Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ftp on October 26, 2009, 04:42:10 pm

Title: first cancellation this year
Post by: ftp on October 26, 2009, 04:42:10 pm
on my answering machine. Can't remember the last time I had one, must be nearly two years ago  :'(
Wonder if it's the start of something.  :-\
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: cozy on October 26, 2009, 04:48:30 pm
Yeah, that's it mate, all down hill from here. Better put all your gear on Fleabay and go back to the printing trade  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: leapstallbuildings on October 26, 2009, 05:03:57 pm
on my answering machine. Can't remember the last time I had one, must be nearly two years ago  :'(
Wonder if it's the start of something.  :-\

Looks like the bankruptcy court is looming  :)  .

I've had maybe a 12 - 15 this year.  More than the previous 3 years put together.  Four of them were good pretty jobs too.  I've more than made up for it with incoming work.  The incoming work seems to be either smallish jobs or pretty large stuff.  Not much in between.  I'm not complaining mind   :)  .
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: pingu on October 26, 2009, 06:16:18 pm
Perhaps you're just a pooh window cleaner and they have finally twigged on...you watch...you'll only have that lady with bad eyesight left at the end of this week....you mark my words that it be, that it be!!

Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: Window Washers on October 26, 2009, 06:21:34 pm
on my answering machine. Can't remember the last time I had one, must be nearly two years ago  :'(
Wonder if it's the start of something.  :-\
I think you are kidding yourself if you think you have only lost one customer this year TBH.
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: weetot on October 26, 2009, 06:24:30 pm
Well thats made ftp feel confident and worthwhile.....................................................................NOT. :'(
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: Window Washers on October 26, 2009, 06:26:59 pm
Well thats made ftp feel confident and worthwhile.....................................................................NOT. :'(
Sorry was it meant to, he lost a customer, I lose more than that every week and gain more f you have 50 customers then i could understand, I have a few more than that and it is harvesting always going to get some crops that dont grow (farmville 101 :) )


FTP I am truly sorry if you are really worried which I guess you are not. At least your not a virgin this year  ;D
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: ftp on October 26, 2009, 06:36:06 pm
Like I said, first one in nearly two years ... so not that bothered. I think in just under three years I have had no more than four cancellations. One who reckened I blew all her seals, two who couldn't afford it any more and one who never gave a reason.
I have probably dumped twenty or so.
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: stfc on October 26, 2009, 06:49:41 pm
on my answering machine. Can't remember the last time I had one, must be nearly two years ago  :'(
Wonder if it's the start of something.  :-\
I think you are kidding yourself if you think you have only lost one customer this year TBH.


well i havent lost any for 2 years in december
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: Window Washers on October 26, 2009, 07:37:29 pm
on my answering machine. Can't remember the last time I had one, must be nearly two years ago  :'(
Wonder if it's the start of something.  :-\
I think you are kidding yourself if you think you have only lost one customer this year TBH.


well i havent lost any for 2 years in december
thats good going, how many customers do you have  ?
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: jouk45 on October 26, 2009, 07:47:20 pm
i lost 2 this week, then  got anothe  4 so i am now up by 20quid  ;D
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: ccmids on October 26, 2009, 07:54:38 pm
just goes to show when one door opens another closes , or is it the other way round .
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: Clive McDonald on October 26, 2009, 07:55:44 pm
I get lots of cancellations. Mostly they have to do with things outside my control like moving house, dying, or being cranky customers from the outset.Some of them have blamed me for various issues, so i am not claiming to be perfect.

However, statisticaly it's very unlikely that someone should have no cancellations.I reckon to lose 25% of all new work at some point.

Ftp's round must be the window cleaning version of the stepford wives.
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: Window Washers on October 26, 2009, 07:57:28 pm
I get lots of cancellations. Mostly they have to do with things outside my control like moving house, dying, or being cranky customers from the outset.Some of them have blamed me for various issues, so i am not claiming to be perfect.

However, statisticaly it's very unlikely that someone should have no cancellations.I reckon to lose 25% of all new work at some point.

Ftp's round must be the window cleaning version of the stepford wives.
if it is I will buy it.
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: ccmids on October 26, 2009, 07:58:56 pm
cranky customers , i got loads of them ::)
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: david thomas on October 26, 2009, 08:27:05 pm
Lost 6 gained 10 custy's.I keep delivering leaflets Saturdays but the last 3/4 months having problems with people paying for
w/c service. on time
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: david thomas on October 26, 2009, 08:33:30 pm
Lost 6 gained 10 custy's.I keep delivering leaflets Saturdays but the last 3/4 months having problems with people paying for
w/c service. on time


I Lived i America for 20 years came back here 2003  can't belief how upset people get over petty things regarding cleaning windows
not so fussy like the Americans
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: pingu on October 26, 2009, 08:38:39 pm
I seem to lose around 10-12% for varying reasons each year...2006/7/8 ontrack for 2009 also..

I have to admit I think that losses are part of it all and should be seen as opportunities for growth and or price alterations.

Dave.
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: Clive McDonald on October 26, 2009, 10:26:10 pm
I try not to take it personaly, but it can be hard. I suppose that's why i find the 'i've never lost a customer' posts annoying.Whenever i'm tempted to reveal a few insights on how businesses like ours should be grown i use this kind of denial to shut myself up.

Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: LWC on October 27, 2009, 06:16:54 am
I used to dwell on loosing customers but when they ring i just go "yep fine ok" and put phone down. People like a good arguement, to which i wouldnt give one.

Loose one, gain one, thats what ive always found, I probably loose a couple or so a month, but i gain 30 more cutstomers most month.
Title: Re: first cancellation this year
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 27, 2009, 09:12:58 am
Got a new one for a tenner yesterday and had one cancel (or rather her daughter cancelled) cuz she died. Dashed inconsiderate I say. (Poor old girl - her husband served on HMS Hood during the war - well until April 1941 actually  ;D)

I'm thinking of making it part of my custy contract that all my aged 70+ single customers should leave me enough money in their wills to cover six more cleans so that their property is kept up together while their relatives fight over it.