[Ian Lancaster]

It all comes down to a simple question:

Who's business is it?

If it's yours, you make the decisions.

If you let the customers make the decisions for you, you've lost control.

[woody1]

i agree with ian its not can i increase the price sir its i am increasing the price sir end of if they wont pay it replace them

[AuRavelling79]

I have been cleaning most my customers windows for 4-5 years and never put the price up. I have over the last year been increasing prices by about 10%. So a £10 job to £11 and £20 to £22 etc. I had one customer the other day call me up(not happy at all) as i increased a 2 monthly £15 job to £17.

The tone of his voice really annoyed me as he just kept saying i'm not paying anymore than £15. I personally think he has a good deal considering i also do the inside of the porch and it's a detached house. He then harpered on how he got a quote 18 months ago for a tenner but still stuck with me.
I got abit annoyed by his tone and said i think it's abit disrespectful. He wouldn't even meet me half way and go to £16.

He clearly has loads of money as he rents loads of houses out(i'm sure he has increased his rentals at some point).

Do u guys think the increse is fair? No one has complained of the increse(well over 150). I'm in 2 minds whether to keep doing it. We left it by me saying i would still clean for £15,but i am abit annoyed really.

Dear Sir,

Upon reflection I have decided to no longer clean your windows.

Yours faithfully,




DMH

Just drop that through his door next time your out his way. Don't post it, don't put yourself out. Sorted. I tell you, if you continue cleaning his windows at the old price you will know he is gloating. Who wants customers like that?

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

You have given your price. On a matter of principle YOU tell HIM what the cost is not the other way round. You are not being unreasonable, that is your cost. I think trying to meet him half way might be a problem too it sends out the message that he is in charge of the transaction.

Stick to your principles and try not to justify yourself.

[Suffolkcleaners]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think i will send him a letter cancelling the service. 

[Suffolkcleaners]

How did you do the increase ? ... did you tell him face to face or just leave a payment slip with the new higher amount on.
[/quote

Hi the increase was done by me putting a note on the back of the card saying 'as from today i have had to put a small increase on all prices' which i think is fair.

[Johnny B]

I like to give my customers a month's notice that the price is going up. Never had any real issues with this.

Did lose one once when a £12 house was increased to £14. This was still grossly underpriced but I didn't wish to seem greedy by increasing it straight away to what it was really worth. She found someone else who did them for £11! Good riddance.

John.   

[Paul Coleman]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think i will send him a letter cancelling the service. 

Until I read this bit I was going to write that if you really still need this customer, ditch the inside cleaning of the porch and keep it at £15 (let him know that you are stopping the inside of the porch too).  However, if he really was rude about it, I just wouldn't bother.  I try to respect my custies and expect a bit of respect back.  No need for either party to be a doormat.
Just one question though:  Did you give notice of the price increase - e.g. "from my next visit I will be increasing the price to £x".  If you gave no notice and just did the clean and ask for more money then I think he's every right to feel a bit miffed - but only for that one clean.