Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: slap bash on December 13, 2014, 10:34:08 am

Title: Calling the shots
Post by: slap bash on December 13, 2014, 10:34:08 am
It never fails to amaze me why customers feel they have the right to dictate the terms under which must trade must trade with them. I am am sure you have had a taste of it. I  clearly state my payment terms and yet a few always want to pay on there terms. WE say not door step cancellation and yet so many want to do it there way. These lovely customers don`t let the energy companies to do it or even tell the hairdresser how they will pay. So why in Gods name do they not respect our terms.I have been involved in many business which hall dictate there terms why should window be any different we are still businesses. AMAZING. any thought on this. Skip the sarcasm if that`s all you have.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Norman & Sons Window & Gutter Cleaning on December 13, 2014, 11:33:06 am
Terms of Service:
By using or booking our services you have agreed to our terms and conditions of trading, although we always try to be fair to clients, we have set these simple terms and conditions below to protect us as a business, we ask you to read and respect them whilst using services:
1: All our work is guaranteed but sometimes mistakes can be made. If you are not happy with the quality of your cleaning please contact us within 24 hours and we will return to clean the affected windows without charge
2: You agree that Norman & Sons will provide an all year round service 12 months of the year, All Window Cleaning is on a six weekly basis agreed upon at initial consultation. (We do not do one off cleans) our minimum contract is 4 cleans, If you wish to postpone or terminate our services, you must provide at least twenty eight (28) days' written notice before the next scheduled date. Failure to do so will result in a 100% charge for any work scheduled within this period, we will not accept any doorstep cancellation or deferment of service and will apply a charge of £10.00 to defray cost of arriving, Our night before text service is not provided as a point to cancel service,
3: Please clear up after your dog. We may be unable to clean all of your windows if there is excessive dog mess in your garden, however the regular cleaning price will still be charged, Should we be unable to access any part of your property/premises due to locked gates etc., we will only clean the accessible areas, such as front or side/s. This will be charged at your normal clean Price. We will be unable to return to clean the restricted area until the next scheduled clean. To avoid this, please ensure safe access is available.
4: Norman & Sons will clean you windows in most weather conditions to continue a regular service to our clients, in the event of heavy rain snow or hard frost we will clean your windows at the next time slot we have available, We do not work in very strong winds or electrical storms as this would be unsafe for us, our pure water systems work in all weathers therefore weather conditions are not an acceptable reason for postponing our services. We can clean your home/premises in all conditions without affecting quality,
5: Payment is to be made within 7 days of your property being cleaned, interest will be charged at £5.00 per week until payment is received in full, if for any reason the customer defaults on payment Norman & Sons retains the right to seek payment by legal means. All costs will be payable by the defaulting customer, Payment may not be with-held as a means of negotiation regarding a conflict between parties
6: We usually increase prices by a small amount on an annual basis. We will always give you 28 days’ notice of any increase.
7: All our window cleaners are trained to work safely, please do not ask them to do anything that is unsafe, If we need to enter your neighbour’s property to be able to reach/clean some of your windows we would ask you to please seek there permission,
8: Norman & Sons will not be held responsible for any damage made prior to cleaning of glass. We will inform you were possible of such damage prior to commencing cleaning, we do not accept liability for damage caused by decorative or structural defects, or conditions at your property/premises, such as, but not limited to, ill-fitting windows, doors, fascia’s, guttering, window / conservatory trims, Window vents, unsecured windows and doors, leaking seals, decorative bars stuck on glass, rotting frames, flaking paint, open/broken trickle vents, we accept no liability for decorative bars coming loose or falling from the exterior of the glass. If these bars are correctly installed, our brushes will not damage them in any way. We accept no liability for any damage caused by us to anything on your property.
Norman & Sons will apply these terms in a fair minded and reasonable manner.

Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Window Lickers on December 13, 2014, 12:11:42 pm
We accept no liability for any damage caused by us to anything on your property.

