Buying a Carpet Cleaning Franchise

If you are thinking of buying a carpet cleaning franchise or in fact any franchise, you really need to do your homework.
If you don't, it could be the worst decision you will ever make.
Once you sign the contract and things don't work out like you thought, you could lose everything.
In the worst of cases, franchisees have taken their own lives.
Please talk to people who have been franchisees and then make up your own mind.
Websites that you may be interested in are:

• www.advicetofranchisees.net.au
• www.buyingafranchise.info
• www.buyingafranchise.net.au
• Bakers Delight Franchise 

CHOICE - article about Carpet Cleaning Methods

Some carpet cleaning companies will advertise that their process is unique or exclusive.
The fact is that there are only a couple of choices available to consumers in terms of carpet cleaning.
Choice have summarised the two most commonly used and give their independent views.

Carpet Cleaning Methods

National Asthma Council of Australia - Sensitive Choice Program

Many customers are concerned about their health and use programs such as The National Asthma Council's Sensitive Choice Program or The Heart Foundation Tick to select a product or service.
Asthma & allergy sufferers who use the Sensitive Choice program to select a business may believe that the inclusion of that business infers that scientific testing has been carried out to prove the efficacy of the process or chemicals used.

From the Sensitive Choice website Application Process

The 'so called' evidence is provided by the business and does not represent independent or scientifically proven facts.

Sensitive Choice state that the independent panel do not have the funds to test any chemicals or even view the process. Panel Review Process

If the information provided by the business is false or misleading, the panel have no way of determining this.

If a business obtains exclusivity, then it will be the only business of that type listed in Sensitive Choice.

The Contract Process

It is interesting to note that another business is required to provide scientific evidence in order to possibly knock out an exclusively listed business, when in fact that initial business may have never provided any 'scientific evidence' in the first instance.

The selection for exclusivity appears to be based on bidding for the spot, in other words the business who can afford to pay.

If a company advertises that it is the ONLY company approved or endorsed by Sensitive Choice then it is technically correct, due to the exclusivity deal, but it is misleading from the aspect that no other company can claim that spot.

In conclusion, please do your research and select a business based on sound advice and facts.

Ask questions such as:

1. Do you follow the recommended standards such as AS/NZ 3733-1995?
2. Are the chemicals being used to clean your expensive wool carpets and rugs approved by Woolsafe?
3. Do your chemicals have optical brighteners in them which are optical dyes which can damage wool and nylon carpets?
4. Are the technicians qualified? Some technicians have had no training and you really need to ask yourself, "Do I want to risk my carpets or upholstery being damaged?".
5. Do you have Public Liability insurance, just in case?
6. Is the business registered with ASIC and ensure that you obtain an invoice which has:
• ABN or ACN
• address of the business (not a PO box)
• name of the person you are dealing with and contact phone no.
• if you are dealing with a franchise, the details of their head office and contact phone no.
7. Are you dealing with an employee or the business owner as this may make a difference to the quality of the work performed?
8. Talk to friends and family as word of mouth will soon tell you whether the business has a good reputation.