So I joined a new rental service with my friend. Our houses are booking fast at 17 bookings just last week. My question, I’m all about customer service. What can we do do make customers smile? Besides the obvious. Or suggestions for our site. We got 6″ of ice on my channel near Garrison. Lake freezes 200 yards every night, gone by noon. Truenorthwinterrentals.com
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Clean…fresh holes even if that was the hotspot. 10 ft away with fresh holes. Away from other shacks…Check on clients morning mid day and dusk. Cater to there style of fishing. Family looking for a get away suggest all the TV movie stations…hardcore folks that bring portables and want to venture during the day give them a spot or two…
Bottom line get to know your customers and cater to that specific customer as much as you can. Get to know them fish with them have a beer with them have a cheep meal with them. Repeat customers is what it’s all about in that business ask Cookie from red lake…may not seam that way now with the so call boom but nothing worse than renting showing up paying someone at a desk and never see them again…My 2 cents
Thanks Ripjiggen. All of our houses have direct tv. Will be mobile with fresh holes.
If you are good people will find you. Once they do it’s up to you to get the repeat business. There are lots of options in your business, you will need to work at it every day.
Best of luck with the venture!
What rip said is king. I try to rent from people that make an impression on me and go out of my way to send them business like Cookie, and Steve from Bear Paw. Both really good people and I recommend them all the time. Are you just going to have them on the pond or other lakes also? Good luck with the new venture.
Being responsive and friendly go a long ways with me. I got up to LOTW’s every winter and we have stayed at multiple resorts. First place we went years ago the staff was not friendly or responsive to us before we showed up. Went to a new place and we were amazed by the customer service. Now we go back to that place every year. The guides are friendly and offer honest advice.
What rip said is king. I try to rent from people that make an impression on me and go out of my way to send them business like Cookie, and Steve from Bear Paw.
Bingo. I’ve been renting from Steve and Tyler since the crappie boom days, shortly after they moved up to URL from Two Harbors. They’ve been great from day 1 right to today (staying with them again in a few weeks).
Folks like me will come back year after year for good friendly service!
Honesty. If someone calls for a rental do not tell them last night your houses pounded them if one or no fish were caught. Had 1 mille lacs rental/ guide do that. Fished the day with them and caught 2 fish. Went to bar and called them and asked how fishing was and they said you couldn’t keep them off the line non stop action. Needless to say dont think Greg is still in business.
So I joined a new rental service with my friend. Our houses are booking fast at 17 bookings just last week. My question, I’m all about customer service. What can we do do make customers smile? Besides the obvious. Or suggestions for our site. We got 6″ of ice on my channel near Garrison. Lake freezes 200 yards every night, gone by noon. Truenorthwinterrentals.com
Hi Bob
I’m interested in your business but not getting a link to the website you posted. Sent PM
Works for me.
We rented a house from someone else last year, it was our first time ever ice fishing. Everyone assumed we knew everything already. Talk to your clients about what to expect. Be clear and honest if you’ve got lots a few groups close together let them know that, heck introduce them. If fishing has been tough let them know. First-timers on the ice talk to them about what sounds to expect. have someone who’s never been ice fishing read your website, and then ask questions. Then update your site.
As has already been stated check on your clients frequently. Also little things like a washtub for doing dishes, a rug for inside and outside the door, the glow inserts for the holes, the grated catch covers, appropriate cookware, good electronics(for rent). Lastly just include everything in the price gas, generator, propane, etc…
Honestly the best advice I can give is before you have clients go out put your wife or girlfriend up in one of your houses for 24 hours. She will find all of the weak spots in your game. Fix them and customers will be extatic.
Thats a tough game you are getting yourself into. I would not plan or expect to make much your first year. Your focus should be on Building a good reputation and build for a return customer base. Good word of mouth advertising is the best and cheapest way to grow your business. #1 to me would be to keep the houses on fresh ice. Nothing is worse than showing up to a rental and you can tell the house has been in the same location for a long time. If at all possible I would also try and personally check in with the customer early on in their stay. Help them get setup and rigged will leave a good impression. Good luck in your new business.
Must be doing good link does not exists
Must be doing good link does not exists
Works just fine for me. Have opened it several times.
I just opened it as well.
DT
Works for me.
Works for me
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