[C o z y]

That's the way it is Tom. You can always tell people that you can be beaten on price, but not on quality of service. It takes us longer to clean insides. Any human being with an IQ over 43 will understand this, so we charge what we can get away with. I'm the same as most people who earn from their skill and witts. I charge what I can get away with and sustain.

Frrebies are for when you have a lot of time, and not enough work. If Mrs Jones wants insides, and I have Mrs Smith waiting for me to clean her outsides as arranged, why should she have to wait while I work for free at Mrs Jones's?? Doesn't make sebse. Whatever doesn't make sense, is usually not good business practice. If I find I have time for messing about for free, I'll go and get more customers.

[Tom-01]

for those people who are charging double for insides then.. 

1. do you ask the customers to clear the ledges for you?

2. do you put things back on the shelves afterwards or do you let the customer know you won't be doing this?

3. anything else in your T&Cs?

thanks in advance for your input

Richard

Sorry iRichard for going off topic twice in succession - I hope somewhere we've helped  

[SeanK]

Not from me. You can't argue with some person who is willing to work for free. I used to underprice my work when I was a newbie. Didn't value my work at first.
Now my work has worth, and in all my years in this game, I've learned that people only value your service if you value it yourself. So working for free is de-valuing yourself.
People who do that are selling themselves short and lie to themselves by telling everyone that it's a little bonus for their customers or some such dross.

The truth is, if they had enough work, they wouldn't havre time to do free stuff for custies. But you find these are the same people who tell the world about what little problems they have with poor payesr or moaning custies etc. Then they boast about how well it's all going and they're about to buy out the nearest four or five firms in the area and employ an army. All so they can continue to offer free work.

Blah blah blah. The emptiest vessel makes the loudest noise. Bragging and spouting about how good you are can be smelled from 5 miles. Telling everyone how great you are and that you work for free is amusing.

It's only a forum mate, and you can spout all you want. Someone will be impressed, but it won't be me or your bank manager.

HTH.

Cozy, I'm going to get trading standards onto you about your name 'Cozy'...

I do however agree with most of what you said (like you actually care anyway!). I suppose everyone does things their own way. I was chatting to my brother earlier about when I started up a couple of years ago, would take anything and do it at silly prices, compete with other windies prices. It's totally different now. Did a quote yesterday and the guy was questioning price and our schedule and said he's getting two more quotes. I told him we won't be the cheapest because I know the other guys in the area, and we actually get a lot of those customers come to us. I very much agree about putting a high value on what you do as that is what all good businesses do. You try getting a discount for a Apple product in a Apple store. Never happens. Although some bright spark will be along in a minute to prove otherwise.

I bought an apple crumble the other day and got a packet of powdered custard thrown in for free.

[chris turner]

Not from me. You can't argue with some person who is willing to work for free. I used to underprice my work when I was a newbie. Didn't value my work at first.
Now my work has worth, and in all my years in this game, I've learned that people only value your service if you value it yourself. So working for free is de-valuing yourself.
People who do that are selling themselves short and lie to themselves by telling everyone that it's a little bonus for their customers or some such dross.

The truth is, if they had enough work, they wouldn't havre time to do free stuff for custies. But you find these are the same people who tell the world about what little problems they have with poor payesr or moaning custies etc. Then they boast about how well it's all going and they're about to buy out the nearest four or five firms in the area and employ an army. All so they can continue to offer free work.

Blah blah blah. The emptiest vessel makes the loudest noise. Bragging and spouting about how good you are can be smelled from 5 miles. Telling everyone how great you are and that you work for free is amusing.

It's only a forum mate, and you can spout all you want. Someone will be impressed, but it won't be me or your bank manager.

HTH.

Why would I want to impress some random people on a forum that I will probably never meet, especially guys like you.
None of my work is underpriced, I value it but more importantly I value my customers needs and firmly believe In rewarding loyalty. You clearly do not.
I know exactly where I want to take my business, what I can offer my customers and I sleep very well at night knowing I'm providing a good service.

Do you scour charity forums and mock those that volunteer to help others cozy?
The idea of giving something back seems almost ludicrous to you. If you make a decent enough living then why is the notion of doing the odd 10 minute freebie so far beyond you.
Yes of course....greed.

[C o z y]

Not from me. You can't argue with some person who is willing to work for free. I used to underprice my work when I was a newbie. Didn't value my work at first.
Now my work has worth, and in all my years in this game, I've learned that people only value your service if you value it yourself. So working for free is de-valuing yourself.
People who do that are selling themselves short and lie to themselves by telling everyone that it's a little bonus for their customers or some such dross.

