Archive for December, 2009
Monday, December 28th, 2009
By Dom Annunziata
There are many terms for businesses in our society. The difference in dealership vs franchise is due to several major details. A franchise is managed by a franchisee rather than a business owner. Many people consider franchising when they have little business background. Those choosing dealerships are usually veteran business owners and entrepreneurs.
The first key difference between a dealership (such as Go Mini’s®) and a franchise (such as PODS®) is control. The Go Mini’s dealership allows the individual dealers more flexibility and better lends itself to business-minded entrepreneurs who want to run their business with as little interference as possible from “corporate.”
Most, if not all, franchises have royalty fees. A typical franchisor in the mobile storage industry averages between 8% to12% of the gross monthly sales from its franchisee. Not having these fees allows you to put more of what you earn in your pocket. If you have annual gross sales of $300,000, you could save as much as $30,000 annually compared to a franchise with similar gross sales.
As a Go Mini’s dealer, you can establish your own pricing based on local market conditions and competition, and you can set your own local advertising budget. Franchise pricing and advertising is mostly done at headquarters where they set, and establish your pricing and needs.
Most franchises are governed by an elaborate, lengthy franchise agreement that sets out what the franchisee may or may not do. For example, a franchisor may require the franchisee to reach revenue goals and sales quotas. They also require the franchisee to purchase a set amount of containers each year whether needed or not. If these goals are not met to the satisfaction of the franchisor, the franchise agreement may give the franchisor the right to terminate the franchise and charge them with a termination fee!
The difference matters to those who are profiting from the dealership. Come join the Go Mini’s portable storage dealership family with the best footprint in North America!
Tags: dealership, entrepreneurs, Francise opportunitty, Go Mini's, Portable Storage
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Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Dec 23, 2009
By Tammy Stevens, GO MINI’S Minneapolis, MN
What a fabulous opportunity. Here in our beautiful white winter GO MINI’S MN was able to donate one of our portable storage containers for a great cause. GO MINI’S was loud and proud out front of the Coldwell Banker Burnet Real Estate Agency waiting to accept the donations of toys from all the wonderful people in the community.
We just received a letter from the Branch Vice President Ken Johnson thanking us for our support and to let us know that they received over 750 toys for local children in need at the event held on Saturday, December 5th. “We are so fortunate to have such wonderful support from our community.”
These toys were donated to TOYS FOR TOTS by the agents & friends of Coldwell Banker Burnet’s Minnetonka/Excelsior offices as part of the annual “Trees for Toys” event. GO MINI’s MN Portable Storage was proud to be a part of such a heartfelt charitable cause.
See you next year!!! Happy Holidays
Tags: Go Mini's, Minneapolis, moving & storage, portable self storage, Portable Storage, portable storage rental, portable storage units, St. Paul
Posted in Blogroll, Facilities Management, Go Mini's Updates, Home Organization, Miscellaneous, Moving Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Saturday, December 19th, 2009
by Lisa Stevens - Go Mini’s Fairfield County
Imagine you are sitting in your New Canaan home waiting for your husband to come home from work. He was at his Wall St. job all day and was working hard as he usually does. He caught the 4:02 out of Grand Central to Stamford train station and a car service brought him to the house. As he gets out, you can tell by the look on his face that he has some exciting news about his holiday bonus. You had a feeling it would be good because his department did extremely well this year. It would not be the first time he showered you with lavish gifts, but you just never get used to them anyway.
When he walks through the door. You pretend not to be aware of his impending arrival and say “hunny, is that you?” He answers back and you greet him asking “How was your day?” as you do almost every day but with a much different level of interest in his answer. He replies, “it was pretty good” as he does almost every day but with a much greater eagerness to tell you why it was “pretty” good.
“I got my end of year bonus today and it was a lot more than even I expected” he says.
“Really! That’s great!” you reply
“Don’t you want to know how much?”
“Of course!”
“8 figures!”
“8 figures?!?”
“That’s right!”
“8 figures???”
“You heard me”
“That’s more than all your other bonuses combined!”
