Inflation

Here's the second e-mail on the same subject which is very timely:

Mr. Bernanke says inflation is under control and is running at only 2 % to 3 % a year. Washington DC is like a huge rock and he must have his head squarely under that rock or in someplace where the sun never shines. Everything we buy costs considerably more than the last time we bought it. Some things have doubled or tripled in price.

If you don't think we're on the doorstep of real inflation, think again. All the sign posts are out and indicate it is already upon us. A 600 million lottery prize, athletes paid 20 million to play baseball or football, a million dollars for winning a four day golf tournament and government executives paid millions of dollars to leave their jobs spell disaster and hyper-inflation.

Mr. Bernanke recently refinanced his mortgage. He showed a net worth of somewhere between one and three million dollars. That's a big somewhere! No wonder the Fed can't keep track of their banks and all the loose money floating around.

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More on "Big government isn't better"

Here's the second e-mail on the same subject which is very timely:

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting statistics concerning the last Presidential election:

• Number of States won by: Obama: 19, McCain: 29
• Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000, McCain: 2,427,000
• Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million, McCain: 143 million
• Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Obama: 13.2, McCain: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory McCain won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country. Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low income tenements and living off various forms of government welfare."

Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, (published Monday) with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase. If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegals, and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA as we know it.

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Big government isn't better

Following today and Wednesday are two entries from e-mails I received recently:

In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior: "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

• From bondage to spiritual faith;
• From spiritual faith to great courage;
• From courage to liberty;
• From liberty to abundance;
• From abundance to complacency;
• From complacency to apathy;
• From apathy to dependence;
• From dependence back into bondage."

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A birthday wish to someone very special

Thank God for you and Happy Birthday to my little Irish Colleen in our 65th year together.

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Plentiful money

According to the talking heads, our economy sucks, everyone is complaining about high gas prices and there are no jobs or money to do anything. But our streets and highways are so crowded that traffic is grid-locked in most urban areas. It's going to stay like this at least until the election is over.

If the economy ever does recover and full employment does return, the roads will be so crowded we won't be able to get to work. The stimulus bills, cash for clunkers program, bail-outs and extended unemployment compensation packages along with the fact that about half the populace pay no taxes has kept the spending splurge alive and traffic heavy.

Meanwhile government officials are jetting around the country and the world in luxurious aircraft accompanied by an entourage of friends and media. They're enjoying the living standards that were once reserved for royalty. There's no money shortage in Washington. They just print more whenever they need it.

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Another political e-mail

A customer sent this recently. It's a little longer than I like to publish but it says a lot:

Bob and I have been business owners for many years, employing as many as 100 people at one time. Our employees helped to build those businesses, for which they were compensated with competitive wages, benefits, and profit sharing plans; and without our customers there would have been no business.

However, when it comes to actually building the business, we and our fellow business owners are the ones who invested our own money, put in 80 plus hours a week, went without salaries when necessary so that employees could be paid and expenses met, traveled the country seeking customers, took the hits when customers went out of business without paying, and signed personal guarantees for any loans that the businesses required for inventory, expansion, marketing, etc. Everyone who has owned a business or been self employed shares this story.

Anyone who owns a small business has helped create 75 to 80% of all the jobs in this country and has invested "blood, sweat, and tears" into making the business viable and keeping it successful. I believe Mr. Obama does not understand, or does not want to admit, this because he truly believes that our country's strength is not because of our American ingenuity, individualism, work ethic, and sense of personal responsibility. In my opinion, he believes that government is the answer regardless of the question.

He and other like minded leaders have led America to an untenable position of entitlement that has nearly 50% of this great country dependent on government programs. (Have you heard the ads soliciting new enrollees for SNAP, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly known as "food stamps?" And I won't even get started on the EBT card program that is rampant with abuse.) I believe that this goes beyond helping the poor and those with temporary needs and comes down to vote garnering.

There are many of Mr. Obama's policies and remarks with which I strongly disagree, but hearing his statement about us not doing it by ourselves lit a spark in me that I felt compelled to share. I believe that we who are like minded must do whatever we can to ensure that Barack Obama does not gain another term in office. And if you know someone who is leaning toward Obama because of social issues, try to encourage them to look beyond that to the real threat his administration poses to American freedoms, for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

Thanks and blessings.

Nancy

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A simple song

The song you will hear is from a Las Vegas Diamond Rio concert. They received a standing ovation, and do every time they perform it.

Click below:

PresidentsDay9.wmv

Here are the lyrics to the song:

In God We Still Trust

You place your hand on His bible, when you swear to tell the truth.
His name is on our greatest monuments an' all our money too.
An' when we pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand:
There's no separation, we're one nation under Him.

In God, we still trust here in America,
He's the one we turn to every time the going gets tough.
He is the source of all our strength, the one who watches over us.
Here in America, in God, we still trust.

Now there are those among us,
Who want to push Him out.
And erase his name from everything,
This country's all about.
From the schoolhouse to the courthouse,
They're silencing His word,
And now it's time for all believers,
To make our voices heard.

In God, we still trust here in America,
He's the one we turn to every time the going gets tough.
He is the source of all our strength, the one who watches over us.
Here in America, in God, we still trust.
Here in America, in God, we still trust.
Here in America,
Here in America, in God, we still trust.
Here in America, in God, we still trust.
Here in America

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Is it just me?

Everyone is so busy talking, texting or e-mailing that nothing is getting done right these days. Purchases are problematic, shipments are late or not right and traffic is a nightmare with people texting or talking. You would think with all these phones you could talk to someone but just try talking to a real person at a government office, bank, cable or utility company.

If you want to hear a political dissertation on the beauty of being far left, tune in to MSNBC. On the other hand, if you want to hear about the joys of being a Republican visit Fox News. The rest of the networks all lean left. And speaking of TV, the most common expressions heard today are "Stay tuned" and "Coming up" followed by at least ten commercials.

The new iPhone® introduction has been heralded as something akin to the second coming. Lots of people are buying them so Apple will do quite well financially and stock brokers will make out like bandits. I just haven't figured out yet how talking, texting, tweeting, twittering or playing games on them is going to make a living for most of the folks who buy them.

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An e-mail from a reader

Dear Bill,

I sell carpet for a living, but I read your blog and check out your web site to keep up with the maintenance end of the business. I often find helpful tidbits that assist me in my own business even though it's not cleaning related. My compliments to the people who designed and maintain your site for its ease of navigation. And thank you for providing this excellent source of common sense information about the cleaning business and other things.

