[ants]

Had someone ring up to have their fascia boards cleaned.It was in a bit of a rough area where I have never worked.
1st of all I tried to pass it on to a cleaner who was more local to the custie he  wasnt intrested& so I banged in a high quote.
They said yes do them asap.
So of I went, finished the front and I was getting paranoid they wouldnt pay so I knocked on the door and said hows that mate. He was happy.
To cut the story short I said will you pay us HALF now before I do the back.
WHY he said........ cos I dont if your gonna pay I said.He went inside come out with full amount of the money and said here  dont bother mate.
Of course I did bother and finished the job perfect.
Was I wrong?

[Chris Cottrell]

bit of a cheek I think

[www.mrgutters.co.uk]

i think you were mate ..give the custie the benefit of the doubt ..dont judge a book buy its cover ..its normally in my experience the working class thats always pay me on time and give a tip..the rich ones are the guys you got watch out for!

shawn

[frames to panes]

Turn it around the other way - how would you feel? 

[mci services]

you were right to finish the job and wrong to ask halfway through. i work and live in some pretty rough areas and always get paid, also work in some pretty posh areas and sometimes dont get paid

[gsw]

if they dont pay you just put the dirt back!! but at least give them the chance to knock you!

[Wayne Thomas]

There is always an element of risk from getting paid from new customers but there has to be mutual trust between both the customer and the window cleaner.
To ask for half payment once half the work has been completed shows a very bad lack of trust on your behalf. By asking for payment half way through a job is very unprofessional and very insulting to the customer.
No way would I ever do that in a million years.
That is the biggest insult you could make to any customer IMO.
No doubt word will soon get around this estate that you are not to be trusted ever.
It only takes one big mistake on your part to get you a very bad name/ reputation for yourself then it becomes an uphill struggle to overcome this.

[pjulk]

I would have got annoyed also.

[windowwashers]

Had someone ring up to have their fascia boards cleaned.It was in a bit of a rough area where I have never worked.
1st of all I tried to pass it on to a cleaner who was more local to the custie he  wasnt intrested& so I banged in a high quote.
They said yes do them asap.
So of I went, finished the front and I was getting paranoid they wouldnt pay so I knocked on the door and said hows that mate. He was happy.
To cut the story short I said will you pay us HALF now before I do the back.
WHY he said........ cos I dont if your gonna pay I said.He went inside come out with full amount of the money and said here  dont bother mate.
Of course I did bother and finished the job perfect.
Was I wrong?

In a word YES, I would be well annoyed if anyone doing work said that to me, it is very rude and highly unprofessional, you are basicaly saying to the guy I dont trust you at all and think your going to rip me off.

Just because he lives in a not so nice area does not mean he cannot pay you.
it is the ones with the flash motor and fancy house you have to watch, alot of the time they are there for show and they struggle.

if you get that feeling againm either dont do the job, or do it and hope you get paid either are fine but asking for money half way though makes you look very bad.


Dont take it to heart just learn from it.

Ian

[jeff1]

If you were so concerned with them not paying, you should or could have done one of two things.

1st you could have refused the Job altogether.

2nd you could have asked for a deposit before doing the Job, by making up some sort of excuse and not asking for money half way through it.

Sorry but it doesn't sound very professional in my mind and I think in this case the customer was right to throw a wobbly, I would have given you half payment for half a Job and then told you not to bother with the rest.

[Neil Williams]

To cut the story short I said will you pay us HALF now before I do the back.

 

Tell me it's Friday night, you've had a few drinks and you're making this up  
Wrong? Oh just a bit

[ants]

If you were so concerned with them not paying, you should or could have done one of two things.

1st you could have refused the Job altogether.

2nd you could have asked for a deposit before doing the Job, by making up some sort of excuse and not asking for money half way through it.

Sorry but it doesn't sound very professional in my mind and I think in this case the customer was right to throw a wobbly, I would have given you half payment for half a Job and then told you not to bother with the rest.

What excuse for a deposit?

[brett walker]

sorry but you was wrong mate  .


brett

[windowwashers]

If you were so concerned with them not paying, you should or could have done one of two things.

1st you could have refused the Job altogether.

2nd you could have asked for a deposit before doing the Job, by making up some sort of excuse and not asking for money half way through it.

Sorry but it doesn't sound very professional in my mind and I think in this case the customer was right to throw a wobbly, I would have given you half payment for half a Job and then told you not to bother with the rest.

What excuse for a deposit?

on a little job like that you cant ask for a deposit, on big jobs I ask for staged payments, but on this clean just do it and money after. Asking for a deposit on this job would be just as bad as what you did m8.

As I said dont take it to heart just learn.

I personally would go round the guys house and say sry and give part of the money back for insulting him and say it in them words aswell (I would do this for damage limatation)


Ian

[jeff1]

If you were so concerned with them not paying, you should or could have done one of two things.

1st you could have refused the Job altogether.

2nd you could have asked for a deposit before doing the Job, by making up some sort of excuse and not asking for money half way through it.

