Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Londoner on June 15, 2008, 07:48:53 am

Title: The things we are expected to do
Post by: Londoner on June 15, 2008, 07:48:53 am
I have been cleaning this customer for a while although I never see them. Each time I leave an envelope and a cheque comes through the post.

Some months ago when I went round the back there was a large conservatory half built. The next time I went it was finished so I cleaned the windows on it and tried to make a mental note to talk to them about it. Of course I forgot.

I went again a few weeks back and again did the conservatory and again made a mental note to contact them. Only difference this time was the cheque never arrived.

Yesterday my wife was doing some chasing up of late payments and in the process rang this customer. My wife got a real ear bashing. The customer's not happy because there is still some bird cr4p on the conservatory roof!

The upshot of the story is this, she expects, no demands, that I clean the new conservatory- roof and all for the same money as she was paying before (£14).

My wife tried to explain the realities of life but all she got was abuse. An extra £20 to do the conservatory roof was "extortionate". In the end I was making signs to say get rid of her.

Anyway, she is binned, the debt is written off on George ( I'm not worried about the money) and I'm left wondering what planet some of these customers come from.

 She thought she could dictate terms to us when in reality we are bursting with work, have a waiting list and are turning work away. Any customer who turns bad on us is given the elbow and no second chances.

I don't believe in second chances anyway, once your relationship with the customer has taken a turn for the worse I don't think it ever recovers.
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: sjm on June 15, 2008, 07:51:41 am
Totally agree with those sentiments  :-\ Trouble is , it spoils your day doesnt it ?  Nowt queerer than folk eh  ;D
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: *Mr Tumble on June 15, 2008, 07:54:41 am
There are, believe or not, people out there who think that window cleaning is a ripoff.
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: pingu on June 15, 2008, 08:00:29 am
Went to a customers house the other day and they had roof conversion with a very large dormer type thing x 6 windows...I found a note saying please clean it and we will pay...now being that I do not entirley trust these types of situation...I did not clean the new windows but waited till I got home got the g/f to ring and confirm a few things..frequency & price...

That is not to say I have not 'shot myself in the foot' previously as I certainly have...but having a history of doing silly things...I now make sure prior to doing anything extra.

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: d s windowcleaning on June 15, 2008, 08:07:46 am
There are, believe or not, people out there who think that window cleaning is a ripoff.
it minght take 5 minutes to do a £5 house so thats £1 per minute , it takes 30 seconds to clean a wheelie bin at £3 so thats £1 every 10 seconds the customers never moan about the wheelie bin cleaners though , its allways us poor window cleaners  ;D
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: Joe Lauzon on June 15, 2008, 08:52:07 am
I wouldn't touch a new conservatory until a price is agreed.  Give them a chance to see how crap it looks covered in dirt  ;D

I would have done the same, although it would have eaten away at me if I had of written off the debt. 
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: Londoner on June 15, 2008, 01:20:11 pm
I wouldn't touch a new conservatory until a price is agreed.  Give them a chance to see how crap it looks covered in dirt  ;D

I would have done the same, although it would have eaten away at me if I had of written off the debt. 

I always write off the money if there is a dispute. Its better than having to stand and argue about it and it gives you the moral high ground. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: jeff1 on June 15, 2008, 01:43:22 pm
I wouldn't touch a new conservatory until a price is agreed.  Give them a chance to see how crap it looks covered in dirt  ;D

I would have done the same, although it would have eaten away at me if I had of written off the debt. 
Totaly agree with these comments, I never do a conservatory unti I have spoken to the custy
Title: Re: The things we are expected to do
Post by: dudek on June 15, 2008, 05:22:54 pm
I wouldnt touch the new stuff until a new price has been thrashed out even if i dont see em for a few months i just wont do it