[Andyt79]

Hi all,
I'm just starting out and was approached by a local w/c asking me if I'd like to buy some work as he is too busy for it. The value of the work is just over £300 per month and I've paid £800 for it, is this a fair price? My main concern is there's no actual guarantee that I will keep all the customers as obviously in window cleaning there's no contract with the customer (for domestic work).

What are your experiences in buying work? Do some customers drop you? Most of all are they patient with new starters and should I tell them I'm just starting out?

Cheers

[Wc Solutions]

you should go round every single house with him - informing the customers of the change!!

then pay for the work!

he may have just put his prices up to make the work look better in value but you may get a few cancel or change how often you clean.

[Andyt79]

I gave him a deposit and will pay the remainder tomorrow, we visited some of the customers yesterday and informed them of the change and they seemed ok about it. He said some of the prices could be put up by at least 50p/£1 but I'm not sure if this is wise straight away.

What I'm nervous about is it's the first time I've ever bought something that is really only a goodwill gesture 

The work has been established for around 12 years, just don't want to mess it up!

[mci services]

do them for three months on time and well, then stick up prices if needed. There is always a chance you could lose a few, but when I say a few I mean 1 or 2 and the chances are you will pick up work as well.

[Andyt79]

Thanks for the advice Stu, I guess the proof is in the cleaning! I was wondering if buying the work was the best way forward? I still intend to canvas areas I'm getting flyers done up at the moment, how long did it take you guys roughly to earn a living from it?

[AuRavelling79]

Thanks for the advice Stu, I guess the proof is in the cleaning! I was wondering if buying the work was the best way forward? I still intend to canvas areas I'm getting flyers done up at the moment, how long did it take you guys roughly to earn a living from it?

Look at the list and get introduced to three more custies of your own choosing. If they seem ok and priced fairly then I would be happy to take a chance at £800 for £300 worth of work. Maybe say pay £700 and agree that the final £100 is to take care of any drop offs and that you'll pay it in a couple of months if they all hold good?

[Andyt79]

Sounds like a plan Gold I'll put that to him when I see him tomorrow, I think it's only fair that he allows me to pay the remainder after a couple of cleans as it is me that's got the bigger risk out of the two of us.

[Wc Solutions]

strange to look back and think about starting out ...

that £300 a months work can be done in two - three days.

yes it will take you longer at the mo but you will look back and think that used to take me ages.

and

i bet you end up dumping half of it within a year as you start to pick up better work etc

may sound daft but trust me it wont within a year or so mate.

why dont you work with the bloke for a few days on this part of his round??

that way it gets cleaned (as hes to busy on his own) and you learn and earn