Sorry but it doesn't sound very professional in my mind and I think in this case the customer was right to throw a wobbly, I would have given you half payment for half a Job and then told you not to bother with the rest.

What excuse for a deposit?

You Just have to use your brain on this one? as different situations call for different reasons.

I would be very polite to the customer and explain? I'm very sorry to have to do this but its now company policy but we have been forced to have to ask for a small deposit on our arrival to commence the work.

My own personal feelings would be, give the customer the benefit of the doubt, if your gut instinct tells you that there may be a payment problem, then don't take the Job on in the first place.

Remember these words???
If you do a good Job the customer may tell a few of there friends.
If you do a bad Job they will tell all of there friends.

[jeff1]

If you were so concerned with them not paying, you should or could have done one of two things.

1st you could have refused the Job altogether.

2nd you could have asked for a deposit before doing the Job, by making up some sort of excuse and not asking for money half way through it.

Sorry but it doesn't sound very professional in my mind and I think in this case the customer was right to throw a wobbly, I would have given you half payment for half a Job and then told you not to bother with the rest.

What excuse for a deposit?

on a little job like that you cant ask for a deposit, on big jobs I ask for staged payments, but on this clean just do it and money after. Asking for a deposit on this job would be just as bad as what you did m8.

As I said dont take it to heart just learn.

I personally would go round the guys house and say sry and give part of the money back for insulting him and say it in them words aswell (I would do this for damage limatation)


Ian

What you or I class as a small Job and what ants class's as a small Job may be completly different, how do you or I know, ant, isn't stuggling for money and can't afford to get ripped of even by a small Job.
Asking for a small deposit is no where near as bad as asking for payment half way through a Job, so don't you dare put me in the same class, you don't know how I run my company.

[matt]

your not tuppence clean in disguise are you ? ? ? ?

if not, you must have gone to the same school of business 

[TennetClean]

There's only one tuppence clean 

Personally I think it was a bit mean to word it like its wrote here and yeah it is insulting, but I very much doubt you were impolite to the guy's face.  If you were then maybe he had a right to be a bit miffed.

AND after all you finished the job to a high standard.

"its how ya tell 'em" as frank carson would have said.  Halfway through the job maybe was a bit harsh like, LOL

[ants]

There's only one tuppence clean 

Personally I think it was a bit mean to word it like its wrote here and yeah it is insulting, but I very much doubt you were impolite to the guy's face.  If you were then maybe he had a right to be a bit miffed.

AND after all you finished the job to a high standard.

"its how ya tell 'em" as frank carson would have said.  Halfway through the job maybe was a bit harsh like, LOL

Yeah there was a bit more to the story than I posted but didnt want to make it to long winded.

[AuRavelling79]

Yes, Ants - not good form old boy!

As jeff1 says a deposits ok to ask for if you tell them on the phone up front and say for a £100 plus job - (I wouldn't below about £200 tho' to be honest) as long as it's done on the phone before hand.

e.g. Yes I can call to quote for your fascia/conservatory clean and I hope you don't mind me mentioning that we always ask for a £25/50 deposit on arrival - a cheque will be fine - and balance on completion.

[jonah]

Had someone ring up to have their fascia boards cleaned.It was in a bit of a rough area where I have never worked.
1st of all I tried to pass it on to a cleaner who was more local to the custie he  wasnt intrested& so I banged in a high quote.
They said yes do them asap.
So of I went, finished the front and I was getting paranoid they wouldnt pay so I knocked on the door and said hows that mate. He was happy.
To cut the story short I said will you pay us HALF now before I do the back.
WHY he said........ cos I dont if your gonna pay I said.He went inside come out with full amount of the money and said here  dont bother mate.
Of course I did bother and finished the job perfect.
Was I wrong?

This is bad business practice on your part despite what others may say !

[jonah]

He paid you for the full job after you questioned his integrity ! Learn to take people at face value 

[tacky]

u r not the first to make a mistake. n .u .wont b the last .but if i were u .it b. bunch of flowers .etc for his wife .n a letter or verbal apology to his self .x plaining u been ripped off before n u made a mistake this time . never know he might ask u next time he wants it done .

[ants]

u r not the first to make a mistake. n .u .wont b the last .but if i were u .it b. bunch of flowers .etc for his wife .n a letter or verbal apology to his self .x plaining u been ripped off before n u made a mistake this time . never know he might ask u next time he wants it done .

Good idea mate Ill send them a SORRY card tomorrow, to ease my conciense a bit

[windowwashers]

u r not the first to make a mistake. n .u .wont b the last .but if i were u .it b. bunch of flowers .etc for his wife .n a letter or verbal apology to his self .x plaining u been ripped off before n u made a mistake this time . never know he might ask u next time he wants it done .

I agree with this to a certain degree, a card will not solve it unless you hand deliver it to the guy (which I would do not just post it)
flowers for wife is not needed as I would say thats way ott, a card/ letter saying sorry for you error and a reason will do it maybe a bottle of wine (not the cheapest) to show you are sry for your cockup may soften the blow to him, I know it sounds like hassle but this could make you money in time.
Say sorry to his face give him the card/letter (with your mobile number for text) and a bottle and walk away, most people will respect you for doing it, as many would not bother.

