Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: nathankaye on June 02, 2017, 10:43:24 am
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So had a phone call the other day and they left a message. Wanting to cancel service, so thought ok bye bye. I put their price up from the old low price of many years £7 upto £9. My old customers like this one who ive had for absolute years n years. Ive told them for last 2yrs all my new work is £10min so they still keep a small loyalty discount. Any ways this was 2months back and i last cleaned them 3 wks ago and paid new price and not a word.
I decided to phone them up and see if it was due to the service as to why they have cancelled. NO infact they were singing my praises just thought £9 was too much.
Think they were after reducing an already low price compared to all new ones etc and so i just thanked them for their custom over the years and ended the call.
Since all my price increases ive lost 5 customers in last 2months, because of price increases of £2 or more.
It only makes me chuckle as all my new work in last 2 yrs are happy to pay min of £10 upwards. The amount of descent prices work (£20 n upwards, in south yorkshire) that ive gained in last couple of months makes me forget very quickly about the small amount of work ive lost)
Its peoples mentality that always suprises me. So like this one ive lost, they think a 2quid increase is too much. Whilst over the road a customer pays £12 without any quibbles. A new customer 2 doors up at £10 asked how soon i could start.
( haha the waffle is to stop people harping on about quality of work suffering if you work faster than they do. As i havent lost work on basis of quality. Or its a low price so they let me off on quality etc etc bla bla bla. Its purely being tight fisted yorkshire folk and what people are prepared to pay or think what a window cleaner should be on if they clean your house fast. Im sure if i took my time like a sloth then they wont habe a problem)
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There's no need to work like a sloth just to justify a price but I would say knocking out 30 to35 properties in around 5 hours
using roughly 10ltrs of water per property ( your words not mine ) would say lots about your quality.
Remember most people don't like to be confrontational and would rather leave on good terms than be honest.
That said it doesn't matter what others think about your quality if your way is working for you that's all that matters.
But even if they don't like your price it doesn't make them dross, (roll eyes) Are you dross when you shop around for something cheaper ?
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Where do you get a working day equalling 5hrs in a day.
Whenever that post was, they asked how many houses are you cleaning. Im sure my answer was, depending on the round being cleaned, i can do between 30 - 35 houses. Im still struggling to understand why you guys are not. But i dont question your work ethnics etc.
Also who goes into trying to calculate how much water i use per house. I carry a 500ltre tank. If i should run out, a quick drive home to fill back up.
To say how long you or others have been wfp, is it because ive only switched 2yrs ago n doing faster work or something. Is that why i must wind you up or something to harp on about quality all the time.
We all know wfp can and should be faster than trad working and i was pretty fast at trad working as well. Dont know how many illustrations or comparisons ive made to help explain how backward some peoples thinking can be that speed equals less quality.
I also love how people try to use my own words against me...but come on get them right!!
When a customer has enjoyed low prices on purpose or whatever for many many years and moans at a slight increase of price. To me thats dross work, especially when i have customers in same area hapoy to get me to clean their windows and at a higher respectable price than what ive put this customers price upto. Then yes, i am happy to get shot of these customers. My other customers recognise they have had the same price for years and realise that it wouldnt last forever.
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Where do you get a working day equalling 5hrs in a day.
Whenever that post was, they asked how many houses are you cleaning. Im sure my answer was, depending on the round being cleaned, i can do between 30 - 35 houses. Im still struggling to understand why you guys are not. But i dont question your work ethnics etc.
Also who goes into trying to calculate how much water i use per house. I carry a 500ltre tank. If i should run out, a quick drive home to fill back up.
To say how long you or others have been wfp, is it because ive only switched 2yrs ago n doing faster work or something. Is that why i must wind you up or something to harp on about quality all the time.
We all know wfp can and should be faster than trad working and i was pretty fast at trad working as well. Dont know how many illustrations or comparisons ive made to help explain how backward some peoples thinking can be that speed equals less quality.
I also love how people try to use my own words against me...but come on get them right!!
When a customer has enjoyed low prices on purpose or whatever for many many years and moans at a slight increase of price. To me thats dross work, especially when i have customers in same area hapoy to get me to clean their windows and at a higher respectable price than what ive put this customers price upto. Then yes, i am happy to get shot of these customers. My other customers recognise they have had the same price for years and realise that it wouldnt last forever.
On the how many I do in a day thread you said around 30 to 35, that was before you converted to hot.
On one of the hot water thread you said you didn't increase the amount of properties you cleaned in a day by using it you
just had shorter days giving you a few extra hours over the day for Toby carvery's and so on.