The truth is, if they had enough work, they wouldn't havre time to do free stuff for custies. But you find these are the same people who tell the world about what little problems they have with poor payesr or moaning custies etc. Then they boast about how well it's all going and they're about to buy out the nearest four or five firms in the area and employ an army. All so they can continue to offer free work.

Blah blah blah. The emptiest vessel makes the loudest noise. Bragging and spouting about how good you are can be smelled from 5 miles. Telling everyone how great you are and that you work for free is amusing.

It's only a forum mate, and you can spout all you want. Someone will be impressed, but it won't be me or your bank manager.

HTH.

Why would I want to impress some random people on a forum that I will probably never meet, especially guys like you.
None of my work is underpriced, I value it but more importantly I value my customers needs and firmly believe In rewarding loyalty. You clearly do not.
I know exactly where I want to take my business, what I can offer my customers and I sleep very well at night knowing I'm providing a good service.

Do you scour charity forums and mock those that volunteer to help others cozy?
The idea of giving something back seems almost ludicrous to you. If you make a decent enough living then why is the notion of doing the odd 10 minute freebie so far beyond you.
Yes of course....greed.

Hang on, there's a bucket outside I need to be sick into. I realize that you are working for the greater good of humanity, and we should all take a leaf out of your book. I feel humble sharing this forum with such greatness and offer my support in your good works.

There's only one thing that bothers me about all this dross you've just posted. I reckon you've got someone sitting next to you helping you to type that. Maybe your nurse. Because people like you have to hum the alphabet so you know what letter key to hit next.

[C o z y]

Anyway, off to beebyes now. Have to be up early to get out there and rip the punters off. Mite nite 

[Tom-01]

That's the way it is Tom. You can always tell people that you can be beaten on price, but not on quality of service. It takes us longer to clean insides. Any human being with an IQ over 43 will understand this, so we charge what we can get away with. I'm the same as most people who earn from their skill and witts. I charge what I can get away with and sustain.

Frrebies are for when you have a lot of time, and not enough work. If Mrs Jones wants insides, and I have Mrs Smith waiting for me to clean her outsides as arranged, why should she have to wait while I work for free at Mrs Jones's?? Doesn't make sebse. Whatever doesn't make sense, is usually not good business practice. If I find I have time for messing about for free, I'll go and get more customers.

I don't understand this.

I do really. And I agree. I charge what I feel I can get away with, but I always make sure I can justify it if needed, and I honestly can. That's not greed as has been mentioned, just good business sense, in my opinion. There's so much work out there, make hay while the sun shines an' all that.

[C o z y]

I was just walking off to get some kip then Tom    I agree. I think.

Anyway, I look forward to reading Mr Turners dross in the morning about how he rescues custies kittens from being stuck up trees (for free) in the morning. 

[Tom-01]

Not from me. You can't argue with some person who is willing to work for free. I used to underprice my work when I was a newbie. Didn't value my work at first.
Now my work has worth, and in all my years in this game, I've learned that people only value your service if you value it yourself. So working for free is de-valuing yourself.
People who do that are selling themselves short and lie to themselves by telling everyone that it's a little bonus for their customers or some such dross.

The truth is, if they had enough work, they wouldn't havre time to do free stuff for custies. But you find these are the same people who tell the world about what little problems they have with poor payesr or moaning custies etc. Then they boast about how well it's all going and they're about to buy out the nearest four or five firms in the area and employ an army. All so they can continue to offer free work.

Blah blah blah. The emptiest vessel makes the loudest noise. Bragging and spouting about how good you are can be smelled from 5 miles. Telling everyone how great you are and that you work for free is amusing.

It's only a forum mate, and you can spout all you want. Someone will be impressed, but it won't be me or your bank manager.

HTH.

Cozy, I'm going to get trading standards onto you about your name 'Cozy'...

I do however agree with most of what you said (like you actually care anyway!). I suppose everyone does things their own way. I was chatting to my brother earlier about when I started up a couple of years ago, would take anything and do it at silly prices, compete with other windies prices. It's totally different now. Did a quote yesterday and the guy was questioning price and our schedule and said he's getting two more quotes. I told him we won't be the cheapest because I know the other guys in the area, and we actually get a lot of those customers come to us. I very much agree about putting a high value on what you do as that is what all good businesses do. You try getting a discount for a Apple product in a Apple store. Never happens. Although some bright spark will be along in a minute to prove otherwise.

