Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Klean07 on December 20, 2013, 07:48:47 am
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I had another couple last night text back with words "can we leave it until January/new year please"!
I reckon I've lost approx. £350 because of this though probably made half of that back in tips!
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you have lost £350 a month in business!!!!
seriously i would be having a restructuring of how i would business with these people......put them standing orders or dump those that dont comply
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Some are two monthly so will pick them up again next month hopefully! The problem is that these kind of people don't want you to come any earlier than the monthly/two monthly intervals. Therefore custies that were cleaned after 21st November fall into that bracket because of xmas holidays etc!
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you should reduce the amount of customers you text, if you only text to let them know your coming dont bother just turn up and clean,
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I only text ones with access problems mate!
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Christmas is a very expensive time of year for a vast majority, so if people ask to miss this month and carry on
as normal next month, i dont see the big deal in it. To dump a customer you clean for all year round for the sake
of one month is pointless.
Regards
lal
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It could also be down to the good old weather though because if they've seen what I've just seen on weather forecast I wouldn't blame them for not having them done!
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I had another couple last night text back with words "can we leave it until January/new year please"!
I reckon I've lost approx. £350 because of this though probably made half of that back in tips!
I've had several putting me off until jan,had one yesterday £25 six wkly,can you make the next visit after april
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I feel for the op, all I can say is CCC
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We are "only the window cleaner" to these people!
They dont think or care that we have bills to pay as they see us as an added extra keeping there windows clean, i understand that this is a hard time of year and accept any customer asking to leave it this month etc, i have had 19 out of 1100 odd customers that have skip next to there address for the december clean!! Its just 1 of those things l, no point dumping as thats like spitting your dummy out or chucking your toys out the pram, as long as the custies are good throughout the rest of the year give them some slack. And defo dont lose any sleep from it.
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What Mr Kent said but if it becomes habit put then onto the when we can fit u in list at a much higher price
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Never experienced this before but this year there has been at least 6 who have done this to me. Seems strange
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We always struggle to get everyone done before Christmas. Therefore 'leave it this month' requests in December are welcomed.
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If they are a £10 customer for example put them up £1 and they will make the same amout per year with 1 less clean
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Terms and conditions,
not had one customer,
lots of you took the mick out of my t&cs but they work,
also 6 weekly cleans is the way to go,
bet most of you how have been told leave it do 4 weekly cleans ?
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Terms and conditions,
not had one customer,
lots of you took the mick out of my t&cs but they work,
also 6 weekly cleans is the way to go,
bet most of you how have been told leave it do 4 weekly cleans ?
Can you translate the bottom line to English please ;D
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we dont have anybody turn down a clean in december, unless of course they are away... there may be 1 or 2 of these. otherwise we just turn up and clean. in fact half of them have been a week early this month (3 weeks) so we can take time off over christmas. we tell them when we sign up, we clean 4 weekly and thats what we do. if they dont like that they cancel our service.
IMHO it s a mistake to text anycustomers
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Terms and conditions,
not had one customer,
lots of you took the mick out of my t&cs but they work,
also 6 weekly cleans is the way to go,
bet most of you how have been told leave it do 4 weekly cleans ?
I do 6wk and 12 wk cleans not had one person turn me away :)
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sounds like they have been listning to jeramy vine the other day
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Mr Southern window cleaning.There are many types of window cleaning on this forum.But many fit into two groups.The established who have ironed out all the problems with there customer base.Who see any new idea as to much effort.For them all is well until someone rocks the boat.The see themselves as successful and happy with there lot.They will not co-operate until there livelihood is under threat.
Then you have another group that follow blindly after these contented fat cats and have very little in common with them but are happy to bask in the fat cat shadows. Faltering at every hurdle because they admire the fat cat assets and also what some of the fame and fortune. No quite realizing what it takes to get to the same position of contentment as Mr Fat Cat window cleaning.Unity in strength is were its at. But we are not blessed with muck vision are we.
So you go on a have a good laugh every time your T+C and spelling and grammar get a knock by short sighted brothers, at least your customers understand your T +C. Strangely enough I to do not have any cancelling for December with my T++C in place. P/s its also my best year for Christmas double payments everfrom my customers ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Strange I don't have any terms and conditions and I haven't had a single cancel.
My problem is customers queue jumping looking an extra clean before Christmas.
If customers are cancelling before Christmas its because their short on cash and all the terms
and conditions in the world wont change it.
The only thing your terms T+C will do is force them to cancel and not come back.