On the how much water do you use in a day thread, you said you achieved 2.5 properties on 25lts, that's roughly 10ltrs per property.
Maybe its sad that I tend to remember things that I find slightly different to the norm, but they're all from your posts.
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I can honestly say that I was faster trad then I am wfp. As a trad guy I would knock out around 17- 20 houses a day, charging a reasonable fee, working my nuts off.
Wfp for me wasn't just a new way of working, it was a way of dramatically increasing my prices and reducing my workload.
I could still knock out the same amount of work if I wanted but I choose the easier life. I'm much more content doing 10-12 houses a day, at a very high standard, for a premium fee.
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Anything under a tenner makes me sad to do the job.
That said the real dross is those that take the urine with paying.
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Where do you get a working day equalling 5hrs in a day.
Whenever that post was, they asked how many houses are you cleaning. Im sure my answer was, depending on the round being cleaned, i can do between 30 - 35 houses. Im still struggling to understand why you guys are not. But i dont question your work ethnics etc.
Also who goes into trying to calculate how much water i use per house. I carry a 500ltre tank. If i should run out, a quick drive home to fill back up.
To say how long you or others have been wfp, is it because ive only switched 2yrs ago n doing faster work or something. Is that why i must wind you up or something to harp on about quality all the time.
We all know wfp can and should be faster than trad working and i was pretty fast at trad working as well. Dont know how many illustrations or comparisons ive made to help explain how backward some peoples thinking can be that speed equals less quality.
I also love how people try to use my own words against me...but come on get them right!!
When a customer has enjoyed low prices on purpose or whatever for many many years and moans at a slight increase of price. To me thats dross work, especially when i have customers in same area hapoy to get me to clean their windows and at a higher respectable price than what ive put this customers price upto. Then yes, i am happy to get shot of these customers. My other customers recognise they have had the same price for years and realise that it wouldnt last forever.
On the how many I do in a day thread you said around 30 to 35, that was before you converted to hot.
On one of the hot water thread you said you didn't increase the amount of properties you cleaned in a day by using it you
just had shorter days giving you a few extra hours over the day for Toby carvery's and so on.
On the how much water do you use in a day thread, you said you achieved 2.5 properties on 25lts, that's roughly 10ltrs per property.
Maybe its sad that I tend to remember things that I find slightly different to the norm, but they're all from your posts.
Checkmate :D
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Erm that still doesnt stipulate 5hrs and the water usage was in relation to using a back pack. Which i also said i only use on houses etc which i cant get to. However the post in question which i think your refering i did mentioned i used it on the two houses which i included a picture of (for size reference) indicating on full flow that i was able to clean 2 houses from the back pack.
Check mate, i think not!
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So had a phone call the other day and they left a message. Wanting to cancel service, so thought ok bye bye. I put their price up from the old low price of many years £7 upto £9. My old customers like this one who ive had for absolute years n years. Ive told them for last 2yrs all my new work is £10min so they still keep a small loyalty discount. Any ways this was 2months back and i last cleaned them 3 wks ago and paid new price and not a word.
I decided to phone them up and see if it was due to the service as to why they have cancelled. NO infact they were singing my praises just thought £9 was too much.
Think they were after reducing an already low price compared to all new ones etc and so i just thanked them for their custom over the years and ended the call.
Since all my price increases ive lost 5 customers in last 2months, because of price increases of £2 or more.
It only makes me chuckle as all my new work in last 2 yrs are happy to pay min of £10 upwards. The amount of descent prices work (£20 n upwards, in south yorkshire) that ive gained in last couple of months makes me forget very quickly about the small amount of work ive lost)
Its peoples mentality that always suprises me. So like this one ive lost, they think a 2quid increase is too much. Whilst over the road a customer pays £12 without any quibbles. A new customer 2 doors up at £10 asked how soon i could start.
( haha the waffle is to stop people harping on about quality of work suffering if you work faster than they do. As i havent lost work on basis of quality. Or its a low price so they let me off on quality etc etc bla bla bla. Its purely being tight fisted yorkshire folk and what people are prepared to pay or think what a window cleaner should be on if they clean your house fast. Im sure if i took my time like a sloth then they wont habe a problem)
thats what happens when you dont put your prices up for years and years.some people will want you to clean their windows for ever for the same price...........oh and if you work in yorkshire! ;D
ive had the same over the years.i still wave and say hello to these ex customers when im cleaning all their neighbours windows or driving past in my brand new shiny van. :)....love it.
