| From cleaning chemicals to microfiber cloths to mop | | | | your product. Some sites will charge extra for |
| buckets, you need supplies and equipment to clean | | | | shipping, or they may claim "free shipping" yet have |
| your buildings. But is there a "one-stop shop" that will | | | | increased their prices to cover those charges. There |
| best suit the needs of your cleaning company?You | | | | may be some items, such as large pieces of |
| can buy supplies from janitorial distributors, big box | | | | equipment that have added shipping charges.Buyers |
| stores like Home Depot, on-line stores, e-bay, and in | | | | and sellers are flocking to Ebay to either get bargains |
| a pinch, you can even buy from your local grocery | | | | or get rid of overstocks. Sellers on ebay are not |
| store. Following are a few highlights of what each of | | | | likely to provide you with MSDS sheets (you can |
| these sources has to offer:A janitorial supplies | | | | ask), guarantees or information on how to use the |
| distributor has working knowledge of the chemicals | | | | product. Ebay does have some built in protections for |
| and equipment that you need to successfully run | | | | the buyer and the seller. But that does not mean |
| your cleaning business. They can provide MSDS | | | | that Ebay will guarantee the quality of the product |
| sheets, offer suggestions and advice, rent | | | | that you are buying. For some items on Ebay you |
| equipment, and even provide training to you and your | | | | submit a "bid" and others you can buy outright. You |
| employees.Janitorial distributors keep records of your | | | | also have to watch the shipping charges that you will |
| purchases. So if you forget the name of a particular | | | | have to pay.In a pinch, your local grocery store has |
| chemical that worked well for you, they will be able | | | | wood cleaner, toilet bowl cleaners, basic cleaning |
| to track down that information. Distributors have | | | | supplies, and trash can liners. These are not |
| higher quality products and can offer volume | | | | industrial-strength products, but if an employee runs |
| discounts and let you know when manufacturers are | | | | out of a chemical while cleaning a building, it might be |
| offering specials. In addition, if a piece of equipment | | | | your only choice.No matter where you buy from, it's |
| breaks down your distributor may be able to fix it.Big | | | | always best to plan ahead and make sure that you |
| box stores sell an assortment of chemicals, supplies | | | | have all the cleaning supplies and equipment that you |
| and some equipment. However, they more than likely | | | | need on hand. The choice of where you buy supplies |
| will not provide you with MSDS sheets or keep track | | | | will not "make or break" your cleaning company. |
| of your purchases. Prices may be lower, but you will | | | | However, knowing that you have a dependable |
| not get any training or support from the employees | | | | source for your equipment and supplies and having a |
| at a big box store. If you buy equipment from a big | | | | good working relationship with that company will |
| box store you will have to send it back to the | | | | mean one less headache for you as you grow your |
| manufacturer for repairs or service.On-line stores sell | | | | cleaning business!Copyright 2006 The Janitorial |
| almost everything. There are many specialized | | | | StoreSteve Hanson is co-founding member of The |
| janitorial supply stores that will no doubt have | | | | Janitorial Store (TM), an online community that offers |
| everything you need for your cleaning business. You | | | | weekly tips, articles, downloads, discussion forums, |
| can easily shop and compare prices with just a few | | | | and more for anyone who would like to learn how to |
| clicks of your mouse. Make sure that you read all the | | | | start a cleaning business. |
| fine print and know what the exact charges are for | | | | |