Reminds me of Amoco days

Beaulieu® of America is targeting pet owners with a new carpet called "Bliss EverClean." It's made with solution dyed polyester which, unlike nylon, can be cleaned with a half and half solution of household bleach and water. It has "Magic Fresh" built in odor control treatment, too. Beaulieu is showing the new product this year at Surfaces.

This reminds me of the Amoco "Roll Out" about twenty years ago. We did more than 200 demonstrations for carpet retailers, architects, carpet specifiers, designers and decorators all around the country. Marquesa Lana samples were abused by the audiences. Bowl cleaner, mustard, coffee, soft drinks, catsup and shoe polish were dumped on the carpet. Those of you who took part will remember the oohs and ahhs when you cleaned it. Bane-Clene operators who participated in those events prospered, not just from being paid for the demonstrations, but also from the contacts they made.

Hercules™ introduced a new carpet line to compete with Amoco and we were doing the roll out for their new products, too, when both programs came to an abrupt end. Amoco Corporate decided to get out of the fibers business. Shaw Industries bought the olefin fibers extrusion plant and DuPont bought the entire production of fibers from Hercules. These two maneuvers effectively put an end to an exciting era of easy to clean products. The big nylon guys must have been nervous.

I remember suggesting Marquesa Lana to a friend in Alabama and it is still on the floor of his rental properties. I had it installed in a motor home and it was excellent. Polypropylene had some issues if the face yarn weight wasn't heavy and dense enough. My friend in Alabama and I both bought the heaviest face yarn available and it performed very well. It will be interesting to see how polyester performs.

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Try to relax when driving

Use the drive time between jobs as a break from the routine. Stop for coffee and rest room breaks between jobs, too. Leave ample distance between you and the car ahead, even though someone will probably cut in front of you. Remember, you're in a van, sitting right up front where you may be seriously injured if you rear-end a vehicle.

Some drivers bring on stress by yelling at rude motorists who cut in and out of traffic. They don't hear you and they don't care. The worst part is that the culprit feels none of your wrath and pent up anger. The only one you hurt is you, and it may affect the next job that you do. Anger residue could cost you future business. Try to relax.

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Statistics or lies?

Washington, DC, Dec. 2, 2011 The economy created 120,000 jobs during the month of November and the unemployment rate has fallen to 8.6%, its lowest level in more than two and a half years, the Labor Department said today.

Am I missing something here? There have been between 320,000 and 400,000 new applicants for unemployment compensation every week. There are 45,000,000 on food stamps and no published total of how many are really unemployed.

Many of the "unemployed" people are working on a "cash" basis which means they don't pay taxes. Meanwhile our state unemployment insurance taxes in Indiana went up 150% last year. But wait! The inflation rate is just a little over 2%.

Most of the 120,000 new jobs for November were probably for the holiday season and were part time. I'd bet the real unemployment figure is north of 25%. They're either using some kind of "new" math or they don't know the difference between statistics and lies.

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Relax

The "sign police" aren't going to arrest you if you haven't posted your notices yet. The National Labor Relations Board postponed the date employers had to put up those much talked about posters displaying information about employee rights.....again. The first deadline was last November. The next was January 31, 2012. Now it's April 30.

“The Board’s ruling states that it has determined that postponing the effective date of the rule would facilitate the resolution of the legal challenges that have been filed with respect to the rule,” the NLRB said in a statement. Whatever that means?

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Compliments are appreciated

Our customers have always been very generous in telling us we do a good job. Over the years we've had thousands of nice cards and letters from customers about our service company in Indianapolis. Each and every one is like golden treasure to us. Many of the comments come on our report cards which we mail to each customer for whom we work.

This homemade card by Mrs. Charles Peer of Indianapolis is very special.

   

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Carpet under siege

Do you recognize any of these? µg/m³, CARE, EPA, PCH, OEHHA, CREL, VOC, GLP, IAQ, VOCE. That first one looks like a typo. I might recognize four, but all of these were mentioned in one "negative" article about carpet. How about "Caprolactam?" I never heard of it but it was mentioned, too. A bureaucrat must have found out about Caprolactam because a whole new bureau seems to have been born to defend against it.

California, the land of fruits and nuts, is proposing reductions in Caprolactam emissions from new carpet. Just when you think they're finished assaulting our industry, here they come again. I asked a friend in Dalton to explain it to me. He reminded me of the old adage, "No good deed goes unpunished." When industry tries to get a leg up on competition by helping bureaucrats, it is always bitten in that proverbial spot where the sun doesn't shine.

Caprolactam is employed in making Nylon 6, the fiber used in about 30% of carpet made. He likened it to Formaldehyde which hasn't been used in carpet production for 40 years. It occurs naturally in many products and in very small levels when carpet is tested. Carpet actually tests much lower than other types of flooring and building materials, but carpet is always mentioned in negative articles, not the others.

What I do understand is that carpet has been under attack ever since it became the floor covering of choice. That made it a prime target of other floor covering manufacturers, not to mention every "Greenie" and political affiliate who use junk science to achieve their devious goals. Remember the lab mice that died? It's been non-stop ever since.

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Everyone should have a customer like this

We've been getting calls and e mails from customers, vendors and colleagues in the industry about the up-coming celebration of our 50th business anniversary. One of the nicest surprises came recently from a customer. Chet Jelinski of Bloomfield, N. J. sent me a copy of a 140 page book he wrote titled, "A Bane Clene Diary." The book's sub title is, "My 30 years with Bane Clene as they celebrate 50 years in business."

Chet says he got the idea to write the book, "partly because today corporations are thought of as inherently evil, and I wanted to recognize a truly good American corporation." This is the ninth book he has written and will be available in book form or on line in the near future. Chet's web site is: http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2886800#store-price.

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Another scam

Besides the usual scam e-mails wanting to send you a fortune from Africa, there are some claiming to be from the IRS, UPS, FedEx, DHL and the postal service. Here's the latest scam using the BBB:

Hello, The Better Business Bureau has been sent the above referenced complaint from one of your customers in respect of their dealings with you. The details of the consumer's concern are presented in attached file. Please examine this problem and let us know about your standpoint.

We kindly ask you to click here to answer this complaint.
(I deleted the link so you would not accidentally click on it)

We look forward to your urgent reply.

Sincerely,
Louis Gerald
Better Business Bureau

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8,062,565 accesses to www.baneclene.com in 2011

There were 614,684 accesses to www.baneclene.com in December (a slow month in the cleaning business) for information about cleaning. Customers ordered supplies, visited our Catalog, Information pages, MSDS, Spot removal guides, Troubleshooting charts, the Cleaning Digest® and Clene-Times® publications and my BLOG. And special thanks to all of you who sent e-mails to me about what I write. Your input really helps tell me what interests you.

