Scott, for the longest time I though you had over a 100 customers.     Now my confidence in getting up to 100 customers where I am is looking slim.   

I am actually hoping to do the same thing 

One or two the city will hopefully build (so some time in the next 2-10 years) & the other a non-profit group is trying to have built.  Working on setting up a meeting with the groups organizer, to find out were it will be located and if and how I can help.  Would love to have a sign up on a fence in the park if possible or something.  In exchange for either scooping, maintaining and providing waste stations and bags, or by donating.

Thank you.  Sorry for not responding for such a long time. 

I was thinking about it and may just require: an estimated cost, if over the phone and we cannot meet; where the minimum start-up cost plus a partial or full month is required before starting.  So if it should cost more to clean the first time, i can just use the credit to cover it and ask for the remainder of the month next week. 

I was looking in to going that route; where it would not be necessary to meet.  How do you go about making an agreement on the service (email, online form, phone, etc.)  and receiving the first payment (since the amount can change based on time it takes and such)?

You can use the same EIN or SSN as for the other business under sole proprietorship.  

Here is a link to explain EIN and businesses.  http://www.ehow.com/about_5262053_employer-identification-number-change.html


I assume you are talking about this tread http://pooper-scooper.com/discus/index.php?topic=1586.0

It's possible ... I guess.   Check out your pet stores and ask or ask the vets in your area and find out what they use and where they buy it.

 

Thank you.   

I personally us retailmenot.com to search for online coupons or codes for discounts from online stores.

Great.  Thanks. 
One last question, where do you prefer to get gift bags and "lost of a pet" sympathy cards (A little off topic, sorry)?

  My mistake.  The free cards and items will have the VistaPrint name on them.

Also, you can go to www.vistaprint.com/quality  to get 500 business cards for $10.  Got the promo in the mail and thought I'd pass it on. 

I like the gift bag and dog toy idea.   What sort of toy(s) do you gift to new customers?

Like what?

Service Agreement (contract) helps ease the fear.  This way they will know exactly what they are getting.
Also, show that you care by asking if they have any more questions and giving them a card in which they can contact you if a question comes up. 

Offering a treat to the dog - with owners permission - helps.

Since you don't have any customers yet maybe just start with a few five gallon buckets and lids.  Their is a lid you can buy at Home Depot that will seal in odor and cost about $6 each. 
 
FYI: I believe on that deal Vista Prints places their name on the back of the card.

You will never hear a Texan call them "Snow Birds".  They are refereed as Winter Texans.

OK. This sentence probably came across strong. 

I just remember that you mentioned, on another tread, that it would cost $500 for a booth and if you got one customer in a year it would be paid for.  I just wanted to warn you not to always expect that outcome of a customer staying with you for a year. 

A few months ago I had what I though was a great month.  I got three new customers that called based on business cards left at stores and got three calls from a $515 direct mail ad.  The next month I lost my 1st customer followed by two from the direct mail ad and another that hired me in January.

Now I don't expect what happened to me to be the norm but for a newbie like me to have a volatile two months like that.  Well, I learned to be a bit more cautious. 

Scott,
I always do.  Lost their job, financial reasons, son is now old enough to scoop, and the last dog died.