Advertising

[Greg Swartz]

Ok, I started a new ad on craigslist and these are the e-mails I start to receive. Any of you out there do the same thing?

What do you do with these? (The last one sounds like my Nigerian cousin's uncle's grandfather who had lotsa bookoo $$$)
Greg :cool:


Hi,

I would like to know an approximate cost for upgrading a 100 amp service to a 200 amp and then install the 100 amp in a detached garage. I would buy the new service and run the 2 gauge aluminum wire underground to the new panel. The 100 amp service would need to be hooked up only with no breakers enabled. The current service is located in the attached garage of a house built in 1984 with romex wire and is not drywalled. Apparently my meter has 200 amp capability.

Thanks




Hi ,I just viewed your Advert ,I'm james wright Moving to your area from ( Toronto Canada ) to spend my holiday season in the U.S in my new home that i just purchased.I'm interested in your services,cos i believe you can handle the job.I'm looking to moving over by 28th June. I have viewed your advert and believe you can handle the Job.

Please let me know if I can pay you in Money orders/cashiers check for the Service.I am willing to make an upfront payment/deposit of 650usd to secure your service,and when i arrive,I would remit the remainder part of your payment.I would be needing your skill and service for 3 days,between 17th of june to 20th of june.Let me know if your services could be rendered for those days.I am willing to provide the materials and tools needed for the job.


I have $4000 in money orders being payment for a Temporal car I wanted to buy on my arrival to the US but my company has already taken care of that for me, Can I make the money orders in your name and send to you so that when you cash them you deduct your payments deposit payment[650usd], and help me disburse the rest via western union money transfer to my travel agent for my flight arrangement to come over I will be in the US .Can I trust you to do this for me ?

Please send me the informations below to mail the Payment if you can agree to this for me thanks..

1)Name on check :

2)Full Address were payments will be sent to

3)Direct phone number.


As soon as i read the information above from you,I would provide you with the details of the house

Regards


james

[LarryFine]

I have $4000 in money orders being payment for a Temporal car I wanted to buy on my arrival to the US but my company has already taken care of that for me, Can I make the money orders in your name and send to you so that when you cash them you deduct your payments deposit payment[650usd], and help me disburse the rest via western union money transfer to my travel agent for my flight arrangement to come over I will be in the US .Can I trust you to do this for me ? This smells of a scam! :mad:

[Polarcat]

this is definatly a scam. just look up money order scam or check this out.

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=97&sid=719837

also right on Creigs list they warn you of these types of transactions.

[George Stolz]

You'd think the scam would be a little better than that! Canada? I could hitchhike to Canada from here for $200! :D :roll:

[Greg Swartz]

Ok, I got a new-subthread under this one.
I advertised on craigslist and got a phone call from an advertising company. They want to sell me job leads. I am supposed to meet with them tomorrow. I want to copy a letter they sent me.

What do you all think? (I'll be meeting them at noon on Friday...)
Suggestions anyone?

Greg :cool:


May 30, 2007

From: Mike Sylvester
Colorado Weekly Homebuyers List, Inc.

Company: Swartzelectric
ATTN: Greg

SUMMARY OF OUR SERVICE:
1. We provide you with a weekly list of new homeowners in the areas that you choose to target.
2. We can email the information to you/ provide peel and stick mailing labels.
3. We include, the first and last name of the homeowners, the physical address, the price of the home, and phone numbers when available.
4. We provide each client with a support system to maximize your success with the list.
a.) You will receive a marketing manual – (ABC’s of Direct Mail Marketing.)
b.) Our PR staff: will maintain contact with you through out your subscription to make sure the list is working for you and will critique your mail piece.
5. We have a hold feature, which allows you to place a hold on your subscription so that you are advertising when you can handle additional business.

SUMMARY OF PACKAGE:
Area: El Paso County

Counts: Average approximately 1110 names per month with a guarantee of 13,320 names in
12-months

PRICE:
Retail - $268 per month
@12 months- $222/month
@18 months-$175/month
@24 months-$155/month
@36 months-$139/month

COLORADO WEEKLY HOMEBUYERS LIST INC.
- Serving Colorado Businesses for 25 years.
- Our Clients see an average response rate of 3-5%

Statistically speaking, the average American family moves every 5 years. This means you lose an average of 20% of your repeat clients a year! What are you doing to replace them? According to Entrepreneur.com, new neighborhood marketing programs have shown as high as a 20% response rate! We’ve been in business over 25 years. Our data is, literally, compiled daily and put out weekly. This gives you the opportunity to “welcome” a new family to your area, with your “special offer”, 7-20 days after closing on their homes, before your competitors even know they exist.

