Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: gto on May 26, 2015, 12:25:00 pm
-
i just received an email from a customer.
we have had the chance of a traditional window cleaner so no longer need your services.
this bugged me because, they know my parents for a start. so would have thought there may be some loyalty.
they have never had a problem with my work and all is spotless.
then they have windows that can't be done from ladders, one is over a flat roof, made from perspex.
the other is over a conservatory that i have to do from both side with my 25ft pole fully extended at an akward angle. as the ground aroung the cony is 3ft lower than the house.
and they have a fish pond in front of the conservatory.
anyway feel better now.
-
Got similar text last week. "You know I have never been a fan of your system. I have found a window cleaner who does them with cloths. So will no longer need your services." They are leaded good luck to him!
Was going to reply "Let's hope you can do the windows above the conservatory from inside, because he wont be able to do them off ladders!" Decided not worth wasting a text on.
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
-
What they mean is that they really don't care about you and your personal safety - better off without them.
-
Better off being rid now, customers like that usually turn out to be a pain in the *ss!
I had one a few years ago, I had converted her to wfp & they were perfect every time. Been wfp'ing them over a year when she said she wanted to go back to mop & blade. To cut a long story short, after her admitting that they were indeed perfect with wfp it turned out it was because she watched me do the house opposite traditional & thought it offered better value as I was there longer & actually looked like I was cleaning windows! :o :o Even her husband couldn't believe what she was saying & trundled off back into the house with his eyes rolling. The house opposite was more expensive & couldn't actually all be done wfp so was easier for me to trad anyway. Needless to say........ dumped!! Don't waste any time over stupid customers!
-
Some people will just not be happy with you waving a big stick, and spraying water on the windows ! We had a few over the years, and they will stick with you until a ladder monkey turns up, and they can't wait to tell you to sling your hook ;D
-
I here it every day whilst canvassing. Everyone wants a trad guy.
Also when canvassing for trad guys i have minimal cancelations to deal with. In customers eyes traditional is far superior.
-
How come you think they're clever? They sound silly to me.
-
Even if i didn't want it,it still bugs me a bit but not as much as it once did. You still think about it for a while until another replaces it and how often does that happen,someone moves etc and you pick another 1-2 up in the same week or so. Clean with confidence with WFP you have no control over what customers say or want,if they like you and can trust you it will go a long way to whether they get rid of you. I have converted many doubters over the years with WFP.i tend to get they are much cleaner than the last bloke,he just used a dirty old cloth and he never used to do those awkward windows lol
-
i just received an email from a customer.
we have had the chance of a traditional window cleaner so no longer need your services.
this bugged me because, they know my parents for a start. so would have thought there may be some loyalty.
they have never had a problem with my work and all is spotless.
then they have windows that can't be done from ladders, one is over a flat roof, made from perspex.
the other is over a conservatory that i have to do from both side with my 25ft pole fully extended at an akward angle. as the ground aroung the cony is 3ft lower than the house.
and they have a fish pond in front of the conservatory.
anyway feel better now.
i had the same the other week.the customer in question had been with me for years!switched cos he was £3 cheaper.he has to climb on 2 sloping roofs to clean some upper windows!plus i have 4 days work on this estate.i dont think she was happy paying £10 to have her windows cleaned(2 monthly as well!) ::)roll.oh well she ll be asking me back in 6 months i reckon! ;)
-
The trouble with wfp is that it's so damned fast compared to trad. So you're there 15 mins and charge £15 and custy does the sums and thinks "he's on £60ph". I think for their £15 they like to see a bit of time consuming graft. ::)roll
-
What happened to the unwritten rule of NOT UNDERCUTTING other windys? They are just lowering the hourly wage for other windys!!!! @$$holes
-
i just received an email from a customer.
we have had the chance of a traditional window cleaner so no longer need your services.
this bugged me because, they know my parents for a start. so would have thought there may be some loyalty.
they have never had a problem with my work and all is spotless.
then they have windows that can't be done from ladders, one is over a flat roof, made from perspex.
the other is over a conservatory that i have to do from both side with my 25ft pole fully extended at an akward angle. as the ground aroung the cony is 3ft lower than the house.
and they have a fish pond in front of the conservatory.
anyway feel better now.
I know its easier said than done but don't take it personally. I wouldn't even let this cancellation spoil the relationship you have via your parents. No good will come from getting them involved and probably embarrassed by the situation - I wouldn't even mention it to them.
