be happy with them....but when you decide you want professionals..call me...Price is almost always a factor in everything........Everybody wants something for free......It's like shopping for credit card rates trying to get a lower rate...Some are always looking for a better rate to come along....They are not secure accounts...I wouldn't waste my time.....Service???? mmmmh do some people care if the service is poor for a cheaper rate? Let em learn the hard way......I'm not going to spend any time educating clients on franchises......Now I may say let my company show you the difference........But I am not going to explain how they work....I wish I were a franchise.........!

If  you lose any clients to a franchise...Brown nose the hell out of them and kiss their a$$,stay in contact ,show jestures of kindness related to your business....They should already know your the best and worth every penny? right????  Why would you have to sell yourself to a client you once had..Let em go! (of course unless they gave you lot's of perks,gifts,trips,stuff....lol) Now if it's a client you want??? Sell Sell Sell yourself...!.....

ok to each his own.........