“It most definitely is”
“well what will we do with that much money? Of my goodness, we could get that plane you always wanted and keep it at Danbury airport. Or we could get that house you wanted in Greenwich off of Round Hill Rd.”
“Well, I am not sure you realize how much money they gave us”
“you said 8 figures. Doesn’t that mean $10,000,000?”
“It could, but not in our case” He smiled as he saw the look of surprise on her face. ”$42,000,000!”
“stop! you’re kidding! Please tell me you’re not kidding! You better not be kidding!”
“I’m not. And I have exciting news for you. Remember how last year you showed me that 14 carat diamond you wanted?”
“Yeeeees! You got it?”
“Well I had to do even better than that because the diamond was sold several months ago”
“Oh my!!! What did you get me?”
All of a sudden you heard the sound of a diesel truck engine. It was now turning dark and you could see the silhouette of a large truck coming down the driveway. Your heart was pounding with excitement.
“Believe it or not, when I went to the Danbury Mall last Saturday, I saw the neatest thing ever while I was driving through Ridgefield. You are going to love it!”
“I’m sure I will”
“I know you will. And I also saw one last week when I was in Norwalk and then I saw one again when I was in Westport, CT. These things are everywhere. ”
“If it is so expensive, how could there be so many of them?”
“We live in Fairfield County. We are not the only people who make a good living”
Just then, the black silhouette in her driveway caught her eye because it was tipping over. Actually it wasn’t. When she turned on the driveway flood to see what was happening, there shined a bright white Go Mini’s portable storage container. It had wheels on the bottom and the driver was gently rolling it down the flatbed into your driveway. You noticed your husband had a curious smirk on his face and were a little concerned that this could be one of those huge jokes he loved playing on you. The driver was just about done placing the beautiful Go Mini’s portable storage container.
You asked “Are you sure you got a big bonus this year?” worried that this was all a big joke.
“I certainly did. And the first thing I did was I rented you a Go Mini’s portable storage container. Their all steel construction makes them sturdy and weather proof. The translucent fiberglass roof lets in plenty of sunlight. The baked on enamel finish will not sweat from humidity and they are vented to let the air flow. Even better, the Mini’s are low to the ground but are still 8 inches off the ground to avoid standing water from getting in. They come in 4 different sizes too. 8, 12, 16 and also the 20 footer. Go Mini’s are great for storage, decluttering your home, moving, home improvement projects - just about anything! I hope you like it because this is my first gift to you this holiday season and I want it to be special”
You say to him, “it’s special alright! ”Now that I think of it, you are also pretty “Special” “.
“I couldn’t agree more. Why don’t you open up the Mini and look at its beautiful interior”
“Did you put a present in here for me?” You open the container and look around. It’s dark but you can’t see anything. The Mini is empty. Nothing to be found. You turn around to look at your husband and are wondering what trick does he have up his sleeve? Why is this big white box in my driveway? Has he lost his mind?
“I guess it’s a little too dark to see in there. Look again” he says as he hands you a flashlight.
With flashlight on, you scan the inside of the Go Mini’s portable storage unit and see a small box with a letter on it. You pick it up. Inside its the biggest diamond you ever had your hands on. It can’t be real you think to yourself.
“80 carats!…. Yes, it is real” he says as he reads your mind.
“I love it! Thank you!” are your only words as you at a loss for any others.
He says, “Aren’t these Go Mini’s portable storage units awesome! I mean, there couldn’t be a better Mini out there. Don’t you agree”
“Yes, I agree” is your only reply and you realize you will never look at a Go Mini portable storage unit the same way again.
Go Mini’s are versatile. Use them for any project or “gift giving” idea you have. Call us at 866 Go Mini’s or visit us on the web at www.gominis.com.
Happy Holidays!
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Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
By Bruce Davidson - Go Mini’s of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
Floods in the home can be caused by heavy rain or frozen or broken pipes. Whatever the cause, calling in a restoration company is a good move. There are many reasons why it’s a good move including time and money. Let’s examine some of them.
