Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Llaaww on December 14, 2011, 05:21:18 pm

Title: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 14, 2011, 05:21:18 pm
I am not happy. I have finally been given the heave ho from a Boots store down here in cornwall.

I found a disgusting hovel over 5 years ago and have turned it into a pristine shining shop front. I have worked hard, and been reliable for this job. I have cleaned it properly every week, year round in all weathers, and kept it in good condition at all times. I also work for several of the staff, including the Manager, on their homes. I have established a good raport with all of the staff, and have never had a complaint in all the time I have been there.

I arrived at work this morning to find a grim faced manager (lady) clutching a letter from head office explaining that work will now be carried out by a single contractor covering the entire area. I was asked to sign for reciept of the letter.

This lady has been a total star for all of the time that I have worked there and is gutted that this has happened, but is forced to go along with the company line. Some anomanous cock in middle managment has made her do the dirty work. She was deeply embarrased to be forced into this position and has promised to do all in her power to reinstate me at the first opportunity.

This shop sits in the heart of some significant customers, in fact this particular shop is a keen favourite of mine.

I will give you fair warning here and now, I want it back seamlessly.

I am usually easy come easy go when it comes to work, I understand that there is an ebb and flow of work, and that from time to time jobs will come and go. In this particular case i am seriously peed off. I am not going to give it up lightly.


This affects my net income by £720 pa, and I intend to keep it, one way or another.

Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Dave Willis on December 14, 2011, 05:32:21 pm
That's nothing - I lost my cherry in Somerset!
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Window Washers on December 14, 2011, 05:36:30 pm
Ask Dave morris he might sub it back to you.  ;D  hes down that way isnt he ?

If not find another job, Commercial work is going to cut its own throat.

it they take on another contractor there is nothing you can do about it.

Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Craig - CW Window Cleaning on December 14, 2011, 05:37:35 pm
ohh how terrible ! Just wondering which store I live in cornwall too
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 14, 2011, 05:49:33 pm
ohh how terrible ! Just wondering which store I live in cornwall too

I couldn't possibly say.

Keep the bugger guessing, that way all of the shops will need to be serviced properly every time.

Any bump will be jumped on with both feet.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: bad trippy on December 14, 2011, 05:52:47 pm
I lost my virginity in Devon once
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 14, 2011, 05:54:22 pm
I lost my virginity in Devon once

pop on down and make it twice..... ;)
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Window Washers on December 14, 2011, 05:56:49 pm
I lost my virginity in Devon once

pop on down and make it twice..... ;)
lol  ;D
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: wfp master on December 14, 2011, 06:13:53 pm
the boots on the other foot now ;D
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Pope vader on December 14, 2011, 06:18:41 pm
which boots store, did you lose
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 14, 2011, 06:22:08 pm
which boots store, did you lose

I couldn't possibly say.

Keep the bugger guessing, that way all of the shops will need to be serviced properly every time.

Any bump will be jumped on with both feet.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Pope vader on December 14, 2011, 06:26:56 pm
its either redruth or st angus,

i got offered the nationwide banks a few months ago,  waste of time,  give back, didnt get paid

do you know who got the new contract
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 14, 2011, 06:32:51 pm
its either redruth or st angus,

i got offered the nationwide banks a few months ago,  waste of time,  give back, didnt get paid

do you know who got the new contract
I have a fair idea, I have been expecting it for a while.

We should meet up for an ale some time, been thinking of it for a while.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on December 14, 2011, 08:58:50 pm
it was what £13.85
get over it lad
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: weetot on December 14, 2011, 09:21:06 pm
 I lost mine last week. Done it for years.

Some national knuckle draggers have got it.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 14, 2011, 09:23:58 pm
I lost mine last week. Done it for years.

Some national knuckle draggers have got it.

what part of the world??
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: weetot on December 14, 2011, 09:28:03 pm
Northumberland.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Frankybadboy on December 14, 2011, 09:34:00 pm
which boots store, did you lose

I couldn't possibly say.

Keep the bugger guessing, that way all of the shops will need to be serviced properly every time.

Any bump will be jumped on with both feet.
do you think it make any diffence
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: windowswashed on December 14, 2011, 09:35:15 pm
Hope you get it back, its the principle that counts, time will tell. ive regained lost ones so have faith ;D
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: stuart mc on December 14, 2011, 09:45:53 pm
I doubt it will be bumped, the main contractor issues work bills that need signed ;)
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on December 15, 2011, 07:12:10 am
just think how all
them M+co window cleaners
will feel in Jan  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 15, 2011, 08:38:45 am
which boots store, did you lose

I couldn't possibly say.

Keep the bugger guessing, that way all of the shops will need to be serviced properly every time.

Any bump will be jumped on with both feet.
do you think it make any diffence

Yes I think that if you can expose it as having been billed but not cleaned It throws doubt across the entire operation. If they are willing to do it once at one store, they are willing to do it at others.

I have to pass this job every week, it is slap bang in the middle of a bundle that I do. Any time it is bumped I will be in pointing it out to the manager. At the very least it will be kept clean, but I think that is highly unlikely.