Carpet mills, retailers, insurance adjusters, plumbers, banks and realty firms visited our web site, too. But most visitors were CONSUMERS. We know because when they can't find a local cleaner in our referral directory, they call our toll free number. Most phone inquiries are referred to a Bane-Clene operator who is not listed on our directory.

You may link to this web site for a one time fee of only $99. There are NO maintenance or renewal fees. This is the advertising bargain of the century!

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Another tax rip-off

A good friend and customer sent this e-mail to me regarding my comments on tax abatement I put on this blog on November 23rd.

Hi Bill,
Here in Massachusetts, we had a company, Evergreen Solar, receive a $55,000,000.00 tax abatement. Just a few months ago, guess what, Evergreen Solar filed for bankruptcy and 800 employees lost their jobs!! Why can't our politicians see the writing on the wall as well as the ordinary citizen can? Or don't they care? Regards, Gary

Thanks Gary..... They only care about getting re-elected. Our founders had it figured with congress meeting every other year. They allowed that they'd be home running for office on the off year. Now they supposedly "work" every year. With them all running for office and the president jetting around on his little 747, no wonder nothing gets done.

Besides the solar panel malfeasance, when tax subsidies expired 14,000 wind turbines around the country were abandoned. If an honest history is ever written about this, it surely won't be kind to corporate cronyism that preyed on public ignorance to exploit and loot the taxpayer's treasure. Nobody's watching the cash register!

Bill

PS..... We still talk about the wonderful luncheon on your boat and the trip across Cape Cod Bay the last time we were up your way. Thanks again for that beautiful day, for this timely note and for being such a good friend.

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How's the SOA thing doing?

A year ago, I said there would be no more criticism from me on the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval program. Too many of you had indicated that you were not interested in CRI and asked (some in a crude way) that I stop writing about CRI and concentrate on more important matters that pertain to our business.

I'm obliged to report that the SOA program for cleaners has ground to a halt and is indeed shrinking. It took several years to get a significant number of cleaners signed on as CSP's (Certified Service Providers) and last year CRI proudly announced that the 1,000th CSP had signed onto the program. The other day I looked and there were only 946.

Out of nearly 40,000 cleaning firms in America that's not a very good percentage. About 70% of the CSP's are franchises which means that independent cleaners are not interested. There was some fear that CRI was attempting to take over the cleaning business, but 946 firms are not able to service carpet warranties, let alone normal customer needs.

CRI has fallen on hard times like many in this economic environment. They're vacating the beautiful building on the hill in Dalton and moving into rented space downtown. Members are closing plants and laying off employees. CRI has re-organized its board, the technical committees and reduced its management staff.

This rough patch will pass and hopefully CRI will survive and come back strong. When that time comes, I sincerely hope they'll tend to carpet business and leave cleaning to the people who know about it.

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Happy New Year

In this election year, I'm going to write once in a while about history. Some articles will be about our economy as seen through eyes that have witnessed good times and bad. Besides actually experiencing hard times, I've read volumes about the cause and effects of economic depression and recession.

If there is any doubt about the validity of the things I write, please look at references which are a matter of public record. In the words of that immortal Yankee baseball manager, Casey Stengal, "You can look it up!" I encourage you to become a student of history and watch how it repeats itself over the centuries and how it will do it again.

Stay informed and be ready to adapt to a changing world order. Keep your eye on what they do in Washington, not what they say. And above all, my sincere wish is that you and yours enjoy a blessed, happy and prosperous 2012.

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"Invention" vs. "innovation."

A recent E-mail from an equipment customer asked:

Bill,
There have been some posts on bulletin boards about the invention of steam carpet cleaning and truck mounts. One guy said you claim that you invented steam carpet cleaning. Another one said you didn't invent truck mounts. Is this true?
Allen

Watch for "A history of cleaning carpet." It will be published in February on this web site in honor of our 50th anniversary in business. It's about the Bane-Clene system but recalls many of the industry's pioneers and puts inventions, innovations and developments in chronological order.

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Could this be a joke?

The UN has a North Korean in charge of their disarmament conference. North Korea has tied up a good portion of our military for more than sixty years. They've been caught shipping weaponry to terrorists. They test long-range missiles, blow up nukes and violate nearly every UN sanction and resolution aimed at them.

No! It's not a joke. The UN, the Trilateral Commission, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are the jokes. And the jokes are on us, the U. S. taxpayer. We put most of the money in these obnoxious entities. Our Federal Reserve has been hard at work for nearly a century trying to force us into a one-world currency and a single government to rule the planet so they can control the monetary system.

There's nothing more profitable for banks than a war. They have been known to finance both sides so they always win. Banks have caught that proverbial body part in the wringer by letting greed get in the way of good business judgment and monetary bubbles are bursting all over the world. All signs in the current world economic crisis point to the need for an old fashioned war to get the banks and money folks back on top.

The problem is this war won't be like past wars. Unstable governments have nuclear capabilities and when the nukes start falling, look out below. By the way, Iran, Pakistan and China are also on that UN disarmament panel. Both the White House and Vice President Biden's home have massive, new subterranean construction projects underway that look very much like bunkers. I hope I'm wrong!

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Bane-Clene owner rings the bell

The State Journal Register, of Springfield, Illinois, reported that Darell Tureskis was the only person left still ringing his bell. He went without food for 60 straight hours and said it was worth it because he believes in the Salvation Army’s cause.

Darell, who owns Nyilas Carpet Cleaning, set a world record for Salvation Army bell ringing out of twenty four who started at locations across the country. In an interview with the newspaper he said, "It’s just unique to stand there and make an impact for people who may be having a lot of bad luck.”

A Salvation Army spokesman said, “I was extremely impressed with Darell and amazed he went that many hours. This has brought a lot of attention to the Salvation Army, and hopefully we’ll be able to help more people in need during the holidays.”

Congratulations Darell! We're all very proud of you.

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Merry Christmas

Many companies are trying to remove Christ from Christmas. This movement started back in the 1930's when Hollywood came up with Merry Xmas. Some municipalities won't allow a Christmas tree and call it a Holiday tree instead. I even heard that Wells Fargo bank wouldn't allow Marines to collect "Toys for Tots" on their property this year.

As a former Marine, I'm appalled with that decision and wonder when citizens will have enough of these progressive antics and take back Christmas. You won't see it mentioned much on television or in advertising, but let's not forget whose birthday we celebrate on the 25th. May I wish everyone a blessed and happy Christmas.

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Here's a new idea

This e-mail came from a west coast customer. This is a clever idea.

Subject: MTO Advisor serving in Afghanistan


We have many pets, belonging to clients that serve as Pet Urine Consultants to MTOClean Los Angeles. Criteria for membership is being the suspect in a request for carpet cleaning and urine stain/odor removal.


