Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: sean84 on January 02, 2012, 11:15:43 am

Title: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: sean84 on January 02, 2012, 11:15:43 am
Reason im asking this as im going to start my round this week. One thing im not sure as to whether its a good idea or not is to leave a SAE for a cheque / cash or do you not bother and let the customer get envelope, stamp etc?
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Lee GLS on January 02, 2012, 11:20:49 am
Yes, have always left an sae without a stamp
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: king marko on January 02, 2012, 11:25:52 am
As above - always leave sae with a slip detailing date, price, my details and expected payment time 
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: sean84 on January 02, 2012, 11:41:46 am
So for customers who pay cheque leave a SAE and a slip with amount due, date cleaned etc.
Customers who pay cash leave a slip with above details on and a date and approx time when I will collect.
That the best way of doing things?
 
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: George P on January 02, 2012, 11:42:34 am
leave slip with outstanding monies, no envelope or stamp,
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on January 02, 2012, 11:52:51 am
Yes, have always left an sae without a stamp
me too just started doing it and its cut down on payments owed alot!
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Window Washers on January 02, 2012, 11:57:30 am
Yes, have always left an sae without a stamp
me too just started doing it and its cut down on payments owed alot!
by how much ?
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: sean84 on January 02, 2012, 11:58:28 am
Yes, have always left an sae without a stamp
me too just started doing it and its cut down on payments owed alot!

Thats what I was thinking; that if the customer has a SAE theres a better chance of payment.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: shina on January 02, 2012, 01:24:42 pm
How else would you get paid?

I have always done this and I never have to wait for money and I dont collect on an evening, what a waste of time that would be. Spend that time with the family.

Those who dont pay by post I either get on the day of the clean if they are in or they do it bacs, Simple.

The only changes I will make this year is that I will no longer put a stamp on it. If they question that then I will make the point that my prices have been the same for years so if I provide them with a stamp the price will be increased. It wont work on them all but hopefully on most.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: gary999 on January 02, 2012, 01:32:53 pm
How else would you get paid?

I have always done this and I never have to wait for money and I dont collect on an evening, what a waste of time that would be. Spend that time with the family.

Those who dont pay by post I either get on the day of the clean if they are in or they do it bacs, Simple.

The only changes I will make this year is that I will no longer put a stamp on it. If they question that then I will make the point that my prices have been the same for years so if I provide them with a stamp the price will be increased. It wont work on them all but hopefully on most.

collecting isnt necessary waste i collect over 70% my work is mostly
within a two mile radius of my home and generally takes me less than hour

i tend to prefer collecting in that our twice a week than pushing a
shopping trolley round sainsburys with the missus
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: sean84 on January 02, 2012, 01:34:53 pm
How else would you get paid?

I have always done this and I never have to wait for money and I dont collect on an evening, what a waste of time that would be. Spend that time with the family.

Those who dont pay by post I either get on the day of the clean if they are in or they do it bacs, Simple.

The only changes I will make this year is that I will no longer put a stamp on it. If they question that then I will make the point that my prices have been the same for years so if I provide them with a stamp the price will be increased. It wont work on them all but hopefully on most.

What about cash customers, surely you dont get them to send cash through the post?
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: andrew tapsell on January 02, 2012, 01:43:22 pm
if they arent in i leave an envelope with a slip. it tells them ive done the windows so in case they dont notice. a lot of times they pay double next clean . so far ive been lucky where i dont get any non payers  :)
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Crystal-clear on January 02, 2012, 02:33:53 pm
with stamp it doesnt cost alot and i get the cheque really fast also i dont like the idea of customers needing to go to the shop maybe que up inconvenience them to pay me.

it could be a reason to cancel, so i like easy payment options. i am however promoting online banking payments where they only get a text message that dont cost anything but some still prefer cheque
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Pope vader on January 02, 2012, 02:54:18 pm
i have done this  only and online only,  stil end up collect as a lot dont pay or forget
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Helen on January 02, 2012, 03:13:29 pm
How else would you get paid?