Eh? So if you scratch their car you're not responsible for that?
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Soupy on December 13, 2014, 12:22:21 pm
Terms of Service:
By using or booking our services you have agreed to our terms and conditions of trading, although we always try to be fair to clients, we have set these simple terms and conditions below to protect us as a business, we ask you to read and respect them whilst using services:
1: All our work is guaranteed but sometimes mistakes can be made. If you are not happy with the quality of your cleaning please contact us within 24 hours and we will return to clean the affected windows without charge
2: You agree that Norman & Sons will provide an all year round service 12 months of the year, All Window Cleaning is on a six weekly basis agreed upon at initial consultation. (We do not do one off cleans) our minimum contract is 4 cleans, If you wish to postpone or terminate our services, you must provide at least twenty eight (28) days' written notice before the next scheduled date. Failure to do so will result in a 100% charge for any work scheduled within this period, we will not accept any doorstep cancellation or deferment of service and will apply a charge of £10.00 to defray cost of arriving, Our night before text service is not provided as a point to cancel service,
3: Please clear up after your dog. We may be unable to clean all of your windows if there is excessive dog mess in your garden, however the regular cleaning price will still be charged, Should we be unable to access any part of your property/premises due to locked gates etc., we will only clean the accessible areas, such as front or side/s. This will be charged at your normal clean Price. We will be unable to return to clean the restricted area until the next scheduled clean. To avoid this, please ensure safe access is available.
4: Norman & Sons will clean you windows in most weather conditions to continue a regular service to our clients, in the event of heavy rain snow or hard frost we will clean your windows at the next time slot we have available, We do not work in very strong winds or electrical storms as this would be unsafe for us, our pure water systems work in all weathers therefore weather conditions are not an acceptable reason for postponing our services. We can clean your home/premises in all conditions without affecting quality,
5: Payment is to be made within 7 days of your property being cleaned, interest will be charged at £5.00 per week until payment is received in full, if for any reason the customer defaults on payment Norman & Sons retains the right to seek payment by legal means. All costs will be payable by the defaulting customer, Payment may not be with-held as a means of negotiation regarding a conflict between parties
6: We usually increase prices by a small amount on an annual basis. We will always give you 28 days’ notice of any increase.
7: All our window cleaners are trained to work safely, please do not ask them to do anything that is unsafe, If we need to enter your neighbour’s property to be able to reach/clean some of your windows we would ask you to please seek there permission,
8: Norman & Sons will not be held responsible for any damage made prior to cleaning of glass. We will inform you where possible of such damage prior to commencing cleaning, we do not accept liability for damage caused by decorative or structural defects, or conditions at your property/premises, such as, but not limited to, ill-fitting windows, doors, fascia’s, guttering, window / conservatory trims, Window vents, unsecured windows and doors, leaking seals, decorative bars stuck on glass, rotting frames, flaking paint, open/broken trickle vents, we accept no liability for decorative bars coming loose or falling from the exterior of the glass. If these bars are correctly installed, our brushes will not damage them in any way. We accept no liability for any damage caused by us to anything on your property.
Norman & Sons will apply these terms in a fair minded and reasonable manner.

Yeah. You wouldn't be cleaning my windows.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: C o z y on December 13, 2014, 01:32:49 pm
Your customers actually sign that do they?
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Window Lickers on December 13, 2014, 01:34:46 pm
They wouldnt be able to make it stand up  in a court of law.


