Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Harry Boldwick on March 14, 2010, 03:08:00 pm
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Hi guys,
Now the times are getting warmer, I am going to start up. Do you guys find it easy work to do?
I have always worked in sales, and very driven to generating business, so am not too worried about that, I will always leave a house, at least one in three doors I knock with a signature.
I am thinking of WFP, as not keen on ladders. How phisical is this ?
Thanks for your help all
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welcome to hell lol
its harder than you think, since i went wfp dont need to go the gym, summers great, winters crap
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Thanks,
Going out door knocking in the moring. Set my target to get 100 houses to open the door to me and close 30 of them. Thats my one in three, with a few to spare.
If, I mean when I hit my target, I will order my equipment tomorrow night.
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Hi Harry & welcome to the forum.
I am just starting out doing trad, but I have to say that I think you are might be being a bit optimistic with your canvassing numbers, judging by other peoples rates on here recently.
Best of luck.
Ian.
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Thanks Ian, good luck to you too mate
I think door knocking & sales are an art, and if done right you can do well at it.
I know in other sales roles I have had there were other members of sales staff that for love or money could not get anywhere near their sales targets, however, and don't mean to bragg, but I never had this issiue. I was always top of the leaderboard.
There will always be an objection raised by a customer, and am sure one in three I can win over. I am sure everyone would like clean windows, they just need that gentle push. If you hit the right buttons depending on there needs, objections and the right price, you can win at this..
Good luck to all
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on a serious note, good luck, dont be pricing your self too cheap as aint worth the hassle, what part of the country r u in
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Im off out in the morning delivering leaflets,hope to do a few hundred every day this week.
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Thanks Ian, good luck to you too mate
I think door knocking & sales are an art, and if done right you can do well at it.
I know in other sales roles I have had there were other members of sales staff that for love or money could not get anywhere near their sales targets, however, and don't mean to bragg, but I never had this issiue. I was always top of the leaderboard.
There will always be an objection raised by a customer, and am sure one in three I can win over. I am sure everyone would like clean windows, they just need that gentle push. If you hit the right buttons depending on there needs, objections and the right price, you can win at this..
Good luck to all
IMO it's not really about "winning them over". I'm not sure that window cleaning is really like that. Sure you might win quite a few over to take a one off clean from you or for you to supply two or three cleans. But if they have to be "won over", it won't be long before many of them cancel or start messing about. I take the view that they eiother want a window cleaner or they don't. If they say no, I don't ask why not. Remember, you're not selling a one off product or service to them. The best customers are the ones who will happily want a regular ongoing service. Hell, even many of the customers who think they want an ongoing service can start messing about after a while. So maybe you will get 1 in 3 of all the door openers but it may not be long before they cancel or before you get so p'd off with them that you cancel.
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good luck Clee,
Getting customer is the easy but for me, just worried about the hard bit - getting the windows cleaned :-\
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Yes, you are right Stan. I guess some will cancel, or mess me about. Hey ho.
But if I can retain 50% of them I will be a happy bunny
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go trad harry - once your over the fear factor you will really enjoy it bleve me
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Thanks,
Going out door knocking in the moring. Set my target to get 100 houses to open the door to me and close 30 of them. Thats my one in three, with a few to spare.
If, I mean when I hit my target, I will order my equipment tomorrow night.
Hi Harry,
I also came out of sales 10 years ago. What I don't understand is why your going to knock tomorrow morning, you must know that most houses will be empty. You will not maintain that impressive conversion rate, unless you do the 5 till 8 evening slot.
Good luck though
Lee
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hello i be interested to know how you got on and what area you live in good luck
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good luck Clee,
Getting customer is the easy but for me, just worried about the hard bit - getting the windows cleaned :-\
do u a deal mate, u come and get the custy and i will get the windows clean
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i find cleaning wfp stress relieveing after working in factorys and warehouses and offices i find it great,being outside aswell!
