Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mr Sparkle on February 09, 2009, 07:49:37 pm
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I'm sick of phoning or texting customers the night before i'm coming to remind them to leave there gates open.
Is there anyother way round this as i'm sick of spending all my evenings phoning, but feel i have to so they unlock there padlocks etc.
Any ideas what to do guys? :-\ :-\
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use a database to text. a few clicks and everyones notified
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Climb over them ??? ???
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me too... im sick of it.... i really feel like dumping them but there are more and more doing it now, because of our slum, drugged up, lawless country.
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I've keys to padlocks for about five of my accounts; three others leave the keys hidden under objects in their gardens and two houses I climb over the gate and unbolt (no padlock).
Speak to your customers and inform them of your difficulty. If they're awkward; drop them; though I'm sure they won't be; none of mine were.
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Oh, I also do phone five or six of my biggest domestic customers the evening before cleaning; but they're well priced and I don't mind doing it.
I always say something along the lines of, 'Hi, it's your window cleaner, weather allowing, I'll be there tomorrow'.
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If you are going to drop them, then let me know. 8) ::) I don't mind earning more for a telephone call.
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I can't climb over the gates as i've got a trolley system :'( :'(
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thought trolleys had hose reels on them :o ;)
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I've keys to padlocks for about five of my accounts; three others leave the keys hidden under objects in their gardens and two houses I climb over the gate and unbolt (no padlock).
Speak to your customers and inform them of your difficulty. If they're awkward; drop them; though I'm sure they won't be; none of mine were.
Yes do this.. its the best way!
Advise them it better so they dont forget to unlock, and so you can lock up the gate as you leave..
Make it better for them! show them whats in it for them.. "i can lock your gate as i leave - or i can leave it unlocked for anyone to wonder in"
I know what id prefer..
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I can't climb over the gates as i've got a trolley system :'( :'(
Does your pole-hose connect directly to the trolley outlet hose?
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Rarely ring customers always do a blanket txt to customers the night before.
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I would get a hose for the houses that have locked gates and just climb over.
I use a van mount and 100mtrs of hose. most houses I climb over, a few I have keys or combinations for.
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use a database to text. a few clicks and everyones notified
Sounds good but howze it done? Thanks kevin.
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use a database to text. a few clicks and everyones notified
Do what Steve does, he has found a very good system
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If it is difficult to do the backs, I tell them, 'if you are in I will do the backs'. My customers seem to be happy with this.
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use a database to text. a few clicks and everyones notified
agree, I text everyone now, used to call landlines but only texts now saves loads of time, I try to talk way out of contacting the night before apart from access issues, if they have to be contacted text only, unless a very big job I make the time to call ;)
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i have a hook on a trad pole
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I'm sure other phones have this facility but I use a Nokia and store custy's in "Contact Groups" Using a Template I created I just load the template click on the group ( Grouped by Round Name) and away they go, less than a 1min. DONE!!!
The odd one or two I use the land line, One or Two I old a Key and some leave a key under pot.
Wayne
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You in the "service" industry - providing a "service". Phoning to arrange your "service" is all part of the service!
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You in the "service" industry - providing a "service". Phoning to arrange your "service" is all part of the service!
kev do you phone every job before you go ? I dont think for a second you do m8, service industry yes but many dont have inplace the canceled services etc they lose money calling. we are bottom of shoe to some people whoever much we hate the fact
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You in the "service" industry - providing a "service". Phoning to arrange your "service" is all part of the service!
kev do you phone every job before you go ? I dont thing for a second you do m8, service industry yes but many dont have inplace the canceled services etc they lose money calling. we are bottom of shoe to some people whoever much we hate the fact
One of our main selling points is a phone call. Ok we don't phone everyone as there is no need but a lot of our customers have locked gates or dogs or just want a call - I phoned 14 for tomorrow tonight. Most have answer machines if there not in. If you leave sae's and don't collect its the only point of contact with some of them. It also gives me a chance to get feeback on staff etc. I like phoning ;)
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You in the "service" industry - providing a "service". Phoning to arrange your "service" is all part of the service!
kev do you phone every job before you go ? I dont thing for a second you do m8, service industry yes but many dont have inplace the canceled services etc they lose money calling. we are bottom of shoe to some people whoever much we hate the fact
One of our main selling points is a phone call. Ok we don't phone everyone as there is no need but a lot of our customers have locked gates or dogs or just want a call - I phoned 14 for tomorrow tonight. Most have answer machines if there not in. If you leave sae's and don't collect its the only point of contact with some of them. It also gives me a chance to get feeback on staff etc. I like phoning ;)
I know what your saying, I personally am good on the phone, some are not, the text service is good for these people, my offers are done on paper, and a new thing that I added which is working well. I personally speak to every customer I have they know who i am and they can speak to me anytime problem or not.
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I telephone or text every single customer.