On another note, you get a bit political at times and I thank you for doing a public service for the small business community. I'm sending this in the hope you will put it in your blog since you have such a large following. If our country continues down the path to globalism (which you have written about) and socialism, we can expect drastic changes in taxation.

Current European Tax Rates:

United Kingdom Income Tax: 50% VAT: 17.5% = 67.5%
France                 Income Tax: 40% VAT: 19.6% = 59.6%
Greece                 Income Tax: 40% VAT: 25% = 65%
Spain                   Income Tax: 45% VAT: 16% = 61%
Portugal              Income Tax: 42% VAT: 20% = 62%
Sweden              Income Tax: 55% VAT: 25% = 80%
Norway               Income Tax: 54.3% VAT: 25% = 79.3%
Netherlands        Income Tax: 52% VAT: 19% = 71%
Denmark              Income Tax: 58% VAT: 25% = 83%
Finland                Income Tax: 53% VAT: 22% = 75%

Keep in mind that in spite of these astronomical tax rates, these countries can't finance their social welfare programs exclusively with tax revenues. They are all mired in gargantuan debt that threatens to collapse the European Union.

Greece has had a socialistic system for decades. Even with a 65% tax rate, they are drowning in public debt. Greece would have defaulted without billions in bailout money from the EU and the IMF which gets our tax money. 20% of the Greek population lives in poverty.

The VAT is the national sales tax that Europeans pay. Most started out at 1% or 2% and grew. A US VAT is what you can expect the current administration to propose after the election.

Bob Mathews

P.S. I just heard France is raising taxes on the rich to 70%. Does that sound familiar?

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Job "creation"

It must be "new" math they use in Washington. All of the talking heads were excited about the 114,000 new jobs "created" in September. But here are some ominous numbers from September. Those filing for unemployment compensation for the first time the week ending September 8 - 375,000; September 15 - 385,000; September 22 - 363,000; September 29 - 367,000. The total was 1,490,000. That's a long line for the people applying for those 114,000 jobs.

The official unemployment number was announced at "only" 7.8%. The Indianapolis Star used the adjective "soared" to describe the increase in new jobs. I wonder what adjective they'd use if it moved a whole percentage point? When the number was going the other way they said it was "inching." To the liberal press, it depends on the political expediency of the moment.

Do you know what precise scientific procedure the Labor Department uses to arrive at that 7.8% unemployment number? They make 50,000 random telephone calls and ask whomever answers the phone how many in the household are unemployed. Let that soak in awhile. The real number of people not working in this country must be more than 25%.

The crowd in Washington throws the word "created" around as if they were omnipotent. There is only one "Creator" and I seriously doubt that He would dwell in Washington, the headquarters of that cesspool we call politics.

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Third time around

QE 3 is not the name of an ocean liner. It means "quantitative easing" and this is the third time the Federal Reserve Bank has done it. Simply put that means the Fed is printing money to buy government bonds which have been downgraded by rating companies. This time the Fed is pumping 40 billion dollars a month into Treasury's bank account.

A simple analogy would be a family that gets into serious debt by overspending on a credit card and can't make the minimum payment. They use another credit card that hasn't yet found out they're deadbeats and they pay the minimum payment on the original card. If they get away with it, they do it a third time to make the minimum payment on the second card.

The stock market and big investment banks love the QE maneuvers and "Operation Twist" which pumped funny money into the banking and brokerage systems to keep them lucrative. The current scandal on insider trading is just the tip of the iceberg. I predict a day of reckoning is coming after the election in November. Better hunker down.

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J & J celebrates

More than 900 associates and their families gathered on the 15th of September at the North Georgia Agricultural Fairgrounds to celebrate J&J Industries' 55th anniversary. Besides prizes and entertainment, many long time employees were honored for their service.

David Jolly, President and CEO said, “J&J is so much more than just a carpet manufacturer. It’s a family of people dedicated to an idea and to each other. This commitment is what makes us strong, and it’s only right that we recognize our Associates and take every opportunity to thank them. Our Family Day is one small part of helping people spend time with their families and re energizing a spirit of community with their fellow employees.”

In 1983, Jim Keener, who is now retired, came to our annual convention and pleased the crowd with a surprise announcement that J & J Industries would be the first carpet manufacturer to publicly endorse the Bane-Clene® System. On several occasions over the years we had tours of their manufacturing facilities in Dalton by Bane-Clene operators from around the world. The friendliness of J&J's staff and management always impressed me.

Congratulations to J&J on their 55th and may you have many, many more years of success.

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Proud of them

Congratulations to Sam & Gaye Levine, owners of G. Fried Carpet & Design of Paramus, N.J., a Bane-Clene® customer for fourteen years. G. Fried is collaborating with CFA (Center for Food Action of Englewood, NJ) to sponsor a food drive.

G. Fried has been in business for 35 years and is sponsoring the event as a way of giving back to a community that had been so good to them. Donated food is given to help feed those hurt by the bad economy, needy children and seniors struggling on fixed incomes.

Their cleaning division is offering a 20% discount for on-location carpet cleaning and 10% on area rugs and their carpet store will give a 5% discount on purchases for those who drop off food. If you're in that area Call 201 967 1250 for store hours and a list of food they need.

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Invista announcement

“Our customers continue to tell us that nylon 6,6 fibers still have the best long term performance in soft flooring. Nylon 6,6 fibers are the optimum ‘go to’ fibers for the broadest variety of color schemes and offer a luxurious soft ‘hand’, excellent resiliency, durability, abrasion resistance and texture retention.

“But, now some consumers are looking for good performing value products that will live up to their expectations in terms of durability, stain resistance and ease of cleaning. Because of this, we tested more than 100 products of different constructions and weights that are representative of the market and selected the handful that meet our Stainmaster product specifications and satisfy those consumer needs.”

Call me an old stick-in-the-mud, but I hate to see change in something that has been so good. A source close to the industry tells me that the new Stainmaster line will have polyester and nylon products. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the song that was sung in the '70s, '80s and early '90s when the carpet industry was on top of the heap?

Literally tons of cheap blends were dumped on the market and guess what? Yep! The market dissipated. As cleaners, we don't have any say in what the mills produce, but we are obligated to watch the performance of new products, especially blends, and report to our customers on their performance and cleanability. Keep your eyes open and let me know what you see.

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E-mail asks if we're better off

Bill,

Remember all that "Hope and Change" talk from 2008? Well here is the change!

In January 2009 the average price of a gallon of gas was $1.83. Now it's $3.44 - an 84% increase. The number of unemployed was 11,616,000, now it's 14,485,000 - up 24.7%.
Long term unemployed were 2,600,000 then, now there are 6,400,000 - up 146.2%.

