[dazmond]

ive decided to get rid of a couple more jobs.basically PITA jobs where i have to use a backpack. these jobs ive been cleaning for over 20 years.im telling them tomorrow.i also dropped 3 long standing  jobs the other week(one required me to go up and over the garage roof).

i will have no jobs requiring the use of a backpack after tomorrow! (ill still keep it for emergencies though)

so i will not be carrying a backpack in my van,no fold away trolley and im getting rid of my trip hazard warning cone too.ive left them behind before now,run over them,lost them and i just find them a PITA so its going!

my pumpbox is also going when grippa fit my heater to free up some room and keep everything tidy.

[paul alan]

I love a good de-clutter.

[p1w1]

ive decided to get rid of a couple more jobs.basically PITA jobs where i have to use a backpack. these jobs ive been cleaning for over 20 years.im telling them tomorrow.i also dropped 3 long standing  jobs the other week(one required me to go up and over the garage roof).

i will have no jobs requiring the use of a backpack after tomorrow! (ill still keep it for emergencies though)

so i will not be carrying a backpack in my van,no fold away trolley and im getting rid of my trip hazard warning cone too.ive left them behind before now,run over them,lost them and i just find them a PITA so its going!

my pumpbox is also going when grippa fit my heater to free up some room and keep everything tidy.

just the ladders to go now

[dazmond]

i think over the years ive been too soft with some customers and ive carried on cleaning for them for many years but in the back of my mind im thinking "i cant be arsed anymore".

ive just got to the point where ive got better work to be cleaning (with easier access!)and ive picked up some great new jobs this year.somethings got to give.(i hate telling them though.)

with the van i want to keep it simple........tank,pump,reel,heater,poles,a few spare brushes/goosenecks,trad gear,chems and ladders.thats it.

[Shrek]

How you gonna tell them mate? Would you not prefer to put the price up so you can be arsed doing them?

[robbo333]

Daz, you've made me feel better.
I hate the backpack and now only use it for Chems. I'm only little (I have to run around in the shower to get wet)!
Any dodgy access, I bin them.
I've binned a few recently and was having second thoughts cause I now need to replace them.
Don't bin your trip hazard signs. They go out every time the hose goes out!
Unless i've read it wrong 

[richard groves]

To be honest, I never use my trip hazard cones either anymore ........... whenever I did numpties would trip over them.

[Cookie]

To be honest, I never use my trip hazard cones either anymore ........... whenever I did numpties would trip over them.

I'm usually the one who trips over my trip hazard cones. 

[tom20001]

ive decided to get rid of a couple more jobs.basically PITA jobs where i have to use a backpack. these jobs ive been cleaning for over 20 years.im telling them tomorrow.i also dropped 3 long standing  jobs the other week(one required me to go up and over the garage roof).

i will have no jobs requiring the use of a backpack after tomorrow! (ill still keep it for emergencies though)

so i will not be carrying a backpack in my van,no fold away trolley and im getting rid of my trip hazard warning cone too.ive left them behind before now,run over them,lost them and i just find them a PITA so its going!

my pumpbox is also going when grippa fit my heater to free up some room and keep everything tidy.

Fair play daz....i occasionally do a cull too but nearly always end up taking them back 🙈🙈😂 im too soft

[dazmond]

How you gonna tell them mate? Would you not prefer to put the price up so you can be arsed doing them?

no because i have to traipse through a customers garden (lugging the backpack) to some cottages along a canal bank (as its awkward to drive down there,very few parking spaces).id rather just drop them.

tomorrow is their last clean.ill simply say im not doing theirs anymore and thank them for their custom over the years.i dont owe them anything.they ve had over 20 years of regular service from me.

[dazmond]

To be honest, I never use my trip hazard cones either anymore ........... whenever I did numpties would trip over them.

their just not needed.ive only got a battered one left!(ive driven over it twice!)my other one i left at a job and went back the next day and it had vanished.they clutter up the van too.

[dazmond]

Daz, you've made me feel better.
I hate the backpack and now only use it for Chems. I'm only little (I have to run around in the shower to get wet)!
Any dodgy access, I bin them.
I've binned a few recently and was having second thoughts cause I now need to replace them.
Don't bin your trip hazard signs. They go out every time the hose goes out!
Unless i've read it wrong 

every job ive ever dumped(for whatever reason) over the last few years has never affected my income.i ALWAYS pick up another few jobs within a month or two which exceeds the money from the original dumped job.my working day is also less hassle and more productive.

[nathankaye]

If i get a call out into a new area and its what I like, I would put up with doing the job for upto 6 months to see if I can expand. Be it with the van setup or the trolley. If no joy by 6 months I let them know its not personal just business  and I move on.

