dazmond

  • Posts: 23599
Aggressively canvassing someones work
« on: June 27, 2012, 08:17:41 am »
have any of you guys done it? ;D ;D ;D ;D

when i started back in 1993 i started from scratch.id worked for a window cleaner for a year first then started on my own working a few days for him while i built my own round up.

it was hard going i was canvassing nearly every night and weekends for 6 months.i also found out about a few guys that were not doing a very good job in my local area so i targeted their work and canvassed and canvassed.i never offered to do them cheaper just asked them were they happy with their current cleaner.i picked up a few then word spread and i picked all their work up plus some more to add to it!!i was well happy!! ;D ;D

i did get them trying to threaten me but when they squared up to me they realised the best thing they could do was get back in their battered old escort and do one!! :D :D :D

i was young and pretty wild.no one was gonna stand in my way of building a round up for myself.i also did this in 2 other areas and again picked up a fair bit of work in a few months.

if you can find people who are really fed up with their window cleaner then there could be a chance for you to get in there and show them there is better cleaners out there!!


best wishes to you all


dazmond
price higher/work harder!

sham33

Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2012, 08:33:42 am »
There's no such thing as some one patch as far as I'm concerned. If I was threatened it would make me do it even more lol.

colin purewater

  • Posts: 2282
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2012, 08:48:35 am »
I got a referral in a street of 40 houses, so I went to clean it,
Them a few of the neighbours came out of the wood work after
A quote! It was like a scene from Shawn of the dead  ;)

Started cleaning there's as well, few months later I got threated by a
Gang of lazy traders who didn't clean any frames.  " they said if
I catch you round here again you'll be in trouble"  :'(
Most people in the street were fed up of them doing a poor job
And there weekly cleans  :o bit the has been no other windies on the area.
So I took it upon my self to get the rest of the street I've only got
8 left to get and the threatening traders have stopped coming  8)

I would normally target people's work  by the way
It was only the idol threat that spurred me on
keep it simple

Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2012, 09:03:30 am »
I had a call last week from someone who is upset with me leafleting a area, saying I'm the local window cleaner as I'm not according to him as he hasn't seen me.

When I asked what area he was on about, as I work all over, it turned out to be the estate I live on and have done so for over 20 years, how local do I have to be to be local ???

Anyway my new 12500 cards are ready to be picked up this week and should be going out next week, as this estate has only just been done I will use it, as a test estate, as these cards are different to the leaflets I normally use and they will be delivered differently.

Last month I picked up 6 new jobs from this estate and 4 came from a local cleaner who is cheaper, but he does a lot of work on the estate and I know a lot of his customers want to move to another cleaner, so let the fun and games begin.

Window Washers

  • Posts: 9036
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2012, 09:03:58 am »
There's no such thing as some one patch as far as I'm concerned. If I was threatened it would make me do it even more lol.
threats are a waste of time, its the ones that don't give threats are the ones to look out for, Dazmond, your postings of late have taken a not so nice tone

Agressively canvassing other peoples work!, if that does it for you fair play to you, I prefer to just go and get work, I dont need to target other peoples business on purpuse.
If your not willing to learn, No one can help you, If you are determined to learn, No one can stop you ;)

Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2012, 09:53:46 am »
Ian

I think that daz has a point, I don't know what your areas are like with window cleaners, but some of the guys who work (legally) where I work, give cowboys a bad name, they abuse or are agressive to their customers, don't do a real clean or even clean all the windows etc etc

These cleaners need a reality check and the influx of good cleaners are giving their customers more choises.

I had one joker a few years ago, who thought it was perfectly normal to egg all his customers windows who left him and went to another cleaner, if they were women/ elderly or on their own he would turn up and rant and rave.

You have met me and you know I am a softly, so imagine his shock when I turned up on his doorstep for a quite private chat. ;D

He has now left the trade which is a good thing.

Window Washers

  • Posts: 9036
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2012, 11:55:21 am »
I do agree with some of what Dazomnd has said just not the way it sounds to me, I know your a big softy  ;D
If your not willing to learn, No one can help you, If you are determined to learn, No one can stop you ;)

C o z y

  • Posts: 7775
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2012, 12:57:07 pm »
Fax they are right mate, have you started drinking

Ps if I caught you purposely canvassing my work I would take that like your kicking me in the nuts. And I don't care how big and wild you are mate you would be picking your front teeth up. I do hope it ain't drink talking on a serious note as you had a problem with it before mate.

If someone canvassed your customers you would knock them about would you? Or have I mis-understood your post?
No still don't understand, I must be thick

Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2012, 01:24:59 pm »
we are all business owners and competition is good for the trade, the customers get more choise and maybe a better price but hopefully a better quality of cleaner.

I have loads of cleaners targeting my work, whether its on purpose or not, doesn't really matter, I am confident that I offer a 1st rate service that my customers want and are willing to pay for.

