Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: KJG on March 25, 2006, 04:28:09 pm

Title: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: KJG on March 25, 2006, 04:28:09 pm
18 out of 40 were out today. No phone call, email or notes on door. No wonder most firms in Brum turn down domestic. As a slow learner, I'm beginning to see why.

The lot not in today all had one thing in common. They all said we can't find a window cleaner for love nor money. Well now I know why, you don't bleedin' deserve one.
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: steve k on March 25, 2006, 04:43:36 pm
do you mean when cleaning or collecting?...if cleaning, just do fronts and charge 60%...don`t explain...just call to collect and say :
"could only do the fronts today as you were out...that`s £6.00 please"

if it was collecting...put an envelope through door with your address on and a card with:

Windows cleaned today.
Please send a cheque made payable to Mr. whoever.
Please send within 7 days.
DO NOT send cash.
Please write your address on rear of cheque.
Thank You.

A second class stamp on the envelopes is your choice...I don`t and have had very few problems.
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: windows_chepstow on March 25, 2006, 04:51:45 pm
18 out of 40 were out today. No phone call, email or notes on door. No wonder most firms in Brum turn down domestic. As a slow learner, I'm beginning to see why.

The lot not in today all had one thing in common. They all said we can't find a window cleaner for love nor money. Well now I know why, you don't bleedin' deserve one.


We need a bit more information about this post.

I reckon 70% of my customers aren't in when I clean their windows, but that's not a problem.

I can't expect them to 'stop in'; just in case we turn up to clean their windows.
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: wightsurf on March 25, 2006, 05:03:35 pm
I like that idea just do the fronts ,third time today i called and the gate was still locked even after a nice note i left asking if they could unlock it for today.I was going to dump them but nope fronts that will do it.I do next door so just fronts be ok extra £4.00 for three windows  ;D
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: pjulk on March 25, 2006, 05:36:04 pm
I clean all my customer weather they are in or not.
Then if not in leave a SAE.

Customers who you have to ring the night before due to access issues i no longer take on as they always end up being a pain.
And recently got rid of all these type of customer.

You need to make work easy for yourself and not the other way around.

Paul
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: KJG on March 25, 2006, 05:46:15 pm
18 out of 40 were out today. No phone call, email or notes on door. No wonder most firms in Brum turn down domestic. As a slow learner, I'm beginning to see why.

The lot not in today all had one thing in common. They all said we can't find a window cleaner for love nor money. Well now I know why, you don't bleedin' deserve one.


We need a bit more information about this post.

I reckon 70% of my customers aren't in when I clean their windows, but that's not a problem.

I can't expect them to 'stop in'; just in case we turn up to clean their windows.


I don't just turn up and I don't expect anyone to stay in either. When I pick a new account, I give them a card with 12 months of dates, times various contact info. Also, I tell them, and it's on their card too, to contact me or leave a note if they aren't going to be in stating what they want me to do, i.e. just do the fronts or leave it this time etc.

The main grumble I hear from domestic punters is about reliability. Well it’s a two way street and I expect the same.
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: KJG on March 25, 2006, 05:52:24 pm
do you mean when cleaning or collecting?...if cleaning, just do fronts and charge 60%...don`t explain...just call to collect and say :
"could only do the fronts today as you were out...that`s £6.00 please"

if it was collecting...put an envelope through door with your address on and a card with:

Windows cleaned today.
Please send a cheque made payable to Mr. whoever.
Please send within 7 days.
DO NOT send cash.
Please write your address on rear of cheque.
Thank You.

A second class stamp on the envelopes is your choice...I don`t and have had very few problems.

Cheers Steve. Maybe I need to toughen up on the domestic front.
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: windolene on March 25, 2006, 06:16:36 pm
Hi,

Most of my domestic customers dont know when I am next going to clean their windows, I just turn up when I think they must be due. I have had customers say to me "The last time you called was 10/11/12 weeks ago. they dont care & I dont mind. Only yesterday I was looking through my dairy & noticed that one customer was due months ago, I will get around their next week. I have some customers who call me when they want me to clean & some I have to phone as I clean their insides. Never had a problem operating this way.

Kevin WINDOLENE.
Title: Re: Unreliable window cleaners! What about unreliable customers?
Post by: macc on March 25, 2006, 06:17:35 pm
i did 15 today, only 2 in, i dont mind cause i leave an envelope to forward a cheque.

what does get to me is when a cheque appears the day before the next clean, i then have a polite word letting them no i dont work a month in arrears or do credit.
it usually does the trick, if not they can always be replaced.  ;D