Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3072051
03/12/12 10:07 PM
03/12/12 10:07 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 39 NE
SVantassel
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 39
NE
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Are you insured? Do you explain how the 50 is worth it?
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, MNI, ACP Wildlifecontrolconsultant.com 402-489-1042
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3072615
03/13/12 07:22 AM
03/13/12 07:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4 NE, NC
Big Bear Wildlif
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4
NE, NC
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You can always tell them you'll put it towards the price if you get the job. Works for me, but at $125. Keeps the tire kickers away.
Be Green, Buy Fur. NE- NC
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3073271
03/13/12 05:41 PM
03/13/12 05:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3 Southwest Indiana
akitzman
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3
Southwest Indiana
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ahh...this whole thing sounds all to familiar...i am in the construction business, and have found that a "free inspection, or free estimate" really means a free consultation...they often times want you to come out and talk to them for 2 hours while they pick your brain...they want you to talk to them in detail about everything that needs done to fix a problem...if you are knowledgeable, you tend to inadvertently offer up alot of information....they then take that information and either do it themselves, or with a relative or drinking buddy, because everyone that had to pay for overhead and make a living was "way too much"....when something goes wrong they then call you for more free consultation...people should have no problem with inspection fees...i mean...if they have a job, they probably won't show up to work for 2 hours for nothing, even if they are sitting in their office not doing anything, they expect to be paid for it....and if 50 is out of line, you don't want that customer....ask them if they would drive to work, spend 2 hours there, buy their own supplies, burn their own gas, and tell their boss he didn't owe them anything for it.....nate is also EXACTLY right...the guys looking for the low bidder are always the ones that keep trying to get you to do more and more for free...they want to pay for one hour and sucker you in to 10...obviously if things get really tight you have to sacrifice, but if you have work...these guys are easy to recognize, and best to avoid....besides...if they won't spring for a $50 inspection fee...i bet you have trouble collecting a larger bill when you've cured their problem.
coyotes 41 coons 8 grinners 2 fox 0 sasquatch 1 MPG - not enough
*building inspector *product designer *outlaw creek rock trapper
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3073723
03/13/12 09:52 PM
03/13/12 09:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079 Wisconsin
Blackdog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
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Thanks for the clarification Nate.
Just ask your mommy...
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3073736
03/13/12 09:55 PM
03/13/12 09:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187 Colorado
ProFox
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187
Colorado
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I got a call a month ago from a Realtor who demanded a free inspection for a mouse job. She didn't go into too much detail, she simply said she wanted to find the best out there, and she needed an expert with mice. Lucky for me I do free inspections anyway. I sold the job for $15,000.00. Like I said before, you holyer than thow ADC guys who think your the best thing to happen to ADC since the cage trap can keep your measly inspection fees. I'm gonna go and count my paper!
Jake Trujillo Golden, CO
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: ProFox]
#3073786
03/13/12 10:14 PM
03/13/12 10:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,673 West, Mi
wiggler
"Skunk Wrangler"
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"Skunk Wrangler"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,673
West, Mi
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I got a call a month ago from a Realtor who demanded a free inspection for a mouse job. She didn't go into too much detail, she simply said she wanted to find the best out there, and she needed an expert with mice. Lucky for me I do free inspections anyway. I sold the job for $15,000.00. Like I said before, you holyer than thow ADC guys who think your the best thing to happen to ADC since the cage trap can keep your measly inspection fees. I'm gonna go and count my paper! $15,000 for a mouse job???? i sure must be under bidding my work..
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3073831
03/13/12 10:28 PM
03/13/12 10:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187 Colorado
ProFox
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187
Colorado
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Am I the only one who charges to inspect jobs here in Wisconsin? I get lots of calls, but when they hear that I charge 50 bucks to inspect the home they tell me that they got someone to do it for free. At least half of my appointments get cansled because of this.I dont think 50 is too much to charge, and I put it twards the work if I get the job. Your post says it all! Stop charging an inspection fee and get out there and compete. May the best company win!