Median household income was $50,112 now it's $49,777 - down 0.7%.
Number of food stamp recipients were 31,983,716, now there are 43,200,878 - up 35.1%.
The poverty rate in 2009 was 13.2%, now it's 14.3% - up 8.3%.

Unemployment benefit recipients were 7,526,598, now 9,193,838 - up 22.2%.
Bank failures in 2009 were 140, last year 164 banks failed - an increase of 17.1%.
National debt in 2009, $10.627 (T)rillion, Flash...it just passed 16 (T)rillion

Francene "Frankie" Sandlin

Thanks for the cheery e-mail Frankie. Even though I doubt the accuracy of some of the figures, they're probably a lot closer to being right than they're wrong. While the numbers are shocking, here's a web site that will really make you shake in your boots:

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

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Bank loans

Small companies looking for loans in August found some. The overall volume of applications and approval rates were up at small banks where loan approvals increased slightly to 47%. But big banks, those that got most of the big bail out funds and have $10 Billion or more in assets, granted only 10% of their loan requests from small businesses.

Alternative lenders such as accounts receivable financiers, cash advance lenders and Community Development Financial Institutions approved 64% of loan requests for small business. Naturally there is no record of business the loan shark community did or of the number of loans that were given to small business people by friends and relatives.

The latest "QE" is doling out 40 Billion a month and big banks are hoarding the cash. One of the really big ones just announced they're cutting 30,000 jobs over the next two years. Meanwhile top execs will get their bonuses while taxpayers pick up the unemployment compensation tab. The message is simple. A small business should not do business with a big bank.

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Public relations "success" formula

    The most important 6 words:"I admit I made a mistake."
    The most important 5 words: "I am proud of you."
    The most important 4 words: "What is your opinion?"
    The most important 3 words: "If you please."
    The most important 2 words: "Thank you."
    The most important 1 word: "We."
    The least important word: "I."

Daughters of St. Paul, Boston

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Smarty pants

I've almost stopped reading industry bulletin boards. They used to be informative but lately most of the conversations are by people with something to sell. Others apparently try to impress folks with their intelligence. An example is the following post on a cleaner's bulletin board which is of no help to anyone in the cleaning business:

    String Definition: String is textile space and time, plus the smallest essence of all forms of matter and all forms of energy with ten dominant dimensions. There were five competing theories, all with different suggestions on how many dimensions there are. It turned out they were all saying the same thing.
    Edward Witten resolves those issues with the M Theory. The M theory showed an eleventh dimension leading outside our universe. This explains why gravity appears to be weak. Therefore there has to be 10 dimensions for there to be a relation between gravity and light. Since gravity and electromagnetic energies or equal in strength, there has to be an eleventh dimension for gravitons to escape.
    The actual comparison between gravity and electromagnetic energy is approximately 10 to the minus 39 power. Knowing how gravity and electromagnetic energy are related is one of the essential quests of the string theory. It was the one thing that Einstein died trying to understand.

I haven't figured out what he was talking about and don't think it had anything to do with the real world and daily trials and tribulations associated with the cleaning industry. But since he said that Albert Einstein didn't understand it, I don't feel so bad.

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Health care insurance

Everyone in business is waiting to find out how the new federal health care laws will affect them. An interesting e-mail came from a man I know in the health care insurance industry with whom I had discussed the ramifications of Obamacare. In our latest exchange I asked him how people in the insurance business felt about it and this was his reply:

    There are two ways to consider the health insurance question. One thing is good for consumers and bad for the industry. It is the removal of preconditions for coverage. Since the business makes money by taking in more than it pays out, the firms are profitable. But now having to cover the sickest with no preconditions may be very expensive, which could shoot profits. About 90 % of healthcare is spent on the sickest 5 %.
    On the other hand, since everyone will be forced to have insurance through the individual mandate, many more people will be paying money to insurers which will cause a big growth in revenue. The question is if it will offset the issue above.
    My personal guess is that insurers will make out very well. If the profits decrease, premiums will go up for everyone to make up for it. Our last two years have been consecutively the best in the company's history, and this year is tracking even better.
    The bulk of new rules don't hit until 2014 though, so there is still a year or two to go before that is known.

That's not the answer other businesses need, but it does say one thing for sure. Insurance companies will make out because they can and will raise their rates. For most businesses and the working public, the 2012 election will make a vast difference in their finances and especially in the direction our country will take in the future.

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IRS audit

The IRS has thousands of new agents and audits are said to be up 54%. A news report says many audits of small businesses aren't turning up much in the way of violations. That's little comfort if you're notified on the Friday before a holiday that they're going to audit you.

IRS will give you an idea of what the audit is about to avoid surprises and wasting time with issues in which they have no interest. A disorganized pile of paper will not make the IRS throw up its hands and walk away.

The report said that if you're notified of an audit, gather all pertinent documents and notify your CPA of the date and time. Treat IRS employees with courtesy and they'll be more likely to listen and understand your explanation of matters.

Even if auditors find no violations of the tax laws, the experience can be traumatic. It takes you out of the mainstream of creating customer satisfaction and is a very negative experience. It also can be very costly in accounting and legal time if yours is a large company.

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A note to Kevin

This note was sent to Kevin Stark recently and it really brought back memories to me:

Kevin,
Enclosed is my check for the best and up-to-date equipment. I very much appreciate my association with Bane-Clene and the success it has assisted me in since 1979. This note paper is from my first Mini-Clinic in Lawrence back in '79, a bit out of date. I have great memories with Bane-Clene. Thank you so very much.
Paul Jones, New Life Carpet Cleaning

I remember that meeting in Lawrence, Kansas and the note books we gave to those who attended. I met so many nice people in Lawrence and I have fond memories of Paul. Another name I often see mentioned in trade related articles is "Chavez." I don't know if it is the same person, but a man named Chavez from Kansas impressed me with his knowledge of the business. We had a nice conversation after that meeting.

Besides passing along things that I knew about the business, Mini-Clinics were also a learning experience for me. I got to meet real cleaners with no hidden agenda. (Well, maybe a few salesmen snuck in.) Many of them shared their feelings openly and honestly and for more than 20 years I felt I had my finger on the pulse of our industry.

Thanks Paul for the nice note, your latest equipment purchase and especially for stirring up some great memories of days gone by. We framed your note on the old Mini-Clinic pad and hung it in our break room for everyone to see.

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I believe in change, too!

