[king marko]

hi - currently in negotiations to buy a round near me.the chaps only got last years accounts (says he doesnt keep them after the tax man has done his bit???) also says  theres a few grand difference in what shows on the accounts and round sheets because he 'loses' it so the tax man doesnt see it?  just want to know if this is normal in the window cleaning game really?? seems a nice bloke and the round looks good on paper so just need advice on what questions to ask really.(1st time ive bought a round). thanks

[monkeyboy950]

Knock some random doors on the list and ask them,also offer to work it once besides him so u can see all custies,

[Pope vader]

losing work is normal,  but you have to keep your tax records for 7 years, not till after tax man has finished with it

go around with him to some custy of ur choice or offer to work the round with him and split 50/50 and get to meet the custys as any fake ones wont get done

[mikecam]

also says  theres a few grand difference in what shows on the accounts and round sheets because he 'loses' it so the tax man doesnt see it?  just want to know if this is normal in the window cleaning game really??

It is mate, its a known fact most window cleaners are crooks. If i was you i wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, you never know the money he is syphoning off could be going towards organised crime, people trafficking and drugs. Don't get involved. Just buy off a bona fide trader.

[steve rix]

If he "loses" some for the taxman he must run 2 sets of books so he knows where he stands. ask to see them

[bobby p]

ask him about who gives him the most tips .   if he says old timer caribbean then hes telling the truth,if says the injuns then hes not ! (for sure)

[king marko]

losing work is normal,  but you have to keep your tax records for 7 years, not till after tax man has finished with it

go around with him to some custy of ur choice or offer to work the round with him and split 50/50 and get to meet the custys as any fake ones wont get done

ive been to see him and the reason hes selling is due to ill health - which i kind of believe. hes currently got two guys working three days a week on it - because hes paying wages its not really earning for him. if i buy it one of lads is staying on with me to help for a month or so. does this sound any better?he also said because of data protection he wont let me see any custy details

[steve rix]

Sounds a bit sus to me. be VERY careful

[Blue Frog Systems]

I would be very carefull with this one too.

A man like this should have two sets of books. It may be that he wont let anyone see them.

To me its only worth what his books show you

[alanwilson]

data protection??

thats cobblers.

If he won't show you the details then avoid - thats what you are buying.

I'll sell you some work but only after you buy it will I tell you where it is and how much its worth.  Hows that sound?

[Pope vader]

run a mile


if i was selling a round and it had got to this stage, you should of seen the list by now and the prices

[steve rix]

There is no data to protect. Its just addresses and names, you can get that from a phone book

[monkeyboy950]

He won't show u the list till u part with cash?? Walk away mate he should be showing you round and as for the guy staying on to help ?? He could just blag the customers off u when working the work,sounds a bit iffy

[Pope vader]

how much work is it and how much he want for it

[king marko]

He won't show u the list till u part with cash?? Walk away mate he should be showing you round and as for the guy staying on to help ?? He could just blag the customers off u when working the work,sounds a bit iffy

the lad in question is only 18 and doesnt drive. ive seen a list of one of the  rounds, and a full list of what hes got in total and it amounts to just over £3500 a month. he wants £18k to include an oldish van and equipment.i believe he has the work just concerned about the iffy bookeeping.

[Ian101]

You need to see list for starters ... then meet the lad ur going to be working with.. then go and meet at least a quarter of the customers then work the round for at least 1 month on a 50/50 split of income then if ur still happy pay up .... oh and make sure u have a deal on the debtors i.e. ideally you want to own the debts for free as will be PIA getting them in possibly depending on how well run the round is .... people who are 2 or 3 cleans behind will possibly (definately) be a cancellation.

If I was selling that amoint of work I would expect to have to do all the above for a genuine buyer ... except my round has no debtors like described above   .... ask Bob Plumb about poor paying customers as he has loads of em  

 how old is the round ?? is it freshly canvassed work ?? if yes then not worth 6 times the clean !!!

[Justen Uff]

Would you buy anything of value if it had holes in it and no paperwork just because the bloke selling seemed nice???

[king marko]

Would you buy anything of value if it had holes in it and no paperwork just because the bloke selling seemed nice???

apparently hes had the round for about 8yrs and bought some of it of a bloke that was established 10yrs before - the lad has worked for him for about 1yr - theres an older bloke who does all the driving etc but the seller said to be honest hes better at trad work.he has got a stack of paperwork, was just reluctant to let me have a detailed look (after only just meeting me he possibly was just being a bit careful) im going to see him again tonight  with the wife (shes a bit more business savvy than me!!). anything else i need to ask??

[Blue Frog Systems]

If you only just met i can understand him being carefull as you could be inland revenue.... on the other hand if he was being carefull, he wouldnt have told you about not declaring it all would he.

What you have to remember is that if inland revenue investigate him then there will be a good chance that they will come to you.

I dont know how your paying the £18k and i know its not any of my business, but if your getting a loan, then there is a good chance that the bank may want to see his books - it wont tally up and they wont give you the loan. As said before - none of my business, just wanted to say that for you to think about.

If you do go ahead, you'll need a contract to say that he wont window clean in the next x amount of years within a 10 mile radius of a certain area. It may be illness as to why he is setting up, but its worth covering your back

[Pope vader]

if i have read this right , the lad is 18 doenst drive   but has had the round ten years and is selling a van with it