[DASERVICES]

  For those of you that have bought work off a window cleaner did you ever loose any customers, just need your opinion on this.

Reason for this I have had a phone call from a Polish lady whose husband wants to get into window cleaning because she has been told by other window cleaners that he could earn good money. They placed an advert in a local shop and received a phone call from a local window cleaner that was selling his round. For 48 houses he was selling it at £500 which is a lot of money for them.

The big problem is her husband speaks very little English and I feel if he bought these houses there is a big risk that he might loose them because customers will cancel. He has never done window cleaning so I feel this will go against him as well.

I gave her the hard facts whereas other guys have advised otherwise. Having never bought before just wanted to know could this happen. He has been given a rosey picture by others but I just told her what I think is correct.

My advise was for him not to give up his current job but try and build a round by working on them on his days off. It would be suicidal to give up his work and risk it buying a round.

Just want to know from you that have bought rounds could this happen or am I being too cautious.

Thanks

Doug

[C-Thru.]

Hi,  I personaly would never buy any work, theres more than enough for everyone of us out there!
Besides what is he buying?  He will not have a written contract with each of his houses. All you buy is good will. If he shells out £500 and turns up for the first time and makes a cock up of the job what is to stop the customer cancelling his job there and them and even refusing to pay him!
you have given him the best advice, start slow part time and build up to full time learning as you go......

Hope this Helps

Goochie.

[AuRavelling79]

But if his English isn't that good won't canvassing be difficult too?

Perhaps he should work with somebody on weekends first to build up his skills/confidence?

[EasyClean]

Everytime a window cleaner takes on a new job (customer) he is taking a chance/risk i.e. is this customer going to be reliable, good payer, etc.
Life is full of risks. We try to minimise risks by means of knowledge and wisdom. If the Polish chap had experience he would be wiser but he doesnt. He can gain knowledge i.e. from reading posts on forums like this one and from friends in the know.
If he is lucky someone kind hearted will take him under their supervision and guide him in the right direction.
He is well advised not to give up his main occupation but to try window cleaning as an additional job to see if the job is suited to him first.
If he feels suited to window cleaning then it is his decision whether he buys a ready made round or goes the harder route of canvassing work for himself. Choosing to canvass for himself will be slower but he will appreciate the effort put into it more and will have more confidence in himself. Buying a round is simpler, less hassle and allows a living to be made from day one. It all boils down to how lazy or unsuccessful he is at canvassing or wether he is desperate/eager to start window cleaning straight away to pay bills, etc.

[Trevor Knight]

  For those of you that have bought work off a window cleaner did you ever loose any customers, just need your opinion on this.

Reason for this I have had a phone call from a Polish lady whose husband wants to get into window cleaning because she has been told by other window cleaners that he could earn good money. They placed an advert in a local shop and received a phone call from a local window cleaner that was selling his round. For 48 houses he was selling it at £500 which is a lot of money for them.

The big problem is her husband speaks very little English and I feel if he bought these houses there is a big risk that he might loose them because customers will cancel. He has never done window cleaning so I feel this will go against him as well.

I gave her the hard facts whereas other guys have advised otherwise. Having never bought before just wanted to know could this happen. He has been given a rosey picture by others but I just told her what I think is correct.

My advise was for him not to give up his current job but try and build a round by working on them on his days off. It would be suicidal to give up his work and risk it buying a round.

Just want to know from you that have bought rounds could this happen or am I being too cautious.

Thanks

Doug

Due to the facts that he is Polish, speaks little english and £500 is a lot of money for him I would personally say stay away, work with someone at weekends and build his confidence up, english language improves and understands window cleaning a lot more.

Then if he feels its for him then go for it and canvass.

regards, Trev

[Van the man]

Yeah, I`ve got to say I employ a Polish guy, who speaks pretty good English and only after 6 months, are customers starting to accept him. I think your Polish guy is going to have problems if he`s working by himself, as he will be viewed very suspiciouslly and he will have his work( if he gets any) scrutinised. His best bet is to start  working with someone, learn how to clean a window well, improve his English and how to interract with customers.

[shammy davis jnr]

you roll the dice you pay the price i supose  we all did 

[[GQC] Tim]

It is absolutely amazing how a few rotten apples can make an entire nation of people look like burglars and low live, it's really bad.

I mean I am Dutch, and English people really like it, it's a big plus for me somehow, dunno why but the majority goes all wow, that is really cool, I've been there so many times, people are so friendly etc, and with some customers it immediately puts you in their good books.

Not so for Polish people it seems, they have an immense bias to fight against.

I'd definitely agree with all the points listed above, not for the reason being Polish, but for the sensible reasons, they count for all people. It just works against him, no good English, and being Polish. Really wish it was different for those people.

 

[Van the man]

I disagree with you a little there. Of all the nationalities we now have here, in my experience the Poles have the best reputation, if the response from my customers is anything to go by. 

[pylofm]

I am an English guy in Holland and am finding that I am getting work from customers that say they do not like Polish but are very happy to have an English guy cleaning their windows....Most people here are very sceptical about Polish and Morrocans....

i am not saying it is right, this is not my country but just what I see and hear.

Cheers
Dave.

[[GQC] Tim]

I am an English guy in Holland and am finding that I am getting work from customers that say they do not like Polish but are very happy to have an English guy cleaning their windows....Most people here are very sceptical about Polish and Morrocans....

i am not saying it is right, this is not my country but just what I see and hear.

Cheers
Dave.

Yea, that's what I was def. thinking about, while sorry to say, without being biased, Moroccans are really bad in NL. As far as I know, English have a good reputation in NL, unless your the binge drinking holiday to Turkey travelling foul mouthing chav haha (no offense, just playing here)