This interesting e-mail about our equipment, with my answer, is from someone whom I hope becomes a customer in the future:

Dear Mr. Bill Bane,
I read your blog and you talk a lot about change. I heard about you ever since I got in this business 6 years ago but never bought anything from your company. I live down south and have had a (brand name) and never worried about it freezing. But the price of gas has got to me. I was not convinced I should check out your machine until I had mine serviced the other day. When I said I was thinking about your TM, you would have thought I was nuts from the way that guy blew up. He tore you up one side and down the other and said you're old fashioned and have not changed anything since back in the sixties. But if you lasted in business 50 years, there must be something to what you sell and I want to hear what you say to that.
J. B. Crawford

Mr. Crawford:

Today I looked at some web sites that offer used truck-mounts for sale and it's easy to see that folks are trying to get rid of equipment that uses gasoline and diesel fuel. That may explain why our friendly colleague in the supply business wasn't so friendly toward us.

It's true I don't believe in change just for the sake of change. But in business, change is inevitable and I speak to our classes at Bane-Clene Institute extensively about it. We've made 60 significant changes in our equipment since we built our first two truck-mounted units in 1969.

The outside may have looked the same for the past few years, but under the hood there have been many changes. If you will call 800 428 9512 and talk with one of our customer service reps he will explain all of the changes and answer any other questions you may have.

One of the reasons our system has been successful is that it uses electricity, is very dependable and lasts a long time with little maintenance. Nearly every unit we sold in the '70s is still operational and making money. No other company can make that claim.

Thanks for the e-mail and I look forward to meeting you some day.

Bill

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Thoughts on testimonials

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has "Truth in Advertising Guidelines." The BBB warns that there is a section on how to comply with the FTC Act. "Endorsements used in testimonials must be truthful, not misleading and must reflect the typical experience of consumers who use the service, not the experience of just a few satisfied customers. You must also disclose any connection you or your business has with the consumer who is endorsing your service."

Never use a customer's address or telephone number on a testimonial that's shown to a prospect. We send a report card to our service company customers with five questions, one of which is, "Would you recommend our service to others?" Most cards come back with notes saying that they already have recommended us. That's the best way, when they do it voluntarily. We do not use a service company customer's testimonial to gain new customers.

Nearly all of our new customers come to us from the recommendation of someone for whom we have worked. Another way testimonials work for our service company is being recommended by Angie's List or the Better Business Bureau. New customers often check with these two consumer organizations about our history. We've had a good record with the BBB since 1973 and "Angie's List" since she bought out Unified Neighbors in Carmel, Indiana.

As for all the hoopla over points and awards for customers, just remember that people are tiring of all the work they have to do to qualify for a "spiff" or to gain points for different products and services. Everything we do today seems to have a hoop we must jump through or a club we have to join in order to quality for special treatment.

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Putting the national debt in perspective

Thanks to Jim Bowman for this e-mail. The prospects give me a headache but this helps in understanding the cold, hard reality as to why the problem must be addressed, and soon.

Bill,
Everyone seems to be struggling to understand the national debt and lack of a federal budget. These figures are associated with our government mishandling the economy.

• U.S. Tax revenue : $2,170,000,000,000
• Federal budget : $3,820,000,000,000 *
• New debt : $ 1,650,000,000,000
• National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
• Recent budget cuts : $ 38,500,000,000 **

This may help us understand why the deficit is so destructive. Pretend it's a household budget by removing 8 zeros.

• Annual family income : $21,700
• Money the family spends : $38,200
• New debt on credit cards : $16,500
• Outstanding balance on credit cards : $142,710
• Budget cuts to try to fix the problem : $385

How long do you think that family would survive economically?

Jim

* They don't have a budget. They just keep raising the debt ceiling allowed by law.
** Their idea of a budget cut is not increasing spending.

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Still good advice

We published the following seven tips in the Cleaning Digest in 2002 when an economic downturn followed the 9/11 disaster and things looked pretty bleak. This election season is so negative that even the most optimistic people can be affected. Remember that no matter who wins on November 6, life and business goes on.

• Stop blaming the economy for business being down. Work a little harder!
• Customers are the best unpaid advocates you will ever have. Work harder for them.
• Build trust in every single job that you do and the customer will tell their friends.
• There is no better advertising than a customer referring you to their friends. And it's free.
• No one likes cold calls, but there is commercial business out there. Just ask for it!
• Spend 80% of your time on current customers - only 20% prospecting for new ones.
• Work on developing a thick skin. Be prepared to hear "NO!" Move on!
• Set daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals and then try to beat them.

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SOA update

The CRI recently released new products that have been added to the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval testing and certification program for carpet cleaning products and equipment. There were nineteen new vacuum cleaners, seven cleaning solutions, one extractor and three new systems. The SOA total now stands at 914 products with a little rental machine listed as one of the best in the industry.

Meanwhile the number of professional cleaning firms signing up for the SOA program has stalled at about 1,000. That number was reached with much fanfare two years ago. But that's only 1,000 out of the more than 40,000 cleaning firms nationwide. Before long CRI will have more products certified than there are Certified Service Providers to use them. And I always thought cleaning was simple!

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Honoring a customer

The Hilbert's have been Bane-Clene customers since 1976. If there was a mold that could be made for the perfect service company, All American Carpet Cleaning, Inc., of Akron, Ohio would be the model. I met Ken Hilbert at an Ohio Carpet Cleaner's convention in Cleveland in 1974 and we've been friends ever since.

These people are so special. They are among a more successful group of Bane-Clene system owners who follow the formula for success. They've won numerous awards and there have been a myriad of accolades from their customers, many of which have reached my office. A classic example are the remarks on a recent customer report card from a lady in Ohio.

On August 8, 2012, Ann Sedlak of Copley, Ohio checked all the boxes affirmatively on the customer report card that was mailed to her. The questions were: Was out telephone representative courteous and helpful? Was our service operator courteous and efficient? Was our service operator neat and clean? Would you recommend our service to others?

Then she added the following comment:
"I am impressed! My carpet looks brand new. I was going to put a hardwood floor in one room, (he did not clean it). After seeing the rest of the carpet I'm going to have All American Carpet back to clean that room! Thank you!"

Thanks to the Hilbert family and all the rest of you who work so hard to establish and maintain a high and fine reputation in the carpet cleaning industry. If there were more like the Hilberts there might be more carpet and less hardwood.

