[panaracer]

hi all,just wondering if any one can help me with some thing.
I am planning on setting up a small local window cleaning round,and wondering if I was to start canvassing my local area,will I upset the local window cleaners.Not to sure where I can and cant canvas,are there rules or is it all fair game.
 

[George P]

you can canvass where you like, no one owns a patch anymore, just dont deliberatly charge less to get work, undercutting doesnt do anyone any favours in the long run,

[Banbury Window Cleaning]

business is business my friend go and canvass where you like/want to work!
like already said dont ask what currently paying and undercut charge what your think is a fair price or what you want to earn etc
there is more then enough windows for every1 

[Ian Lancaster]

Newby wanting advice on upsetting other window cleaners

Ok, I'll try my best:

Find out what the other window cleaners call themselves, then get a few big banners printed with

        " ******** Window Cleaner is the Worst, Most Useless Rip-Off Merchant in the World"

and put them up around your town.  That should pee them off pretty good for starters

Seriously, as the other guys have said: You do what you want, provided you don't deliberately target someone else's customers by undercutting or slagging them off you're entitled to canvass wherever you like, just like anyone else.

[AuRavelling79]

In Lancashire - don't bother, they mark their territory by peeing on all the lampposts on their patch. (They've also upgraded to Rover 600's with sunroofs so they can put their ladders upright through them.)

Elsewhere - get stuck in!

Seriously, you should have no problems but every so often you will pee off some luddite neanderthal who will huff and puff and glare at you from time to time.

Very rarely if you are incredibly unlucky you'll get a right nutter but you'll just find your van burnt out one day.

[panaracer]

thanks all

[richard jagger]

There are some guys who think they can go in at a low price and up the price till they are getting a good buck. Believe me its very difficult to put up an under price job.It could take you years.

[Carl2009]

I started April 2009 from scratch. I knocked doors for 3 months, wore out a pair of boots and had bleeding knuckles in doing so, but haven't knocked a door since. Total advertising spend so far: a tenner.

I knocked the door and said "Hi my name's Carl Welsby, I live in Crymych. I was wondering if you had or were in need of a regular window cleaner?". If they said they did have one, I thanked them for their time and walked away. If they said they had one and they asked me to quote I asked them why they wanted me to quote. If it was because they were not happy with them or they were unreliable then I quoted. If it was because they were looking to drive down their spend I declined, explaining I didn't want to take another mans business ( I also knew that if I got the custie and someone else came and undercut me then i'd be out: such custies aren't worth having imo). It will get back to the other windies and you won't put their back up (unless they are nutters).

My advice is:

No-one owns "a patch"

Don't quote if they have a windie UNLESS they are unhappy with them

Always stop and talk to other windies or at least honk at them and give em a wave. I have one close to me who has given me work and i've dropped off a slab of beer in return. It's better to be mates.

A price war hurts everyone. I don't want to be busy as hell earning begger all.

Don't price too low, but deliver a first class clean that gives good value for money. If in doubt add a couple of quid to the price.

Do any clean you can at first, but slowly dump the poor payers and ones where they don't clean up the dog poop. It's a great feeling to be able to chuck custies who won't respect you.

Do the occasional freebie - garage doors etc. BUT tell the custie you've done it so you get the credit!

Get a website. But get your van signwritten first - best way to get new business.

And for Gawd's sake say a smiley hello to people who pass you as you work - you'll be amazed how many ask you "How much do you charge".

I'm sure others on here will have a view on these but they worked for me.

I used to work in a stressful but well paid office job, travelling all over the world on business and I can tell you I wish i'd started window cleaning from school rather than when I was 46. It's a great job, providing a valuable service and one in which you can hold your head high and say you own your own business.

Best of luck. Unless you're on my patch lol

[Ian Lancaster]

Excellent post, Carl. 

[bobplum]

I started April 2009 from scratch. I knocked doors for 3 months, wore out a pair of boots and had bleeding knuckles in doing so, but haven't knocked a door since. Total advertising spend so far: a tenner.

I knocked the door and said "Hi my name's Carl Welsby, I live in Crymych. I was wondering if you had or were in need of a regular window cleaner?". If they said they did have one, I thanked them for their time and walked away. If they said they had one and they asked me to quote I asked them why they wanted me to quote. If it was because they were not happy with them or they were unreliable then I quoted. If it was because they were looking to drive down their spend I declined, explaining I didn't want to take another mans business ( I also knew that if I got the custie and someone else came and undercut me then i'd be out: such custies aren't worth having imo). It will get back to the other windies and you won't put their back up (unless they are nutters).

