Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: P®oPole™ on April 10, 2008, 08:00:04 am
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Anyone had any experience with taking over established trad rounds as I know a couple of fella's that are packing it in.
Thanks
ProPole
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Anyone had any experience with taking over established trad rounds as I know a couple of fella's that are packing it in.
Thanks
ProPole
I have bought a couple, what do you need to know ?
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Hi Ian,
I can forsee problems in the 'wfp change over'. One of the guys needs a quick sale as he's got a new job lined up for next week. He has told all of his customers that he is selling up and they are just "happy there windows will still be cleaned". However if I turn up with a pole splashing water everywere I doubt they will like it.
I have bought wfp work in the past and was very please with how well it changed hands but I'm quite unsure about trad work.
Whats your views Ian?
Pro
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Hi Ian,
I can forsee problems in the 'wfp change over'. One of the guys needs a quick sale as he's got a new job lined up for next week. He has told all of his customers that he is selling up and they are just "happy there windows will still be cleaned". However if I turn up with a pole splashing water everywere I doubt they will like it.
I have bought wfp work in the past and was very please with how well it changed hands but I'm quite unsure about trad work.
Whats your views Ian?
Pro
you can do one of a few things, knock on each door indroduce yourself to them and say they way you clean, get the guy to give a letter to each of the customers saying that he has stopped you will be cleaning and you use wfp (saves loads of time) and get them to call if they need to ask questions.
Or just pole all the windows and explain if needbe.
I personally would ask the guy to give them a letter explaining the change over and saying you clean with wfp and to call you will any questions (most will not call).
Next one down I would knock the doors as I was cleaning and give a quick explanation and say they get there frames cleaned free for 2 months people like free things (if some of the prices are low this also gives the chance to increase them by a pound or 2 if needbe down the line "a great tip I learnt by mistake").
hope this help m8, post any more questions and I will do my best to help ;)
Ian
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IN MY OPINION
You will never get the positive benefits through to them.
Even after explaining it all, they will still complain about how much quicker you are than a bloke up a ladder. You say"...it's not how fast we go, it's whether your windows are clean and how they are cleaned and the eventual result..."
Trad customers always want what they had in the past. They hate change, even after accepting that they like what you are doing....after a while they will find an excuse that they pull out of nothing.....you find out later that a cheaper trad cleaner has been knocking in the area and have undercut you (in some cases).
The prices will be about 10 years old on trad work. You cant really up your prices unless you explain to them the full benefits. A 3-bed house for £7 cant be upped to £12 (its real price) unless the customer is really understanding of what you are doing. Normal everyday folk who are able to understand WFP are few and far between.
For some people the changeover does work very successfully, but this is down to sheer persistence and plenty of time trying to convince people, the how's and the who's and the what's.
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Pro I take it that you are wfp only, if so I would buy the work on the basis that you are only paying for those customers that remain with you for two+ cleans, this moves the responsability back to the seller.
Then you go do your normal service using wfp and do your best to explain where necessary, but if they don't like it you are not out of pocket.
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IN MY OPINION
You will never get the positive benefits through to them.
Even after explaining it all, they will still complain about how much quicker you are than a bloke up a ladder. You say"...it's not how fast we go, it's whether your windows are clean and how they are cleaned and the eventual result..."
Trad customers always want what they had in the past. They hate change, even after accepting that they like what you are doing....after a while they will find an excuse that they pull out of nothing.....you find out later that a cheaper trad cleaner has been knocking in the area and have undercut you (in some cases).
The prices will be about 10 years old on trad work. You cant really up your prices unless you explain to them the full benefits. A 3-bed house for £7 cant be upped to £12 (its real price) unless the customer is really understanding of what you are doing. Normal everyday folk who are able to understand WFP are few and far between.
For some people the changeover does work very successfully, but this is down to sheer persistence and plenty of time trying to convince people, the how's and the who's and the what's.
Spot on. I bought a trad round, but use WFP and lost a high percentage, mostly due to very low pricing that most people wont understand, when you up your prices (and you will have to). Along with other things, some peoples faces who have have nothing but trad W/C's, the look on their faces when they see water pouring down their walls is unreal.Luckily I replaced it quickly with better work.
But I would never buy a trad round again for WFP work.
Maybe I just had a bad experience.......but I don't think so.
