Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Clive McDonald on December 03, 2010, 09:10:50 pm
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Dear Customer
Due to the adverse weather and extreme low temperatures in December i was unable to clean your windows prior to christmass. I apologise for this, and weather permitting will resume service as normal. Thanks for your patience.
Clive.
What do you think? Anyone think of better phrasing.The forecast is that we are stuffed untill the new year.
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i havent bothered informing my customers, as they will (or should) all realise why we havent been?
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but all in all, yeah its a good letter to explain
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Either when i go in january or mail the lot of them in january.
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That's really good Clive.
I will nick it and apologise for calling you a numpty in a earlier thread.
Lee
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Due to the adverse weather and extreme low temperatures in December i am unable to clean your windows prior to christmass. I apologise for this, and weather permitting will resume service as normal. Thanks for your patience.
Clive.
Slumpbuster you could alter it to read like above change (i was )to (i am) and post them now rather than wait until january!
This way it keeps your customers informed.
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Some good suggestions.
Last january i didn't work at all, and december is shaping up the same.The loss of income isn't an issue but losing customers is.The problem i found when the weather warmed up and work resumed is that all of them thought that after a week of good weather i had had enough time to visit them.
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Is this any help?
Dear Customer
Due to the adverse weather and extreme low temperatures in December iI was unable to clean your windows prior to christmassChristmas. I apologise for this, and (it seems daft apologising for the weather; but we British apologise for everything, I know). Weather permitting, I will resume normal service as normal soon as possible. Thanks for your patience. Your continued custom and patience is appreciated.
If you have any questions regarding this, or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me on the above number.
Yours faithfully,
Slumpy
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Good amendment.
I could probably do with a 'with compliments slip' to put this on. Anyone got any good ideas for the layout of this?
I'd get dp print to do it, but does anyone use compliment slips, i would probably use the for quotes too and would be tempted to have a piccy of myself.Is this inappropriate for a compliments slip?
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Yes, I would have it printed in full colour with a picture of your good self on it too, maybe have it made into a glossy Christmas card? Oh, and stick a fiver inside too ;)
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Waste of time and effort. Almost all of them wont give a monkey's pump weather you'v been or not.
Us windies are just not so that so important. Show up every now and again to keep them from looking manky and they will all be happy enough.
This fact is actually the reason why I continue to clean windows for a living.
It's the stress free part of it all that has me hooked. ::)
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I really can't see the point of an apology letter.
Anyone with half a brain cell will realise that your work will take longer to get through in these conditions. If a customer ditches you because you didn't risk your neck, then you are better off without them.
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I dissagree with most, I think its good business, it shows you care about them as much as you can as a window cleaner and shows you haven't packed it so if anybody else goes knockinng during this down time there less likely to take them on because they don't know the current situation with there normal cleaner. I informed all mine that were due to be cleaned over the next 2weeks by txt message last week. Its not like we haven't got the time or anything??????
Why is it to every suggestion on here there's so many people jump in and knock it (usually the same doom mongers everytime).
How can keeping your customer well informed not be worth it?
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Dan I see what your saying but on most other forums I find it all a lot more constructive than here, to advise somebody that something "isn't worth it" on a topic of customer relations when this is high up on peoples business priorities isn't helpfull, its that kind of thinking that gives people the impression that window cleaners are just scruffy folk that turn up every now and then and extort some money fom them with a bucket of water and a dirty cloth!!!
And besides I think it was input into the wording he was asking for not if it was worth it as its something he obviously wants to do.
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Dear Customer
Due to the adverse weather and extreme low temperatures in December i was unable to clean your windows prior to christmass. I apologise for this, and weather permitting will resume service as normal. Thanks for your patience.
Clive.
What do you think? Anyone think of better phrasing.The forecast is that we are stuffed untill the new year.
This is a great idea, for those that want to offer high customer service levels and be different from the "pack".
Just an idea, why not get some Xmas cards, pop the explanatory leaflet inside and send to your custies the start of this week coming.
"Dear........
Unfortunatley with the continuing adverse weather conditions, it is unlikely that I shall be able to clean your windows prior to Christmas, therefore let me take this opportunity of wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Many thanks for your patience and understanding.
Regards Slumpy (lol)
NB I shall be back to normal schedules in January."
We always used to do this sort of thing:
Great for customer service
Great for getting the custie to remember your name
Great for advertising (listing your services on the back of the leaflet)
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i havent bothered informing my customers, as they will (or should) all realise why we havent been?
Or perhaps they will think that you are one of the "summer clean only brigade?" and find someone else..........
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Always good to keep customers inform as for some will always say where you been or on your hols even with this sort of weather. ::) ;D
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Hi,
My opinion is what does the customer care if you have been or not!
Kevin WINDOLENE.
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i just text or phone all my customers
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I would ask them to still forward Christmas tips, even though you might not be able to clean before.
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I think its a good idea Slumpy. Its just the same as the explanation letter some give out when they change over to WFP. Most custards dont read it. Most custards at some point in the future offer to show you where the outside tap is. But it at the least SHOWS you are a considerate and professional tradesman.
