Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: gr cleaning solutions on November 24, 2009, 11:17:53 am

Title: catching up
Post by: gr cleaning solutions on November 24, 2009, 11:17:53 am
hi this is my first winter and with all this rain, i have not been able to get out. Im still trying to catch up from last week which i did some sat until it started to rain but what i had left over i have slotted it in with this weeks work.But its rained again yesterday and today so am two days behind do i knock everyone a day back or so to catch up ? should you let the customers know ? as my round is coming together nicely and don't want to lose any by them thinking im not turning up . Also will this cock up my diary for next month as all my customers have always been done every four weeks . How do you all work around this thanks for any advice. Gavin
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: JRDEasiReach on November 24, 2009, 02:48:16 pm
Just put last week customers on this week, and then put this weeks customers back another week if thats possible, when you just started up you want to be out at least once a week so as you get seen if you know what i mean, i have the same probs as you sometimes but thats what i do or use it as a way to jiggle your round so its more compact.
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: matt on November 24, 2009, 04:02:03 pm
start at house A and finish at house Z

work though them all, when they are done they are done, if you are late, your late

dont fret about it
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: dazmond on November 24, 2009, 04:04:44 pm
wait till uv got over 300 custys!im 2 wks behind with all this bad weather!just put everything back a week or 2 weeks in my case!custys understand that u get behind in winter.most people have got other things to worry about(xmas,floods,bankruptcy)than clean windows!my 4 weeklies 5-6 weeks and the 2 monthlies get rejigged bang on time.downtime due to weather is part of the job in winter im afraid!WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD OF WINDOW CLEANING!!thats why its important to work hard and price better(im still working on that one!) and save some money for a rainy day(literally!)to cover ur bills and enjoy the time off!ive just printed a load more window cleaning tickets and designed some more leaflets for next april!re-scheduled my round.all my bills are paid HAPPY DAYS!im ready to get stuck in to my work now though!!and get a wedge together for xmas!! ;D ;D ;D

best wishes

dazmond
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: leapstallbuildings on November 24, 2009, 04:22:40 pm
start at house A and finish at house Z

work though them all, when they are done they are done, if you are late, your late

dont fret about it

Pretty much the way I work Matt - except that I've found it necessary to have certain commercial jobs as a separate round because the frequencies are more important to them.  However, most of that work is fairly local so the travel isn't an issue.
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: matt on November 24, 2009, 04:29:09 pm
start at house A and finish at house Z

work though them all, when they are done they are done, if you are late, your late

dont fret about it

Pretty much the way I work Matt - except that I've found it necessary to have certain commercial jobs as a separate round because the frequencies are more important to them.  However, most of that work is fairly local so the travel isn't an issue.

oh i agree 100 %, that was my domestic stuff

my commercial stuff gets done when it should, i do try and keep them happier
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: paulben on November 24, 2009, 05:03:55 pm
some of mine are over a month behind usually the ones i dont like doing so dont worry about it
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: gr cleaning solutions on November 24, 2009, 05:12:34 pm
thanks for your replys i think im getting there weather looks good for the next 2 or 3 days so should get some where near . I think the wifes getting sick off me around the house   ;D alreasy papered the bedroom and put a new light in the bathroom  roll on tomorrow  :)
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: Neil on November 24, 2009, 05:19:35 pm
I agree with Matt, commercial stuff need a little more looking after but as most just want it done regardless of the weather its easier to do so.
as for the domestics I NEVER give a date or tie myself to a schedule. as long as you are regular within a week or so they will soon stop looking at their calendars and realize you will get there when you can.
In the past I have taken a few days off on purpose so I am NOT regular, that way they dont come to expect it. in 7 years I have never lost a customer as a result of being late.
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: Window Washers on November 24, 2009, 05:55:47 pm
window cleaners will always get a bad name whilst people let others down.
I am quite shocked that you guys clearly have enough money not to worry about people having the windows cleaned late as that cost you money. I am clearly doing something wrong in trying as hard as I can for years to keep on time and give a reliable on time service, a few days late fair enough a few weeks IMO is taking the P (it give us a bad name and will continue to whilst people think it ok to just take a few days off just to show your not on time  :o (is it only me that finds that a little shocking? ) please tell me your secret on earning as I am doing something wrong
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: martinsadie on November 24, 2009, 06:02:14 pm
your just greedy Ian  ;D ;D
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: GWCS on November 24, 2009, 06:09:48 pm
Im with Ian - window washers.

I work in light rain/drizzle to stay on time. I turn up on time no longer than a week late.