Lee
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Pro I take it that you are wfp only, if so I would buy the work on the basis that you are only paying for those customers that remain with you for two+ cleans, this moves the responsability back to the seller.
Then you go do your normal service using wfp and do your best to explain where necessary, but if they don't like it you are not out of pocket.
I cant see anyone selling a round going for that some how would you if you was selling it, I know I would not.
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Propole
If the prices are good just go for it, just act like its normal.
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wfp tops, trad bottoms see how you get on then sort out good from bad
once done do all wfp
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They will soon get used to it, don't make a big deal out of it just turn up and clean them. Some won't like it to start with but give them a couple of Months and they will accept it. I have taken on lots of jobs where there previous window cleaner was trad, and I have had no problems!! ;)
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Pro I take it that you are wfp only, if so I would buy the work on the basis that you are only paying for those customers that remain with you for two+ cleans, this moves the responsability back to the seller.
Then you go do your normal service using wfp and do your best to explain where necessary, but if they don't like it you are not out of pocket.
I cant see anyone selling a round going for that some how would you if you was selling it, I know I would not.
Ya I would, If I had any confidence in the work I was selling, mind you I am not one of those that would sell work for 2/3 times monthly value so that may cloud the issue as my price would allow for things like that, and to be honest If I was selling I would expect to ensure that all my customers remained with the buyer.
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Cheers for all the replies fella's
I know I can convince most, but just dont like the thought of all that lark about explaning it to everyone and then the risk of losing some. I may even trad the easy ones for the first couple of times and let them know whats coming.
Still quite unsure. However the guy who wants a quick sale is asking x2 (1 up front -- 1 after the first clean) so I rekon its better than canvassed work as hes been est since 04 and says his customers are good as gold he has also already got them sending cheques in.
Regards
ProPole
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Hi propole - my two cents ...
Most important, more than the method is the pricing - are these houses being charged the right price? If so, proceed but if they are underpriced I would be very wary.
Surely the guy "is leaving because he believes that health and safety dictate he must use wfp" and "although he knows it will do an excellent job, he cannot afford the set up and training costs" and so he has found a professional wfp man to take care of his customers.
Now, if that paragraph in red above was put in an explanation letter and endorsed by the seller, then your new custy's have a very good reason for staying with you.
But it's only worth the effort if the pricing is right.
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Hi Malc - me old china
I cant say for sure what the prices are like yet as I have only briefly seen a couple of work sheets. Im supposed be getting shown around this weekend so should be able to see how he runs things.
I like that paragraph in red mate that sounds about right ;D
He said it was the weather in the end and he needs a solid income, he seems like a nice enough guy and says his customers are too.
Regards
ProPole
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Just clean them as normal. The less said the better unless they ask then give them time and explain it properly to them. Most people dont care. They just want there windows done.
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Just clean them as normal. The less said the better unless they ask then give them time and explain it properly to them. Most people dont care. They just want there windows done.
I agree ;)
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Myself i would never buy a round i would rather build my own or get a canvassing company to build me one.
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Paul that doesn't make sense mate, canvassed work comes with absoutley no goodwill.
I have worked on rounds built by two big canvassing names so know exactly what 'canvassed in a night work' entails and its without doubt alot more hassle than buying work of an est w/c.
Pro
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Im meeting this chap tonight, and will probably be handing over alot of money for what could potentially be just a bit of paper with made up names an stuff.
Any last words of wisdom much appreciated.
Pro
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pro get him to take you round the work and even confirm prices if you feel the need!
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Im meeting this chap tonight, and will probably be handing over alot of money for what could potentially be just a bit of paper with made up names an stuff.
Any last words of wisdom much appreciated.
Pro
ask him to take you to random houses from the list, if it is a small round get him to take you to the houses and give a letter explaining about the hand over etc
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be careful!!!! ;) i wouldn't hand over any cash until i had an answer off each and every person. i would tread with caution
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Cheers for the replies fella's, I was thinking about doing something like what you said Ian and getting him to indroduce me to a few that I pick randomly.
I have a letter which I adapted a bit from the window clening recourses site.
Pro
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be careful!!!! ;) i wouldn't hand over any cash until i had an answer off each and every person. i would tread with caution
Nat,
It would take alot of time getting round meeting everyone, trying to catch people in etc
Its one clean now and then one clean in a month. However I know what you are saying that why I'm still a bit unsure.