First, they have the knowledge and the tools to take care of your flood related problems in ways you are not equipped to deal with. If a flood was to occur in your home, are you prepared to go out and invest in professional equipment needed to do the clean up job correctly? Second, what did you have planned for the week? Were you planning on working? It seems it would be a lot better to hire a restoration company than to spend up to several days trying to save everything on your own. Thirdly and maybe most importantly, they are familiar with your homeowner’s insurance policy. They also have experience in dealing directly with insurance companies for flood damage.
When Go Mini’s opened in NY, CT and NJ in 2005, several restoration companies began calling us. Unlike most customers, they would call at all hours of the day and they would want a Go Mini’s portable storage units delivered almost immediately. The sooner they can get a homeowners furniture, documents and other possessions out of the house, the better the chance they have of saving them.
For the restoration industry, the portable storage container was a welcome innovation and gave them great advantages and flexibility in dealing with a homeowner’s disaster quickly. Truck rentals were hit and miss in terms of availability and they still had to find a place to store the items beyond the first day or two. When they call Go Mini’s, restoration companies can expect a container delivered within hours and they can leave it there as long as necessary. And if they want to bring items to another facility for further work or sorting, they can just have the Mini moved upon request.
If you have a flood in your home, make the smart choice and call a restoration company. Your possessions will take time to restore, but your every day life will be restored much sooner.
Tags: broken pipes, Connecticut, flood damage, frozen pipes, Go Mini's, homeowner, homeowner's insurance, New Jersey, New York, Portable Storage Unit, Restoration companies
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Diversifying and Expanding Your Business With Portable Storage
By Dom Annunziata
More and more, you see movable containers parked in driveways and transported along streets and highways all over the country. Business owners and entrepreneurs are taking notice of the portable storage business and asking whether it is a logical expansion for their current business, and whether there is an opportunity for offering new services to their customers.
Some business matches are obvious, such as self storage facilities and traditional movers, but other businesses can obtain a needed boost in this sluggish economy. If you are an owner looking to benefit by offering more services to your customers or increasing your business reach, then you should take a look at Go Mini’s business opportunities.
Some businesses that would benefit from the addition of a Go Mini’s® Dealership Opportunity include:
Commercial real estate owners: In today’s market of empty or dwindling warehouse space, you can make good use of your facility by adding a Go Mini’s dealership and offering your customers a climate controlled storage facility. Your initial startup costs are significantly reduced by having a storage structure already in place.
Shipping Container Rental & Sales: Shipping containers are not very well suited for residential use and since the operating procedures are similar it would be a simple transition to adapt to a Go Mini’s dealership.
Home renovation and restoration businesses: Home owners need to move their belongings so that your work can be completed without unnecessary delays, and damage to furniture and items. Having the ability to offer your clients a storage facility will cut out the middleman. You can use our containers to stage materials, tools and supplies.
Disaster recovery businesses: Go Mini’s is known for quick response. Our dealers provided more than 1,000 containers after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. You can use Go Mini’s to move out damaged property and store replacement materials. Rent Go Mini’s to your customers and profit from rental income.
Truck Rentals: Do-It-Yourselfers sometimes do not want the responsibility of driving a loaded vehicle, or need more time to load the truck. Don’t send your customers away angry or disappointed. Display a Go Mini’s on your site and create “found” income, and provide an alternative to your customers.
Hardware Stores: Display a Go Mini’s container on your site and create possibilities by offering your home improvement do-it-yourself customers a place to secure and store their materials, tools, fasteners and supplies.
Vehicle Recovery:-Wrecker Services: Go Mini’s containers are designed to move on roll back vehicles. You have a site, you have the vehicles, a marriage may be in store.
We know first hand that these ventures can succeed because we have Go Mini’s Dealers who opened their dealerships in connection with one of these existing businesses. Contact us today to learn how you can successfully diversify and expand your business with a Go Mini’s portable storage dealership.
Tags: business opportunity, dealership opportunity, entrepreneurs, Portable Storage
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Friday, December 11th, 2009
As Toys for Tots begins its toy collection campaign for needy families in the Asheville area this week, GoMinis will be on site with two 20’ donated containers to collect the toys.
