[Erithwc]

Hi

im trying to work out if my debts are getting worse, just part of a growing business or due to the bad economy

at the moment about 12% of my customer base owe me money

What percentage of your customer base owe you money ?


Paul

[steve rix]

We turnover £10/11000 per month, and are usually owed between £6000 and £6500 at any one time. As long as this stays constant it,s not a problem. Most commercial customers are on nett monthly so can be paying for work carried out 8 weeks before. So long as they pay when they are supposed to its ok. Treat the debt as a business asset

[Ian101]

This is one of the things I measure on a weekly basis and have done since I started 2+ years ago.

Mine is never below 15% and normally averages about 20 ish %.

Im mainly residential.

If you do a lot of commercial then this will also effect the percentages.

I very rarely collect as well and this will also effect percentages.

Another important factor is the age of debt as well as anything over 30 days is a no no but I do have the odd customer who pays once in a blue moon but known quanity eg navy submariner so often away for long stretches.

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

Ours is always about 5% roughly.

[Ian101]

btw I dont measure customer numbers but pound notes debt level V monthly turnover

[g.brookes]

what do you mean 'anything over 30 days is a no no'?  I generally let my customers have 1 late, start getting forceful on 2.  my debt list varies from 10-20% and im half commercial half domestic

[Erithwc]

It seems the average is between 10 to 20 % 

other than jamesmilton04 do you do a lot of collecting to keep it at 5% 

Paul

[bobplum]

on average about 5%.
i never clean if someone owes

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

It seems the average is between 10 to 20 % 

other than jamesmilton04 do you do a lot of collecting to keep it at 5% 

Paul

No, I never go collecting...

I have a very good round with 'well trained' customers that always send cheque or drop round my house.

[scud]

  My debt usually stands at just over 1 weeks turnover, but has increased a bit at the moment, I assume because people are away/going away and have kept my few quid for an extra round of drinks!

  The level also depends on what part of my round I am working, I can goes several days without collecting a penny, then other times collect near enough 100% for a few days.

[Ian101]

30 days is a no no for me as won't clean if money outstanding like Bob Plumb ... Very very rare it happens now and any that made habit of slow paying are long dropped or offered standing order in case genuinely forgetful.

Just how I run it not saying its right but its right for me.

[Dean Taberner]

100% owe me something in some form.

I've got about 18k owed out at the moment but that is part and parcel of the situation.

[dazmond]

im usually owed half a weeks income at any one time but at the moment its more like a full week.cashflow always dries up a bit in august due to the sheer amount of customers on holiday!!



dazmond

[steve rix]

When pricing a job, if commercial you know it will take longer to get paid so we build this into the price, usually 25% extra

[king marko]

Mine always hangs around the 20/25% mark - I'll only ever do two cleans max before insisting on payment
I don't go collecting as 99% of my customers pay me on time and over the last 6 months or so more and more are paying via bank transfer which is great.

Best thing I ever do tho is play on the fact it's hard life being a window cleaner and get them to feel sorry for me 

[Carl@Cwc]

15 to 20% always...

[roundbuilder]

15/20% is about right. I collect twice a week and debt list from george is always around the 2/3k mark.

[Ian101]

This post was good timing  

One of my jobs due today still owed from last month .. been doing them for 2 years and always good payers.

Did a little collecting last week went to this house as no payment received and the decorators were in and said the customer had gone on holiday ... thought oh well will get it next visit before I clean.

Just been looking at rightmove for place to rent as may be selling my house and this flipping house up for rent !!

Place empty .. no furniture .. nowt.

Think I can kiss my £14 goodbye  

[Tony Edwards]

This post was good timing  

One of my jobs due today still owed from last month .. been doing them for 2 years and always good payers.

Did a little collecting last week went to this house as no payment received and the decorators were in and said the customer had gone on holiday ... thought oh well will get it next visit before I clean.

Just been looking at rightmove for place to rent as may be selling my house and this flipping house up for rent !!

Place empty .. no furniture .. nowt.


Could be old pictures before they moved in. Agents use any pictures they find, so could still be living there after all
Think I can kiss my £14 goodbye