Our clients enjoy the postings and currently, over 100 pets are members. The response has been so high that we have recently added Cat Urine Consultants to the list of pets doing research for MTOClean in their homes


We are especially proud of "Dini", a Search Dog with the United States Marine Corps. He holds the distinction of being our only "Combat Veteran !"


The bold print below is his entry on MTOClean's Facebook page. The entry has drawn many comments, support, and wishes for his safe return to the USA from our Facebook friends. Click on the Facebook link to see his picture, he is a beautiful dog in service to his Country


One of our Pet Urine Consultants on duty with the Marines in Afghanistan. "Dini" is a Search Dog currently deployed to combat operations in Afghanistan. His hobbies include locating and killing Taliban, sniffing fellow Marines, and sleeping next to light machine guns whenever possible. In addition to locating Taliban, "Dini" is conducting research on removing urine stains from Persian rugs.

Semper Fi "Dini !"

Jack Hoar

MTOClean Los Angeles
(626) 914 1678 Office
(626) 914 1680 Fax

MTOClean is a professional "One Stop" cleaning service offering commercial and residential clients multiple service components. Our Carpet Care truck mounted units utilize "Bane Clene" extraction equipment, the finest available to the consumer.

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An e-mail from a friend from the past and my answer:

Bill ,

   I wanted to drop you a note to congratulate you and your family and all of the associates at Bane Clene on your upcoming 50th Anniversary in business. I was recently building the Facebook page for my new employer – HydraMaster and US Products, and I could not help but think of you and your company as I was posting an article I wrote about Longevity in the carpet cleaning equipment and chemical manufacturing industry.

   Longevity is a powerful thing. 50 years in our wonderful and crazy industry is really something to celebrate. It speaks to the integrity of the Bane family, and the care you have always shown your customers.

   I often think about the original times back at the AIDS convention (RIA) when you and my father had to deal with all the shampooers wondering what these new fangled extraction machines were. You and Ralph tell/told some great stories about those days.

   Congratulations again, best to your family, and best wishes for your future.

God bless,
Doyle Bloss, Marketing and Brand Manager
HydraMaster/US Products

Hi Doyle,

Thanks for the thoughtful note. We humans must be wired together someway. Last night, as you wrote to me, I was busy in our Florida hideaway updating my history of the industry (from my perspective of course)....and your dad was on my mind. Is that spooky or what?

I met Ralph at a convention in Cleveland in 1973. We were right across the isle from each other and joked back and forth for three days. I kidded him about the thing he was selling looking like a big Juke Box and he would come back at me with it being better than the Iron Lung I was trying to peddle. Ed York was there and snubbed us both in his usual arrogant manner.

On the last day in Cleveland, Ralph came over and said, "Bill, tell the truth. Have you sold anything?" I sheepishly had to admit I hadn't. He said, "How about I buy one of yours and you buy one of mine and then we can go home and say we didn't get skunked?"

When he acquired Steamway from Seabloom Ralph asked me to be his distributor in Indiana and I was flattered. The last time I saw him was in Toledo, I think it was in '93.

Your new company brings back memories of Bob Langley. What a fun guy. Thanks again Doyle. All the best to you in your career.


Bill

PS - The only good thing to come out of that Cleveland meeting was that I met Ken Hilbert there. In 1976 Ken bought one of our systems and has been one of the best customers anyone could ever hope for. I didn't know this when I told Ralph I got skunked.

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Noise Abatement

Don't tarnish the image of your company by having a blaring radio in your truck or a boom box parked on the porch or patio of a customer's home. Don't carry these noisemakers into commercial jobs either and please don't even wear headphones. These devices imply a lack of respect and attention to the job.

And speaking of noise, a constant noise level of 85 decibels (most truck mounts exceed that) will damage hearing. Be sure to sell the fact that you operate the quietest system in the cleaning industry when talking with prospects about your service. Peace and quiet is a precious commodity in today's noisy world and it is a strong selling point.

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Sound Excited

If there is one thing that will turn off a prospect, it's the sound of a voice on the telephone that is bored. This ho hum attitude can pervade even the most carefully managed business. When someone answers your telephone, they should sound pleased that the caller has chosen to call. In short, the person who answers should be excited that the opportunity to be of service to someone has presented itself.

The same thing is true of service crews. Not much irritates a customer more than a person entering their home or place of business and acting as if they'd really rather be some place else doing something else. Our livelihood depends on satisfied customers. Act like it is really important, because it is the most important factor of our lives at that point in time.

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More can be better

An electronics industry publication predicted that more people will spend more time at home during the coming decade. They cite the recession among some other reasons and predict that home entertainment will grow exponentially.

That's good news for those of us in the cleaning business. More people spending more time at home means more dirt which means more sales and more profit.

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The Sheriff from Hell...

There's more to know about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of Maricopa County in Arizona. For instance, he started chain gangs so inmates could do free work on county and city projects. Then, to be safe, he started chain gangs for women so he or the county wouldn't be sued for discrimination.

Sheriff Joe said, "Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes, not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, so they can go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers’ money and enjoy things some taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves."

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"Remember Pearl Harbor"

That was the battle cry of WWII. President Roosevelt said, "Sunday, December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy..." Not many are alive who remember that fateful Sunday morning when the dastardly attack took place on our Pacific Fleet. Those who were will never forget. Unfortunately, most others have forgotten it.

"Remember the Alamo" and "Remember the Maine" are slogans that would never be forgotten, but now they're relegated to the pages of tattered history books that are routinely ignored or revised by many teachers. "Remember September 11" is the latest of infamous dates that unfortunately will also be just a faded memory in the future.

We don't learn from our history. Thank God for the brave troops who protect our freedom and for the first responders who protect us in this land of plenty. With all of our problems, people still want to come here legally or illegally. But, freedom is not free!

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A legal scam

Some car dealers are exploiting tax credits and are a definitive explanation of what is wrong with our government today. Dealers buy high gas-mileage cars with a few hundred miles on the odometer from other dealers and then sell them as used cars. Then they claim the $7,500.00 federal credit on their income tax.

Nearly every government program or subsidy is abused more than it's used. It's time for politicians to run the government like a good business or get out. (Notice I said 'good' business...not like some of those corrupt car dealers who bend the rules.) This is just one small example of the corruption generated by Washington edicts.

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Never, never, never.....

..... tell a customer how busy you are. If it’s not true and you’re just trying to impress them, it won’t work. Even if it is true, you should never tell them. Customers want to feel they are your highest priority and telling them that you’re busy may lead them to believe that they are not going to get your best effort.

Make your customers feel that they are important to you by giving them your complete and undivided attention. Customers who feel that you are attentive to their needs and realize they are important to you will remain a satisfied and loyal customer in the future.

