Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: GB Window Cleaning on July 21, 2011, 10:49:35 pm
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..."hi can you not clean my windows as i am away until the 8th of aug. many thanks mr XXXXX"
im gonna phone him tommorrow to educate him as to my terms and conditions! ;D
nothing major, but i was just intersted to hear what others would say to him?
thanks
GB
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thats only 3 weeks away - I wouldn't worry or make a fuss of it.
custy is just being honest that they won't get the benefit of a clean this month.
you tell the milkman not to leave milk if you are away so whats the difference?
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i agree with alan no worries realy
if your still miffed on next clean
just miss out his frosted glass ;)
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pmsl!!
or you could even skip his frames!
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;D :P :-X ;)
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just spray with the jets and knock for the money ;D
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Surely there is no problem with that? You work for your customers convienence, not yours.
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Had it today myself .... No worries still plenty to clean
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counts as a strike that does.
i totted up 3 strikes last time when a lazyboy middle aged son told me in his nasal tone "not this time" and as i unhooked my ladder today to do a cluster of houses i suddenly heard the scud of their side gate being unlocked in readyness for me- but OH no , the 3 strikes rule has already been applied by George so no cleaning is possible ,,, but will it end there ........ ???
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Is scud a word ?
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Is scud a word ?
us Pros can hear a scud,clack,.drawbolt, at 50 paces . its a talent that is best not to boast about at parties ;)
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Yeh, I'd probably let that one get away with it; you were warned in advance. It's not like you've just unpacked 50 meters of hose to be turned away.
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To me it would count as a strike. However, it would also allow to get round my work quicker, I've been 2 weeks behind now for 2 months, so a benefit to a certain extent. The custard would simply have to wait til next time. No going back specially for them.
If it became a habit, I mean if it happened again, the strike would become a bin.
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I'm finding late payers are the bane of my working life at the moment. As a result of this I have decided the course of action to take is to deliver each custard a set of terms that we (the royal we) will be cooperating by in the future. Then they get a phone call and they're informed that payment continues to be late, and that due to circumstances beyond my control (them) the price of their windows is going up by £x amount. 'x' being something along the lines of 15%. The beauty of this is that they end up paying for their poor track record every time they get their windows cleaned from now on. One went up by £3 today, yesterday two went up by £5 each. Those three work out at something like over £110 a year increase to me because they're numpties. ;0)
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come on Matt that's so harsh poor guys, maybe they are battling to make end meets. you are really cruel.
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Honesty is the best policy in my opinion.
I'd let that one slide without a strike.... unless they make a habit of telling you they are on holiday and are not
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Is scud a word ?
And a person!
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come on Matt that's so harsh poor guys, maybe they are battling to make end meets. you are really cruel.
Well the financial service industry does it all the time. If someone is seen as a higher risk, they pay a higher rate. It's astonishing sometimes how many people don't make the connection between them paying me and me being able to pay my mortgage and other bills.
Something that happened recently: I've had a customer for a few years who gradually drifted into waiting until the fourth clean was nearly due before sending me a cheque for the previous three. I should have said something but didn't. However, I did give my bank details and said that prompt payment is appreciated and doing bank transfers might make it easier for her (hint hint). On my last visit, I was supposed to do the conservatory roof as well - total job £44 in all. I came back early from working out of town to do this job and set the time aside for it. For the first time ever, with no warning, the gate was bottom bolted and no-one was in. According to the neighbour she had just gone out, so they weren't away. It was too late really to travel the 10 miles to the other area where I was working so bassically, this perrenial late payer cost me £44. I made up my mind to write to her cancelling. Before I got around to it she phoned to ask for a specific date to clean in time for a christening party. I told her exactly why I would never be returning. I was polite but firm. A bit later I got a text outlining some of her personal problems (won't post on here as it's private), apologising for being a bad payer and asking me to reconsider. I did reconsider and came up with the same answer - cancel. So I didn't respond to the text. The personal problem concerned one of her children and I need nearly allow guilt feelings to make me change my mind. It just so happens that the thing I have been focussing on lately in my personal development program was not allowing myself to be manipulated if others attempt to induce guilt feelings within me. If I had been focussing on some other area she might have swung it. One thing I did ask her was if she had an employer, would it be acceptable to her to wait nearly six months to be paid for work she had done.
Polite but firm.
Hopefully the next window cleaner benefits from my action.
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I can't believe you guys. If a customer lets me know they are going to be away next time I just say thanks for letting me know and skip them. Where is the problem? Happens all the time, good on them for informing you.
Terms and conditions? what a load of cobblers. Some of you need to get out more. You sound like Mr Jobsworth "Well Mrs, in my terms and conditions, paragraph three section two, it clearly states........."
If I was the customer I would just laugh at you. Is there a shortage of window cleaners round your way? You are a service provider in what is becoming a very competitive business which shows every sign of getting more so.
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I can't believe you guys. If a customer lets me know they are going to be away next time I just say thanks for letting me know and skip them. Where is the problem? Happens all the time, good on them for informing you.