I had some flats that I had to arrange times so that I could go through the customers flat to clean the rear with a trolley system. In the past when trad, it was a simple case of splitting ladders and going up over the wall. But I dont carry the ladders with me anymore and they we're good customers and so I put up with the new arrangements. Didnt take long though for me to have enough of doing so, especially when all my other work is so easy in comparison and so I dumped them. (told them tho).

You do right to have a clear up of van n round,  it keeps things healthy (business wise)

[dazmond]

If i get a call out into a new area and its what I like, I would put up with doing the job for upto 6 months to see if I can expand. Be it with the van setup or the trolley. If no joy by 6 months I let them know its not personal just business  and I move on.

I had some flats that I had to arrange times so that I could go through the customers flat to clean the rear with a trolley system. In the past when trad, it was a simple case of splitting ladders and going up over the wall. But I dont carry the ladders with me anymore and they we're good customers and so I put up with the new arrangements. Didnt take long though for me to have enough of doing so, especially when all my other work is so easy in comparison and so I dumped them. (told them tho).

You do right to have a clear up of van n round,  it keeps things healthy (business wise)

what it is nathan is we get lazy when we ve been wfp for a few years!i cant believe some of the daft  PITA things i used to do for customers years ago.

i was like a stuntman!(without the glamour!)hanging off sloping roofs!

been there ,done that.we ve done our time in this game nathan.......

[nathankaye]

If i get a call out into a new area and its what I like, I would put up with doing the job for upto 6 months to see if I can expand. Be it with the van setup or the trolley. If no joy by 6 months I let them know its not personal just business  and I move on.

I had some flats that I had to arrange times so that I could go through the customers flat to clean the rear with a trolley system. In the past when trad, it was a simple case of splitting ladders and going up over the wall. But I dont carry the ladders with me anymore and they we're good customers and so I put up with the new arrangements. Didnt take long though for me to have enough of doing so, especially when all my other work is so easy in comparison and so I dumped them. (told them tho).

You do right to have a clear up of van n round,  it keeps things healthy (business wise)

what it is nathan is we get lazy when we ve been wfp for a few years!i cant believe some of the daft  PITA things i used to do for customers years ago.

i was like a stuntman!(without the glamour!)hanging off sloping roofs!

been there ,done that.we ve done our time in this game nathan.......

Yep,  bouncing ladders across so I could reach a one quid window (pricing per window back then) absolutely crazy stuff.
Have to agree wfp does make us lazy  but I welcome that now 

[Walter Mitty]

ive decided to get rid of a couple more jobs.basically PITA jobs where i have to use a backpack. these jobs ive been cleaning for over 20 years.im telling them tomorrow.i also dropped 3 long standing  jobs the other week(one required me to go up and over the garage roof).

i will have no jobs requiring the use of a backpack after tomorrow! (ill still keep it for emergencies though)

so i will not be carrying a backpack in my van,no fold away trolley and im getting rid of my trip hazard warning cone too.ive left them behind before now,run over them,lost them and i just find them a PITA so its going!

my pumpbox is also going when grippa fit my heater to free up some room and keep everything tidy.

I don't blame you. I got rid of the final up-and-overs a few years back. I still have several backpack jobs though, but I priced them well to compensate - so they're staying.

[pikeman]

Got a few jobs may get rid of after Christmas will do the last clean next week. Been cleaning them for a few years. There's 4 in woodcross wolverhampton if anyone interesTed.  Altogether but 3 you have to go over.  Looking for around £90.

[Dry Clean]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

[dazmond]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

[nathankaye]

It's nothing personal its just business

 
Best saying ever! Lol

[Missing Link]

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

And?  I'm 48 next week and I'm at the peak of my physical prowess, having just ran in miles, your age, around the Brecon Beacons at the weekend.

In 11 hours and 10 minutes.

Don't make excuses for your m00bs, Daz.

Just saying like.

(I binned all my backpack access jobs when I went van-mounted)

[dazmond]

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

And?  I'm 48 next week and I'm at the peak of my physical prowess, having just ran in miles, your age, around the Brecon Beacons at the weekend.

In 11 hours and 10 minutes.

Don't make excuses for your m00bs, Daz.

Just saying like.

(I binned all my backpack access jobs when I went van-mounted)

you ll probably die of a heart attack next week tosh.

by the way i hate running...seriously...i cant think of a worse way to spend my spare time...

[p1w1]

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

And?  I'm 48 next week and I'm at the peak of my physical prowess, having just ran in miles, your age, around the Brecon Beacons at the weekend.

In 11 hours and 10 minutes.