Thought i'd sleep on it, but I am still peed off and bitter.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: H2GoKent on December 15, 2011, 09:16:19 am
I know how u feel. You've done a good job then some nerk saves money by installing a national contract or new contractor. I lost two Primark stores 18 months ago the guy replacing me does a poor job for a low price. And quite frankly no-one cares.
The box is ticked invoiced and paid and not checked.
You probably won't get it back IMO sorry.
By the way losing those cost me £8000 pa and I'm a one man band.

Move on, I had to and I feel better for it now.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: YWCS on December 15, 2011, 11:58:38 am
just think how all
them M+co window cleaners
will feel in Jan  ;D ;D ;D ;D

lol :(
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: George P on December 15, 2011, 12:09:00 pm
i think i can see both sides, years ago i lost a couple of banks, same as already said- do a good regular job and then they go to a national, i was asked at tjhe time to do a couple but i wouldnt on principle, my thoughts then was - why should i use my tools, staff, insurances etc for someone to sit in a office and take off the cream, years later and after much thought  i decided when asked i would do some, we now do 2-3 days a week for 1 member of staff,
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: YWCS on December 15, 2011, 12:10:39 pm
I doubt it will be bumped, the main contractor issues work bills that need signed ;)

I lost a Boots about 4yrs ago - I think its been cleaned about 8 times since then - the lads who do it now told me it was out of their way so they only come occasionally :o
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 15, 2011, 12:19:12 pm
I doubt it will be bumped, the main contractor issues work bills that need signed ;)

I lost a Boots about 4yrs ago - I think its been cleaned about 8 times since then - the lads who do it now told me it was out of their way so they only come occasionally :o

I bet the bill still get sent in.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: YWCS on December 15, 2011, 12:25:03 pm
yeah I'm sure it does, they told me they sign the sheet themselves.  ::)
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on December 15, 2011, 04:00:36 pm
We have that in Plymouth with our local Plymco. Mitie Clean supposedly clean it but the manageress has asked us sooooo many times to clean the windows cause Mitie just doesn't turn up. She'd love to take us on properly but her hands are tied.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Paul Coleman on December 15, 2011, 04:18:09 pm
yeah I'm sure it does, they told me they sign the sheet themselves.  ::)

Not necessarily a sign of skulduggery though.
I have a twice weekly job that I self sign and the contractor knows.  Basically it's self sign or give the job back.  To make it viable, I have to do it out of hours when no staff are about.  And yes, I do behave honestly  :)
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Frankybadboy on December 15, 2011, 04:31:39 pm
just get over it and move on,plenty more work out there
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Moderator David@stives on December 15, 2011, 05:36:32 pm
yes get over it I lost 300 of them last year
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Llaaww on December 15, 2011, 05:47:47 pm
yes get over it I lost 300 of them last year

Thats a relief, whoever it is will have an uphill struggle keeping hold of this one.

Any idea who it is??

Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: weetot on December 15, 2011, 05:51:17 pm
yes get over it I lost 300 of them last year

He probably will get over it, but give him time, did it not hurt you when you lost 300 jobs?
Its like telling someone with depression to get over it.

Join up ya thinking!
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: windowswashed on December 15, 2011, 05:53:34 pm
i once had 10% of work tied up with 1 housing association....lost all the contracts in one go and that hurt.......moral of story , dont put all eggs in one basket. Hurts but you learn from it :)
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Moderator David@stives on December 16, 2011, 10:48:59 am
I lost my flipflops in Egypt once
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: dd on December 16, 2011, 12:03:13 pm
You said you have several members of staff as customers as a result plus the extra income for the last 5 years of cleaning the store so you have significantly gained from this job.

Customers come and go. 5 years plus extra work gained as a result of cleaning their windows is a good result IMO. Stop whinging and be grateful.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Mike_G on December 16, 2011, 01:26:05 pm
You said you have several members of staff as customers as a result plus the extra income for the last 5 years of cleaning the store so you have significantly gained from this job.

Customers come and go. 5 years plus extra work gained as a result of cleaning their windows is a good result IMO. Stop whinging and be grateful.

I'll second that
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Tom White on December 16, 2011, 01:37:44 pm
Get a big jar of Vaseline and smear blobs of it into the bottom corners of the frames of Boots's windows each week.

That'll be a pig for the new guys!  ;D

Or get the family to do it when they're shopping.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: dd on December 16, 2011, 02:10:25 pm
That is not a very Buddhist reply Tosh! Still perhaps it would have been worse in your per-Buddhist days. Maybe not quite got the hang of karma yet?
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Archer on December 16, 2011, 03:58:49 pm


I lost all mine in Manchester and Bolton areas which brought in about £10k per year.

Worried about it for a week or so and picked £10k worth of work up within the month.

Looking back, it was the best thing that happened to me.

The attention to detail that i gave to them could not be bettered, and that has been proven because the windows on the flagship store in Manchester is a disgrace, f--- em.

Dont worry about it, just get stuck in to the work youve got and more will follow.
Title: Re: I lost my Boots in cornwall
Post by: Mike_G on December 16, 2011, 04:28:18 pm
I did quite a few until a couple of years ago, same with Argos, they are always filfthy now but they have reduced the frequency and pay less, they hardly warrant a decent job doing now. I mean there has to come a point where the powers that be really must say enough is enough, they keep going for the lowest quotes knowing full well that the jobs just cannot be done to a good standard at those prices and they obviously dont care so why should the window cleaner at the end of the chain care?