Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on April 21, 2020, 08:21:52 am
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I think it's easy for some of us to think customers dont want us to call....I've even read a few long winded cringeworthy letters that window cleaners have posted through their customers doors on another forum.....
I was chatting to a gardener who works for a small company(6 employees and 6 vans)yesterday and his boss has stopped all domestic jobs entirely and is really struggling to keep the business afloat......
IMO it's best to take each job as it comes,text the ones you normally do with your standard message and turn up and clean for the rest as usual....if they dont want them doing they'll let you know.....
I've been pleasantly surprised.....most customers have been great,yes I've had a few skipped jobs and one suspended in the last 4 weeks but I've also picked up 8 jobs(mixture of add ons and regular window jobs).....
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We are texting / emailing all customers the day before letting them know we are coming, that we won’t knock before we start and won’t be leaving a “windows cleaned” slip, but we will email them or what’s app them an invoice instead.
I’ve found that our cash flow has improved since sending electronic invoices - so will carry this on even after the lockdown has finished.
Since the lockdown we have only had 5 customers say not to clean until the lockdown is over.
Regular customers have been replying thanking us for still going. Many have asked for extras to be done (gutters etc..)
And, we have picked up LOADS of new work.
Andy :)
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I have been knocking all doors before starting and telling them straight to tell me if they don’t want me on the property or money is a bit tight , it really doesn’t matter as I’m just doing what I can.
And TBH the odd few that have declined have been the ones I didn’t expect to !
If anything now I’m getting more and more calls asking if I’m still working as the windows are grubby !
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I’ve not had a single domestic cancellation yet. I’ve had a couple surprised that I’m still working but that’s mainly down to the initial confusion after Boris’ speech.
I’ve a pal who’s a Gardener, works alone and has been off work for 5 weeks now. There’s really no reason either as he’s fit and healthy and lives alone.
Some people would rather just have some paid time off I think.
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Carrying on mostly as normal texting a few to let them know I’m coming all have said we thought you’d be carrying on,I could have quiet easily stayed at home the only time I have to be careful during the day is getting diesel etc other than that not around people like I said before shopping is the worst thing at the mo.
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Don't second guess customers but a customer second guessed me saying "we did not think you would be coming so my neighbour is going to jet wash my property today so we don't want our windows cleaned."
That was 3 weeks ago.
I also had a few "we did not expect you".
So I call or text my customers 2 days before a clean. I tell them I am observing social distancing, please pay by bank transfer or leave cash outside.
Yesterday while at work 3 said no need to call before next time, just clean them.
The others, it made easier as all gates were open and payment left outside or in my account by the time I got home.
One did call me back Sunday asking if I would be wearing gloves and a face mask and not to touch the gate when I leave.
The longer lockdown goes on the more paranoid and suspicious people will get and I can see some customers dropping off.
None lost this week or the week before (just insides) but 4 the previous week 1 was a messer anyway.
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Don't second guess customers but a customer second guessed me saying "we did not think you would be coming so my neighbour is going to jet wash my property today so we don't want our windows cleaned."
That was 3 weeks ago.
I also had a few "we did not expect you".
So I call or text my customers 2 days before a clean. I tell them I am observing social distancing, please pay by bank transfer or leave cash outside.
Yesterday while at work 3 said no need to call before next time, just clean them.
The others, it made easier as all gates were open and payment left outside or in my account by the time I got home.
One did call me back Sunday asking if I would be wearing gloves and a face mask and not to touch the gate when I leave.
The longer lockdown goes on the more paranoid and suspicious people will get and I can see some customers dropping off.
None lost this week or the week before (just insides) but 4 the previous week 1 was a messer anyway.
I personally think the longer it goes on the more relaxed people will be although I do think the longer it goes on the more cancellations we will get
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Daz, you forgot to tell us how much you earned today, I’m sure the guys not working would like to know.
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I can’t see people thinking you ain’t gonna come round and clean there windows within a year,that’s what it’s gonna be before the vaccine.
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at least 18 months before a vaccine and thats if everything runs smoothly...normally these things take 5 or 6 years....
get to work if you can....the weather has been great for the past 4 weeks!
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the number 1 reason some window cleaners/gardeners are not going back to work is customer perception from the few ive been in contact with..........again its all in their heads....second guessing!
you cant possibly know which customers do or dont want you to carry on with your services until you message/ring them or turn up.....its crazy if you ask me...... ::)roll
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the number 1 reason some window cleaners/gardeners are not going back to work is customer perception from the few ive been in contact with..........again its all in their heads....second guessing!
you cant possibly know which customers do or dont want you to carry on with your services until you message/ring them or turn up.....its crazy if you ask me...... ::)roll
yep i agree
On average I think I have had about 15% skip cleans , no cancellations.
