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Cindy,
There is hope on the way. I am currently working with a financial institution to help draft up a financing programs for pools & spas as well as all after market products. This is a nationwide program and will be available for Manufacturers - Dealers and Dealers -Customers I should have some details available in a couple of weeks.
James
Something I wanted to check with the rest of you is material costs. Concrete has gone up $15-20 per yard. Granted the fuel surcharge has been eliminated but still a large increase. Pool supplies from the local distributors have gone up on a majority of the materials and equipment we use by 7-12%. What are the rest of you experiencing? I know in the housing market I am told that lumber/ drywall etc has come down. Thanks in advance for your input.
Brian & Jan McGarry said:
I sold about 1253 to stock various SCP and SPP distributorships at their convention, and was pleased. I try to encourage the builders to buy them from distribution and build the book into their price, bumping it up about 25 bucks, and then tell the homeowner it is their "homework" to read before the turnover. This way they cut about half the time off it takes to turn over a pool and way back on questions, and they make a profit on the book too. There is lots more potential in that market and so far it is building every year. I do that whole business by myself though, so it is hard to get around to everybody. We give the books to our new pool customers and sell them in the stores, too, ourselves, and use them for pool schools. We also train new emplyees with them.
So far each area of our businesses is doing ok down here. I'm glad to know about the business in different parts of the country to see where to focus my book efforts this year. I do think the high end is going to be where it's at in this recessionary time. We have survived the tough times before, having been in the business 38 years.
We billed out in December close to what we would bill in July.
I built my business by focusing on the highend clients.
We have lost about 15 lowend clients but it has not been a problem.
They all stated the they could not afford the cost and would be back when they could.
We are still picking up highend clients.
This Thanksgiving was one of the busiest ever for the highend rental properities.
It would seem that people stayed in the US.
These homes rent from $800.00 a night to $3450.00.
Christmas and New Years are going to be just as busy.
I'm looking forward to 2009 as being better than 2008.
-Jeremy
-"I fix broken pools, spas, & hot tubs."
Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
FLLeisure.com
I'm now finally looking for a breather coming up Mid November, first paid vacation ever! Going to Vegas, take in some Grand Canyon, and enjoying the time away from the grind here.
Last Fall when Jacksonville, FL had the Home and Patio Show - I sold 7 pools. Last Spring at the same show I set 15 appointments at the show. Sold 1/3 of them. Three weeks ago at this same show, attendance was down by 50% and I was only able to set 3 appointments at the show, one of those was just a "tire kicker," one canceled and the third one I sold :-). Thank God for that!