[LBWCS]

Just had a commerial customer call and say they have had a quote for almost half what I charge. How would you recommend dealing with these situations? Tell them to go with them, offer to negotiate a little or anything else? I don't want to loose it but can't compete with taking almost half the money for the same job. I'm no even sure why they have had another quote in, I have been doing the job for 4 years no probs at all. Opinions welcome

[Window Lickers]

If you cant compete you cant compete. End of story.

I would ask to see the other quote first though, they may be trying to pull a fast one.

[jimiwindows]

Let it go it happens

[HampshireWindowCleaning]

This is why I have no interest in commercial work.

[Window Lickers]

it happens with domestics as well.

[Tom White]

If the price I quoted was fair, I'd point out that it was fair.  I'd also point out that we're fully insured and legitimate with regards our accounts and taxes.

I'd also point out that I'd been doing the job for x amount of years without any problems either and that their new window cleaner may not be as reliable or as honest.

And then I would probably be dumped and I'd walk away.  There's no job we have that we'd do the same for 50% of what we currently do it for.

[Tom White]

This is why I have no interest in commercial work.

If that's your reason, it's a daft reason.  We've had some commercial jobs for years now, without any problems at all.  Quite often you end up cleaning the business owner's property too, which can be big jobs in themselves.

[Paul H]

Just had a commerial customer call and say they have had a quote for almost half what I charge. How would you recommend dealing with these situations? Tell them to go with them, offer to negotiate a little or anything else? I don't want to loose it but can't compete with taking almost half the money for the same job. I'm no even sure why they have had another quote in, I have been doing the job for 4 years no probs at all. Opinions welcome

Have they said what they are proposing to do mate ? go with the new quote .... or merely highlighting the fact for purposes of maybe negotiating...

some people in some positions in the commercial sector have the job of reducing costs ... its how its is unfortunately.. regardless of job quality ,loyalty, results length of time you ve done the job etc.. its business

[HampshireWindowCleaning]

This is why I have no interest in commercial work.

If that's your reason, it's a daft reason.  We've had some commercial jobs for years now, without any problems at all.  Quite often you end up cleaning the business owner's property too, which can be big jobs in themselves.

I don't think it's daft building up a round of posh domestic customers that I feel are more interested in quality and trustworthyness than how much it costs.
Commercial on the other hand are likely to give you the chop if someone quotes a fiver less.

[AuRavelling79]

This is why I have no interest in commercial work.

If that's your reason, it's a daft reason.  We've had some commercial jobs for years now, without any problems at all.  Quite often you end up cleaning the business owner's property too, which can be big jobs in themselves.

I don't think it's daft building up a round of posh domestic customers that I feel are more interested in quality and trustworthyness than how much it costs.
Commercial on the other hand are likely to give you the chop if someone quotes a fiver less.

Glass is glass and people are people - I have had a customer for 30 months now. When I first quoted (after a cold call) the lady responsible told me I was almost twice as much as the quote she had just had.

I said I could negotiate up to about 10% if we could turn up at our discretion and she said she'd think it through.

A month later still seeing dirty windows I phoned her and she said she was still waiting for the other cleaner to send in his insurance details but would keep me in mind.

Two weeks later she phoned me and booked me in and said reliability is important and that the other guys had blown it by keeping her waiting.

This was for a £400 in/out initial clean followed by quarterly £90 external cleans. We've  had the contract renewed twice since.

Whether it is £200 or £400 (£360 with 10% discount) was of lesser importance than turning up, sending through paperwork and making her life less pressured.

[LBWCS]

Just had a commerial customer call and say they have had a quote for almost half what I charge. How would you recommend dealing with these situations? Tell them to go with them, offer to negotiate a little or anything else? I don't want to loose it but can't compete with taking almost half the money for the same job. I'm no even sure why they have had another quote in, I have been doing the job for 4 years no probs at all. Opinions welcome

Have they said what they are proposing to do mate ? go with the new quote .... or merely highlighting the fact for purposes of maybe negotiating...

some people in some positions in the commercial sector have the job of reducing costs ... its how its is unfortunately.. regardless of job quality ,loyalty, results length of time you ve done the job etc.. its business

Thats what I'm not sure of at this point. The phone call caught me off guard and thats why i want to be prepeared for the next call. To see their point, if someone gives them a quote for half the price its at least worth checking out. I understand the comments that say walk away, and I am more than willing to if I have to. But its well priced and would be sad to see it go so. If there is an angle I can aim for its worth trying

[no way Jose]

if you were to accept to do the same job for a 50% discount you And your business would loose all credibility.