Look at the bungalow 2010 pole post you will need one of these for awkward downstairs windows,doors and conservatories.
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Sounds like DAVO all over again! ;D ;D
Good luck Harry but I think you'll find that this business is nothing like you think it is & nothing like you've done before! ;)
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I've had success during the day. In fact, probably as much as going out at the weekend. As for 5-8pm, mmm,. not sure about that. People will either be having their tea, just got in from work, bathing and /or putting kids to bed.
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Hi guys,
Now the times are getting warmer, I am going to start up. Do you guys find it easy work to do?
I have always worked in sales, and very driven to generating business, so am not too worried about that, I will always leave a house, at least one in three doors I knock with a signature.
I am thinking of WFP, as not keen on ladders. How phisical is this ?
Thanks for your help all
Another fair weather shinner, and we're all falling over each other to help him. WHY ?
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exactly ,why try help someone who has never cleaned a window in his life . its an already satuarated business and your all wishing him luck . hope he spends all day knocking on doors in your area .stick to selling double glazing .cleaning and canvassing is two totally different jobs . igive you till october at the best .
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Hi guys,
Now the times are getting warmer, I am going to start up. Do you guys find it easy work to do?
I have always worked in sales, and very driven to generating business, so am not too worried about that, I will always leave a house, at least one in three doors I knock with a signature.
I am thinking of WFP, as not keen on ladders. How phisical is this ?
Thanks for your help all
Well if you sign up one in three at your current sales position then why are you starting up wc....sounds like another load of bull to me..
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too true,you might have the gift of the gab (maybe)doesn't mean you can clean windows and thats what the customers want is a good job not someone that can blag and if your not sure if you will go wfp or trad i doubt the customers will want you to clean there windows as they will see your not a window cleaner!
exactly ,why try help someone who has never cleaned a window in his life . its an already satuarated business and your all wishing him luck . hope he spends all day knocking on doors in your area .stick to selling double glazing .cleaning and canvassing is two totally different jobs . igive you till october at the best .
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To be honest mate, if you can convert one in three houses in to customers I'll be amazed. If I managed to find an area where more than 30 out of every 100 houses wanted a window cleaner but never had one I'd be a happy man indeed .............. and I'd keep the location a well guarded secret!!!
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exactly ,why try help someone who has never cleaned a window in his life . its an already satuarated business and your all wishing him luck . hope he spends all day knocking on doors in your area .stick to selling double glazing .cleaning and canvassing is two totally different jobs . igive you till october at the best .
I hate to say this, but I suspect this bloke has seen a WFP window cleaner & how much he is charging, & thought that looks like a doddle, as in your post on the other thread. ::)
the amount of people not connected to window cleaning i come across while working , builders ,decorators , gardeners etc . they always stop and ask about the wfp and usually end up saying its a doddle or that saves going up and down ladders all day thats made the job a lot easier for you . and most of them end up saying something like youve still got idiots with ladders when you can clean that easy . always makes me smile ;D
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Good luck Harry, I hope you had a good morning.
Any tips on canvassing?
Me and my brother went out for a couple of hours the other day and we had three. 1 house, 1 bungalow and 1 commercial, which was pretty good I thought. So any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.
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It is a doddle compared to 12 hours shifts in a factory or some other job you hating doing everyday ;D
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No it's not!!
To earn a good wage, every day, every week, is bloody hard work, whether trad or wfp, and anyone who says different obviously isn't doing a full day.
We start work at around 6am when we clean night clubs in Plymouth - day to day contract cleans - and then we start with our window / carpet cleaning. We earn a very comfortable living - it's taken nearly 20 years to get to this position - BUT, we work bloody hard for our money.
I guess if you " pop out " for a few hours each day then it is easy, but when you have a FULL day's work, EVERY day, then you really do EARN your money!!
