Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: frames to panes on March 17, 2008, 06:06:25 pm
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By that i mean a little golden mine of work, nothing major, i just had a mega busy day booked already but had one job in the next town to get out of the way first' Typically i picked up the next door (with conservatory clean) then the next with conservatory then another who wanted her gutters washed as well. All because i'm so brilliant at my job.
Probably more to do with being cheaper than there existing cleaner i expect. They all had the same one. Ah well, that's business i suppose. Best get down the gym and build myself up now. :o
Mega busy day tomorrow.
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Personally I would never undercut another window cleaner!!!! >:(
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I explained to all of them that if they were happy with their cleaner then stick with him. Obviously they wern't happy with something - i know he charged more for one house i didn't bother to ask the price of the others. I quoted what i considered a reasonable price - my normal price. If it's the price that got the work then in my opinion that's just business.
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I have quoted for and got jobs that already had a cleaner, normally this is because they are not happy with their existing cleaner, the difference is that the times I have taken jobs from other cleaners I have been on average double their price!!! It feels a lot better to know that you are doing the same job but for more money than the same job but for less!!! ;)
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I can't believe I am saying this but for the first time ever I actually completely agree with Groundhog!!!!
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I can't believe I am saying this but for the first time ever I actually completely agree with Groundhog!!!!
Thanks Tony!!! Don't forget its the new improved Groundhog!!!! ;D ;)
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I think what happened was, the very first house i got never had a cleaner (he stopped turning up) so i priced it and go it. Now obviously the neighbours picked up on this and all asked for quotes even though the guy still did theirs, now they knew the price of the first one 'cos they talk to each other so very difficult to price differently for the rest. The plan is to get them all then pop the price up next year.
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Groundhog, of course your right we would all prefer to come out with a higher price.
Is this the only trade where it is deemed such a bad thing to be cheaper than the next cleaner? I can't think of another one where a product does not compete on price.
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Good luck with it DJW, I'm not meaning to criticise, it's just not the way I do things. I try to sell myself to customers as being a window cleaner of the highest quality, and therefore I am nearly always more expensive than other window cleaners. The thing is if they are not happy with their current cleaner then they will more than likely be prepared to pay more to someone who will do a better job!!!
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I just give my price for every job, like you sometimes i've been double, sometimes the same, this time probably less I don't set out to undercut anyone i just stick to my prices. This time the customer has gained - excellent quality work for less money i've gained work we're happy all round. :)
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Groundhog, of course your right we would all prefer to come out with a higher price.
Is this the only trade where it is deemed such a bad thing to be cheaper than the next cleaner? I can't think of another one where a product does not compete on price.
We are not offering a product we are offering a service, I choose and demand a higher price than many where I am as IMO I give a better quality service than many others that clean windows in my areas, this is my opinion on it, I do not undercut someone that is not doing there job correctly that would be madness. Some charge more than me and fair play to them.
Ian
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Oh gawd!!! here we go again one of those threads coming up, come on lads any more!
Chests out stomachs in! I'm brilliant!! ;D
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Oh gawd!!! here we go again one of those threads coming up, come on lads any more!
Chests out stomachs in! I'm brilliant!! ;D
I was not saying I am brilliant, just being honest, window cleaners are ten a penny if you want cheap work.
that is not attacking you by the way. ;)
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Oh gawd!!! here we go again one of those threads coming up, come on lads any more!
Chests out stomachs in! I'm brilliant!! ;D
Well, that saved mefrom saying it. ;D
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tell me guys is having faith in yourself a bad thing, is being good at your job wrong ? if it is then I would say sry for my comments, no chest out and no stomach in.
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DJW did you charge good money for the conservatory clean ?, congratulations by the way on picking up some more work.
Its difficult when you need cash flow to price strongly, but price shoppers loyalty is based on price, someone undercuts you your gone too.
Mark
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That's not undercutting mate.
Take no notice of the rip-offs on here. ;D
That's what happens if you charge people £1 a minute! ::)
Go for it, and feel no guilt, he's got himself to blame.
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DJW - You quoted for the job at the price you want, and you got it.
To me, that's a satisfactory outcome.
If you find out later that you've underpriced it - so what - you're tied to doing it any number of times.
I've quoted for jobs in the past only to find that a previous cleaner (who didn't do as good a job as me) charged the same, or more. But he's not got the job anymore and I have - and when the customer has seen what a good job I do (because I won't leave until its done properly) I'll put my price up and they'll gladly pay it.
Mike
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Good luck with it DJW, I'm not meaning to criticise, it's just not the way I do things. I try to sell myself to customers as being a window cleaner of the highest quality, and therefore I am nearly always more expensive than other window cleaners. The thing is if they are not happy with their current cleaner then they will more than likely be prepared to pay more to someone who will do a better job!!!
The bit about the current cleaner is spot on,if that`s the case you can more or less name your price that`s when looking the part comes into it`s own.
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My above post should obviously read " you're NOT tied to doing it any number of times.
Mike
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Is this the only trade where it is deemed such a bad thing to be cheaper than the next cleaner?
It is only a good thing for the customer, for us as window cleaners it has to be a bad thing, it means less money in our pocket!!! :(
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I picked up a job last week for £40,the last WC was doing it for £20.I know the guy and he couldn`t beleive it when i told him he said there was no way he could have squeezed anymore out of them,it just goes to show you how they think he is trad and never changes his cloths,what does he expect you can`t stand still in any business.He`s now going WFP.
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I picked up a job last week for £40,the last WC was doing it for £20.I know the guy and he couldn`t beleive it when i told him he said there was no way he could have squeezed anymore out of them,it just goes to show you how they think he is trad and never changes his cloths,what does he expect you can`t stand still in any business.He`s now going WFP.