Terms and conditions? what a load of cobblers. Some of you need to get out more. You sound like Mr Jobsworth "Well Mrs, in my terms and conditions, paragraph three section two, it clearly states........."
If I was the customer I would just laugh at you. Is there a shortage of window cleaners round your way? You are a service provider in what is becoming a very competitive business which shows every sign of getting more so.
I don't have a problem with it either Vince if I know in advance and haven't wasted time going there before finding out. However, bearing in mind that most people seem to go on holiday late July and during August, I would have a financial problem if too many did it.
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i agree with vince.if a customer phones/texts to say they will be away and they dont want their windows cleaning then ill skip.quite a few of mine still want me to clean when they go on holiday and pay me in advance!the only window cleaners who have a problem with skipping a clean are those that are barely scratching a living in this game with not enough work.
as for terms and conditions i would never dream of it.any persistent late payers eventually get dumped if they are a pain in the bum.some dont though as there good paying jobs and i always get my money in the end.
debt owed is part and parcel of running a window cleaning business.
we are coming up to the 6 weeks summer break and lots of customers will be away.most i just clean as normal and get paid late august/early september.no problem.
regards
dazmond
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dump them, tell them you are a proper business and any future custys you take on ask for a deposit of 3 payemnts, like they do when you buy a van, put it in your terms and conditions and there is nothign they can do
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dump them, tell them you are a proper business and any future custys you take on ask for a deposit of 3 payemnts, like they do when you buy a van, put it in your terms and conditions and there is nothign they can do
except wait for the next window cleaner to knock on the door or deliver a leaflet, shouldn't have to wait long these days
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dump them, tell them you are a proper business and any future custys you take on ask for a deposit of 3 payemnts, like they do when you buy a van, put it in your terms and conditions and there is nothign they can do
Are you having a laugh? ???
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andy!doleys just trying to wind everyone up!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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..."hi can you not clean my windows as i am away until the 8th of aug. many thanks mr XXXXX"
im gonna phone him tommorrow to educate him as to my terms and conditions! ;D
nothing major, but i was just intersted to hear what others would say to him?
thanks
GB
why share that with the forum ? surely your professional enough to take it in your strude ? surely your life isn't that empty and vacant that youve resorted to telling tales on your customers ?
ypu need to go and stand in a corner and have a word with yourself.
I had 3 pospone just last night, 2 having building work done and the other going on hols on sat for 3 weeks. now do you really think I would drop a £65 a £40 and a £30 just for that ?
maybe you should have your van sign written with THE GRUMPY WINDOW CLEANER ;D ;D ;D
lighten up chief its the weekend already ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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1,cant see the problem i would rather loose one payment from him and still collect another 11/12 and especially if his a good client
2,does the three strike rule apply to us window cleaners as well as the customers?(sorry sir/madam i am late this month what with the weather,van broke down,employees sick etc (cutomer) oh dont worry i have found someone else,thats my terms and condtions i have a three strike rule?
i can understand a right pain in the arse customer but you know them straight away so they are soon disposed off
no sorry dont see the problem ???
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With this case I would text back "no problem, have a great holiday" cant see the issue.
However for a general messer I apply Matt's suggestion and increase the price for them.
As Paul said, they are a greater risk.
I also have an appointment only system which if I feel they are of the sort they pay for the convienience.
"Dump them" is the default position of many on here which is a flawed move.
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come on Matt that's so harsh poor guys, maybe they are battling to make end meets. you are really cruel.
If they are then they'll cancel. ;)
Im running a business not a charity, at least I havent resorted to superglueing their locks some on here hey >:(
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If he's usually a good customer then no sweat, it's good of him to let you know in advance and you can plan that week accordingly, if he's regularly a poor payer I would only then consider a first strike policy. I agree with Mr. Plum on this.
hope your van set-up is working nicely G B ;D
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I quoted a large detached house yesterday evening £44 all in (windows frames etc) and she said to me well I only want 8 cleans a year ok I thought but she explained 7 between April and Oct and one in Dec plus she wanted to pay up front but wanted a massive discount for paying up front lol...
Million pound house and her excuse was well I'm not here when its day light in the winter so there's no point in having them cleaned???
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i absolutely wouldnt give it a 2nd thought , other than to wish them a good holiday !
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If he's usually a good customer then no sweat, it's good of him to let you know in advance and you can plan that week accordingly, if he's regularly a poor payer I would only then consider a first strike policy. I agree with Mr. Plum on this.
hope your van set-up is working nicely G B ;D
van mount is ace thanks for asking havnt had time to get pics yet but there on there way soon!!!
watch this space! 8)
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yep dump him egg his windows for good measure
i mean fancy taking a holiday and the cheek of it to
let you know in advance! :)
none of us take holidays do we we are always on time
and never caused anyone any inconvienience :)
yep you have been treated bloody awfully you
should smash his windows!! ::) ;D
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Nothing wrong with t&c's if you want call them your customer charter....all they do is lay out your stall...all my customers get one when we take them on and why not?
Cheers
Dave.
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No problems for me. We had one tell us in June he wouldn't want his windows cleaning in August. If they are good customers this wouldn't count as a strike for me.