You can smile to yourself as they don't know the full import of what they have done - if in fact they have done it. You may not be privy to what's actually going on. Price is usually a factor with this, or they have a relative starting up that they feel more loyalty toward. Or it may be an excuse for money issues etc.
We did a customer wfp for 4 years before she found out we didn't do them properly (she was home that day). Never had a problem before that and they were always happy when we collected payment on the Friday. She was very disappointed that day. He cancelled us soon after that as they had got a trad cleaner. I smile every time I'm in the street as the only way to access the bathroom and toilet window is to walk on their tiled roof extension over the integral garage. What happens in winter? What happens when tiles get broken?
Oh, that's not my concern. ;D
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
I don't think people worry too much about quality if it's cheap.
-
What happened to the unwritten rule of NOT UNDERCUTTING other windys? They are just lowering the hourly wage for other windys!!!! @$$holes
The world is a totally different place to what it was 10 years ago.
-
I can remember using a chamois leather, and a chamois mop ;D
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Update-
One if the customers that dumped me this morning called me this afternoon and asked if I could carry on doing hers as well :)
She had a think about what I'd said and decided it probably was to good to be true. Also she thought it was a bit strange that this other guy offered to do everything for £15 even though he hadn't actually had a look around to see exactly what needed doing.
So rather then risk switching to the other guy and messing me about if she wants to come back, she decided to stick with me.
I can understand her thought process, a window cleaner knocks on her door and offers what seems a fantastic deal so she goes for it. But on further thinking she then relealises if something is to good to be true, it normally is..
Speaking to my other customers on this estate today and learnt that this other guy has been knocking every evening and offering every single house £15 for everything, without even looking around.
By everything I mean everything, fascias, cladding, windows, conservatory the lot.
Seems to me he's either incredibly desperate or incredibly stupid.
-
What happened to the unwritten rule of NOT UNDERCUTTING other windys? They are just lowering the hourly wage for other windys!!!! @$$holes
The world is a totally different place to what it was 10 years ago.
I never undercut anyone, I get all new customers , if they've got a window cleaner, I leave them alone and I'm still managing to pick up 3-6 new cleans a week!
-
Gutters and fascias for £15 :o
Get him working for you.
-
Gutters and fascias for £15
Transit van, Harwich docks, 4 a.m. , twenty illegals, £5 a day cash. Bob's your uncle ;D
-
I like reading these type of posts as we all get dumped at some stage and it does hurt your pride when it happens. You start to question yourself and think about what has happened for hours. Then all of a sudden the phone goes and a new customer wants you to clean their windows and the world is a good place once again.
I've never lost 3 in a day like OP and that must really sting. Losing one in a day hurts enough.
-
I got forwarded a number of someone who wanted Trad, I rang her today to see if she wanted to try WFP, she said 'no, that's not window cleaning' wouldn't even discuss it, I offered to do it for free first time just to see what she said....she said No. ;D
Nowt queer as folk.
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
Turned up at the first house, they came out and told me.
The next 2 houses I decided to knock first and low and behold they both said the same thing, "sorry we've decided to use someone else".
It's true what someone else said, you begin to doubt yourself, but after some digging I soon realised that I'd lost these customers through no fault of my own, but rather them being offered alot for such a small amount of money.
I was worried about how the rest of the day was going to pan out, how many more has he pinched etc..
But the other 10 houses were fully with me and had no intention of switching even at the ridiculous low price on offer.
Most even agreed what he was doing was out of order, undercutting is a sly way of picking up work and it lowers the value of our service.
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
Turned up at the first house, they came out and told me.
The next 2 houses I decided to knock first and low and behold they both said the same thing, "sorry we've decided to use someone else".
It's true what someone else said, you begin to doubt yourself, but after some digging I soon realised that I'd lost these customers through no fault of my own, but rather them being offered alot for such a small amount of money.
I was worried about how the rest of the day was going to pan out, how many more has he pinched etc..
But the other 10 houses were fully with me and had no intention of switching even at the ridiculous low price on offer.
Most even agreed what he was doing was out of order, undercutting is a sly way of picking up work and it lowers the value of our service.
Any idea who he is? It might be worth having a word in his shell like. Undercutting is a big no no in my book. At one time I wouldn't even take on work where they had dumped their last window cleaner. I do now, but never undercut, but I don't need to though as any new work comes to me not me going to it.
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
Turned up at the first house, they came out and told me.