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Fast, faster and fastest

About five years ago, I passed through an airport that was covered with luxurious carpet. The next time I was there the carpet looked dingy and dull. I'm sad to say the last time I was there all of that carpet was gone and had been replaced with tile.

The culprit was a big floor machine that "cleans" carpet fast and allows an operator to ride on it. This appeals to lazy employees who lobby management for these tools which opens the door to hucksters who sell the concept that faster and easier is better.

During construction, troweling and air/moisture evacuation cause subtle pockets in the concrete that are undetectable under the carpet. The pick-up bar on wide machines bridge these slight depressions leaving residue which wicks up during the drying process.

The residue attracts soil which is spread by foot traffic and the result is a dull, dingy look to the entire surface of the carpet. Most times, the carpet gets the blame and pays the price as it did in this airport. That hurts everyone in the carpet chain including cleaners.

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Happy employees

Most people work to meet financial obligations, but the money earned does not necessarily determine how employees feel about their jobs. Don Barrett, Jr., speaking at a Bane-Clene convention, said, "A little time and consideration for your employees will reap benefits for your company that translate into profit.

"Employees need feedback that they are performing well and too often the only feedback they get is criticism. They have a need to be treated as individuals and have personal lives with responsibilities other than the business. The company fits a different place in the realm of things for even a dedicated employee than it does for the owner.

"Respecting these considerations is a win/win. Employee job satisfaction will increase and happy employees are great assets to the company. Productivity increases, moral heightens, company image and customer service improves and employee turn over decreases, thus lowering hiring and training time and expense."

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Be careful granting credit

This is good advice especially in tough economic times. A company may have a prestigious sounding name and beautiful facilities, but check them out before they get too far into your financial hide. They may have leased the fancy premises, vehicles and furniture and have no assets; so even a mechanic's lien will do no good in collecting past due accounts.

Be careful of existing prompt-paying customers, too. If they become slow in settling up their account or complain about service to delay the payment of the account, take heed. A request for the reissue of an invoice may be an indicator that they are in financial trouble, and you may wind up on a list of creditors when bankruptcy is filed.

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Corporate welfare

Yes, it does exist and in fact is running rampant. Government should not interfere in the marketplace by luring a business from another city or state to its own political confines. Governors and Mayors have become real estate salespeople rather than administrators.

Nearly every day, business pages note a company moving from one locale to another and tell how many new jobs will come to the region. Usually, near the end of the article, tax abatement is mentioned and sometimes huge infrastructure outlays are granted.

How many times have you seen a company fail to produce the promised number of jobs?

And taxpayers pick up the tab for these failures. Meanwhile, back in their old community stands a vacant building with people filing for unemployment compensation.

Indiana spent millions to bring the United Air Lines maintenance facility to Indianapolis. It's gone and taxpayers bore the cost of the many unemployed it left behind. It's time to quit this political theft from hardworking taxpayers who follow the rules.

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Voice from the past

There have been numerous calls and e-mails congratulating us on our upcoming 50th business anniversary from customers, vendors and colleagues in the industry. One such call came from Lloyd Weaver who contacted Jeff Cross, the editor of Cleanfax, in trying to reach me. Jeff was kind enough to forward his phone number.

What a pleasant surprise hearing his voice when I returned his call. The last time I saw him was at a Steam Carpet Cleaner's Association convention in Indianapolis in 1976. Lloyd was the original innovator of air moving equipment and told me he spends most of his time now figuring out ways to control dust. A worthy cause indeed.

Not many of us old guys who witnessed the rapid expansion of the carpet cleaning industry in the '70s and '80s are left and it was a thrill to speak with him. Lloyd, who lives in Billings, Montana, and I finished our conversation with a sincere wish that we both get to meet again....here on earth.

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Excessive excesses

Apparently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation hasn't heard that these are tough economic times. Government is under the gun to cut expenses, but are they really working at it? The FBI just opened a new office in a prestigious suburb of Indianapolis. The new facility reportedly cost $40,000,000.00.

They could have renovated their old digs or relocated to a vacant building in the "bad" part of the city where their presence would have done some good. But, they moved from center city to one of the most affluent and expensive real estate locations in the state. Of course they say the new building is "energy efficient" so the money they save on their electric bill will probably pay for it in no time at all.

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Bulletin boards

A recent e-mail asked: Why don't you join in conversations on industry bulletin boards? With 50 years in business, you must have something constructive to offer. I think you are selfish for not sharing your experience on public forums. Jerry

In 1999, an industry "guru" sent an e-mail to me that said he and a group of "Board Gorillas" were going to electronically destroy my company because they didn't like my comments on safety. When a customer would ask a question on a public forum, I continued to post until 2002, but my responses generated such hateful and malicious rhetoric that we decided to answer questions only on our own web-site.

It's difficult to talk with officials of most companies, but it's easy to communicate with anyone at Bane-Clene. Our message center may be used by non-customers, too, and all information on our web-site is available to everyone with no restrictions. Many readers e-mail me directly, as you did Jerry, and I will answer business related questions personally. Those of general interest, like this one, may be published here.

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High-tech theft

Police say there is a new high-tech robbery tactic using a device that electronically clones your car's security code when you lock your doors using your key chain locking device. Thieves sit a distance away and when a victim is inside a store or restaurant, they have a few minutes to break into the car, steal and run.

The solution is to manually lock your car door by the lock button inside the car as you leave. When you use the lock button upon exiting, it does not send the security code, but if you walk away and use the door lock on your key chain, it sends the code through the air where it can be stolen.

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What triggers an IRS audit?

They say it's random and their computers are programmed to look at differential scores. But there are things that make an audit more likely, like having an office at home. If an auditor finds kids' toys in the office they might challenge that deduction.

If your company is losing money and your books and records easily reflect that, you may not have to pay yourself a salary, but year after year of losses will eventually cause them to initiate an audit and declare it a hobby, not a business.

If you're not incorporated, and you're not separating personal financial records from business activities, that's going to be a big problem in an audit. If you keep separate books and records for your business, the audit will be faster and go smoother.

The IRS looks at expenses such as meals, entertainment and travel. Documentation is required to justify expenses. If you're expensing a meal, you should have an appointment book that shows whom you met, why, a receipt for how much you spent and where.

And lastly, if you sub-contract work to others, the chances of an audit are greater. The IRS wants to know if this is just a way of avoiding payroll taxes. Thousands of new auditors are being added so be prepared and keep your records as clean as your equipment.

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Happy Birthday!

Today is the 236th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. From an old one ... WWII and Korea... to any that are left and to all Marines....Semper Fi!

Link to Godaddy's tribute to the Marine Corps.

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Why?