If I started to lose work, I would need to ask why ???, not who's teeth can I kick in. :(

mind you I did have one guy who knocked my customers doors offering to do their windows cheaper than me, I was also in a pub I do when the phone rang and they said they would beat whatever price they where paying and a few more over the years.

So far I have not lost one customer because of these methods and I don't think I will lose a true customer ever, of course I will lose some who jump onto the cheapest cleaner they can get and good luck to them, because I will never put them back on my list again.

at the moment there are plenty of customers still out there for everyone, but with more and more cleaners coming into the trade, these will start to dry up and then the weak, the stuck in his ways cleaner, the bullyboy and cowboy will go to the wall.


C o z y

  • Posts: 7775
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2012, 01:30:33 pm »
I know about 20 or so customers from the competition around where I work. So I don't target them. However, if the competition decided to canvass my customers on purpose, I can honestly say that I'm not really bothered. If I lose customers for price or because they're not happy with me, then what have I lost?

I've had one joker going around telling customers I've packed the game in and no longer work. I've lost none to the competition for years. No I'm not the cheapest by the way before you ask lol  ;D

Never saw a reason to give someone a slap. Best way to stop other windies getting in your face is get as bigger round as you can. The best way to beat these type of guys is to demoralize them by getting all the work you can in the area they work in. It's always worked for me.
No still don't understand, I must be thick

dotty

  • Posts: 371
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2012, 04:32:43 pm »
i am working hard to build my round like to think i do a proper job been in doncaster today and theres 4 window cleaners nr me they are shocking i wore better cloth when was down pit ones car with bold tyres i would not have my windows cleaned by them
p doherty

dazmond

  • Posts: 23599
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2012, 04:37:37 pm »
this was way back in 1993!no need to canvass work these days!!im just saying what it was like for me back then!

one window cleaner whos son was my friend used to beat the c**p out of him and his mother so i canvassed all his work and eventually picked them all up and more!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

happy days!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D


regards


dazmond
price higher/work harder!

davids3511

  • Posts: 2506
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #12 on: June 27, 2012, 04:45:20 pm »
this was way back in 1993!no need to canvass work these days!!im just saying what it was like for me back then!

one window cleaner whos son was my friend used to beat the c**p out of him and his mother so i canvassed all his work and eventually picked them all up and more!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
happy days!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D


regards


dazmond
Yeah, that'll really have lightened his mood going home to your 'mate' and his mum!

Pete10

  • Posts: 120
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #13 on: June 27, 2012, 05:04:41 pm »
....Daz, I'mjust wondering have you recently upped your intake of red meat??? ;D ;D

Window Washers

  • Posts: 9036
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #14 on: June 27, 2012, 06:11:27 pm »
....Daz, I'mjust wondering have you recently upped your intake of red meat??? ;D ;D
;D
If your not willing to learn, No one can help you, If you are determined to learn, No one can stop you ;)

Roy Cauldery

  • Posts: 497
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #15 on: June 27, 2012, 10:18:20 pm »
One of my guys was threatened by the 'this is our patch brigade'
I go after their work like a man possessed and have canvassed their patch every other month for the last 8 months -picked up 2 today as a matter of fact
I will succeed, they will not bully me or my staff, I will be victorious
Thank you-rant over
Regards
Roy
we succeed because others can't or won't

colley614

  • Posts: 1557
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #16 on: June 27, 2012, 10:51:23 pm »
This is a reply to the original post. I've not read replies.

Daz,

I went out today leafleting a nice area by mine. About 10 doors in, I walks down the drive of this big detached house with 2 merc's parked outside and the lady in the garden asked me to price the house up so I did. Then she grabs my sleeve and marches me next door and basically demanded her next door neighbour to let me give her a quote too! anyway I booked the big house in and the neighbour said she would get back to me in a couple of weeks and they were telling me how there last window cleaner had been a nice piece of work but hadn't called for months. So I carried on with my leaflets and a guy on his drive asked me for a quote so I obliged. Only when I finished he said "Well we have a couple of window cleaners round here and they are to big skin heads, don't take no for an answer, that type of thing.." So I told him to get in touch with me if they ever let him down but he said that nobody in the area want them doing their windows just that they don't want to cancel in case. Now this area isn't to be sniffed at, they are all really big houses and by the sounds of it these lads aren't going to take kindly to me stepping on their toes. So what do you think should be the way forward for when I do step on their toes? As these guys aren't providing a good service and I'd like a few of these houses for myself 

dazmond

  • Posts: 23599
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #17 on: June 27, 2012, 11:00:45 pm »
just canvass as normal mate.dont let anybody intimidate you!!if they were happy they wouldnt take you on!!this doesnt apply if your  canvassing in bolton or salford though as you ll probably get your van smashed up or worse!! :( :( :( ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

mind how you go!! ;D ;D ;D


dazmond
price higher/work harder!

colley614

  • Posts: 1557
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #18 on: June 27, 2012, 11:04:19 pm »
I'll just say "Nothing to do with me mate, speak to my boss."

