[sean84]

Have been window cleaning for 6 months now and today was the first time I have had negative comments off a custie. I dont have many custies (21) and I do take my time of doing a good job. I have a minimum price of £7 and for this job I charge £8 monthly. This would of been the third clean so I knocked the door and she says along the lines of:

"Not this time, only had them done the other day for £5 and they do the frames as well whenever you do them when I open the windows all I see is dirt on the white bits and the blokes on the ladder cleaned them all"

I was quite shocked but wanted to stay polite so I said

"Ok no worries, you do realise when I clean I do the frames as well and the sills and when I finish the job theres no dirt on the frames. Do you want me to come next month?"
 

She said yes come back next month but I dont want to tbh I want good regular customers. How would you respond I was tempted to just say I wont be back, forget it!

[Ian101]

So she gonna have 2 windies then ?

[Afterglow Window Cleaners]

In my experience, customers like this are trying it on to get you to lower your price.

I really doubt that she had them done for £5 the other day, if she had and she was so pleased with the workmanship, then why would she want you back next month?

I know its hard when you don't have many customers and in that position you tend to let customers get away with giving you crap, but in the long run, it is never worth it.

Keep your chin up and don't let it bother you, then do what everyone else on here seems to do, dump and replace with two more  

[sean84]

Well actually she could of had them done for a fiver as there was a leaflet through my door a few weeks ago with 'any house cleaned for £5 including pvc' and she doesnt live to far from my house.

[bobplum]

dump,canvass,move on

[Ian101]

I have an itchy trigger finger nowadays when it comes to culling the wasters but to drop 5% of round is a little drastic.

If u starting out u may have to keep her on books if u need the money however make a mental note along lines “come the revolution your the 1st in line”

[bobplum]

i would just like to add i think your too cheap to start of with,i think,seeing as your more down south i would start at £10.00.
maybe other cleaners on here in your area may be able to confirm this

Dont get involved with "any house £5.00"dickheads,they will be gone soon
be different offer standing orders,bacs --select the area--keep of council areas? go to middle class areas
make a plan stick to it
dont think like a newbie?


my new new motivational book is out soon

[sean84]

I have an itchy trigger finger nowadays when it comes to culling the wasters but to drop 5% of round is a little drastic.

If u starting out u may have to keep her on books if u need the money however make a mental note along lines “come the revolution your the 1st in line”

I dont need her money, in fact im not going back 

[EandM]

At least 1% of your customers will be insane - you've found yours.
Two window cleaners? Arguing over a £7 clean like it's the end of all things?
I've met a few individuals like this over the last 20 or so years and having tried to be rational, calm and polite my personal take is:
 
Run! Run very fast and don't look back.

[mister bit]

she's a chancer ... will she ever be a good customer ... I doubt it ... go back next month? yes I would just to maintain a local reputation more than owt else but put her on occasional (when I can be bothered) list when you get busy above all hold your price.

The dirt may be on the upstairs cills? give them an extra swipe at the end

[dmlservices]

It's all part of the job , after a while you learn to be thick skinned about it , you're new with not a lot of customers , gets easier, ESP. When you reach saturation point, I always have customers waiting to get on my books , so any messers get quickly replaced.

Daz

[Perfect Windows]

Have been window cleaning for 6 months now and today was the first time I have had negative comments off a custie. I dont have many custies (21) and I do take my time of doing a good job. I have a minimum price of £7 and for this job I charge £8 monthly. This would of been the third clean so I knocked the door and she says along the lines of:

"Not this time, only had them done the other day for £5 and they do the frames as well whenever you do them when I open the windows all I see is dirt on the white bits and the blokes on the ladder cleaned them all"

I was quite shocked but wanted to stay polite so I said

"Ok no worries, you do realise when I clean I do the frames as well and the sills and when I finish the job theres no dirt on the frames. Do you want me to come next month?"
 

She said yes come back next month but I dont want to tbh I want good regular customers. How would you respond I was tempted to just say I wont be back, forget it!

My response to a comment like that would be "Sounds like you've had a great job done for a low price.  Thanks for your business in the past".  Professional but gets you where you need to be.

Vin

[SB Cleaning]

Well actually she could of had them done for a fiver as there was a leaflet through my door a few weeks ago with 'any house cleaned for £5 including pvc' and she doesnt live to far from my house.

I work in your area mate, them prices are a joke

Don't worry about it they will soon be gone

[sean84]

Well actually she could of had them done for a fiver as there was a leaflet through my door a few weeks ago with 'any house cleaned for £5 including pvc' and she doesnt live to far from my house.

I work in your area mate, them prices are a joke

Don't worry about it they will soon be gone

I'm not worried, was just unsure on what to do with the customer. Suppose if they would dump you to save a few quid they aren't worth keeping!
SB does my min charge of £7 and an average price for 3 bed between £8-10 sound about right for Worcester?

[SB Cleaning]

Well actually she could of had them done for a fiver as there was a leaflet through my door a few weeks ago with 'any house cleaned for £5 including pvc' and she doesnt live to far from my house.

I work in your area mate, them prices are a joke

Don't worry about it they will soon be gone

I'm not worried, was just unsure on what to do with the customer. Suppose if they would dump you to save a few quid they aren't worth keeping!
SB does my min charge of £7 and an average price for 3 bed between £8-10 sound about right for Worcester?

I have a min charge of 10 on a average 3 bedder so yeah sounds about right.

What areas you working in Sean?

[keyser soze]

at them prices you got to ask the question is he claiming benifits? has he insurance?..

[sean84]

Well actually she could of had them done for a fiver as there was a leaflet through my door a few weeks ago with 'any house cleaned for £5 including pvc' and she doesnt live to far from my house.

I work in your area mate, them prices are a joke

Don't worry about it they will soon be gone

I'm not worried, was just unsure on what to do with the customer. Suppose if they would dump you to save a few quid they aren't worth keeping!
SB does my min charge of £7 and an average price for 3 bed between £8-10 sound about right for Worcester?

I have a min charge of 10 on a average 3 bedder so yeah sounds about right.

What areas you working in Sean?

Near to the city centre (I live a few mins from town) Wardon Villages, Tolladine.... These are the only areas I have leafleted. Im going to get some more printed soon and try a few other areas 

[SB Cleaning]

Well actually she could of had them done for a fiver as there was a leaflet through my door a few weeks ago with 'any house cleaned for £5 including pvc' and she doesnt live to far from my house.

I work in your area mate, them prices are a joke

Don't worry about it they will soon be gone

Pp not worried, was just unsure on what to do with the customer. Suppose if they would dump you to save a few quid they aren't worth keeping!
SB does my min charge of £7 and an average price for 3 bed between £8-10 sound about right for Worcester?

I have a min charge of 10 on a average 3 bedder so yeah sounds about right.

What areas you working in Sean?

Near to the city centre (I live a few mins from town) Wardon Villages, Tolladine.... These are the only areas I have leafleted. Im going to get some more printed soon and try a few other areas 

I do quite a few up the villages, loads of windys popping up in worcester now.

The works still out there though!

[William McCafferty]

Sean

I live in the south of birmingham and I have work very close to you, my charges are £12 minimum and I charge more for 1st cleans, charging £7 is silly and £5 downright stupid.

Quote high, and if they say wow, sell yourself and your services to them, expalin what you do and why you are the best.

Forget the comment on council estates, I have loads of customers who live on council and not every tenant is on the dole and broke.

Also tell your customers that it can take 3 cleans to get the windows in a perfect condition but if they are not happy with the clean to call you and you will be back straightaway to sort out.

[Tomboler]

one day you'll look back and wonder why you even asked the question