Following is an e-mail from a fellow considering the purchase of Bane Clene equipment:

I was impressed and want to change because of gas prices. But the machine I use now has more vacuum, power comes from the truck engine and my water is hotter. Your water pressure isn't thirty percent of what I have. I saw it do as good a job as I could do and I can't figure out why. I didn't get to meet you when I was in town for the demo. Since I always read your blog and respect you, I would appreciate your comments on those.

These are just some of the reasons why our cleaning systems work so well. I hope they help you make up your own mind because if you sell yourself, your chances of success are increased a hundred fold over someone who is sold by a slick salesperson:

1. Cleaning agents are specifically designed for the system.
   
   1. Developed and used in our own service company.
   2. Constantly updated and monitored.
   3. 256 parts of water to one part chemical means virtually no residue.
2. Cleaning solutions have balanced delivery and recovery.
1. Proper delivery pressure for adequate penetration
2. Adequate recovery of spent solution for quick drying.
3. A plus is that all foul air is exhausted outside (External Extraction®).
3. Water at proper temperature.
1. Hot enough to loosen soil.
2. Cool enough to be safe for all fibers.
3. Cheap hot water from using wasted engine heat.
4. Training program is unmatched in the industry.
1. Teaches proper techniques for using our system.
2. De-emphasis on speed. Emphasize customer satisfaction.
3. Chemical usage is taught by a chemist not a salesman.

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Milliken adds 8 new franchises

When I read their press release recently it brought back memories of a lady named "Pat."

"Pat" ( I don't remember her last name) worked for Milliken and called me about 25 years ago to inquire about our method. "Pat" asked more questions about our service business than she did about the process which should have made me suspicious.

But, it was during a period when we were actively seeking recommendations from carpet mills, I was pleased Milliken was interested and answered all of her questions. "Pat" called me every week for ten or twelve weeks on our toll-free number (free for her, not for me) to ask more detailed questions about running a service company.

Much to my chagrin I found out that "Pat" was just picking my brain. Milliken had bought the rights to the old DuPont "Capture" dry-powder process and they were preparing to start their own cleaning service which has now morphed into the Millicare franchise. It's interesting to note that nearly all franchises have the CRI Seal of Approval.

Thanks "Pat!" Do you think I should get a little piece of your franchise fee? Maybe a pittance to reimburse me for all of those toll-free calls? I'm just kidding of course! Mohawk was much worse than you. They cost Kevin Stark and me a two-day trip to Dublin, Georgia*, besides all of the "toll-free" phone calls.

* It's not the end of the world, but you can see it from there.

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Initiative

Individuals must take the initiative to help themselves when possible. The recent disaster at the Indiana State Fair is an example. The ominous sky was in clear sight and moving their way fast. Yet people sat in grandstands, watched the approaching storm and waited to be told to get out of there. A disaster ensued and some of them didn't make it.

Someone sent me a joke about a flood victim that makes the same point. A police car came by with a warning and offered to take the man to higher ground. With water up to the curb a truck came by. When the water was in the house a boat came. And finally when he was sitting on the roof a helicopter flew in to rescue him.

Each time he told the would-be rescuers that God would take care of him. He drowned.

On arrival in Heaven the man told God how disappointed he was that He didn't save him. God said, "I sent a car, a truck, a boat and a helicopter. What more did you want?"

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Company policies

A recent e-mail asked: We're new to the business and I run my husbands office. We're not customers but I read some of your material on the internet and wonder if you would mind telling me how you established your office routines and customer service policies when you started in business? Amanda

Actually my wife, Elizabeth, was responsible for them. She managed a doctor's office and used the procedures from her job to establish telephone manners, filing systems and the scheduling of appointments. Her boss was a stickler for keeping accurate records and that has proven to be valuable to us over the years.

Her love of old fashioned department stores led to our customer service policies and procedures. Her favorite store, L. S. Ayres & Co., had a policy that customers were always right even when they were wrong. Our policies were established based on those of both L. S. Ayres & Co., and her job with the doctor.

These decisions paid great dividends. In '72 we were offered a licensed department for Ayres' carpet cleaning which generated millions in revenue over the next twenty years and their cut was only 10% of the gross billing. Those policies also have our company in good standing with our BBB and the premier referral program of the day, Angie's List.

By the way, Amanda, the story of how our company grew over the years is available in a book, "We did it their way!" It's filled with information about things we did in the early days of our first half century in business. The fifteen year-old hard cover book is in its second printing and is now only $14.95 on our web site.

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IICRC now Clean Trust

A firestorm erupted on bulletin boards recently when it was announced that IICRC had changed its name. Such rancor hasn't been displayed since the CRI/SOA fiasco. But, the hostility is not quite as bad as that generated by the great Stainmaster flap when DuPont recommended Stanley Steemer and the Masterseries debacle that followed.

Posters say the new name will invalidate the warranty papers of some carpet mills and suggest consumers will be confused and aggravated by the changes. But they're most upset because the new name will negate ads, sales literature and truck logos for registrants who advertise IICRC and cause them undue expenditures.

A sample Bulletin Board comment: "I'm not happy about the name change. I've got logo's on my trailer and in my advertising ads. In what way does this name and logo represent the membership? What happens to all of the Sleeve and coat patches? Clearly those we voted in just ignored the dues paying membership, just like Washington DC isn't it?"

Aside from instances of overbearing behavior and malfeasance in management, I believe the idea of an independent training institute was a good one, especially for those who bought equipment from sales organizations that had no training or educational facilities. Many suppliers supported IICRC in the interest of saving money on training.

Ed York, who founded its predecessor, the IICUC, called me to chew me out for not openly supporting it. I told Ed that I liked his idea but we had our own school and we didn't want outside or generic influence on the parochial material we teach. These latest uprisings make me feel like I made a good decision thirty years ago.

On a positive note, the IICRC has cleaned house and removed most of the old governing group that used the organization as a personal play house. The board has been reduced to a manageable number of members and some of them that I know will try to complete the restoration. Let's give them a chance to return it to a certification body as it was intended by the founder.

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Positive thinking*

Norman Vincent Peale speaking at a Bane-Clene convention said, "You can think your way to failure or to success. Belief is a form of thought. You can disbelieve yourself into a frustrated existence or you can believe yourself into a successful life.

"We do not half realize the power of thought either to destroy or to create. Thoughts are forces. You can't see them but thoughts are dynamic powers. Think negative thoughts and you activate negative forces, drawing back to yourself negative results. Like attracts like. Send out hate and you get back hate. Send out fear and you get back fear. Send out defeat and you draw defeat to yourself.

"Conversely, send out positive thoughts and positive results will come back. You gain victories by the thoughts you think. All creative, powerful living originates in thought. Get a good thought, build it up, develop it, let it take over. Make a giant of it, and it will make a giant of you."

