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endresult

  • Posts: 18
Time wasters
« on: January 27, 2004, 12:21:06 pm »
How do you deal with customers who book jobs in and change their minds when you turn up at the door? .I have just had my third one this year!.....Usual excuse "shes had to go out and I'm only the baby sitter"
Would it hurt them to at least phone to cancel, it would then give me time to fit another job in that time slot........
Is it just me or does anyone else have the same problem?????????/.............  >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Davy
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Davy the scrubber (Geordieland)

squeaky

  • Posts: 149
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2004, 12:41:41 pm »
It has happened to me in the past,When it does I leave them an invoice for the amount quoted stating on the invoice that the work has not been done but the charge is for the time allocated in my working day,I have only had one that has refused to pay outright,the rest have eventually paid  (grudgingly)
Why should'nt we be paid if we have put the time aside for these jobs,In the summer I tend to have to refuse jobs because I do not have enough time so TIME IS MONEY

Mark
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Part time (mornings) window cleaning/ suites and rugs in sunny Spain and loving it.

John_Flynn

  • Posts: 1108
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2004, 01:07:26 pm »
Grin and bear it,

Don't let the B*STARDS grind you down.
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I get better looking each day!!

woodman

  • Posts: 1069
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2004, 06:59:25 pm »


Simply put in your Terms and Conditions that a wasted visit will be charged at your minimum price if not notified at least 24hrs before hand.

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Dave Parry

  • Posts: 411
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2004, 07:03:57 pm »
Has anyone got as copy of T & C's they could send me?
I've never used them but can see the benefits.
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Bracknell, Berkshire,
Phoenix T/M,
http://www.cleanercarpets.org/index.html

strakercleaning

Re: Time wasters
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2004, 07:08:55 pm »
I agree with the Terms & Conditions part........but not much good unless you have done a written estimate and booked the job. My Terms state that a cancellation fee is payable if job is not cancelled with a minimum of 24 hours notice. The fee is "£30.00 or 20% of job value, whichever is the higher." :D
Different if job is booked and priced over the phone, then customer does not know your Terms unless you state that to cancel with less than 24 hrs notice will incur a charge. 8) If the job is big/good and they only postpone, then maybe it is better to grin and bear it  :-X
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woodman

  • Posts: 1069
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2004, 07:14:23 pm »
Totally agree with that Chris,

If a big job or old customer then take it on the chin if they postpone but if they cancel with out notice then terms apply you have to make the call if you are going to carry them out.

Over the phone quotes your terms still apply as long as you have informed them of it, doesn't matter what they say you can supply your Terms and Conditions 'on request'.
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John_Flynn

  • Posts: 1108
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2004, 10:01:51 pm »
Once a verbal contract is made, it stands in a court of law!!

Been there done that in a previous business, I took a woman to court, she said to the judge " I did not sign anything ", he told her that she had made a Verbal Contract , and that was good enough for him, she lost, I won plus costs.

It was a lot of agro and took months to get to the conclusion, I would not do it again.

As in my previous post, Take it on the chin and forget it, life is too short for dealing with cretins.
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I get better looking each day!!

Chris R

  • Posts: 813
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2004, 10:08:22 pm »
I telephone every customer the night before the job. Confirm time, items to be cleaned and price. Not had a no show for 12 months- touch wood! ;D
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Staffordshire

Les

  • Posts: 369
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2004, 10:28:38 pm »
Strange that you mention this subject as I had my 1st timewaster last week. It wasn't a big job but I was really peeved.
The lady was at work when I rang to see why she wasn't home, and she made a feeble excuse. I explained that a Contract, verbal or otherwise, is a legal obligation. Invoiced her for £25 which I got with a letter of apology.
Totally agree with the need to mention it up front and will be adding it to my estimate sheets ASAP.
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The Great One

  • Posts: 11838
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2004, 12:05:26 am »

8.30am saturday morning...

Help! my washing machine has emptied onto the kitchen carpet, can you do anything..

Sure, where are you?, how big is the carpet? etc, etc
It will be £50

Yeah, ok, great.

Finally found them, carpet was minging.

How much?

same as I said on the phone, £50

Well, some guy said he will do it for £30...

Ok, let him do it then,

Good luck.

end of chat, (bloody fuming!)

Regards

Martin 8)
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Shaun_Ashmore

  • Posts: 11381
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2004, 12:48:01 am »
I used to send out reminder cards with appointment times dates and a small advert selling protector as well as reminding them to remove some furniture ( you know the idea )

It worked very well, I should start doing it again but the busier you get the simple marketing stuff gets left behind ???

Shaun
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Ivar_Haglund

  • Posts: 170
Re: Time wasters
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2004, 06:49:46 am »
Just get one with your life

many other things worry about.


IVAR :P :P :P :P :P :P
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strakercleaning

Re: Time wasters
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2004, 12:54:25 pm »
Ivar, You are right about having plenty to worry about ;) ESPECIALLY IF THE TIME WASTERS GET YOU 5 DAYS IN A ROW :o
Nip it in he bud and let people know as soon as they make a booking ::)
What a money grabbing bunch us CCs are :P
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