New Homeowners need to hear about you, they are new to the area and have no idea where you are, contact them before others do.

If you have further questions please call me. Thanks Again.

(Moderator's Note: Name and contact information has been removed.)

[tyha]

that money order thing is definetly a scam. its happening all over down here. these people will send you money orders and sometimes cashiers checks off of real banks and when you deposit them they will go through and it will take sometimes weeks for the banks to find out there bogus. i have been hearing about this stuff on the radio for a few months now. there is some issue with the way american banks verify cashiers checks that allows it to happen.

[charlie b]

I advertised on craigslist and got a phone call from an advertising company. They want to sell me job leads.
I would run away from this one. I sincerely doubt that they will give you (i.e., leads that turn to jobs that turn a profit) anything close to what they will take from you (i.e., their fee for "selling" you leads).

Whatever else you do, don't sign anything the day you first meet with them. Take it home and read it carefully. And if they pressure you to sign right away, then leave immediately.

I am not suggesting that this is a scam, or that they intend any illegal activity. I just don't expect them to be worth their price.

[growler]

I have $4000 in money orders being payment for a Temporal car I wanted to buy on my arrival to the US but my company has already taken care of that for me, Can I make the money orders in your name and send to you so that when you cash them you deduct your payments deposit payment[650usd], and help me disburse the rest via western union money transfer to my travel agent for my flight arrangement to come over I will be in the US .Can I trust you to do this for me ?


This scam may work well enough with the general public but I doubt if it will with contractors. Contractor motto: " once we get it, we keep it". If this guy thinks that most contractors are honest enough to send back change from a four thousand dollar money order, he's crazy.

[Greg Swartz]

This scam may work well enough with the general public but I doubt if it will with contractors. Contractor motto: " once we get it, we keep it". If this guy thinks that most contractors are honest enough to send back change from a four thousand dollar money order, he's crazy.

ROFL!!!!!!!!!

It's mine! all mine!!!!!!!!!!

[Greg Swartz]

OK, I just met with the company.

I wanted to see what they had to offer.
Basically it was an excel spreadsheet that has people's names, house selling price, address, and maybe a phone number.

If I were to have the whole County, they would sell me the info for $200 / month and I would get about 1100 leads a month.

If I were to have 4 zip codes, they would sell me the infor for $125 / month and I would get just under 300 leads a month.


They suggested the return rate is 3-5%, I figure closer to 3, and the manager I met with stated that 2% is also realistic...

So, if I get 1%... 3 sales a month 2%... 6 sales a month...
What do you all think?

[charlie b]

First, I think they are offering nothing that you cannot get, easily enough, by yourself.

More importantly, however, if I had just bought a house, and if some electrical contractor calls me and says they know I just bought a house and would I be interested in some electrical upgrades, I would be angry at the intrusion. I would also put that EC on a permanent “black list.” If I ever did need electrical services, they would not be getting a call from me.

By the way, is this advertising agency offering written confirmation (i.e., guarantee) that none of the phone numbers they might give are on the “National Do Not Call List”? If you call someone on that list, and if they submit a claim against you, is the advertising agency going to pay the $1000 fine?

[charlie b]

Oh, and let me add, So, if I get 1%... 3 sales a month 2%... 6 sales a month...
What if you get 0% sales a month that you can attribute to this source?

[bikeindy]

TAKE your name off craigs list. My wife thought this would be a good idea and I got 4 call of people who wanted $1000.00 work done for $.01 It is a waste of your time and energy. oh yeah I got calls asking about advertising too. I don't do any type meadia advertising I have a referal only business.

[tyha]

as far as the sending money back situation goes, it is true contractors aren't sending anything back. But where people get screwed is when they see the check or money order post to their account they start drawing on those funds because it sometimes takes the bank weeks to find out the check is worthless.

[Greg Swartz]

Alright... I hear each one of you.

I am advertising on craigslist. I've gotten 1 actual job from them in 3 weeks.

I am affiliated with servicemagic. As much as I dislike them, I actually get leads. However, in the last week, I have received nothing!

I am subscribed to BidClerk. I am trying to get on a few jobs with the city... however nothing starts until July. The only "soon" job is a homeowner who will not answer e-mails and submitted the wrong phone number!

I am on google AdWords and Yahoo. I have not seen a single click to my website!

I am the sole EC sub for a local fire alarm contractor. They have no need of my services right now!

I am affiliated with a couple of the local spa comanies. I have had 1 job in the last week.

When the phone book comes out, I will be in there.

I just got listed in the bluebook. But I will not see any results until September!



What do I have to do to get a *&(*%$#!!!! job! I am going door to door in neighborhoods that I have jobs going. Either I get nothing, or a $150 job.

