Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Danny Guest on September 11, 2011, 08:52:08 pm

Title: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 11, 2011, 08:52:08 pm
I have just received a call from an old customer saying that they desperately need a window cleaner.

The problem is that i have sold this round about 2 years ago to a guy whos seems to be incompetent. From what the lady has told me nobody in the street has him cleaning their windows anymore and the competition are just as bad as he is.

I have tried to purchase these rounds back on numerous occasions without success as the guy tells me hes not interested in selling. He has admitted he has lost a considerable amount of customers from the rounds that he bought from me. I have heard from ex customers on other rounds that it is the same there. He purchased the work for 6x monthly income and ive offered him 11x current monthly income but he wont sell.

Im looking for work and i know its going. I will probably have a lot of success with ex customers when they see me showing up!

What would you do? Would you go back and clean or would you pass on the details to another window cleaner or recommend one you know in the area.

I have just ordered 1000 new glossy leaflets and my canvasser is running out of estates to canvass locally.

Best Regards
Danny
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Pope vader on September 11, 2011, 08:53:58 pm
go knock it all, its called business
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Dougaldum on September 11, 2011, 09:16:55 pm
I have just received a call from an old customer saying that they desperately need a window cleaner.

The problem is that i have sold this round about 2 years ago to a guy whos seems to be incompetent. From what the lady has told me nobody in the street has him cleaning their windows anymore and the competition are just as bad as he is.

I have tried to purchase these rounds back on numerous occasions without success as the guy tells me hes not interested in selling. He has admitted he has lost a considerable amount of customers from the rounds that he bought from me. I have heard from ex customers on other rounds that it is the same there. He purchased the work for 6x monthly income and ive offered him 11x current monthly income but he wont sell.

Im looking for work and i know its going. I will probably have a lot of success with ex customers when they see me showing up!

What would you do? Would you go back and clean or would you pass on the details to another window cleaner or recommend one you know in the area.

I have just ordered 1000 new glossy leaflets and my canvasser is running out of estates to canvass locally.

Best Regards
Danny
why did you sell in the first place ???
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Steve Sed on September 11, 2011, 09:19:17 pm
Why do you need them back?
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 11, 2011, 09:23:11 pm
Why do you need them back?
I dont need them but i have been trying to buy them. I sold them 2 years ago to clear some debts. I have moved on and have a large successful round but have been asked to go back before. I hgave tried to buy it back and now one of the residents is phoning me asking me to go back.

I can either take them on and compromise my friendship with the window cleaner or i could pass on the residents details and leave it.

Thats why ive written the post to ask others opinions
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: rob thomas on September 11, 2011, 09:24:53 pm
Just do it!!!!!!!
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Lee GLS on September 11, 2011, 09:30:09 pm


I can either take them on and compromise my friendship with the window cleaner

how well do you know the windy? if hes a friend, talk to him tell him the situation, if hes just an acquaintance, go ahead and get the work, its the same as any other customer asking you to clean their window becasue they arnt happy with their current windy, you would be dont nothing wrong, 2 years have past.
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 11, 2011, 09:34:14 pm
I occasionally speak with him on the phone and would class him as an associate.

I might call him tomorrow and tell him that ive been asked to go back and try and force his hand to sell. If i get turned down i will canvass it.

Thanks for the advice

Danny

Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: rob thomas on September 11, 2011, 09:35:03 pm
Lee GLS YAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNNNN!!!!
Just do it!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: tacky on September 11, 2011, 09:41:05 pm
why dont u take on the custies .who ar not happy with the window cleaner u sold the round to .and give him the money back .( maybe a bit xtra )saying they dont want him .and ether take the money u offer him .because u will have the unhappy custies any way .
 if i were him                    id take ur money and ask u politly .could i come with u for a few weeks n learn how to clean windows properly
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: mikecam on September 11, 2011, 09:42:55 pm
I have just received a call from an old customer saying that they desperately need a window cleaner.

The problem is that i have sold this round about 2 years ago to a guy whos seems to be incompetent. From what the lady has told me nobody in the street has him cleaning their windows anymore and the competition are just as bad as he is.

I have tried to purchase these rounds back on numerous occasions without success as the guy tells me hes not interested in selling. He has admitted he has lost a considerable amount of customers from the rounds that he bought from me. I have heard from ex customers on other rounds that it is the same there. He purchased the work for 6x monthly income and ive offered him 11x current monthly income but he wont sell.