(The Wife!!) ;D ;D ;D

Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #19 on: June 28, 2012, 11:44:07 am »
This is a reply to the original post. I've not read replies.

Daz,

I went out today leafleting a nice area by mine. About 10 doors in, I walks down the drive of this big detached house with 2 merc's parked outside and the lady in the garden asked me to price the house up so I did. Then she grabs my sleeve and marches me next door and basically demanded her next door neighbour to let me give her a quote too! anyway I booked the big house in and the neighbour said she would get back to me in a couple of weeks and they were telling me how there last window cleaner had been a nice piece of work but hadn't called for months. So I carried on with my leaflets and a guy on his drive asked me for a quote so I obliged. Only when I finished he said "Well we have a couple of window cleaners round here and they are to big skin heads, don't take no for an answer, that type of thing.." So I told him to get in touch with me if they ever let him down but he said that nobody in the area want them doing their windows just that they don't want to cancel in case. Now this area isn't to be sniffed at, they are all really big houses and by the sounds of it these lads aren't going to take kindly to me stepping on their toes. So what do you think should be the way forward for when I do step on their toes? As these guys aren't providing a good service and I'd like a few of these houses for myself 

what would you do, if these people broke into your house and nicked everything? because if you let them carry on cleaning in a area you can earn money in, then they are taking this money and food off your table

C o z y

  • Posts: 7775
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #20 on: June 28, 2012, 12:55:57 pm »
What do you mean "If you let them carry on "? They're in that area cleaning. If they keep customers and are doing a good or bad job, it's upto the customer who gets the job. Nothing to do with anyone else. Nobody "lets" other windies work anywhere. We work where we want.

These 2 guys aren't taking anything of anyone except the money for cleaning people's windows. Unless any windie can say he would get 100% of an area, how is anyone taking anything off them?

If these blokes are muppets and can't do a good job, they will lose their customers. Then the customers are there to be picked up. It's all pretty simple really.

Makes me laugh sometimes how barrel chested some of us get and the way we all prepare for war  ;D
No still don't understand, I must be thick

Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #21 on: June 28, 2012, 01:14:29 pm »
if a cleaner is working a area and you know that the customers want a change but are scared, if you go away then you are letting them take work off you, because if not then you will soon gain these customers.

colin purewater

  • Posts: 2282
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #22 on: June 28, 2012, 02:58:33 pm »
Colley just find out what week they clean in that area
Then make sure your not there on that week !

Simples  ;)
keep it simple

Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #23 on: June 28, 2012, 03:08:03 pm »
This is a reply to the original post. I've not read replies.

Daz,

I went out today leafleting a nice area by mine. About 10 doors in, I walks down the drive of this big detached house with 2 merc's parked outside and the lady in the garden asked me to price the house up so I did. Then she grabs my sleeve and marches me next door and basically demanded her next door neighbour to let me give her a quote too! anyway I booked the big house in and the neighbour said she would get back to me in a couple of weeks and they were telling me how there last window cleaner had been a nice piece of work but hadn't called for months. So I carried on with my leaflets and a guy on his drive asked me for a quote so I obliged. Only when I finished he said "Well we have a couple of window cleaners round here and they are to big skin heads, don't take no for an answer, that type of thing.." So I told him to get in touch with me if they ever let him down but he said that nobody in the area want them doing their windows just that they don't want to cancel in case. Now this area isn't to be sniffed at, they are all really big houses and by the sounds of it these lads aren't going to take kindly to me stepping on their toes. So what do you think should be the way forward for when I do step on their toes? As these guys aren't providing a good service and I'd like a few of these houses for myself 

what would you do, if these people broke into your house and nicked everything? because if you let them carry on cleaning in a area you can earn money in, then they are taking this money and food off your table

Erm, I think breaking into houses is illegal. Fairly certain people trying to make a living isn't.

C o z y

  • Posts: 7775
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #24 on: June 28, 2012, 03:30:25 pm »
if a cleaner is working a area and you know that the customers want a change but are scared, if you go away then you are letting them take work off you, because if not then you will soon gain these customers.

I think you're being a bit naive mate. Just because some bloke in a street told him that he didn't like his window cleaner doesn't mean nobody in the whole street wants to keep that windie. I bet I've got one or two gobshyte customers that don't really like me and would like to cause trouble for the entertainment but it doesn't mean all of my work is up for grabs.

Sounds like a bed time story "One day a nasty windie was holding a whole street to ransom and stood in the shadows practising darting eye movements, then one day a dashing 6ft 5 hero windie rocked up and saved everybody"

It's all assumption and speculation. Canvass the street and see what happens. If a knuckle dragger turns up and says he will do this and that to you if you don't go away, you're onto a winner. The ones that threaten usually do naff all. It's bluff. It's the ones that don't warn you that are a bit dangerous. If you do get threatened, report it to the police.