You all talk about referrals. Everyone I talk to says I do good work. Everyone asks for cards and gives them out to friends. Even my bank has cards in the cashier's drawer. I have yet to get a "so and so suggested I give you a call."

If everyone likes my work, then why do I have NONE!!!

Sorry, I'm ranting and raving. I just went to meet with some businesses today, and I have no work lined up next week. I am a little bit pissed!

What am I doing wrong?
Greg

[Jeff Weissman Electric]

One word
ANGIESLIST.com
I think the only way to get on there is to have a customer write a report on you. Or you can pay to bew listed but thats up to you.
I get some very good customers from Angieslist

[DAWGS]

Try calling realators in your area and ask if they will hand out your business cards. You may have to supply them with some references. Most realators have a lot of connections, and get asked for refferels from home buyers and sellers.

[satcom]

Try calling realators in your area and ask if they will hand out your business cards. You may have to supply them with some references. Most realators have a lot of connections, and get asked for refferels from home buyers and sellers.

In my area the realators charge to put you on their reference pages, they have made a business out of referals, most want $300 or more to put your business card ad, in their hand out they give to home, buyers and sellers, anyone in the agency hands out a card, not in the graft pool, would not be working there for long.
Living in a pay to play state. is expensive.

[Polarcat]

First off I wouldnt pay for that list, you might as well pick up the phone book and start dialing.

are you only looking for service type work? if not, market to the builders in the area (not going to hire you for next week though). why depend on one type of work, "dont put all your eggs in one basket". get a back log of contract work with builders then fill in with the service work.

Just my 2 cents..

Joe
member of (Deleted)

[cadpoint]

Is there a plan room, can you see if the court house sells a listing of
permits or new listing ? Is there a plan Room or a dodge report that you can join ? Someone complies those lists someplace ... I'd walk-in to every mortor and brick GC's office... cause I know I will ....

Well, I missed charlie b's statement which is 180º of mine, Damned if you do damn if you don't...

[macmikeman]

Summer is real close. Unless you live right by me, try contacting every air cond. company in your city:D Subbing to ac guys is pretty good work alot of the time, cause your bending pipe, and they mostly know what breakeven cost means, which is what house builders don't usually have a clue about. Also try finding out if there is drywall/ steel stud wholesalers in your town. Park down there come Monday morning and hand out cards. Commercial contractors mo betta.

[bradleyelectric]

go to businesses and hand them your cards. When I first started out and wasn't busy I would go all kinds of places handing out cards. I got some pretty good recouring work from a church and a credit union across the street from each other from 1 day handing out cards. 1 day I dropped 2 cards off at a wings and beer place while I had lunch. That Sunday his defrost timer went up on him and the wings were getting warm. I jumped out the timer till Monday, later ran cat. 5 wire for a new checkout system, did the electric for a new outside walk-in, a sub panel, new cookie oven, lighting repair, and some work at his house.

[growler]

More importantly, however, if I had just bought a house, and if some electrical contractor calls me and says they know I just bought a house and would I be interested in some electrical upgrades, I would be angry at the intrusion. I would also put that EC on a permanent “black list.” If I ever did need electrical services, they would not be getting a call from me.

You are right Charlie many people are put off by phone sales.

An intrusive call during dinner is considered a hard sale tactic. What about a soft sale tatic such as a card or flier in the mail ? One of those " congradulations on the purchase of your new home , welcome to the neighborhood , please allow us to introduce ourselves, we would like to get acquainted with your wallet", type things.

A list, which he can probably get for free, could help target new customers. With any type of add you have to determine if the returns are worth the investment. :)

[charlie b]

What about a soft sale tatic such as a card or flier in the mail ? One of those " congradulations on the purchase of your new home , welcome to the neighborhood , please allow us to introduce ourselves, we would like to get acquainted with your wallet", type things.
That I would not find offensive or intrusive. But I would probably throw it into the recycle bin unread. There are others, however, who might just keep it on the fridge, so they have a number in case one is needed.

[growler]

Advertising is much like buying bait or lures to go fishing. Having the right bait or lure when all other conditions are right can catch you some fish on a good day. Having a good fishing spot is also very important. If you are fishing in a bad spot then the best bait will not help. Normally the only way to find a good fishing spot is to go fishing, fishermen don't give out their good spots or soon they wouldn't be good spots ( over fished ). All fishermen are more than happy to give advice and try to impress you with thier technique. Everyone wants to sell you the magic lure that is guaranteed to catch fish. It's important to remember that many lures are designed to cath fishermen and not so much the fish ( you obviously weren't using it right )

Most fishermen usually end up by telling tale tales about the big one that got away. Some end up like Ahab pursuing the big one to the ends of the earth ( not a happy ending ). Some, much like in the movie " Jaws ", end up getting eaten by the very fish they are after ( plenty of sharks in the water ).

