Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ftp on August 12, 2008, 03:59:11 pm

Title: Taken For a Ride
Post by: ftp on August 12, 2008, 03:59:11 pm
Got a call last week from a commercial customer. "we would like our windows cleaned every month please can you give us a quote" i met them and they explained how they got me on recommendation. I gave them a price and told them that once a month was probably too often and suggested every six weeks. Fine they said, the windows have never been cleaned and they must be done by tuesday. I drew up a letter and sent it to them telling them i would clean every six weeks. Got an email back asking for eight weeks instead which i agreed to. Cleaned on Saturday and worked my nuts off.
Got an email today saying how fantastic the job looked and how the director now wants them done again in four months!!!!!
 So.... what would you do - keep quiet and carry on, send them a stinking letter, or wait till december and egg the lot?
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: clean on August 12, 2008, 04:02:32 pm
Just do them again in 4 months but at a higher price  ;)
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: RO-Sheen on August 12, 2008, 04:06:16 pm
I would write to them and explain that as the quote you gave them was based on a 6 weekly clean and the price for a 4 monthly is......
That is what I would do but I could probably afford to lose them. If you cant afford to lose them it might be worth your while carrying on at the 6 weekly price. Only you know this.
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: Dean Aspects on August 12, 2008, 04:06:47 pm
Tell them the price quoted was for 6/8 week clean so you will have to requote for the 4 month clean
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: Roger Slater on August 12, 2008, 04:11:49 pm
Take the good with the bad.

Then put your price up next time.
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: Oakley Windows on August 12, 2008, 04:36:42 pm
Get your money for the first clean before you do anything else.

Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: ftp on August 12, 2008, 04:45:46 pm
Just emailed them and requoted for future work and they instantly agreed, i have asked for something in writing because i dont trust the Director one little bit. Just have to watch for the bacs now for the next few months i expect.  >:(
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: mci services on August 12, 2008, 04:46:06 pm
Get your money for the first clean before you do anything else.



now that makes sence
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: Oakley Windows on August 12, 2008, 04:53:07 pm
Just have to watch for the bacs now for the next few months i expect.  >:(

That is a right royal pain having to do do that, I work for some commercial setups and some send you a payment invoice when they settle your account and some just do nought, which is just awful really, so unprofessional not to let your creditors know youve paid them.
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: alanwilson on August 12, 2008, 06:11:20 pm
I personally would contact them, remind them politely that you had quoted for a 6 weekly clean, which THEY changed to 8 weekly and now they want to change again to 4 monthly - point out that it takes more time to remove 4 months worth of crud and that there would be a 20% etc surcharge.

and makes sure you get the money for the first clean.
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: ftp on August 12, 2008, 06:13:05 pm
This Director was looking after his own skin - they had very important visitors to the offices today and the windows were splattered in coke or something hence the reason i was "used".
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: matt on August 12, 2008, 06:27:43 pm
we have all been done like that

comercail stuff is alot like that

expect a e.mail cloers to the time asking them to do done next time they have visitors
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: ftp on August 12, 2008, 06:45:32 pm
Been "done" a lot lately usually small amounts but i don't like it.  >:(
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: J.D on August 12, 2008, 06:51:27 pm
Id get my money for the first clean, then explain to them politely but firmly that you are very busy and cannot afford to be messed about. Either drop them or come to a written agreement on price and a fixed monthly or bi-monthly schedule.
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: pjulk on August 13, 2008, 12:42:53 am
I ha that with a commercial this month quoted for a monthly clean which they agreed to.

Did that no problem got a cheque within a week.

This one i have to ring to get access so last week i rang them and said they are due.

They are still clean come back in a few months.

I said i priced it up for a monthly clean and if they wanted it doing in a couple of months the price will be double.

O no i aint paying that they said.

Me ok thats fine i will take you off my books.


I won't be mucked about i have had a few commercials play about lately.
Title: Re: Taken For a Ride
Post by: Tom Mac on August 13, 2008, 08:33:10 am
I give 14 days credit for commercial. Its on my quote and i also charge late payment. Again its all on my quote. In a previous career i got taken for a ride all to often, the attitude of the big boys pushing the little ones around and living of my money was wrong then an its wrong now.

Most companies are processing invoices on a daily or at least a weekly basis, so there is no real excuse not to pay you. If they dont like your payment terms, they should say so before you start, thats what an agreement is.

A bit black and white i know but it works for me.