Don't make excuses for your m00bs, Daz.

Just saying like.

(I binned all my backpack access jobs when I went van-mounted)

Thats some feat

[dazmond]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

turned up today and the customers house (i have to go through to get to the cottages )must be on holiday again as BOTH GATES LOCKED so i didnt even attempt to clean them for the last time.thats it now never again.dumped.

thats 15 jobs gone over the last 2 months for various reasons(bad payers,messers,died,moved,losing their minds,PITA jobs)

[Missing Link]

thats 15 jobs gone over the last 2 months for various reasons(bad payers,messers,died,moved,losing their minds,PITA jobs)

I reckon winter is the time to dump 'em too.  We normally have a little cull around now.

[Elfyn]

i think over the years ive been too soft with some customers and ive carried on cleaning for them for many years but in the back of my mind im thinking "i cant be arsed anymore".

ive just got to the point where ive got better work to be cleaning (with easier access!)and ive picked up some great new jobs this year.somethings got to give.(i hate telling them though.)

with the van i want to keep it simple........tank,pump,reel,heater,poles,a few spare brushes/goosenecks,trad gear,chems and ladders.thats it.

I haven't carried trad gear in my van for many years 

[Marc Stock]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

turned up today and the customers house (i have to go through to get to the cottages )must be on holiday again as BOTH GATES LOCKED so i didnt even attempt to clean them for the last time.thats it now never again.dumped.

thats 15 jobs gone over the last 2 months for various reasons(bad payers,messers,died,moved,losing their minds,PITA jobs)

Your not at all tempted to employ someone for those jobs daz?

[Missing Link]

I haven't carried trad gear in my van for many years 

We have quite a few commercial properties that need their insides done.  And the odd residential customer too.

We still carry ladders for gutter cleans and access too.  I actually like gutter cleans; I find you can price them very well.   

[dazmond]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

turned up today and the customers house (i have to go through to get to the cottages )must be on holiday again as BOTH GATES LOCKED so i didnt even attempt to clean them for the last time.thats it now never again.dumped.

thats 15 jobs gone over the last 2 months for various reasons(bad payers,messers,died,moved,losing their minds,PITA jobs)

Your not at all tempted to employ someone for those jobs daz?

what for a couple of jobs on a canal bank.?.......errr...no!why would i mate?

[Walter Mitty]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

You lug a backpack over gates. Sod that! I would at least ask discuss uif there is a better way of accessing, such as giving me a gate (or padlock) key.
The up-and-overs were a legacy from the trad cleaning. I was even starting to feel uneasy about them while working from a ladder as there was no way of testing for slipperiness when putting the ladder down the far side (plus a couple of the roofs were very old and not maintained).
My most awkward one at the moment is a backpack job where I walk about 150 metres with it. I don't need to refill. I took it on a year or so back and made good allowance in the price. If I'm safe and I've made price allowance, I'll do it.

[dazmond]

trad gear is for the odd inside kitchen window on request(usually for a cup of coffee)

some work is not suitable for wfp due to tight space,type of window,inside porches etc

theres always room for a bit of squeegee work.

ladders are essential IMO as there always comes a time where i need them at some point during the week(usually for opening the odd gate).

[Walter Mitty]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

turned up today and the customers house (i have to go through to get to the cottages )must be on holiday again as BOTH GATES LOCKED so i didnt even attempt to clean them for the last time.thats it now never again.dumped.

thats 15 jobs gone over the last 2 months for various reasons(bad payers,messers,died,moved,losing their minds,PITA jobs)

If they've been good customers and the problem is about access, I think it's fair to write to them so they can make other arrangements.
I dropped one fairly recently for various reasons that weren't the customer's fault. I wrote to him to say why I felt unable to continue cleaning. It was a £12 job. If it paid well,I could have continued but it was such a ballache, I would have wanted £30 - so I didn't even ask. The job was part of a job lot I picked up from another shiner who was packing up. I dropped (or lost) about 40% of them. It wasn't quality work (is it ever?) but 60% of it is good enough to continue with.

[dazmond]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

You lug a backpack over gates. Sod that! I would at least ask discuss uif there is a better way of accessing, such as giving me a gate (or padlock) key.
The up-and-overs were a legacy from the trad cleaning. I was even starting to feel uneasy about them while working from a ladder as there was no way of testing for slipperiness when putting the ladder down the far side (plus a couple of the roofs were very old and not maintained).
My most awkward one at the moment is a backpack job where I walk about 150 metres with it. I don't need to refill. I took it on a year or so back and made good allowance in the price. If I'm safe and I've made price allowance, I'll do it.

the customers whos garden i go through have a villa in spain and they spend more and more time there it seems every year.they pay me when i catch up with them so no problems from them but i cant expect them to give me a key for their gate padlocks(dont forget ill need 2 keys).its extra hassle that i dont need.i cleaned theirs yesterday no problem(i split the ladders either side of their side gate)but left the cottages.