I have always done this and I never have to wait for money and I dont collect on an evening, what a waste of time that would be. Spend that time with the family.

Those who dont pay by post I either get on the day of the clean if they are in or they do it bacs, Simple.

The only changes I will make this year is that I will no longer put a stamp on it. If they question that then I will make the point that my prices have been the same for years so if I provide them with a stamp the price will be increased. It wont work on them all but hopefully on most.

What about cash customers, surely you dont get them to send cash through the post?

Of course not!
Payment by cash or cheque if in at time of clean.
If not in, leave unstamped addressed envelope for payment to be sent within 7 days.
You can also offer on line direct to bank payment details.
You will be surprised at how many didn't realise they dont have to pay with cash. :)
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Crystal-clear on January 02, 2012, 03:15:25 pm
How else would you get paid?

I have always done this and I never have to wait for money and I dont collect on an evening, what a waste of time that would be. Spend that time with the family.

Those who dont pay by post I either get on the day of the clean if they are in or they do it bacs, Simple.

The only changes I will make this year is that I will no longer put a stamp on it. If they question that then I will make the point that my prices have been the same for years so if I provide them with a stamp the price will be increased. It wont work on them all but hopefully on most.

What about cash customers, surely you dont get them to send cash through the post?

Of course not!
Payment by cash or cheque if in at time of clean.
If not in, leave unstamped addressed envelope for payment to be sent within 7 days.
You can also offer on line direct to bank payment details.
You will be surprised at how many didn't realise they dont have to pay with cash. :)

[/quote

i find if no stamp payment much delay with payment.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Window Washers on January 02, 2012, 03:23:12 pm
with stamp it doesnt cost alot and i get the cheque really fast also i dont like the idea of customers needing to go to the shop maybe que up inconvenience them to pay me.

it could be a reason to cancel, so i like easy payment options. i am however promoting online banking payments where they only get a text message that dont cost anything but some still prefer cheque
this could cost hundreds if you have a large round.
I have never in my years of window cleaning had a cancellation because i didn't give them an envelope and a stamp.
I would though implement this if there was a valid reason too, i'm yet to find one though.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Dave. on January 02, 2012, 03:25:22 pm
I leave a 'your windows were cleaned today' card - with date, amount and payment options  - on the whole most customers pay quickly, a few wait until the following clean - I quite like the constant trickle of cheques, bank transfers and paypal payments.

Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: gary999 on January 02, 2012, 03:38:39 pm
I leave a 'your windows were cleaned today' card - with date, amount and payment options  - on the whole most customers pay quickly, a few wait until the following clean - I quite like the constant trickle of cheques, bank transfers and paypal payments.



cash going into my backpocket feels nicer though ;D
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Window Washers on January 02, 2012, 03:41:13 pm
I leave a 'your windows were cleaned today' card - with date, amount and payment options  - on the whole most customers pay quickly, a few wait until the following clean - I quite like the constant trickle of cheques, bank transfers and paypal payments.



cash going into my backpocket feels nicer though ;D
nah its a pain in the ass
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: shina on January 02, 2012, 05:44:41 pm
How else would you get paid?

I have always done this and I never have to wait for money and I dont collect on an evening, what a waste of time that would be. Spend that time with the family.

Those who dont pay by post I either get on the day of the clean if they are in or they do it bacs, Simple.

The only changes I will make this year is that I will no longer put a stamp on it. If they question that then I will make the point that my prices have been the same for years so if I provide them with a stamp the price will be increased. It wont work on them all but hopefully on most.

What about cash customers, surely you dont get them to send cash through the post?

