Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: tom2009 on May 07, 2010, 12:14:39 pm

Title: Thanks very much but...
Post by: tom2009 on May 07, 2010, 12:14:39 pm
'You're too expensive' the note with cheque said. This lady has a 4 bed detached, 2 large front bays, large side window, upvc door with window & window adove, side window, 3 double windows top rear, large patio doors then small bay, kitchen window & another door. £15 on a 5 week.  The note ended 'No longer required' ........cheeky rascal. Mind you if someone will do this for less, then it is expensive. What would you folks do leave it or ring her and strike a deal. The bloody minded side of me says leave it.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: daz1977 on May 07, 2010, 12:24:07 pm
leave it,  her lose,  i never try to get them if they leave, by dropping prices, as i view it as why didnt u do it at that price before
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Lee GLS on May 07, 2010, 12:25:43 pm
drop it, whats the point of lowering your price it doesnt sound expensive, if she dont want to pay it she can find a mug who will charge her less.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Craig 72 on May 07, 2010, 12:31:34 pm
There's not a chance I would do a house you describe,round my way for £15 let alone any less.I would drop it without a seconds hestitation.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: paul rulton on May 07, 2010, 12:33:56 pm
if ur not gonna walk away, ur gonna need 2ask urself.... im gettin x amount per hour now, am i worth less...?
think u now know ur answer  ;)
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: tom2009 on May 07, 2010, 01:16:57 pm
Thanks lads I apreciate it. Just makes you think am I pricing right/what have I done wrong. Could stretch it to an 8 week but going back to her feels like grovelling. Sod it. Shes suspended. Only a written request to return will be accepted ;D
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: daz1977 on May 07, 2010, 01:20:23 pm
never take them back,  just tell them they where replaced and u aint got room for them, as they will think they can drop u when they want and u will go back
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: tom2009 on May 07, 2010, 01:26:35 pm
never take them back,  just tell them they where replaced and u aint got room for them, as they will think they can drop u when they want and u will go back
Point taken. She aint never coming back. NEVER 8)
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Jack Wallace on May 07, 2010, 04:41:42 pm

Don’t lose any sleep over it, just forget and move on.

I bought some work off a guy about 12 months ago, 99% of it was priced well but one was way under priced, (about £5)
I just never got around to putting it up but kept going as it was next to 3 of my jobs so I was not actually losing money, About 4 months ago they put me on hold while they had a huge extension built.
So when it was almost done I put a note through the door saying we will resume next month with an increase of £3. £1 for natural increase and £2 for all the extra windows. Still way under what it should be.
Yep they cancelled saying. "Thanks very much but we no longer require your services, we will find a cheaper cleaner"
Ha ha good luck to them, I am sure they will find someone cheaper eventually but I am sure most of the guys round here will quote a lot more than what I put it up to.
I stopped worrying about lost jobs years ago. It’s all part of the job.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: AuRavelling79 on May 07, 2010, 05:21:32 pm
Send a letter.

Dear Mr Ex-Custy

Thank you for your payment and for your all too brief cancellation note scrawled upon the payment slip.

I am having difficulty keeping up with all the new appreciative customers who want a top quality, reliable service from an insured and honest window cleaner and so to have a little breathing space is most welcome - thank you!

Once your financial difficulties are resolved then please do not hesitate to let me know. If I have room I will try to squeeze you into my round at the current rate at the time of your asking.

Yours etc,




Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: paul rulton on May 07, 2010, 05:24:23 pm
 ;D ;D ;D
y do i get the feeling u ave done that Gold  ;D
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: chris@c.m.s on May 07, 2010, 05:50:37 pm
Last month I was asked to quote a property and quoted £23 then she told she cancelled her last window cleaner because he put the price up from £17 to £18, that'll teach her ;D  I know her last cleaner as well so he'll probably have a chuckle over it too when I tell him.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Jack Wallace on May 07, 2010, 06:17:03 pm
Send a letter.

Dear Mr Ex-Custy

Thank you for your payment and for your all too brief cancellation note scrawled upon the payment slip.

I am having difficulty keeping up with all the new appreciative customers who want a top quality, reliable service from an insured and honest window cleaner and so to have a little breathing space is most welcome - thank you!