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The majority have said I’m glad you are still coming Blah blah blah,the good thing is once you’ve done the bulk of your work you can then carry on with confidence.
I’ve said to all of them be it face to face or by text I will be calling as usual during this time unless we are told otherwise,that’s all I’m looking for at the moment knowing where I can go without having to worry and get turned away.
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the number 1 reason some window cleaners/gardeners are not going back to work is customer perception from the few ive been in contact with..........again its all in their heads....second guessing!
you cant possibly know which customers do or dont want you to carry on with your services until you message/ring them or turn up.....its crazy if you ask me...... ::)roll
Agree with this, I was guilty of it myself the first couple of weeks after we were locked down. I’ve had nothing but positivity since starting back, long may it continue.
I’ve also been given the go ahead to carry on cleaning a few commercial jobs from May onwards so things are looking up.
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I do not and never have used social media but my neighbour does and she was telling me there were negative posts about a gardener we know who was still cutting lawns.
An NHS worker took a picture and was slagging him off, lots of others joined in.
Knowing that made me feel awkward going to work and I have had 2 comments from by passers asking if I think I am an essential worker.
As far as a vaccine for Covid19 goes, here is a video link I was sent.
https://www.richplanet.net/richp_genre.php?ref=282&part=1&gen=99
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While most (not all) customers will be happy to see you, and why not, as long as your not in close physical contact with them then really they have nothing to lose - the risk (perceived) is all yours - however if we all took the stance of carrying on "as normal" then the overall effect of social distancing and trying to control the spread of the virus would have been a complete failure.
Keeping to the bear minimum of people on the streets as just about allowed the NHS to keep some control, hence when the lockdown is eased it will be done in stages - this is nt about not getting the virus, just about a controlled infection rate
Darran
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All good here.
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Picked up £480 pressure washing job yesterday. People still want to see us, use us and more importantly welcome us despite the fear being spread.
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Monday 23rd March, first two customers of the day asked to cancel the window cleaning service until further notice due to covid19......roll on 4 weeks Monday 20th April, on seeing my van in the street, same two customers came to their front door and asked me to resume cleaning.
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the number 1 reason some window cleaners/gardeners are not going back to work is customer perception from the few ive been in contact with..........again its all in their heads....second guessing!
you cant possibly know which customers do or dont want you to carry on with your services until you message/ring them or turn up.....its crazy if you ask me...... ::)roll
yep i agree
On average I think I have had about 15% skip cleans , no cancellations.
ive had 289 jobs scheduled to clean since the lockdown started on march 23rd.....
6 skipped cleans at the customers request
3 skipped cleans (i skipped myself)
1 suspended job until july
8 new jobs(3 x add ons and 5 regular WC jobs)
all the rest have been cleaned without issue....
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I’ve just had my first cancellation, £20 6weekly 20 mins job. Extended semi, shame as it was a job i always started the day with as they are always out early.
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I’ve just had my first cancellation, £20 6weekly 20 mins job. Extended semi, shame as it was a job i always started the day with as they are always out early.
no jobs last forever....they ll be another job just around the corner Danny.......you ll probably pick up another one to replace it with by the end of the week/month...
all our rounds are built on shifting sand.......
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Still ain't told how much he's earned bet his Mexican holidays out the window😂😂
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I think everyone’s Mexican holiday is out the window.
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Still ain't told how much he's earned bet his Mexican holidays out the window😂😂
no holidays abroad this year mate.....my holiday to greece was paid in full months ago(due to fly out on 3rd may) so im gonna rebook for next year now like most of us i expect!
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Still ain't told how much he's earned bet his Mexican holidays out the window😂😂
no holidays abroad this year mate.....my holiday to greece was paid in full months ago(due to fly out on 3rd may) so im gonna rebook for next year now like most of us i expect!
I’ve got a holiday booked to Greece for August, have booked flights and accommodation direct so will only get a refund for the flights. I’ve not completely given up hope of this happening yet, but it’s a long shot.
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Tbh I don’t think I’d want to go anywhere at the moment on a plane.
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Tbh I don’t think I’d want to go anywhere at the moment on a plane.
A Gym, a plane and a Chinese restaurant are the places I'd have nightmares about, not necessarily in that order :'(
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M8 gyms are finished more than half will go to the wall home gym equipment will be the thing now or cycling will go through the roof on our roads,auctions will be full of gym equipment over the next couple of years.
If you have a gym membership on standing order I would cancel it now,they will be the very last thing to open if at all in a hell of a lot of cases.