[Stoots]

I'm surprised if you've been cleaning windows 20 years and are always refining that's you have any PITA jobs left.

I always imagined you doing nothing but cream work in glorious surroundings with plenty of cups of tea and fantastic customers.

Now I've just found out you lump a backpack over 2 Gates, down a muddy old canal bank to 2 cottages and run out of water and have to trad the downstairs 

You're no better than the rest of us mortals after all.

[robbo333]

Daz is a mortal!!!
You'll be telling us next that Father Christmas doesn't exist! 


Seriously though my 4 year old Grandson would go Apesheeeet!

[dazmond]

I'm surprised if you've been cleaning windows 20 years and are always refining that's you have any PITA jobs left.

I always imagined you doing nothing but cream work in glorious surroundings with plenty of cups of tea and fantastic customers.

Now I've just found out you lump a backpack over 2 Gates, down a muddy old canal bank to 2 cottages and run out of water and have to trad the downstairs 

You're no better than the rest of us mortals after all.

i havent now adam.their history now.the main reason i never got rid earlier is these cottages are right near an estate where i have 4 days work and their nice customers(brews etc).

[dazmond]

There's nothing right or fair about dumping loyal customers, if its to do with safety then a compromise such as a front only clean or similar might be arranged, awkward jobs tend to become a lot less awkward when the moneys right so a price hike may have sorted out the issue.
You may not think you owe your loyal customers anything but at least show them some respect.

sean ive been cleaning these jobs for over 20 years.i cant be arsed anymore mate.its not the money.its having to lump the backpack around through a customers garden,over the gate if their not in to unlock it.if this customers away i have to climb over 2 gates side and back(with a full backpack!)to gain access to these cottages.then im skimping on water and have to trad the ground floor windows.its a pain.i know ill regret it if i dont get rid today.

im 46 now.ill leave them jobs for young newbies or window cleaners short of work.

turned up today and the customers house (i have to go through to get to the cottages )must be on holiday again as BOTH GATES LOCKED so i didnt even attempt to clean them for the last time.thats it now never again.dumped.

thats 15 jobs gone over the last 2 months for various reasons(bad payers,messers,died,moved,losing their minds,PITA jobs)

If they've been good customers and the problem is about access, I think it's fair to write to them so they can make other arrangements.
I dropped one fairly recently for various reasons that weren't the customer's fault. I wrote to him to say why I felt unable to continue cleaning. It was a £12 job. If it paid well,I could have continued but it was such a ballache, I would have wanted £30 - so I didn't even ask. The job was part of a job lot I picked up from another shiner who was packing up. I dropped (or lost) about 40% of them. It wasn't quality work (is it ever?) but 60% of it is good enough to continue with.

write to them?.....really?

i texted this instead

hi mrs xxxx

im sorry to tell you that i wont be cleaning any of the cottages windows anymore due to the access issue and my ongoing back problems.thank you for your custom over the last 20+ years.best wishes.Darren.

 

[dazmond]

just had a phone call!they really dont want me to stop cleaning after all these years!they said that there in the process of buying some land next door so if it all goes through ok  there will be a space for my van!so would i reconsider if it does?i said yes let me know after xmas.

also i used to clean all 4 but 2 of them got repossessed but they ve been sold so if i can drive down and clean all 4 from my van ill take them back on.

[nathankaye]

just had a phone call!they really dont want me to stop cleaning after all these years!they said that there in the process of buying some land next door so if it all goes through ok  there will be a space for my van!so would i reconsider if it does?i said yes let me know after xmas.

also i used to clean all 4 but 2 of them got repossessed but they ve been sold so if i can drive down and clean all 4 from my van ill take them back on.

Reminds me of one of my customers. Hes deaf and dumb, lives by himself though works (lip reads) and I clean his aged parents who live a block away.
Ive still got the customer n family but years ago when trad cleaning, he had leaded pattern windows which were a nightmare to clean.  After several years I had enough of cleaning them and spoke to the parents. I explained that due to the design of the pattern, the house took a long time to clean and I would really need to charge about 3 times more to clean them which isnt fair for them and so they will be best employing another cleaner.
I was surprised when they told me they would sort the problem out and they did...... They got new windows put in, minus lead patterns!
(im sure they must have been planning to do so anyway, rather than spending thousands just to keep a window cleaner  )