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Strange I don't have any terms and conditions and I haven't had a single cancel.
My problem is customers queue jumping looking an extra clean before Christmas.
If customers are cancelling before Christmas its because their short on cash and all the terms
and conditions in the world wont change it.
The only thing your terms T+C will do is force them to cancel and not come back.
Good post, well said.
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Strange I don't have any terms and conditions and I haven't had a single cancel.
My problem is customers queue jumping looking an extra clean before Christmas.
If customers are cancelling before Christmas its because their short on cash and all the terms
and conditions in the world wont change it.
The only thing your terms T+C will do is force them to cancel and not come back.
Good post, well said.
Not really. Last year I didn't have a single cancellation. This year I have had four or five. I don't have t&cs, but I see nothing at all wrong with giving every new customer a sheet of paper with frequency, price and simple t&cs. If I was better organised that is what I would do.
Incidentally I don't have a "three strikes and you are out" rule. It is one strike and dumped. No messing. I can't be bothered with customers that think they dictate the service I offer. Additionally my pride is a big weakness & a doorstep cancellation hurts my pride. :)
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so ignore last year then an dish out T&C's this year?
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Mr Southern window cleaning.There are many types of window cleaning on this forum.But many fit into two groups.
1. Those that can count.
2. Those that can't count.
3. Those that drink brasso and toilet duck mocktails.
You're in the third category.
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I've been firmer this year (ooh errr) - last year I took on board what some on here said and thought "am I being a little harsh by dumping them as soon as they mess me about?"
Everyone I've given a tiny amount of slack to has tried to take some more ("give 'em an inch") at some further point in the year.
So I've now got even firmer about not accepting cancellations for:-
"Leave it 'til next time"
"Leave it 'til spring"
"Leave it I'm on holiday"
I generally just text; I'm sorry I'm afraid I don't work on that basis, I hope you understand. Best wishes.
Or:-
"Can you text me?" "No."
"What if the backs need doing and I'm not in?" "Key/Combination or let me use my gate ladder or just do the fronts." "Not happy about that." "Bye Bye."
All those who are frightened that another window cleaner will take them on; don't worry. There are enough people out there who:-
1. Want a first class job.
2. Want a reliable regular window cleaner and will pay for it month in and month out.
3. Won't expect you to suck it up because they want to save a month's money every so often. (The real reason they don't want you that month.)
4. Want someone they can trust around their property.
If they don't fit the bill then we part company. If I don't suit what they want then they can scratch around and find someone who will dance to their tune.
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I've been firmer this year (ooh errr) - last year I took on board what some on here said and thought "am I being a little harsh by dumping them as soon as they mess me about?"
Everyone I've given a tiny amount of slack to has tried to take some more ("give 'em an inch") at some further point in the year.
So I've now got even firmer about not accepting cancellations for:-
"Leave it 'til next time"
"Leave it 'til spring"
"Leave it I'm on holiday"
I generally just text; I'm sorry I'm afraid I don't work on that basis, I hope you understand. Best wishes.
Or:-
"Can you text me?" "No."
"What if the backs need doing and I'm not in?" "Key/Combination or let me use my gate ladder or just do the fronts." "Not happy about that." "Bye Bye."
All those who are frightened that another window cleaner will take them on; don't worry. There are enough people out there who:-
1. Want a first class job.
2. Want a reliable regular window cleaner and will pay for it month in and month out.
3. Won't expect you to suck it up because they want to save a month's money every so often. (The real reason they don't want you that month.)
4. Want someone they can trust around their property.
If they don't fit the bill then we part company. If I don't suit what they want then they can scratch around and find someone who will dance to their tune.
LIKE! I am going to stop texting as it is a pain.
Which ladder do you use for gates?
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For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.
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For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.
Which one? (I just use the cut down top of my old triple from trad days - with ladder mitts on)
I want to get something a bit more prufeshnial.
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We are "only the window cleaner" to these people!
They dont think or care that we have bills to pay as they see us as an added extra keeping there windows clean, i understand that this is a hard time of year and accept any customer asking to leave it this month etc, i have had 19 out of 1100 odd customers that have skip next to there address for the december clean!! Its just 1 of those things l, no point dumping as thats like spitting your dummy out or chucking your toys out the pram, as long as the custies are good throughout the rest of the year give them some slack. And defo dont lose any sleep from it.
Good post this
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For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.
Which one? (I just use the cut down top of my old triple from trad days - with ladder mitts on)
I want to get something a bit more prufeshnial.