My advice is:

No-one owns "a patch"

Don't quote if they have a windie UNLESS they are unhappy with them

Always stop and talk to other windies or at least honk at them and give em a wave. I have one close to me who has given me work and i've dropped off a slab of beer in return. It's better to be mates.

A price war hurts everyone. I don't want to be busy as hell earning begger all.

Don't price too low, but deliver a first class clean that gives good value for money. If in doubt add a couple of quid to the price.

Do any clean you can at first, but slowly dump the poor payers and ones where they don't clean up the dog poop. It's a great feeling to be able to chuck custies who won't respect you.

Do the occasional freebie - garage doors etc. BUT tell the custie you've done it so you get the credit!

Get a website. But get your van signwritten first - best way to get new business.

And for Gawd's sake say a smiley hello to people who pass you as you work - you'll be amazed how many ask you "How much do you charge".

I'm sure others on here will have a view on these but they worked for me.

I used to work in a stressful but well paid office job, travelling all over the world on business and I can tell you I wish i'd started window cleaning from school rather than when I was 46. It's a great job, providing a valuable service and one in which you can hold your head high and say you own your own business.

Best of luck. Unless you're on my patch lol

im in love,great post

[AuRavelling79]

Yup! Top post Carl!

[dazmond]

thats got to be POST OF THE YEAR CARL!!!!



regards


dazmond

[Carl2009]

Why thankyou all. 

[boshravie]

I started April 2009 from scratch. I knocked doors for 3 months, wore out a pair of boots and had bleeding knuckles in doing so, but haven't knocked a door since. Total advertising spend so far: a tenner.

I knocked the door and said "Hi my name's Carl Welsby, I live in Crymych. I was wondering if you had or were in need of a regular window cleaner?". If they said they did have one, I thanked them for their time and walked away. If they said they had one and they asked me to quote I asked them why they wanted me to quote. If it was because they were not happy with them or they were unreliable then I quoted. If it was because they were looking to drive down their spend I declined, explaining I didn't want to take another mans business ( I also knew that if I got the custie and someone else came and undercut me then i'd be out: such custies aren't worth having imo). It will get back to the other windies and you won't put their back up (unless they are nutters).

My advice is:

No-one owns "a patch"

Don't quote if they have a windie UNLESS they are unhappy with them

Always stop and talk to other windies or at least honk at them and give em a wave. I have one close to me who has given me work and i've dropped off a slab of beer in return. It's better to be mates.

A price war hurts everyone. I don't want to be busy as hell earning begger all.

Don't price too low, but deliver a first class clean that gives good value for money. If in doubt add a couple of quid to the price.

Do any clean you can at first, but slowly dump the poor payers and ones where they don't clean up the dog poop. It's a great feeling to be able to chuck custies who won't respect you.

Do the occasional freebie - garage doors etc. BUT tell the custie you've done it so you get the credit!

Get a website. But get your van signwritten first - best way to get new business.

And for Gawd's sake say a smiley hello to people who pass you as you work - you'll be amazed how many ask you "How much do you charge".

I'm sure others on here will have a view on these but they worked for me.

I used to work in a stressful but well paid office job, travelling all over the world on business and I can tell you I wish i'd started window cleaning from school rather than when I was 46. It's a great job, providing a valuable service and one in which you can hold your head high and say you own your own business.

Best of luck. Unless you're on my patch lol

Absolutely fantastic post, i truly admire your thinking  Carl 

[robertphil]

dont worry about what others think. or what others say.   i remember my ol dad mocked me summat rotten when i started up on the windows- he jeered as if i was cleaning toilets out and bragging about it.
   thinking about it i wish i had started on the loos (to really nark him off )i believe thered be a decent market for scrubbing them to a shine  ,big hand painted sketches  of a white loo pan on the van sides,i can see it in my mind.

long as you head out Every day ,dont ever go home before youve picked up fresh work,you will be allrite

[ben M]

I started April 2009 from scratch. I knocked doors for 3 months, wore out a pair of boots and had bleeding knuckles in doing so, but haven't knocked a door since. Total advertising spend so far: a tenner.

