Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Ironing question (stay at home dad)

53 replies

UKchap · 18/05/2012 12:47

Hi there, my wife goes out to work and I stay at home. I've found that I quite enjoy ironing and would like to start an ironing service. I am thinking about collecting clothes from customers in the morning and returning them in the evening, but wondered whether a morning pick up would be popular? Do you think people would like their clothes picked up in the mornign (say 7am to 9am) and returned in the evening (same day) or do you think people prefer would prefer me to pick their clothes up in the evening? My wife thinks that a morning pick up would be very popular, but I just wanted to ask you guys. Thanks.

OP posts:

Ellypoo · 18/05/2012 13:06

I would probably prefer an evening pick up as mornings can be rather hectic! Love the idea of being able to not only pay someone else to do the ironing, but also that they would collect it & return it for me too!!

workshy · 18/05/2012 13:10

personally I'm up and out the door with the dcs in the morning so would prefer an evening pick up for next day return

I would love someone to do my ironing lol

SarkyWench · 18/05/2012 13:10

sounds like a fab idea

I'd say evening pick up as many of your customers will be people where both parents work longish hours and IME that means chaos in the morning. I'd say a 24 hour service with both pick up and drop off in the evening would suit most people.

But why not start of offering complete flexibility and see what the consensus amongst your actual customers is?

mistlethrush · 18/05/2012 13:10

Evening definitely. And I would charge slightly more for a 24hr turn around (just so that you normally have a little leeway in case an emergency crops up)

bussfucket · 18/05/2012 13:12

I don't believe in ironing anything so wouldn't need you, but mornings are far more chaotic than evenings so would much rather deal with something like the ironing bloke popping round p.m.

SarkyWench · 18/05/2012 13:12

oh and based on the experience of a friend who did something a bit similar she found that it was worth her while to offer a one-off free trial and do run everything on a no-contract basis so that there was no obligation on the side of the customer. She found that that meant people were much more willing to give it a try and then they were hooked!

mumnosbest · 18/05/2012 13:12

Please be living near me! I love the idea and hate ironing. I wouldn't mind morning or evening. Why not widen your appeal and offer both as you'll be out in the evening anyway? You can still have the whole next day and return the following evening.
Maybe you could also offer ironing lessons. I'll send my DH

flowery · 18/05/2012 13:14

Evening much better imo. Chaos here in the morning and I wouldn't want to be worrying about ironing service coming as well.

My service pick up evenings (I think during the day as well if people want but I have evenings) and then return 48 hours later, which is fine.

I agree that if you want to offer a same-day or 24 service, definitely charge more.

maples · 18/05/2012 13:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BikeRunSki · 18/05/2012 13:14

I would prefer evenings for both pick up and drop off. After 8pm preferably. Too much going on in the mornings!

Original poster

UKchap · 18/05/2012 13:21

Thanks so much guys! I will stick to evening then. How early do you think i can begin the pick ups? is 4pm too early? And how late can I finish the pickups/dropoffs? Is 9.30pm too late for most people? I'm thinking about telling people that they can choose a time between 4pm and 9.30pm, but i don't want them all choosing the same time. thanks so much for your help on this.

OP posts:

maples · 18/05/2012 13:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

UKchap · 18/05/2012 13:27

Also, do yuo think a 48 hr turnaround is ok? I want to pick up Monday evening and return Wednesday evening. My wife says that most people will do their washing on the weekend and will then want to have it picked up on a monday. thanks again

OP posts:

mistlethrush · 18/05/2012 13:27

I would give yourself two slots - eg 4.00 - 5.00 and then 7.30 - 9pm that way you're avoiding tea time and still providing a good range - you can then work a bit of flexibility in if people specifically ask - otherwise you'll end up being out at 4, 5.20, 6.30, 8 and 9.30

YourFanjoIsNotAHandbag · 18/05/2012 13:27

I have an ironing person.

She is my best friend.

She picks up 20 shirts 4 kilts 15 pairs of trousers on a saturday morning and brings it back sunday at 5pm

I know that's no help but I wanted to make it clear how much I love her.

mistlethrush · 18/05/2012 13:28

In that case I'd offer a Sun pm collection too. Yes to 48 hr - but have a premium 24 hr option too.

Original poster

UKchap · 18/05/2012 13:35

thanks you for all your advice, that's such a help to me. it's all a bit daunting but as i enjoy ironing i want to give it a shot! thanks again.

OP posts:

BikeRunSki · 18/05/2012 13:44

How about standard turn around £X in three days, and 24/48 hours at higher rates?

RedBlanket · 18/05/2012 13:49

I'm not an ironer so it would be no use to me BUT what I would consider is someone who could pick up, wash and bring back mountains of clothes, like when you go on holiday and you've got 4 suitcases full of dirty washing. I'd pay for that.

flowery · 18/05/2012 13:58

Yes to Monday. We spend Sunday washing everything then ironing service picks it up Monday eve and it's back Wednesday.

mumnosbest · 18/05/2012 13:59

Not much good if you want to spend your weekend with your family but I would pay extra if you picked up Saturday and brought back Sunday or very early Monday. That way you could have school uniforms and work shirts. That' my biggest ironing job!

Lizcat · 18/05/2012 14:08

I use ironing service that collects and delivers to my work place I prefer this to home collection. I have 48 hour turn round service and pay per kg. I have a bag they gave with my name on with my iron

Lizcat · 18/05/2012 14:08

Sorry ironing preferences on it and it all comes back on hangers in plastic.

Original poster

UKchap · 18/05/2012 14:16

hi everyone, thanks so much.

the saturday pickup for sunday return is interesting. i will think about that. how much more do you think you could charge? if i was charging 90p an item normally, could i charge £1.05 an item for that one day weekend turnaround? or would people get annoyed? by the way, we live down south so things are more expensive.

also, i was going to have a 20 pieces minimum. do you think that is ok? if someone gives me just ten pieces i think i'd need to charge more and i don't want to do that. i'd rather just have a 20 piece minimum. what do you think?

also, do you think people will be happy to supply their own hangers? that way i can keep the cost down and give them a better price. or do you think i should do that? does it matter if i go with wire or plastic?

how important are plastic sleeves over the clothes? is it really necessary? what what you say the most important factors are for you when choosing an 'ironing man'? thanks again.

OP posts:

SarryB · 18/05/2012 14:18

Please tell me you live in Scotland. I bloody hate ironing, and would pay good money to have someone else do it.

eyes up ever-growing mound of ironing in the corner of the living room

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread