[MSTAV]

reason being is 3 of my customers in the same area have had someone call them and ask if they require a window cleaner which is fair enough, but when my customers say No i have a cleaner already,  they ask how much i charge then offer it 3 pound less without even seeing the job. it has gave me the hump that some people just to earn a few pound notes would do that, lucky i didnt lose any i guess.  How the hell could they find the peoples numbers all in the same road baffles me. would take ages with the phonebook tracing people to roads.  anyone else had this??

[Ian Lancaster]

No, but it could backfire.  There's a thread on here somewhere about unsolicited calls.  If the recipient has signed up to the 'no cold calls register' then the caller can be fined hundreds for calling them.

It costs lots to buy lists of registered numbers, and then you have to trawl through them to make sure the ones you're going to call are not on the list.

As for buying geographical lists of numbers, I believe it is possible, but when I looked into it I found it prohibitively expensive.  I doubt these people will be around for long.

[MSTAV]

I hope not. just want to find out who as bugging me. wish i had there number....

[simon knight]

I've never heard of this method before.

To me it sounds about the worst way possible to get business.

What can the hit rate be?...1 in 1000 ?

[MSTAV]

it defo must be a low hit rate. however if they havnt got a wc then i guess just as likely to get them as you would doorknocking.. least the beeping beeps didnt get any of my work. i wouldnt mind if they didnt try to undercut without even seeing the place

[simon knight]

They sound more to me like people who just want to gain access to somebodies house to see what can be nicked.

[pjulk]

Hi Mike

I have had this a few times in the last year i thought it was the customers just trying it on as i work in the same area as you they are probably telling the truth.

I don't know who it is some of my larger out of the way jobs have been called how they know about them i don't know.
A couple are in the middle of no where.

We will have to ask some of the other WC when we are out to see if they have had this.

Paul

[MSTAV]

no way you have had it aswell paul.. 3 knightscroft customers in nag all in a row. so its someone building a round in longfield area then..have to keep ears and eyes open i think. when did it happen to you. 3 weeks ago my customers said.

[jaykie]

Why dont you tell all the customers you talk to be be aware that this is happening and if it happens to them to get the details,

[pjulk]

I have not had it for a couple of months but i seems to come along every so often.

They phone some of my customers in ash and longfield.
Hartley is right in the middle and they have not rung any there.

But i know there are about 3 new window cleaners that have started up in the last few months also as they have canvassed a lot of mine in hartley so expect them on yours soon.
I did loose one to them they took one of my £10 house's and are charging £5.
Or so i am told by the ex customers next door neighbor