I knocked the door and said "Hi my name's Carl Welsby, I live in Crymych. I was wondering if you had or were in need of a regular window cleaner?". If they said they did have one, I thanked them for their time and walked away. If they said they had one and they asked me to quote I asked them why they wanted me to quote. If it was because they were not happy with them or they were unreliable then I quoted. If it was because they were looking to drive down their spend I declined, explaining I didn't want to take another mans business ( I also knew that if I got the custie and someone else came and undercut me then i'd be out: such custies aren't worth having imo). It will get back to the other windies and you won't put their back up (unless they are nutters).

My advice is:

No-one owns "a patch"

Don't quote if they have a windie UNLESS they are unhappy with them

Always stop and talk to other windies or at least honk at them and give em a wave. I have one close to me who has given me work and i've dropped off a slab of beer in return. It's better to be mates.

A price war hurts everyone. I don't want to be busy as hell earning begger all.

Don't price too low, but deliver a first class clean that gives good value for money. If in doubt add a couple of quid to the price.

Do any clean you can at first, but slowly dump the poor payers and ones where they don't clean up the dog poop. It's a great feeling to be able to chuck custies who won't respect you.

Do the occasional freebie - garage doors etc. BUT tell the custie you've done it so you get the credit!

Get a website. But get your van signwritten first - best way to get new business.

And for Gawd's sake say a smiley hello to people who pass you as you work - you'll be amazed how many ask you "How much do you charge".

I'm sure others on here will have a view on these but they worked for me.

I used to work in a stressful but well paid office job, travelling all over the world on business and I can tell you I wish i'd started window cleaning from school rather than when I was 46. It's a great job, providing a valuable service and one in which you can hold your head high and say you own your own business.

Best of luck. Unless you're on my patch lol

I would have loved to have a post like that when i started, great post Carl, well done! 

[gavinb]

if you do get dumped for a cheaper windie i have found a dozen eggs works quite well .

[Fakenham Tony]

I started April 2009 from scratch. I knocked doors for 3 months, wore out a pair of boots and had bleeding knuckles in doing so, but haven't knocked a door since. Total advertising spend so far: a tenner.

I knocked the door and said "Hi my name's Carl Welsby, I live in Crymych. I was wondering if you had or were in need of a regular window cleaner?". If they said they did have one, I thanked them for their time and walked away. If they said they had one and they asked me to quote I asked them why they wanted me to quote. If it was because they were not happy with them or they were unreliable then I quoted. If it was because they were looking to drive down their spend I declined, explaining I didn't want to take another mans business ( I also knew that if I got the custie and someone else came and undercut me then i'd be out: such custies aren't worth having imo). It will get back to the other windies and you won't put their back up (unless they are nutters).

My advice is:

No-one owns "a patch"

Don't quote if they have a windie UNLESS they are unhappy with them

Always stop and talk to other windies or at least honk at them and give em a wave. I have one close to me who has given me work and i've dropped off a slab of beer in return. It's better to be mates.

A price war hurts everyone. I don't want to be busy as hell earning begger all.

Don't price too low, but deliver a first class clean that gives good value for money. If in doubt add a couple of quid to the price.

Do any clean you can at first, but slowly dump the poor payers and ones where they don't clean up the dog poop. It's a great feeling to be able to chuck custies who won't respect you.

Do the occasional freebie - garage doors etc. BUT tell the custie you've done it so you get the credit!

Get a website. But get your van signwritten first - best way to get new business.

And for Gawd's sake say a smiley hello to people who pass you as you work - you'll be amazed how many ask you "How much do you charge".

I'm sure others on here will have a view on these but they worked for me.

I used to work in a stressful but well paid office job, travelling all over the world on business and I can tell you I wish i'd started window cleaning from school rather than when I was 46. It's a great job, providing a valuable service and one in which you can hold your head high and say you own your own business.

Best of luck. Unless you're on my patch lol

Fantastic advice,

I am very similar to you apart from travelling around the world, I got as far as North and South London

I would also add, have a large local commercial customer to go for in the back of your mind as a little challenge.

I targeted some-one when I started but left it 8 months, to learn the ropes of this business first, I walked in on a cold call a couple of months ago and got lucky and met the FM in reception.

Did my biggest one off job with them last month and got a call today from them for a quote Monday morning for another one

Love the say a cheery hello to every passer by I do it all the time and it works