[lewissprightly]

I have some work to anyone who wants which i doubt any of you guys will. we bought a round in nuneaton and its not very good money we bought it off an old guy and it doesnt work for us so we are giving it away. we did it once so far and we are willing to give it away now as we are after bigger and better things. if your interested then email me sprightlycleaning@gmail.com might suit a new starter in the nuneaton area

[lee09]

Lewis, you cant seem to do right for wrong.
If the work is underpaid, speak to each customer tell them what you think is the correct price and see how many you can increase.
If you give the work away to a newbie, they will encounter the same problems as you and the only real winner is the customer who gets to keep paying an unrealistic price.
If you cant get them to pay more just don't go back but please don't give it a newbie
Lee

[lewissprightly]

ok thanks for the advice weve tried to explain it to the customers but they are not willing to pay more maybe just leaving it is the best bet.

[cozy]

What? You've been to every customer and explained the price is too low and you need to raise it to XXX amount, and every one of them has said no? How much did you pay for this round?

[lewissprightly]

we didnt pay much for the round to be honest but its doestn suit the way we work at all. instead of dropping it thought it would be better to offer to others

[AuRavelling79]

Lewis Lewis Lewis - listen to your Uncles on the forum.

Uncle Malc says:-

Plan 1. Call on every one and put the price up so that it is realistic so say if it's a 3 bed for £4/5 tell em it's gonna be £8/10. Don't negotiate - explain that diesels gone up food has gone up bank charges have gone up and their windows need to go up. Let's say three-quarters cancel ... well bye bye.

Now just do those that stay. Some of the others will ask you to do theirs eventually.

Don't give it away that's dumb! Better to walk as said above.

[Tom White]

I took over a handful of houses from Squeaky, he charged them £6 each, and unknowingly I doubled the price and charge each of 'em £12 each.  They all accepted no problems.

This annoys Squeaky, and he tells me that his old customers whine to him about it; I don't know if that's true, but I can do five of these lovelies in an hour easily - they're all next door to each other - Edwardian terraced houses, and they all pay, and have done for about four years now.

Stick the prices up and don't be soft!

[Johnny B]

As Malc said, don't give it away. Turn it around and make a success of it.

Customers need to be educated in the ways of window cleaning.

Before giving up on the work, explain to your customers what the new price will be, and what you do for said price.

I am guessing that the previous guy cleaned the windows, but not the frames. If this is the case, sell your customers the idea that they will be getting the frames and sills cleaned as well. People need to know that they are getting value for money, so by selling them a superior service you can justify the increased price on this alone. Don't panic if some still cancel, but knock some neighbours' doors and try to fill in the gaps. As you get to be known in the area, you will get some of the cancellers back when they see you do a good job and there's no-one else to ask.

Best wishes,
John.

And remember: They will need you before you need them, as they will have more difficulty finding another (good) w/c than you will finding good customers.  

[Helen]

Lewis, is this part of the 150 customers mentioned in posts over the last few days?

[Perfect Windows]

Give it a moment's thought.

You don't even need to talk to them if that is what bothers you.  Drop a note through EVERY customer's door doubling the price (or whatever).  Cost, 100 pieces of paper and some ink, so about a quid at the absolute worst.

One customer accepts and you've made your cash back.  And then some.

Vin

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Lewis!! get it dropped mate. If it does not suit the way you work and you paid peanuts for it dont worry. And make your own mind up ITS YOUR BUSINESS!!!!!

[ashbash]

can this guy not think for himself. if he wants to GIVE it to a newbie then fair play. as for the customer is winning because the price is to cheap then thats bollox. A newbie could make it a great starter round earning money straight away rather than sitting on his arse hoping for the best.