Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: paul alan on February 14, 2017, 10:20:50 pm
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Did my usual forward txt tonight, "windows cleaners calling tomorrow" and got 1 reply from a usual regular customer-
Can we leave it this time as"they dont need doing"
Unhappy about this i replied- i only accept regular customers, if all my customers cancelled because they didnt want them doing i would end up in a situation where i wouldnt be able to pay my bills!
if you would like to cancel i fully understand.
No answer as yet.
So if your not at home for a month would you ring your mortgage provider and explain that you didnt want to pay this month because you wasnt at home??
We as window cleaners need to be regular, and i for 1 need customers to also be regular.
Customer upon initial quote told me some story about how the last cleaner wouldnt clean frames so she sacked him, now im thinking she was trying to pick n choose when they were done so he sacked her.
Who knows, im possibly one in a long line of cleaners that had enough of with her.
Even if she doesnt cancel tomorrow she will soon as i layed it down and it wont sit well.
Did i lose or gain? Think i already know the answer!
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You don't need people like that . Soon as I get a new customer and they text that back . My reply is sorry we agreed on regular window cleaning from the start . I only have regular window cleaning customers . Most of the time from experience I text once I get that reply I strike them off . If they call in 3 months down the line I charge twice as much . Some have it done some don't . Don't worry getting worked up as one door closes anther few open . That's how it's been for me .
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You don't need people like that . Soon as I get a new customer and they text that back . My reply is sorry we agreed on regular window cleaning from the start . I only have regular window cleaning customers . Most of the time from experience I text once I get that reply I strike them off . If they call in 3 months down the line I charge twice as much . Some have it done some don't . Don't worry getting worked up as one door closes anther few open . That's how it's been for me .
just txt back "sorry i will cancel then as they dont need doing"
Matter of opinion, not so much as if theyre clean or not- more if you want a proper window cleaner or not!
Onto the next one no doubt.
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You don't need people like that . Soon as I get a new customer and they text that back . My reply is sorry we agreed on regular window cleaning from the start . I only have regular window cleaning customers . Most of the time from experience I text once I get that reply I strike them off . If they call in 3 months down the line I charge twice as much . Some have it done some don't . Don't worry getting worked up as one door closes anther few open . That's how it's been for me .
just txt back "sorry i will cancel then as they dont need doing"
Matter of opinion, not so much as if theyre clean or not- more if you want a proper window cleaner or not!
Free jobb going if anyone enjoys being messed.
Onto the next one no doubt.
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I'm friendly with all the window cleaners in my area . We let each other know who to watch out for . It's the newbies that get the hit . I've been there since many times about to loose you rag . And I think is it really worth it . As you get in the game longer you can sense straight away who your dealing with . My wife says to me 2 jobs rang up earlier I didn't bother writing any details down cause I know they are messers . Even the wife can see it now .
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Its window cleaning evolution, survival of the strongest.
If you buckle to messer you wont last!
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No, it is not survival of the strongest. That will get you dead and you’ll be first in the queue.
Survival is dependant on the ability to adapt.
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Big thumbs up to that . You see these new new window cleaning companies start up with new van sign written the lot . Then about 4 months down the line they have jacked it in . And y coz they let the messers get to them . Cleaning windows is the easy bit dealing with people is a very tough Task . You do have to be thick skinned in this business . Soon true you learn to adapt .
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In our game, sometimes i think we can get ahead of ourselves. Ive been doing this job for some years (which ive harped on about in past), proud of my empire ive built up and proud of my job. Yet i still have to remind myself that at end of the day, our clients are our bosses, they hire us based on the services we have to offer. So if we get a txt for instance leave it this time as on holiday. Yep its a pain in ass, but they have every right to do so.
But we also have right to withdraw our services as well, its just getting that balance right.
When i switched all my trad customers onto wfp or when i take over a round as i am in process of doing. When i sell the idea of wfp to them and because im every 4wks, i do tell them their windows will stay cleaner for much longer. I can then tell, esp when speaking to fellers, they then ask if can do longer than 4wks. My response is simple. Its because i maintain them every 4 weeks that you will virtually always have clean windows apart from obviously birds fouling windows.
So i would have said same response to your customer and add that if you miss a clean you will soon start to realise.
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No, it is not survival of the strongest. That will get you dead and you’ll be first in the queue.
Survival is dependant on the ability to adapt.
adaption where required, not in desperation.
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If you're a window cleaner and desperate you need to adapt.
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If you're a window cleaner and desperate you need to adapt.
if your a window cleaner and your good at what you do, your not desperate!
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Well that's our stance sorted lol
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If you're a window cleaner and desperate you need to adapt.
if your a window cleaner and your good at what you do, your not desperate!
You wouldn't be desperate then would you. Feckin' Nora!
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Text back and say you didn't get the text.
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If you're a window cleaner and desperate you need to adapt.
if your a window cleaner and your good at what you do, your not desperate!
You wouldn't be desperate then would you. Feckin' Nora!
;D
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If you're a window cleaner and desperate you need to adapt.
if your a window cleaner and your good at what you do, your not desperate!
You wouldn't be desperate then would you. Feckin' Nora!
exactly what I thought *
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Either way i dont want customers that decide upon my when i get to earn,theres enough goood custoners out there to choose from.
