Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Blackadder on March 16, 2016, 07:42:42 am

Title: Getting rid!
Post by: Blackadder on March 16, 2016, 07:42:42 am
When you dump a messer (3 cancellations) do you normally tell them why or just don't contact them again?
I quite often hear from new customers, 'my last window cleaner just stopped coming'
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: steven ainger on March 16, 2016, 07:49:03 am
I mostly just don't turn up anymore,
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: dazmond on March 16, 2016, 08:01:40 am
i tell them and the reason why usually then move on to my next job.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Johnny B on March 16, 2016, 08:03:14 am
I normally just tell them to contact me when they need me again.

John.

Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Cookie on March 16, 2016, 08:17:19 am
I normally just tell them to contact me when they need me again.

John.

Ditto, and none of mine have come back again.

Just out of interest Johnny what do you if yours do come back again?
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: nathankaye on March 16, 2016, 08:18:42 am
When you dump a messer (3 cancellations) do you normally tell them why or just don't contact them again?
I quite often hear from new customers, 'my last window cleaner just stopped coming'

  Theres probably a future lesson there then! When a custy says, someone just stopped, be in expectation of finding out the reason why they just stopped. Not cause the windy was after beer money, but cause the custy is a messer!         
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 16, 2016, 08:27:53 am
3 cancellations in less than ten years is taking the mick!

Do you turn up and they cancel? Or do they contact you before hand?

If the former then immediate dump.

You might just ask if they want a regular service as they keep cancelling? If they obviously don't then you can either dump or if it suits you make them an occasional customer. But make sure you charge a good price for the inconvenience and extra work - at least double; probably more if they don't contact you for six months.`
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: SeanK on March 16, 2016, 08:46:29 am
I don't contact them again and if they contact me I tell them their place has been filled by the next person on my
waiting list.
To be honest other than the few that Iv gotten to know over the years I try to have as little contact with customers as possible
as this makes for a happy work life.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: 8weekly on March 16, 2016, 08:47:15 am
I don't contact them again and if they contact me I tell them their place has been filled by the next person on my
waiting list.
To be honest other than the few that Iv gotten to know over the years I try to have as little contact with customers as possible
as this makes for a happy work life.
Amen.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Clever Forum Name on March 16, 2016, 11:35:40 am
I don't contact them again and if they contact me I tell them their place has been filled by the next person on my
waiting list.
To be honest other than the few that Iv gotten to know over the years I try to have as little contact with customers as possible
as this makes for a happy work life.

You wouldn't have a waiting list if you cleaned in the rain and wind  ;D
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: richard groves on March 16, 2016, 11:41:02 am
waiting list , lol  :D
I'd go on one if I desperately needed a hip replacement - not if I needed clean windows  ;D
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Dave Willis on March 16, 2016, 12:45:39 pm
I beat my customers off with a stick. Actually it's a cut down SLX pole.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: stevon on March 16, 2016, 02:26:46 pm
had one last week-she asked me to clean the windows -last one apparently wasn't reliable.so turned up -everthing out ready to go.she comes out.can you clean them next week.WHY im here now as agrred.umm want them cleaning next week please.some people are crazy,wasters & messers.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: NWH on March 16, 2016, 04:35:36 pm
If they say he just stopped coming when you get them they normally turn out to be good customers because they have learnt there lesson that if they muck the window cleaner about this will happen he won't call again. These days I don't do one offs and don't go any longer than 3 months between cleans it's just not worth the bother and hassle,I can't think a window cleaner can have enough work if he can afford to say just call me when you need me and I'll come a running. Wheat from chaff wheat from chaff when building a round in this business is the only way you'll end up with half desent work and desent people to work for,only my opinion.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: stevon on March 16, 2016, 05:39:17 pm
she was so nice aswell :P
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: SeanK on March 16, 2016, 07:27:16 pm
had one last week-she asked me to clean the windows -last one apparently wasn't reliable.so turned up -everthing out ready to go.she comes out.can you clean them next week.WHY im here now as agrred.umm want them cleaning next week please.some people are crazy,wasters & messers.


