Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: colin bird on October 27, 2014, 04:54:22 pm
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thanks for reading,ive lost s few jobs recently, only 5 or 6 i like to think i do a good job and offer a good service,always on time,polite to customers etc.
ive put a hundred new jobs on in the last ten months and was feeling posotive as things are going in the right direction.
but losing these few jobs has really bothered me,more than normal,as normally i would just accept it,like you do, and go out and canvass to replace them,which is what i will do.
but for some reason i feel really down and dejected
how do you guys feel when you go through one of these spells like im currently going through ?
apologies to paul ette as didnt see his post until i posted mine
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no worries, that exactly how i feel at the minute, something in the air :)
at least im not alone
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never worry about loosing them .... just go out canvass / leaflet for a day if you feel down :)
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In the early days I used to take it personally, esp. When you knew a good job was done, ( same when canvassing and they had dirty windows but claimed to do it themselves ) over the years you get to know the ones who will fall out at the first opertunity with very lame excuses, this time of year usually sees a few drop off as winter comes around, but you could bend over backwards for this kind of customer and still not want your services THATS LIFE.
It's more difficult with staff as I'm more removed from the customers, but again we try too make sure the quality and service is pukka, and again any losses are usually slow payers, awkward types that want you at specific times of day, or expect the conny roof/soffit fascias "just wiped over" for that extra £1 or 2 then get humpy because it's £xxx. Our dropout is around 1% with most being genuine cases of moving, dying! Or change of circumstances.
Sometimes it's a relief to lose a customer! And generally as a biz you will lose some and gain some ( just like tesco's asda lidl ) it's all part of the process.
Darran
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One in five of ours gives up before they have had four cleans.
Once you know that you stop worrying about it. A cancellation inside the first four cleans becomes just what you expect. What you expect doesn't worry you.
Vin
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I work on the same ratio vin for 1 in 5 being a dud customer from a customer building campaign, its always between 20-30% drop rate within the first 6 months for me nomatter how many times i do it then its the usual 1 or 2 here and there every few months throughout the rest of the year.
Luckily though when fully up and running as a rule we all tend to gain more than we lose without realy trying so try not to let the dropouts get to you colin! Its Just the way the ball roll's.
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After a while you realise some peoole just dont make sense. No logic to it, no pattern. Still does surprise me when its the least obvious one that drop you. But focus on the good ones and you will be more positive
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no worries, that exactly how i feel at the minute, something in the air :)
at least im not alone
. Thanks mate yes I'm also glad I'm not alone
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never worry about loosing them .... just go out canvass / leaflet for a day if you feel down :)
yes agree ,will be out knocking before end of week
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definately about right the 1 in 5 in the first 6 months, its the unexpected ones that stress me out, spose its just the way it goes tho
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In the early days I used to take it personally, esp. When you knew a good job was done, ( same when canvassing and they had dirty windows but claimed to do it themselves ) over the years you get to know the ones who will fall out at the first opertunity with very lame excuses, this time of year usually sees a few drop off as winter comes around, but you could bend over backwards for this kind of customer and still not want your services THATS LIFE.
It's more difficult with staff as I'm more removed from the customers, but again we try too make sure the quality and service is pukka, and again any losses are usually slow payers, awkward types that want you at specific times of day, or expect the conny roof/soffit fascias "just wiped over" for that extra £1 or 2 then get humpy because it's £xxx. Our dropout is around 1% with most being genuine cases of moving, dying! Or change of circumstances.
Sometimes it's a relief to lose a customer! And generally as a biz you will lose some and gain some ( just like tesco's asda lidl ) it's all part of the process.
Darran
yes agree I just had one sack me £20 four weekly when quoted £40 to clean sort of cony flat roof,would have taken 45 mins at least to do a good job on a step ladder,I then get a text ,we've decided not to have our windows cleaned any more,I think liar just thought I was to expensive on roof price,but it's ok for them to have two 14 plate Porsches on drive,some people grrrrrrrrr
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One in five of ours gives up before they have had four cleans.
Once you know that you stop worrying about it. A cancellation inside the first four cleans becomes just what you expect. What you expect doesn't worry you.
Vin
hi vin yes hear what your saying but still annoying when you trying to do a good job and offer a good service.
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After a while you realise some peoole just dont make sense. No logic to it, no pattern. Still does surprise me when its the least obvious one that drop you. But focus on the good ones and you will be more positive
your right make a couple that have sacked me was a it of a surprise asi thought they liked me and was happy with what I was doing
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I work on the same ratio vin for 1 in 5 being a dud customer from a customer building campaign, its always between 20-30% drop rate within the first 6 months for me nomatter how many times i do it then its the usual 1 or 2 here and there every few months throughout the rest of the year.
Luckily though when fully up and running as a rule we all tend to gain more than we lose without realy trying so try not to let the dropouts get to you colin! Its Just the way the ball roll's.
hi Mick yes your right I've had good run over the last few months,like you say it's just the way the balls rolling
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One in five of ours gives up before they have had four cleans.
Once you know that you stop worrying about it. A cancellation inside the first four cleans becomes just what you expect. What you expect doesn't worry you.
Vin
hi vin yes hear what your saying but still annoying when you trying to do a good job and offer a good service.
You've missed the point of my post. I expect it so I'm not annoyed.
Vin
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One in five of ours gives up before they have had four cleans.
Once you know that you stop worrying about it. A cancellation inside the first four cleans becomes just what you expect. What you expect doesn't worry you.
Vin
hi vin yes hear what your saying but still annoying when you trying to do a good job and offer a good service.
You've missed the point of my post. I expect it so I'm not annoyed.