No still don't understand, I must be thick

colley614

  • Posts: 1557
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #25 on: June 28, 2012, 10:26:05 pm »
I was thinking about this meeting today and I thought I bet the guy with the 'these two big blokes' story was probably the local window cleaner himself trying to frighten me off. Why ask for a quote then tell 'scary tales of mean old windie' kind of makes sense...

Reminds me of when I first started cleaning windows and we used to do the call centres for a big banking group, one of the call centres was massive. It took four lads with 2 reach and washes 2 days to get the outsides done and it was only on two floors. At the back there was woodland and there was a drive htat went up about 1/4 of a mile to this big old mansion where the big bosses of the company worked. This place was fort knocks and when we did the insides we had to have to security guards watch us clean the windows. Anyway this one day the guards started telling me and this other lad how the place was haunted and how sometimes of a night you would he screams from other rooms and this, that and the other. So we finished and went for our lunch in the car with the boss and told him our interesting story to which he turned round and said " You pair of muppets, think about it. It's one of the most secure places in the country, who's going to try and break in of a night if everyone thinks it's haunted. We're some of the only people who know where the place is!!" I felt a right idiot!
 

mikecam

Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #26 on: July 01, 2012, 12:14:38 am »
have any of you guys done it? ;D ;D ;D ;D

when i started back in 1993 i started from scratch.id worked for a window cleaner for a year first then started on my own working a few days for him while i built my own round up.

it was hard going i was canvassing nearly every night and weekends for 6 months.i also found out about a few guys that were not doing a very good job in my local area so i targeted their work and canvassed and canvassed.i never offered to do them cheaper just asked them were they happy with their current cleaner.i picked up a few then word spread and i picked all their work up plus some more to add to it!!i was well happy!! ;D ;D

i did get them trying to threaten me but when they squared up to me they realised the best thing they could do was get back in their battered old escort and do one!! :D :D :D

i was young and pretty wild.no one was gonna stand in my way of building a round up for myself.i also did this in 2 other areas and again picked up a fair bit of work in a few months.

if you can find people who are really fed up with their window cleaner then there could be a chance for you to get in there and show them there is better cleaners out there!!


best wishes to you all


dazmond
You sound like a dickhead to me. I'm sure you're a great guy, but i'm just going on what you sound like.
Aggresivley targetting someones work is gonna land you in a whole heap of trouble one way or another.
'Aggresive'in this context means 'activley', so how do you do that? Tell them you're better, or cheaper? Heavens no 'cheaper' can;t be an option because everyone knows that 'undercutting' is a big no no , or maybe its not?
Maybe you think being 6 foot plus just seals the deal for you?

G Griffin

  • Posts: 40745
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #27 on: July 01, 2012, 12:27:57 am »
I was thinking about this meeting today and I thought I bet the guy with the 'these two big blokes' story was probably the local window cleaner himself trying to frighten me off. Why ask for a quote then tell 'scary tales of mean old windie' kind of makes sense...

Reminds me of when I first started cleaning windows and we used to do the call centres for a big banking group, one of the call centres was massive. It took four lads with 2 reach and washes 2 days to get the outsides done and it was only on two floors. At the back there was woodland and there was a drive htat went up about 1/4 of a mile to this big old mansion where the big bosses of the company worked. This place was fort knocks and when we did the insides we had to have to security guards watch us clean the windows. Anyway this one day the guards started telling me and this other lad how the place was haunted and how sometimes of a night you would he screams from other rooms and this, that and the other. So we finished and went for our lunch in the car with the boss and told him our interesting story to which he turned round and said " You pair of muppets, think about it. It's one of the most secure places in the country, who's going to try and break in of a night if everyone thinks it's haunted. We're some of the only people who know where the place is!!" I felt a right idiot!
 

No, I'd never break into a haunted house. Not because I'm a scaredy cat but because Shaggy, Scooby, Velma (after losing her glasses, again) and the other meddling kids would catch me out and my real identity revealed at the end of the programme.
And Fort Knocks would be a good name for a canvassing company. 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #28 on: July 01, 2012, 10:26:33 am »
This is a reply to the original post. I've not read replies.

Daz,

I went out today leafleting a nice area by mine. About 10 doors in, I walks down the drive of this big detached house with 2 merc's parked outside and the lady in the garden asked me to price the house up so I did. Then she grabs my sleeve and marches me next door and basically demanded her next door neighbour to let me give her a quote too! anyway I booked the big house in and the neighbour said she would get back to me in a couple of weeks and they were telling me how there last window cleaner had been a nice piece of work but hadn't called for months. So I carried on with my leaflets and a guy on his drive asked me for a quote so I obliged. Only when I finished he said "Well we have a couple of window cleaners round here and they are to big skin heads, don't take no for an answer, that type of thing.." So I told him to get in touch with me if they ever let him down but he said that nobody in the area want them doing their windows just that they don't want to cancel in case. Now this area isn't to be sniffed at, they are all really big houses and by the sounds of it these lads aren't going to take kindly to me stepping on their toes. So what do you think should be the way forward for when I do step on their toes? As these guys aren't providing a good service and I'd like a few of these houses for myself 

what would you do, if these people broke into your house and nicked everything? because if you let them carry on cleaning in a area you can earn money in, then they are taking this money and food off your table

Erm, I think breaking into houses is illegal. Fairly certain people trying to make a living isn't.