I bought an apple crumble the other day and got a packet of powdered custard thrown in for free.

SeanK you just made me 'LOL' again - I've said I hate that expression!

[chris turner]

That's the way it is Tom. You can always tell people that you can be beaten on price, but not on quality of service. It takes us longer to clean insides. Any human being with an IQ over 43 will understand this, so we charge what we can get away with. I'm the same as most people who earn from their skill and witts. I charge what I can get away with and sustain.

Frrebies are for when you have a lot of time, and not enough work. If Mrs Jones wants insides, and I have Mrs Smith waiting for me to clean her outsides as arranged, why should she have to wait while I work for free at Mrs Jones's?? Doesn't make sebse. Whatever doesn't make sense, is usually not good business practice. If I find I have time for messing about for free, I'll go and get more customers.

This is where we differ massively. I clean the insides far quicker then outsides. Do you even know how to trad cozy?
I charge very well for externals because that is where the work is, frames, sills, glass all cleaned perfectly using wfp, expensive equipment that has alot of overheads to be covered and does a superior job. I charge well for that service because it is justified.
Going into a house with a sqeegy and rag and spending a few minutes doing a job does not justify 50% or 100% extra. Absolute bs unless you don't know how to sqeegy.... Or your just happy ripping people off.

[Tom-01]

That's the way it is Tom. You can always tell people that you can be beaten on price, but not on quality of service. It takes us longer to clean insides. Any human being with an IQ over 43 will understand this, so we charge what we can get away with. I'm the same as most people who earn from their skill and witts. I charge what I can get away with and sustain.

Frrebies are for when you have a lot of time, and not enough work. If Mrs Jones wants insides, and I have Mrs Smith waiting for me to clean her outsides as arranged, why should she have to wait while I work for free at Mrs Jones's?? Doesn't make sebse. Whatever doesn't make sense, is usually not good business practice. If I find I have time for messing about for free, I'll go and get more customers.

This is where we differ massively. I clean the insides far quicker then outsides. Do you even know how to trad cozy?
I charge very well for externals because that is where the work is, frames, sills, glass all cleaned perfectly using wfp, expensive equipment that has alot of overheads to be covered and does a superior job. I charge well for that service because it is justified.
Going into a house with a sqeegy and rag and spending a few minutes doing a job does not justify 50% or 100% extra. Absolute bs unless you don't know how to sqeegy.... Or your just happy ripping people off.

It does justify it if the customer is willing to pay for it though. You said earlier your customers are loyal to the point they won't take a cheaper window cleaner. So by that reasoning if you charged 1.5x for insides they would pay that and still stay with you. They're happy because they want to use you and you earn extra money (that's ALWAYS the bottom line) - everyone is happy. Maybe even Cozy.

[Tom-01]

Blimey it's midnight and I'm knackered and haven't had a shower yet and need to go to bed. It's all iSparkles fault 

[dazmond]

i clean some customers inside windows for free......................its ALWAYS the kitchen window of an old dears house and i usually get a cuppa and a friendly 5 min chat.

they are very few and far between though these days.

as for a whole house insides for free....sorry no chance!

i normally refuse ALL inside window cleaning unless their clean freaks and have a well ordered clean house to start with.

ive got a posh inside and out clean booked in for friday.easy 2 hours work.always get a brew and the customer is FIT!!

mop and blade and i always wear shoe covers to save taking my boots off.it looks more professional too IMO.

[dazmond]

Blimey it's midnight and I'm knackered and haven't had a shower yet and need to go to bed. It's all iSparkles fault 

SOFT LAD!!

ive just carried a full drum kit and cymbals upstairs after a 4 hour rehearsal with my band!

........im knackered now too.....

[Tom-01]

i clean some customers inside windows for free......................its ALWAYS the kitchen window of an old dears house and i usually get a cuppa and a friendly 5 min chat.

they are very few and far between though these days.

as for a whole house insides for free....sorry no chance!

i normally refuse ALL inside window cleaning unless their clean freaks and have a well ordered clean house to start with.

ive got a posh inside and out clean booked in for friday.easy 2 hours work.always get a brew and the customer is FIT!!

mop and blade and i always wear shoe covers to save taking my boots off.it looks more professional too IMO.

What's his name?

[Tom-01]

Blimey it's midnight and I'm knackered and haven't had a shower yet and need to go to bed. It's all iSparkles fault 

SOFT LAD!!

ive just carried a full drum kit and cymbals upstairs after a 4 hour rehearsal with my band!

