Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Inside Out on May 03, 2012, 07:25:58 am

Title: Losing Work
Post by: Inside Out on May 03, 2012, 07:25:58 am
Hi guys,

Not been on here a while, birth of baby girl took up time.

Anyways. I've been losing a few jobs lately because another windowcleaner in my area, whom I have never got along with - despite my best efforts, has been telling people in my area that my staff have been breaking in houses and stealing. Categoricaly not true!

Living in a small town, word is soon spreading, I even had one customer ring me to ask if I employed someone who had spent time in prison!!?? Fortunately on this occassion I was able to tell them there is no truth in these rumours, and I kept customer.

Most others however don't give me the chance.

Whilst I have plenty of income off of my work, and losing the odd one won't hurt financially, it worries me that the reputation I have worked hard to build over 4 years is being smashed in days because of what can only be the jealousy of another cleaner.

How would you go about sorting this problem guys?

Thanks in advance for your help again.
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: colin purewater on May 03, 2012, 07:34:00 am
Call the cops for advise that is slander and not on

It would make my blood boil if some one said that about me
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: Inside Out on May 03, 2012, 07:47:08 am
Absolutely is Colin. I'll do that today.
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: Richard iSparkle on May 03, 2012, 07:47:32 am
i think you have to call the customers that you've lost and ask them why they have cancelled.  once they've explained, and they'll probably make some excuse, explain that you are aware that a competitor is telling clients of yours that you employ thieves and explain this isnt true and ask them if they ve heard this themselves?

it may well be that they are not cancelling because of these rumours but because of something else entirely.  either way you need to know.

if there is a trend that the lost customers are telling you, you will know what you need to address.

if it is true that you are loosing custom due to these rumours i would meet it head on and get in touch with all your customers you still have and explain that the other WC is up to dirty tricks.  it makes him look dishonest.

you could also put it in writing to them as well, and explain that you are taking legal action against him.

i would then speak to the guy who's been spreading rumours and see what he says. he may well believe he's telling the truth and after you confront him he may stop.  i would explain youve spoken to all you re customers and x many of them have told you what he said, and that you can use them as evidence if you wanted to pursue it further legally.

i would also then speak to a solicitor (theyll give free advice) and ask them what you can do legally.  probably a stern legal letter threatening action will do.

first thing though, you need to speak to the lost custies.  my guess is you re loosing them for another reason that isnt clear yet...
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: Richard iSparkle on May 03, 2012, 07:48:35 am
Call the cops for advise that is slander and not on

It would make my blood boil if some one said that about me

dont call the cops, call a solicitor.  cops wont be the right people to give advice on this, and my guess is they wont be that interested.
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: Window Washers on May 03, 2012, 07:55:43 am
Call the cops for advise that is slander and not on

It would make my blood boil if some one said that about me

dont call the cops, call a solicitor.  cops wont be the right people to give advice on this, and my guess is they wont be that interested.
I would call the cops to file it and get a crime reference number, I would then go to a solicitor
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: bobby p on May 03, 2012, 08:22:55 am
youve got to get rid of the other guy .
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: best on May 03, 2012, 08:25:33 am
before you go to a solitor that will cost money try to get a few statements from your customers to show the solitor.
asking for the statement will show your customer you intend to keep your reputation and its not true (why else would you ask).

hope you get it sorted.

lets everyone know how it turns out.

Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: sham33 on May 03, 2012, 08:27:04 am
Give a letter to every single customer you have explaining the situation and that legal proceedings for slander have taken place. Also mention who your taking action against let the word spread what a low life he is.
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: sam125 on May 03, 2012, 08:35:19 am
Break his legs demand he hands his customer database over or you shall break his arms. Dont get caught
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: William McCafferty on May 03, 2012, 08:40:46 am
Have a word with some of your customers to see If they can get him to repeat what he has said, while they record him on their mobile.

As soon as you get this evidence, email a copy to him and then take it to your solicitor and sue him for everything he has got in this life and the next
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: AshWhite on May 03, 2012, 08:46:16 am
Get one of your thieving employees to break into his van and nick all his gear.
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: trevor summerfield on May 03, 2012, 08:54:33 am
THIS IS ALL SO PETTY, you cant prove anything, try speaking to the guy, say hello, how you doing, then carefully mention the problem without naming anybody, he will know you know , he will then shut up. psychology.
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: Richard iSparkle on May 03, 2012, 08:57:52 am
before you go to a solitor that will cost money try to get a few statements from your customers to show the solitor.
asking for the statement will show your customer you intend to keep your reputation and its not true (why else would you ask).

hope you get it sorted.

lets everyone know how it turns out.



that's not accurate.

a solicitor will give you your first appointment for free.  they ll give you around an hour where you can discuss what's going on and they will advise you on what you can do, and what will work or not.  if you want them to lift a finger and write something following the meeting, they charge you then!
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: matthewprice on May 03, 2012, 09:34:52 am
does your council enforce the dreaded licence ,showing you have been checked out by the police.i would photocopy these and give a brief explanation to all your custys,in a short letter
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: Erithwc on May 03, 2012, 09:55:03 am
Hi

I would go to the police and then straight the my solictor and get him to send the guy a nasty letter telling him if he carrys on i would take legal action, then i would send all my customers letting the know the truth and let them know that your are looking at taking legal action against the person in question.

Paul
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: bad trippy on May 03, 2012, 10:21:19 am
3 words mate, CUSTOMERS (ie contact them to stop the rot) POLICE and SOLICITOR
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: trevor summerfield on May 03, 2012, 02:46:13 pm
YOU CANNOT PROVE ANYTHING. ITS KIDS STIFF. GET REAL
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: Inside Out on May 03, 2012, 09:48:39 pm
Have called and got back 2 of customers.
I have informed them that I am seeking legal advice to stop slander. Hopefully the same lines of communication that made them stop my service will help this cleaner get the message.

As for getting rid of lad, no way. What for? I would sooner lose the customers over principle. Best worker I have had.

I'll keep you up to date. Thanks for help.
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: bobby p on May 03, 2012, 09:57:43 pm
iv got a windowcleaner has recently caused me to lose work by badmouthing me . iv  either got to ignore him / get rid of him /or  look into him
Title: Re: Losing Work
Post by: shina on May 04, 2012, 04:55:35 pm
I havent read all the topics so I dont know if its been mentioned but I would send out a blanket letter to all the custys explaining the situation and assuring them its not the case.
Our local curry house sent out letters to explain that the chef had not left even though rumours said that he had due to kitchen conditions. Again the problem was the compt