Im looking for work and i know its going. I will probably have a lot of success with ex customers when they see me showing up!

What would you do? Would you go back and clean or would you pass on the details to another window cleaner or recommend one you know in the area.

I have just ordered 1000 new glossy leaflets and my canvasser is running out of estates to canvass locally.

Best Regards
Danny

I'd say its very bad form to consider cleaning in the area you have just (or relativley recently) sold work. Its not really ethical at all. I'd do something you havn't mentioned..and that is go and see the guy i sold the work to and tell him i'm getting interest there and see what he wants to do about it. Not sure why you're asking this though. What do you expect everyone to say,....sod it , just go clean it? Some already have !!! Then you'll be wondering who is throwing paint on your cars !!!  
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: tacky on September 11, 2011, 09:45:07 pm
thats true mike .
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: G Griffin on September 11, 2011, 09:45:44 pm
Offer to teach him how to clean windows properly.
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: mci services on September 11, 2011, 10:27:29 pm
you cant sell work then pinch it back if he is still in the area

agreed
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 11, 2011, 10:29:02 pm
I have just received a call from an old customer saying that they desperately need a window cleaner.

The problem is that i have sold this round about 2 years ago to a guy whos seems to be incompetent. From what the lady has told me nobody in the street has him cleaning their windows anymore and the competition are just as bad as he is.

I have tried to purchase these rounds back on numerous occasions without success as the guy tells me hes not interested in selling. He has admitted he has lost a considerable amount of customers from the rounds that he bought from me. I have heard from ex customers on other rounds that it is the same there. He purchased the work for 6x monthly income and ive offered him 11x current monthly income but he wont sell.

Im looking for work and i know its going. I will probably have a lot of success with ex customers when they see me showing up!

What would you do? Would you go back and clean or would you pass on the details to another window cleaner or recommend one you know in the area.

I have just ordered 1000 new glossy leaflets and my canvasser is running out of estates to canvass locally.

Best Regards
Danny

I'd say its very bad form to consider cleaning in the area you have just (or relativley recently) sold work. Its not really ethical at all. I'd do something you havn't mentioned..and that is go and see the guy i sold the work to and tell him i'm getting interest there and see what he wants to do about it. Not sure why you're asking this though. What do you expect everyone to say,....sod it , just go clean it? Some already have !!! Then you'll be wondering who is throwing paint on your cars !!!  

Thanks mike
Thats the reason i posted this. I like to ask as many people as possible before i make my conclusions. I am asking if put in my situation would how would you respond?
At the time i sold the wc couldnt afford all the work in the area so i divided it in two. I have a large round over the road from the round in question and buying it back would be a great add on as it once was.
I am approaching him tomorrow and will try and force his hand to sell.

Stan this is why i wanted a number of opinions before i make a move

Whichever way it goes ive never had any of my vehicles vandalised and i doubt that anyone would want to damage my property. I have very few enemies

Danny
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 11, 2011, 10:40:26 pm
Offer to teach him how to clean windows properly.
Im sensing an opportunity to buy a round inexpensively. Im not looking to improve my competition  ;D
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on September 11, 2011, 10:44:28 pm
you cant sell work then pinch it back if he is still in the area

its not pinching if the custy dont want him stan! but i would tell the custy to sack the windy first then i'll give em a price
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: mikecam on September 11, 2011, 10:46:43 pm
Should point this thread out to everyone who looks at the rounds for sale section !!
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: mikecam on September 11, 2011, 10:48:15 pm
you cant sell work then pinch it back if he is still in the area

its not pinching if the custy dont want him stan! but i would tell the custy to sack the windy first then i'll give em a price
Listen mate, you appear to be a disaster. You'll leave the custy with spotty windows and knock out the competition with your gracie jujitsu, give some of us a chance will ya !!!
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: mikecam on September 11, 2011, 10:49:51 pm
Offer to teach him how to clean windows properly.
Im sensing an opportunity to buy a round inexpensively. Im not looking to improve my competition  ;D

I'd of thought you'd be paying him what you sold it for?
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 11, 2011, 11:01:48 pm
you cant sell work then pinch it back if he is still in the area

As a general principle I agree - but if (especially after two years) a custy doesn't want him due to his unreliability or poor work quality) and they approach you then it is fair game IMO. Out of courtesy I would tell him the custy approached me and that I would take them on.

