Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Craig 72 on October 06, 2009, 09:00:13 am
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I only ask because I was down my local gym the other day and I saw these two lads doing the most slapdash wfp job imaginable.The gym has these upstairs wooden windows where there are 10 or so smaller panes to an actual window (Georgian?).They didn't scrub each pane for more than a second,didn't rinse at all,left bad run marks on virtually all panes and missed some panes out entirely.I was gobsmacked to be honest as this job must be worth a lot of money.Would I be overstepping the mark by speaking to the manager and asking them if they wanted the job doing right?These clowns must know that they're taking the mick.
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Nothing wrong IMO with leaving a flyer and covering letter.
No difference between that and canvassing a street. We all have to raise our companys profile.
My opinion is its a dog eat dog world, theres a window cleaner lives next door to me, on his flyer it says 'We will beat any comparable quote'.
Is that undercutting?
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I think it's only frowned on taking work if you deliberately undercut someone else, as has been said if you send a quote with your price, that is business. or go and speak with the manager, ask if that is the normal quality of the work, then give him a price for your higher quality work ;)
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I would send a letter as a customer saying what you had seen and recommend your company! ;D ;D ;D
or get friend to send letter and you send a leaflet.
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i dont see any problems with doing that just give a quote, gone r the day of patches, any other business people undercut each other all the time just look at supermarkets, y should window cleaning be any different, remember majority of custy only change if they arnt happy with the work, not the price
u get what you pay for
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craig. what area are you mate??
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I think it comes down to whether the manager is happy with the current service or if he`s prepared to change. And may work in your favour using the gym, you scratch my back....
Personally, I wouldn`t go criticising the other cleaners and pointing out runs and marks. If he approaches you though about them, just be honest.
Nothing wrong with handing out a flyer anyway. I`m having some done with the slogan- " We will beat any comparable **** "
Gerry.
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at the end of the day its business there is no way you can pinch work as they dont own any customers pinching implys stealing something that is owned,as we all no custys can swap change and employ who they want,and they wont change if they are happy with you if not course they going to b on the lookout for someone new
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Thanks for the input folks.Yeah I think I'll speak to somebody down there and offer my services.It's tempting to point out what cowboys these other fellas are but I think I agree with you Gerry,I won't criticise them.Could be related to the manager for all I know.That's the only reason I can see the gym accepting the awful job that's being done.
To MSTAV.Hi Mike,I've spoken to you before.I'm in Welling mate but the gym I go to is in Sidcup.The one by the ski slope by Ruxley.You're going to tell me you're the one who cleans it now aren't you!
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I would say NEVER criticise another window cleaning company as it sounds demeaning to you too. Highlight your own quality of work, insurances, H & S procedures by all means but do not pull down your competitors'.
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Ive got a good round so i dont need to. ;Di get straight up with work then start gettin behind again.its lashing it down in manchester ::)but likes been already said just give him a business card and ask him if hes happy with current WC.I wouldnt undercut just give him ur price.a local diy store asked me to clean his shop windows and all around the back.30quid i said.im trad so about an hours work or so.he said no.he thought a tenner was about all he would pay :ono chance and walked off.i never turn down new work if the price is right.if they say no.so what?if yes ur quids in ;Dif ur short of work canvass and leaflet.SIMPLE.I never seem to be short of work these days and get a steady stream of new work while im not trying ie out and about on my regular round
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Why not just point out to the two lads that their standards are not very good and offer them a short course on proper wfp methods...for a small fee of course ;D
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hi mate
i see no problem in that if they are doing a bad job you move in mate sell yourself as a good reliable service they do it to me so do it back man get some flyers and cards printed
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personally id not even quote ,unless you are truly desperate to find work. u never know what those monkeys might do,slash ur tyres or whatever .
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personally id not even quote ,unless you are truly desperate to find work. u never know what those monkeys might do,slash ur tyres or whatever .
Sod that,.............. just quote it, never mind anyone else, like matt says" Its a dog eat dog world" simple as that, and dont let ANYONE threaten you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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If you really want the job ask about it, but I wouldn't say much about the other guys as it might well be the managers brother, son, best mate etc etc.
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The job`s not up for grabs though.
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guy i know lives at the end of my street do,s a bit of window cleaning [couple of streets in bolton] anyway i was telling him im going to get some flyers printed and go canvassing for more work, he seid take great care as i could get hurt cleaners in bolton dont take kindly to people on there patches,
iv heard this before in manchester is it just a north west thing,anyhow i seid i can look after myself so not bothered he seid some are in teams of 3 or 4 and you,ll come unstock any other bolton cleaners come across this ?
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A lot of it`s bluff Mick and some fuel the feeling to deter competition. If it`s not just talk, you`re doing nothing wrong and they are.
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the bloke in question is very streight type used to clean with his dad few yrs back so knows the game some what and seid its far safer buying work wait and see if anyones selling when winter begins to bit.
i know theres a couple on here from roundabouts just wondered if thay come across it.
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I meant the 3/4 man teams really. They are just thugs and bullies. Who`d want people like that to clean their windows.
Gerry
ps. don`t quote me on that.
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I meant the 3/4 man teams really. They are just thugs and bullies. Who`d want people like that to clean their windows.
Gerry
ps. don`t quote me on that.
i have 2 helpers on a sat morn which makes me a 3 man team :o :o :o
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had a think about this over last few days one thing to keep in mind;
do they pay ie i and other wc i knowdo work if they are good and moneys safe no pasa nada but
if they are dodgy you may not give 100 percent going about your bis like this you may end up with
a round of 1000 a week banking 100 no money in these other wc may have problems like this ;
ive had jobs thought this is great only to be dissapointed.
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Going slightly off the subject that was originally posted.
What if some custys didnt want these 3/4 teams of w/c's cleaning.. lets say 5 of the, I presume houses, and asked you to do them, would you turn them down just in case they spat their dummies out the pram, and gave a lot of idle threats, cos most of them are idle threats. I wouldnt put up with it, and i certainly wouldnt be looking over my shoulder when i did take them on.
Some people dont understand the word 'Competition'
Look after yourself, ......................................your self-employed!
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mick yes it does happen a lot round our areas just dont back down,i had loads of thugs phone me over last 4 or 5 months with there threats but hey bring it lol
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thanks for advice ian why do you think it happens in windowcleaning when iv never known it in other business iv not been threatened by the way just warned by others its dog eat dog and will happen
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I think it would be better if approaching, to sell your merits rather than putting down the existing cleaners work.
Nod and agree to any complaints that might be aired, but bad karma to mention how bad the competition are. :)
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lets face it at the end of the day window cleaning tends to attract thugs as its easy money,most will back down if you show no signs of being bothered,some wont just be aware thats all