Its just the same as most people wont notice if your windows are clean but they certainly do if they're dirty.
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But it at the least SHOWS you are a considerate and professional tradesman.
I wouldn`t go that far but a letter wouldn`t do any harm.
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Good idea but bit early to tell if you aren't going to get to them.
I'd hold fire till week after next, don't trust what the weather men say
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My own thoughts on this were that it could do more harm than good harm because it could easily be interpreted as touting for a Christmas tip even though you might not be able to show up.
Maybe I've grown a little more cynical over the years - perhaps even complacent.
I will say though that I used to adopt a more customer focused stance too. When I needed a lot of time off sick some years back now, it's a funny thing but the customers who I looked after the best were the quickest to dump me - some without even letting me know. Bear in mind that on that occasion, I sent a mailshot to every customer saying that I would understand if they preferred to go elsewhere but just to let me know if they did.
Imagine for a moment if someone is buzzing around you really trying their hardest to please you. I don't know about you but it grates on my nerves and I just want them to go away.
This stuff is not as cut and dried as it may seem to some but is a matter of individual perspective.
I can see why some would want to notify their customers in this way but I question the usefulness of it. This is based on some of my own experience. Also, I found that I used to have some customers who wanted to extract more from me because I had a track record of being a people pleaser. Since I have moved on to the "I'm OK, you're OK" type of stance, I have found that it works better for me.
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how many custies have you got clive?500?-600?a lot of sorry letters!!i personally wouldnt send a letter or a xmas card.what if the weathers bad for 2 months?what you gonna do?not work for 2 months and say no problem ill clean your windows when winters over?you might as well sign on and become part of the summer brigade!! ;D ;D ;D ;D.
seriously though we will all have to just carry on through the bad weather reverting back to traditional window cleaning at times for some work if really cold.ive had a week off and ive managed to get a lot of non work related stuff done and now im raring to go for monday by any method required to get round as many custies as i can before the 24th dec!!
its not just our normal takings we ll be missing out on if we sit on our arse all december its the extra money in tips(i usually get over £500!!)
so its time to get motivated for the next few weeks and earn a good wedge for xmas then we can relax for a few weeks!!
regards
dazmond
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My own thoughts on this were that it could do more harm than good harm because it could easily be interpreted as touting for a Christmas tip even though you might not be able to show up.
Maybe I've grown a little more cynical over the years - perhaps even complacent.
I will say though that I used to adopt a more customer focused stance too. When I needed a lot of time off sick some years back now, it's a funny thing but the customers who I looked after the best were the quickest to dump me - some without even letting me know. Bear in mind that on that occasion, I sent a mailshot to every customer saying that I would understand if they preferred to go elsewhere but just to let me know if they did.
Imagine for a moment if someone is buzzing around you really trying their hardest to please you. I don't know about you but it grates on my nerves and I just want them to go away.
This stuff is not as cut and dried as it may seem to some but is a matter of individual perspective.
I can see why some would want to notify their customers in this way but I question the usefulness of it. This is based on some of my own experience. Also, I found that I used to have some customers who wanted to extract more from me because I had a track record of being a people pleaser. Since I have moved on to the "I'm OK, you're OK" type of stance, I have found that it works better for me.
my thoughts entirely paul!you have an uncanny knack of saying just what i wanted to say but you put it in better words!none of us need crawl before anyone!! ;) ;D ;D
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I have to agree with Paul and Dazmond the more you try to please them by sending apology letter because you cant clean their windows,they may think he isnt coming before chrismo and I need them cleaning they will just pick up the phone and call some one else or worse do them themselves and cancel if their that bothered they will ring you to see if your coming,my customers have a contact number for me and aren't stupid they can see that there is 2 foot of snow about and think poor chap he is just slow this month with weather being bad.may i am naive and think my customers will stick with me through thick and thin.I wont be sending any of my customers an apology letter because the weather is not my fault.I think we are taking too much business advice from American and the Japanese.British culture is different and this kind of marketing could back fire,At the most stick a card through thanking for this years custom and see you soon with contact letter if you want them to remember you.
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I agree that we don't need to say sorry for the weather that's not our fault but keeping them updated on when you hope to get to them due to the poor weather is just common decency imo, I did a car showroom on monday, I was a little later than normal but the guy actually said thank god, I thought you had packed in, his windows were ditched as there on a main road but he never called me, if he can think like that so can anybody else, it pays to keep them informed. Sorry if that goes against the opinions of the dinosoars on this forum.
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H20, your full of bull sh it by the way. How many customers have you got? In fact don't bother I don't really care. Just how the hell is someone like me going to mailshot over 450 residential customers and nearly 50 commercial jobs, think about it. How would I go about delivering them all? Post? cost a fortune. Bus? well I would need to as my van would be snowed up wouldn't it. Then I could just walk the streets just like the postman and just pop them in all the letterboxes, when I am done, I could catch the next bus to the next round and begin again. When I am done I will get a bus home, If indeed any public transport is running at all.