I wouldn't approach a custy I had sold or canvass in the immediate vicinity but if they approach me on the above terms then that's tough.

How about this? About 5 years ago a mate's brother moved down from Manchester after being robbed at knifepoint while driving a taxi - he wanted to stop taxiwork and set up as a windy and I said he was welcome (for free) to about ten custies that I could spare and who were low priced at the end of a street.

Over the next year or two three of them asked me to take them back on and I refused. One of them begged and I said my prices were double and that I didn't want to go back on my "deal" with the other windy. Finally he said - look the other guy is rubbish, leaves spots and is unreliable.

So I took him back and then six of the others came back over the last year and finally one who had left the other windy for yet another windy was let down by the last windy (if you follow that!) and came over last week and begged me to take him back which I did plus his mother in a nearby house.

So yes in extreme circumstances I would have them back if I needed them.

What do you think?
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on September 11, 2011, 11:09:30 pm
you cant sell work then pinch it back if he is still in the area

its not pinching if the custy dont want him stan! but i would tell the custy to sack the windy first then i'll give em a price
Listen mate, you appear to be a disaster. You'll leave the custy with spotty windows and knock out the competition with your gracie jujitsu, give some of us a chance will ya !!!

 ;D sorry
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on September 11, 2011, 11:11:54 pm
you cant sell work then pinch it back if he is still in the area

As a general principle I agree - but if (especially after two years) a custy doesn't want him due to his unreliability or poor work quality) and they approach you then it is fair game IMO. Out of courtesy I would tell him the custy approached me and that I would take them on.

I wouldn't approach a custy I had sold or canvass in the immediate vicinity but if they approach me on the above terms then that's tough.

How about this? About 5 years ago a mate's brother moved down from Manchester after being robbed at knifepoint while driving a taxi - he wanted to stop taxiwork and set up as a windy and I said he was welcome (for free) to about ten custies that I could spare and who were low priced at the end of a street.

Over the next year or two three of them asked me to take them back on and I refused. One of them begged and I said my prices were double and that I didn't want to go back on my "deal" with the other windy. Finally he said - look the other guy is rubbish, leaves spots and is unreliable.

So I took him back and then six of the others came back over the last year and finally one who had left the other windy for yet another windy was let down by the last windy (if you follow that!) and came over last week and begged me to take him back which I did plus his mother in a nearby house.

So yes in extreme circumstances I would have them back if I needed them.

What do you think?
agreed
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: deeege on September 12, 2011, 08:44:58 am
I'm with mikecam on this one.

It seems pretty unethical to take payment for customers and then take them back, regardless of the situation with current wc.

I'd approach him and offer to give his money back, explaining that some of his customers had contacted you. If he refuses and wants to keep them, then leave them well alone.
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on September 12, 2011, 08:53:14 am
I'm with mikecam on this one.

It seems pretty unethical to take payment for customers and then take them back, regardless of the situation with current wc.

I'd approach him and offer to give his money back, explaining that some of his customers had contacted you. If he refuses and wants to keep them, then leave them well alone.

im not sure ive read the original post right after reading this  ???  i'll read it later again when i get home!
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Darranvps on September 12, 2011, 10:49:53 am
You've SOLD IT - either buy it back or LEAVE IT ALONE
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: KLEENAWAY on September 12, 2011, 11:45:32 am
Or pass the details on to me, ill canvass it and if i get alot of work ill sort you out a few quid! The current wc can "talk" to me  ;)

Danny
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 12, 2011, 05:09:33 pm
Offer to teach him how to clean windows properly.
Im sensing an opportunity to buy a round inexpensively. Im not looking to improve my competition  ;D

I'd of thought you'd be paying him what you sold it for?

No mike he seems to have lost quite a few
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 12, 2011, 05:16:53 pm
Ive been phoning him all day and have left him a few messages to get in touch. Nothing yet.

Im planning on buying back the work he already has or swap him what he has left for one of my rounds of equal or greater value as i know i can get all the old customers back and i will be better off.

Obviously i will swap him for a round thats not growing fast and hopefully i will be better off

Danny
Title: Re: What Would You Do?
Post by: Danny Guest on September 12, 2011, 05:17:28 pm
Or pass the details on to me, ill canvass it and if i get alot of work ill sort you out a few quid! The current wc can "talk" to me  ;)

Danny

I will keep that in mind mate  ;D