Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: creggan on October 12, 2009, 04:47:48 pm

Title: pinching my customers
Post by: creggan on October 12, 2009, 04:47:48 pm
just being around 1 estate i clean today.lost 5 custys to a chap who has started up own round. i know him to talk to,hes from that estate.should i approach him?if yes what should i say?  >:(
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: Rob_Mac on October 12, 2009, 04:50:20 pm
If you've lost five customers on one estate how well are you cleaning them, or is he undercutting your prices. You're doing something wrong!!

Rob ;D
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: eclipse on October 12, 2009, 04:58:24 pm
i would ask one of the customers who he now has if they were unhappy with any aspect of your service or if it was just the fact that this guy is cheaper
to lose 1 customer to a newbie is nothing to worry about to lose 5 is something to think about!
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: creggan on October 12, 2009, 05:04:28 pm
well 1 was his sister.didnt mind that.yes he is cheaper,hes charging 13euro me 15.cleaning that estate 5yrs and never had a complaint
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: daz1977 on October 12, 2009, 05:21:23 pm
if he lives on that estate me might have just got his friends as custy, to start him self off, not much u can do if he is using his friends to start a round, he might end up leaving in a few montsh anyway and they all come back
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: GWCS on October 12, 2009, 05:22:54 pm
if he lives on that estate me might have just got his friends as custy, to start him self off, not much u can do if he is using his friends to start a round, he might end up leaving in a few montsh anyway and they all come back

yup keep checking if they need a wc - if they come back charge an extra 2 should be leaving you in the first place..  ;)
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: pingu on October 12, 2009, 05:26:22 pm
I too would imagine that if he is from that estate he will be taking on friends and family...so that is more than likely where you're losses are from...I would not waste your time...see it as an opportunity to get better paid work elsewhere.

I know it must be gnawing at you...but just let it go and move on...

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on October 12, 2009, 06:32:58 pm
yeh hes probably got friends to help him out it s happened to me GO KNOCK DOORS ON OTHER ESTATES YOU WILL SOON PICK THEM BACK MATE  DOUBT HE WILL LAST WINTER IS HERE
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: creggan on October 12, 2009, 07:13:45 pm
thanks mates 4  the support you are right,think hes too used to warmth to last winter
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: tomy jackson on October 12, 2009, 08:20:43 pm
thers lods of em this year never mind 75% gon this winter
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: weetot on October 12, 2009, 08:28:32 pm
Yeh, a good solidly cold winter normally sees them off! :(
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: Sean Dyer on October 12, 2009, 08:31:23 pm
winter is probably the best time to get out canvassing all the unreliable cleaners and summer merchants work eh

just reminds me , i took car for mot this morning when i got back a lad was cleaning house opposite, i swear by the time he cleaned one pane upstairs on a window with 3 panes, id of done the whole house collected, banked the money and spent it again
he didnt look new to it just slow!!
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 13, 2009, 07:12:59 am
thanks mates 4  the support you are right,think hes too used to warmth to last winter

Just keep an eye on the estate and see if you lose any more. To lose a job for 2 euro's on 15 seems a little too close for comfort.
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on October 14, 2009, 06:49:39 pm
he will be off soon its getting colder his fingers will turn black and fall off
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: ryanst1982 on October 14, 2009, 07:40:27 pm
Not all us newbies will be off come winter. Ive only started 2 months ago so this will be my first winter and im going nowhere. Best time to start is when its cold so you know what your in for. Why put the effort in to just quit!
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: [GQC] Tim on October 14, 2009, 07:56:00 pm
Never understood why somebody changes a long standing, reliable window cleaner for something as little as a couple of quid.
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: aiminvestor on October 14, 2009, 09:43:55 pm
Not all us newbies will be off come winter. Ive only started 2 months ago so this will be my first winter and im going nowhere. Best time to start is when its cold so you know what your in for. Why put the effort in to just quit!

Well said, if you keep that attitude you will do very well IMO.

Cold should just make you work harder!
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: wizard on October 16, 2009, 11:24:30 pm
I do not believe a custy will leave for 2 euro, but to support a friends business yes, DO NOT DROP PRICES. Increase your service give more and tell you custys what you do more for them.Thank them for there business and in general creep ass a bit with charm.GET MY DRIFT. VALUE  ADD YOUR SERVICE. GIVING MORE COST YOU NOTHING TO YOUR BOTTOM LINE.
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: aiminvestor on October 16, 2009, 11:27:56 pm
I do not believe a custy will leave for 2 euro, but to support a friends business yes, DO NOT DROP PRICES. Increase your service give more and tell you custys what you do more for them.Thank them for there business and in general creep ass a bit with charm.GET MY DRIFT. VALUE  ADD YOUR SERVICE. GIVING MORE COST YOU NOTHING TO YOUR BOTTOM LINE.

Excellent advice, IMO, spot on!

In these days of declining service standards, I believe people place a higher value on good service, and those that provide it will end up with a strong and loyal customer base.
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on October 17, 2009, 06:51:10 am
i agree with wizard for a sake of a couple of £ you are reliable and good winowcleaner
ryan mate
i stand by my comments that all new start ups are a risk to custy and yourself lack of experience with use of ladder you prob a wfp man then
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: wizard on October 17, 2009, 07:08:51 am
you have it all there mate lots of good advice now go out and win them back.
Title: Re: pinching my customers
Post by: creggan on October 17, 2009, 08:08:05 pm
you have it all there mate lots of good advice now go out and win them back.
think i will leave them and take daves advice.go and get better paying custys.thanks lads