Why bother with PL insurance, just tell the punters to go screw themselves.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: JSMC on December 13, 2014, 01:35:47 pm
jeezo some hefty terms there. 
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: LT carpet cleaning on December 13, 2014, 01:52:22 pm
Terms of Service:
By using or booking our services you have agreed to our terms and conditions of trading, although we always try to be fair to clients, we have set these simple terms and conditions below to protect us as a business, we ask you to read and respect them whilst using services:
1: All our work is guaranteed but sometimes mistakes can be made. If you are not happy with the quality of your cleaning please contact us within 24 hours and we will return to clean the affected windows without charge
2: You agree that Norman & Sons will provide an all year round service 12 months of the year, All Window Cleaning is on a six weekly basis agreed upon at initial consultation. (We do not do one off cleans) our minimum contract is 4 cleans, If you wish to postpone or terminate our services, you must provide at least twenty eight (28) days' written notice before the next scheduled date. Failure to do so will result in a 100% charge for any work scheduled within this period, we will not accept any doorstep cancellation or deferment of service and will apply a charge of £10.00 to defray cost of arriving, Our night before text service is not provided as a point to cancel service,
3: Please clear up after your dog. We may be unable to clean all of your windows if there is excessive dog mess in your garden, however the regular cleaning price will still be charged, Should we be unable to access any part of your property/premises due to locked gates etc., we will only clean the accessible areas, such as front or side/s. This will be charged at your normal clean Price. We will be unable to return to clean the restricted area until the next scheduled clean. To avoid this, please ensure safe access is available.
4: Norman & Sons will clean you windows in most weather conditions to continue a regular service to our clients, in the event of heavy rain snow or hard frost we will clean your windows at the next time slot we have available, We do not work in very strong winds or electrical storms as this would be unsafe for us, our pure water systems work in all weathers therefore weather conditions are not an acceptable reason for postponing our services. We can clean your home/premises in all conditions without affecting quality,
5: Payment is to be made within 7 days of your property being cleaned, interest will be charged at £5.00 per week until payment is received in full, if for any reason the customer defaults on payment Norman & Sons retains the right to seek payment by legal means. All costs will be payable by the defaulting customer, Payment may not be with-held as a means of negotiation regarding a conflict between parties
6: We usually increase prices by a small amount on an annual basis. We will always give you 28 days’ notice of any increase.
7: All our window cleaners are trained to work safely, please do not ask them to do anything that is unsafe, If we need to enter your neighbour’s property to be able to reach/clean some of your windows we would ask you to please seek there permission,
8: Norman & Sons will not be held responsible for any damage made prior to cleaning of glass. We will inform you where possible of such damage prior to commencing cleaning, we do not accept liability for damage caused by decorative or structural defects, or conditions at your property/premises, such as, but not limited to, ill-fitting windows, doors, fascia’s, guttering, window / conservatory trims, Window vents, unsecured windows and doors, leaking seals, decorative bars stuck on glass, rotting frames, flaking paint, open/broken trickle vents, we accept no liability for decorative bars coming loose or falling from the exterior of the glass. If these bars are correctly installed, our brushes will not damage them in any way. We accept no liability for any damage caused by us to anything on your property.
Norman & Sons will apply these terms in a fair minded and reasonable manner.

Yeah. You wouldn't be cleaning my windows.


A I doubt I would read all that waffle.

B If i did and saw that last bit I'm afraid I would find someone else.

Window cleaning is a simple job, why make it complicated.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Ian101 on December 13, 2014, 01:57:02 pm
If you use written terms and conditions in your business then that's great but been at this for nearly 5 years and have given "bad" customers chance after chance in the early days but very few if any ever change their spots ... all the terms and conditions in the world wont have changed them.

My view now is the world is full of great customers and great window cleaners along with poor customers and poor windows cleaners - I consider myself to be a great window cleaner (as well as most if not all on here) so I only want great customers.

It all goes wrong when great window cleaners continue cleaning for poor customers (this forum full of funny / horror stories a few posted by myself  :)) and when great customers have to deal with poor window cleaners.

Great customers deserve great window cleaners ............ the trick is to bring the 2 together and that chaps is down to us.

