[combat1]

Just wondered how many of you guys get payment before doing a first clean?
The reason is that lately I have had a big increase in customers who don't pay after the first clean.I am now going to request payment before the clean is done.
Don't like it - don't have it done then!
Also whats the score with charging more for the first clean? it takes me longer so being sensible would lead me to charge more for the first clean, who knows it may cut out the dodgy customers.
Do you charge more on the first clean if its not a house you have done previously?
Time for Mr. Softy Combat to man up!!

[Ian101]

Depends on the areas of the country your from here in North Wales never seem to have a lot of messers who wont pay after clean .... sure had the odd one in 4 years but thankfully talking at most 3 ... if I think its a messer than do occasionally charge double ... if your getting a lot of messers then you NEED to charge cash upfront on day and defo at least double .... I have made the occasional eot clean pay upfront  ... if u have any grief then nust say the magic 2 words "company policy"

[C o z y]

I've never taken prepaid on a first clean. Don't think I've ever had a non payer after it. If anyone is hard to catch to get payment, I just drop them and carry on (after getting the money). First cleans, between 50% and 100% extra depending on state of the windows.

HTH

[SeanK]

Same here I never take an up front payment on a first clean and can't say I have ever got
stung.
I find messers usually act up after the second or third clean when the novelty has worn off.
Its up to the individual if they want to charge extra on a first clean, I never did as I considered every
first clean a gateway to more work.
When starting out your trying to win work and not trying to cash in, this can come later when you've
build a successful business.
Different if they are looking a one off then I would always charge extra.

[Richard ham]

I always quote them first clean then regular clean prices. First clean I generally add 25% to the regular price.
I have never been stung on a first clean. Yet.

What reason are they giving for not paying?

I always get phone numbers. No number no cleaning.

I always try to arrange for the customers to be there on first clean even if it's on the weekend. You meet the people and know they are in to pay, get a mobile terminal for payments too, get a payg one it helps if they have no cash as everyone has a card these days.

[PoleKing]

I always get paid first on first cleans.
Have very few refusals.

And, as has been said, at least 50% more, usually double.

[deeege]

Always get paid in advance and always double the regular clean. I find it sorts the wheat from the chaff in advance.

[C o z y]

I always quote them first clean then regular clean prices. First clean I generally add 25% to the regular price.
I have never been stung on a first clean. Yet.

What reason are they giving for not paying?

I always get phone numbers. No number no cleaning.

I always try to arrange for the customers to be there on first clean even if it's on the weekend. You meet the people and know they are in to pay, get a mobile terminal for payments too, get a payg one it helps if they have no cash as everyone has a card these days.

All these years in this game, and I've only just started taking numbers lol. Always took name etc, but not tel numbers. DOH! 

[dazmond]

i dont insist on upfront payment for first cleans unless they offer.

i dont charge extra unless its really minging (if its going to be on my  regular schedule).

obviously one offs are charged at a higher price.

ive never not been paid for a first clean in 21 years of window cleaning!

[AuRavelling79]

Always charge extra for first clean.