Jake Trujillo Golden, CO
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3073911
03/13/12 11:05 PM
03/13/12 11:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187 Colorado
ProFox
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187
Colorado
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I didn't say may the "cheapest" company win. I sell jobs all the time when I'm not the cheapest. Don't forget who your talking to Nate we aren't your customers. You can get over yourself now. The problem I have with you is the way you would call a guy like me a "Yahoo". How do you know that just because a guy does free inspections that the work will be over priced or done poorly?
Jake Trujillo Golden, CO
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Nathan Krause]
#3074097
03/14/12 02:12 AM
03/14/12 02:12 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187 Colorado
ProFox
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187
Colorado
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You said "We have some yahoo charging $99" that sounds to me like you don't really know him at all and the reason he's a yahoo is because he only charges $99 you also said "last I heard he was begging for work" to me saying this stuff makes you sound like a tool, and causes me to not like you. Sure I know you don't need me to like you and your going to continue to say such things but I did want to clarify. To your point about me being one of the reasons as to why people lurk. I think you might just be confused, the main reason people lurk is because not everyone loves the sound of their own voice as much as you do. Perhaps you can get away with charging as much as you do because you are the best in your area or maybe your the best at marketing your business and you get enough people willing to go with the first company to answer the phone. Like BlackDog said, if I were in your area you'd better hope they dont call me first. With a free inspection/estimate What do they have to loose? You said you compete with 8 other guys, try competing with 25+ I've been on this forum for as long as you and most of the time I agree with you and like your informative posts. Sometimes I don't.
Jake Trujillo Golden, CO
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3074788
03/14/12 06:21 PM
03/14/12 06:21 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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Compete on service....then price is not an issue.
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: ProFox]
#3075580
03/15/12 12:14 AM
03/15/12 12:14 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 30 south east michigan
Peskycritter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 30
south east michigan
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I got a call a month ago from a Realtor who demanded a free inspection for a mouse job. She didn't go into too much detail, she simply said she wanted to find the best out there, and she needed an expert with mice. Lucky for me I do free inspections anyway. I sold the job for $15,000.00. Like I said before, you holyer than thow ADC guys who think your the best thing to happen to ADC since the cage trap can keep your measly inspection fees. I'm gonna go and count my paper! Holy smokes how many mice do you remove for that kinda coin
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Paul Winkelmann]
#3075595
03/15/12 12:41 AM
03/15/12 12:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 30 south east michigan
Peskycritter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 30
south east michigan
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Okay, I guess I got confused on the original question. When I hear the word "inspection", I immediately think of bat calls. Since we deduct the price of the bat inspection from the total cost, inspection price is not all that important. As far as other animals and pests are concerned, I would not drive across the street without a service call. And we don't even start the job until the service call is paid. If you don't get the service call, the chances are real good that you won't get anything. And please don't tell me that you will take business away by not charging a service call; you will be out of business in a year. Gas here is 4 bucks a gallon and we use up a gallon every 10 to 12 miles. You do the math. that's how I see it . You should be able to give your trapping fees right over the phone , why would you drive out to there house then tell them , if it's a exclusion then yes you got to see it first , if your doing things right people should just call and say I got your number from so and so when can you come out and not even ask how much , if your worried about competing by how much your service call is or if its free ,you best stay were at and don't move in my area , company's come and go around here , I looked on yp.com today there's 63 company's with adds for animal removal In my area .im sure there planning on making the big bucks . And will jockey around the service call , it's not going to help . Just worry about getting what jobs you do get done right solve the problem ,
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3075665
03/15/12 02:00 AM
03/15/12 02:00 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187 Colorado
ProFox
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 187
Colorado
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The mouse job was a full clean out of the attic insulation. Seal up from the inside out including the foundation and of course the Mice renoved. Over 3500 sq ft home.