........im knackered now too.....

Just a bit tired mate, been hitting the gym a lot and the trainer (not physically hitting him) so it does make you more knackered. Bulking up to scare off the other windies eyeballing me because I'm on their 'patch'

[chris turner]

Not from me. You can't argue with some person who is willing to work for free. I used to underprice my work when I was a newbie. Didn't value my work at first.
Now my work has worth, and in all my years in this game, I've learned that people only value your service if you value it yourself. So working for free is de-valuing yourself.
People who do that are selling themselves short and lie to themselves by telling everyone that it's a little bonus for their customers or some such dross.

The truth is, if they had enough work, they wouldn't havre time to do free stuff for custies. But you find these are the same people who tell the world about what little problems they have with poor payesr or moaning custies etc. Then they boast about how well it's all going and they're about to buy out the nearest four or five firms in the area and employ an army. All so they can continue to offer free work.

Blah blah blah. The emptiest vessel makes the loudest noise. Bragging and spouting about how good you are can be smelled from 5 miles. Telling everyone how great you are and that you work for free is amusing.

It's only a forum mate, and you can spout all you want. Someone will be impressed, but it won't be me or your bank manager.

HTH.

Why would I want to impress some random people on a forum that I will probably never meet, especially guys like you.
None of my work is underpriced, I value it but more importantly I value my customers needs and firmly believe In rewarding loyalty. You clearly do not.
I know exactly where I want to take my business, what I can offer my customers and I sleep very well at night knowing I'm providing a good service.

Do you scour charity forums and mock those that volunteer to help others cozy?
The idea of giving something back seems almost ludicrous to you. If you make a decent enough living then why is the notion of doing the odd 10 minute freebie so far beyond you.
Yes of course....greed.

Hang on, there's a bucket outside I need to be sick into. I realize that you are working for the greater good of humanity, and we should all take a leaf out of your book. I feel humble sharing this forum with such greatness and offer my support in your good works.

There's only one thing that bothers me about all this dross you've just posted. I reckon you've got someone sitting next to you helping you to type that. Maybe your nurse. Because people like you have to hum the alphabet so you know what letter key to hit next.

 

Yes I'm running my business from my bedside
Here we go personal insults, the big guns are coming out now...
Im done with talking to you, clearly the way you run your business is perfect and can't be matched, your customers are extremely happy with your service and price and the thought of giving out the odd 'freebie' is laughable to a brilliant business strategist such as yourself.
Good luck to you

[C o z y]

Try not to get upset when you've been rumbled for waffling cr@p on here mate. You're not the first, and you won't be the last. Just log off for a few months, then come back and pretend you didn't make a prat of yourself. Archer does it all the time.

While you're away from here, get some more insides done, and crack on showing people your trad "skills" and all that. 

[lal]

  I thought window cleaning was supposed to be a business not a charity, seriously the whole point of being
  self employed, Pro's 1 Being your own boss.  2 Freedom to choose your own working hours to fit your life style.
  3 Work hard & Smart with the potential to earn reasonably well.
  Cons, No Holiday pay,  No Sick pay.

  If you don't work you don't make money,
  I think when you start doing Freebies for customers, then whats the point ?

  Lal

[PoleKing]

That's the way it is Tom. You can always tell people that you can be beaten on price, but not on quality of service. It takes us longer to clean insides. Any human being with an IQ over 43 will understand this, so we charge what we can get away with. I'm the same as most people who earn from their skill and witts. I charge what I can get away with and sustain.

Frrebies are for when you have a lot of time, and not enough work. If Mrs Jones wants insides, and I have Mrs Smith waiting for me to clean her outsides as arranged, why should she have to wait while I work for free at Mrs Jones's?? Doesn't make sebse. Whatever doesn't make sense, is usually not good business practice. If I find I have time for messing about for free, I'll go and get more customers.

This is where we differ massively. I clean the insides far quicker then outsides. Do you even know how to trad cozy?
I charge very well for externals because that is where the work is, frames, sills, glass all cleaned perfectly using wfp, expensive equipment that has alot of overheads to be covered and does a superior job. I charge well for that service because it is justified.
Going into a house with a sqeegy and rag and spending a few minutes doing a job does not justify 50% or 100% extra. Absolute bs unless you don't know how to sqeegy.... Or your just happy ripping people off.

 
That made me lol.
Cozy is trad only.