Hi, my name is RJ and Im researching starting a home inventory business in my area. I have several colleges in my area and think that offering a basic "student inventory" for students staying in dorms might be another venue. I think selling it inexpensively since you have a closed community where word gets around fast and recording the main things students care about..Ipods,laptops,cameras,phones,clothing and minor furniture items. having prior law enforcement experience I know these things are often stolen, never recorded and end up in pawn shops. Let me know what you think. Also Im interested in any advice you might have for recording serial numbers on items you cant get around back to see.
Hello everyone, I just got my start-up kit. I am very anxious to get started. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. While doing the inventory, are using a printed version of the inventory or are you using the laptop there to enter as you go? If using a printed version, How do I find it?
HEY! EVERY ONE I CAN AGREE ABOUT THE EXPRESS INVENTORY. BUT FOR THOSE WITH CHALLANGED INCOMES LIKE MY SELF-OFFER A PAYMENT PLAN AND HOLD ON TO THE INVENTORY UNTIL FINAL PAYMENT (LETS SAY MAKE 2 OR 3 PAYMENTS) YOU KNOW AS LONG AS THEY HAVE A CURRENT INVENTORY THEY WILL BE MORE RELAXED AT THE PRICE. IF CLAIM TIME COMES BEFORE PAYMENT IS PAID THEN I'M SURE THEY WILL PRODUCE THE MONEY CAUSE THEY WILL REALIZE THEY NEED THE INFO.
I think it is a good idea to try. Some documentation is certainly better than nothing and it gives you the opportunity to upsell these customers down the road. Any 'Express' customers are prime candidates for upgrading to the full package at a later time.
You just need to make sure you keep an database or spreadsheet of these customers so you can contact them later, perhaps with a discount offer if they upgrade within a couple weeks of their inventory anniversary.
Hi, I have my business in the metro detroit area and if you don't already know michigan has the worst economy in the u.s. I had to develop an inexpensive option because NOBODY is spending money around here. I offer video only for $75 and that is getting a lot more interest. I then try to upsell them to a full inventory. Thanks-
Hi, Darin, I totally agree with you on the fact that we need to offer something to the people that can't afford the full inventory and that something is better than nothing. Not too long ago, I added to my website what I'm calling the "Basic Inventory" where I give them an hour of photographing and documentation time and they can purchase additional time if they want. I will take general photos of each room so they have photo documentation of all visible items in the room. Then I will have the customer direct me to the items they want me to document in detail. (Mainly the higher-value items) I will then print the report by Category and put it in a folder instead of the binder. I don't offer the software with it but they can purchase it at a discounted price. I will export their report to MS Word or Adobe (without the pics because they get distorted when you export it) and then burn that to a CD. I will also burn the picture folder to their CD as well, so they'll have both the report and the pics.
I never thought about a disclaimer, so I'm glad you mentioned that, I'll have to add that to my contract or make a separate contract for this inventory.
Check out my website for more of the details and let me know what you think. I had actually been thinking about putting the idea out there to see what everyone thought about it but just haven't got around to it. I would love your input and anyone else's as to what you think of my "Basic Inventory" idea. I will be promoting my business soon, so I have no idea how customers will respond to it. But the people that I have told about it think it's a great idea. It all comes down to the concept that some proof of what they own is better than nothing.
Maybe between your "Express" and my "Basic" inventory, and other people's ideas, we can all come up with a really good, inexpensive inventory to offer the homeowners that can't afford a full inventory.
Great idea, Darin! I like the name "Express Inventory", too, maybe my "Basic" has a negative sound to it, like it's not as good? (Which, technically it's not as good as the "Comprehensive"!) I guess I was thinking that the word "basic" sounded like a lesser version of "comprehensive".
I think your idea has very good possibilities. Maybe some tweeking and you are set to go.
The time might take an hour in some homes and may have to be based on square footage for the time and price. You may be able to use the video recorder, have the mic on the video camera recording instead of using the hand held recorder. This would save time using that as one package. This could be a very economical package for the first time home buyers, newlyweds as a gift, etc.
OR
Use a digital camera and a recorder and then generating the usual paper report back at home. Personally, I don't like using a recorder. I like seeing it on paper, labeling the rooms and making quick notes. I guess it is just what one gets used to.
Let us know what you come up with and how well it is received by clients. This is something that might work well in my area.
Hey all! I'm still not into full production mode yet, despite the fact that I've been preparing since April; other commitments, such as my "real job" have prevented me from full time inventory work. I have this idea that I believe might be crucial to our success so I wanted to run it by you all before I try it on. I think one of my main concerns (as I suspect many of you have as well) is getting a steady stream of customers. If I'm not depositing checks in the bank things won't be working out very well.
So here it is; I am thinking about offering a new option for the inventory service; the Express Inventory. It kind of falls into the "something is better than nothing" category I think. This option would be geared towards people who would not spring for the full inventory service due to either cost or time needed to complete. This could be for several reasons; being very tight with money, both spouses working full time, home inventory not having enough perceived value, the newness of the industry, etc.
The Express Inventory would be a fast and easy, in & out "inventory". What I am thinking about is a barebones run through the home with the video camera, digital voice recorder, and still camera taking extra time only on the highest priority items. This inventory could be completed in as little as 30 minutes probably (maybe even less) and a greatly reduced time back at the office giving us the ability for a quicker turnaround. I realize that this is not our ultimate goal, our goal is doing as complete an inventory as possible, but think about it. If we can get into more homes, getting more customers, spreading our business, AND all the while making money while we do it then everybody wins.
Because, let's face it, not everyone is going to plunk down $400-500 on an inventory and spend the 3-4 hours going through the house with us. I can already here somebody saying "Isn't this something that they can do themselves?". It sure is, but if they were going to do it they wouldn't be calling us in the first place. The truth is that they most likely will NOT do it. Paying us say $149-249 (not sure on the pricing yet) to do a quick run through and spit out a simple report will not only give them some peace of mind I'm guessing that it will get some of them to opt for the full inventory after all.
I don't know, I figured I would throw this out there and see what you all think about it. The main objectives behind this idea are to get new customers, spread knowledge of the home inventory industry, and have some steady income coming in. Since this process would be very simple to do, take very little time compared to the full inventory, and be easily repeatable I think it could really help us all out. If some people just take the idea and do it themselves it won't be a huge loss since I'm guessing those people wouldn't ever go for a full paid inventory in the first place.
Due to the incompleteness of this Express Inventory there may be the need for a special disclaimer that we would have them sign stating that as professionals we recommend the full inventory package and are doing this Express Inventory as directed by the client (or something like that). What do you think?