*This is dedicated to a very special “positive thinking lady" on her birthday.

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Beware

Benjamin Franklin said, "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship." Don't give away $10 here, $50 there or maybe $100 to an impassioned plea for a charitable cause! Every day businesses are asked to give. Professional phone solicitors may use the shame game, too. "You mean you won't give $200 to help orphans?"

Bane-Clene Institute has a class on dealing with solicitations and how to turn some of them into potential customers. Never make an expenditure that is not in the current budget. If you wish to consider the charity or other solicitation, have them put the request in writing for consideration in the next annual budget. You'll be amazed at how few requests you get.

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Interesting e-mail

Mr. Bane,

I've got a slide in truck mount and nearly asphyxiated myself and two customers while parked outside their home with the machine running. The wind blew fumes in through a slider I had open for my hoses. We had to go to the emergency room for treatment. Several years ago I read an article you wrote about this but I forgot it. Why did you stop warning people in our business about how dangerous these things are?

Steve

Actually Steve, I think it's been about ten years since the safety campaign on the dangers of carbon monoxide was terminated. You wouldn't believe the hateful comments those articles generated. I was accused of using disasters to sell equipment but I wrote purely in the interest of public safety and the damage to our industry's reputation.

Publicizing these public relations nightmares was stopped to avoid the wrath of an industry that's dominated by equipment that runs on fossil fuel. Ironically, about that same time, industry bulletin boards were becoming popular and they serve the same purpose. Posters on these boards report carbon monoxide incidents and fires without rebuttal.

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Fiscal responsibility vs. corruption

Remember the demonstrations when Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wanted to do away with collective bargaining for teachers unions? He did it anyway and the results are in. Some school districts went from a $400,000 deficit to a $1,500,000 surplus as a result.

Here's an article that explains it:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/2011/07/wisconsin-schools-buck-union-cut-health-costs.

That's an example of corruption at the state level. Can you imagine the money that is purloined in Washington? Every one of those thousands of lobbyists who prowl the halls and back rooms is trying to get part of it. And we taxpayers are paying for it.

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Here's why

Numerous e-mails ask why I stopped criticizing the CRI's SOA program. They must all have missed my explanation in the Clene-Times®. The article is titled "Que Sera Sera" and is located at the top of the third column. Click on the link to the January 2011 issue of the Clene-Times below:

http://www.baneclene.com/clenetimes/2011Jan.pdf

Before I made the decision to leave CRI alone, I received a large number of e-mails asking me to stop wasting my time on them and start writing more about our business. It seems most cleaners believe that CRI is just like congress and doesn't listen to us anyway.

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First time over a million in one month

Blown away! That's the best way to describe how a guy feels who back in 1994 said that the internet was just a fad. The guy was me. Today, a large part of our business is done on the World Wide Web and its communications abilities are mind-boggling.

The monthly report for September indicated there were 1,014,518 accesses to our web site at www.baneclene.com which was established in 1994. There were only 823 visitors in 1995. This September had more accesses than the entire year of 2001.

The exciting part is that most of the visitors are consumers looking for a cleaning service. When they can't find one close to them on our locator service, many call our toll-free number and we try to refer them to someone even if they're not a part of our program.

Every Bane-Clene operator should be listed on the locator service to take advantage of this bonanza in free advertising. We'll make a home page for you or if you have a home page or web-site already we'll link it to our locator service. This is a no-brainer.

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Security tips

Put car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside or someone is trying to get into your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

Wasp spray is better and can be shot up to twenty feet more accurately than mace. With mace or pepper spray you have to get close to an assailant who could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to a hospital for an antidote.

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Our Founders talked funny, but they were smart

"There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the public engagements; that our appropriations should ever go hand in hand with our promises. To say that the United States should be answerable for twenty five millions of dollars without knowing whether the ways and means can be provided, and without knowing whether those who are to succeed us will think with us on the subject, would be rash and unjustifiable."

James Madison, Speech in Congress, 1790

"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale."

Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Taylor, 1816

"No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable."

George Washington, Message to the House of Representatives, 1793

I'll bet those guys didn't even know there was such a word as "trillion." Politicians should wear uniforms with patches like NASCAR drivers. Then we could identify their sponsors (donors/bribers) and then we'd understand why they vote the way they do.

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Thanks for your e-mails and keep 'em coming

Dozens of e-mails are sent to me every day regarding the things I write about. Some agree with me and some disagree. From time to time some are published on this blog, but always without violating your privacy. Your full name and/or address are never published so they can be picked up by trollers.

This correspondence is very valuable to me because it reflects what you're thinking and the popularity or displeasure you may have in the subject material. I apologize for delays in answering, but each and every one is answered personally by me, not by a secretary.

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Five keys to success

1. Set goals even if they are short term.

      Remember the BAG method of goal setting we teach at BCI.

2. Subscribe to the 5 P’s; Prior planning prevents poor performance.

      There's a variation of this with 6 Ps but this is a family web site.

3. Plan your day, then work your plan.

      Most people in our business simply don't do this.

4. Finish one project before starting another.

      Too much juggling causes failure in small businesses.

5. Step back once in a while to take stock in how you're doing.

      "Success is not the destination. Success is the journey." Earl Nightingale

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Puzzled

They talk about RSS Feeds, 3G, DSL, Fios, Blackberry, Kindle, Wi-Fi, 4G, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Droid, Android, Apps, Twitter, Tweets , Gigabytes, Nano-something-or-others, Nook, Social networking and Texting. This strange palaver creates a generation and communication hurdle that is almost beyond comprehension

For someone like me who is still trying to grasp the difference between Beta Max and VCR, listening to tech-savvy folks talk about new technology is mind boggling. It's like being in a foreign land and not understanding what the locals are saying

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Customer explains budget dilemma (a lot of stuff)

"Folks who get free stuff are upset with folks who pay for the free stuff. Folks who pay for the free stuff can't afford to pay for the free stuff and their own stuff any longer so they want the free stuff to stop. Folks who get the free stuff want even more free stuff on top of the free stuff they get and vow to riot in the streets if they don't get all the stuff free.

"Politicians trolling for votes tell the folks who get the free stuff that the folks who pay for the free stuff are mean, prejudiced people for wanting to stop the free stuff. So, the folks who get the free stuff are encouraged to hate the people who pay for their free stuff and to vote for the politicians who give away the free stuff."

Thanks Jan... Your e-mail pretty well sums up what's going on in Washington today? Here's what a really smart guy said about this same situation 2,066 years ago:

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero 55 BC

Monetary stupidity and moral depravity defined the most powerful nation on earth. How about cast iron genitals used for door knockers, extravagant entertainment, excessive booze, massive troop deployments in foreign lands and a steady debasement of their currency? Sounds like the USA doesn't it? (Well maybe not the door knockers.)

