[Mike 108]

I was going to put up some of my prices from January 2009 (The idea being that - if they cancelled, at least I wouldn't have to continue doing them during the coldest months of the year).

Some of those that I was going to increase have just given me £5 tips.

What do I do now?

I was thinking along the lines of delaying THEIR price increase until April, but sticking to January for the rest.

What would others do?

Mike

[simon knight]

I don't think it's the right climate to increase prices at all.

[Chris Galloway]

Just increase the ones that dont tip

[trevor povey]

...I once did the same and put the prices up in Jan,and a German customer said to me...

" arh its January the prices are supposed to come down  not go up"

[LSB]

i wouldnt put any prices up until easter .
charge all new customers your new price .

[simon knight]

...I once did the same and put the prices up in Jan,and a German customer said to me...

" arh its January the prices are supposed to come down  not go up"

Did she say "English Swinehound" at the end?

[Klean07]

I would like to put my prices up but wont until at least we have some good news about things getting better in the country etc. I'm already losing at least 1 per week.

[darragh windows]

i always thought customers tipped to prevent price increases

[NWH]

Don`t put em up just be thankful they`ve kept you on.

[East coast window cleaning Services]

I only increase the prices on the jobs where the customer is pain or the jobs a pain. But you should think long a hard with the climate where in at the moment times are hard and they will get worse before they get better. Be thankful for what you have.

[Paul Coleman]

I was going to put up some of my prices from January 2009 (The idea being that - if they cancelled, at least I wouldn't have to continue doing them during the coldest months of the year).

Some of those that I was going to increase have just given me £5 tips.

What do I do now?

I was thinking along the lines of delaying THEIR price increase until April, but sticking to January for the rest.

What would others do?

Mike

IMO March is best because they've had two months without paying poll tax and the new (higher) bill hasn't yet arrived.  Also, the weather is usually just starting to improve so less chance of being dumped.

[Alex Gardiner]

April/March is a much better time to increase prices.

I would only put up prices this year if you really have to as the financial climate is such that clients only need an excuse (even if they can still afford it) to start cutting back. We personally have put a price freeze on all of our commercial and domestic window cleaning contracts.

Of course you can make the best of this by telling your clients that this is what you are doing due to the current situation. They will then appreciate your attitude.

[Mike 108]

Cheers. Thanks for your ideas.

Mike

[dai]

I have found it best to give plenty of notice when increasing prices. I tell them in October that I will have to increase prices next year, they except this as reasonable, and anyway too far off to worry about.
I tell them in November that the price is going up from January, and they seem to be OK about it, it's up to them if they want to give me a tip.

[kris martin]

Don`t put em up just be thankful they`ve kept you on.