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New computer virus

The FBI warns that a new virus attacks when you visit an infected website. Unlike traditional viruses, "Reveton" does not need the user to open a specific file or email attachment. When infected, the computer freezes. A message appears indicating it is from the FBI and that the computer has been identified as being used to commit cyber crimes and/or illegally downloading music or other programs. The message levies a “fine” against the user that must be paid in order for the freeze to be lifted.

“This is a new twist on the online scams we see every day,” said Bill Thomas, president/CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central Indiana. “Most online scams try to trick the user into either divulging personal information or paying money for a non existing product or service. In this respect, the Reveton virus is no different. The Reveton virus differentiates itself because it can infect a computer without the user taking any action aside from simply surfing the Internet,” Thomas said. “Nothing needs to be opened, clicked on or downloaded, which makes all of us susceptible to this virus and scam.”

The BBB suggests the following if you are a victim of the Reveton virus: Do not pay any money or provide any personal information. Contact a reputable computer professional to remove Reveton and any related software from your computer. Be aware that even if you are able to unfreeze your computer on your own, the malware may still operate in the background. Certain types of malware have been known to capture personal information such as user names, passwords and credit card numbers through embedded keystroke logging programs.

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Clichés and buzz word

All business schools must have classes on these. MBAs, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and all the other alphabet soup honchos sound alike when they're interviewed on TV. They can explain why their company is dumping shares, buying back stock, suffering deep losses, enjoying new found profits or any other phenomenon and it all sounds like the same gobbledygook.

They use hundreds of standard clichés and a myriad of buzz words and phrases in their oily, rehearsed presentations. It seems as if everything we listen to today has been spun or is being spun again by spin doctors. The only word that the folks talking about the stock market never mention is "Ponzi."

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Business loans

Small business owners have been virtually shut out of borrowing from banks. The big ones (too big to fail) used those billions they got in bail-out funds to buy up other banks and pad their own balance sheets. Virtually none of those billions were allocated to small business loans.

Besides refinancing personal assets, many small business owners borrow with their personal credit cards rather than use the business credit cards issued by banks. Consumer cards have more protection on fees, rate increases and notification of changes than business cards.

If a credit card is lost or stolen, consumers are only liable for $50 and some not even that. Many banks have "make your customer whole" policies, meaning customers don't pay anything on a lost or stolen card. That's not always the case with business credit cards.

According to one report I read recently, more small business owners use personal credit cards in their operations than ever before. It said that 49% of small business owners are using personal cards for business, compared to 42% in 2009. Entrepreneurs find a way.

As with all credit, be sure to understand the terms and be careful not to get into the habit of making a minimum payment. Above all don't use several different cards. Credit cards can be a blessing or a curse. Use them wisely!

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Calls and e-mails about Ron Baker

Thanks to all of you who have written and called about the passing of Ron Baker. I doubt he ever dreamed that so many people cared so deeply about him. The following e-mail is an example that pretty well sums up most of the notes and calls we received:

Bill,

   I just heard of the passing of Ron, and I wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear about this. It's so hard to believe as I had just spoken with him a few days earlier. Ron was always so nice and very helpful. He would even listen to you when you were having a bad day and always give you a word of encouragement. He will really be missed. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet Ron back in the 80's and gotten to know him over the years in doing business with your company.

   Hearing of the news has made me realize the short time we are here and that we should let people know what they mean to us. So I'd like to let everyone at Bane-Clene know how much they mean to me and Debbie and how truly blessed we are for having met them and having become part of the Bane-Clene Family. So again thanks to everyone for being there and for all that you do. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Bane-Clene family.

   Ron - You will be sorely missed but not forgotten.
Dennis Webb
Warrantee Carpet Cleaning Co.

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Slanting the news

The headline on the business page said, "Unemployment applications drop 6,000 last week."

The article indicated things are getting better. For headline readers (which are many) the news sounded good. But, as the old saying goes, the devil is in the details.

The fact is applications for new unemployment compensation claims did drop that week, all the way down to 361,000 from 368,250 the previous week. The article also reported that the economy "created" 163,000 jobs in July. I was taught there was only one "Creator."

I've never been good at math, but I had trouble seeing good news in that article. If we're adding 163,000 jobs a month and more than 360,000 people are filing for unemployment pay every week....let's see, there are four weeks in a month....four times 360,000...you do the math.

Actually the unemployed, underemployed or those working for cash and not reporting the income are more than 25,000,000. This number is said to be very conservative. Yep! Things sure are getting better with this new math the media uses.

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USA has the largest armed force in the world

Here's another e-mail I received on gun control. Apparently this is a hot topic right now:

A blogger added up deer license sales in four states and arrived at this conclusion. There were more than 600,000 licensed hunters in Wisconsin. That number pales in comparison to 750,000 in Pennsylvania and Michigan's 700,000 hunters. A quarter of a million hunters in West Virginia plus millions in the other 46 states gives us the largest armed force in the world.

America will always be safe from foreign invasion with that kind of home grown firepower. That's why enemies, both foreign and domestic, want to see us disarm and they work diligently to curtail the use of weapons that let us defend our lives and our property.

Madge Billermann.

Ironically, another e-mail received on the same day had a quote by Adolph Hitler that seems appropriate. The e-mail was very long, but here's the excerpt on gun control:

"The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so."

Adolf Hitler, April 11, 1942, in Tischegesprache Im Fuhrerhauptquartier.

Marty Smith.

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Loan deadline

Two weeks ago I wrote that the SBA was going to loosen up loan money for small businesses. The next week a BBB bulletin warned, "If you're thinking about an SBA loan, do it now." Reportedly SBA lending banks are making loans, but may cut back sharply in the months ahead. Most banks are already miserly with loans to small business.

The Federal Reserve's latest survey of loan officers at large banks found that some are loosening standards on loans to large and medium sized business, but there's no change in credit standards for small business. New business entrepreneurs are out of luck right now unless the principals can pledge personal assets to cover the loan or come up with their own financing.

This is interesting, too! According to the BBB report, "Small businesses are running out of time to take advantage of an SBA program that allows owners of owner occupied real estate to use 504 loans to refinance their mortgages. That program, which allows business owners to get much lower interest rates on their mortgages, is scheduled to end on September 30."

Since more than half of all carpet cleaning operations are home based, refinancing a mortgage at a lower rate could be a big benefit to many in this business. It's a shame the program wasn't widely publicized until it was ready to end. Maybe the announcement was just designed to be used as political campaign rhetoric. How sad!

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Is bigger really better?

Every time the price jumps at the gas pump I'm amazed at reactions. Those interviewed by the media moan about the high cost of gasoline. There are threats of government intervention, but no talk about building refineries, nuclear power plants, drilling for oil on our own land or using more CNG. These would all help reduce the dollars going to foreign interests that hate us.

