Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: keyser soze on March 04, 2012, 10:18:28 am

Title: bartering
Post by: keyser soze on March 04, 2012, 10:18:28 am
im pretty new to this window cleaning , but i put a price in for a job i estimated around 30 quid the custy said he would get another quote (understandable i would) the other quote was the same as mine . custy asked if i would do for 25 then the jobs mine. im not sure if i want to get into this bartering lark, i dont want to set a precident .what do you guys do  ???
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Simon@ Clearview contractors on March 04, 2012, 10:33:57 am
I think the guy is telling porkies and I doubt there is another quote on the table, he's just "trying it".

Do you think the job is worth doing @ £25?  if the answer's yes do it...

Personally I'd "weigh the customer up" wether or not he's gonna be a good guy to work for, or "Trouble"...
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on March 04, 2012, 10:38:49 am
Very well put; I agree ternty five quid a month from a reliable, good paying customer is better then thirty quid a month from a customer you have to go back to three times just to collect and who tells you to give them a miss this time every other month :-\
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Llaaww on March 04, 2012, 10:56:59 am
Any mention of other quotes, and I walk away.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: britishwill on March 04, 2012, 11:00:29 am
Just think, it could turn out to be a grudge clean!

All I would do is remind the client in a really friendly way why you charge £30 and how good, reliable etc etc you are.

I tend to push them away at this point in a nice way. They always seem to come back!
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Dave Mills on March 04, 2012, 11:09:25 am
im pretty new to this window cleaning , but i put a price in for a job i estimated around 30 quid the custy said he would get another quote (understandable i would) the other quote was the same as mine . custy asked if i would do for 25 then the jobs mine. im not sure if i want to get into this bartering lark, i dont want to set a precident .what do you guys do  ???

Correct answer is "Use the other guy.  When he lets you down (and he will) give me a call and Ill still be happy to clean them for £30"
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: bobplum on March 04, 2012, 11:16:31 am
if it could have been done at £25.00 in the first place you would have charged £25.00?,so if both quotes are £30.00 that indicates the correct price.
your now facing the same problem we probably all face when we start out,you want the work,need the money,etc its easy for me  to say but i would stick to the £30 and just say to the customer " no thanks we have enough work we don't need to lower our prices" and walk away.
don't become a busy fool,make a business plan stick to it,work less earn more
(my motivation book will be out next year ;D)
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: andyjm1 on March 04, 2012, 11:20:14 am
If you're new, then assuming you need the work, take it until something better comes along, or you feel you're able to put the price up. Failing that why not meet him half way at £27.50?

There's nothing wrong with customers bartering with you, although I find it's rare when pricing up work. If you find it happens a lot, factor it into your original price, leaving you some room for manoeuvre.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: bobby p on March 04, 2012, 11:56:52 am
think of it,the other guy would never have got the exact same price

 i had somebody try that on recently,i then said "ah,ok,best you go with them then" and as im putting the phone slowly down , i then hear em backpeddlin, "well,no no, i want to go with you, is it £30 you say? "


 i then said ok , and heard her squirm but i knew id got her. shes later asked for a bargeboard to be scrubbed ,im going to double up or more on that kiddie.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: colin purewater on March 04, 2012, 12:24:09 pm
I've had this and asked to see the quote

But It back fired on me as he did and it was a lot cheaper ::)

Didn't get the job but I don't mind.

The price is the price so stick to your guns cowboy  ;)
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: ShireOaks on March 04, 2012, 12:33:30 pm
stick to your guns!!
if its worth £30 then its worth £30
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Crystal-clear on March 04, 2012, 01:33:51 pm
I think the guy is telling porkies and I doubt there is another quote on the table, he's just "trying it".

Do you think the job is worth doing @ £25?  if the answer's yes do it...

Personally I'd "weigh the customer up" wether or not he's gonna be a good guy to work for, or "Trouble"...

pretty much spot on ,
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: LWC on March 04, 2012, 01:36:56 pm
Do it for £25...£20...£15...where does it stop

Price is your price...stick with it...dont like it, go elsewhere.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: G Griffin on March 04, 2012, 01:39:30 pm
im pretty new to this window cleaning , but i put a price in for a job i estimated around 30 quid the custy said he would get another quote (understandable i would) the other quote was the same as mine . custy asked if i would do for 25 then the jobs mine. im not sure if i want to get into this bartering lark, i dont want to set a precident .what do you guys do  ???

