[Kwackers]

Me and a friend have just finished turning round an ecommerce business. I have done WC before and want to get involved. He has got a van on the road and started picking up some work. He has offered me a chance to get involved and we have found some work for sale. Im making a list of things we should ask/look out for. I'd appreciate any general advice from people that have been in the same situation and have taken on new work (successfully or unsuccessfully!).

Thanks in advance.

[gto]

when i bought my tiny round, i met the guy looked at all the houses and met 90% of the customers.
so i was pretty confident about buying the work.

but he also told me about access, customers being in or out, and awkward cleans.

[Kwackers]

Good point about access! I bought £250 worth before and turns out they were all WFP but terraced houses...bit of a pain if they are not in

[wezzy32]

when i bought my first lot off work i worked a clean with the chap met every custy and then cleaned the second month on me own then parted with me dosh.another round i bought i went round with the chap  and met a few custys then a week later cleaned it and then parted with me money.it is based on a lot off trusted.but try and work the round with the seller then you can give them a letter about change of window cleaner which i did with the first round i bought expect to loose a few but after a few cleans you could leaflet and then door knock those that you dont clean eg clean number 1 but not 3,5,7 but clean number 9 so those few in the middle you could try

[Jimmy Jon]

I recently bought some work off a local trad window cleaner, I knew some of the areas and streets. Got a list of addresses/frequency/prices/some special instructions. Over 100 customers, didn't go round with him to look at properties/meet customers - BIG MISTAKE! Due to wrong house numbers being written down by old window cleaner I have been cleaning other peoples houses on at least 3 occassion within the last two weeks. I have apologised to the customers and assured them that it is not a scam by me and that I don't just go round cleaning peoples windows then demanding money, luckily they were all pleased with the work and paid me!  Definitely go and look at the properties beforehand if you can, wish I did

[Kwackers]

Thanks for all the information. Just weighing up whether buying the work is the right way forward. Found a few but alot seem underpriced (the work itself not the price of the round) so maybe canvassing/leafletting is a better option

[Londoner]

Buying work is a minefield. I would always advise extreme caution.

[Crystal-clear]

you are slap bang in the middle of the country i would do as you said leaflet, canvass, 30 mile radious gona be lots of houses!,


always be carefull when buying work, window cleaners will only sell what they dont want anymore, ie , access customers,underpriced ,area cant be expanded anymore,which is ok if you are starting out,just dont expect anything amazing unless u are paying top dollor,also be carefull only buy it if you can trust the guy, dont forget if he cleaned mrs blogs cony roof for free every other time, if you dont do it she wont be happy.

i once bought a round one of the customers had her frames,pvc and doors properly cleaned (this was when i was trad) for £1 more  it was every other month she wanted this,after once or twice i nicely explained that what she was having was very under priced and i dont know how the old windy could absorb spending an xtra 30 mins work for £1 guess what ..........she canceld

[mikecam]

Look out for the Maths from some of the advertisers, you know stuff like.....
It takes 4 men 3 hours to do or 2 men five hours or 1 man a full day !!!! The rounds for sale section is full of such stuff !!! Grab ya calculator and go and have fun browsing 

[Londoner]

The big question is how established the round is. You wouldn't be the first to buy a list of names and addresses that has just been canvassed togeather with a view to making a fast profit.

[Kwackers]

I guess so. Starting to think IF I CAN find a canvasser then that might be the better route. A lot of work seems to be underpriced like £140 per man a day which by the time you take into acc rain, expenses etc isn't that great when you pay 6 months revenue for it.