Ian

Ian

[ants]

u r not the first to make a mistake. n .u .wont b the last .but if i were u .it b. bunch of flowers .etc for his wife .n a letter or verbal apology to his self .x plaining u been ripped off before n u made a mistake this time . never know he might ask u next time he wants it done .

I agree with this to a certain degree, a card will not solve it unless you hand deliver it to the guy (which I would do not just post it)
flowers for wife is not needed as I would say thats way ott, a card/ letter saying sorry for you error and a reason will do it maybe a bottle of wine (not the cheapest) to show you are sry for your cockup may soften the blow to him, I know it sounds like hassle but this could make you money in time.
Say sorry to his face give him the card/letter (with your mobile number for text) and a bottle and walk away, most people will respect you for doing it, as many would not bother.

Ian

Ian

Im not after more work in that area A its to far away and B YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE EYE ON YOUR VAN WHILE YOU WORK.
while I did this job there was 2 lads in baraclavas flying up and down on a motorbike
Im not going back I just feel bad I insulted them when they were genuine
Iwonder what the replies would be if they had ripped me off

[windowwashers]

u r not the first to make a mistake. n .u .wont b the last .but if i were u .it b. bunch of flowers .etc for his wife .n a letter or verbal apology to his self .x plaining u been ripped off before n u made a mistake this time . never know he might ask u next time he wants it done .

I agree with this to a certain degree, a card will not solve it unless you hand deliver it to the guy (which I would do not just post it)
flowers for wife is not needed as I would say thats way ott, a card/ letter saying sorry for you error and a reason will do it maybe a bottle of wine (not the cheapest) to show you are sry for your cockup may soften the blow to him, I know it sounds like hassle but this could make you money in time.
Say sorry to his face give him the card/letter (with your mobile number for text) and a bottle and walk away, most people will respect you for doing it, as many would not bother.

Ian

Ian

Im not after more work in that area A its to far away and B YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE EYE ON YOUR VAN WHILE YOU WORK.
while I did this job there was 2 lads in baraclavas flying up and down on a motorbike
Im not going back I just feel bad I insulted them when they were genuine
Iwonder what the replies would be if they had ripped me off

KIDS WILL BE KIDS,the point is it happened, if you feel bad do something to make yourself feel better, I have already said what I would do may cost you a tenner but thats not alot really to make yourself feel better.
one thing do not under estimate an area because you dont come from there, I lived in a quite rough area when I grew up, and most of the people where I lived had more money than others in the posher parts. thats another story for another day.

if you feel bad do something about it, if you dont care dont ( I think you do, which is good as there are far to many cowboys in our business)

if they had not paid you, then a choice would have had to be made, legal, revenge or move on.
This will happen in time I would bet money on it, I have had people knock me and got highly annoyed by it, took some to court, did a few other things when I started aswell.

That is part and parcel of being in business, you will do what you think best at the time, but at the same time you will learn from mistakes you make hopefully.

You will also learn a little from here to make your life and business that little bit easier.

Have a good one.

IAn

[Wayne Thomas]

live & learn by your mistakes

[ants]

Thankyou for your replies

[windowwashers]

Thankyou for your replies

YOUR WELCOME,. THATS WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT THIS PLACE ASK A QUESTION YOU WILL GET ALOT OF REPLIES (sry for shouting) you just have to work out what is best for you and go with it.

Hope you sort it out, I get like that myself sometimes.

Ian

[Cleaner Windows]

I think you were poss  right to be paranoid, wrong to ask for the money half way through, right to finish the job and if it was me I would have apologised afterwards to him for asking for the money and explained why you were paranoid and maybe offered him something free next time to make up for it. 

[Paul Coleman]

Had someone ring up to have their fascia boards cleaned.It was in a bit of a rough area where I have never worked.
1st of all I tried to pass it on to a cleaner who was more local to the custie he  wasnt intrested& so I banged in a high quote.
They said yes do them asap.
So of I went, finished the front and I was getting paranoid they wouldnt pay so I knocked on the door and said hows that mate. He was happy.
To cut the story short I said will you pay us HALF now before I do the back.
WHY he said........ cos I dont if your gonna pay I said.He went inside come out with full amount of the money and said here  dont bother mate.
Of course I did bother and finished the job perfect.
Was I wrong?

In a word - yes.

[TVCS]

put it down to experience.  Dont worry too much about it as it sounds like you dont want too much work in that area again anyway.  If you see the fellow out and about offer him a pint or something but dont worry about it. 

[BVC]

The family that live opposite my mate on a council estate in ipswich are worth millions but the oap mum refuses to leave her house so the family bought houses either side of her and thats where they all live, granted you know they have a few quid coz there are range rovers and porches outside but still dont ever judge a book by its cover!

[steve.ternent]

  I would never have done that, sorry!
But loads of good advice by all.
My advice would be, go where you feel comfortable!
Don't be pressured into any work!
Just enjoy what you do!