If you dont mind takin it in the axxe thats up to you feckin nora!
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The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you haven't cleaned their windows for months your reply is because when I'm in your area it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you wtf
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The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you haven't cleaned their windows for months your reply is because when I'm in your area it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you wtf
its always gonna rain, you cant hide from mother nature. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, its always gonna rain.
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If you don't like this.... Just go out get 2 more customers in that same area and then make whatever decision you choose upon in 7 days.... This way you get 2 new customers and also give yourself time to think at YOUR leisure without the 'heat of the moment' reaction.
Cheers
Dave.
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My stance is to train them beforehand when you take them on.
If someone texts back "they don't need doing this time" then my general stance is to text back:
"Thank you for your text; however our agreement was to clean "every X weeks" and as you will appreciate I schedule my work accordingly. I have a waiting list of those wishing to "get on my books" and so I would be grateful if you would let me know whether you want me to turn up tomorrow or not. If not then I take it you would prefer me to take you off of my round and replace you?"
If they do not respond positively or go silent I then don't go back.
This is only for the "they don't need doing brigade" - if they have a good record and they ask to be left every couple of years or so because (e.g) the house is being painted or an extension is being built then fine.
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The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you haven't cleaned their windows for months your reply is because when I'm in your area it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you wtf
every customer thats ever said that to me gets dumped straight away and i never go back.luckily its only ever been a handful of times in 24 years of window cleaning! ;)
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This is why i dont text. I leave the next cleaning date on the bill, and just come and do them. No problems, no need to waste evenings texting, no need to give customers an option or an opportunity to cancel, i have a locked gate policy that if access isn't available on the due date, full payment is still due and if there is schedule time will pop back to redo the backs, but they know its not guaranteed. Often they forget once and never again, or they give me a key.
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The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you haven't cleaned their windows for months your reply is because when I'm in your area it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you wtf
every customer thats ever said that to me gets dumped straight away and i never go back.luckily its only ever been a handful of times in 24 years of window cleaning! ;)
24 years of window cleaning dazmond. How many times gave you thought of jacking it in?
14 years for me in April, just got through a 2 year stint of wanting to pack it in but no seem to have pushed through that and re kindked my interest in pushing the business forward again
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This is why i dont text. I leave the next cleaning date on the bill, and just come and do them. No problems, no need to waste evenings texting, no need to give customers an option or an opportunity to cancel, i have a locked gate policy that if access isn't available on the due date, full payment is still due and if there is schedule time will pop back to redo the backs, but they know its not guaranteed. Often they forget once and never again, or they give me a key.
That sounds way too easy, I don't feel like I'm running a business unless I make things as complicated as possible for
myself.
Totally agree.
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The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you haven't cleaned their windows for months your reply is because when I'm in your area it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you wtf
every customer thats ever said that to me gets dumped straight away and i never go back.luckily its only ever been a handful of times in 24 years of window cleaning! ;)
24 years of window cleaning dazmond. How many times gave you thought of jacking it in?
14 years for me in April, just got through a 2 year stint of wanting to pack it in but no seem to have pushed through that and re kindked my interest in pushing the business forward again
i used to think of jacking it in years ago marc when i was trad and still drinking but not for over 10 years now! ;D
it never crosses my mind anymore mate.ive got it too good these days. :)
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I don't txt customers haven't got the time for that , only exception is commercial work , I ve had customers say I'll call you when I want them done again after I've explained that I only do regular work , I say to them sorry won't be doing them again as we agreed to a 4 weekly service . Won't be messed about by people like that they usually turn into bad payers as well
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The bulk of my work is 4 weekly. I've got a few who do this from time to time. However, they are not bad payers when they owe money. I do find it irritating though if it's for no other reason than that stated in the OP. I've recently started charging them the 8 weekly price though and so far none have complained so long as it's explained to them.
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What kind of customer or they ? ..new / old / good payer etc..
Have they done / tried it before ?
How much do you value their custom ?
The whys and what' fors are endless to argue for both dump or retain stance
I agree with what others have said in that a response along the lines of you ve agreed every X weeks blah blah
You just never know what that customer maybe be dealing with at that time to knock you back this time around
Allow them to skip this once whilst outlining all the relevant points you've raised on stuff like you clean on a regular service and can't and won't allow customers to have cleaning on an as and when basis ( no window cleaner would operate like this ) - back it up with by asking them if they feel their frequency is to frequent you could extend it ( say from 4 to 8 weekly ) and outline any extra cost in swapping the frequency
This way it offers a resolution to the excuse they've given you for this clean
And you've Made it clear to them moving forward from here they'll be dumped should they try it again
Oh and I've been off this forum for a while for one reason or another but good to see it still going strong
Cheers
Paul
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I would have offered them an 8weekly slot at 50% extra. I think you were quick to dump.
Your needs may be to have 4 weekly customers but with pure water they do stay cleaner longer.
I find customers fit into 3 categories,
Monthly, alway clean, generally.
Bimonthly, can see they need a clean
Couldn't give a monkeys/1 offs when family are coming ;D
Im not so hung up about frequencies, as long as their profitable