Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mark mids on September 09, 2013, 07:57:01 pm
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Hi Guys
Ive been offered some work from a window cleaner in my area, Trouble is ive never brought work from anyone!
How do you go about making sure its all legit and he wont sell it me then sell it someone else the follow day? or I buy it and all the custies cancel? Have you ever brought work? Im really interested and to be honest I could do with the extra work.
Cheers Guy.
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I have bought work in the past.
the one piece of advice I would give if you go ahead is to give the customers as much information as you can.
Dont keep them in the dark or you will lose them.
Try and speak to as many as possible and give every one a letter explaining the reason for the change, who you are, how you work and most important for the majority of them tell them you don't intent putting up the prices. (not yet at least) ;)
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That is a tricky one Guy!. Do you know, or know someone who knows the window cleaner in question?, if someone can vouch for the guy, that he not going to try and mess you about, that should put your mind at ease. Otherwise, I really don't know if there is a 'legitimate' way of doing this, after all a window cleaners customer is just an address. You will have to go on your gut feeling about the guy!. I would suggest you get him to introduce you to the customers in question, that way you know that they are aware of what is happening. Once you get in there, just make sure you do a good job, and be nice to them, in most cases that will be enough for them to stick with you. I got started window cleaning by buying part of an existing round, but I was introduced to the guy selling by my mates brother in law, also a window cleaner, he knew the guy selling, and could vouch for him. Some papers were made up on the computer and signed by all 3 of us, but I doubt they would have held much water from a proper 'legal' point of view!. Be aware though, that customers can be fickle, and may just decide, for no apparent reason, that they don't want a 'new face' cleaning their windows!.
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Work it with him and introduce yourself to the customers. Explain you're buying the work and that should help with anyone moving in on it once you've bought it.
Try to get as much info as you work it- prices, frequency, problem customers etc. He might be advertising fortnightly work and there's a load of monthly, for example.
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to be honest the best way is just turn up and start working dont talk about him selling or anything if they ask who you are the best thing to say is new employee ask him to play along once you have your money back say he sold the round to you by then they will know you,and it will minimize the drop rate,people cancel for silly reasons like dont like your face this will minimize it
also if you are pole and he is trad dont explain it will be done differently just turn up and start working then explain if you have too
regarding the money
if you can get away with it try and minimize your risk
agree a price
give him 25% up front before you clean it
after the first cleans have paid give him another 50%
so he has 50% of his money upfront it might only take you a handful of days to clean it
regarding the other 50% try and pay this after the 2nd clean you might not be able to buy it in this manner
and he will need to trust you a bit too so i could understand if he might not buy it (dont know how but when i bought rounds people always bought into me)
if he insists on all the money before you even clean a window (me personally would opt out) but others would take a risk
ultimately it is a risk so only give him the money if you are able to trust him i really dont think half upfront then half at least after you have clean it once then rather then the 2nd time would be a minimum
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Have bought a couple of decent rounds and the first thing we did was got the customer list and visited each one personally to introduce ourselves before the first clean. It took a bit of leg work/man hours but well worth it. It creates an impression if you turn up well presented and act in a polite and professional manner. We lost a couple of customers but gained a lot more by word of mouth. Turn up on time and do a good job and you will be fine.
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to be honest the best way is just turn up and start working dont talk about him selling or anything if they ask who you are the best thing to say is new employee ask him to play along once you have your money back say he sold the round to you by then they will know you,and it will minimize the drop rate,people cancel for silly reasons like dont like your face this will minimize it
also if you are pole and he is trad dont explain it will be done differently just turn up and start working then explain if you have too
regarding the money
if you can get away with it try and minimize your risk
agree a price
give him 25% up front before you clean it
after the first cleans have paid give him another 50%
so he has 50% of his money upfront it might only take you a handful of days to clean it
regarding the other 50% try and pay this after the 2nd clean you might not be able to buy it in this manner
and he will need to trust you a bit too so i could understand if he might not buy it (dont know how but when i bought rounds people always bought into me)
if he insists on all the money before you even clean a window (me personally would opt out) but others would take a risk
ultimately it is a risk so only give him the money if you are able to trust him i really dont think half upfront then half at least after you have clean it once then rather then the 2nd time would be a minimum
+1
Also, go on your gut.
Meet him and keep your mouth shut.
If he's trying to scam you he'll talk...& talk...& talk... Let him lead the conversation and you'll be suprised how much information he'll give you.
Do ask some questions to keep the conversation going and by the end of the free day's work you'll give him as a goodwill gesture from yourself you should have a pretty good idea if he is going to pull your pants down
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find out if you are taking on wasters first- do you have to text them the night before , will they turn you away if theres a black cloud in the sky. are the prices are all a tad too low , a right bunch of unfunny beggars
take it from me ,dont bother buying if they are the above
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just a little note mark.are you the guy whos posted loads of helpful videos?did you not post one of aworka on your phone?i noticed you said that you were "always behind" with work!have you lost a fair bit lately or are you employing?
just wondering...! :)
very best wishes
dazmond
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Sounds like your just picking bit of jealousy dazmond mmmmmm I wonder
Me know it all Washing Powder lol !!!
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i think ive got the wrong guy dannymack! ;D ;D ;D
im thinking of mark munro! ;D ;D ;D