The next 2 houses I decided to knock first and low and behold they both said the same thing, "sorry we've decided to use someone else".
It's true what someone else said, you begin to doubt yourself, but after some digging I soon realised that I'd lost these customers through no fault of my own, but rather them being offered alot for such a small amount of money.
I was worried about how the rest of the day was going to pan out, how many more has he pinched etc..
But the other 10 houses were fully with me and had no intention of switching even at the ridiculous low price on offer.
Most even agreed what he was doing was out of order, undercutting is a sly way of picking up work and it lowers the value of our service.
Any idea who he is? It might be worth having a word in his shell like. Undercutting is a big no no in my book. At one time I wouldn't even take on work where they had dumped their last window cleaner. I do now, but never undercut, but I don't need to though as any new work comes to me not me going to it.
Wow. Hope everyone adheres to your written and enforced law. ::)roll
-
What they mean is that they really don't care about you and your personal safety - better off without them.
+1
-
What they mean is that they really don't care about you and your personal safety - better off without them.
+1
+2
-
Had one other week rings up in morning cancelled , rung back at 6pm asked me to do them again I asked y she cancelled she said she thought she could do them herself lol top flat ,windows don't even tilt inward s
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
Turned up at the first house, they came out and told me.
The next 2 houses I decided to knock first and low and behold they both said the same thing, "sorry we've decided to use someone else".
It's true what someone else said, you begin to doubt yourself, but after some digging I soon realised that I'd lost these customers through no fault of my own, but rather them being offered alot for such a small amount of money.
I was worried about how the rest of the day was going to pan out, how many more has he pinched etc..
But the other 10 houses were fully with me and had no intention of switching even at the ridiculous low price on offer.
Most even agreed what he was doing was out of order, undercutting is a sly way of picking up work and it lowers the value of our service.
Any idea who he is? It might be worth having a word in his shell like. Undercutting is a big no no in my book. At one time I wouldn't even take on work where they had dumped their last window cleaner. I do now, but never undercut, but I don't need to though as any new work comes to me not me going to it.
A customer actually offered me the guys details as he left them a "business card ".
I say business card but it was actually one of those homemade cheap knockoffs, an a4 piece of paper cut up into little strips with just his first name and number on, no business name or address.
At the end of the day though I have to stay professional, calling him up won't do me any good and will just make me look like one of those aggressive territorial window cleaners.
Customers are free to make there own decisions, il soon replace those I lost so I won't be loosing any sleep.
My satisfaction will come from knowing this other guy is working like a donkey for next to to nothing. Good luck to him!
-
I like reading these type of posts as we all get dumped at some stage and it does hurt your pride when it happens. You start to question yourself and think about what has happened for hours. Then all of a sudden the phone goes and a new customer wants you to clean their windows and the world is a good place once again.
I've never lost 3 in a day like OP and that must really sting. Losing one in a day hurts enough.
my attitude these days is "more room for a better paying job" when i lose a customer.sometimes its relief esp when im busy enough with other work.(which is most of the time)
losing the odd customer here and there has never stopped me from earning more money year on year.
thats the bottom line! :)
-
My opinion is its a customer not worth having . There are customers that's always gonna want to save some money . I don't mind other guys canvassing as long as they don't say we will undercut . I've been lucky with my customers as my dad's been cleaning since he was 17 and still cleaning now at 75 so to us it goes on reputation and trust
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
Turned up at the first house, they came out and told me.
The next 2 houses I decided to knock first and low and behold they both said the same thing, "sorry we've decided to use someone else".
It's true what someone else said, you begin to doubt yourself, but after some digging I soon realised that I'd lost these customers through no fault of my own, but rather them being offered alot for such a small amount of money.
I was worried about how the rest of the day was going to pan out, how many more has he pinched etc..
But the other 10 houses were fully with me and had no intention of switching even at the ridiculous low price on offer.
Most even agreed what he was doing was out of order, undercutting is a sly way of picking up work and it lowers the value of our service.
Any idea who he is? It might be worth having a word in his shell like. Undercutting is a big no no in my book. At one time I wouldn't even take on work where they had dumped their last window cleaner. I do now, but never undercut, but I don't need to though as any new work comes to me not me going to it.
Wow. Hope everyone adheres to your written and enforced law. ::)roll
Jog on, twit.