It was mean't as a metafore, by letting someone carry on working a area because they show bully boy tactics to scare off the competition is the same are someone picking your pockets, and harrassing someone from canvassing a area is illegal.

Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #29 on: July 01, 2012, 10:35:56 am »
have any of you guys done it? ;D ;D ;D ;D

when i started back in 1993 i started from scratch.id worked for a window cleaner for a year first then started on my own working a few days for him while i built my own round up.

it was hard going i was canvassing nearly every night and weekends for 6 months.i also found out about a few guys that were not doing a very good job in my local area so i targeted their work and canvassed and canvassed.i never offered to do them cheaper just asked them were they happy with their current cleaner.i picked up a few then word spread and i picked all their work up plus some more to add to it!!i was well happy!! ;D ;D

i did get them trying to threaten me but when they squared up to me they realised the best thing they could do was get back in their battered old escort and do one!! :D :D :D

i was young and pretty wild.no one was gonna stand in my way of building a round up for myself.i also did this in 2 other areas and again picked up a fair bit of work in a few months.

if you can find people who are really fed up with their window cleaner then there could be a chance for you to get in there and show them there is better cleaners out there!!


best wishes to you all


dazmond
You sound like a dickhead to me. I'm sure you're a great guy, but i'm just going on what you sound like.
Aggresivley targetting someones work is gonna land you in a whole heap of trouble one way or another.
'Aggresive'in this context means 'activley', so how do you do that? Tell them you're better, or cheaper? Heavens no 'cheaper' can;t be an option because everyone knows that 'undercutting' is a big no no , or maybe its not?
Maybe you think being 6 foot plus just seals the deal for you?

Why should targetting work get anyone in trouble, its up to the customer who they use, and if you are offering a better service or better price than their excisting cleaner, why can't you do so?

As far as I know, we work in a free world, their are no unions to join because its a closed shop, all properties and customers are up for grabs, it's only down to how you go after them, that might leave a smell behind.

But if someone wants to target aggressively, then thats up to him, and if your only response to this type of marketing is to attack and beat him, then you don't deserve to walk among free men and women.


Danny Guest

  • Posts: 545
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #30 on: July 01, 2012, 10:38:02 am »
I was thinking about this meeting today and I thought I bet the guy with the 'these two big blokes' story was probably the local window cleaner himself trying to frighten me off. Why ask for a quote then tell 'scary tales of mean old windie' kind of makes sense...

Reminds me of when I first started cleaning windows and we used to do the call centres for a big banking group, one of the call centres was massive. It took four lads with 2 reach and washes 2 days to get the outsides done and it was only on two floors. At the back there was woodland and there was a drive htat went up about 1/4 of a mile to this big old mansion where the big bosses of the company worked. This place was fort knocks and when we did the insides we had to have to security guards watch us clean the windows. Anyway this one day the guards started telling me and this other lad how the place was haunted and how sometimes of a night you would he screams from other rooms and this, that and the other. So we finished and went for our lunch in the car with the boss and told him our interesting story to which he turned round and said " You pair of muppets, think about it. It's one of the most secure places in the country, who's going to try and break in of a night if everyone thinks it's haunted. We're some of the only people who know where the place is!!" I felt a right idiot!
 
I have heard this a few times from loyal customers trying to stop me canvassing. Most of the time they are nice people. I joke with them by saying "are you going to work for me when I've taken all your customers" they say things along the lines of "f*** off" or "no chance". There are others who just ignore you but it's all good fun

They either up their game or move over
Guest Cleaning Services

davids3511

  • Posts: 2506
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #31 on: July 01, 2012, 07:19:32 pm »


I have read the comments and agree and disagree with some points mentioned, but i will give my opinion on the subject.

I have been cleaning windows for roughly 28 years, been running my own business for 22 years and i have NEVER gone looking to take work from other window cleaners, but if a customer is not happy with the service they are recieving then if its around where i am working i will give them a quote.

The difference between window cleaners of years back and window cleaners today seems to be that there has always been an unwritten rule around the north west area, in that we do not go knocking intentionally on other peoples work.

I am currently experiencing this problem myself where someone is knocking on doors which we clean offering to clean their houses for £3.00 (front,back,frames,sills etc).


I have taken exception to this person doing this and i will explain why !

1. Alot of my customers on this work are elderley, and we do not knock on there doors after 4.00pm, as some of them are living alone and are scared - so we know who not to knock.

