[Ian Lancaster]

The distinction here is DELIBERATELY undercutting.

When I go to quote on an enquiry, or just cold call I don't ask if the prospect already has a window cleaner.  If they volunteer the information that they do, I don't ask how much he is charging.  I give a printed quotation form with my price written on it.

This may be more or less than they are already paying - I'm not really interested, if they accept my quote it's because they prefer my service to the other window cleaner's.

I would never decline an invitation to quote because they already have a window cleaner - they may be looking for a cheaper price, they may not be satisfied for whatever reason.

I would never undercut simply to take work off another window cleaner and if the customer insisted on telling me their current price I would offer to do it at the same price even if I would have quoted lower without knowing what the current price was.

By sticking to these principles I can never be accused of 'undercutting' and if another window cleaner were to challenge me I could show that I always act honourably.

[M & C Window Cleaning]

The distinction here is DELIBERATELY undercutting.

When I go to quote on an enquiry, or just cold call I don't ask if the prospect already has a window cleaner.  If they volunteer the information that they do, I don't ask how much he is charging.  I give a printed quotation form with my price written on it.

This may be more or less than they are already paying - I'm not really interested, if they accept my quote it's because they prefer my service to the other window cleaner's.

I would never decline an invitation to quote because they already have a window cleaner - they may be looking for a cheaper price, they may not be satisfied for whatever reason.

I would never undercut simply to take work off another window cleaner and if the customer insisted on telling me their current price I would offer to do it at the same price even if I would have quoted lower without knowing what the current price was.

By sticking to these principles I can never be accused of 'undercutting' and if another window cleaner were to challenge me I could show that I always act honourably.

Nicely put. I would pretty much do the same

[Cookie]

The distinction here is DELIBERATELY undercutting.

When I go to quote on an enquiry, or just cold call I don't ask if the prospect already has a window cleaner.  If they volunteer the information that they do, I don't ask how much he is charging.  I give a printed quotation form with my price written on it.

This may be more or less than they are already paying - I'm not really interested, if they accept my quote it's because they prefer my service to the other window cleaner's.

I would never decline an invitation to quote because they already have a window cleaner - they may be looking for a cheaper price, they may not be satisfied for whatever reason.

I would never undercut simply to take work off another window cleaner and if the customer insisted on telling me their current price I would offer to do it at the same price even if I would have quoted lower without knowing what the current price was.

By sticking to these principles I can never be accused of 'undercutting' and if another window cleaner were to challenge me I could show that I always act honourably.

Nicely put. I would pretty much do the same

Thanks Ian. I think this is a good set of rules to work by which is both fair to yourself & to other WCs.

[Johnny B]

I had a situation recently where I was accused of stealing another window cleaning business's customers, and additionally I was warned not to be seen working there again. I politely but firmly replied that I was going nowhere and, rather than stealing his work, told him that they had approached me, which is in fact true.

I have no knowledge or interest in what they charge, and the customers who approached me hadn't told me that they had used this other company until after I had cleaned for them (they are not questions I would ask). 

Since then, I have picked up a fair few of their ex-customers. They all say the other company's attitude stinks and they are unreliable anyway, despite having an all bells and whistles sign written van, whilst I have an old plain white Fiesta van, but provide the service and have a good business relationship with these customers.

So do I feel bad about these guys losing their work to me? Not all. After trying to 'run me out of town', they are actually doing it to themselves.

John

[dazmond]

its not your fault the other window cleaner hasnt invested in WFP and "cant do the backs".you ve invested money buying all your  WFP equipment to provide a good regular cleaning service where you can get to and clean most windows.

i dont give it a second thought when i pick up another windows cleaners work.you ll lose some to other window cleaners over the years anyway for whatever reason(price etc)probably so dont worry.

swings and roundabouts in this game.