Vin
ok got it now,just expect it to happen,and move on
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I lost 2 jobs today colin!
1 said to not do it untill march/april as cutting back for xmas and not worth it in bad weather(arrgghhhh) and the other was an african who was only on 3rd clean who said not to do it anymore after todays clean as her husband will clean doing it "the proper way" with a ladder lol.
So im 2 customers down but not letting it bother me as maybe 2moz or the next day a few neighbours may come out next to where i clean already and want me to do theres or better still becci swan comes up with some sweets for me.
Keep smileing me old mate. :)
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Bugger just had email come through from becci swan and no appointments today either! But on a positive im still smileing even thiugh im £70 down from telesales and £20 down from losing customers.
£90 down the bog :(
Hopefully my bad luck will give you a positive that it happens to us all in this game.
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I always find this time of year we get a few drop outs, I think its because people start thinking about all the expense associated with Christmas. And Halloween. And bonfire night. And Archie and Alfie's school fees.
I quoted a GFS clean yesterday for £170, including windows easy job. The guy asked if I could do it cheaper. I asked him if he was a salesman by any chance. He said no he just doesn't have any money and can't afford it. 4 bed house with a BMW X5 and a mini cooper for the wife on the drive. Yeah ok mate. Quoted next door bit extra £320 she said thats fine I'll have the cash for you. Lose some, win more.
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Bugger just had email come through from becci swan and no appointments today either! But on a positive im still smileing even thiugh im £70 down from telesales and £20 down from losing customers.
£90 down the bog :(
Hopefully my bad luck will give you a positive that it happens to us all in this game.
Look on the bright side Mick, Claire Sweeney might offer you a milkshake next time you're round. ;D
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In the early days I used to take it personally, esp. When you knew a good job was done, ( same when canvassing and they had dirty windows but claimed to do it themselves ) over the years you get to know the ones who will fall out at the first opertunity with very lame excuses, this time of year usually sees a few drop off as winter comes around, but you could bend over backwards for this kind of customer and still not want your services THATS LIFE.
It's more difficult with staff as I'm more removed from the customers, but again we try too make sure the quality and service is pukka, and again any losses are usually slow payers, awkward types that want you at specific times of day, or expect the conny roof/soffit fascias "just wiped over" for that extra £1 or 2 then get humpy because it's £xxx. Our dropout is around 1% with most being genuine cases of moving, dying! Or change of circumstances.
Sometimes it's a relief to lose a customer! And generally as a biz you will lose some and gain some ( just like tesco's asda lidl ) it's all part of the process.
Darran
yes agree I just had one sack me £20 four weekly when quoted £40 to clean sort of cony flat roof,would have taken 45 mins at least to do a good job on a step ladder,I then get a text ,we've decided not to have our windows cleaned any more,I think liar just thought I was to expensive on roof price,but it's ok for them to have two 14 plate Porsches on drive,some people grrrrrrrrr
Odd that, I lost a £15 8 weekly. She wanted a quote for S/F/G and I quoted over £200, she didn't have them done btw. Next time windows were due, I texted and she replied she didn't want my services anymore. Must have thought I was taking the p. No loss as the garden was full of dog poope anyway.
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Bugger just had email come through from becci swan and no appointments today either! But on a positive im still smileing even thiugh im £70 down from telesales and £20 down from losing customers.
£90 down the bog :(
Hopefully my bad luck will give you a positive that it happens to us all in this game.
Look on the bright side Mick, Claire Sweeney might offer you a milkshake next time you're round. ;D
Oooo you never know! Mmmmm milk :-)
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It depends whether im trying to push for more work , if ive been trying for new work and struggling and then i lose a few jobs its bit disheartening, but as long as you are pro active in finding new work you usually pick it back up and more in no time....
make sure you are doing a job and your water is pure if your wfp and you can put it down to fate or whatever rather than doubting yourself !
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Got sacked from a £12 monthly yesterday (normally wife pays husband at home on holiday - leave it till after the winter) but I've had a good couple of years out of it so I consider that not too bad.
Went round the corner got a £25 8 weekly one door closes etc...... ;D
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Not bothered, I ask if there was something wrong with the work and if they say the work was fine then that's just how the business goes.
I will lose a few I the next month as they drop off for winter and I find the first four months with new cleans to be the most common for drop offs.
Forget it and go and get more work :)
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Bugger just had email come through from becci swan and no appointments today either! But on a positive im still smileing even thiugh im £70 down from telesales and £20 down from losing customers.
£90 down the bog :(
Hopefully my bad luck will give you a positive that it happens to us all in this game.
hi mick yes I think it often depends what frame of mind your in when you lose a customer,also I think it's worse in the winter.
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I always find this time of year we get a few drop outs, I think its because people start thinking about all the expense associated with Christmas. And Halloween. And bonfire night. And Archie and Alfie's school fees.
I quoted a GFS clean yesterday for £170, including windows easy job. The guy asked if I could do it cheaper. I asked him if he was a salesman by any chance. He said no he just doesn't have any money and can't afford it. 4 bed house with a BMW X5 and a mini cooper for the wife on the drive. Yeah ok mate. Quoted next door bit extra £320 she said thats fine I'll have the cash for you. Lose some, win more.
nice one good for you mate
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It depends whether im trying to push for more work , if ive been trying for new work and struggling and then i lose a few jobs its bit disheartening, but as long as you are pro active in finding new work you usually pick it back up and more in no time....
make sure you are doing a job and your water is pure if your wfp and you can put it down to fate or whatever rather than doubting yourself !
agreed mate ,you always need to be pro active to keep the same amount of cutomers