Some folks who learn from history are shouting warnings just like ol' Cicero did in those Roman times. The 'bright' politicians in Washington had better start listening. We all know what happened to the Roman Empire!

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Ten cities with something in common

The ten poorest cities in the United States and the percentage of people living under the poverty level are: Detroit, 32.5%; Buffalo, 29.9%; Cincinnati, 27.8%; Cleveland, 27.0%; Miami, 26.9%; St. Louis, 26.8%; El Paso, 26.4%; Milwaukee, 26.2%; Philadelphia , 25.1% and Newark, 24.2%.

Here's something they all have in common. Detroit hasn't had a Republican mayor since '61. Buffalo hasn't had a Republican mayor since '54. Cincinnati hasn't had a Republican mayor since '84. Cleveland hasn't had a Republican mayor since '89. Miami has never had a Republican mayor.

St. Louis hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1949. El Paso, Texas has never had a Republican mayor. Milwaukee hasn't had a Republican mayor since 1908. Philadelphia, "The City of Brotherly Love," hasn't had a Republican mayor since 1952. Newark hasn't had a Republican mayor since 1907.

"You can't help the poor by destroying the rich. You can't bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You can't build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You can't help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should be doing for themselves." Abraham Lincoln (a Republican)

Disclaimer: I can talk about politics because I'm not a member of any "organized" political party..... I'm a conservative.

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DIY carpet cleaning

The in-house commercial carpet cleaning market consistently has the most cleaning related complaints. Many building managers have poorly trained staffs and it's a common practice to buy the cheapest equipment and chemicals available. Sometimes they even hire totally inept day-labor to do the job.

Most building managers won't budget for professional maintenance, but when they do contract service from an outside source the majority use the bid method. Low bid gets the job. With this mentality is it any wonder they're not happy with the cleaning results? Sadly, most of them blame it on the carpet, too.

Lew Migliorie, a complaint troubleshooter who lives and works in Dalton, says carpet mills have laid off many employees and some have even cut the budget for their commercial technical services. Lew thinks this mistake will come back to bite them because people who knew these things are being laid off. Mill claims and losses will probably go up.

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Employers have rights, too!

On Labor Day, I wrote about the mandate from the Obama administration that employers must post a notice about the National Labor Relations Act in a prominent place. I gave some of the details of what is required. There are a lot more. The National Labor Relations Board web site will tell you specifically what must be posted.

But did you know that employers can post their own notice right next to it? Following are some details that can be included in an employer's notice:

Unions can't restrain or coerce employees...

... to join their union.

... to select a union to represent them.

Employees have the right to ...

... choose to remain union free.

... refuse to sign union election petitions.

... refuse to sign union membership or authorization cards.

... discuss the advantages and disadvantages of union representation.

... discuss union membership with their supervisor and management.

It's a good idea to speak with your attorney about it, too.

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Taking a chance

Writing or speaking about politics and/or religion is strictly taboo in business. I've written many articles on the subject and it's discouraged among our own employees. But politics and banks are seriously affecting our industry because of the difficulty small businesses have in getting reasonable bank loans for new equipment. So, I've broken our own rule and have written lately about politics and especially the Federal Reserve Bank.

The e-mail responses have been much heavier than I anticipated and I've answered every single one. To my surprise, here's the breakdown on how I stand with my readers: Totally agree with my political comments, 74%; Agree somewhat, 17%; Disagree somewhat, 7%; Totally disagree, 2%. Those who disagreed were respectful, but one of the e-mails from those who totally disagree with my views was a real scorcher. It involved one of my articles on the Federal Reserve and the banking industry. In my answer, I suggested that he read Shadows of Power by James Perloff.

Last week he sent this e-mail: Bill, I got the book you suggested, I read it and now I think I understand the federal reserve system, its origin, the bailout debacle and stimulus fiascos. I'd like to offer my most sincere apology for the hateful things I said to you and urge you to continue writing about the politics that hurts our business.

It takes a real man to admit he's wrong and the encouragement to continue to make political comments is especially heart-warming. To paraphrase the old after-shave commercial, "Thanks Steve, I needed that!" Next time you're in town let's have lunch at Murphy's.

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A boss's prayer

Dear Lord, please help me to accept people as they are, and not yearn for perfect creatures which do not exist.

Dear Lord, please help me to recognize ability and encourage it, and to understand shortcomings and make allowances for them.

Dear Lord, please help me to work for improvement and not expect too much too quickly, and to appreciate what people do right and not just criticize what they do wrong.

Dear Lord, please help me to be slow to anger and hard to discourage, and to have the hide of an elephant and the patience of Job.

Dear Lord, please help me to be a good boss!

anonymous author

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A bad time?

Our week-long school began on September 12th. The prior week had been punctuated with warnings from Homeland Security and news reports about possible terrorist attacks using airplanes on the 11th. On Sunday, the 11th, there were two airline incidents where fighters were scrambled. I fully expected to see an empty classroom on Monday morning. Instead I was greeted by an enthusiastic audience.

Folks came from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia and even a local from Greenwood. These brave people traveled on a weekend when news and hyperbole were at ridiculous levels and only one person who was registered didn't make it. Thanks to everyone who attended. You're a very special, brave and dedicated group.

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Media charades

On September 1st, the previous week's new unemployment numbers were announced. There were 409,000 new applications for unemployment compensation. The previous weekly number had been 412,000 newly unemployed if my memory serves me.

That same evening, I was watching an NBC local affiliate weather forecast and the following statement scrolled across the bottom of the screen. "Unemployment claims lessen which means the economy is improving. Are they kidding?

The unvarnished truth is that nearly a half million people are filing new claims for unemployment compensation every week. Do you think the media is trying to influence voter's thinking? We've got a whole year of media charades to look forward to until the election is finally over.

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Innovator

Carpet installers usually wear knee pads, but a Pennsylvania carpet installer turned inventor has taken it a step further. Mark Legenstein, who installed carpet for years, invented "Knee Blades" to make the job easier for anyone that works on all fours.

"Knee Blades" allows them to roll easily on their knees. Legenstein said it was a dream that took 50 prototypes and plenty of hard work. Mark's invention can be found at some Lowe's stores, but call first to make sure your local store stocks it.

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Hello Washington

Beaulieu of America, one of the world's largest carpet makers, instituted a 10% pay cut from top to bottom for its 5,200 employees. This is how a business deals with a deficit. “We felt that was a better thing for us to do with everybody company wide versus us deciding to lay off another 400 to 500,” said Jeff Meadows, a Beaulieu spokesperson.