It still beats factory work though ;D
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I didn't mean any disrespect, I meant it was a doddle compared to other shi*te jobs :D
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Anyone thing this is easy money is lucky or a fool there is more that meets the eye. My advice to Harry you can make a fortune at canvassing customers for other window cleaners. I find it insulting when some one comes on here and underrates this industry and makes out anyone can do it. Well mate you will see for yourself Good Luck you will need it. Life has many surprises.Selling in the U K is a none brainer.In this industry you sell and you have to deliver.Then admin it so dont be so sure of yourself.
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Where did he say it was easy?
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Where did he say it was easy?
He implied getting the customers wasn't an issue. ;)
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Oh yeah, but not the actual cleaning side of it.
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I think instead of knocking him, we could learn some canvassing tips from him. I know I could do with a few.
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Oh yeah, but not the actual cleaning side of it.
No, he seemed worried that the cleaning was the hard bit.
Getting customer is the easy but for me, just worried about the hard bit - getting the windows cleaned
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Hi guys,
Now the times are getting warmer, I am going to start up. Do you guys find it easy work to do?
I have always worked in sales, and very driven to generating business, so am not too worried about that, I will always leave a house, at least one in three doors I knock with a signature.
I am thinking of WFP, as not keen on ladders. How phisical is this ?
Thanks for your help all
window cleaning is one of the hardest jobs i have done, if you want a good rep then you have to leave your windows sparkling and this isnt easy, its not like you can just pick up a squeegee or a pole and start cleaning windows to the same standard as the majority of us on here! you need experiance and also knowledge of how to clean certain types of windows and also how to actually go about setting your sytems up be them wfp or trad.
Working in sales in my opinion does not mean your going to get every house you knock at, in fact if you knocked at 100 houses i would be suprised if you got more than 5. Also if your worried about the weather what are you going to do next winter? or when it rains (its england remember) ?
How are you going to sell your services to a customer if you dont even know the way your going to clean them? what happens if they want them doing straight away? you aint even got a ladder!!!!
Im sorry but if the only reason you want to be a wc is that you have seen someone cleaning with a pole and thought 'piece of cake i can do that no bother' then you have a problem as it aint so easy. If your not good at cleaning then you will lose customers and then how are you going to pay for all your shiny new equipment?
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I think instead of knocking him, we could learn some canvassing tips from him. I know I could do with a few.
Same here. ;D
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No, he seemed worried that the cleaning was the hard bit.
Getting customer is the easy but for me, just worried about the hard bit - getting the windows cleaned
That's what I said.
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There is no golden rule to canvassing, just go out, knock on the door and be polite, ask them if they require a cleaner and then tell them what services you provide and your price.
if a professional canvasser knocked at my door in a suit and a clip board i would tell him where to go straight away, go in your work clothes if they are smartish and just tell them what you do and how much it is, you dont need to hire someone to do this for you so dont waste your money
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Sorry Ian, I re-read what I wrote and it was a bit confusing.
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Sorry Ian, I re-read what I wrote and it was a bit confusing.
Lol, ;D I was just reading what I had put, & it does look wrong now, but I was agreeing with you. :)
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Lol sorry, I'll shut up now :)
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starting out is not easy and you will NOT get as many custys as you think to start off!most custys youll find will already have a window cleaner.they will be scattered all over the place,youll prob undercharge to start with then youll cry off when the weather gets bad etc
i worked with another windy for a year before i started up on my own.bought a small round and went canvassing nearly every sat for 6 months while i worked a few days with the other windy on his round.i had a lot of messers in my early days!
that was 16 years ago and i have a very established business now,but its took years to get a good round that pays half decent money!!im glad im not starting up now!a lot of competition about these days!thankfully quite a few are dodgy/unreliable and crap!so im still picking up new work and refining my round! ;D ;D
whatever anybody else says on ere its bloody hard work,gets boring sometimes,the weather can be a pain!
you have to sort all your taxes/expenses out.no hol/sick pay etc
its not all glamour you know!! ;D ;D
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Im sorry but if the only reason you want to be a wc is that you have seen someone cleaning with a pole and thought 'piece of cake i can do that no bother' then you have a problem as it aint so easy. If your not good at cleaning then you will lose customers and then how are you going to pay for all your shiny new equipment?