2. When one of my customers was burgled a few years ago, she told me that when visited by the Police she was asked have you got new window cleaners, which i complained to Manchester Police about as this was a question in my opinion discriminating against window cleaners in general.

I decided to phone this window cleaner who lives in the area in question, warrington, (i did not withold my number, i told him exactly who i was, gave him my name - rather than hide behind my mobile shouting off) and i know who he is, and told him to stop knocking on the doors where i clean, because i am not taking to kindly to recieving complaints from my elderley customers, saying someone has been banging on there doors at 8 at night, then posting flyers.

He couldnt see the problem, at which point i then told him in simple terms to keep away for the work.

30 minutes later Pc plod telephones me saying he's had a complaint saying im going to fill this lad in.

Please tell me then, all you normal thinking window cleaners, not the ones who dont give 2 tosses about anything - how you would deal with someone like this.

I must also point out, that i have alot of friends who are window cleaners and we work alongside eachother as we have similar values and morals.

There are people on this forum that i have given work to and contact details to help build their business up, but i will not have some muppett mithering my customers in that manner without a fight  ;)
At the end if the day, and as irritating as it is, its none of your business. I'd the elderly people feel threatened they need to call plod. They probably have gas and leccy guys calling, rspca, rspcc and many more. Are you going to call them too?

dazmond

  • Posts: 23599
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #32 on: July 01, 2012, 08:17:29 pm »
this was something i did back in 1993 as i needed the work and wanted to get established in my local area.the guys whos work it was were absolute muppets doing a bad job!the customers were glad a young guy had knocked on their door who promised to do a better job!!(and did!) ;) ;D ;D ;D

i would never knowingly canvass a proper window cleaners work.written rule around my way as well.

crap dodgy window cleaners?their work is there for the taking IMO.



regards


dazmond
price higher/work harder!

TomCrowther

  • Posts: 1965
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #33 on: July 01, 2012, 08:36:19 pm »
Archer, I know it's annoying but I don't think there is much you can do {legally} about it. If he was following you round all day, knocking on each customer's door saying I will do it for half his price, there is still nothing you can do. I know lots of guys will say "fill him in" but you won't clean many windows spending 6 months in the "big house" {heard that phrase the other day for the first time in ages}.
You will lose some customers who only buy on price but not many. He will not be around for long.

sunshine windows

  • Posts: 2361
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #34 on: July 01, 2012, 09:23:26 pm »
I've had work of mine canvassed in the past by someone offering to do the whole house for £4 regardless of size and conservatory  ::). It dropped to £3 if they couldn't make it on the arranged day.  These jobs varied from £13-£28 monthly and I didn't lose a single customer.

What i'm trying to say is, do a proper job, respect your customers (even if you don't see eye to eye), be polite and curteous and always be reliable and honest i.e. break something in the garden then bloody well own up to it and insist they take the damage of the bill. Follow these guidelines and you can't go wrong.

As for, is it wrong in what the undercutters are doing. Morally in my eyes, yes it is but who gives a stuff. If they're happy working they're nuts off for peanuts then let them burn themselves out. There will always be people out there that think the way to get work is to go in cheap, but people (customers) aren't daft. Most of mine would rather have me as they know and trust me.

To climb mount fuji you must first find a path
(Swindon, Wiltshire)

www.sunshinewindowcleaning.co.uk
www.sunshinesoftwashing.co.uk

dazmond

  • Posts: 23599
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #35 on: July 02, 2012, 07:36:14 am »
good post sunshine!! ;) ;D ;D ;D

ive had loads of window cleaners knocking my work this year and i havent lost even one customer.keeps me on my toes.never EVER get complacent and take nothing for granted.always provide the best service possible.


best wishes to you all


dazmond
price higher/work harder!

C o z y

  • Posts: 7775
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #36 on: July 02, 2012, 08:15:01 am »
I've had work of mine canvassed in the past by someone offering to do the whole house for £4 regardless of size and conservatory  ::). It dropped to £3 if they couldn't make it on the arranged day.  These jobs varied from £13-£28 monthly and I didn't lose a single customer.

What i'm trying to say is, do a proper job, respect your customers (even if you don't see eye to eye), be polite and curteous and always be reliable and honest i.e. break something in the garden then bloody well own up to it and insist they take the damage of the bill. Follow these guidelines and you can't go wrong.

As for, is it wrong in what the undercutters are doing. Morally in my eyes, yes it is but who gives a stuff. If they're happy working they're nuts off for peanuts then let them burn themselves out. There will always be people out there that think the way to get work is to go in cheap, but people (customers) aren't daft. Most of mine would rather have me as they know and trust me.



Spot on, well put.

ARCHER, how will the guy know which houses are your customers? The whole thing is a non-starter, but I understand how you feel about it. Even though you didn't threaten him, the guy has got a mark against you as far as the police see it. It's all about who got a complaint in about who as far as they are concerned.
No still don't understand, I must be thick

Pro-Poler

  • Posts: 216
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #37 on: July 02, 2012, 05:40:18 pm »
I had a call last week from someone who is upset with me leafleting a area, saying I'm the local window cleaner as I'm not according to him as he hasn't seen me.