Meadows went on to say, “Over the last five years, the industry has probably closed at least 90 (plants). Basically our demand level wouldn’t warrant us to close any additional facilities, but at the same time because of the weak demand and very high raw material costs for carpet this year this move was necessary.”

That means even the president of Beaulieu gets a haircut like everyone else. Has anyone in Washington thought about cutting all of those fat government salaries and fringe benefits? Everyone who works for the government from the president to the janitor in the embassy in Ecuador should take a pay cut until our country is out of debt.

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Watch out

E-mail scams are dangerous. These e-mails arrive at least once or twice a week. One of the links marked "Report" is underlined so you can click on it. Don't do it!

The ACT transaction (ID: 6997783978839), recently sent from your bank account (by you or any other person), was canceled by the Electronic Payments Association.

Canceled transfer

Transaction ID: 6997783978839
Reason for rejection See details in the report below
Transaction Report report.pdf.exe (self extracting archive, Adobe PDF)

13450 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 100 Herndon, VA 20171 (703) 561 1100

2011 NACHA The Electronic Payments Association

And here's another one...

Dear Customer

Your package has been returned to the DHL office
The reason of the return is : Incorrect delivery address of the package
Attached to the letter mailing label contains the details of the package delivery
You have to print mailing label, and come in the DHL office in order to receive the packages.

Thank you,
DHL Express Delivery

Don't open the attachment!

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What does it take?

Some people think all that's necessary to be successful in our business is to buy some cheap equipment and stick "quicky-print" flyers under windshield wipers on church parking lots to advertise for customers.

Consumers expect a clean carpet, floor or furniture when they hire us. We're supposed to have the expertise to do the job, but they also want to be treated with respect. Manners, appearance, sales techniques, training, ethics and honesty are all elements that help form a consumer's perception and definition of a good service.

It takes more than cheap equipment and flyers under windshield wipers to make it in this business. Sign up for classes at Bane-Clene® Institute and learn how to be productive and successful from a company with 50 years experience. We know what it takes!

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Just in time for Labor Day

An e-mail from a lawyer reminds employers covered by the NLRA (National Labor Relations Act) , which is most employers, of a new federal government rule. Business owners must post a notice informing employees of their rights to organize, discuss wages, benefits and other terms and condition of their employment and to strike or picket.

Effective November 14, 2011, the notice must have information about the NLRA. If 20% or more of employees speak other than English, the notice must be in the language spoken. Failure to post the notice will be subject to an unfair labor practice charge through the administrative processes of the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board.)

Does it seem like the feds are getting more intrusive in every day business?

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Quote of the year

"If the US Government was a family, they would make $58,000 a year, spend $75,000 a year, and have $327,000 in credit card debt. They are currently proposing “BIG” spending cuts to reduce their spending to $72,000 a year. These are the actual proportions of the federal budget and debt, reduced to a level that we can understand."

Dave Ramsey

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Payback time?

Banks are the epitome of "Goodness." Most bank commercials tell us how compassionate and caring they are and how much they help their community and humanity in general. Commercials talk about all the money they have to lend to small businesses. They sponsor sporting events and even have ball parks and stadiums named for them.

Have you noticed lately that banks are spending a fortune advertising on television? Could this be payback time for the outstanding support they got from the media during the big bailouts? The mountain of money the Fed poured into their vaults has been spent acquiring other banks instead of lending to small businesses which would have created jobs.

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Be careful

A judge in Indiana issued a court order for two newspapers and a television station to reveal the identity of an anonymous person who posted allegedly libelous comments on their web sites. Some think such remarks are protected by the first amendment, but one paper immediately complied agreeing that the poster was not a journalist.

Many people believe anonymity will protect them from being identified. But in some states a plaintiff's lawyer can obtain the internet protocol address from the web site operator with a court order. With the popularity of the internet, these cases are becoming more prominent so be careful that what you post anywhere is true.

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From Sir Henry Sumner Maine’s Popular Government (1885)

"Yet nothing is more certain, than that the mental picture which enchains the enthusiasts for benevolent democratic government is altogether false, and that, if the mass of mankind were to make an attempt at redividing the common stock of good things, they would resemble, not a number of claimants insisting on the fair division of a fund, but a mutinous crew, feasting on a ship’s provisions, gorging themselves on the meat and intoxicating themselves with the liquors, but refusing to navigate the vessel to port."

Who can doubt that Sir Henry would be unsurprised by today’s events in Washington, DC? Opposition to what Maine calls “benevolent democratic government” – by which Maine means largely unlimited democracy – does not imply support for dictatorship, oligarchy, or any other form of top down, centralized command. By far the best alternative to unlimited democracy is a system based upon respect for private property rights and for the patterns of market activities that result from such rights.

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New scams

The CIBBB warns of a traffic ticket scam targeting Yahoo email accounts. A woman got an email from the New York State Police requesting she open the attached file, which allegedly contains a copy of the traffic ticket. The file, however, is believed to contain a virus capable of crashing your computer or installing spyware.

Another scam begins with a call to the room of a hotel guest. The caller says they are a hotel employee and the hotel computer system has crashed. In order to complete the hotel audit, they must have the credit card number used to reserve the room. The caller offers a discount on the room for the inconvenience.

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E-mail from a long-time friend

To the Bane Family,

Your 50th Anniversary of being in business falls at the same time Pam and I are having our 50th wedding anniversary so Happy anniversary to both of us. If my memory is correct, I bought my first equipment from you in the spring of 1975. You have always given me good advice, great service and the best equipment and supplies.

I am turning 69 this August and have promised Pam this is my last year to clean carpet/furniture/etc. I got out of the drycleaning business in 1998. I have slowly cut down on number of cleaning jobs the last four years. I have been "cherry picking" who I work for and sending letters to customers that I have serviced for many years.

I cannot say in words how happy I am that I chose going with your System and doing business with all of you and your employees. All of my equipment is aged, but still in good running condition as I have always serviced it when it was time or needed serviced. I would appreciate any advice as how to sell it if possible. Thanks for 35 years or more.

David Worl, Cambridge City, Indiana

Dave,

Thanks for the nice note and congratulations and best wishes on your 50th. May you have many, many more. Elizabeth and I just celebrated our 64th. If I remember, Bill Jr., and I put your first machine in the back of a big station wagon in our back yard. We've all come a long way since then and it's been a grand trip.

Because of some unfortunate situations where sellers misrepresented to buyers and we were caught in the middle, we don't broker sales. We do buy back, but at "wholesale" because we have to refurbish, guarantee the equipment and train the new owner. If you're interested in this, call Don Bane. Some retiring owners have used eBay & Craigslist while some have used the trade magazines to sell their equipment.

Thank you for 35 years of loyal patronage. We've survived for 50 years in business because we've been blessed with customers like you. Everyone on the Bane Clene team wishes you the best in your retirement.

Bill

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