Collections for donations will begin on Thursday, December 10 and continue through Saturday, December 12 at the Ingles Markets located at 1865 Hendersonville Rd. in Skyland and at 7 Leicester Hwy in West Asheville. The toy drive will begin at 6 a.m. on Thursday and end at noon on Saturday.
“We are thrilled to be able to help this worthwhile campaign,” said Asheville GoMini’s owner Robie Campbell. “We hope to fill several containers with all the toys that are donated.”
Available in 12’, 16’ and 20’ lengths, GoMinis are the perfect self-storage solution. Constructed with a sturdy steel frame and translucent roof to allow light within, GoMinis feature a roll up, locking door to secure stored items. The accessible ground level containers are easy to load, yet slightly elevated from the ground to prevent water leakage. GoMinis can be delivered to both residences and businesses and when loaded, can be left on site or retrieved and stored at the local GoMinis warehouse.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
by Peter Dempsey - December 2009
The heavy wet snowfall that has fallen on Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and Rockland Counties, NY last night was followed by heavy rainfall. This lead to “ponding” of water in several areas and is causing basement flooding across the entire region. In some instances, there have been some flat roofs with water backing up and coming in through roofs. The result is flood damage and a big mess for home and business owners.
Go Mini’s has dispatched several of its weather proof portable storage units this morning. Restoration companies as well as home and business owners have called looking for immediate delivery. Call volume began to slow down from early this morning when flooding first began to occur. Perhaps Ulster County in the northern area of our service region will start to see flooding. The snow lasted a bit longer there.
We are thankful for the continued business from our restoration companies and wish our new customers from this morning good luck in dealing with these floods. Our Go Mini’s stand 8 inches off the ground so the items they put in the Mini will be safe. But we have cautioned them to keep snow from building up around the Mini just to be sure there are no chances of water rising above the 8 inch ground clearance. Do any Go Mini’s dealers have any stories of flooding after a snow storm? Let us know.
Tags: Dutchess, flat roofs flooding, flood damage, home, Orange, Portable Storage, Putnam, Restoration companies, Rockland, weatherproof storage, Westchester
Posted in Blogroll, Facilities Management, Go Mini's Updates, Miscellaneous | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
By Tom Grimes - Go Mini’s of NY, CT and NJ - December 8, 2009
We all agree the original portable on demand storage concept came from PODS. Hence their name. They grew into a corporate giant with their first to market advantage and, quite frankly, their great concept for moving and storage. But they are also being outpaced in many markets by smaller, locally operated portable storage container companies. Go Mini’s in the New York metro area (specifically Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Ulster, Litchfield, Fairfield and Bergen Counties) is one such company doing just that.
Instead of a national call center to handle customer calls, Go Mini’s of NY, CT & NJ handles calls locally. So many of their customers are of the “need it now” type. They can’t get that from PODS. But when they call Go Mini’s, the person on the phone usually knows where the delivery trucks are and can arrange an urgent delivery happen in just a few minutes. Customers love knowing they do not need to spend time on the phone waiting for a special person to arrange an expedited delivery. With Go Mini’s, they know fast response is a common practice. This fast response time is critical to the restoration business, to contractors, to Realtors whose clients move out of a home and have a closing fall through on they one they are supposed to move to. You get the point. It is important to get the customer their Mini quickly. In the counties listed above, there is nobody faster than Go Mini’s. Because Go Mini’s meets the needs of these customers, they become repeat customers.
Tom Grimes is a local representative of Go Mini’s. Tom creates relationships with businesses in different industries who never knew they could have such an easy portable storage system that delivers quickly in support of their operation. If you have a need for portable storage, whether it is for holiday inventory, renovating or restoration projects, de-cluttering or home staging, give Go Mini’s a call.
Tags: Go Mini's NY CT NJ, Go Mini's Westchester Putnam Dutchess Orange Rockland Ulster Fairfield Litchfield Bergen, holiday inventory, PODS, Portable Moving and Storage, Portable on demand storage, Portable Storage, renovating, restoration
Posted in Blogroll, Go Mini's Updates, Miscellaneous, Moving Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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