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Well I'm booked to go to Kiev on 5th May including Chernobyl.
Forest fires have made it the worst polluted city in the world as we speak. Add in geiger counter Chernobyl and CV and I think that's a no-no! ;D
And as for the cruise round Italy and the Adriatic in early June - me thinks that's a little unlikely too! Especially as I haven't paid the balance and am waiting (drums fingers) for the deposit to be acknowledged as coming back. ;D
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Can you imagine gyms full of germs sweat bodily fluids flem all over the equipment and over the machines,breeding ground for getting this Virus I would think gym owners are queuing up at Beachy Head.
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10k holidays will soon be 15k lol people have said they’ll be cheaper they won’t be,the better the holiday you are used to going on the more it’ll be.
When eventually you can travel to Europe that may be cheap accommodation etc but not the Caribbean Maldives etc,be about what Daz’s golf diesels worth now 🤣🤣🤣
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stockpiling petrol is the way to go.
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M8 gyms are finished more than half will go to the wall home gym equipment will be the thing now or cycling will go through the roof on our roads,auctions will be full of gym equipment over the next couple of years.
If you have a gym membership on standing order I would cancel it now,they will be the very last thing to open if at all in a hell of a lot of cases.
my gym froze my membership as soon as the lockdown was announced.....its council run so wont go out of business..... 8)
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Still ain't told how much he's earned bet his Mexican holidays out the window😂😂
no holidays abroad this year mate.....my holiday to greece was paid in full months ago(due to fly out on 3rd may) so im gonna rebook for next year now like most of us i expect!
I’ve got a holiday booked to Greece for August, have booked flights and accommodation direct so will only get a refund for the flights. I’ve not completely given up hope of this happening yet, but it’s a long shot.
mine was a package holiday so a full refund credit plus 20% extra for my next holiday.....ill be booking it for next year in the next few weeks
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If it’s council you still won’t be in there for months,private gyms will be finished more or less.
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I’ve just had my first cancellation, £20 6weekly 20 mins job. Extended semi, shame as it was a job i always started the day with as they are always out early.
no jobs last forever....they ll be another job just around the corner Danny.......you ll probably pick up another one to replace it with by the end of the week/month...
all our rounds are built on shifting sand.......
In true CIU fashion I picked up 2 x £20 (6 weeklys) and a conservatory roof clean today. 8)
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If it’s council you still won’t be in there for months,private gyms will be finished more or less.
nigel you can be a proper miserable tw*t at times...... ;D
cheer up! 8)
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I’ve just had my first cancellation, £20 6weekly 20 mins job. Extended semi, shame as it was a job i always started the day with as they are always out early.
no jobs last forever....they ll be another job just around the corner Danny.......you ll probably pick up another one to replace it with by the end of the week/month...
all our rounds are built on shifting sand.......
In true CIU fashion I picked up 2 x £20 (6 weeklys) and a conservatory roof clean today. 8)
good stuff danny......i picked up a £15 (4 weekly job) today and it looks like im gonna lose a £22 8 weekly job....in the long run you just cant lose in this game! :)
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I’ve just had my first cancellation, £20 6weekly 20 mins job. Extended semi, shame as it was a job i always started the day with as they are always out early.
no jobs last forever....they ll be another job just around the corner Danny.......you ll probably pick up another one to replace it with by the end of the week/month...
all our rounds are built on shifting sand.......
In true CIU fashion I picked up 2 x £20 (6 weeklys) and a conservatory roof clean today. 8)
good stuff danny......i picked up a £15 (4 weekly job) today and it looks like im gonna lose a £22 8 weekly job....in the long run you just cant lose in this game! :)
I picked up 2 driveway jobs and a conny roof today as well :D
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Can you imagine gyms full of germs sweat bodily fluids flem all over the equipment and over the machines,breeding ground for getting this Virus I would think gym owners are queuing up at Beachy Head.
Two 60 min workouts a week at home at the moment(wed and sat) with dumbbells and kettlebells(squats,deadlifts,chest press,standing shoulder press,dumbbell rows,etc) high reps......it stops the rot setting in..... ;D
i am missing the gym though......ill be back in there as soon as it opens back up.....
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I picked up a virus.
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Can you imagine gyms full of germs sweat bodily fluids flem all over the equipment and over the machines,breeding ground for getting this Virus I would think gym owners are queuing up at Beachy Head.
Two 60 min workouts a week at home at the moment(wed and sat) with dumbbells and kettlebells(squats,deadlifts,chest press,standing shoulder press,dumbbell rows,etc) high reps......it stops the rot setting in..... ;D
i am missing the gym though......ill be back in there as soon as it opens back up.....
