[dlyricist]

Hi All,

If you goto the website and see what they actually offer (ends with co.uk) isn't it actually cheaper to do it yourself considering you are actually just paying for a name?

"This is what you'll receive with your franchise…

• First 80 start up/referral customers
• Full membership included to one of the UK’s top commercial business suppliers. Hundreds of commercial jobs offered to you on a weekly basis to help build your business to your requirements.
• (Optional) 5 extra referral customers per month for 12 months
• Your own designated area (multiple area's on request)
• Fully sign written, lease tipper van
  (Car licence only, small deposit maybe required, subject to status)
• 1000 business cards - 2000 leaflets inc design and print
• Fully hosted website to promote your business
• Free advertising for the first year/saving £600.00
• Fully automated answering system, inc 0844 cheap rate number. This will take calls, divert them no matter where you are, even to your mobile. It will take messages, play music to your customers and it's fully programmable from any computer, making you look professional even if your working from home.
• 5000 start up bags
• 1000 recycle start up bags
• Overalls
• Florissant overcoat & gloves
• One years full liability insurance included
• Waste carriers certificate (valid for 3 years)
• Receipt Pads
• Full free membership to our FSUK finance division
• Full training and on going support

PLEASE NOTE: The tipper van is a leasing option & is not included in the franchise fee

"

[solutions4finance]

Many franchises appear to be like this - something that you could possibly set up for less expense on your own.

I'm not at all familiar with this one, but in most cases you're buying into the name, or brand, rather than just buying the materials and equipment.

As an example; you could easily set up a burger bar at limited expense, but how much more recognisabel would it be if you carried the double arches of McDonalds?

Before you jump to any conclusions, maybe you should take a look at the overall market position of the company, and decide if that's woth paying "the bit extra" for.

[franchiseshop]

I have Trash Express listed on my website and they appear to be a popular listing. As I have them on my site I am not going to say too much about them as I may appear biased but in answer to your question..

Of course you can do all this yourself, and possibly cheaper. However as already mentioned, copying a business idea is one thing but buying into a franchise is another. The branding is already in place, training, customer base, business plan/manual, marketing etc is all there. A franchise is not simply a business idea but an entire business, lock stock and barrel.

You can even think about it in terms of buying an already existing business. To purchase a successful restaurant will cost you far more than simply leasing a building with the idea of starting a restaurant.

If you are thinking of buying into Trash Express I would do your due diligence on them as you should when looking at any franchise. Proper research will let you know whether or not this is the business for you. A good start is to get a list of existing franchisees and contact them. They should provide you with this if you ask.

[dlyricist]

Hi Mathew,


I have already contacted them, and when I asked to contact at least one franchisee in return for giving my details....I got a reply stating "they are all bit busy and earning money"...I was promised a chase up and call back but instead got just an email stating their updated franchise brochure attached (but she forgot to attach it!)

[Indizine]

sounds like they are trying to selling you their 'product' rather than a business (so to speak).

[franchiseshop]

Hi Dlyricist

Well done for going the right way about it. Please keep me posted on any further developments and I hope you have not hit a brick wall with them. It looks like a good opportunity but obviously without being able to do the proper research a decision cannot be made.

On a different note - I can see just how well this type of franchise would work and I have already seen businesses across the country setting up to take advantage of the new bin limits and recycling laws that are in place through the council and EU regulations.

The 1 bin limit per fortnight here is playing havoc with everyone other than single people and childless couples so for a small fee per client and thousands of potential clients per area I can really see this taking off, with the right franchised business this could be rolled out across the UK to be a very well known and profitable brand.

Best wishes.