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Mr Bateman: Super Glue treatment is on prescription to unreasonable folk it seams to induce a sense of calm and tranquillity. The one I used it on is up to date and paying within two days.. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I quoted a large detached house yesterday evening £44 all in (windows frames etc) and she said to me well I only want 8 cleans a year ok I thought but she explained 7 between April and Oct and one in Dec plus she wanted to pay up front but wanted a massive discount for paying up front lol...
Million pound house and her excuse was well I'm not here when its day light in the winter so there's no point in having them cleaned???
See I don't have a prob with the above (except they wouldn't get a massive discount) - if they are up front then fine - it's when they play the "leave them this time" card without notice and just as you are extending the pole - they get dumped.
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I'm finding late payers are the bane of my working life at the moment. As a result of this I have decided the course of action to take is to deliver each custard a set of terms that we (the royal we) will be cooperating by in the future. Then they get a phone call and they're informed that payment continues to be late, and that due to circumstances beyond my control (them) the price of their windows is going up by £x amount. 'x' being something along the lines of 15%. The beauty of this is that they end up paying for their poor track record every time they get their windows cleaned from now on. One went up by £3 today, yesterday two went up by £5 each. Those three work out at something like over £110 a year increase to me because they're numpties. ;0)
Are you for real ??? ??? ???
You have a few customers who are constanly late in paying and your solution?????
Put the prices up.
That'll make them pay wont it.
They couldn't pay a tenner but will be able to pay fifteen.
You're a top businessman mate and no mistake ::)
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..."hi can you not clean my windows as i am away until the 8th of aug. many thanks mr XXXXX"
im gonna phone him tommorrow to educate him as to my terms and conditions! ;D
nothing major, but i was just intersted to hear what others would say to him?
thanks
GB
The guy's going on holiday.
You're his window cleaner, not a bloody solicitor.
Get over yourself; you sound like you could do with a holiday yourself :(
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Are you for real ??? ??? ???
You have a few customers who are constanly late in paying and your solution?????
Put the prices up.
That'll make them pay wont it.
They couldn't pay a tenner but will be able to pay fifteen.
You're a top businessman mate and no mistake ::)
It wasnt that they couldn't, it was that they couldnt be arsed; totally different.
The cheques have landed on the doormat (so they could pay and they have paid) the strategy of reverse psychology would appear to have been a success. Outside the box mate, thats the place to be ;)
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..."hi can you not clean my windows as i am away until the 8th of aug. many thanks mr XXXXX"
im gonna phone him tommorrow to educate him as to my terms and conditions! ;D
nothing major, but i was just intersted to hear what others would say to him?
thanks
GB
Ask him to bring you a sleeve of cigs back.
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thats nowt mate dont get stressed , i had a custy last night who had left a message on my answering machine , she called to say that i had mistakenly overcharged her husband when out collecting by £1.00 and was really very very worried and concerned about this , she also said she cant understand why the original price of £6.00 had increased to £7.00 ( might have something to do with the extension she had built ) , she insisted that i must call her asap to discuss this matter as really was concerned and was considering canceling .
Absolute genuine mistake on my part had a lot on my plate lately due big workload and various other problems , husband probably never told her that when he paid me i was going to give him far to much change until he corrected me , which would indicate i was not thinking straight at the time ,
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Relax Matt I am pulling your chain. For once your hand was of the chain. so I took the chance to rag you. ;D ;D ;D
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Ohh!! ;D ;D
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it would of bothered me either give me a chance catch up,
but what would you lot do if 50% of your custys started telling you miss a clean as going on holiday between june and august
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..."hi can you not clean my windows as i am away until the 8th of aug. many thanks mr XXXXX"
im gonna phone him tommorrow to educate him as to my terms and conditions! ;D
nothing major, but i was just intersted to hear what others would say to him?
thanks
GB
if he text you that and it is not the same day, I would respect what he said and just skip it (most dont bother to let you know), start barking your t&c's and you are liable to lose a customer. Simples
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I quoted a large detached house yesterday evening £44 all in (windows frames etc) and she said to me well I only want 8 cleans a year ok I thought but she explained 7 between April and Oct and one in Dec plus she wanted to pay up front but wanted a massive discount for paying up front lol...
Million pound house and her excuse was well I'm not here when its day light in the winter so there's no point in having them cleaned???
Did u say yes ??
I would have except would be a double charge for April clean as prob be minging by then.
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it would of bothered me either give me a chance catch up,
but what would you lot do if 50% of your custys started telling you miss a clean as going on holiday between june and august
exactly! this is my worry!
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50 % of custys going on holiday and asking to miss windows not a chance been cleaning windows over 10 yrs now and its only happened about 6 times , GB mate its easy to get stressed in the early days just try and take a more relaxed approach , i was the same as you at times but been more chilled makes a difference
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50 % of custys going on holiday and asking to miss windows not a chance been cleaning windows over 10 yrs now and its only happened about 6 times , GB mate its easy to get stressed in the early days just try and take a more relaxed approach , i was the same as you at times but been more chilled makes a difference
thanks for the support pro mate! ;) advice taken!
gb