Canvas
Clean
Cull

or in simple terms drop the dross

 :) ... just my take of the situation.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: slap bash on December 13, 2014, 02:10:03 pm
When  I wrote this i was not quite thinking of  terms but now Norman has had the balls to state his terms I will applaud them. If the customer was forewarned it would probably have gone wrong for the windy.
I don`t think any of his terms are unreasonable s most have had issues with customers on most of these subjects on this forum and there are a few that could not string terms together so will not like them.
 I know  Mr window lickers does have Tee and Cees on his web site and rightly so.
Terms do not have to be signed by a customer as they are term of business so if you do not agree don`t do business
 them. Has anyone seen a customer at say Tesco`s or Asda signing  there terms before they shop is speaks for it self if you do business with them you are agreeing.The law in the UK. does not offer much protection to the customer, and there are countries that are fullon behind the customers  32.0.
I for one see Norman and sons point as they are covering there ass  well. The only thing it still need is an acknowledgement.  That by allowing them to service your property they are accepting there term and conditions .But I would guess it will stand up in court.But remember its not a contract but terms of business. Most customers back when you quote your terms. Its just the same as a rain guarantee
ITs only the liability one that is in my mind ambiguous.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: slap bash on December 13, 2014, 02:18:41 pm
I agree with you Ian but I have given many customers a second chance to be responsible by quoting my terms and is has made them realize I am a business and not a door to door window that will do any job for a quick buck. And Ian I am not implying you are one.The end result,  these customers have turned out star customers. Its get them into line call training your customers and letting them know its not w free for all. Many customers feel we must take what ever they through at us.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: HampshireWindowCleaning on December 13, 2014, 02:23:01 pm
It's quite simple mate - canvass, clean, cull.
Stick to this and eventually you will have a full round of quality customers.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Soupy on December 13, 2014, 02:34:04 pm
It never fails to amaze me why customers feel they have the right to dictate the terms under which must trade must trade with them. I am am sure you have had a taste of it. I  clearly state my payment terms and yet a few always want to pay on there terms. WE say not door step cancellation and yet so many want to do it there way. These lovely customers don`t let the energy companies to do it or even tell the hairdresser how they will pay. So why in Gods name do they not respect our terms.I have been involved in many business which hall dictate there terms why should window be any different we are still businesses. AMAZING. any thought on this. Skip the sarcasm if that`s all you have.

This is why I rate GoCardless. Once you've got them signed up YOU are in control not them.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Window Lickers on December 13, 2014, 02:37:20 pm
Same here.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Smudger on December 13, 2014, 03:09:24 pm
You can have all the terms and conditions you want, if deemed unreasonable( and refusing to pay for damaged caused by you is defo one of them )  you can't enforce it, or would cost you a fortune trying to get £10 because you don't accept doorstep cancellations.

It should be remembered that we offer a service, we are totally dependant on customers, majority are great, honest, a pleasure to work for, some begrudge having the windows clean but get them done because they can't do them or too lazy, and a few who just simply can't afford it.

It's your choice whether or not to provide the service, if the customer is more hassle than it's worth, simply tell them and don't clean them anymore you don't need to stress about it, or spend hours making up silly terms and conditions that mean nothing

Go cardless removes a lot of hassle for late/bad payers

Darran
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Soupy on December 13, 2014, 03:17:45 pm
Go cardless removes a lot of hassle for late/bad payers

Darran

Which is why the auto suspend (implemented correctly as I'm sure it would be) feature is a good idea.

Vote here:

https://app.cleanerplanner.com/forum/auto-suspend-262
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Dave Willis on December 13, 2014, 03:30:11 pm
I have no terms and conditions at all I just dump if we don't get on.

