[dazmond]

i think its better to tell them face to face and tell em the price will increase in april.thats what im doing anyway!!

[AS Window Cleaning]

I quite like the 'Hope this is okay?'; it's polite and not arrogantly expecting the price to be taken.

I like the tactic too; I normally do a 'battleship' of a letter, but I prefer this way. 

I'm going to do the same; thanks, James.

Im the same, i like the simplicity of this.  I would probably say if thats alright, too!  out of politeness tho.  Let us know if you get any problems!

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

Will do A.S.

Ive still got the vast majority to inform, but the ones who I have, have not had any issue with it. Ive even had customers tell me that its about time I put my prices up as I never have in roughly 8 years.... so I am 

[sunshine windows]

I think there are a lot of arrogant attitudes replying to this thread. As was said earlier, manners cost nothing and it's james's way of saying the price is going up regardless in a polite way.

Personally I inform the customer the month beforehand and then charge them the new price on the following visit, using much the same method as James.

To just inforce a price increase without prior knowledge is rather risky though.  I for one would be a bit p****d off if it happened to me.

I bet you retain a hell of a lot more customers than you lose James, good on you.

[GDwindowcleaning]

In my opinion james is right in all ways apart from enforcing it without notice, it would be better to tell them its going to happen next month....

Good luck with it though fella...

[weetot]

Thats the way I've always done it and been in game 29 years now.
Well done mate.

[Johnny B]

Looks good to me James. 

When I increase my prices, I write a similar note as you, only adding that the increase will take effect from the following clean.

John

[Richard iSparkle]

No fancy letter explaining the price increase, just tell them! Working for me. 

Hey James,

I like this.  It's simple and effective.  I see why you have out the 'is this ok' comment, but agree with the others it;d be better without it.

HOWEVER, the most important thing is that you are just DOING IT.  You're not worrying about should i or shouldnt i?  Well done 

[wolfee101]

  100% thats very good can`t fault that.....i like it.
thanks for posting...helpfull

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

Yes 'Sunshine' there are alot of arrogant replys on this thread, but to be honest I was expecting it...

JUST TO UPDATE EVERYBODY, this particluar customer, sent me the cheque for £11, no quetions asked... along with a couple others today.

So.... still have 100% success rate using this method!! (so im clearly not going the wrong way about it, am I )

[AuRavelling79]

I quite like the 'Hope this is okay?'; it's polite and not arrogantly expecting the price to be taken.

I like the tactic too; I normally do a 'battleship' of a letter, but I prefer this way. 

I'm going to do the same; thanks, James.

Agreed - that's good James.

[keyser soze]

i like it james . a tactic i think im gonna use... but i would say (due to rising costs) but i like your style

[Window Washers]

thats great James, nothing wrong with a little customer services rolled into a price increase, it shows you care. being formal is not always the best way to go.
100% hit rate is awesome

[lee_dewing]

The thing is there is no need to ask.
You have made the decision to increase the price. The customer will either accept the increase or decline your services.
Im with smudger on this one.

Not knocking you james, well done for putting your prices up.

I'm a coward now, done all letters, explaining on the door.

Most people are ok but does leave the door open to a debate or every other month 

So i simply put on my bill new price £___ (i.e   50p on fronts  £1 extra all round) and i wait til custies out and leave increase on bill in s.a.e.
Instead of having talk on door.

As said cowardley i know but if custie has ump over price increase usually forgot next time they see you
or deal with fall out then.

As said dealing face to face can feel like your asking permission or get into explaining why it's gone up.
Can't be doing with lenghty letters explaing why also; if you were sticking price up £3 plus then yes.

Lee    ps. price increases around 18 months, i think every year can seem a bit much in my opinion.

[pncleaning]

James you say you been window cleaning for 8 years? have most of your customers been with you as long as that?
because I think if you been cleaning same customers windows for quite some time they would be more understanding with the price increase.

[dazmond]

i lost 2 customers with the price increases that kicked in last month(april).2 also went every other month.out of around 150 customer increases thats not bad and im quids in.

most went up a £1,some 50p,others £1-50/£2.one a fiver (£25 instead of £20)and one up £8(£60 instead of £52).

the 2 i lost were underpriced and id been cleaning them for years.one i wanted to put up from £8 to £10.the other from£6 to £7.

i told all my customers face to face,eyeball to eyeball through the course of feb-march.this is the way i always do it.i put some of these up 2 years ago.

every year i look at my round prices in january and put some up in april.


regards


dazmond

[Ian101]

Im in the process of putting mine up.

So far no problems.

Doing all the underpriced stuff to proper prices ... mainly my first jobs with connies that I had underpriced as well as most everything else with a general price increase.

Some gone up £4 but mainly £1 / £2

If theyre home I tell them if they're out leave a note for em.

Rekon I will be about £250 a month better off when done.