-
I was once dumped by a "lady part" of a customer, who continually asked me to "leave it this time" for being unreliable ::)roll
-
I was once dumped by a "lady part" of a customer, who continually asked me to "leave it this time" for being unreliable ::)roll
when he was dressed as a drag queen? ;D
-
Not that sort of lady part Daz
;D ;D ;D
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
Turned up at the first house, they came out and told me.
The next 2 houses I decided to knock first and low and behold they both said the same thing, "sorry we've decided to use someone else".
It's true what someone else said, you begin to doubt yourself, but after some digging I soon realised that I'd lost these customers through no fault of my own, but rather them being offered alot for such a small amount of money.
I was worried about how the rest of the day was going to pan out, how many more has he pinched etc..
But the other 10 houses were fully with me and had no intention of switching even at the ridiculous low price on offer.
Most even agreed what he was doing was out of order, undercutting is a sly way of picking up work and it lowers the value of our service.
Any idea who he is? It might be worth having a word in his shell like. Undercutting is a big no no in my book. At one time I wouldn't even take on work where they had dumped their last window cleaner. I do now, but never undercut, but I don't need to though as any new work comes to me not me going to it.
Wow. Hope everyone adheres to your written and enforced law. ::)roll
Jog on, twit.
Sorry, but idiots who suggest "having a word" are a big no no for me. ::)roll
-
It's the name of the game m8.
I was going to start a thread as iv lost 3 customers on one estate today but may as well have join you for a moan here instead ;D
Had 13 houses planned today, all on a fairly new build estate that iv been doing for a while. All these houses have small cons at the back which I clean top to bottom as well as the windows, 6 weekly, all around £15 -£17 each.
I thought I was being very reasonable with my pricing including full con cleans each time. I would never normally do this but as the estate is fairly new the cons are in good condition and pretty easy to clean, so I didn't mind.
First 3 houses today all dumped me, been offered a cheaper price ::)roll and the other windie has also offered to clean all the cladding on the front of the houses included in the price.
So windows, cladding and entire conservatory for less then £15..
I didn't argue with any of them, just said if it's cheap your after then your probably going to get what you pay for. You have my number, call me when this other guy relealises what he's doing is unsustainable and either gives up or whacks up the price.
Was slightly annoyed about being undercut in such a way but that's life, customers come and go.
Did they wait for you to show up before dumping you, or did you clean and then they cancelled. I don't have an issue about cancellations but when they do it with no notice, my blood boils.
I just say to them that if they turn up for work and their employer sends them home for the day, they would expect to be paid. I used to girl thingyfoot around these people. Now I just let them know how selfish they are. I just tell them that it is too late for me to arrange another job that day (not necessarily true as most of my jobs have decent access) and that their selfishness has cost me £x.
Turned up at the first house, they came out and told me.
The next 2 houses I decided to knock first and low and behold they both said the same thing, "sorry we've decided to use someone else".
It's true what someone else said, you begin to doubt yourself, but after some digging I soon realised that I'd lost these customers through no fault of my own, but rather them being offered alot for such a small amount of money.
I was worried about how the rest of the day was going to pan out, how many more has he pinched etc..
But the other 10 houses were fully with me and had no intention of switching even at the ridiculous low price on offer.
Most even agreed what he was doing was out of order, undercutting is a sly way of picking up work and it lowers the value of our service.
Any idea who he is? It might be worth having a word in his shell like. Undercutting is a big no no in my book. At one time I wouldn't even take on work where they had dumped their last window cleaner. I do now, but never undercut, but I don't need to though as any new work comes to me not me going to it.
Wow. Hope everyone adheres to your written and enforced law. ::)roll
Jog on, twit.
Lol, the irony!!!
-
Better off being rid now, customers like that usually turn out to be a pain in the *ss!
I had one a few years ago, I had converted her to wfp & they were perfect every time. Been wfp'ing them over a year when she said she wanted to go back to mop & blade. To cut a long story short, after her admitting that they were indeed perfect with wfp it turned out it was because she watched me do the house opposite traditional & thought it offered better value as I was there longer & actually looked like I was cleaning windows! :o :o Even her husband couldn't believe what she was saying & trundled off back into the house with his eyes rolling. The house opposite was more expensive & couldn't actually all be done wfp so was easier for me to trad anyway. Needless to say........ dumped!! Don't waste any time over stupid customers!