I tripped over a solar light the other day and smashed it to pieces. left a note to say that their clean (£15) would be free that day. Still paid me on line and text me not to worry about it.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Bungle on December 13, 2014, 03:33:02 pm
Terms of Service:
By using or booking our services you have agreed to our terms and conditions of trading, although we always try to be fair to clients, we have set these simple terms and conditions below to protect us as a business, we ask you to read and respect them whilst using services:
1: All our work is guaranteed but sometimes mistakes can be made. If you are not happy with the quality of your cleaning please contact us within 24 hours and we will return to clean the affected windows without charge
2: You agree that Norman & Sons will provide an all year round service 12 months of the year, All Window Cleaning is on a six weekly basis agreed upon at initial consultation. (We do not do one off cleans) our minimum contract is 4 cleans, If you wish to postpone or terminate our services, you must provide at least twenty eight (28) days' written notice before the next scheduled date. Failure to do so will result in a 100% charge for any work scheduled within this period, we will not accept any doorstep cancellation or deferment of service and will apply a charge of £10.00 to defray cost of arriving, Our night before text service is not provided as a point to cancel service,
3: Please clear up after your dog. We may be unable to clean all of your windows if there is excessive dog mess in your garden, however the regular cleaning price will still be charged, Should we be unable to access any part of your property/premises due to locked gates etc., we will only clean the accessible areas, such as front or side/s. This will be charged at your normal clean Price. We will be unable to return to clean the restricted area until the next scheduled clean. To avoid this, please ensure safe access is available.
4: Norman & Sons will clean you windows in most weather conditions to continue a regular service to our clients, in the event of heavy rain snow or hard frost we will clean your windows at the next time slot we have available, We do not work in very strong winds or electrical storms as this would be unsafe for us, our pure water systems work in all weathers therefore weather conditions are not an acceptable reason for postponing our services. We can clean your home/premises in all conditions without affecting quality,
5: Payment is to be made within 7 days of your property being cleaned, interest will be charged at £5.00 per week until payment is received in full, if for any reason the customer defaults on payment Norman & Sons retains the right to seek payment by legal means. All costs will be payable by the defaulting customer, Payment may not be with-held as a means of negotiation regarding a conflict between parties
6: We usually increase prices by a small amount on an annual basis. We will always give you 28 days’ notice of any increase.
7: All our window cleaners are trained to work safely, please do not ask them to do anything that is unsafe, If we need to enter your neighbour’s property to be able to reach/clean some of your windows we would ask you to please seek there permission,
8: Norman & Sons will not be held responsible for any damage made prior to cleaning of glass. We will inform you were possible of such damage prior to commencing cleaning, we do not accept liability for damage caused by decorative or structural defects, or conditions at your property/premises, such as, but not limited to, ill-fitting windows, doors, fascia’s, guttering, window / conservatory trims, Window vents, unsecured windows and doors, leaking seals, decorative bars stuck on glass, rotting frames, flaking paint, open/broken trickle vents, we accept no liability for decorative bars coming loose or falling from the exterior of the glass. If these bars are correctly installed, our brushes will not damage them in any way. We accept no liability for any damage caused by us to anything on your property.
Norman & Sons will apply these terms in a fair minded and reasonable manner.



Unlikely to be taken seriously due to too many capital letters after commas, space or no space after an oblique, lack of full stop's etc etc.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: jk999 on December 13, 2014, 03:53:51 pm
In a way they are your boss because  they are paying you .You can't dictate to a customer  what's happening 
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: slap bash on December 13, 2014, 04:01:36 pm
I have no terms and conditions at all I just dump if we don't get on.

I tripped over a solar light the other day and smashed it to pieces. left a note to say that their clean (£15) would be free that day. Still paid me on line and text me not to worry about it.

DUMPING IS A  RESULT OF "CONDITION AND TERMS "OF YOUR BUSINESS.Dumping never gives a second chance to your customers.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: slap bash on December 13, 2014, 04:06:00 pm
In a way they are your boss because  they are paying you .You can't dictate to a customer  what's happening 
Try telling Asda your there boss just because you are there customer.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: slap bash on December 13, 2014, 04:20:04 pm
The road of the window cleaner is a long road of discarded customers> ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: dave f on December 14, 2014, 07:28:05 am
i still find that customers still think that window cleaning in geral is done by chancers blokes on the dole etc, from the converstions ive had with quite a few of my customers .when ive had to explain to them its a thriving bussines in it own wright.not old jack the local handy man earning some beer tokens.and that window cleaning as moved on from  using scrims ,some see the light others dont bat an eye lid they still think we are at the bottom of the list ;D if only they knew
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Spruce on December 14, 2014, 02:49:00 pm
If you use written terms and conditions in your business then that's great but been at this for nearly 5 years and have given "bad" customers chance after chance in the early days but very few if any ever change their spots ... all the terms and conditions in the world wont have changed them.

My view now is the world is full of great customers and great window cleaners along with poor customers and poor windows cleaners - I consider myself to be a great window cleaner (as well as most if not all on here) so I only want great customers.

