[Carl2009]

Hi all

It's a rainy day so have delayed today's cleans till 2morrow. To make use of the time i'm putting together text for a slip that will advise custies that their clean is going up in price. I'm aiming to do this in May, after the personal allowance and state pension has increased.

Has anyone got any text that has delivered the bad news in such a way that custies have accepted without too much fuss? It's always good to get a few ideas from which to work from.

Cheers

Carl

[formb]

Dear Customer,


Good news!!!


We will NOT be increasing our prices in line with the VAT increase in January!!

As you are no doubt aware the government, in all its wisdom, has made the decision to increase VAT from 17.5% to 20% in January 2011.

At Souter Window Cleaning we have decided that increasing prices in January is not a particularly good idea as January always seems to be the longest month, what with only just getting Christmas out of the way.

We have instead decided to cover the cost of the VAT increase ourselves and review our prices at our usual, more sensible time, in spring.

We are always trying to make things easier for our customers so why not take the hassle out of paying your window cleaning bill, and set up either internet banking or a standing order? 

Details for this are available on request;

[bobplum]

must admit not put my prices up for 18 months but what i have done is gone from collecting, to people paying by standing orders,bacs,cheques in the post and what i used as the main reason was time,cost,fuel etc
so i suppose you could use these as reasons for the increase but dont forget your customers could use the same reason for cancelling! so maybe its a case of cutting your costs to make more money and keep the price the same
its a fine line
bob

[JoeMax]

Souter, I love that 

[Carl2009]

Yep, like that. Only problem is i'm not VAT registered.

To be honest i'm going to speak to people face to face wherever possible; i've been warning people in the last month or two, saying i'm going to try and hold prices till May and then increase. Most have been fine, in fact i've not had anyone moan. For those that I don't see I need to leave a note. Have got the following:

Dear XXXX

As a result of rising business costs (fuel, insurance, equipment etc.) we have found it necessary to implement a small price rise, effective from the next window clean onwards. The cost for your window cleaning will change as follows:

From: £      To: £

We do not foresee any further changes in the immediate future.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details below.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for your custom. We look forward to continuing to ensure your windows are kept clean.

Kind Regards,

[formb]

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your valued custom. As you are no doubt aware there have been recent increases in the price of fuel, insurance and what feels like everything else.

To keep in line with these increases it is with regret that I inform you that, as of next month the price for cleaning your windows will rise:

From:            To:

At Souter Window Cleaning we strive to offer a quality service at a reasonable price, and I assure you that we have kept this increase to a minimum. Should you have any queries, or if our service is not what you would expect, then please do not hesitate to phone me.

Regards

[formb]

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your valued custom. As you are no doubt aware there have been recent increases in the price of fuel, insurance and what feels like everything else.

To keep in line with these increases it is with regret that I inform you that, as of next month the price for cleaning your windows will rise:

From:            To:

At Souter Window Cleaning we strive to offer a quality service at a reasonable price, and I assure you that we have kept this increase to a minimum. Should you have any queries, or if our service is not what you would expect, then please do not hesitate to phone me.

Regards

That was my last increase letter, nearly an exact copy of yours. Worked a treat.

[Carl2009]

Yeah, I did a search and found it / adapted slightly

Fingers crossed then.

[formb]

Yeah, I did a search and found it / adapted slightly

Fingers crossed then.

Stop thief!

[Carl2009]

Off topic I know, but i've just been checking out your website. The Landies look useful, especially given your location, but where do you keep your poles, trad gear, ladders and all the associated cr@p that I seem to carry around?

[Danny Guest]

Yep, like that. Only problem is i'm not VAT registered.

To be honest i'm going to speak to people face to face wherever possible; i've been warning people in the last month or two, saying i'm going to try and hold prices till May and then increase. Most have been fine, in fact i've not had anyone moan. For those that I don't see I need to leave a note. Have got the following:

Dear XXXX

As a result of rising business costs (fuel, insurance, equipment etc.) we have found it necessary to implement a small price rise, effective from the next window clean onwards. The cost for your window cleaning will change as follows:

From: £      To: £

We do not foresee any further changes in the immediate future.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details below.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for your custom. We look forward to continuing to ensure your windows are kept clean.

Kind Regards,

hi carl

My prices are going up in april on my older lower priced work to bring them in line with the newer rounds.

Im not VAT registered either but im still buying products that are inclusive of VAT and them products prices have risen recently.

I would pick a date, stick to it and inform customers a few weeks before

Good luck
Danny

[formb]

Don't use ladders any more, but the roll cages are fitted for carrying ladders and poles.

I won't deny that space is tight but they carry everything you need during the day, all the kit is stored at night.

[Moderator David@stives]

So far we have told 300 domestic  customers, prices are going up, most between 10 and 30 % , only had one moan, so only put them up by 50 p

Total customer losses so far = 0


All Commercial have been charged an increase on the current invoice, so far no losses.




If you dont put your prices up, you are effectively giving yourself a price cut.

[formb]

If you dont put your prices up, you are effectively giving yourself a price cut.

Have you put your prices up now or are you just informing them of a rise coming.

[Moderator David@stives]

As my post says we have put them up as from 04/01/2010

[formb]

As my post says we have put them up as from 04/01/2010

Must have missed that in you post

So far we have told 300 domestic  customers, prices are going up, most between 10 and 30 % , only had one moan, so only put them up by 50 p

Total customer losses so far = 0


All Commercial have been charged an increase on the current invoice, so far no losses.




If you dont put your prices up, you are effectively giving yourself a price cut.

You are braver than me, I aint risking it.

[Danny Guest]

As my post says we have put them up as from 04/01/2010

How much notice did you give them dave?


Danny

[NJWindowCleaning]

I put half the round up one year and the other half the following year and no one moans they just say we was wondering when your prices are going up.

[wpclean]

Just charge new price and say nothing , most people do not even notice