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He can put it on fleabay then I can buy it for half price ;D
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the great advice, ands thankyou to those you have giving me some good supportive advice and given me some good ideas of expectations.
I notice on here though there are a few that are not so nice, and can smell a hint of concern, and the way people read into things.
I have neven once said this would be an easy job other than the selling part. And I have never once said I saw a WFP cleaner and thought this would be easy monrey. You know who you are.
I konw is is hard graft. I am fit, have run the london marathon in support of cancer research a couple of times. I have just completed the three peaks challange, and that during the winter months, so can assure you I am not a fair weather worker. I love the outdoors and like to keep adctive. This is why I am moving over to this sort of work.
I really do not intend to take work of any other wc, I would not so that, and nor would I quote low, just does not make economic sense. I sense the few negative ones on here are the ones worried about new starters coming out taking your business (I am used to these sort of people from other employments, the ones who worry about fresh blood and not crasg hot at selling themselves). But am sure there is enough to go around, and as I said, I will not tyake anyones business. The fist thing I say to a customer when I knock is "Have you a window cleaner? if yes I walk away. I guess you soon get a head for which roads have a wc and the ones who don't.
Is this what the forum is about? helping others out? or putting them down from the word go?
Again, thank you so much for the WC on here who have wished me luck and given me some great advice. I will let you know how I get on, and may try to do some in the evening too following advice on here.
Thanks for such a great forum guys.
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doing the three peaks in the winter is a doddle compared to cleaning windows nov - march.let us know how you go on.and keep us posted when you sell your gear ;)
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doing the three peaks in the winter is a doddle compared to cleaning windows nov - march.let us know how you go on.and keep us posted when you sell your gear ;)
oooooo Barry u doubting thomas you !! ;)
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doing the three peaks in the winter is a doddle compared to cleaning windows nov - march.let us know how you go on.and keep us posted when you sell your gear ;)
Barry - Maybe I should buy yours when you sell up instead Barry, sounds like you had this in mind ! ;D
Anyway been out, long day 10 hrs knocking,
Struggled in some streets, but quickly moved on till I hit goldmine roads. Some I had a bad streak but others did really well. Lost count how many I knocked, so hard to work out the ratio. I have however signed up 34 customers, and none less than a tenner. Most are 4 weeks, with about 8 being 8 week cleans. I guess the conversion is way of predictions, but 5 days over 2 weeks at this rate will build fast.
I guess reading through things out of the 34 I reckon I will retain 20 solid customers, with the others being a cancel or bad payer. I know some may think a lucky streak and to see if I can do this on day two but like anything, I know you have bad days and good days. I did get used by the end of the day which doors to knock.
Not going door knockiong now, and want to get these customers up and runnig properly first while I get equipment sorted over the next few days. Have arranged practice goes on neighbours houses before I go for broke on my paid 34.
I see the negative comments I got on here from people jumping the gun and quoting comments I never made have not come back. Chineese Whispers eh. I forgive you though.
And again thanks to those who supported me, and gave me that extra push to do this.
Hope you all had a good day
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all the best harry, i only had 10mins practice on wfp b4 i was let loose on a custy. scary! i did lose a few the first few months, but got into it in the end.
if i your using wfp, make sure all the frames all cleaned thoroughly, and the rubbers. as they hold a lot of dirt, and do all the top windows first so that they drip dry before you start the bottoms, and make sure you rinse loads as well.
im a relative newbie, so i know how you feel like, but i did buy a couple of hundred custs so that helped at the start.
if you cant afford a wfp system to start with, just get an gxtel pole and brush (£50) 13ft. at least you can clean conservatory roofs and most gutterings with it (plug it into a hozelok hose pipe) theres good money in these, £20 -£25 per gutter side
£20-£50 for roofs...
all the best mate
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Get the squeegee and try a few windows when you get them clean and shiny then find the costumers. You cannot sell what you do not have yet. You need to sell your results. Till you can achieve them you cannot sell them. I think when you come on and talk as if you have achieved and you have not cleaned glass it will get up someone’s nose. I wish you every success so good luck and I hope it all works out for you.