Commercial fishermen use a time tested technique called a net. Sure the occasional shark will chew through the net and a few dolphins get trapped but all in all it's the only way to be sure of catching fish. A net and about a million dollars worth of fish finding equipment. Most people can't afford all this equipment and fish off the bank with a cane pole and some night crawlers. It's just a matter of luck when you fish like this, better have a good fishing spot.

Hope you all see the humor in this analogy.

Gone Fishing
Back Later

[LarryFine]

Hope you all see the humor in this analogy.Sounds fishy to me. :rolleyes:

[jaylectricity]

Sounds fishy to me. :rolleyes:

Painful. The pun, not the analogy.

[Greg Swartz]

One word
ANGIESLIST.com
I think the only way to get on there is to have a customer write a report on you. Or you can pay to bew listed but thats up to you.
I get some very good customers from Angieslist

Trying to get on the site. There are no EC on it in my area, and none of my customers are part of the site. :mad:

I didn't see the part where you can pay to get on... dunno if I want to.

[Greg Swartz]

Advertising is much like buying bait or lures to go fishing. Having the right bait or lure when all other conditions are right can catch you some fish on a good day. Having a good fishing spot is also very important. If you are fishing in a bad spot then the best bait will not help. Normally the only way to find a good fishing spot is to go fishing, fishermen don't give out their good spots or soon they wouldn't be good spots ( over fished ). All fishermen are more than happy to give advice and try to impress you with thier technique. Everyone wants to sell you the magic lure that is guaranteed to catch fish. It's important to remember that many lures are designed to cath fishermen and not so much the fish ( you obviously weren't using it right )

Most fishermen usually end up by telling tale tales about the big one that got away. Some end up like Ahab pursuing the big one to the ends of the earth ( not a happy ending ). Some, much like in the movie " Jaws ", end up getting eaten by the very fish they are after ( plenty of sharks in the water ).

Commercial fishermen use a time tested technique called a net. Sure the occasional shark will chew through the net and a few dolphins get trapped but all in all it's the only way to be sure of catching fish. A net and about a million dollars worth of fish finding equipment. Most people can't afford all this equipment and fish off the bank with a cane pole and some night crawlers. It's just a matter of luck when you fish like this, better have a good fishing spot.

Hope you all see the humor in this analogy.

Gone Fishing
Back Later




That's what I don't get though. We are in differing territories. There will not be overfishing in that regard

[Brady Electric]

Seem's to me that if you would spend as much time doing work and talking to people and handing out bussiness cards as you do meeting with bussiness that promise to get you bussiness you would be on the right track. Just in everyday life if you carry yourself right people ask for your bussiness card. If you are a likeable person and let people know what you do for a living in an everyday conversion they most of the time ask for a bussiness card. As an example when I have my truck worked on, go out to eat, shop or anything in my everyday life I am outgoing and talk about what I do and most people ask for my bussiness card and sometime down the road they will call. Last week I was in the electrical inspection department and a gentleman was in there to meet with a planner and heard my conversion with someone else and ask for my bussiness card then call me two days later with a big job. Hope this is not too long and put you to sleep, just wanted to share my thoughts. Semper Fi. Buddy

[Sass5150]

I agree with Brady Electric on this one. You are selling yourself and you work will speak for itself. Word of mouth does not mean it has to come from others, it can come from you as well. I too ask "who does your electric?" almost every where I go. Most have some body and some don't and I give them all a card anyway in case thier present electrician lets them down somehow. But the thing to keep in mind is that you want to do this while you are in a good mood and be positive. Letter your truck,design a logo for your truck, once paid for it will advertise for you as long as you own it. I think I paid @ $120.00 for mine but I designed everything and gave it to the company to do the vinyl. I'll try to attach a picture....Good luck.

[Greg Swartz]

Anyone out there use BlueBook?

I just signed up with my local representative.

This is THE SINGLE MOST FANTASTIC GROUP OUT THERE!!!

The entire service is free. It links contractors together, and man is it awesome! I have gotten more invitations to bid this last 4 days than I have the entire time owning my own business... combined! (I got 50 in 1 day. And we're talking jobs like Home Depot, Office Depot, ground ups, TIs, state parks, hospitals, apartment complexes, hotels)
I'll need $50M in bond money just to get the bids out!!!!

Now, I have to bid them!!! Every single one of them!!!! muaahhhhaaaa!!!! :D

Anyway, just curious if anyone else is using BlueBook. I recommend it to everyone.

Have an awesome day!