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craig jwc

  • Posts: 1076
What would you do ?
« on: April 11, 2007, 10:30:18 pm »
I had a customer a while ago send me payment and cancel as they were made redundant and were starting window cleaning.

I was very nice about it and even offered to help in advice etc if they needed it.

They had been looking at my website and saying how they liked it, and what was in it and said i didn't mind them getting ideas from it.

Today i had a couple of customers tell me that someone had been round and said they could do the job cheaper. I asked them a couple questions and found out it was this ex-customer of mine.
I have had these customers for almost 2 years now and they weren't happy someone had tried to take work from me by giving a lower price. So told them "No Thank You".

Today i came home and looked up their website and found that certain bits from my website had been copied word for word.

I have e-mailed them letting them know i'm not happy about it, but it really annoyed me that i offered to help if he need it.

I understand and have always said that there is no such thing as someones patch, but this method of getting work is completely wrong.

I mentioned this to a few w/c's i know but didn't mention any names, but think i will if it carries on.

What would any of you do if one of your customers did this?

Craig >:(
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captain lard

  • Posts: 304
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2007, 10:40:42 pm »
Fair competition is one thing but what this bloke is doing seems well out of order by ripping off your website and targetting customers by undercutting.
My first impulse would be to write to my customers and warn them but you might have some who might respond to a cheaper price.
Personaly if I had a WC who was doing a decent job, was respectful and such it would take something major for me to change for the sake of a quid or two so you might be in a strong position but I can see why you are worried.
Hope it works out for you mate.
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EasyClean

  • Posts: 558
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2007, 11:01:43 pm »
Give him the runaround with bogus customers phoning him up all hours of the night and very early morning (right out in the middle of nowhere down some really confusing country lanes) requesting a quote ASAP.. He'll soon see the funny side of it ;D
Logged
Losing a customer is like waiting for the next bus, another one will come along shortly!

EasyClean

  • Posts: 558
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2007, 11:05:48 pm »
If he's really narking you off, find out if he's legitimate or not and if not, shop him, I would!!
Logged
Losing a customer is like waiting for the next bus, another one will come along shortly!

craig jwc

  • Posts: 1076
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2007, 11:12:06 pm »
That sounds like fun ;D

He'll be over your way soon, going by what he said when i 1st spoke to him about it.

Think he is legit mate. He bought a van, got it written up, trolley set up etc.

He's not so much worried me, but pi**ed me off.

He's not replied to e-mail yet.

Think it's his missus thats dealt with the starting side of it.
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EasyClean

  • Posts: 558
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2007, 11:20:30 pm »
Craig, I concentrate my work around the coast (better weather) and down South Hams (he'd never find some of my work if he tried because they're not even on a road map (down the tiny country lanes) and are memorised in my head after so many detours!
Logged
Losing a customer is like waiting for the next bus, another one will come along shortly!

craig jwc

  • Posts: 1076
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2007, 11:25:48 pm »
I was told this over Milber today and know you got some work over there.

Have to meet for a beer at the Drive Inn or Plough whatever they are calling it now. I'm only down the road from there.
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EasyClean

  • Posts: 558
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2007, 11:30:34 pm »
Craig, I'll take you up on the offer of a drink!
Why don't you let this chap have the details of any customers you've dropped because they were bad payers. He'll think you're doing him a favour when really you're giving him a long term headache? ;D
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Losing a customer is like waiting for the next bus, another one will come along shortly!

craig jwc

  • Posts: 1076
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2007, 11:41:45 pm »
I was thinking of giving him some of the work i didn't want anymore, but not going to bother now. I'd rather just let it go.

That is a good idea about letting him have my list of bad payers, but i still clean around some of these houses.

Have to see what reply i get from the e-mail i sent.

He's new, never done it before, so will have to learn the hard way.

I'm off out on Saturday night so will probably go up top for a couple before i go town. I think you have my number and i'm sure i have yours in the van.
If you not going up then we'll sort something out, it will be good to meet you properly.
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EasyClean

  • Posts: 558
Re: What would you do ?
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2007, 11:52:41 pm »
Have to be next week (up the pub), because I got my shops, pubs, etc I didn't do last week-end because of the easter holiday. I prefer to clean these early one Sunday a month so that I can have my lie in bed during the week.
Logged
Losing a customer is like waiting for the next bus, another one will come along shortly!
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