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the great advice, ands thankyou to those you have giving me some good supportive advice and given me some good ideas of expectations.
I notice on here though there are a few that are not so nice, and can smell a hint of concern, and the way people read into things. you never gave us much to go off with your post, you said now the good weather is here and a lot of people jumped on that
I have neven once said this would be an easy job other than the selling part. And I have never once said I saw a WFP cleaner and thought this would be easy monrey. You know who you are. that'll be me, go back and read it, it says 'if', dont go jumping on everything people say, this is the net where you cant hear peoples tones, i was giving constructive comments and telling you it aint easy, its not and a lot of people on here will tell you no different.
I konw is is hard graft. I am fit, have run the london marathon in support of cancer research a couple of times. I have just completed the three peaks challange, and that during the winter months, so can assure you I am not a fair weather worker. I love the outdoors and like to keep adctive. This is why I am moving over to this sort of work.traditional is the active work, wfp is different and is actually very hard on the body, trust me, ive never had aches like i do now and i used to always go the gym
I really do not intend to take work of any other wc, I would not so that, and nor would I quote low, just does not make economic sense. I sense the few negative ones on here are the ones worried about new starters coming out taking your business (I am used to these sort of people from other employments, the ones who worry about fresh blood and not crasg hot at selling themselves). But am sure there is enough to go around, and as I said, I will not tyake anyones business. The fist thing I say to a customer when I knock is "Have you a window cleaner? if yes I walk away. I guess you soon get a head for which roads have a wc and the ones who don't.no matter what anyone says, if you get offered work and they already have a cleaner, you will take it, its been covered on here loads, the only thing people look down on is deliberate undercutting
Is this what the forum is about? helping others out? or putting them down from the word go? calm down a bit, step back and read more, there is a lot of people on here who will help you, but also a lot who will stay away if you make comments like this, im not meaning me btw i dont care what you say to me, very thick skinned ;D
Again, thank you so much for the WC on here who have wished me luck and given me some great advice. I will let you know how I get on, and may try to do some in the evening too following advice on here.
Thanks for such a great forum guys.no problem, glad to be helpful ;D
where are you from anyway harry?
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thats it hes jacked already , only 1 day canvassing ;)
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You know part of the problem here, is that any tom, dick and in this case harry, can register on this forum, gleam us and the industry for advice and some of us are too willing to dispense it.
Only a few weeks ago, one of the UK's consumer rights expects joined the forum, to share his comments !!
The cleaning industry is one of the least regulated industries in the country, and with relatively low start up costs (trad method), we are openly spectable to lots of new (and inexperienced) people joining in, especially as the weather warms up.
Perhaps, we should look at our cousins in Scotland, where you need a licence to operate as I can't remember reading a thread of someone looking to start up there??
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well im a newbie and started trad early january and let me tell ya kid it aint easy but really enjoyable if that makes any sense!! what my problem is that it was easier to get custys in january/february than it is today because all of a sudden about 15 new wcs have appeared round my area haha no joke!! not easy trying to earn a good honest living but hey ill not give up like the others when weather gets crappy!! sorry for the rant lads
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Harry, where are you based?
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just wondering harry, hows it going, any advice on successful canvassing??!!
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last active 14th March.
Must have done so well he's gone on holiday! ;D
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not as easy as he anticipated i guess ;D ;D
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i forgot to say, your very brave getting the custs first b4 learning to window clean! ;)
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my advice to newbies...dont bother! get a full time job where your money is garenteed!
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;Dha ha told ya he wunt last 2 mins ;) ;)