It all goes wrong when great window cleaners continue cleaning for poor customers (this forum full of funny / horror stories a few posted by myself  :)) and when great customers have to deal with poor window cleaners.

Great customers deserve great window cleaners ............ the trick is to bring the 2 together and that chaps is down to us.

Canvas
Clean
Cull

or in simple terms drop the dross

 :) ... just my take of the situation.


Ian has said this before and I really like his thinking. It helps to keep things in perspective. If you are honest about yourself and the quality of the clean you did, then deducting where the issue is is very easy.  ;D
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Walter Mitty on December 14, 2014, 05:29:42 pm
In a way they are your boss because  they are paying you .You can't dictate to a customer  what's happening 

Sure thing - but this slices both ways.  I can't force a customer to operate a certain way.  All I can do is conclude the service if they won't play ball.
Likewise, if they want me to run their service in a particular way and it doesn't fit with my system, they can conclude the service.
If the customer wants the window cleaner to change it's usually due to convenience or perceived security issues.
The window cleaner has to be able to pay his way in life and customers who are unwittingly helping to prevent that could cause him to experience financial difficulties if there are enough of such customers.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: LT carpet cleaning on December 14, 2014, 07:05:36 pm
i still find that customers still think that window cleaning in geral is done by chancers blokes on the dole etc, from the converstions ive had with quite a few of my customers .when ive had to explain to them its a thriving bussines in it own wright.not old jack the local handy man earning some beer tokens.and that window cleaning as moved on from  using scrims ,some see the light others dont bat an eye lid they still think we are at the bottom of the list ;D if only they knew

If only they knew what?
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: SeanK on December 14, 2014, 09:03:36 pm
One good thing about having terms and conditions like the above is if the customer is still stupid enough
to take you on after reading them then they wont be hard to please.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Johnny B on December 14, 2014, 09:27:48 pm
I am probably more flexible in my approach than many, mainly because things are different here in the Emerald Isle.

I have a mix of regular weekly shops, and bi-weekly, monthly, six weekly and eight weekly residentials, as well as a good few who ring me as and when they need me. It probably sounds like a nightmare to anyone reading this, but it's really not so bad, because the thing for me is that I am out there earning, and that's what it's all about. I am picking up new work all the time now, so am able to organize and refine my run by dropping any that are serial messers or poor payers!

John

Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: C o z y on December 14, 2014, 09:38:54 pm
I am probably more flexible in my approach than many, mainly because things are different here in the Emerald Isle.

I have a mix of regular weekly shops, and bi-weekly, monthly, six weekly and eight weekly residentials, as well as a good few who ring me as and when they need me. It probably sounds like a nightmare to anyone reading this, but it's really not so bad, because the thing for me is that I am out there earning, and that's what it's all about. I am picking up new work all the time now, so am able to organize and refine my run by dropping any that are serial messers or poor payers!

John



You forgot to mention how long it took to get like that mate.

This guys story makes it look like people like me had it easy. But he hasn't got all the way by keeping dross. If it looks like a messer,smells like a messer, and messes you about, drop it and get some more customers.  Messers are worth nothing. I don't think T's and C's make any difference.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Johnny B on December 14, 2014, 11:08:18 pm
I am probably more flexible in my approach than many, mainly because things are different here in the Emerald Isle.

I have a mix of regular weekly shops, and bi-weekly, monthly, six weekly and eight weekly residentials, as well as a good few who ring me as and when they need me. It probably sounds like a nightmare to anyone reading this, but it's really not so bad, because the thing for me is that I am out there earning, and that's what it's all about. I am picking up new work all the time now, so am able to organize and refine my run by dropping any that are serial messers or poor payers!

John



You forgot to mention how long it took to get like that mate.

This guys story makes it look like people like me had it easy. But he hasn't got all the way by keeping dross. If it looks like a messer,smells like a messer, and messes you about, drop it and get some more customers.  Messers are worth nothing. I don't think T's and C's make any difference.