Pro
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how many customers is it pro?
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nat,
Only about 45 I think but time I meet matey 7:30 go over the list, job history and stuff there wont be much time to go around and meet everyone.
I know its a risk but I'm a busy man so the thought of going round most evenings this week trying to catch people in does't really appeal to me and I doubt it would to matey either.
I'm not a gambling man but sometimes I suppose one must take a chance.
Pro
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nat,
Only about 45 I think but time I meet matey 7:30 go over the list, job history and stuff there wont be much time to go around and meet everyone.
I know its a risk but I'm a busy man so the thought of going round most evenings this week trying to catch people in does't really appeal to me and I doubt it would to matey either.
I'm not a gambling man but sometimes I suppose one must take a chance.
Pro
you dont need to go round very one, pick them at random, if you are getting conned he will not do it. I have sold rounds and anyone can do that with my customers they just pay a deposit first, going round every customer I would not do (unless they paid me more to do it then I would)
anyone that is above board will let you do a random check, if they dont be very warey IMHO.
Ian
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If your asking the right questions you`ll scare him anyway,if he think`s he can`t pull the wool he`ll bottle out of selling it to you.
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just read again your other replies, hes asking 1 x then another later seems better, still go round a few (bigger priced ones, and get him to sign he will not go back to these peopleat least for min of 12 months.
it does happen where people sell rounds then go back over them, I personally try to cover that, because I dont like having to go back and take it out on people for trying to con me you have to cover bases as the later gets you in trouble.
Ian
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nat,
Only about 45 I think but time I meet matey 7:30 go over the list, job history and stuff there wont be much time to go around and meet everyone.
I know its a risk but I'm a busy man so the thought of going round most evenings this week trying to catch people in does't really appeal to me and I doubt it would to matey either.
I'm not a gambling man but sometimes I suppose one must take a chance.
Pro
if its only 45 customers, your not talking no more than 2 grand exchanging hands...i would take a punt...its not much so i wouldn't be to concerned ;)
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Cheers Ian ;) That sounds like a plan, I'm gonna pick 5 jobs for him to introduce me to.
Pro
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nat,
Would you walk into a casino and without the slightest thought put two grand down on red or black?
If you would then what are you doing shinning ;)
Pro
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nat,
Would you walk into a casino and without the slightest thought put two grand down on red or black?
If you would then what are you doing shinning ;)
Pro
i'm a regular at gamblers anonimus ;D
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before you hand any money over you should clean the round with him even if you have to do it the trad way then if not sure collect with him
Martin, Not having a dig at you but have you ever bought a round ? if someone asked to to do that, one they would have to pay the amount upfront and 2 I would get all the money for the cleaning, I cant see anyone doing that.
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Ian ov heard of this done regular they usually split the clean.
that way you both earn and you feel secure about the customers and prices!!
But i wouldnt do this unless i had time to and im guessing pro hasnt either!
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i have just taken over a trad round and iam using wfp,the frames are minging and i am worried about spotting and streak's the extent that if i know that a widow could be a problem i,ll go back and check it or blade it.......i also explain to the customer what i am trying to achieve and that it may take a couple of washes to do this.most customers have been happy with this ,but one
like tonight threaten to give my service a bad name before ive even had chance to speak!!!!
after he had had his say i explained to him the reasons why it could have happened and that i will put it right first thing in the morning.....how ever i was fuming at his threats so have also penned him a quick note to tell him that i do take my work serious and that his threats are not appreciated...is this wise or should i just let it go?
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Think about it over night, I'd let it go.
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hi window washer i have bought several rounds,the first we cleaned together and split the money and i handed over the cash for the round .the rest was bought of a person who didnt have the time to clean with me,so cleaned and collected by myself and then paid for round when i was satisfied.when i have sold work ihave always cleaned with new man split cash and then taken payment.in this area the minium price for work is 5x and nobody hands cash over untill satisfied.
at 5x I would go out and clean with them if it was a small round. but the ones I have sold I have not gone out cleaning, I dont mind going to a few to speak to people etc for a night with them.
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Went quite well last night, thanks for all the replies.
This guy has some more work further afield which may intrest be of intrest to some on this forum, I shall be posting detials about it for him.
Pro