An Untapped Market
Frustration Builds Ideas
What is the one type of service that frustrates so many people? For me, that is home repair.
I cannot believe there is not a National home repair company that can deliver fantastic customer service similar to Chick-fil-A, Nieman Marcus, Publix (Located in South, Southeast U.S.), or Target. Home repair service companies are so hit and miss. They can involve so many things; painting, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and construction. I have run the gamut on the good and very bad, so I speak from recent experiences. When I find a great company, I stick with them. But at times, I need other home-related items repaired that the great company I use cannot provide. I am not alone in my frustration. There are several websites where you can review what others say about companies they’ve hired. I went that route and got burned. The one I hired did a terrible job and was constantly changing his schedule. For this line of work, this is typical. More companies are building great reputations while adding more services to their portfolio. I have used a few of these and am very satisfied. But I have yet to run across a one place fits all for home repair.
Amazon recently rolled out a home repair service similar to what Sears once had. Amazon vets the professionals they have listed on their site. Reviews and schedules are supposed to be simple. I am not yet able to try their service because it has not rolled out in all areas. This service may work considering the scale of Amazon. There remains a considerable market for a company that can hire and train a dependable staff and places them under one roof. Like Home Depot, they would sell a massive amount of supplies for home upgrades, but they would do the repairs. A Home Depot type company that repairs homes from top to bottom, interior, and exterior. Not a farfetched idea at all.
Convenience Is the New Model
Purchasing has changed over the decades. Shoppers have become spoiled by finding a one-stop place to buy most things. Walmart sells most items for most people. For decades, this has been a convenient way to shop. Enter Amazon, and they catapulted convenience. You may purchase most things that you never really knew you needed from your computer or phone and have them delivered almost anywhere. Why should home repair be any different? Place your order or service request over the phone or online and have a rep visit you on your time, even on Sundays. How convenient.
Do you ever wonder why the big box home supply stores are always busiest on the weekends? Yes, because most people are off on the weekends. The weekend is their time to shop. But take into account how many home repair companies work Monday thru Friday and not on the weekends. Many have added Saturday to their schedules. If most people are off on the weekends, isn’t that a more convenient time for the consumer to meet with a consultant about their repair needs?
Years ago, I had an excellent Dentist. They did first-rate work but were closed on Saturdays. It was difficult for me to take off one or more workdays to have a dental job done. No, no dentures, just basic stuff. I decided to find a Dentist who was open Saturdays. I did, and they are fantastic and convenient.
Old Tactics Don’t Work.
Remember buying a car, new or used. “I have to speak with my manager about getting you a better price. Shh, keep this between us.” Are consumers still that ignorant. The vast majority are not. I was not too fond of those fake deals, and I have gone through sales training similar to that. As consumers, we have grown up and are much savvier. New marketing methods lure or compel buyers into specific directions but not the fake, “this deal will not last” gimmick. Sure, those gimmicks still exist, but not to the level they once did.
Is it that difficult giving the consumer what they want? Or better still, what they didn’t know they needed until you showed them. Apple and Amazon have done just that. Be honest, friendly, and knowledgeable with a fair price on great products, and the consumer will line up to your front door every day.
Investors Come on Down!
I need to convince an investor or investors to sign on the dotted line and throw money at my feet — “That home repair company thing, what a fantastic idea!!!”
Arthur Blank, you interested? Sorry, you have way more problems with the Falcons.
Maybe Mark Cuban? Nope, he’ll ask too many accounting related questions that only a Ph.D. of P&L’s could answer, and then roll his eyes and say, “I’m out.”
Okay, how about Mr. Musk. He’s always willing to take a gamble. That’s how he became so rich.
He might only invest if I’m willing to gamble and be his first human guinea pig on a trip to Mars in a supped-up Tesla rocket.
I’ll pass.
Well, I might be down for the count, but I’m not out. There are too many consumers needing a service like this. If blogging or eBooks do not make me super-wealthy, I’m sure HR Services will. Hmm, the next billionaire in 2020.
I only have two months to get there, so I’d better get busy.
