[Cliff perkins]

Got a bi new bi monthly clean today.
Went round cleaned windows and about 2 hours after got a call from them.
Hi were not happy dont want you back again.
Went around to see the problem and it was creasote on the upvc frame on a lounge window and ivy marks on a top window frame where it had grown onto it.
Nothing wrong with how i cleaned the windows i even scraped the creasote of the glass.
What would you say to this complaint.
Regards cliff

[PoleKing]

Nothing.
Take their money and walk away

[robert mitchell]

Sounds like they tricked you into a one off.

[mark turton]

i was saying to a mate the other day about a COUPLE OF 1ST CLEANS ONE OF THEM REQUIRED SOME SERIOUS HAND BUFFING (EASY WITH THE COMMENTS) ON EACH OANE OF GLASS COZ SCRUBBING AND RINSING REPEATEDLY DIDNT REMOVE A LOT OF THE COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF BAKED ON OVER THE YEARS BIRD CRAP.

NEEDLESS TO SAY PERSEVERED AND LOOKED GOOD WHEN DONE BUT WENT BACK TODAY COZ ID LEFT SOME TOOLS THERE AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE UPSTAIRS WINDOWS HAD STILL GOT BIT OF CRUD ON IT - (NOT REALLY VISIBLE BEFORE WHEN WET)
MAKES ME WONDER FOR 1ST CLEANS WOULD BE EASIER TO TRAD ALL OVER THAN POLE - AND ALSO SO TEMPTED TO MAKE THEM A MIN 30 QUID OR LEAVE ALONE.
JUST THE TIME IT TAKES - ALTERNATIVELY BUILD UP OVER NUMBER OF CLEANS TO GET THEM SPOT ON.

ANY THOUGHTS ON PREFERENCE?......

[Pro-Poler]

I have learned how to deal with first cleans. Don't put too much work into them, tell them the results will improve on the second clean, if they are serious they will stick with it, as a window cleaner of twenty years I've lost count of the amount of people who have said they are desperate for a window cleaner only for them to let you down later after doing the all the hard work ALWAYS charge double for first timers cover yourself if they really want a window cleaner they will pay after all they haven't been paying for one have they that's why they are asking you.

[brett walker]

if a first clean is cleaned correct it is very rare you will get called back,

the marks on the upvc are not your prob, you will never get ivy off with wfp, needs to be done by hand.

looks like your customer wanted a one off mate.

brett

[Cliff perkins]

Well
What i did when she called was hear her complaints and after that i said if your not happy then fine dont pay and hung up.

After i put the phone down i thought i sod it ive got to see what the problem is.
I went around there and thats when i see there was no problem with the cleaning and just the ivy and creosote marks.
I then said they was being unreasonable because i cant be exspected to get paint of upvc and ivy marks of the window.i told them i wanted paying because i done what they asked and then i left.

If people just want a 1 off clean why dont they say so rather than causing situations like this.ffs whats the world comming to.

Regards

[Smudger]

very few people will be honest and say they want a 1 off clean because a bespoke service will always
cost more - it's easier to dangle the carrott of being a regular customer to get a cheap price.

Any 1st off cleans that require ANY more effort than a reg clean gets charged extra ( from 50% to 200% more depending on the condition )  when quoting i specifically ask if they want paint removed - upvc cleaner to remove stains etc.. if no the quote states window clean only if yes then these are added and priced accordingly.

i have also on a couple of new customers that have had big 1st clean prices that i will do a free clean on the 6th regular clean which helps sort out the genuine long term custy.

Darran

[Cliff perkins]

Cheers darran

[Alistair@AWC]

Cliff,

I always give potential new customers the full range of pricing (4, 8, 12 weekly & Once Only) and let them choose, then if someone opts for 4 weekly and pays and cancels after one clean they are invoiced for the difference and told the once only clean was made clear to them from the outset.

[richard jagger]

I also had a customer a month ago wanting a regular clean, and when it came to cleaning I saw the builders clean was never done. Wanted me to clean silicone, labels,Paint on glass and frames so I was quite happy when they did not want monthly. They do not realize how much work all that type of cleaning is worth in time and cost.I told them I quoted for window cleaning not restoring the total job.If they wanted to restore I would have restored at a good price if asked. The way they wanted to trick me did not work and they can look for a different sucker.

[Tony Edwards]

Cliff,

I always give potential new customers the full range of pricing (4, 8, 12 weekly & Once Only) and let them choose, then if someone opts for 4 weekly and pays and cancels after one clean they are invoiced for the difference and told the once only clean was made clear to them from the outset.

Without a written contract that invoice is worthless and cant be inforced

[Alistair@AWC]

Without a written contract that invoice is worthless and cant be inforced

Just like any domestic window cleaning bill but we all operate that way and get paid!