A GREAT "WinterTime Biz"!

Sell and Install Storm Windows!

Here's how I started a Storm Window biz;
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On Nov 1,1987 at approx 7am, I was sitting in a donut shop in Carbondale, Colorado with a buddy. He told me the company he was working for decided to fold up and he was without income and needed to get something going FAST. He had 2 babies, a worried wife and payments.

I knew that even though this was 1987 MANY HOMES still did NOT have storm windows. I had made a mental note of this while driving around town and seeing some people placing plastic on their windows.

Plastic sheeting makes a house look yukky. Maybe they didn't know about storm windows....or maybe they didn't have money for storm windows....or maybe they preferred plastic. (I really didn't think it was #3)

So...I asked the donut shop clerk for a Denver phone book. Opened it to "Storm Windows" and ....happily, found a MAKER of storm windows who sold them retail AND wholesale.

I called the company from the donut shop...asked if they would sell to us in our area (known as the Western Slope) The guy said he would BUT...they wouldn't deliver, we'd have to pick them up.

The guy ALSO said he had a Sample to show prospects. I thanked him and said we'd be over that afternoon.

So...we hopped into my car and took off for Big D. We got there and took a tour thru the plant and learned a lot about how storm windows were made and how to properly measure them and price them so we could make money.

We bought the Sample ($50)and headed home.

The next morning we met at the local print shop (this was "BC"...Before Computers) where I asked the typesetter to make up a letterhead and business cards and envelopes with "VALLEY STORM WINDOWS" on them with my buddy's home address and phone as the business address and phone. No problem, since we would be going to our customers.

We then went to the Library where I asked the clerk for a "Cross-Index" directory. She had one put out by Johnson Publishing in Ft Collins. This type of directory lists phone numbers by STREET ADDRESS. One residence after another in numberical order so you could go down one block and up the next...1 house after another.

This makes for better management of TIME since we wouldn't be running back and forth across the valley to appointments.

I made a copy and went to my buddy's house and sat down at his kitchen table. It was about 3pm.

I chose the beginning of a street at random...chose a number...dialed it and when someone answered I said;
"Hello! Is the owner of the home in?"

They would reply either, "No! He doesn't get home till after 6." or..."My dad gets home later" or "We don't own the house we rent" or "I'm Mrs Jones...can I help you?"

When I felt I was talking to one of the owners of a residence I would then say;
"Hi! My name is Don Alm. I sell and install storm windows. Do you folks have storm windows?"

I'd shut up and wait for a yes or no.

If the answer was "Yes!"
I'd say, "Fine! Thanks for your time."...hang up and dial the next number.

If the answer was, "No! We don't have storm windows."
I'd reply with, "Fine! I'd like to stop by this evening when both you and your hubby are home to give you an estimate. Would 6:30 be good or would 7:30 be better?"

They'd either reply with, "We don't want storm windows!" or...any other reason for not letting me come over....OR, they'd give me a TIME!

And...I would only need to make about 12 or 13 phone calls to get in my 2 to 3 appts for that eve.

I'd arrive at the home...show my sample window...get out my clipboard and measuring tape...measure and count the windows AND DOORS...show them the estimate and ask for HALF down and the balance after the installation.

Since my pricing was based on at least 4 Times Cost (a $25 window I would price at $100....a $50 window at$200...etc...plus I'd toss in an amount for "negotiation"...so I could come down ONLY IF THEY BOUGHT TONIGHT!) we would get the windows paid for PLUS a profit...just from the 50% deposit! So, if something happened, your cost would be covered.

My first week I made over $4,000. I took my buddy on the 2nd week and let HIM make the calls and give the presentation while I watched.

The 3rd week he was ready to go and I went back to my advertising biz.

My buddy John went on to keep this business going for the next few years and started his own remodeling company and now has about 20 people working for him.

The "Storm Window" business is STILL a business that ANYONE can start with an investment of about $100.

Find a manufacturer (most larger cities have them) Get a Sample window...make up some letterheads, Order Forms, biz cards, envelopes...make phone calls to residences asking if they have storm windows...those that say they don't...ask if you can give them an estimate...set appointments...measure and give your estimate MAKING SURE YOU GIVE AN "INCENTIVE TO BUY THIS EVENING"!

There are NO Call Backs with this! The only reason for calling back, if you don't get an order the first visit...is to go back to get a "NO! We've discussed it and decided NOT to do anything now!"

So...you get ONE SHOT! Give it your best and go to your next appt.

I was closing 3 out of 4.

THIS is a GREAT...low investment biz for winter and if you have some questions on it...send me an email.

Thanks for reading....Don Alm
http://www.pjbux.com




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