[Elfyn]

This is why I have no interest in commercial work.

If that's your reason, it's a daft reason.  We've had some commercial jobs for years now, without any problems at all.  Quite often you end up cleaning the business owner's property too, which can be big jobs in themselves.

I don't think it's daft building up a round of posh domestic customers that I feel are more interested in quality and trustworthyness than how much it costs.
Commercial on the other hand are likely to give you the chop if someone quotes a fiver less.

In my experience, commercial custies are very faithful and easier to deal with. Most of my commercial works comes from recommendations from existing commercial customers.

[capn sparkle]

Thats what I'm not sure of at this point. The phone call caught me off guard and thats why i want to be prepeared for the next call. To see their point, if someone gives them a quote for half the price its at least worth checking out. I understand the comments that say walk away, and I am more than willing to if I have to. But its well priced and would be sad to see it go so. If there is an angle I can aim for its worth trying
[/quote]

My 1st Q would be!

Is the quote 'like for like' ie identical in every way to yours (some commercials are inside n out inc all internal glass doors) as you don't say it's difficult to know. Your 'opponents' may have missed out something which you currently do.

2 Q would be along the lines of!

I understand as a business you are always looking to cut costs, is that the sole reason for contacting me? (not quality or security or anything... you understand this 'cos you are in business) If that's the case could you increase your frequency from monthly to 2 monthly or whatever the current frequency is thus saving them 50% per annum. You would take a hit for 50% but still keep the job albeit with half as much work each year.

Others in above posts have mentioned insurance, reliability and the like... If none of that works you could do your commercial 'a favour'. As you said you've worked for 'em for 4 years they're almost inviting you to their x-mas parties.

Favour consists of actively suggesting that they take the kind gentlemans offer to save them money on a trial basis (say 2 cleans ) insert whatever number you like... And if by some miracle they turn out to be rubbish (fingers crossed) you'll happily take the job back on at the original terms / frequency.

The third option - I would suggest - should be used when all else fails..

Good Luck

[Paul Coleman]

I have found that many window cleaning companies slash quotes by just not doing the job properly - especially if it's cleaned when no-one is around.  Quite a bit of internal glass can be left in low traffic areas.  It's annoying because I quote to do all the glass each time and it's possible to be undercut by someone who leaves much of the inside.

[jimiwindows]

LET IT GO

[PoleKing]

FWIW, i had a domestic dusty email last night.
The estate had been canvassed.
Fella had quoted every single one of my customers on that estate. (least he was thorough!) all about half what i charge.
one-only one-of about 40 thought he'd give them a punt.
(I haven't had a reply from him yet but...)
This is what i replied:
Hi Hamid, thanks for your email.
I am aware your road was canvassed this week.
It's summer, the 'summer brigade' (as a lot of professional window cleaning company's call them) come out in force, every year.
The clean all summer long.
I know the quotes they were putting out we're roughly half the price we charge, certainly for other customers on your estate.
As you will know, you can choose whoever you like to clean your windows and we have been happy to benefit from your business the whole time you have lived there. Thank you.

Unfortunately it is company policy not to take on a customer again once they have left us without reason.

We are not the cheapest. And we don't want to be.
A lower price does not necessarily mean lower quality, though it frequently does. But a lower price will indicate lower overheads.
Such as insurance. Or a criminal records check. Or paying tax.

As you know, you are in control of your payments.

Hope you have a nice evening.

Kind regards, Darren

[Window Lickers]

That reeks desperation.

If I knew someone had canvassed my customers, Id be miffed I guess, but wouldn't be chasing them up with e-mails and explanations about 'the summer brigade'. I'd allow them the opportunity to choose who they wanted to clean their windows, its not my job to be trying to persuade them one way or another.

[Jonny 87]

That reeks desperation.

If I knew someone had canvassed my customers, Id be miffed I guess, but wouldn't be chasing them up with e-mails and explanations about 'the summer brigade'. I'd allow them the opportunity to choose who they wanted to clean their windows, its not my job to be trying to persuade them one way or another.

I'm not so sure.

Sometimes it's good to get the point across, and plus the fact that Darren said "we have been happy to benefit from your business" which shows that's not really any biggy.

[Perfect Windows]

Unfortunately it is company policy not to take on a customer again once they have left us without reason.

In the words of Don Corleone, it's business, not personal.

Vin