[lee_dewing]

hi been wfp 5 months now lost a handful of customers recently.
Had 2 today first customer wife said my husbands not happy with you at all windows were all smeared last time.
Don't meam to sound arrogant but i am pretty good now this doesn't mean i won't make mistakes so i said to customer very sorry i'l re-do free of charge but can i come back later and check with ladder.

I came bacl later and as i suspected windows were perfect insides were dirty and looked as though some had blown (dried condensation marks inbetween panes)

Does anyone else feel same as me that alot of customers don't like wfp, but rather than say this they just complain about nothing hoping you'll go back to ladders?

One customer today who is extremely fussy said that the windows look worse after they'd been done he has upvc windows and the top small portion of the window has the stick on plastic crosses any tips; I do have many customers like this and i did check them off the ladder when i first started but they looked good any tips on that one?
i don't like losing customers even if it's a small amount.
cheers lee

[Dean Aspects]

i think you are doing the right thing but you can't please all the people all of the time just be confident about wfp we all get cancelations people can just be funny
i had one cancel on me yesterday because i was 1 day late get over it and move on there is plenty of work around
but i do understand about not wanting to lose customers i am the same but theres nothing you can do about it

[craig jwc]

Some people don't like to admit they can't afford it sometimes, so make different reasons up.
I've had a couple phone up and tell me the windows had smears on.
When i've gone back to look, it turns out they've cleaned the insides with Windowlene or something and so have charged them 50% of their cleaning price for wasting time.

Craig

[Chris Cottrell]

I had 1 just recently complain that every time i did her windows they were left smeary
I have done her with wfp for over a year , couldn't help thinking who's the daft one me or her for not saying anything for a year
I did even offer to re clean FOC but she said no
even offered to refund her money but no
then she let slip as they were trying to sell what with the viewings and all she was wiping the wet off with a cloth so they were dry when buyers came to view

 : :

nowt so queer as folk eh

CXhris

[Bonzer]

Yep. I've had the ole' 'windows are left smeary' line. I've gone up there with a ladder and checked every window once they had dried and the outside was perfect but the insides were dirty and they seals blown.

[Tosh]

Same 'ere!  When I first started I had a customer complain of spots when I was collecting.

I turned up the next day; a Saturday morning; and checked every window from the top of my ladders (I only do 1st floor usually with a WFP).

They were ruddy gleaming (1st WFP clean too); the only spots were on the inside of one window which looked like something had been splashed up it.

I told the bloke of the house they were perfect and he blamed his missis for getting it wrong.

A month later he complained to Wor Lass that his Missis said 'it took too long for the windows to dry' and he quizzed her if she'd cleaned the door.

I dropped them.

Six months ago, this ex-customer asked me why I hadn't been cleaning their windows and I told her I was sick of the 'whinging', and she asked me if she'd 'frightened' me off!  She basically said she'd have me back, even though she didn't like the WFP system; but any window cleaner is better than none-at-all.

I'm not a total 'bottom', so I increased the price by two-quid and took her back on and she's been lovely ever since.

[Pureandclean]

I worked out some time ago that for every 1 customer I had cancel, I picked up at least 50 new customers.
  So just encourage yourself, that if one has canceled there are another 50 on the way.

[scrimit2]

Having a pop at the window cleaner seems to be national pass time, make it a sport at the 2012 olympics, its our best chance of a gold lol

[JM123]

I think a lot of people who are stuck in jobs where they have to listen to their boss whinge all day feel they need to take it out on someone else - hence the wc gets it - why? because the wc works for them (admit it - we all work for someone else) so in turn they feel they have earned the right to have a go at someone 'beneath' them.

I had one a while ago who I think considered me as some sort of slave, all the time she was asking me to do this/do that.  The last time I cleaned her windows she came out and said 'I need the driveway brushed so when you're finished brush the drive and I'll give you another £3!!  Needless to say she is no longer a client, oh dear.

[Paul Coleman]

Having a pop at the window cleaner seems to be national pass time, make it a sport at the 2012 olympics, its our best chance of a gold lol

You mean like synchronised moaning where their jaw movements have to move in time with each other.

[Pj]

"missed a bit"

"it's gonna rain now"

"where have you been"

"you're late"

"you're early"

"you're not gonna leave them wet"

"you're not gonna dry them now"

"I didn't think you climbed ladders"

"I thought you climbed ladders"

"what do you do for a proper job"

blah blah blah blah blah

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

My Advice:

Be honest - point out the TRUE problem. If it's your fault put it right.  If they are still not happy - walk away!!!

HONESTY I feel is over 50% of our our qualities - it will pay off in the end!

Most reasonable people will see the benefits of WFP and it will weed out your moaners who, lets face it, are not worth the hassle.

I have been WFP for just about a year (end of this month).  I am now oversubscribed again!   So it doesn't bother me if someone tries to be clever with me and treat me like s***.  I just walk away, politely.  Never give them a mouthful, you only drop to their standards

David

[lee_dewing]

  thanks all
Lee