That's an unusual case I reckon.
Most customers I've met would rather pay someone to see them work hard and leave a dry finished result.
They're not going to pay more to see someone quickly wash it with a brush and run away.
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I don't think it's unusual at all, some customers may take some convincing at first, but once they see the finished results, and they see that their windows are gleaming and look like they are new, then they are converted!! I could give many examples of customers that I have that used to pay a lot less for their last trad cleaner, but the best one I have is of when I priced up a large house at 60quid, I got the job despite the fact that their current cleaner was only charging them 8 pounds!!!! ;D
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Haven't we been here before? ...............What happens next? ::)
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i agree mate :)
i priced a good size house today in the same way as i usually do and lady thought it "quite reasonable" and i am happy with it too
flip side of that was an existing customer who asked for a price to clean gutters soffit and fascia on her bungalow,i price per mtr so quick tot up ,told her the price and she pulled that cats arse face and said "what for that little bit"(21 mtrs of it is not what i would call a "little bit") "at that price i will do it my self" cue crossed arms and the look that says you are now supposed to haggle ::) so i just smile polite and say "ok love no problem :)" bet its still mucky next time
point is i just give a price , if its cheaper then its nowt personal
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Haven't we been here before? ...............What happens next? ::)
We all start arguing and people get banned. ;D
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djw stick at what u r doin mate it all comes good in the end :)
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I picked up a job last week for £40,the last WC was doing it for £20.I know the guy and he couldn`t beleive it when i told him he said there was no way he could have squeezed anymore out of them,it just goes to show you how they think he is trad and never changes his cloths,what does he expect you can`t stand still in any business.He`s now going WFP.
Ditto, last wc cheaper but never changed his cloths, easy pickings. I love this type of customer.
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It`s not a case of nicking work either,when these guy`s customers see what results can be acheived by WFP ie clean frames high window`s that never normally get done they`ve as good as lost the job they can`t compete.It won`t be long when people will be surprised when WC`s don`t use a WFP.
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It`s not a case of nicking work either,when these guy`s customers see what results can be acheived by WFP ie clean frames high window`s that never normally get done they`ve as good as lost the job they can`t compete.It won`t be long when people will be surprised when WC`s don`t use a WFP.
I wish.
Depends where you live.
When I pick up work around town they're not too confused, but when I get work out in the sticks they've never heard of it.
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Same here,... i love it when i tell them all the frames will sparkle, and the cobwebs will vanish, i get cheques in the post with notes in saying fantastic job, thanks,.. also had a couple of new ones putting prices up themselves saying they glad they found me.... oh i feel special.... ;D ;D
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Groundhog, of course your right we would all prefer to come out with a higher price.
Is this the only trade where it is deemed such a bad thing to be cheaper than the next cleaner? I can't think of another one where a product does not compete on price.
This is the problem! you cant compare service industry to the retail sector!
We are a service industry and have fixed costs that rise, diesel, insurance... where the retail sector mark up raw goods by 50 to 100% that is why you see all these BIG SALE! so competing on price only, in a service industry is not good for anyone
Andy
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keep the prices UP ! UP UP!
Then tweak a little, .. by going in cheap ,does not do any of us any good,
when the next man follows and competes, so may the next.... and so on on.... let an odd one do it if he likes.... if he wants a low paying round...
but lets not follow that lead or we are all doomed. ::)
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I picked up a job last week for £40,the last WC was doing it for £20.I know the guy and he couldn`t beleive it when i told him he said there was no way he could have squeezed anymore out of them,it just goes to show you how they think he is trad and never changes his cloths,what does he expect you can`t stand still in any business.He`s now going WFP.
That's an unusual case I reckon.
Most customers I've met would rather pay someone to see them work hard and leave a dry finished result.
They're not going to pay more to see someone quickly wash it with a brush and run away.
It depends how you sell it Roger.
I suspect that the post above gives a clue as to why you haven't been doing so well with WFP and why I didn't at first either.
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Groundhog, of course your right we would all prefer to come out with a higher price.
Is this the only trade where it is deemed such a bad thing to be cheaper than the next cleaner? I can't think of another one where a product does not compete on price.
This is the problem! you cant compare service industry to the retail sector!
We are a service industry and have fixed costs that rise, diesel, insurance... where the retail sector mark up raw goods by 50 to 100% that is why you see all these BIG SALE! so competing on price only, in a service industry is not good for anyone
Andy
I had tro explain similar to one of my customers who is a retailer. I do two shops and two houses for him. He started asking for discounts for quantity. I explained to him that economy of scale only starts working with window cleaning if it's one big job - and even then the scope is limited as it's more labour intensive and therefore, tied to time. It's not like him cutting his profit on an item to sell them at 70% of the previous price and selling more of them to make up the difference. I think he was quite impressed with me using the term "business model" :) . I did actually knock £1 of the most recent job as there was plenty of room to do so.
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Just got home for my lunch and I'm quite pleased, a lady stopped her car where i was working and asked me to come round to her hotel and give her a quote as she was desperate for them to be done for easter. I went round and she only wants the front doing once a month. I went on my usual price of a pound a window and quoted her. "Yes thats ok" she said and we agree on thurs am. When I was leaving, five other hoteliers ambushed me with same request. As I was leaving they were all talking about a previous w/c who hadn't been round for two months and had ignored loads of phonecalls and texts.
Now I have mixed feelings as I was unaware of any previous w/c or his prices but I'm going to carry on doing them and sod the consequences. :(