When I asked what area he was on about, as I work all over, it turned out to be the estate I live on and have done so for over 20 years, how local do I have to be to be local ???

Anyway my new 12500 cards are ready to be picked up this week and should be going out next week, as this estate has only just been done I will use it, as a test estate, as these cards are different to the leaflets I normally use and they will be delivered differently.

Last month I picked up 6 new jobs from this estate and 4 came from a local cleaner who is cheaper, but he does a lot of work on the estate and I know a lot of his customers want to move to another cleaner, so let the fun and games begin.
I wouldn't like it if someone turned up on my patch, it's hard enough trying to keep the work you've got

Pro-Poler

  • Posts: 216
Re: aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #38 on: July 02, 2012, 05:44:50 pm »
Ian

I think that daz has a point, I don't know what your areas are like with window cleaners, but some of the guys who work (legally) where I work, give cowboys a bad name, they abuse or are agressive to their customers, don't do a real clean or even clean all the windows etc etc

These cleaners need a reality check and the influx of good cleaners are giving their customers more choises.

I had one joker a few years ago, who thought it was perfectly normal to egg all his customers windows who left him and went to another cleaner, if they were women/ elderly or on their own he would turn up and rant and rave.

You have met me and you know I am a softly, so imagine his shock when I turned up on his doorstep for a quite private chat. ;D

He has now left the trade which is a good thing.
I have egged people who have owed me money, nothing wrong with that

Danny Guest

  • Posts: 545
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #39 on: July 02, 2012, 06:03:46 pm »
this was something i did back in 1993 as i needed the work and wanted to get established in my local area.the guys whos work it was were absolute muppets doing a bad job!the customers were glad a young guy had knocked on their door who promised to do a better job!!(and did!) ;) ;D ;D ;D

i would never knowingly canvass a proper window cleaners work.written rule around my way as well.

crap dodgy window cleaners?their work is there for the taking IMO.



regards


dazmond

Daz dont regret what you did mate you was being instinctive. You sensed an opportunity and took it. Dont be ashamed mate it got you where you are today and your successful.

Thats what being a business person requires the vision. I go to a street and canvass regardless of who cleans there. if i find out that the other wcs are doing a bad job it motivates me to stay out longer. I never want to be the cheapest if i am cheaper i up my prices and sell myself on quality.

Every street is available to canvass. I do know other wcs and joke with them but if they are competition my business is my primary concern. I pay salaries, mortgage, taxes and overheads so i need to keep expanding.

I have sold a few rounds and i have canvassed on those estates but NEVER on the streets i have sold. I would never take back a customer i have sold unless i bought it back. The reason, i promise anyone who buys from me i wont canvass those streets again. My word is my bond and i can count my reputation on it.

Bottom line is you can do what you want as long as its within the law. You can even undercut and its not illegal although frowned upon. I am looking to build a better business so every round i build gets better pricing but to build those rounds i need to canvas and maybe take customers from other wcs. Business is tough so you do what you have to do. I wouldnt bet against someone doing the same to me. I have my customers canvassed every month but dont lose any. If i did i would question why, if it was on service i would change, if on price i would let them go.

Danny
Guest Cleaning Services

sunshine windows

  • Posts: 2361
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #40 on: July 02, 2012, 06:58:43 pm »
I did recently lose 1 X £16 bi-monthly 3 bed semi to a cheaper window cleaner. She got canvassed and told me he was charging her £10 every 2 months. I said not a problem and left it at that.

 My colleague was cleaning her neighbours windows 2 months ago and she came out asking to be cleaned by us again. The other guy turned up twice and they haven't seen him in a while now. My colleague said sorry, too busy this time, you'll have to speak with the boss when we're round again.

I was cleaning away last month and she pops out and asks to be taken back on. No problem but my prices have gone up, it'll now be £20. 😄

I'd quite like my whole round canvassed if I could increase all jobs by 25% when they come crawling back
To climb mount fuji you must first find a path
(Swindon, Wiltshire)

www.sunshinewindowcleaning.co.uk
www.sunshinesoftwashing.co.uk

Granny

  • Posts: 822
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #41 on: July 02, 2012, 07:13:37 pm »
Enrique
"I wouldn't like it if someone turned up on my patch, it's hard enough trying to keep the work you've got "

"I have egged people who have owed me money, nothing wrong with that "

Maybe there is a relationship between your two statements.
If you're finding it hard to keep the work you've got do you think it might just possibly have something to do with the fact that you're the kind of person who throws eggs at peoples windows?
Granny

Neil Gornall

  • Posts: 640
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #42 on: July 02, 2012, 07:55:13 pm »
I had a customer stop paying me a while back, stiffed me for almost £60.