These are the actions of a madman. When you learn to think practical, then start to talk practical ya daft proon.
As already stated. Forum's are about discussion and opinions. If any one is a T-rex about here It's you muppet head. ;D
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Ronnie b, what you do is trade in your morse code machine for a "mobile phone" yes mate they sell phones that you can place in your pocket and take anywhere!!! Then what you do is get the relavant information so that in times like this you can send a "txt message" to everyone at the push of a button, ofcourse that depends if when you got your customers you wrote the relevant information on your chalk board!
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I've been pondering this because originally I did think it was a good idea but I'm now thinking that if they can't work it out by looking out of the window then they are being unreasonable anyway. Is their Christmas going to be in tatters because they can't get their windows cleaned - hardly.
Also, post is obviously going to cost a fortune and if the weather is good enough to get round to drop off a note to everyone then surely there are ways of cleaning the windows..even if it's only a trad pole for upper windows..
The only time I will contact them is if we've promised them a pre Christmas clean and it's absolutely impossible to get to them but there is no way you're going to know this until nearer Christmas. Plan of action to get to all of ours is in place - even if it means next 3 Sundays working
PS Just my opinion but I think if you are going to contact them it should be by phone - and not by text - as I say just my opinion ;D
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Ronnie b, what you do is trade in your morse code machine for a "mobile phone" yes mate they sell phones that you can place in your pocket and take anywhere!!! Then what you do is get the relavant information so that in times like this you can send a "txt message" to everyone at the push of a button, ofcourse that depends if when you got your customers you wrote the relevant information on your chalk board!
LOl great reply
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Ronnie b, what you do is trade in your morse code machine for a "mobile phone" yes mate they sell phones that you can place in your pocket and take anywhere!!! Then what you do is get the relavant information so that in times like this you can send a "txt message" to everyone at the push of a button, ofcourse that depends if when you got your customers you wrote the relevant information on your chalk board!
I have no intentions of asking for their private phone numbers, it's just too intrusive. If they offer, I write it down. Not many offer.
So I don't presume to be really all that important to them by asking before hand. I have a few but not many.
We are window cleaners, get over it. You will not be missed by many until they cannot see out the glass.
We are low on their priority list, honest we are. To be honest I don't even know many of their names let alone phone number, I don't need to.
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ooh this is getting handbags at dawn!!
;D
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Ronnie b, what you do is trade in your morse code machine for a "mobile phone" yes mate they sell phones that you can place in your pocket and take anywhere!!! Then what you do is get the relavant information so that in times like this you can send a "txt message" to everyone at the push of a button, ofcourse that depends if when you got your customers you wrote the relevant information on your chalk board!
I have no intentions of asking for their private phone numbers, it's just too intrusive. If they offer, I write it down. Not many offer.
So I don't presume to be really all that important to them by asking before hand. I have a few but not many.
We are window cleaners, get over it. You will not be missed by many until they cannot see out the glass.
We are low on their priority list, honest we are. To be honest I don't even know many of their names let alone phone number, I don't need to.
I try to get every one of my customers phone number, email and even mobile.
Comes in handy if you set off the burglar alarm, or if you need to chase them up for money.
Also comes in handy if it snows for an entire chuffing month and you want to offer internal cleans / driveway clearing.
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Ronnie b your last post is proof indeed that you are actually a T-rex, nuff said.
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i agree with ronnie for the most part.there is no need for every custies phone number,email etc.its just not necessary!ill get to them when i have time!!no need to make the job more complicated.ive been window cleaning 17 years and custies understand that you ll be late during periods of bad weather as i state WHEN I TAKE THEM ON THAT ILL BE ROUND EVERY 4 WEEKS,SOMETIMES LONGER IN WINTER DUE TO BAD WEATHER!MAYBE UP TO 6 OR 7 WEEKS!!!so that covers me.thats all you need to do for small domestics IMO.
if its the bigger posher stand alone houses on 2 monthly i always get round bang on time and re jig the 4 weeklies.
the same goes for commercial jobs.
regards
dazmond
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Dazmond, that is what I call practical common sense. Simple.
H20, sorry for calling you a muppet head or similar. We operate in different ways when it comes to customer relations.
Calling fellow posters dinosaurs in a simplistic industry just because they differ in opinion from you is rude and a tad arrogant to begin with.
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I don't get it.
Surely it's possible to have a reasonable discussion about differing methods without it becoming personal.
I did actually go out and do some work today in the end. Had to take some care on the estates but everything was passable. I'm working in a large area of flat terrain so that helps.
I did three decent size houses then it started raining. It got pretty heavy so I went off and did a largish (by my standards) commercial job that I was going to do tomorrow. Then I finished the day by cleaning the windows at a chip shop across town. That was meant to have been done Wednesday/Thursday. I can't do that one in bad conditions because every route out of that shopping area is uphill. The guy is cool about it. He knows I'm reliable when travel is possible.