Of course not!
Payment by cash or cheque if in at time of clean.
If not in, leave unstamped addressed envelope for payment to be sent within 7 days.
You can also offer on line direct to bank payment details.
You will be surprised at how many didn't realise they dont have to pay with cash. :)

Thankyou, answered for me.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: dazmond on January 02, 2012, 10:42:22 pm
cash/cheque on day of clean or collecting end of the week on compact work.some sae left on bigger stand alones and a few commercial.i always leave an envelope/calling card or invoice and a 1st class stamp.

a few pay online via BACS as well.works just fine for me.


regards


dazmond
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Carl2009 on January 03, 2012, 10:06:27 am
I leave an SAE with a 2nd class stamp on it. I'm always owed money at the end of the month but it would be interesting to know if it would be more if I didn't leave an sae. I think it would be - how could it not?

I feel i'm in the customer satisfaction business, rather than window cleaning. I noted that people hate it if I clean when it's raining anything more than light drizzle, and I don't like it if it's pouring (plus I feel a numpty) so I don't bother - I make the tie up at a weekend (but haven't taken a 2 week summer break yet...). Ditto with the sae - it removes a barrier to payment (I offer PayPal and BACS as well as cash too). I'm not the cheapest but my gross margin is healthy. It's worked well for me and i'll continue doing it. I spent £224 in 2010/11 and £108 so far in 2011/12 on postage for the sae's (but had 6 weeks off this year due to broken thumb). I'd say half pay cash on the day, half via post/PayPal.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: sean84 on January 03, 2012, 10:25:53 am
I leave an SAE with a 2nd class stamp on it. I'm always owed money at the end of the month but it would be interesting to know if it would be more if I didn't leave an sae. I think it would be - how could it not?

I feel i'm in the customer satisfaction business, rather than window cleaning. I noted that people hate it if I clean when it's raining anything more than light drizzle, and I don't like it if it's pouring (plus I feel a numpty) so I don't bother - I make the tie up at a weekend (but haven't taken a 2 week summer break yet...). Ditto with the sae - it removes a barrier to payment (I offer PayPal and BACS as well as cash too). I'm not the cheapest but my gross margin is healthy. It's worked well for me and i'll continue doing it. I spent £224 in 2010/11 and £108 so far in 2011/12 on postage for the sae's (but had 6 weeks off this year due to broken thumb). I'd say half pay cash on the day, half via post/PayPal.

Thats a lot of $$ on stamps!
Do you buy them in bulk?
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: Paul Coleman on January 03, 2012, 10:58:05 am
No envelope.  No stamp.
Just a bill with the payment options.
No collecting either.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: SB Cleaning on January 03, 2012, 11:10:59 am
Cash or cheque on the door if not in i leave sae with no stamp they send cheque or pay by bacs, i used to leave a stamp but it gets to expensive when you grow, only collecting i do is for well overdue payments which i don't get too many :)
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: dazmond on January 03, 2012, 12:09:53 pm
i find the post office dont stamp the stamps a lot of the time so i just steam them off and use again by reglueing them to new envelope!! ;) ;D ;D ;Dworks fine and helps keep costs down.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: sean84 on January 03, 2012, 01:29:12 pm
Cash or cheque on the door if not in i leave sae with no stamp they send cheque or pay by bacs, i used to leave a stamp but it gets to expensive when you grow, only collecting i do is for well overdue payments which i don't get too many :)

Do you leave your bank account details on the slip with date cleaned etc.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: AS Window Cleaning on January 03, 2012, 02:13:33 pm
if they arent in i leave an envelope with a slip. it tells them ive done the windows so in case they dont notice. a lot of times they pay double next clean . so far ive been lucky where i dont get any non payers  :)

same here.  we get steady trickle of cheques coming thru. once u build up a cash flow buffer its fine normally.
Title: Re: Poll - Do you leave a SAE for payment if customer not at home?
Post by: SB Cleaning on January 03, 2012, 02:40:09 pm
Cash or cheque on the door if not in i leave sae with no stamp they send cheque or pay by bacs, i used to leave a stamp but it gets to expensive when you grow, only collecting i do is for well overdue payments which i don't get too many :)

Do you leave your bank account details on the slip with date cleaned etc.
yep