[CLEANCARE WC]

Inspired by another thread I thought I would ask if this has happened to anyone else as as the title suggests to me this is the most infuriating thing....

Years ago I canvassed a very big mansion type house they were posh types and asked for references from similar propertys I cleaned (rolly eyes)

So anyway I oblige & I ask one of my long standing customers if I could give this potential customer their phone number for a quick phone call reference, they said yes all was great these people even became friends...

Anyway roll on a few months and new customer turns out to be a p.i.t.a in everyway from asking me not to clean because its too windy   it wasnt btw!
and then the inevitable frequency change.

Now here is the worst possible thing a customer can do in my eyes.....
The newer p.i.t.a customer dictates to me a frequency change, no problem..dumped.

BUT!!!! I then get a call from the old customer I had been cleaning for years saying the same thing, obviously in cahoots with their new mates who i introduced to them so there it is....

The worst thing a customer can do is to stick their nose in and cause other previously great customers to change frequency or cancel.

Its happened only a few times over the years and doesnt have to be big jobs, it just leaves you wishing you had never taken the customer on as you would of been better off how things were before!

Basically customers who end up costing you money in some way rather than you earning out of them!  

[TomCrowther]

Tail wagging the dog. It might be too late for these two customers but the customer needs to have some appreciation of your needs as well as theirs. If not, you would end up cleaning windows on demand for the same money as a monthly clean.

[CLEANCARE WC]

Tail wagging the dog. It might be too late for these two customers but the customer needs to have some appreciation of your needs as well as theirs. If not, you would end up cleaning windows on demand for the same money as a monthly clean.

Exactly this is why I now charge more for infrequent cleans/one off's as its not fair on me or the customers who do play ball and have regular cleans.

[robertphil]

where are they Dan, i dont want to follow in yer footsteps as it were

[Spruce]

The vast majority of our growth has come from customer introducing their friends to our service. By far and large, our best customers have come from recommendations rather than canvassed work.

There have been the odd time over the years when we have experienced the same as you have,  but the solution is to charge more for an extended cleaning cycle as has been suggested. This normally sorts them out and they usually get very upset and blame you for the business rift. The good friends in one instance went the same way in sympathy as they felt their friendship was worth more than our window cleaning service. Expect it can and does happen and don't take it personally. Its not the end of the world. Customers are like busses; there will always be another arriving shortly.

Of course what we don't know is how many customers are still with us because we were discussed, and their friends made them see sense, without our knowledge and input.

Where things can get a bit more challenging is when they become rude and you have to remain polite at all times, especially as you could be knocking on their door the following week dressed in a suit.

Basically customers who end up costing you money in some way rather than you earning out of them! This was an interesting comment as I have a few of those who I would have normally tollerated. I've started to dump then now or should I rather say more politely - discontinue my services to them.

[DeLuce]

By the way, what's p. i. t. a.?  Coz you lost me for a minute there.   

[Spruce]

By the way, what's p. i. t. a.?  Coz you lost me for a minute there.   

pain in the rectum customers

[gewindows]

1 clean and not paid is more annoying.

[Dave Mills]

"WHATS MORE ANNOYING THAN 1 CLEAN AND CANCEL?"

Slowly being stabbed in the eye with a roughened nail...

[DeLuce]

Oh, lol, thanks for that Spruce.

[CLEANCARE WC]

1 clean and not paid is more annoying.

true i never forget those either 

[Johnny B]

I get miffed when customers turn out not to have been honest with me.

John

[PoleKing]

Spruce-why the suit next week?

[CLEANCARE WC]

Spruce-why the suit next week?

I think he is talking about those of us that are JW's, very true that Spruce.

[PoleKing]

So are you and Spuce Jehovah's Witnesses then? Are you in the same neck of the woods? Where do you hail from?

[CLEANCARE WC]

I am not sure about Spruce but I had quite a bit to say on that recent "jw window cleaners" thread so he probably knows from that, Im from Ipswich 

[Spruce]

I'm in Saltburn in the North East so a fair way from Cleancare. Yes, I'm also a JW 

[CF Facilities]

Hi I went to kh when I was in Whitby on hols. Lovely part of the world. Is that near Saltburn?

[Spruce]

Hi I went to kh when I was in Whitby on hols. Lovely part of the world. Is that near Saltburn?

Whitby is just up the coast from us - about 20 miles on the coast rd. We love Robin Hoods Bay and the North York Moors area around Grosmont and Goathland where Heartbeat was filmed.

[bumper]

When I put them up 50p he came running down complaining when I was talking to a customer about percentages,then next time I went round 3 in his street went monthly,and every time I collect his house I feel like kickin his head in.