If the customer doesn't want the windows being cleaned for whatever reason thats their choice (but if it happens regularly then i drop them)

As im always around regardless of the weather they cannot say im not regular or reliable since they always see me.

If they are not in then the windows get done lights rain or blazing sun - it just gets done AS AGREED at the time of quotation.

Im i know im gonna be late (over a week) for whatever reason then i will call them to let them know as i have promised at the time of quotation.

If im going on holiday - then i normally say my van is in the garage or something like it (people dont like you taking holidays! you get more sympathy if the van is in the garage  ;) )
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: martinsadie on November 24, 2009, 06:13:11 pm

If im going on holiday - then i normally say my van is in the garage or something like it (people dont like you taking holidays! you get more sympathy if the van is in the garage  ;) )
Quote
people dont like liars either  ;D ;D
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: Window Washers on November 24, 2009, 06:17:22 pm

If im going on holiday - then i normally say my van is in the garage or something like it (people dont like you taking holidays! you get more sympathy if the van is in the garage  ;) )
Quote
people dont like liars either  ;D ;D
Stan your a monkey though, so it don't count
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: martinsadie on November 24, 2009, 06:26:17 pm
ive just had 6 weeks off so well behind,chap said yesterday how regular are you gonna be comming know, so i told him its back to every 4 week and im late because of an operation so off he went,didnt find out to later he had a go at my mate around the back about being late and when he told him id been in hospital he replied where in Australia,  i still havnt decied weather to snot him or drop him  ;D ;D
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: Window Washers on November 24, 2009, 06:27:51 pm
your just greedy Ian  ;D ;D
:o  ::) :-\  ;D
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: GWCS on November 24, 2009, 06:28:13 pm

If im going on holiday - then i normally say my van is in the garage or something like it (people dont like you taking holidays! you get more sympathy if the van is in the garage  ;) )
Quote
people dont like liars either  ;D ;D

id rather tell people that than risk people knowing im away and have a potential burglary!
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: Neil on November 24, 2009, 06:50:53 pm
window cleaners will always get a bad name whilst people let others down.
I am quite shocked that you guys clearly have enough money not to worry about people having the windows cleaned late as that cost you money. I am clearly doing something wrong in trying as hard as I can for years to keep on time and give a reliable on time service, a few days late fair enough a few weeks IMO is taking the P (it give us a bad name and will continue to whilst people think it ok to just take a few days off just to show your not on time  :o (is it only me that finds that a little shocking? ) please tell me your secret on earning as I am doing something wrong

 I think you maybe took me too literally, the point I was trying to make is that I don’t want my customers expecting me to turn up on the first Monday of the month and as soon as we don’t picking up the phone and moaning. in order to stop that happening I have a very full round which is hard to get around at times like this (bad weather) but when things are perfect we can find ourselves getting around easily, I then occasionally back off a little to keep thing slightly flexible. We earn very good money so are in the fortunate position of being able to do so from time to time. We are regular and very reliable but choose not to be too predictable.
Oh and if want to take a holiday I damn well take one. Any customer who begrudges me that can find another robot to slave for them
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: martinsadie on November 24, 2009, 06:55:43 pm
when a customer asks if its always Monday or whatever day i say i cant say because of the weather
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: Window Washers on November 24, 2009, 06:58:09 pm
when a customer asks if its always Monday or whatever day i say i cant say because of the weather
I just say depends if the vans breaks down  ;D which is not far from the truth, I dont give a day yet some still think it as long as they are done within 1 week im happy if goes into 2 weeks late it seems to upset me a great deal.
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: ronnie paton on November 24, 2009, 07:14:14 pm
window washers im with you.

I very rarelylose day throug the weatherand if i was i couldnt possible justify paying wages when there sat at home.
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: ftp on November 24, 2009, 07:24:13 pm
I've not done one house yet this week - stuff 'em they can wait another month or three.
Title: Re: catching up
Post by: dazmond on November 25, 2009, 07:52:46 am
why lie about going on holiday window washers?i just tell my custys im going away and expect me late next time!we all deserve a break!honesty,trust,a sense of humour and doing a good job are paramount to me.im reliable to a point.im usually 4-5 wks on monthlys but this month as been really bad at times.do u think my custys are that bothered if i turn up 2 wks late?NO!!as for giving window cleaners a bad name DONT MAKE ME LAUGH!!i do work in light rain and have worked in heavy rain but custys dont like it and i dont either!time to go,plenty to go at!!HONESTY best policy dealing with custys and life in general i find

regards
dazmond