Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ian101 on September 16, 2011, 05:28:20 pm

Title: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Ian101 on September 16, 2011, 05:28:20 pm
not because of my cleaning or prices but her mum died 4 months ago  :(

didnt know whether to give her a hug or not so just told her time was a great healer etc etc

mum was luvly lady too
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on September 16, 2011, 05:35:17 pm
its a hard one that think you did the right thing there
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Blue Frog Systems on September 16, 2011, 05:40:35 pm
well said A & J

I once found a customer beating his wife after i heard screaming from inside the house.... went in, got the husband pinned down on the floor till the coppers arrived. Woman was very gratefull at the time - dumped me the next clean round !
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Andy Prittchard on September 16, 2011, 05:43:26 pm
I bet you then wished you had joined him in giving her a good wallop!
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: LWC on September 16, 2011, 05:52:32 pm
Not nice is it mate, i had a customer whos wife had died in a car accident, i just said how sorry i was and his eyes filled up, i didnt really know what to do.  :'(
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Ian101 on September 16, 2011, 06:01:29 pm
Ive had this the last 3 months  :( ... not good ...
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Roy Harding on September 16, 2011, 06:11:28 pm
I have had 4 customers crying on my shoulder over the years.

2 men and 2 women,

2 had lost partners young with cancer.
1 suicide
1 lost her husband routine opp and then her son only child on a motor bike 2 weeks latter.

Roy
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Rick Davis on September 16, 2011, 06:53:19 pm
These things happen in life but it's always nice to be there for someone else if needed.
 You never know when it may be your turn.


Rickster
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Andy Prittchard on September 16, 2011, 07:44:02 pm
I had one tell me that he has 18 months to live...

Just like that.  I think he was in shock as he had just got back from the quack's.

I've lost a few to the grim reaper over the years.  All of them have been old, so no great surprise I suppose.  My eldest customers are 91-2 ish and still going very strong.
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: davids3511 on September 16, 2011, 07:54:13 pm
Just found out today one of my fav old timers has had a big stroke. Only beat bowel cancer last year too. She was on the floor of her kitchen for most of the day before her son found her when he came in from work.
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on September 16, 2011, 07:56:47 pm
I have had 4 customers crying on my shoulder over the years.

2 men and 2 women,

2 had lost partners young with cancer.
1 suicide
1 lost her husband routine opp and then her son only child on a motor bike 2 weeks latter.

Roy

Ever think that perhaps you're a bloody jinx?????
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Sean Dyer on September 16, 2011, 09:07:47 pm
Ive had loads of people lose husband / wife on round  , in fact one last week , and one lost his dad this week

Another lost her daughter last year that was a bad one , cleaned the daughters house for her this week as mum cant face selling it

Just understanding helps, you dont need to say anything, besides what can you say?!
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Andy Prittchard on September 16, 2011, 09:44:30 pm
Just say that you know how they feel.  Nothing else to say really.
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: G Griffin on September 16, 2011, 10:19:57 pm
Just say that you know how they feel.  Nothing else to say really.

Don't say that, it's rubbish.
If in doubt, say nowt.
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: H S and Son on September 16, 2011, 10:24:16 pm
I had a customer tell me that she had just been diagnosed with cancer. She was in shock I think. All you can do is listen. I dont think there is anything else you can say or do. Just listen. And for me in fact try to keep my mouth shut as a rule.
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: bobplum on September 17, 2011, 07:28:41 am
yes i have a had a few in the last couple of months :'(,then tell them its going up a couple of quid (because of the insurance pay out ;D)  there's always opportunity in adversity
Title: Re: Customer in tears this afternoon
Post by: Londoner on September 17, 2011, 08:06:24 am
I found out Friday that one of my customers lost her husband since I was there last. Thats the trouble with this job, it happens all too often. Espescially as most of my customers are getting on a bit.