For years before retirement, I ran a mobile fleet washing business, and I had franchised it in 23 states. Amongst some of our largest accounts were the United States Post Office, large trucking companies, and large school districts; washing their buses. One thing I learned was that when you are working with the government they are very slow to pay, and you can expect as you come up towards the end of the year's fiscal budget, that they are even slower to pay.You'd be amazed how slow our nation's school districts pay their bills when they are worried about their budget. If you own a mobile fleet washing company, I would recommend that you do not take any school district accounts washing buses in the years 2010 or 2011. Let me tell you why.You see, tax receipts are very slow right now, and with all the foreclosures in the market things are a little rough on property taxes. This coupled with the state budget issues in our schools, all the teachers being laid off, and all the disputes with the teachers unions, the school district can barely pay their bills as it is. This means they are paying vendors extremely slow as in 90 days to 120 days out. As a small business person you can't afford to wait that long for your receivables.Worse, I see more problems on the rise and, as I see oil barrel prices going through the roof. And that means diesel fuel will also go up, and the school district transportation divisions will not have enough money to buy the fuel they need, and obviously that will come well before the paying for the washing services that you provided. san diego party busThus, I recommend that you do not take any school district bus washing accounts, and if they call you and ask you to bid on the contract; hang up, after you tell them nicely not to ever call you again. Although this may sound a bit harsh, you run a small business and you must make a profit.Taking on these accounts will only cost you money, time, and energy and it's just not worth it. I hope you will please consider this, because my advice comes after 27 years in the industry, and I've watched the business cycles come and go. Think on it.