Word of mouth helps The Horse!

@TheHorse (205716)
Walnut Creek, California
October 18, 2020 10:00pm CST
I haven't "developed" a picture of the finished product yet, but I just sent a pair of Spendor SP-2 vintage speakers home with their owner. I only charged $100 for the restoration, as they weren't that large, and I was also just glad to have work. The owner of that pair just emailed me and asked if he could pass my contact information on to a friend of his who has some older Altec speakers that need restoration. Of course I said yes! I "advertise" on Craigslist and restore speakers as they come in. Much of my "business" comes from word of mouth here in the Bay Area. Have you ever worked in a business where word of mouth is a big player? I'll try to find of the first surface of my last pair as I started oiling them.
21 people like this
21 responses
Four Walls
@FourWalls (62118)
• United States
19 Oct 20
We get things right from the horse’s mouth! Bring your wood working stuff if you’re ever in my neck of the woods.
4 people like this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (62118)
• United States
19 Oct 20
@TheHorse — plus, a free trip to Paradise, Kentucky!
ultraman cosmos
@id_peace (14005)
• Singapore
19 Oct 20
It seems that your business are growing through words of nouth because I remembered that it is not the first time you grow your business through words of mouth.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
I have to head to work right now, but have one email waiting for me with a request for a restoration. I'll respond when I get back this afternoon.
1 person likes this
ultraman cosmos
@id_peace (14005)
• Singapore
19 Oct 20
Earn more!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
@id_peace I'm always polite and honest with potential "customers."
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458085)
• Switzerland
19 Oct 20
I think that in all personal business the world of mouth is important. A happy customer/client will suggest your name to friends and relatives.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458085)
• Switzerland
21 Oct 20
@MALUSE We immediately know who is better never to call. The wife of our closest neighbor knows very good workers. She was in the Custom police before getting married, she knows everyone here around.
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
20 Oct 20
@LadyDuck In a small place like yours you'll also hear about the 'black sheep' among the workers.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Exactly! I'm speaker project-free right now, but hopefully I'll have some new speakers to work on soon.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (306137)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 Oct 20
That's great you're getting business by word of mouth. That's the only way I'm getting my books sold.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
Do you have them in some book stores so (human) "browsers" can see them?
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (306137)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Oct 20
@TheHorse Yes, the local Christian bookstore here.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Oct 20
@just4him Do you sell a few there?
1 person likes this
sophie a
@sophie09 (34246)
• Indonesia
19 Oct 20
i study management, and we discussed about WOM a lot
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Did they "quantify" it? In other words, what percentage business comes from "word of mouth"?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
@sophie09 Sigh. It may depend on the kind of business. And the size as well.
1 person likes this
sophie a
@sophie09 (34246)
• Indonesia
19 Oct 20
@TheHorse i cant remember that haha
1 person likes this
Anne
@Hytton03 (5454)
• Philippines
19 Oct 20
That's a good business.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
It's something I enjoy.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
@Hytton03 It really is fun.
1 person likes this
Anne
@Hytton03 (5454)
• Philippines
19 Oct 20
@TheHorse having a business that you enjoying that's great.
1 person likes this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
19 Oct 20
At least you're keeping out of trouble.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
I'm doing my best.
1 person likes this
allen0187
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
19 Oct 20
I usually keep my ear glued for any good recommendations. Certainly, word of mouth plays a big role in it.
1 person likes this
allen0187
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
20 Oct 20
@TheHorse amen to that!
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Same here. I do that with auto mechanics.
1 person likes this
rakski
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
19 Oct 20
that is good. word of mouth really helps
1 person likes this
rakski
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
20 Oct 20
@TheHorse you should do that
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Oct 20
@rakski Heh. Leave no stone unturned.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
It does. I think I'll refresh some of my Craigslist listings today as well.
1 person likes this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (73407)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Oct 20
That is great news for you, I am glad that word is going out that you do good work and I hope you get many more jobs,
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
Thank you! We'll see what comes in next.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
19 Oct 20
How many speakers have you already restored in your life?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
That's a good question. I've been doing this for about 15 years. When the market was "hotter," I might do two or three pairs a month. Now it's more like one a month. 15 x 12 is 180. So my best guess is about 200 pairs.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
20 Oct 20
@TheHorse That's a lot. I'm sure this hobby fills your piggy bank quite nicely.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
@MALUSE It does help. What was really nice was when I wrote on Epinions and could review the speakers I restored. There was a market for reviews of vintage speakers, so I made some decent money there as well. That was in the days when internet writing still paid.
Jessica
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
19 Oct 20
cool. My Sunday school teacher at my church owns a guitar amp store and he rely on word of mouth for his business.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Does he have guitars there as well?
1 person likes this
Jessica
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
20 Oct 20
@TheHorse Yeah he does.
Thelma
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
19 Oct 20
Yes, word of mouth helps me earn a few Euros through my hobby of baking cakes, etc.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
Oh, that sounds like a fun way to make a few extra dollars.
1 person likes this
Thelma
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
20 Oct 20
@TheHorse Yes, indeed it is a fun way of earning a bit from what I love to make.
Scott Andersen
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
19 Oct 20
word of mouth works best, it is the personal trust in you, conveyed to the next person!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Exaclly. Plus my Craigslist listing draws in new customers.
1 person likes this
Scott Andersen
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
19 Oct 20
@TheHorse that is often, craigslist has been really hit or miss for me
Go Crossbones
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
19 Oct 20
Its the best way to get sustainable business.
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (95134)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Oct 20
That can be the best way to get new customers
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Repeat customers are a good thing too. Once I discover a good restaurant, I keep going back there.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (156159)
• United States
19 Oct 20
Any business can profit from word-of-mouth recommendations, especially when the work done is as good as yours. :-)
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Thanks, Linda. I really do try to make every piece as beautiful as it can be.
1 person likes this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
19 Oct 20
Glad you can stay busy doing what you enjoy.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Me too. And (never thought I'd say it and mean it) a bit of extra cash helps!
1 person likes this
Raj
@Butterfingers (66585)
• India
19 Oct 20
Yes word of mouth goes a long way in helping and glad it's helping you
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Oct 20
Craigslist helps too! I'm glad we have that.
1 person likes this
muhammad iqbal
@happylife1 (13404)
• Karachi, Pakistan
19 Oct 20
Good news about your business
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Oct 20
Thank you.