[Caleb Morley]

Hmmmm alot of different responses.

I personally dont like txting them due to getting some "not this time" and because some people dont respond atall.

Im going to persevere with the txting only for leaving the gate open the night before.

Once I have more customers I think it wont be as much a concern as i'll be busy enough. Iam telling customers that i'll just do the front if they are not in or forget to open the gate.

I need to be in control not them! My time, my business etc

[joshem]

When I canvass now I just tell them straight that we don't allow 'not this month' but let them know that if they feel 4 weekly is too frequent then they can change to 8 weekly. As said, if they're a messer then they're a messer and probably won't change. If they don't like it at least they knew from the start. It sifts out the rubbish right away...

[LSB]

we work 4 weekly ( some 8 weekly ) , so the customer knows when we are coming !
i phone / text very few , my choice .
my feedback over the years is that customers, once they have taken us on , do not have much more interest in the details of how we work.   we make a reasonable effort to get to the back when req , however some do become front only ( and charged accordingly ) .
i appreciate if you are just starting out you want to clean every window for whole house price , but it will stop you driving round in circles and customers having you at thier beck and call .

[Steve Sed]

I always text. It seems to me more professional, customers like it and I get paid more in cash as they leave it out for me.

[Pope vader]

why dont you just go around to every house the night before and book them i for a time, and that way they will know what time you are coming you cant get more professional than that

[Perfect Windows]

why dont you just go around to every house the night before and book them i for a time, and that way they will know what time you are coming you cant get more professional than that

Witty!

[Pope vader]

i couldnt resist perfect,  am bored

[bobplum]

just emailed a customer ,reply"dont clean this time,let us know when your due next time"
so will give them the benefit of the doubt but if its the same next time,sorry bye bye

need to email because of access problems,this is only there third clean,so we will see

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

dont do txts or calls etc
i work every 4wks/8wks couple at every 12wks
n quite a few every 2wks ,i run my business not my
custys i dont mow lawns paint sills adjust ariels
walk the dog shut gates i clean their windows
end ov 

[Steve Sed]

why dont you just go around to every house the night before and book them i for a time, and that way they will know what time you are coming you cant get more professional than that

In my text I ask them to text back if they would like a time estimate. I think that is sufficient, don't you?

When starting out and charging a good price, I think it's important to be flexible. If I were only to accept customers with no access issues it would take me a long time to build a round based on bi monthly cleans. The biggest benefit though is that I ask them to leave out cash/cheque. If they don't know I'm calling, they could hardly do that, could they?

[dazmond]

gav i dont think its a good idea to leave customers gates open!shut the damn things and your customers will be happy!!

seriously though i text/phone very few customers.i really couldnt be bothered texting 340+ customers!i do for bigger jobs with access issues and make them the first job of the day but overall it cuts down your flexability.what happens if you get rained off or you fancy finishing early?send another text?it leaves you wide open for letting customer down and for them to say "not today"

also some days i just dont have the desire or energy for window cleaning so if you ve texted them the night before you feel like you need to go in.just like when i worked for someone else!!

i find it far easier,more flexible and less hassle to not notify the night before.


regards


dazmond