[Londoner]

Its just the way life is, get used to it, you are going to get more of the same. Gradually over time you filter through enough customers that you get a solid base of regulars but many fall by the way. So what? you earned and you learned.

They might still settle down as 8 week or 12 week customers so don't give up just yet. I firmly believe the business is going that way but others seem to stick rigidly to a dogma of 4 weeks or nothing.

Just remember the object if the exercise (in my book anyway) is to get money out of their purse and into your pocket. Everything else is detail

[Tony Edwards]

thanks for comments guys.

Looks like I need to man up and toughen up !!

[EandM]

You earned and you learned.


I like that 

[bobby p]

had 1 today text me
 hi , you cleaned my windows a good while  ago,can you give me a price for my new house-it must be done on monday next week?

 (i remembered the guy caught me out with a 1 off filthy in and out  and luckily i upped the price before starting but still way low and he paid reluctantly ) so i reply to his text ,"itd be 20 quid if its 1 time only, outside only"
how much for the insides?
"as a special deal 1 off price , £30 cash"  
 can you do it for 25, i have moving costs to pay for as well


 "Do em yourself"

 

[Granny]

Bloke stopped me on Tuesday asked if I'd give him a price and how often I came around.
Told him every 4 weeks left him a price £12 same as the other houses.
He phoned me and said quote was satisfactory but wasn't thinking of every 4 weeks maybe 8.
Going to do the job today if he wants every 8 weeks do you think I should go for maybe £15 or should I have told him when he phoned it would be more?
Of does it really matter - how much longer does it take to clean every 4 or 8?
I would need a lot more customers at 8 weeks but they might be more loyal as not costing them over what they can afford.
This game is not as simple as it appears - got to keep one step ahead of the customers.
G.

[dazmond]

i would of told him over the phone that a 2 monthly frequency is a slightly higher price(eg £14)take it or leave it and point out he will still save money over the course of a year compared to monthly if he seemed hesitant.

[GB Window Cleaning]

Bloke stopped me on Tuesday asked if I'd give him a price and how often I came around.
Told him every 4 weeks left him a price £12 same as the other houses.
He phoned me and said quote was satisfactory but wasn't thinking of every 4 weeks maybe 8.
Going to do the job today if he wants every 8 weeks do you think I should go for maybe £15 or should I have told him when he phoned it would be more?
Of does it really matter - how much longer does it take to clean every 4 or 8?
I would need a lot more customers at 8 weeks but they might be more loyal as not costing them over what they can afford.
This game is not as simple as it appears - got to keep one step ahead of the customers.
G.

granny it might not take much longer to clean an 8 wkly but what happens when word gets around the neighours and they all want 8 wkly at the same price? its a cancer to your businesss mate all of a suddon youve got a hugh drop in your income! it as happened too!!! be carefull!

[dazmond]

ive found that NOT to be the case GB on lots of my compact work.most are happy with a monthly service.a few have gone 2 monthly but they know i charge a sightly higher price for the longer frequency.its good to be flexible esp if money is tight then you dont lose the customer entirely.

[FCS]

ive found that NOT to be the case GB on lots of my compact work.most are happy with a monthly service.a few have gone 2 monthly but they know i charge a sightly higher price for the longer frequency.its good to be flexible esp if money is tight then you dont lose the customer entirely.

+1 for wot he says! ^^

[lee_dewing]

If i get asked for 8 weeks then i usually say no, unless it's a big house on it's own-£30 upwards.

I think people will always try it on. (I did at one point think of offering 6 weeks to everyone.)

But I decided to stick to monthly. (You can't please everyone)
Did house today i always did; custie moved, new custy in house phoned me earlier this week saying she'd like done this week (usually a sign of one off)

Did today allround £15 4 bed semi.

She thanked me and told me she'd phone me when she needed me again.

I told her politely i was monthly only, in the end i got her to agree to front every month £10 (min charge) and back as and when £15.

I'm busy and not bothered, maybe more people want less frequent cleans but i can't help'em.

[Granny]

granny it might not take much longer to clean an 8 wkly but what happens when word gets around the neighours and they all want 8 wkly at the same price? its a cancer to your businesss mate all of a suddon youve got a hugh drop in your income! it as happened too!!! be carefull!
[/quote]
My God and don't they talk!!
Word soon gets round! Found out today once the idea spreads its a downward spiral.
I'm not mercenary or really money motivated but dropping from 4 weeks to 8 weeks is doing the customer a big big favour especially if its for the same price.
Had some today but boosted the price for 8 weekly.
Feel a bit rotten but

[Londoner]

8 week customer at £12 a time = £56+ a year in you pocket.     No customer = nothing in your pocket.

I can't understand people keep saying if you agree to 8 weeks you are reducing your income. By doing 8 weeks you are building a much more stable customer base because they are less likely to get fed up and drop you. And you will get referrals.

People want their windows cleaned regularly but they are not that bothered how regularly. As long as they know you are reliable. I wouldn't want my windows cleaned every month, I do mine about every three months and they look OK to me.

[bobby p]

be too soft and you wont gain any respect. oi know cos i was that man.

 im still soft if a customer has a banter and joke with me on our first meeting, sets the tone for the future,  but i now get rid of any other wasters.
 i went out of my way recently to get an old Samsung j700 phone whereby you can block people from calling or texting.  i spent a while last weekend blocking about 30 people who kept draggin their feet paying, texting their emotional problems etc , i no longer want to hear from them .

 

[dazmond]

you mean £72 a year if they are 2 monthly vince at £12 a pop!

maths wasnt my strong point either at school vince but CMON WAKE UP!!!!!!

[Johnny B]

8 week customer at £12 a time = £56+ a year in you pocket.     No customer = nothing in your pocket.

I can't understand people keep saying if you agree to 8 weeks you are reducing your income. By doing 8 weeks you are building a much more stable customer base because they are less likely to get fed up and drop you. And you will get referrals.

People want their windows cleaned regularly but they are not that bothered how regularly. As long as they know you are reliable. I wouldn't want my windows cleaned every month, I do mine about every three months and they look OK to me.

I agree.

John