Jake Trujillo Golden, CO
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3075719
03/15/12 05:22 AM
03/15/12 05:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 843 NH
sgs
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 843
NH
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You should be able to give your trapping fees right over the phone , why would you drive out to there house then tell them , if it's a exclusion then yes you got to see it first... Yep that's the way I look at it, but some guys don't want to do one without getting the other so to them the trapping and exclusion is all one price. At least that's the impression I'm getting.
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3075827
03/15/12 08:35 AM
03/15/12 08:35 AM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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People are smart. If you roll the service call into an exclusion, they know that the exclusion quote will be that much higher. If they want you, then they will pay.
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: ]
#3076089
03/15/12 12:00 PM
03/15/12 12:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 30 south east michigan
Peskycritter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 30
south east michigan
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People are smart. If you roll the service call into an exclusion, they know that the exclusion quote will be that much higher. If they want you, then they will pay. Hey Dave do you know anybody I can trust to send the attic clean outs to
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3076223
03/15/12 01:48 PM
03/15/12 01:48 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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Pesky & Paul - thanks. We are a squeaky clean operation. We do attic restorations, except summer. We have both the 18HP vac and the insulation blower (plus backup equipment).
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3076509
03/15/12 05:51 PM
03/15/12 05:51 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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Ok, Paul...I see your point about trapperman. When can I expect PJ to sign up? Lol
Pesky, I have already made commitments to others in these service areas. However, I will keep you in mind in case something changes as the season progresss. I do appreciate the idea of swapping jobs that are not in our area of expertise...
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3079782
03/17/12 11:41 PM
03/17/12 11:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30 St. Louis area
Dave Schmidt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30
St. Louis area
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Ditto what Blackdog, RF Wildlife, Jonesie and Wink say. I especially like what Jonesie said: "If people do not want to pay me, I do not want to work for them." This is business, people! You charge for your professional inspection/diagnosis/consultation and written bid! We ain't selling siding. I am this area's only ACP and CWCP. I have seen and heard about the free inspections that the PCO's give for wildlife control. They are obviously not sending a qualified technician who is prepared to start the work right then. They are sending a salesman. Do you want a doctor to give you (qualified, objective) medical advice, or a salesman whose pay depends on him selling his services? I explain to my prospective customers that we charge for our inspections so that we can know we will be paid for our time and can do a complete and thorough job without being concerned that I'm losing $$$ for that time. I'd like to get the work, but my pay doesn't rely on me selling the job (and I'm a pretty good salesman). My fees are for professional consultations and services. BTW, in the last 1.5 years, three WCO's have gone out of business in this area; two were nationwide companies. Coincidence or not?
Last edited by Dave Schmidt; 03/17/12 11:42 PM.
ALL OUT Wildlife Control
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3083589
03/20/12 07:31 PM
03/20/12 07:31 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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Paul, are you retired?
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: 1st RiverRat]
#3083880
03/20/12 09:21 PM
03/20/12 09:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079 Wisconsin
Blackdog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,079
Wisconsin
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You sure that wasnt Mike Flicks car ? Yep, That was Flick..
Just ask your mommy...
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3083902
03/20/12 09:29 PM
03/20/12 09:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361 mequon, wisconsin
Paul Winkelmann
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361
mequon, wisconsin
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Dave, if that means tired again, yeah, that's me. I have a couple of old customers that request me and one that I've been doing forever. If we get overly busy and are afraid that we might lose a customer if they don't get immediate attention, the boss will send me out. I'm the guy in charge of purchasing, vehicle service appointments, and fixing stuff that the other guys break. That last one is twelve hours a day right there.
Ron, the wildlife removal unit is for breaking up drug and underage drinking parties. There's a lot of that going around in Madison.
Last edited by Paul Winkelmann; 03/20/12 09:30 PM.