It's life gym but not as we know it.
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I do not and never have used social media but my neighbour does and she was telling me there were negative posts about a gardener we know who was still cutting lawns.
An NHS worker took a picture and was slagging him off, lots of others joined in.
Knowing that made me feel awkward going to work and I have had 2 comments from by passers asking if I think I am an essential worker.
As far as a vaccine for Covid19 goes, here is a video link I was sent.
https://www.richplanet.net/richp_genre.php?ref=282&part=1&gen=99
You just have haven’t you?
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Knowing that made me feel awkward going to work and I have had 2 comments from by passers asking if I think I am an essential worker.
I hope you asked these people to show you exactly where in the guidelines it says you must be an esential worker to be able to go to work. Busybodies.
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I do not and never have used social media but my neighbour does and she was telling me there were negative posts about a gardener we know who was still cutting lawns.
An NHS worker took a picture and was slagging him off, lots of others joined in.
Knowing that made me feel awkward going to work and I have had 2 comments from by passers asking if I think I am an essential worker.
As far as a vaccine for Covid19 goes, here is a video link I was sent.
https://www.richplanet.net/richp_genre.php?ref=282&part=1&gen=99
Funny old world. I have medics and parents of medics on my round (including a couple whose daughter and son-in-law who are "hospital workers"and who have both had CV and are back at work) and they are keen for me to clean their windows.
My prepared answer to "are you an essential worker" is ...
"Of course not! Why on earth would you even ask that if you had properly read the government guidelines on working?"
If they respond (as against pursing their lips and pushing off) with an assertion that I should not be working or asking why am working is to tell them to read the main reasons for leaving home on the government website.
"Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)"
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M8 gyms are finished more than half will go to the wall home gym equipment will be the thing now or cycling will go through the roof on our roads,auctions will be full of gym equipment over the next couple of years.
If you have a gym membership on standing order I would cancel it now,they will be the very last thing to open if at all in a hell of a lot of cases.
my gym froze my membership as soon as the lockdown was announced.....its council run so wont go out of business..... 8)
Council house , council gym , no wonder you got money Daz , you don’t pay real bills ;D
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Stop worrying and tell them you are just watering the NHS rainbows in peoples' windows.
There's no rainbows without water.
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I've also got customers who are doctors and nurses(and a few retired ones too)....all have been fine with me working.....
Why the hell would you let one or two comments off some ill informed people stop you working?
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I've also got customers who are doctors and nurses(and a few retired ones too)....all have been fine with me working.....
Why the hell would you let one or two comments off some ill informed people stop you working?
Not having a rhinoceros's hide for skin? ;D
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M8 gyms are finished more than half will go to the wall home gym equipment will be the thing now or cycling will go through the roof on our roads,auctions will be full of gym equipment over the next couple of years.
If you have a gym membership on standing order I would cancel it now,they will be the very last thing to open if at all in a hell of a lot of cases.
my gym froze my membership as soon as the lockdown was announced.....its council run so wont go out of business..... 8)
Council house , council gym , no wonder you got money Daz , you don’t pay real bills ;D
Gym membership is just over £300 a year but I can use 8 different gyms/health centres,swimming pools,saunas,etc and go as many times as I want..... ;D
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Ive cleaned the windows on three doctors surgeries in the last week. Welcomed at all.
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Ive cleaned the windows on three doctors surgeries in the last week. Welcomed at all.
Presumably just the outsides only, as they aren’t even letting patients inside a surgery.
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Ive cleaned the windows on three doctors surgeries in the last week. Welcomed at all.
Presumably just the outsides only, as they aren’t even letting patients inside a surgery.
Didn’t you know , Daz is immune ;D
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Ive cleaned the windows on three doctors surgeries in the last week. Welcomed at all.
Presumably just the outsides only, as they aren’t even letting patients inside a surgery.
Depends which surgery. The main one was busy with patients the satellite was locked up. The third surgery, a big town centre one was open.
Yes it was just the outsides, I haven't heard of any window cleaners cleaning any inside windows anywhere.
Patients with suspected Corona virus are being seen, after an initial telephone assessment, at different surgeries to non-suspected Corona virus patients.
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Ive cleaned the windows on three doctors surgeries in the last week. Welcomed at all.
Presumably just the outsides only, as they aren’t even letting patients inside a surgery.
Depends which surgery. The main one was busy with patients the satellite was locked up. The third surgery, a big town centre one was open.
Yes it was just the outsides, I haven't heard of any window cleaners cleaning any inside windows anywhere.
Patients with suspected Corona virus are being seen, after an initial telephone assessment, at different surgeries to non-suspected Corona virus patients.
Makes sense.