Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Blue Frog Systems on August 18, 2009, 07:50:25 am

Title: Damm holidays
Post by: Blue Frog Systems on August 18, 2009, 07:50:25 am
Is it just me or is August a bad month for people going on holiday and not wanting there windows cleaned ?

Had 2 or 3 drop off for tomorrow cos there away on holiday.

Bet they wouldn't be pleased if I didn't bother telling them I was going away.

Just pees me off that they don't have the courtesy to let me know.
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: Sean Dyer on August 18, 2009, 07:52:25 am
i dont tell mine im going away :)
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: Gleaming windows on August 18, 2009, 08:00:00 am
I always say I cant operate like, 'If all my customers did that' I say 'then Id have no work in the summer, sorry, remember I told you I offer a regular service'.

Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: cybersye on August 18, 2009, 08:40:06 am
I've just come to expect it in school summer holidays. Some tell me, most dont. If I can clean anyway then I do as I dont go collecting.
Easy to slip ya mind when you've kids / family , the last thing on your mind is to tell the window cleaner your on holiday - I'm sure many people still think its not a good idea to go telling people you'll be away from ya house for a couple of weeks and I would'nt blame them.
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: GWCS on August 18, 2009, 09:19:46 am
This is why you should have a price that covers a missed clean every now and then. I have a price for monthly, a price for bi monthly, and if its missed then the price next time is increased. Why? because i charge for time taken to clean not a standard set charge per windows etc.

If they go away or dont want it done for a bit then the next time i do it, its increased due to the extra time it takes.

However,
I too would not like to be telling someone that does work for me i will be away on holiday - this is something you should really come to expect in this profession.

Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: wire1078 on August 18, 2009, 03:51:20 pm
its harder to get paid in august
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: cozy on August 18, 2009, 04:40:44 pm
its harder to get paid in august

Yes it is, I've just done my second biggest area, about 75 houses on one estate (Squaddies), all gone on leave, well alot of them. Just cleaned them all as usual, will go back in 2 weeks to cash up. No problem, as some of them paid before they left as they didn't want "to be taken off the list". If they asked me to miss a clean as they are away next time etc, again, no problem.

It's a bit uncomortable sometimes, as my bank wants to know why my account hasn't filled up with the usual millions every month, but that's the way it goes with this millionaire malarky 8)

Now, where did I put my Porsche keys? ::)
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: simon knight on August 18, 2009, 06:47:09 pm

I think it's a good sign that your customers are on holiday. Means they can afford one and therefore can still afford a w/c.

Thankfully most of mine are away until the kids go back to school at the beginning of September. Until then I'm happy to scratch around and do half days 8)
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: cozy on August 18, 2009, 06:49:41 pm
Yeah, that's one way of looking at it, just abit of a pain when you could use the cash like I could at the moment :(
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: pingu on August 18, 2009, 06:53:18 pm
Charge em intrest on the amount owed!!!
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: cozy on August 18, 2009, 06:55:32 pm
Good one Dave, but I want to keep them as custies ;D  It's just that I can't really canvass now either. Wanted to open a new area at Sennelage and nobody is there :( Really missed the boat this year.
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: martinsadie on August 18, 2009, 07:37:34 pm
Is it just me or is August a bad month for people going on holiday and not wanting there windows cleaned ?

Had 2 or 3 drop off for tomorrow cos there away on holiday.

Bet they wouldn't be pleased if I didn't bother telling them I was going away.

Just pees me off that they don't have the courtesy to let me know.
they probley couldnt give a brass monkeys about you going on holiday
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: windolene on August 18, 2009, 07:49:09 pm
Hi,

Why would a customer tell you they are going away, I dont tell my customers that I am going away. They dont miss me & I dont miss them. Its only window cleaning!

Kevin WINDOLENE.
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: gerard mcmanus on August 18, 2009, 08:52:31 pm
Hi,

Why would a customer tell you they are going away, I dont tell my customers that I am going away. They dont miss me & I dont miss them. Its only window cleaning!

Kevin WINDOLENE.

if that's the way you run it and it works for you great, but I don't like making trips out to people when they are not in, and I always keep in good contact with all my customers, and expect the same curtousy in return.

To the customer its window cleaning, but to me its a way of life, and as it has been for many before me over the past 100 years, which your badge is testament to.
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: suds window service on August 18, 2009, 09:30:21 pm
4 on holiday 2moro :'(
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on August 18, 2009, 10:40:54 pm
If I'm not asked to miss a clean beforehand I just clean the windows as normal. I pop a slip through the letter box and collect the money when they get back, simple.


Some people make this job sound very complicated; it's really rather easy. Isn't that one of the reasons most of us set up in business ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: martinsadie on August 18, 2009, 10:42:20 pm
If I'm not asked to miss a clean beforehand I just clean the windows as normal. I pop a slip through the letter box and collect the money when they get back, simple.



same here,  ;D
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: gerard mcmanus on August 19, 2009, 06:46:35 am
If I'm not asked to miss a clean beforehand I just clean the windows as normal. I pop a slip through the letter box and collect the money when they get back, simple.


Some people make this job sound very complicated; it's really rather easy. Isn't that one of the reasons most of us set up in business ::) ::) ::)

I do the same but some times you cant get to whole job done through access issues, and you have gone and did half the job which is a pain, because you know you are either going to have to come out twice, or only charge to half the job, which is time and money lost, when you could have been earning.

So when I do catch them, I ask if they would like to change to booking to a day that suits them, or if they have been on hol, ask that they call and cancel or leave gates open if they can, and I will lock them when I am done. Simpole-s.
Title: Re: Damm holidays
Post by: windolene on August 19, 2009, 07:50:39 am
Hi,

I would be peeved if the job was a big one & was booked in by specific appointment. I am presuming the one in question is just a regular 3 bed monthly outside clean for a few pounds. I am sure the customer has better things to do then to remember that you are calling this week or is it the next? I bet they dont know if your due or not! 

Window cleaning is a way of life for me & Iam thanhkfull for it.

Kevin WINDOLENE.