Thursday, February 23, 2012

BUYING SUPPLIES/I'LL GET IT AT SAM'S

When we start out in business we are all looking for any way we can to save a dollar. I know I did. I can remember in the first months of my business existence, how we pulled trailers behind our cars with our company logo on the trailers. Saved us buying a van for the first year in business.

One of the ways many contractors attempt to save money is on the cleaning supplies they purchase. While it is commendable to be frugal, sometimes you can make decisions that cost you considerably more dollars in the long run. Are you really saving money by running to Sam's or Costco?

As you grow your business, many potential clients want to know what products you are using and if they are environmentally safe etc. This is particularly true with the emphasis on green cleaning in this 21st century. You want to tell your prospective client you buy whatever is cheapest at Sam's? I don't think so.

Another potential problem with buying supplies and equipment wherever it is cheapest or whatever is on sale, lies in the need to keep Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on every product that you use in a facility. When you buy from whatever sale is occurring you are setting yourself up for a sizable fine from OSHA if you can't keep track of the MSD sheets.

As an additional comment here, don't forget you need correct labels on each spray bottle that you use or you can open yourself up to sizable fines PER BOTTLE if an OSHA inspection should occur.

As early as possible in your contract cleaning career it is important to make some decisions on what brand of cleaning products and equipment you want to use. In my book "THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF CONTRACT CLEANING FROM ONE WHO DID AND DIDN'T, I outline at least 10 steps you should take BEFORE you consider what the price is and who you buy from. Once you take these steps you will make life much easier on yourself and your staff.

Another point to make. As you grow your business you will be tempted to start talking to manufacturers about private labeling your supplies. You begin to think "big" and want your name known everywhere. Wrong bowl cleaner Bill. You'll find your prospects and customers are much more familiar with the names like Diversey, Ecolab, Betco, Spartan, etc. than than with your private label Dickie's detergent or Billie's bowl cleaner. Plus, the manufacturer probably won't be there the night you have a major problem with a product but the trusted distributor you buy from will be. Hint, hint, that distributor is one of the 10 steps outlined in the book.

I could go on and on about this subject of supplies and equipment but hopefully I have made a few key points that will help you avoid some of the mistakes I have made in the past.

By the way, don't forget to go to www.tripodcast on Monday mornings to listen to our latest pod cast. These are short, concise, free messages that can help you manage your business. You can sign up and receive a notice each time one is posted. While there you can also listen to several past episodes. We have some posted at www.consultantsincleaning.com as well.

Later.

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