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Erm that still doesnt stipulate 5hrs and the water usage was in relation to using a back pack. Which i also said i only use on houses etc which i cant get to. However the post in question which i think your refering i did mentioned i used it on the two houses which i included a picture of (for size reference) indicating on full flow that i was able to clean 2 houses from the back pack.
Check mate, i think not!
You always say you work from 9/930 til 3?
Also you said you've never used 500 ltrs in a day
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http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=207944.msg1846745#msg1846745
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http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=207350.msg1838754#msg1838754
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Yeah lm sure l remember somewhere you said you have only run out of water very rarely, only first cleans or summat like that?
I think its time to post some cleaning videos! Would clear all this confusion up.
I would like to do one, but cant see myself doing it. I have noticed nathan likes doing pictures and videos.
So come nathan, do us a vid and show us all how its done mate.
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There you go Nathan a couple of links to jog your memory.
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Does it matter?
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Does it matter?
unfortunately it does for some
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But even if they don't like your price it doesn't make them dross, (roll eyes) Are you dross when you shop around for something cheaper ?
I agree with that.
They had their windows cleaned, paid and then cancelled (even threw in some compliments) so how does that make them dross?
It sounds like Nathan is more bothered than he's letting on.
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Does it matter?
unfortunately it does for some
What s unfortunate about people willing to challenge the opinions of others ? if it wasn't for people like that we would all be cleaning with PPB machines and water full of all sorts of crap claiming to work miracles, that said Nathans a good guy but can be a bit of a Walter Mitty at times, the devil in me cant resist.
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I would just love to see a first clean done in 25ltrs, cos if it can be done l would like to know how so l can cut way down on time taken and water used.
Listening to other people on here and hearing whats acheivable l feel l must have a lot to learn.
Hearing what people say they can do would be so much more believable/helpfull if l could see it being done.
Videos would be the proof in the pudding and would prove all wrong/right to some extent.
Aslo would be very entertaining and educational.
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On the two threads youve kindly researched whilst ive enjoyed a day out with family (looking on here periodically whilst kids have been running up n down beach. Tho, dont know why we picked cleethorpes for!, other than its only an hrs drive away). If you read my comments further down in thoses threads it sheds further light. Ie the water being used in a back pack. Perhaps i didnt make it as clear as i should (but i cant be bothered to read all the posts again to find out for sure) but i posted a picture of the 2 houses i cleaned and said for an example i whipped out the trolley to clean them. In other words i usually use the van system. But trying to be helpful on a thread showing that on a regular maintained work a trolley can clean more than one house as some were saying that you need to drown the windows to ensure a quality clean. Whereas i was saying that, thats not the case as in this example!! On the same example i also said tbe flow was on the highest etc etc.
Same too on the other link, read what i say on face value and you might understand that im trying to offer people advice rather than trying to find fault or be negative.
Yes i have posted vids showing technique, all be it one handed which is very hard to do. I also mentioned thus and to imagine it being done properly with 2 hands and you will see the technique obviously better. Lol what happened, people criticised the technique which was dodgey and the reason being it was done with one hand. So yea, i might get a slacky with me to film me cleaning a window. But quite frankly, why should i. Lol you might criticise the brush or the camera angle or something just as ridiculous just for the sake of finding something to moan at. Lol or even my poor typing skills on mobi 😂😂
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I dont think anyones trying to criticise mate, just rib tickling you a little but your not the sort to be easily offended?
I personaly come here to learn, lm not wet behind the ears but l believe everyones got room for improvement.
I love the idea of having an easyier quicker more proffitable day and if someone says than can do x in x then ld like to see it not just hear it, youtubes not juch help as there is currently not much happening on the wfp scene.
I would love to see some videos of wfp that l can actualy learn something from that would make me a better window cleaner.
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So yea, i might get a slacky with me to film me cleaning a window.
I'm sure Matt would do that for you.
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What s unfortunate about people willing to challenge the opinions of others ? if it wasn't for people like that we would all be cleaning with PPB machines and water full of all sorts of crap claiming to work miracles,
You obviously think others aren’t capable of thinking for themselves and seeing through any bullpoop. Personally I think if Nathan wants to make out he’s something or other why d’you feel the need to educate the rest of us Ewan?
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So yea, i might get a slacky with me to film me cleaning a window.
I'm sure Matt would do that for you.
As long as he can get his van in a few of the shots.
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But i dont question your work ethnics etc.
There's nothing wrong my East European employees.