That's somebody looking for a one off Easter clean, I never take a clean on within two weeks of Christmas or Easter
if they really want a window cleaner they will wait until after the holidays.
 
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: SeanK on March 16, 2016, 07:30:36 pm
I don't contact them again and if they contact me I tell them their place has been filled by the next person on my
waiting list.
To be honest other than the few that Iv gotten to know over the years I try to have as little contact with customers as possible
as this makes for a happy work life.

You wouldn't have a waiting list if you cleaned in the rain and wind  ;D

Very true plus sacking off the odd Monday doesn't help.(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1458156604_grin[1].gif)
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Bungle on March 16, 2016, 07:31:33 pm
had one last week-she asked me to clean the windows -last one apparently wasn't reliable.so turned up -everthing out ready to go.she comes out.can you clean them next week.WHY im here now as agrred.umm want them cleaning next week please.some people are crazy,wasters & messers.
if they really want a window cleaner they will wait until after the holidays.

Baloney
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Johnny B on March 16, 2016, 08:39:54 pm
I normally just tell them to contact me when they need me again.

John.

Ditto, and none of mine have come back again.

Just out of interest Johnny what do you if yours do come back again?

I've had quite a few come back. If they were good payers I am happy with that. I do different frequencies according to customers' requirements, so can accommodate most people, as long as they are pleasant enough and pay me what I ask.
 
Funnily enough I have one who originally asked for a regular clean, and cancelled me a month later, then asked me about a year later to clean them again, which I did, before realizing that she wanted a one off or annual clean! That I don't actually have a problem with, but being a bit of a passive aggressive, I get a bit  huffy with people who have a bit of an attitude with me (she only speaks to me when it suits her, otherwise she will ignore me) Recently she asked a neighbour who is a monthly, to ask me on her behalf. (She had seen me working her neighbourhood, and had every opportunity to ask me herself). 
I told him that I was too busy to fit her in today (I could have done but I don't really want people like her on my books, but am too polite to say that). I am due back there this week so it may be interesting...

John
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: nathankaye on March 16, 2016, 09:49:21 pm
Some years ago when trad doing windows, I had this customer who was starting to anoy (?) me. I was just about to start cleaning windows and it started to light rain/drizzle, so I thought just carry on. Custy was in and could clearly see me. So I cleaned house and knocked for money. She started to moan about it raining, so told her shud have said something before I started not wait till end n moan about it. But she paid so kept her on.    At another clean later in yr, went bk day after for money. Said she wasnt gonna pay cause frames were dirty, so I clearly havent done windows. Told her I clean windows not frames as I charge extra for doing them. She argued but paid. I decided she was now dumped but didnt tell her, just didnt bother doing them. About 4 mths later her fellow shouts across road, when my other customers were out in gardens, "Dont bother doing ours anymore!!" He thought he was a big man. So I shouts back, if you havent noticed ive left yours alone for last 4mnths for messing me around mate!!

I had a certain level of satisfaction that day, but regretted that I didnt man up and just told them at the time of deciding. Im sure I wohld have still been satisfied. Infact, that point onwards I let them kno to find somebody else who will dance to their tunes, when Ive decided to drop them.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Blackadder on March 17, 2016, 05:58:27 am
The reason I asked the question in the first place was because of one particular customer, they didn't have a huge house but they did have a nice glad roof at the back that they wanted cleaned each time, it was £25 job and they always paid but the only day they could do was a Wednesday, so I built that day's round around them.
From the middle of last year, I then got 'bit short can you leave this month' and 'we won't be there this week, can we leave this month'
They've had 4 cancels and the last time p****d me off, as I know she saw my van in the street, knew I was coming but still took off in her Audi Q5 leaving me another clean short!
So I thought I'd just stop going after Xmas but part of me wants to tell them why but find it difficult without sounding like a sulky kid  ;D
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Blackadder on March 17, 2016, 05:59:14 am
*Glass roof (damn autocorrect)
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: 8weekly on March 17, 2016, 07:04:02 am
The reason I asked the question in the first place was because of one particular customer, they didn't have a huge house but they did have a nice glad roof at the back that they wanted cleaned each time, it was £25 job and they always paid but the only day they could do was a Wednesday, so I built that day's round around them.
From the middle of last year, I then got 'bit short can you leave this month' and 'we won't be there this week, can we leave this month'
They've had 4 cancels and the last time p****d me off, as I know she saw my van in the street, knew I was coming but still took off in her Audi Q5 leaving me another clean short!
So I thought I'd just stop going after Xmas but part of me wants to tell them why but find it difficult without sounding like a sulky kid  ;D
When I started I had one that could only be done on a Friday. Like you I planned that week around that job. It was the last time I ever did that because by clean 4 it started to go wrong. I NEVER take on a job that has to be done on a certain day of the week,
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Johnny B on March 17, 2016, 08:11:15 am
I have also planned other work around people who wanted the job done on a particular day. I like to be flexible, but also appreciate people working with my needs too.