Many of the whiners drive big SUVs and pickup trucks. They run 80 on the Interstate and race from stoplight to stoplight burning excessive fuel. Some of the big gas hogs have environmental bumper stickers that proclaim things like "Save the planet," "We live GREEN," "Less pollution is the best solution," and"Let's go green to get our globe clean."

Many folks in the carpet cleaning business invest in direct drive units that suck up fuel when they're driving and while they're cleaning. Others buy gasoline powered truck mounted units. Even with diesel fuel costing what it does today, some are buying big, expensive diesel powered carpet cleaning equipment. That's like using a 155 Howitzer to kill a mouse.

Where will it all end? I don't know and I don't think anyone knows! Oil companies that show less than a 10% profit are criticized by politicians who think 40% taxation is OK. Meanwhile, the oil companies have to make a living and bigger is certainly better for them. They've got to be loving that mentality.

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More on the topic of gun control

An interesting e-mail from a west coast customer about the e-mail by my old Marine buddy:

Bill:

I know what Frank Spencer is referring to; I know that he knows that the historical facts are equally known by those engaged in disarming the American citizen. Past objectives are the aim of these elitists, cloaked in rhetoric about their "concerns" for safety and protection. An unarmed citizen is unable to resist tyranny. That's what is afoot here and there should be no doubt about it. Half the young cops in LA think it’s a good idea!

The day that someone arrives at your home to confiscate your weapons is the day that we will see who is set to defend. I would venture, very few. Until then, it’s just talk. Should that day come it will provide the spark. The arrogance of these folks is such that I'm afraid they may attempt it. "The history of war can be summed up in two words...... Too Late!

     Too Late..... in comprehending the deadly purpose of a potential enemy, foreign or domestic;
     Too Late..... in realizing the mortal danger;
     Too Late..... in preparedness;
     Too Late..... in uniting all possible forces for resistance;
     Too Late..... in standing with one’s friends."

(General Douglas MacArthur)

Hope things are well with you and yours. Stay well my friend.
Regards,
Jack Hoar

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Ronald Gene Baker - April 28, 1951 - August 2, 2012

It is with great sadness that I report Ron Baker passing away suddenly as the result of a fall in his home. Ron is survived by his son Ryan and his brothers, Robert and John.

Born in San Diego, California, he and his family moved to Indianapolis in 1967. He worked in the family painting business, John E. Baker and Sons, until 1974, when he joined Farrell Argast Lighting Company as a Purchasing Agent. He began his career at Bane-Clene in 1978 as our Inventory and Purchasing Control Agent. In 1981 he was promoted to Customer Sales and Service Representative.

He befriended thousands of people in our business in his position as Customer Service Representative. Ron was known for his friendly nature and the good advice he gave to callers. He was very thorough in his job, especially when it came to customer follow-up.

In 1969 I had the pleasure of coaching Ron on a State Championship baseball team. He was a catcher, had one of the best arms in the league and made the All Star team that year. He dearly loved baseball and was scouted by the Phillies, White Sox, Indians and Reds. He was an avid baseball fan and we just had a long discussion about the current baseball season during our last school.

Don Bane played on the 1969 team with Ron and Bill Bane Jr., served with him in the same Army unit during the Viet Nam war. I know I speak for everyone at Bane-Clene when I say Ronnie will be missed. I'll especially miss hearing him call me "Coach."

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Don't hold your breath

Just in time for the fall elections the Small Business Administration has announced it's going to ease credit restrictions on loans to small business owners. SBA says it's going to raise the maximum loan amount to $350,000. The announcement sounds great.

Most of us in the real world know that the guy who writes the ads is not the same one who approves the loans. Banks are busy using stimulus money to buy other banks and get out of their own messes, such as Morgan Stanley's 4 billion loss. And now the LIBOR scandals.

God bless America!

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Hybrid trucks

Hybrid work vans are coming off an assembly line in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They reportedly have a six cylinder gasoline engine, Borg Warner transmission and battery-powered 402 HP Remy electric motor in the drive train.

The cost is about $80,000.00 with a projection of $70,000.00 in a year or so. A $7,500.00 tax credit helps and as production increases the price will come down. The electric motors are made in Anderson, Indiana and were on display at the Indiana Convention Center recently.

There is even talk of an electric vehicle race at the famed Indy 500 track in Speedway. That's how the old gas buggies got their start a hundred years ago. While the cost may not be right just yet, this bears watching.

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"Gun control" history lesson

Here's an interesting and sobering e-mail from an old friend and reader of my blog:

Bill,

After the tragedy in Colorado, gun control advocates will again gain the national spotlight. The truth is that one gun carried by a responsible person might have saved lives in that theater. The next time someone mentions gun control, remind them of this history lesson:

	In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.
	In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.
	Germany established gun control in 1932. *From 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and dissidents who were unable to defend themselves were exterminated.
	China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, about 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.
	Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.
	Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.
	Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.

More than 56 million defenseless people were rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century as a result of gun control. Criminals and despots don't obey laws. Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and gun laws adversely affect only law abiding citizens. With guns, we're citizens. Without guns, we're subjects.

"Semper Fi"
Frank R. Spencer, USMC (Ret.)

*The irony is that the Weimar Republic passed gun control laws because of Hitler's Brownshirts. It didn't work and his thugs took over the country anyway. Ten years later He had this to say, "The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered Eastern peoples to have arms. History teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so."
Adolf Hitler, April 11, 1942, in Tischegesprache Im Fuhrerhauptquartier.

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We're only caretakers

Real estate taxes are among the worst of all the socialistic fees that have befallen us because we don't ever really own the house we live in. The government owns it. If you don't think this is true, don't pay your property tax and you'll wind up on the street. Probably the worst part of property taxes is that if you take good care of your home you'll pay more in taxes than the guy down the street who lets his property run down.

This quote is from a speech Abraham Lincoln gave on March 21, 1864. "Property is the fruit of labor. Property is desirable it is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich, shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another."

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Hiring

How to find and keep good people has always been a stumbling block in business. If you hire the right person in the beginning, your retention rate will be better. Before you begin looking for a new employee, develop a profile of the person you're seeking. Review the characteristics of good people in your company and use them as role models for your applicants.

In the cleaning business, "technical skills" can be taught quickly, but "people skills" are far more difficult to learn. Applicants with good people skills are easy to spot in an interview. They show enthusiasm, they have a ready smile, make eye contact and have a firm handshake. Rudimentary training will provide the skills that will allow that person to meet the company's expectations.