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What s unfortunate about people willing to challenge the opinions of others ? if it wasn't for people like that we would all be cleaning with PPB machines and water full of all sorts of crap claiming to work miracles,
You obviously think others aren’t capable of thinking for themselves and seeing through any bullpoop. Personally I think if Nathan wants to make out he’s something or other why d’you feel the need to educate the rest of us Ewan?
Cos he read a thread and wanted to express his opinion, like you. Whos worse?
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As long as he can get his van in a few of the shots.
Thanks, any excuse.
(https://res.cloudinary.com/dbe1coaue/image/upload/v1496440004/IMG_0331-2_vtdkkh.jpg)
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What s unfortunate about people willing to challenge the opinions of others ? if it wasn't for people like that we would all be cleaning with PPB machines and water full of all sorts of crap claiming to work miracles,
You obviously think others aren’t capable of thinking for themselves and seeing through any bullpoop. Personally I think if Nathan wants to make out he’s something or other why d’you feel the need to educate the rest of us Ewan?
Cos he read a thread and wanted to express his opinion, like you. Whos worse?
There’s irony.
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I also love how people try to use my own words against me...but come on get them right!!
Oh, the ironing.
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What s unfortunate about people willing to challenge the opinions of others ? if it wasn't for people like that we would all be cleaning with PPB machines and water full of all sorts of crap claiming to work miracles,
You obviously think others aren’t capable of thinking for themselves and seeing through any bullpoop. Personally I think if Nathan wants to make out he’s something or other why d’you feel the need to educate the rest of us Ewan?
Cos he read a thread and wanted to express his opinion, like you. Whos worse?
There’s irony.
exactly
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No, there’s irony.
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What s unfortunate about people willing to challenge the opinions of others ? if it wasn't for people like that we would all be cleaning with PPB machines and water full of all sorts of crap claiming to work miracles,
You obviously think others aren’t capable of thinking for themselves and seeing through any bullpoop. Personally I think if Nathan wants to make out he’s something or other why d’you feel the need to educate the rest of us Ewan?
Iv fallen for bull poop in the past and I'm not ashamed to admit it, basically it was because I knew nothing about wfp
so all advice was good advice, it only became questionable to me when other experienced guys questioned or disagreed with it.
Do I think there will others out there who will fall for bull poop for the same reason I did ? Yes.
I never said Nathan was making out he's something he's not I only questioned his quality based on the info he provided
and only after he brought the issue of quality up.
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1496443238_Screenshot_2017-06-02-23-32-02.png)
Just to clarify, I wont be posting a vid on a first clean using only a back pack. Sorry folks! My comments were on my experiences on regular 4wkly maintenance cleans and i wouldnt use a back pack on a first clean as i have van mount with hot water for them lovely jobs.
Also to clarify i dont mind people questioning as long as they dont mind me answering them back.
On here, U tube or other groups on facebook etc there always seems to be contridicting information. So in the short period of time ive been using wfp i have experimented with many techniques, flows, brushes, number of jets and cold or hot water and different ways in heating my water. I have built my business over the many years hugely on word of mouth due to the quality of my work. Even on trad work i perfected my technique by experimenting and pushing myself. Lol, even timing myself per house so i could push myself to be faster and without quality suffering. Its done by slightly changing small things. So within 2 yrs of wfp ibe gone on a steep learning curve again! But ive come out of it quite knowledgeable. So im not trying to prove myself to be something im not or a big shot, as im most certainly aint. Nor do i expect people to think this matt, but i learnt new ideas from this forum ie, how to make an electric reel. How to correct my installation of the imersion heater. How to add extra baffling to the water tank etc etc! I could just keep on taking all the time and only contribute to add negative remarks. Yet i choose to try an add some helpful information to some who may benefit from it. As in the case of the link added by DryClean. People seem to think you need to drown windows to ensure quality. Obviously the opposite end of the scale is correct, a slow flow certainly doesnt help quality (or reserving water in most cases). All i said is aim in between!
On this thread, perhaps my term of "dross" may be too strong as many dont seem to like it. My apologies! However im happy to see customers go in a business sense when others are willing to pay the asking price of the work being done. (Ive also acknowledged on another post that i shouldnt wait so long to put prices up. So ive been a part of the problem too)
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Or another line of defence.
ENGLANDS football team on paper should work but the reality of it is.......
Chocolate and chili on paper shouldnt work but it does....