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I hate text its so impersonal
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I telephone or text every single customer.
thats nice ;D, rather you then me, i would be on the phone half the night
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I hate text its so impersonal
I got a text from specsavers for my wife today, saying about her appointment, did i think it was impersonal, not at all I thought it was good that they reminded me, customers know when we are coming, so my text is just a reminder, impersonal maybe, helpful yes, cuts down on time yes, Kev when you grow and have say 100 calls a day please think back on this, or pay a staff member to do it for you and cost you extra wages for little or no benefit, i used to call, most say yes fine, you can do your patter it makes very little odds, and please trust me I did it for reason at the start as was another avenue for sales. I now use other ways impressional but in there face giving them benifits clear as day in there time not mine, it works for me, we all run business different and I am not saying my way is right, but your way for me is wrong as I have been there and was time consuming and a waste of my man hours
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Kev when you grow
Its part of the service - were mainly commercial the residential only fills the gaps. If I want to do a quick job I call before people come home an leave a personal message on their machine.
Maybe its because I hate text messages.
Like you said horses for courses.
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I hate text its so impersonal
I got a text from specsavers for my wife today, saying about her appointment, did i think it was impersonal, not at all I thought it was good that they reminded me, customers know when we are coming, so my text is just a reminder, impersonal maybe, helpful yes, cuts down on time yes, Kev when you grow and have say 100 calls a day please think back on this, or pay a staff member to do it for you and cost you extra wages for little or no benefit, i used to call, most say yes fine, you can do your patter it makes very little odds, and please trust me I did it for reason at the start as was another avenue for sales. I now use other ways impressional but in there face giving them benifits clear as day in there time not mine, it works for me, we all run business different and I am not saying my way is right, but your way for me is wrong as I have been there and was time consuming and a waste of my man hours
blimey............ioo calls a day how big are you
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I hate text its so impersonal
I got a text from specsavers for my wife today, saying about her appointment, did i think it was impersonal, not at all I thought it was good that they reminded me, customers know when we are coming, so my text is just a reminder, impersonal maybe, helpful yes, cuts down on time yes, Kev when you grow and have say 100 calls a day please think back on this, or pay a staff member to do it for you and cost you extra wages for little or no benefit, i used to call, most say yes fine, you can do your patter it makes very little odds, and please trust me I did it for reason at the start as was another avenue for sales. I now use other ways impressional but in there face giving them benifits clear as day in there time not mine, it works for me, we all run business different and I am not saying my way is right, but your way for me is wrong as I have been there and was time consuming and a waste of my man hours
blimey............ioo calls a day how big are you
I do not text that many people. It was just an example, calling 30 people a day was a ballache 100 would be a nightmare i changed that one before it became worse
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I hate text its so impersonal
I got a text from specsavers for my wife today, saying about her appointment, did i think it was impersonal, not at all I thought it was good that they reminded me, customers know when we are coming, so my text is just a reminder, impersonal maybe, helpful yes, cuts down on time yes, Kev when you grow and have say 100 calls a day please think back on this, or pay a staff member to do it for you and cost you extra wages for little or no benefit, i used to call, most say yes fine, you can do your patter it makes very little odds, and please trust me I did it for reason at the start as was another avenue for sales. I now use other ways impressional but in there face giving them benifits clear as day in there time not mine, it works for me, we all run business different and I am not saying my way is right, but your way for me is wrong as I have been there and was time consuming and a waste of my man hours
blimey............ioo calls a day how big are you
I do not text that many people. It was just an example, calling 30 people a day was a ballache 100 would be a nightmare i changed that one before it became worse
Get your staff to do it ;)
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100 customers in a day - I would be delegating while playing golf LOL
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100 customers in a day - I would be delegating while playing golf LOL
thats only 2000 a month kev. but then didn't i hear quality over quantity somewhere ;)
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100 customers in a day - I would be delegating while playing golf LOL
thats only 2000 a month kev. but then didn't i hear quality over quantity somewhere ;)
at a min charge of £10 a house it would be a nice little income for the part time owner :)
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your damn right it would be! but then 1300 at say an aver of 16 would be better!! ;)
Now me mouths watering - what's wrong with me LOL ;D ;D
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its called hunger. i get that quite a lot in buisness ;)
Me too, sitting here to all hours plotting my take over of Exeter !!!!! 8)
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just remember there are no friends in business. if you can take it then do it! 8)
(shot me down in flames) :D
You should see my new flyer campaign I talks about "switching" from your current cleaner in a very distinct way - something not really done in the UK - bring on the flack ;)
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brace yourself! ;D
if you get flack take it as a compliment. i have done in the past ;)
I do - and its funny. I have chucked me toys out the pram a couple of times but now I ignore the fools. Forum maturity ;)
Well Steve nice talking to you - time for me pit ;D
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see get them out working for you and you can sit up all night talking to yourself like me!! ;D ;D
;) shushhhhh they'll all be doing it
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I had to phone a custie tonight for tomorrow. They informed me scaffolding is up for roof repairs, same applies with their neighbour which I also clean so it saved me a wasted journey, diesel and time tomorrow, so it works both ways. :) They will phone me as soon as scaffolding comes down to rearrange their next wash.
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I had to phone a custie tonight for tomorrow. They informed me scaffolding is up for roof repairs, same applies with their neighbour which I also clean so it saved me a wasted journey, diesel and time tomorrow, so it works both ways. :) They will phone me as soon as scaffolding comes down to rearrange their next wash.
Very good point. I phone two in last week, one was having new double glazing the other a new drive. So a phone call can save a wasted journey.
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i e.mail a few of my bigger customers
that way if they have clients around i dont turn up and disturb them
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I have quite a few custies I have to phone the evening before.
Doesn't bother me and also keeps us in touch as I rarely see any of them.