[Salmon]

I an just starting up with WFP and want to cover my local part of the estate I live on.  There was a wc in my area a year a go (tradional) but I don't know if he is still there now.  What is the policy on advertising without checking if another wc is doing the area??  Will I get kneecapped??  I would be offering a different service  to him if he is still around (WFP for me).

What's your advise. ta

[callum macleod]

If the other wc is doing his job he won't lose any customer's so i would no be put off by that i would go ahead and canvass anyway if they are happy with current service's they won't take you on 

[Salmon]

Thanks.  I was going to offer first clean discounted at £5 for (£8 normal price here for 3 bed semi.)  Is that 'cricket' of frowned upon??

[callum macleod]

the customer will probably like it !  I would't be bothered what anyone else thinks

[rosskesava]

I agree with all the above.

I wouldn't worry about 'some elses patch'.

There are no rules or even a gentlemans code except the obvious such as never try and put down another window cleaner and personnally, I'd never undercut to get work.

Your idea for a discounted first clean ............. dunno about that. We've never done that. I wouldn't think it'd make much difference but give it a try. You never know.

As for another window cleaner getting upset, that's never happened to us in 5 years. In fact it's been the opposite - we've got friendly with quite a few.

Cheers

Ross

[Salmon]

Thanks. If I have any come back I will say callum says it's OK

[callum macleod]

V funny ! made me laugh!

[AuRavelling79]

MATT 7 v 12
But if the other guy hasn't been around for a year why discount your prices?

[steve k]

I canvass any area I like the look of...the only people who contact you are the ones who the local wc is not cleaning. Sometimes you hit a rich vein and the area does not have a window cleaner. I had a woman ring me the other day and as usual, I asked her if she had a window cleaner in the area:
"yes, but he is a bit expensive"
"how much?" asks I.
"£8.00" she says.

Now at this point, it would have been easy to undercut the guy but that is not going to happen with me nor should it with anyone else!!
I said to her:
"thats not expensive, it`s at least what I would charge"
"oh..ok then, thanks" and she hung up.

I am adamant now that when I get the chance, I explain to people that a professional window cleaner commands a good wage and if you want a cheap cleaner to wipe a dirty rag around your glass for a couple of quid, then look elsewhere.
On this occasion, I like to think I did my bit in helping this other cleaner get another customer on his well priced round and educate another local that things are changing regarding our image.

Good luck
Steve

[Salmon]

Thanks to all.

So basically the rule seems to be you can canvas where you want but don't, knowingly, under cut.

Ta