Today here in the good old emerald isle, it's St Patrick's Day, a national holiday. I am working today as normal, and I have told customers who are planned today that I can do them as normal, but if they want to leave it, it's fine but I won't be back until next month. I have more work than I can cope with today so a few 'not todays' will be ok.

Most have fallen into line so far. One whose I won't be able to do has been offered (and accepted) Easter Monday as an alternative, which surprised me. (Here in Ireland nobody wants to see us windys on a bank holiday).

John

Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Stoots on March 17, 2016, 11:54:36 am
I don't contact them again and if they contact me I tell them their place has been filled by the next person on my
waiting list.
To be honest other than the few that Iv gotten to know over the years I try to have as little contact with customers as possible
as this makes for a happy work life.

So very true. I have a handful of customers I get on with and enjoy talking to but that's it most the of them  I want to avoid and am always disappointed when someone is in.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Stoots on March 17, 2016, 12:00:41 pm
Oh and another thing I don't work bank holidays at all. To me it's like a Sunday there's too many people at home kids running round the garden etc I hate all that I like to be left alone.

Not only that but it just feels wrong and invasive on people.

I will do one off booked in jobs if I want to but really I like to enjoy a day or two off.
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Shane sharples on March 17, 2016, 02:38:05 pm
I won't work bank holidays as there is no where to bloody park ! Plus it's nice to have a long weekend
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: NWH on March 17, 2016, 03:49:08 pm
They've cancelled 4 times ?,after 2 that would have been enough for me I'm afraid don't think of it as losing anything because you haven't really had the job have you. I would have done the roof for free though eh 😉
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: SeanK on March 17, 2016, 04:02:59 pm
I won't work bank holidays as there is no where to bloody park ! Plus it's nice to have a long weekend


Totally agree, and where I do get parked my van becomes a magnet for footballs, skate boards and them three wheeled scooter
type things that kids cant seem to control. (http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1458230556_angry[1].gif)
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Blackadder on March 17, 2016, 05:34:35 pm
They've cancelled 4 times ?,after 2 that would have been enough for me I'm afraid don't think of it as losing anything because you haven't really had the job have you. I would have done the roof for free though eh 😉


I doubt that you would have, job took 45 minutes all in all, I thought £25 was cheap  ;D
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: NWH on March 17, 2016, 05:35:54 pm
No I wouldn't have done it you know me so well lol
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: Richard iSparkle on March 23, 2016, 08:01:51 am
I tell them what we need from them to continue the service so they cancel themselves if they don't want to do it..

so we might tell them they need to pay by direct debit

or that we charge them full price if we can't clean all around

or that they need to clear up the dog sh*t from their garden when we're coming

at least this way they can decide themselves if they want to make continue to use us, and nobody is left unhappy
Title: Re: Getting rid!
Post by: a900 on March 23, 2016, 03:37:16 pm
I tell them what we need from them to continue the service so they cancel themselves if they don't want to do it..

so we might tell them they need to pay by direct debit

or that we charge them full price if we can't clean all around

or that they need to clear up the dog sh*t from their garden when we're coming

at least this way they can decide themselves if they want to make continue to use us, and nobody is left unhappy

Totally agree but there are times where I'm fed up with them and just don't go back. Customers I wouldn't want back even if they changed or that I doubt they would change.