Will this one be high enough?
http://www.midlandladders.com/products/4_Rung_Little_Giant_Classic-410-74.html
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For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.
Which one? (I just use the cut down top of my old triple from trad days - with ladder mitts on)
I want to get something a bit more prufeshnial.
Gold. I got mine on Ideal World they sell them for about £90.
It can be used as a 4.6 meter ladder or a 7 foot step ladder and so on.
Check out their video.
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we dont have anybody turn down a clean in december, unless of course they are away... there may be 1 or 2 of these. otherwise we just turn up and clean. in fact half of them have been a week early this month (3 weeks) so we can take time off over christmas. we tell them when we sign up, we clean 4 weekly and thats what we do. if they dont like that they cancel our service.
IMHO it s a mistake to text anycustomers
Your probably right but I really don't have time to scale/climb over gates, sloping roofs, etc etc!
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I think when you agree to missed cleans etc it soon will become the accepted norm, you will then dance to the customers tune instead of running your business the way you want to. nothing wrong with the odd missed clean for good reason but we have to earn a living and you can not do that by not cleaning glass. read golds post, if you do not have your own rules and stick to them then you can expect customers to mess you about.
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I agree mate live and learn!
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We are "only the window cleaner" to these people!
They dont think or care that we have bills to pay as they see us as an added extra keeping there windows clean, i understand that this is a hard time of year and accept any customer asking to leave it this month etc, i have had 19 out of 1100 odd customers that have skip next to there address for the december clean!! Its just 1 of those things l, no point dumping as thats like spitting your dummy out or chucking your toys out the pram, as long as the custies are good throughout the rest of the year give them some slack. And defo dont lose any sleep from it.
Amen
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perhaps morrisons have made people question the need for window cleaner this time of year. just a thought .
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we dont have anybody turn down a clean in december, unless of course they are away... there may be 1 or 2 of these. otherwise we just turn up and clean. in fact half of them have been a week early this month (3 weeks) so we can take time off over christmas. we tell them when we sign up, we clean 4 weekly and thats what we do. if they dont like that they cancel our service.
IMHO it s a mistake to text anycustomers
got to agree with richard , good post
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we dont have anybody turn down a clean in december, unless of course they are away... there may be 1 or 2 of these. otherwise we just turn up and clean. in fact half of them have been a week early this month (3 weeks) so we can take time off over christmas. we tell them when we sign up, we clean 4 weekly and thats what we do. if they dont like that they cancel our service.
IMHO it s a mistake to text anycustomers
at last someone who actually talks sense on this forum .agree with every word .
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Mr Southern window cleaning.There are many types of window cleaning on this forum.But many fit into two groups.The established who have ironed out all the problems with there customer base.Who see any new idea as to much effort.For them all is well until someone rocks the boat.The see themselves as successful and happy with there lot.They will not co-operate until there livelihood is under threat.
Then you have another group that follow blindly after these contented fat cats and have very little in common with them but are happy to bask in the fat cat shadows. Faltering at every hurdle because they admire the fat cat assets and also what some of the fame and fortune. No quite realizing what it takes to get to the same position of contentment as Mr Fat Cat window cleaning.Unity in strength is were its at. But we are not blessed with muck vision are we.
So you go on a have a good laugh every time your T+C and spelling and grammar get a knock by short sighted brothers, at least your customers understand your T +C. Strangely enough I to do not have any cancelling for December with my T++C in place. P/s its also my best year for Christmas double payments everfrom my customers ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
:) :) :) :) Well Said :) :) :) :)
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Mr Southern window cleaning.There are many types of window cleaning on this forum.But many fit into two groups.The established who have ironed out all the problems with there customer base.Who see any new idea as to much effort.For them all is well until someone rocks the boat.The see themselves as successful and happy with there lot.They will not co-operate until there livelihood is under threat.
Then you have another group that follow blindly after these contented fat cats and have very little in common with them but are happy to bask in the fat cat shadows. Faltering at every hurdle because they admire the fat cat assets and also what some of the fame and fortune. No quite realizing what it takes to get to the same position of contentment as Mr Fat Cat window cleaning.Unity in strength is were its at. But we are not blessed with muck vision are we.
So you go on a have a good laugh every time your T+C and spelling and grammar get a knock by short sighted brothers, at least your customers understand your T +C. Strangely enough I to do not have any cancelling for December with my T++C in place. P/s its also my best year for Christmas double payments everfrom my customers ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
A Blue Peter badge is on its way to you well done!