Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ian kev on June 21, 2011, 02:02:18 pm
-
Hi all, in the last 2 days ive had 3 people say that there windows are still clean so will leave it for another weeks ::). does this happen often?? luckily they were just down the road but was thinking what if it was someone out in the sticks, would be a waste of time/petrol. do any of you bother to ringing first if you have to travel. Im sure it would have been ok if they were out. cheers ian
-
never happen to me yet the windows are always very dirty when i turn up every six weeks had some one turn me away due to them having the house painted though ;D
-
these people are the same one who will say not in winter, as isnt worth it, dump and replace
-
Tell them that's the point in doing them wfp so they don't attract the same amount of dirt and by doing them regular they keep clean so there easier to maintain thus keeping your prices reasonable,but now next time you do them they will be dirtier so will cost more to clean
-
these people are the same one who will say not in winter, as isnt worth it, dump and replace
or if you are short of work replace then dump ;)
-
thanks guys, i reckon your right they will be moaning come the winter, i dont want to dump them just yet as still trying to get customer base up plus being out and about seems to very productive in getting new custys so far, perhaps ive just done too good of a job first time.... ;D.cheers Ian
-
exactly what i was thinking stu. ;)
-
I would keep them and increase the price to allow for their fussiness.
I tend to offer them a bimonthly arrangement if they do it twice in a row.
Any 'out in the sticks' will be well worth the drive and I do those on appointment only anyway.
-
I only notify big jobs via phone or text otherwise it gives people the opportunity to cancel and you can't make a living with people having you clean their windows only when they feel like it. If you've only started recently you'll find you end up with a lot of rubbish customers that you will gradually replace over time.
Simon.
-
Hi all, in the last 2 days ive had 3 people say that there windows are still clean so will leave it for another weeks ::). does this happen often?? luckily they were just down the road but was thinking what if it was someone out in the sticks, would be a waste of time/petrol. do any of you bother to ringing first if you have to travel. Im sure it would have been ok if they were out. cheers ian
Did you confirm your T &C's in writing after speaking with them?
Probably not :(
You'll still get this problem even if you do to some extent, but at least you can remind them of that.
Of course it would have been ok if they were out ::) or are you intending to ask every customer is it ok to clean today?
Get some T & C's and start giving them out to new custies you take on :)
-
these people are the same one who will say not in winter, as isnt worth it, dump and replace
Yep, dump 'em.
Then someone who offers the service the customer requires can pick them up by offering them half the frequency for (say) a 50% uplift on the per clean price. A third of my customers are on this service - imagine what it could do for your daily earnings.
Vin
-
I know what you mean about windows still being clean. In Kent with all this recent heay rain, it's cleaned the windows to quite a good extent. It must have been clean rain too with no Sahara dust etc. Combined with high winds it's been like a mild pressure-wash.
Not been turned way yet but half expecting it. Easy work though - cleaning clean glass and frames ;D - so not complaining.
-
DUMP NOW!!!
-
i always seek fresh customers if i hear any bleating like you heard.
one other thing,i pledge to NEVER let them back on my round once i have dropped them, not for double money even ,"not for all the tea in china" ( my favourite catch phrase and messers dont like hearing it said ! ;D
-
explain you are paid to keep them clean thats why its that reasonable price if they would prefer a clean when they choose give them your one off price if you do them.
-
If you clean your customers every month you are inviting this. The windows on my house are fine and they haven't been cleaned for a lot longer than a month.
Whats all this dump stuff? Ask the customer if they would like to change the frequency. And in the winter you are glad of a few customers who say come again in March. You are running a business, the idea is to make money. You won't make anything out of a dumped customer.
-
If you clean your customers every month you are inviting this. The windows on my house are fine and they haven't been cleaned for a lot longer than a month.
Whats all this dump stuff? Ask the customer if they would like to change the frequency. And in the winter you are glad of a few customers who say come again in March. You are running a business, the idea is to make money. You won't make anything out of a dumped customer.
youre looking at dirty glass through a mans eye vince, i bet their minging
trub is you will then get the customers saying come "now and then " and it will spread to others that youre quite happy to be a now and then man. i personally prefer to have a rigid list of 6 weekers, theres more than enough of them out there waiting in my experience .
i dont want any "floaters" so to speak
-
When you are building a round a 'now and then' customer is better than no customer at all.I would agree with those who say try bi monthly instead of monthly.You have to expect for the first year or two that a certain amount of customers you get will be the crap that another window cleaner has dumped.Once you have built a reasonable round then you can start dumping the crap yourself.