I'm splitting hairs a bit, but that's not bartering, it's bargaining. Bartering would be an exchange of goods or service for another. For example- do my garden and I'll do your windows.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Lakes and Pennine on March 04, 2012, 02:09:53 pm
I had a 25 quid job every 2 months, after about a year she asked if would consider charging 20 and doing it every month s0 i did
good payer and it only takes 35 mins.

that custy is now worth 240 a year instead of 150

I know one or 2 high price windys who are now starting to loose a considerable amount of work and you cant always relie on the ' :drop em and get 2 more' :o
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: jk999 on March 04, 2012, 02:14:13 pm
If your new to job you cant afford to turn work away  :)
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Steve Sed on March 04, 2012, 02:29:19 pm
I had a 25 quid job every 2 months, after about a year she asked if would consider charging 20 and doing it every month s0 i did
good payer and it only takes 35 mins.

that custy is now worth 240 a year instead of 150

I know one or 2 high price windys who are now starting to loose a considerable amount of work and you cant always relie on the ' :drop em and get 2 more' :o

Or put another way, you have gone from £43 an hour to £34.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Rob_Mac on March 04, 2012, 03:28:42 pm
Offer this

Pay me on the day I clean I will accept £25.00, late payments £30.00!!!!.

Rob ;D
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: AS Window Cleaning on March 04, 2012, 05:02:57 pm
Do it for £25...£20...£15...where does it stop

Price is your price...stick with it...dont like it, go elsewhere.

same here. the price I give is the price it's worth. if you drop the price, your basically admitting you over charged them. bartering or not, there's not usually room for movement in the price.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: AJ on March 04, 2012, 05:25:39 pm
tell him that you can do it for £25 a month, every month, no missed cleans.
just explain to him that to drop the price you have to at least have some security.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: boshravie on March 04, 2012, 05:49:04 pm
if it could have been done at £25.00 in the first place you would have charged £25.00?,so if both quotes are £30.00 that indicates the correct price.
your now facing the same problem we probably all face when we start out,you want the work,need the money,etc its easy for me  to say but i would stick to the £30 and just say to the customer " no thanks we have enough work we don't need to lower our prices" and walk away.
don't become a busy fool,make a business plan stick to it,work less earn more
(my motivation book will be out next year ;D)


 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: NJWindowCleaning on March 04, 2012, 09:14:03 pm
Never barter you give them a price and if they dont like it tell him to take a hike as that is the price and no lowering it.

He dont go to the supermarket and tell them he can get £5.00 knocked off there prices else where.
Bartering is bad for you and your business once you do for one then they all want the same equal rights  ::).
Tell him since you price it and he declined there and then say to him you just put your price up it be £5.00 extra from now on  ;D ;D
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: G Griffin on March 04, 2012, 09:18:25 pm
It's not bartering! It's bargaining, negotiating, being a cheeky bustard etc etc.......not bartering  ;D.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: keyser soze on March 04, 2012, 09:21:58 pm
tried to dabble a carrot by saying he has several houses but i told him that the price is what i quoted. its based not only time but water used and im cutting own throat doing it cheaper, not heard anything but not bothered  keeping busy anyhow
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: Richard iSparkle on March 04, 2012, 09:24:06 pm
when quoting i try to have a minimun price in mind and a best price in mind.  start with the best price, but you're willing to do it for your minimun.  i tend to make sure i take 2 walks around a house before i quote so that i have time to get my thoughts together.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: dazmond on March 04, 2012, 09:58:52 pm
personally i would stand your ground mate although im in a much different position where i can pick and choose what work i take on.

it very rarely happens but when it does i just say "im  sorry sir/madam but thats my price!"followed by "dont you know im the best window cleaner by a mile in this area?i clean all your frames,sills and doors every time!then laugh!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;Dthat usually works for me!!

the truth is I AM THE BEST WINDOW CLEANER IN MY AREA!!no BS!!its TRUE!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: KS Cleaning on March 05, 2012, 12:10:42 am
Same as what others have said,startin out you come and go a wee bit,when you build your round up you quote the price you need for the job.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: rosskesava on March 05, 2012, 12:54:11 am
I think if you're prepared to change your price with one potential customer then that'll somehow be reflected in your posture when you speak to the next potential customer.

For me, my price is my price. I'd rather walk away than barter.
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: steve rix on March 05, 2012, 06:24:52 pm
im pretty new to this window cleaning , but i put a price in for a job i estimated around 30 quid the custy said he would get another quote (understandable i would) the other quote was the same as mine . custy asked if i would do for 25 then the jobs mine. im not sure if i want to get into this bartering lark, i dont want to set a precident .what do you guys do  ???

I'm splitting hairs a bit, but that's not bartering, it's bargaining. Bartering would be an exchange of goods or service for another. For example- do my garden and I'll do your windows.

I do this with the local village pub £30 window clean = 10 pints!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: best on March 13, 2012, 06:26:11 pm
the problem with bartering is, if they talk to their friends & family, they too will expect the same if you clean their windows
Title: Re: bartering
Post by: richard jagger on March 13, 2012, 08:45:14 pm
0 out of ten to all those who used the word barter.ITS BARGAIN are we in Poland or England.I do not speak English at home and my English is better.