I then hear he has set up as a windie. next thing he is canvassing my customers, asking what I charge and going in cheaper. I lost an £8 job to him which he is doing it for £6.75.  :D

So I paid him a visit and asked what he was playing at. he said he had lost his job and couldnt afford to pay me and decided to start up in competition.

I dont have a problem with that but I have a big problem with the way he went about it. So I told him if he carries on I will employ someone who's sole job will be follow him around and canvass all his work.

He now quotes properly, his prices are right so not bringing them down in the area and everyone is happy. ;D

PS, I even wrote off the £60 coz I am a nice guy  ;D

CLEANCARE WC

  • Posts: 4454
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #43 on: July 03, 2012, 03:06:33 pm »
I had a customer stop paying me a while back, stiffed me for almost £60.

I then hear he has set up as a windie. next thing he is canvassing my customers, asking what I charge and going in cheaper. I lost an £8 job to him which he is doing it for £6.75.  :D

So I paid him a visit and asked what he was playing at. he said he had lost his job and couldnt afford to pay me and decided to start up in competition.

I dont have a problem with that but I have a big problem with the way he went about it. So I told him if he carries on I will employ someone who's sole job will be follow him around and canvass all his work.

He now quotes properly, his prices are right so not bringing them down in the area and everyone is happy. ;D

PS, I even wrote off the £60 coz I am a nice guy  ;D


YOU COULD OF BEEN EVEN NICER AND TOLD HIM WHATS THE BEST GEAR TO BUY, I.E. BAYERSAN OR UNGER POLES AND HOW TROLLEYS ARE MUCH BETTER THAN VAN MOUNT ETC.
WE CLEAN BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT WITH WATER FED POLE WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHT.

Pro-Poler

  • Posts: 216
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #44 on: July 03, 2012, 04:07:39 pm »
Enrique
"I wouldn't like it if someone turned up on my patch, it's hard enough trying to keep the work you've got "

"I have egged people who have owed me money, nothing wrong with that "

Maybe there is a relationship between your two statements.
If you're finding it hard to keep the work you've got do you think it might just possibly have something to do with the fact that you're the kind of person who throws eggs at peoples windows?
Granny

No, on the contrary, I'm the kind of person who if is owed money for 4 cleans and is decieved by mongs takes according action, my policy is if I haven't been renumerated for removing dirt then dirt has to be returned to it's rightfull owner, now in some cases bird droppings are removed on first cleans, those droppings have dissaapeared and can not be directly replaced so I find eggs to be a suitable replacement, of course it may not be always eggs it could be general soiling, I always find eggs are better though as it's so hard to remove and once someone is crossed off my list I don't have them back so it won't be me cleaning it off, I hope that explains things satisfactorily ;D   

Crystal-clear

  • Posts: 3029
Re: Aggressively canvassing someones work
« Reply #45 on: July 03, 2012, 10:46:33 pm »
reply from dazs post

bloody hell really sorry another long post  :o  just on preview now lol
i didnt read half the others and now i post the largest lol

well basicaly up north my brother inlaw who was quite young 19 had a decent round that i helped him build however he wasnt staying on top of it, his work was good but didnt take it seriously when he should have and he lost 40% of that particular round to someone who wanted to work a bit like you daz, so he knocked and picked up oh he did one thing you didnt he went in stupid cheap then upped them after a couple of cleans so it was quite calculated unlike you were just offering your services for the going rate but i guess its comparable slightly as he was very aggressive in canvassing showed no mercy.

my opinion on this is its his fualt for not being hands on now he is and has learned and expanded it back els where i do however feel sorry for my brother inlaw he was only young and had a really hard time growing up became a bit depressed from a reason event and so on which lead to it at the time it was horrifying to him but slowly after speaking to me he went out and replaced took him a good while but he did.

i mean im never going feel the bloke is good cos the loss of half his work almost had him with nothing couldnt pay his rent and all the rest of it and because he was under pricing i thought that was quite rotton if he however just did what you did then it would have been fair play,anyway he has learned and from that has become a better window cleaner now, same goes for those blokes in 93 hopefully they upped there game or left the trade end of the day people out there like us want to do a good job be on time presentable etc etc.

in my areas when i canvass or used to as i dont think i will anymore (just leaflet for a while sick of it) everything is fair game but i always keep the prices higher so if they leave then its oblivious the window cleaner is doing something wrong as the customer is happy to pay more just not to have him back means old window cleaner is really doing something wrong or i just price normally as you did and if i was picking up someones round as long as i priced the going rate then you know you are doing it in a fair manner but that bloke who undercut my brother in law wasnt fair he saw a young vulnerable kid and pretty much tore him to shreds by under pricing as the customers knew he wasnt quite on time but knew he did a good job so the customers needed tweaking and under pricing in a poor area gave him all that work that i think is bad, but there is no law in this i keep saying to him keep your prices fair,customers sweet and do a good job and no one will ever leave you even if its cheaper (apart from the odd idiot)... and thats it