We have all seen or heard the above Fram oil filter commercial, which originally came out in 1972. I bet some of you have used that phrase (Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later) more than any other, and it has nothing to do with changing the oil in a car.
Actual Commercial 50 Years Ago
You’ve probably also heard the phrase, “you have to spend money to make money.” So, of course, we know that throwing down more cash for a product can feel uncomfortable for many people. But sometimes, investing in tools and systems is the best way to achieve your goals.
Think about it this way: sometimes we don’t like spending money because we think we should get by with what we already have, right? That’s how many businesses feel when they’re purchasing new machinery or even software. But if you’re working so hard on manual tasks and busy work, you’re spending more time than you need to instead of focusing on what matters, which is increased sales.
If you take a step back and look at how much time and energy you’re putting into these tasks, you may find that it makes sense to make your job easier to focus on the big picture.
I see people trying to save money daily in the chemical and cleaning industry, which concerns me. But, in the long run, I know these quick savings decisions will cost them more. So I advise my customers and potential customers to ask for advice, which is usually free.
Anybody can and will sell chemicals; however, a simple program with the proper dispensers, regular training classes, reviews, and cost analysis is just a few things needed.
The expert treats a customer’s money as if it was their own. NO, I don’t mean the expert would want to take it from the customer. On the contrary, if the expert was asked whether they would spend their money on an upgrade, newer parts, or a new tool, they reviewed the situation as if they owned the place themself.
I removed a green scratch pad from a pump impeller on an older Hobart dish machine. I carried a screen for that model and advised the owner to purchase it for around $35. He laughed and said he did not want to spend the money. He and I reviewed the cost of a new motor together, and he said he was not worried about it. One month later, the engine gave out after the problem happened again. The cost of the new motor was around $700, and the restaurant had to wash the dishes by hand for over two days. From that point on, the owner listened to all of my advice.
In another example, a particular nursing home wasn’t using any Neutral Cleaner in their facility and just kept overusing a Quat base product. For people who don’t know, this makes your wax soft, creates a dull look, and might save the home only a couple of dollars on chemical costs on one side of the ledger. However, it costs the house a lot because they have to strip and wax more often, spend hours to complete the job, and purchase more wax. So, did they save any money?
When dealing with vendors, ask for their credentials and experience. For example, five years ago, were they selling cars, or have they walked the walk? Have they washed dishes, worked in a laundromat or applied wax at # AM?
True experts have come out of the same field they are selling in now. I was proud to work with a sales manager one day, calling on laundries and reviewing their problems. Later, I learned that he and his family used to own a commercial laundry themselves. When he recommended one owner put new water valves in rather than repairing the older ones, he knew from experience that the rebuild kits would not hold up and would cost them more money.
Thanks for Reading (Pay Me Now Or Pay Me Later). Hopefully, if you liked my article, you will listen to my podcast, which goes even more profound. If you ever have a question or concerns, please write me at jbauer@hospitalitycleaning101.com and let me know if I can answer on a future podcast. Remember to wash your hands for 20 seconds and continue to stay safe.
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