There is some logic to her thinking, people want value for money and if they aren't earning good money and you take 15 minutes for £15 you can see how they think.......foot note, new estates always have a high turn over of windys and customers until it settles down, some times takes a few years
-
You will always be limiting yourself to earning less on these estates,as soon as someone sees another cleaner they will ask for a price just out of curiosity. If your higher than most chances are they will give them a go,if I ever take a house on in a place like this I tell them you will get cheaper but you won't get better at least then when another windy says they'll do it for £10 less they will know I wasn't trying it on
-
I could undercut loads but what`s the point?
When I knock doors I ask if they have a window cleaner, if the answer is yes I reply " I won`t bother you any further sorry to disturb you." I`m probably missing loads of work but I`m not upsetting anyone. Even if someone says they`re not happy with their windy I tell them to let him know and give him a chance.
It puzzles me why people want trad as I`ve converted lots of custys.
-
Anyone who has been with you for a while and will move for a price reduction is not worth calling a customer. See this as a good thing, as it's allowed you to cut some customers from your round that you don't want.
Move on. You don't want reluctant customers. You want people who are happy to pay you for a decent service. So keep looking for the right people. Leaflet/canvass/advertise until you have a round of people who value your service.
Do your job correctly and price becomes, within reason, irrelevant,
As for 'having a word' with your competitor, why would you want to do that? You should be encouraging him to take your price conscious customers. Get rid of them as soon as you can. He'll be losing them as soon as someone cheaper comes along. What's he going to do then? He's got nowhere to go but lower prices.
Vin
-
Anyone who has been with you for a while and will move for a price reduction is not worth calling a customer. See this as a good thing, as it's allowed you to cut some customers from your round that you don't want.
Move on. You don't want reluctant customers. You want people who are happy to pay you for a decent service. So keep looking for the right people. Leaflet/canvass/advertise until you have a round of people who value your service.
Do your job correctly and price becomes, within reason, irrelevant,
As for 'having a word' with your competitor, why would you want to do that? You should be encouraging him to take your price conscious customers. Get rid of them as soon as you can. He'll be losing them as soon as someone cheaper comes along. What's he going to do then? He's got nowhere to go but lower prices.
Vin
Spot on.
John
-
Text from custy "hi there this is no7 xx xx. I was wondering when U R next here to clean the windows thanks?
Reply " Hi I'm actually cutting back the run so late payers etc will be removed first.
Unfortunately no7 xx xx will no longer be cleaned.
Best wishes Alan."
Custy " I payed U the last time U where here ??"
Custy " I have never missed a put for U and also got U business elsewhere not very professional !!
A three weekly customer who has paid on only three occasions since August!
She passed my number to a friend and also to her daughter. The friend is an ok payer and the daughter never answered etc so was stopped after three cleans then the for let sign appears. Turns out the neighbour owns the house and is also a customer so she pays the debt in exchanged for invoice and told me they moved to the mums at no7 xx xx
Hence she is dumped and good riddance.
-
I am always prepared to take ex-customers back, if it means I am making money from them. I will even take non-payers back on the condition that they pay me all moneys owed, plus the current clean in advance before cleaning.
I have a couple who still owe me for past cleans but, desperate as they are for me to clean, are not quite as desperate to pay, so currently remain off the books!
John
-
I am always prepared to take ex-customers back, if it means I am making money from them. I will even take non-payers back on the condition that they pay me all moneys owed, plus the current clean in advance before cleaning.
I have a couple who still owe me for past cleans but, desperate as they are for me to clean, are not quite as desperate to pay, so currently remain off the books!
John
But not as desperate as you are to have them.
-
I am always prepared to take ex-customers back, if it means I am making money from them. I will even take non-payers back on the condition that they pay me all moneys owed, plus the current clean in advance before cleaning.
I have a couple who still owe me for past cleans but, desperate as they are for me to clean, are not quite as desperate to pay, so currently remain off the books!
John
But not as desperate as you are to have them.
Probably looks that way! It's a bit of a game really. I know they're not going to pay, so I smile to myself as I clean their neighbours' windows as theirs get mankier month by month!
John
-
Dumped isn't always the same as cancelled.
Dumped is "dropped" "chucked" "binned" "slung away" etc. Like "not today" or hasn't paid and when chased might pay up but drops you.
Cancelled might be those above but might also be done with notice, a good reason and considerate attitude - like lost their job or even the one who said "my husbands just retired, less money coming in he says he's going to do them but I know he won't so when I ask you back in a few months do you mind?"
-
Non payers aren't bad customers, really.
You never got a 'not today'. They never complain about or notice a price increase. They rarely question the standard of your work and so on.
I wish I had more of them.