I've been in Ireland since July 2011, and started canvassing a week after arriving. I've had a shed load of messers, by which I mean those who want clean windows but are reluctant to pay! I also had to learn quite quickly that 'regular' cleans mean different things to different people, but even if they are periodical but still mean I make some bucks from them, I keep them and fit them in when it suits me. I currently have 371 customers on the books, but at the end of each month cull any that I haven't seen for a year (about 10 a month on average). I am picking up new ones at a similar rate, so don't even need to canvass to replace these ones.

I agree with you Cozy, that T&Cs make little difference, and in any case, I don't have any desire to force people to use my services if they really don't want to.

John   
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: slap bash on December 15, 2014, 08:26:59 pm
I have used T &C from day one and have always used them in my business life. I find my customers like my business proach to my service. They hardly every read them and do never question me on them ,but they have stopped the messers in there tracks. If there is a problem I just refer to my paper work and the customer stop the crap as "fore warned is fore armed. " I even have customer who do pay late by being forgetful and even add the 6 quid for late payment in my terms.
    I took one of my customers to small claims court and got my late payment charge and costs.
    My own experience in 45 years of business it works and has worked in many businesses and window cleaning is a business, so for those who don`t think they are a business and don`t need T&C its good for them, but for me its  way of professional conduct.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: CleanClear on December 15, 2014, 10:44:35 pm
I am probably more flexible in my approach than many, mainly because things are different here in the Emerald Isle.

I have a mix of regular weekly shops, and bi-weekly, monthly, six weekly and eight weekly residentials, as well as a good few who ring me as and when they need me. It probably sounds like a nightmare to anyone reading this, but it's really not so bad, because the thing for me is that I am out there earning, and that's what it's all about. I am picking up new work all the time now, so am able to organize and refine my run by dropping any that are serial messers or poor payers!

John


I operate identical to you. There's no way i could operate that automated cleaning round software the way i work. If anyone wants some sort of service i'll provide it !! :-)
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Soupy on December 16, 2014, 09:05:53 am
I operate identical to you. There's no way i could operate that automated cleaning round software the way i work. If anyone wants some sort of service i'll provide it !! :-)

A wrong assumption.

Cleaner planner would work for ad hoc cleans as well as rounds.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: CleanClear on December 16, 2014, 08:58:55 pm
I operate identical to you. There's no way i could operate that automated cleaning round software the way i work. If anyone wants some sort of service i'll provide it !! :-)

A wrong assumption.

Cleaner planner would work for ad hoc cleans as well as rounds.

If it can gauge my mood for the day, take into account what the weather looks like and produce the exact work that i fancy doing for that day i'll be well impressed.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: Soupy on December 16, 2014, 09:05:51 pm
I operate identical to you. There's no way i could operate that automated cleaning round software the way i work. If anyone wants some sort of service i'll provide it !! :-)

A wrong assumption.

Cleaner planner would work for ad hoc cleans as well as rounds.

If it can gauge my mood for the day, take into account what the weather looks like and produce the exact work that i fancy doing for that day i'll be well impressed.

It can be used to record your work. It does not need to plan anything.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: richard groves on December 16, 2014, 09:34:28 pm
i still find that customers still think that window cleaning in geral is done by chancers blokes on the dole etc, from the converstions ive had with quite a few of my customers .when ive had to explain to them its a thriving bussines in it own wright.not old jack the local handy man earning some beer tokens.and that window cleaning as moved on from  using scrims ,some see the light others dont bat an eye lid they still think we are at the bottom of the list ;D if only they knew

If only they knew what?
That we only work 9 to3,3 weeks a month,drive a sports car at the weekends staying in 5 star luxury hotels and p in our custies rose bushes.
Title: Re: Calling the shots
Post by: CleanClear on December 16, 2014, 10:56:38 pm
I operate identical to you. There's no way i could operate that automated cleaning round software the way i work. If anyone wants some sort of service i'll provide it !! :-)

A wrong assumption.

Cleaner planner would work for ad hoc cleans as well as rounds.

If it can gauge my mood for the day, take into account what the weather looks like and produce the exact work that i fancy doing for that day i'll be well impressed.

It can be used to record your work. It does not need to plan anything.

Cleaner Recorder then ?  :P