-
When you are building a round a 'now and then' customer is better than no customer at all.I would agree with those who say try bi monthly instead of monthly.You have to expect for the first year or two that a certain amount of customers you get will be the crap that another window cleaner has dumped.Once you have built a reasonable round then you can start dumping the crap yourself.
good point
its often good if you can follow in the tracks of a bad cleaner who created "round windows" and then stopped coming , the customers then are truly grateful and they treasure the fact they have got a cleaner . this type wont pull strokes as a rule
-
Thanks for the input guys, i think i was just unlucky in the fact that when i turned up they were there yapping in the garden, i actually had one custy last week come running out saying "i think it might be raining later could you come back when its sunny" so i stuck to my guns and said that i probably wont be in that area for a while, (although im just down the road) so ended up with an " ok, carry on and do them"....like its never going to rain again.grrr.Im learning all the time and i can see why you guys drop custys now and again.I will get tougher as my round grows im sure. >:( ;Dcheers
-
As soon as you discuss taking them on set out your stall:-
Generally -
Them: "How much do you charge?"
You: "It depends - I offer monthly and two-monthly rates and the first clean is always rather more as they need bringing up to scratch."
Them: "Can you ring me before you come so I can be there/unlock the gate?"
You: "That's not necessary I have a "special" gate ladder with rubber contact points that lets me gain access with no damage and as I don't work in heavy rain or snow I cannot give an exact date each time - and if you're not in I just leave a slip for you to send me a cheque or you can even do it on-line now."
Them "It really is impossible for you to get round the back" (fort knox jobby)
You: I can do the fronts every month and you phone me and I'll do the backs as a one-off early in the morning/late in the day" etc.
or
You - producing a set of keys - "lots of my custies trust me with a key or code, would that be a way forward?"
If they won't play ball then do you really want them? This filters out most of the crud but have some well rehearsed polite but firm phrases:-
Them: Can you leave it this time?
You: Oh why? Is there an emergency/problem?
If it's an out of character real emergency or they've forgotten to tell you that their having work done then I would put up with it once in a while but if it's "I don't think they need doing this time, or come back in spring" Then:-
You: Well, I hope you understand but don't operate a "turn up and see service" but I can offer you a regular clean every two months if you prefer.
I'm brilliant on a keyboard mind but sometimes I just dump. ;D
-
Thanks for that Gold, good write up. another question if you dont mind, the other day someone phoned and asked for a quote, id already done one in the same area so know the size house ect, so i asked if she wanted regular and she said will try you out first to see if your any good then maybe monthly...would you guys price as a one off, or explain maybe that its more for first clean then will drop price if become regular. cheers ian :)
-
firstly,
i would look at the property to see how bad they are.
1...if they are not bad, then 50% the regular clean,
2...if there mingin at least double first clean,
expain why the charges work that way.
-
This happened to me just into the New Year. I reminded the customer of our original terms and agreement, and said that if I didn't clean them today, I'd remove him from my list.
He said "Fine, do that then!" and went inside the house. He must've had a think about it, because when he came out (I was cleaning his neighbours) he said, "Oh go on then!" and I've had no trouble from him since.
Dump your time wasters, otherwise you'll end up with a round full of 'em and you'll get disheartened and stop window cleaning.
Remember the old CIU adage of "It's easier for a window cleaner to find another customer, than it is for a customer to find another window cleaner!"
-
you got it kev thats exactly what id do
-
Thanks for that Gold, good write up. another question if you dont mind, the other day someone phoned and asked for a quote, id already done one in the same area so know the size house ect, so i asked if she wanted regular and she said will try you out first to see if your any good then maybe monthly...would you guys price as a one off, or explain maybe that its more for first clean then will drop price if become regular. cheers ian :)
i'd price this at a one off clean the first time, then if she wonts you back again drop to a maintenance clean price! simp! ;)
-
When taking a new customer on I offer 2 prices £12 for a monthly or £16 for a 2 monthly call so if they say "leave it this time" you can then remind them of the 2 month price.
About 25% go with the 1 month from the start and the rest 2 monthly .... takes longer to build ur round up but never get "leave it this time" from a bi monthly customer and if u do then u can drop em without loosing too much ... only exception is the wife / husband / dog died or the house has the builder there working on it