Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: LWC on May 02, 2011, 07:21:17 pm

Title: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: LWC on May 02, 2011, 07:21:17 pm
Ive done envelopes, online transfer and paypal now for the past 6 - 7 years. Most people are sorted but i do still have alot of money outstanding like most of the time, and nowadays i find pretty much all my customers are out! Coming home some days with hardly any dosh.

Im thinking about starting collecting again, setting an evening say Friday or something. Then i should have all my money at end of week and not a month later when theyre due again!

Think ive been too fair with them all, it doesnt go well for a small business. Having £1000 and upwards just isnt an option for me anymore. I do state youll get charged for paying late but doesnt seem to make any odds.

Have you gone back to it?
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on May 02, 2011, 07:24:17 pm
The best day to collect monday evenings, also you are more likely to do it because sometimes when it gets to friday you just think F..k it.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Rogue Trader on May 02, 2011, 07:25:28 pm
NO :o
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on May 02, 2011, 07:26:56 pm
We've always collected at weekends; we do offer payment on-line and payment by cheques but it's good for cash flow to collect.

It also keeps the wife happy when I come home with a pouch full of money for her - and if she's happy I'm well looked after ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Dave Anderson on May 02, 2011, 07:27:43 pm
We have had this and as I have a 14 days payment scheme...it can get very high the amount owed, so we now have our t&c's and in them it is clear that should a customer choose to pay in excess of 14 days, then we charge a 5 euro late fee for every payment request.

It is working well...
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Spruce on May 02, 2011, 07:42:46 pm
Hi
We collect every Friday evening and it helps to keep the debts done. It makes Friday a long day but that's the only way that seems to work with us.
We have also dumped a hole lot of messers, who, despite the ticket advise that the windows have been cleaned with the appropiate amount listed posted through the door, have never been to the ATM to get our money and waste our Friday evenings.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Johnny B on May 02, 2011, 07:45:00 pm
I still collect. I used to go out three evenings a week, but now I have reduced it to Friday evenings only. As I have recently reduced my workload, my work is more local and compact now, so I have less running around to do!

John
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: bobplum on May 02, 2011, 07:57:42 pm
i have apprximately 25% standing orders,25%bacs,25% cheques AND THE LAST 25% COLLECTION
some times the bacs take too long so i collect/remind them
bob
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Londoner on May 02, 2011, 08:09:32 pm
I still have a few I have to collect because they are slow  but over time they will get dropped.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: BORBRYCE on May 02, 2011, 08:15:12 pm
I have always collected. It's the only way to get the money in fast and on time. My work is all local so no real problem. Every Thursday and Friday evening at the same time at the same door like clockwork.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: groundhog on May 02, 2011, 09:29:30 pm
Never collected and never will!!!!!!  :)
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Steve CM on May 02, 2011, 09:33:55 pm
i charge a 3 quid late fee and probably make between 300 and 600 a month extra for people not paying on time
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Crystal-clear on May 02, 2011, 09:48:28 pm
what ever you do mate i wouldnt collect.

its madness you know it is :)

they will love it and your hourly rate will drop and drop , also your fuel costs,

if it is really bothering you i would have a word with them all tell them you need paying within x otherwise you will be unable to continue to clean.

personally i would just keep getting more work. keep refining your round
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: dazmond on May 02, 2011, 10:41:00 pm
collecting is ok if its local compact work.i have a lot of work in a small area so its easy to collect.i do use SAE and BACS transfer as well for some work.a good mix.

collecting is good for putting a "face" to my business as well as good cashflow.i couldnt be doing with being owed over a grand in arrears!i build it up sometimes to around £600-£800 then spend a couple of hours collecting.good for customer relations as well as extra work and sorting out any problems etc.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: LWC on May 02, 2011, 10:41:30 pm
i charge a 3 quid late fee and probably make between 300 and 600 a month extra for people not paying on time

Where the "like" button  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Dave Anderson on May 03, 2011, 04:24:16 pm
I have a late fee but in all honesty I hope I could get to a stage where I never have to charge it...but if people insist on paying when they wish I should not have to suffer for it.

I don't like charging it but my business needs it's money and I now refuse to extend 'un-authorised' credit...I'm not a bank.

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: mci services on May 03, 2011, 04:31:01 pm
I tried it and gave up and am back to collecting, it is all local and cash flow is much better. the ones that pay well online I leave, but everyone else gets collected over a couple of nights a week.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Sean Dyer on May 03, 2011, 04:46:52 pm
wed fri night

all money in your pocket = great

some rounds i leave sae's but the cheaper stuff thats compact is just makes sense to spend 30 mins collecting after work
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: NJWindowCleaning on May 03, 2011, 06:13:13 pm
Everyone from time to time has to collect to get money in as some people dont do cheques or online payment. So going out to collect cash payments is good for business cashflow and some window cleaners just leave until next Month when they are due round again and they alter the day like a saturday instead doint them on a friday etc.. So not to worry we all go back to collect  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Dave66 on May 03, 2011, 07:57:37 pm
wed, thur and fri evening...

how many times do you go back before leaving it and doubling it up?
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Neil Gornall on May 03, 2011, 08:10:19 pm
How exactly are you going to gain by going back to collecting?

It makes no sense to me at all.

You say that for the last 6 - 7 years you have relied on customers to send payment, you now have around 1k outstanding on a regular basis, if you have managed till now then whats the problem? you run your business and personal life from your income.

If you start to collect,  then for a short while your "takings" will increase but NOT your turnover or profits.

After a few months you will be bringing in exactly the same each month as you are now only YOUR workload will have increased.

It makes no sensai
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: g newton on May 03, 2011, 08:31:49 pm
We have had this and as I have a 14 days payment scheme...it can get very high the amount owed, so we now have our t&c's and in them it is clear that should a customer choose to pay in excess of 14 days, then we charge a 5 euro late fee for every payment request.

It is working well...

you say 5 euros do you work outside the uk
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Dave Anderson on May 03, 2011, 08:36:22 pm
>> G. Newton...yes mate I am trapped in the land of clogs, cheese and bad driving...
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: LWC on May 03, 2011, 09:16:58 pm
How exactly are you going to gain by going back to collecting?

It makes no sense to me at all.

You say that for the last 6 - 7 years you have relied on customers to send payment, you now have around 1k outstanding on a regular basis, if you have managed till now then whats the problem? you run your business and personal life from your income.

If you start to collect,  then for a short while your "takings" will increase but NOT your turnover or profits.

After a few months you will be bringing in exactly the same each month as you are now only YOUR workload will have increased.

It makes no sensai

Dont know, suppose im just getting sick of it being outstanding all the time. Also change in my wifes circumstances with work.

Obviously turnover or profits wont increase. But money WILL be in my pocket at end of week, not end of next month.
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: cozy on May 03, 2011, 09:25:12 pm
>> G. Newton...yes mate I am trapped in the land of clogs, cheese and bad driving...

Try driving on our autobahns Dave!!! ;D
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: dazmond on May 03, 2011, 10:38:11 pm
nothing wrong with collecting if its localish.whats the problem guys?takes an hour or so of your time once a week!some of you are only working until 3pm anyway! ;D ;D ;D

keeps the cash coming in.i got £400 in today.better in my pocket than theirs!! ;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone gone back to collecting?
Post by: Dave Anderson on May 04, 2011, 05:41:45 am
Cozy it's not the Autobahns that concern me but all the paperwork! ;)