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STAINMASTER® lifetime warranty

Invista™ Surfaces, a division of Invista Performance Surfaces & Materials and owner of the Stainmaster brand, has announced a new lifetime warranty on Stainmaster carpets. The warranty covers all food and beverage stains, soiling, static shock and even pet urine stains. This all sounds good, but wait! Do you need a written warranty to make a claim?

New Stainmaster carpet was purchased for our bedroom in June and it looks great. I expect it to be every bit as good as or even better than the old Stainmaster that I've had in my family room for 25 years. But, just like the original purchase, there was no warranty or maintenance information given to me by the carpet retailer or the installer.

Since I've been in the cleaning business for 50 years, I'm often asked about my preference in carpet. I've recommended Stainmaster to my customers and friends ever since I wrote the first five-year report on it back in 1992. There has been a similar report written every five years. The carpet is still on our family room floor off the garage entrance and it looks good.

Most everyone in the cleaning business is asked to recommend carpet. With some of the cheap goods on the market today, recommending Stainmaster to your customers will protect your reputation. But be sure to tell them to insist on warranty forms and cleaning instructions when they make the purchase. I purposely didn't ask just to see if things had changed.

The CRI™ says a consumer survey revealed that most complaints about carpet involve cleaning. The hard fact is, cleaners are a distant third behind installers and retailers in complaints. Instead of CRI extorting money from cleaners and their suppliers for their bogus SOA program, they should instruct people who sell and install carpet how to do their job.

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Ah! Those Scots

Besides dust balls and slip and fall accidents, hard floors are falling out-of-favor with a widening number of consumers. In April, I wrote about folks in England complaining about noise from hard floors in apartments above them and filing law suits in court for relief in the problem.

Now hardwood floors have been banned from thousands of apartments in two of Scotland’s largest cities. According to the Scottish Daily Record, complaints about noise have caused landlords in Edinburgh and Dundee to be ordered to install carpet.

Owners face up to $6,000 per unit in cost for new carpet for each apartment and are not happy. Complainers say the order will improve the lives of thousands of Scots living in apartments who suffer from noisy neighbors who clomp around above them.

The news is good for those in the carpet cleaning business. I was here for the first carpet revolution and it started much the same way. It steadily gained strength and finally rolled like a juggernaut to dominate the flooring industry. It hasn't started to roll yet this time, but it will.

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Hiring

How to find and keep good people has always been a stumbling block in business. If you hire the right person in the beginning, your retention rate will be better. Before you begin looking for a new employee, develop a profile of the person you're seeking. Review the characteristics of good people in your company and use them as role models for your applicants.

In the cleaning business, "technical skills" can be taught quickly, but "people skills" are far more difficult to learn. Applicants with good people skills are easy to spot in an interview. They show enthusiasm, they have a ready smile, make eye contact and have a firm handshake. Rudimentary training will provide the skills that will allow that person to meet the company's expectations.

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Overwhelmed and under educated

An excerpt from an article in an ultra liberal publication spells out what the smartest people in the world think of ordinary folks. "The European Union and United States are continuing their pursuit of healthier buildings, construction products, and building materials. Both sides of the Atlantic are equally involved in the creation of a progressive policy, yet struggling with the challenges of an overwhelmed and under educated marketplace."

Notice they use the term "Progressive Policy" and refer to the rest of us as "an overwhelmed and under educated marketplace." Programs with an agenda like Green Seal™, GREENGUARD, EcoLogo® and Blue Angel believe the general populace is stupid. And isn't it interesting they all use the word "progressive" in their propaganda.

The frightening thing is that the "One World" promoters are making progress, which is part of their name,” Progressives." We're seeing a decline in our living standards in the USA so those in other countries can enjoy the fruits of our labor. We're headed toward a European style of socialism and before we know it everyone will be on some form of welfare.

Government Motors (GM) has gone in business with France's Peugeot, the latest maneuver in "Bigger is Better." Government Electric (GE) and the New York banking empires will make a fortune while average American citizens will see their living standard shrink. The price of gasoline, groceries and everything we use in our everyday living is skyrocketing and will get worse unless there is a complete reversal of "progressive" policies.

Listen to a sobering statement about GM from one of their own. Click link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvl5Gan69Wo&feature=youtu.be

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Cutting costs

A quick way to get from red to black ink is to slash spending. But cutting costs is not a strategy that will work by itself to build a business. As a business grows, expenses grow, too. If cutting costs is the only priority, spending where it's most needed may be overlooked.

The first step in getting from loss to profit is finding out where the business is losing money. Paying late fees due to disorganization, failing to take discounts, paying high interest rates or seeing money flow out with no return are leaks that will sink a ship. Plug those leaks.

Find better, smarter, money saving ways to do whatever is necessary. Ask employees for ideas and input. Be sure to track the money saved; don't just let it get absorbed into operations without accountability. Remember what happened to our Social Security "Lock Box?"

One of the most important and urgent expenditures is advertising. Look on it as an investment in the future, but spend wisely. The advertising class at Bane-Clene Institute has a reliable plan for the cleaning business and is a good investment of time for this vital element of a company's growth.

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It's dangerous out there

There's been much discussion lately on the dangers of texting while driving and you would think that anyone with even a moderate intellect would know not to do this. But the accidents keep piling up and trial lawyers are busy. Texting isn't the only form of communicating that is considered to be hazardous and is drawing the attention of the aforementioned group.

Equally as bad as using a cell phone or texting is watching the center dashboard screen in newer vehicles. I wonder who the genius is that thought up that idea? It wouldn't surprise me if they began running television shows so people can be entertained while driving. I was almost hit recently by a motorist looking down at her dashboard as she crossed the center line.

A study by the National Safety Council® says employers could be held liable for damages in the event an employee on the job has an accident while distracted on a cell phone. A policy prohibiting employees from using cell phones, including hands free devices, while driving is important to avoid such a liability. Have them pull over when using the phone.

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E-mail from a reader

I really enjoy getting your e-mails. Keep 'em coming. This just in:

"The Park Service, which is part of the Department of Agriculture, posts signs in national parks that ask us not to feed the animals. The signs say animals may grow dependent on assistance. The Park Service says animals may not learn to forage for themselves and may die as a result.

"Meanwhile the Federal Food Stamp Program, also administered by the same Department of Agriculture, is distributing the largest number of food stamps in history. Humans may also learn to be dependent and not be able to fend for themselves. Maybe we should post signs."