Once your financial difficulties are resolved then please do not hesitate to let me know. If I have room I will try to squeeze you into my round at the current rate at the time of your asking.

Yours etc,





Ha Ha I would sooo like to send that letter out,
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: windowswashed on May 07, 2010, 08:29:47 pm
At least you aint working for peanuts being the busy fool who never gets cancellation letters. Pricing must be right  ;D
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: boshravie on May 07, 2010, 09:16:18 pm
I would charge £35.00 every 8 weeks minimum.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: tom2009 on May 07, 2010, 10:02:10 pm
At least you aint working for peanuts being the busy fool who never gets cancellation letters. Pricing must be right  ;D
never though of it that way. Interesting point. :)
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Paul Coleman on May 08, 2010, 07:11:14 am
The price sounds a fair one to me.  The only offer that you might want to make is one of reduced frequency rather than reduced price (maybe a slightly increased price too as it will still save the custie some money).  Personally, I only do this usually for jobs that are £40+.  It used to be much higher than that but the economic situation caused me to be a bit more flexible with this.  I recently had a £41 x 6 weekly job where the custie wanted to renegotiate the cost and/or frequency.  We discussed it and came up with 12 weekly @ £45.  It was overdue an increase anyway and this seemed to be a way of getting it without causing hardship for either party.  Mind you, from what you have written, it sounds like my customer approached the situation with a much better attitude than yours.  That can make quite a difference.  With mine it went something like "I need to reduce my costs and I still want you as my window cleaner.  Can we sort something out please?".  With yours it came across as "You're too expensive.  Bog off."  Also, yours was done by letter and mine was face to face so that helped a lot.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Londoner on May 08, 2010, 08:03:44 am
There is always going to be somebody knocking on doors in your area offering to do windows for less than you do them.
I have had several big houses drop me suddenly since Christmas with no adequate explaination, my guess is they are tight for money despite (or perhaps because of) the big house and flash cars in the drive.
I don't really think about it too deeply
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Window Washers on May 08, 2010, 08:17:14 am
Send a letter.

Dear Mr Ex-Custy

Thank you for your payment and for your all too brief cancellation note scrawled upon the payment slip.

I am having difficulty keeping up with all the new appreciative customers who want a top quality, reliable service from an insured and honest window cleaner and so to have a little breathing space is most welcome - thank you!

Once your financial difficulties are resolved then please do not hesitate to let me know. If I have room I will try to squeeze you into my round at the current rate at the time of your asking.

Yours etc,





Gold,

you are a wasted talent,  ;D
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: paul rulton on May 08, 2010, 08:25:50 am
 ;D ;D agreed
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Spruce on May 08, 2010, 09:54:08 am
I agree with others here, just ignore it and move on. Don't take it personally.

I would maintain a good relationship with them, always greet them and ask how they are if you see them.  Don't bring up the subject of window cleaning - let them.  You may end up with them as a model customer in the future. Being rude to an ex customer by ignoring them will only ruin your reputation locally in neighbourhood gossip.

Spruce
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: Murdie window cleaning on May 08, 2010, 10:11:56 am
There is always going to be somebody knocking on doors in your area offering to do windows for less than you do them.
I have had several big houses drop me suddenly since Christmas with no adequate explaination, my guess is they are tight for money despite (or perhaps because of) the big house and flash cars in the drive.
I don't really think about it too deeply

I canvased an area last week probably amongst the dearest houses in my area and I agree that these are the ones that are suffering the most just now as I had quite a few say they would love a regular window cleaner but is a cost they can't afford just now.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: tom2009 on May 08, 2010, 02:25:11 pm
There is always going to be somebody knocking on doors in your area offering to do windows for less than you do them.
I have had several big houses drop me suddenly since Christmas with no adequate explaination, my guess is they are tight for money despite (or perhaps because of) the big house and flash cars in the drive.
I don't really think about it too deeply

I canvased an area last week probably amongst the dearest houses in my area and I agree that these are the ones that are suffering the most just now as I had quite a few say they would love a regular window cleaner but is a cost they can't afford just now.
i'm finding the same thing. smaller house have a better success rate, big ones seem much tighter and no where near as cheerful either.
Title: Re: Thanks very much but...
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on May 09, 2010, 06:18:42 am
shes trying to get you to to drop your prices mate dow bother