Just because you want to break down someones comments into a time breakdown or water to window ratio or whatever.......doesnt mean whats being said or achieved isnt correct just because in your own mind it doesnt seem plausible
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I enjoy reading your posts. Some things I agree with and some I don't . Don't despise your customers as I'm sure some of your business has been picked up by word of mouth from some of your loyal customers. Everyone nowadays wants a bargain but who wants to work for peanuts...no one does and I don't blame you for wanting better prices, we all do. Just be polite when old customers leave when you make a big price rise as it's a shock for them, better to increase slowly but regularly so old work don't become dross. Make a point of putting up your lower priced work on a regular basis and pick up new work for better prices. Don't knock your customers as word of mouth spreads very quickly and you could come unstuck if you're not careful. Good luck in building up a round of decent paying work and customers who remain loyal both ways. Fair price for a fair days work :)
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What a dross thread this is! Every year we get a new self appointed expert on here, last year it was Dazmond I've been one too I imagine. Let Nathan babble on. A new "expert" will be along soon.
It's only cleaning windows after all, a monkey could do it.
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Thanks, any excuse.
(https://res.cloudinary.com/dbe1coaue/image/upload/v1496440004/IMG_0331-2_vtdkkh.jpg)
Nice house.
Although the 150" tele on the roof is a bit ostentatious for my taste.
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Anyways , I also got rid of some dross. As you all know iv got an exclusive well compact round full of clientele paying very high premiums ( 27 yrs!) . Got a phone call from a front only customer ( just put her price up 25p) - charge her £3.50 but only takes less than 60 seconds to do with a thimble full of water.
So I explained that I clean the local bus stop next to the park for £4 but she wasn't having any of it, so she sacked me.
So glad I got rid of that one :D
Off to Morrisons for a sausage butty ;D
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What a dross thread this is! Every year we get a new self appointed expert on here, last year it was Dazmond I've been one too I imagine. Let Nathan babble on. A new "expert" will be along soon.
It's only cleaning windows after all, a monkey could do it.
the thing is dave some people cant do it!a windy i know whos been going for years is losing customers hand over fist due to shoddy workmanship. ;D
as for cleaning 30-35 3 bed semis a day.....well who wants to do that amount of work a day?itll be a long day with virtually no breaks and youll be knackered for your next days work.
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Sorry Dazmond, your reign is over, there's a new kid on the block now who's faster, richer and cleans more houses than you, next week he'll be posting his earnings. Just deal with it, it's over now. Just sit back and enjoy!
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Sorry Dazmond, your reign is over, there's a new kid on the block now who's faster, richer and cleans more houses than you, next week he'll be posting his earnings. Just deal with it, it's over now. Just sit back and enjoy!
;D ;D ;D
hes still driving about in an old van with van magnets though so his image is lacking if he wants to be considered a professional window cleaner. ;D ;D ;D
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Dazmond is still one step ahead, Nathan only has clients, Dazmond has accounts.
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I think Nathan is full of poop...
Daz however is the man ;D
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Anyways , I also got rid of some dross. As you all know iv got an exclusive well compact round full of clientele paying very high premiums ( 27 yrs!) . Got a phone call from a front only customer ( just put her price up 25p) - charge her £3.50 but only takes less than 60 seconds to do with a thimble full of water.
So I explained that I clean the local bus stop next to the park for £4 but she wasn't having any of it, so she sacked me.
So glad I got rid of that one :D
Off to Morrisons for a sausage butty ;D
Haha, nice one.
I'm not having a go, but you can tell Nathan has a sails (sic) background.
I say 'sails' because I don't want to use his own words against him.
A salesman always wearing sunglasses and dressing like Ross Kemp in his gangs programme to make the good folk of Snobs Hill think he's Special Forces. It's no wonder his clients are dispensing with his service(s).
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If nothing else, atleast you all remember the posts i put on, regardless of your reasons for remembering them 😂😂
Looking forward to using my SAS skills and putting faces to names at the window cleaning show in september.....ill be the one looking like ross kemp carrying a super soaker that will be on sale to blast at peooles guttering. Say hi n i might even buy you a pint 😕
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If nothing else, atleast you all remember the posts i put on, regardless of your reasons for remembering them 😂😂
Looking forward to using my SAS skills and putting faces to names at the window cleaning show in september.....ill be the one looking like ross kemp carrying a super soaker that will be on sale to blast at peooles guttering. Say hi n i might even buy you a pint 😕
Haha, good lad, Nathan.
It's good that you don't take yourself too seriously.
It's just a laugh, mate,
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It is annoying tho, they cancelled you for charging £9 but they'll end up paying £10 more than likley with someone else ::)roll