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Ad costs vs. income

The balance between advertising costs and revenue is a juggling act. We only want to spend a certain amount on ads but what happens if the revenue stream doesn't pay for it? Spending less may dry up revenue. Increasing sales by spending more can be a money making strategy if done right. It also means basic business growth. But, overspending in advertising is a common mistake that may not produce enough revenue to even pay for the promotion.

A one-time expensive marketing campaign that brings in a rush of business and then flatlines is worthless. Marketing takes time and patience. Increasing sales requires a range of activities including following up on leads and turning leads into sales. "Plus sales," selling more to each individual customer, offering service packages, and expanding offerings to include related products and services will boost profit margins.

Customer loyalty is built by being a business they trust. Offer value, charge a fair price, listen to customers, reward them for coming back for future service and for recommending you to their friends and relatives. The quest for a return on investment is an age-old problem. The department store magnate, John Wanamaker, once complained, “Half of the money I spend on advertising is totally wasted. The trouble is, I don’t know which half.”

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Customer relations

A BBB® bulletin says, "Your internal policy decisions have nothing to do with expectations of customer satisfaction. Customers should not accept contract verbiage as an excuse for a less than promised product or service. “That’s our policy” might save a current sale, though there is a strong possibility that all future business will likely be lost.

"I don't have time to do that," is another sure killer of good customer relations. Employees should be empowered to make on-location decisions that will please the customer. For example a request to clean a room that was not included in the original estimate or to clean a sofa that is an obvious afterthought by the customer should be done graciously.

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Politics

Two recent e-mails I received say a lot about our current political situation:

“We are in a historical moment when the most powerful people in the two political parties are at the extreme ends of their party. We have deadlock right now. We have gridlock right now. When they do come together to find some compromise it’s the Democrats saying, ‘let’s spend $500 billion we don’t have, and the Republicans saying, ‘no, no that’s ridiculous. Let’s spend $300 billion we don’t have.’ So they end up compromising and spend $400 billion we don’t have.” Senate nominee from Indiana, Richard Mourdock

Mr. Mourdock beat Dick Lugar in the May primary in Indiana. Lugar, who is a great believer in compromise, was so out of touch with voters he hasn't even had a residence in Indiana for more than forty years. He's been called Obama's favorite Republican. That should have been enough to unseat him from his lifetime political job. He is one of the Beltway bunch that are responsible for the mess we're in and should have retired or been ousted years ago.

And here's one from a water restoration contractor that everyone can understand:

"To understand the deficit and the discussion about raising the debt ceiling, I explain it this way. Imagine you come home to find your basement flooded with sewage. What would you do, call a construction company to raise the basement ceiling or call me, a water restoration firm, to pump out the sewage? Pump out time is November 6, 2012. Vote!

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill

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Good and bad news for cleaners

Floor Covering News published a comprehensive report on floor covering sales that show the worst may be over for the carpet industry. Residential carpet accounted for 63% of sales and commercial for 37% in 2011. The bad news is that imported area rugs were up 22% over 2010 and this no doubt includes some fear-fodder for cleaners about potentially cheap goods.

Some more good news is that carpet and rugs accounted for 61.2% of all floor covering sales last year. The bad news is that polyester continues to take a bite out of nylon sales. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we should take a wait-and-see attitude on the new polyester offerings until they've been cleaned a few times. Remember polypropylene blends?

Carpet tiles continued to gain market share which is good news for our good friends at J & J Industries and Tandus. But just as the recovery is slow in the manufacturing arena, sales are slow in returning to the cleaning business. Those who diversified into tile, grout, stone and wood floor maintenance have done very well through the bad times.

Financing for new business ventures is still lacking in spite of all the glowing TV commercials by banks that got bail-out money and spent it buying other banks. In this election year with all its prevarication, keep your mind set with laser-like tunnel vision and focus on taking care of the customers you have. They'll be good to you!

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And speaking of our founding fathers...

They'd really appreciate the big box stores that are selling our American Flag as a doormat.

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History lesson on the back of our currency

The Great Seal and a Pyramid with its face lighted appear on the back of a dollar bill. The western side of the Pyramid is dark because our country was just beginning. It's uncapped to show that it will never be finished. Inside the pyramid is the all seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. Ben Franklin believed one man couldn't do it alone, but a group with the help of God could do anything, so "IN GOD WE TRUST" is printed on our currency.

At the base of the pyramid are the Roman numerals for 1776, our birthday. The Eagle was chosen as a symbol because he's strong, not afraid of a storm and can soar above it. Carried in his beak are the Latin words, "E Pluribus Unum," meaning "From Many, One." His talons hold an olive branch and arrows which means we want peace, but we'll fight to preserve it. There are thirteen stars representing the original colonies. Some think 13 is an unlucky number.

Our Founding Fathers relied on God, not luck, to direct and lead them. There were 13 signatories to the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the pyramid, 13 letters in "Annuit Coeptis," which means "God favors our undertaking," 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on the shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, 13 arrows and 13 stars in the right hand circle.

The 13 stars are arranged in the order of the Star of David, as directed by George Washington. Haym Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, is credited with helping save the revolution through his contributions to the war effort. Solomon, who spoke eight languages, helped raise European funds for our cause. He was even arrested by the British as a spy at one point in the war. His generous giving reportedly caused Mr. Solomon to die a pauper.

When asked by George Washington what he would like as a personal reward for his generosity, Haym Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but would like something for his people. The Star of David on our currency is that reward. That's part of the history of our Judeo-Christian connection. Most children don't know this because their teachers either don't know it or won't teach it. God bless the memory of Haym Solomon on this 4th of July.

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New Stainmaster® carpet

I've written an ongoing report on Stainmaster® carpet since it first came on the market in 1986. DuPont® wouldn't give us any maintenance information, so in January of 1987 we bought some from my wife's favorite department store and had it installed in our family room. That carpet is still on our floor and looks pretty good considering the age and abuse it has undergone. Click here for our report on our Stainmaster tests.

Stainmaster has undergone a transition. DuPont no longer owns it and I thought it was time to look into just how good the new owners are treating the legendary trademark. I recently bought Stainmaster carpet for our bedroom from a local carpet shop. It took a week to get it and two more weeks to get it installed. The installers did a good job and even used a power stretcher (surprise).

But the store nor the installers gave us any warranty or maintenance instructions on our new carpet (no surprise). Things haven't changed a bit in that department. No warranty literature or maintenance instructions came with Stainmaster 25 years ago from a major department store and none came with it today from a small carpet shop. I just hope the quality is as good, but I probably won't be around 25 years from now to tell you about it.

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