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Paul Winkelmann]
#3084233
03/20/12 11:59 PM
03/20/12 11:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3 USA
bushytail
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
USA
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Boy, it sure would be fun to get Mike back on here but it's an election year. He'd probably get kicked off about the second post. LOL your most likely right
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3087859
03/23/12 12:02 PM
03/23/12 12:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 843 NH
sgs
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 843
NH
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I think so. I also hear through the grapevine that he even gets rid of bats for people for free. How can he do that and still make a living? Is he a non profit organisation? From what I hear, he is a pretty successful nwco. He has been on many of Rob Russell's podcasts. You might want to listen to the guy and maybe pick up some pointers about the business.
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Paul Winkelmann]
#3087943
03/23/12 01:04 PM
03/23/12 01:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830 Waterford, WI
Nathan Krause
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830
Waterford, WI
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He's not just in your area; he's in all our areas. If I remember correctly, he and my son had a chat a couple weeks ago. Correct. Mike covers almost the entire State if not the whole State.
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3089435
03/24/12 04:06 PM
03/24/12 04:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30 St. Louis area
Dave Schmidt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30
St. Louis area
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I heard Mike Flick say that he had an 80% success rate with his one-ways as opposed to trapping, and he makes good money. Good way to make $$$, lousy business model. If I had an 80% success rate, I'd close my doors and never show my face in public again.
ALL OUT Wildlife Control
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3091238
03/25/12 09:50 PM
03/25/12 09:50 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3 USA
bushytail
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
USA
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What gets me is his method of advertizing and getting jobs away from others. If it bothers you that much why dont you as a tax payer go to the next city council meeting ???
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Ron Daranger]
#3117006
04/11/12 07:40 PM
04/11/12 07:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,875 Gainesville, Alachua, Florida,...
Robb Russell
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,875
Gainesville, Alachua, Florida,...
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Ron Daranger I would move out of Madison too if Mike Flick was in my service area !!! You can use that fire engine on some of the big buildings in Milwaukee and be just as cool as Mike !! Mike left Los Angeles and San Diego in 2005 and is still a major player in one of the toughest markets in our industry. Mike Flick's business model is working !! He is making great money and in the end that is all that matters. I can say this too, I have rarely done free bat inspections nor probably ever will. My business model is different and works for me too! I don't want anything to do with being in a attic in Florida longer then I need too. You can get a good idea of what he is doing on my latest attic restoration podcast . On the evening of Jan 29, 2012 Mike Flick , Robb Russell and a few friends including Mike Hurley, David McLeod, Reginald Murray got together to discuss many aspects of attic restoration including the removal and replacement of attic insulation, R factors of insulation, various types of roll in and blown in insulation and how much to use. They discussed the equipment they use versus renting or buying it. http://thewildlifepro.com/about/our-podcasts/help-with-attic-cleanups-and-insurance-companies/ I have known Mike Flick for nearly six years now . He has come a long way from being a iron worker, ex Marine with a broken arm and two traps in 2001 outside of the Marine base in San Diego California. Mike has a brilliant and creative mind and folks love to listen to his advice on somewhere close to 200 podcast. I attribute much of my own success due to his own mentorship of me even today! He is on a short list of folks I turn to that includes Ron Jones, David McLeod, Reginald Murray, and Anthony del Campo. This is the first podcast where Mike Flick tells his early story of how he got into this industry back in 2001. http://www.podfeed.net/episode/Evans+Flick+Jameson+Ravanelle/1158437 BTW that police car paid for itself on the first day he owned it and everyone remembers his car. Not bad from a marketing perspective.
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Re: Free Inspections are killing me
[Re: Mike Flick]
#3117697
04/12/12 08:10 AM
04/12/12 08:10 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,875 Gainesville, Alachua, Florida,...
Robb Russell
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,875
Gainesville, Alachua, Florida,...
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AWWW Shucks, Im not all that great, whell maybe I am.....Yea, I am arent I. LOL! I forgot to add Mike has a huge ego and fits right in with all the other huge egos here too!
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