[Cookie]

I had some referral work yesterday where the customer just wanted me to clean the rear windows of the house since she already has a WC who does just the front windows (this is a terraced house & I believe the current WC does a few fronts in this terrace but none of the backs). In the end I did a full gutter,  soffit and window clean front & back and the customer was very pleased.

I'm due to go back in few weeks time to clean the backs as a regular job (access is very easy & I can combine it with some other work which is very close by). She also mentioned that she would like me to clean the fronts but I explained that I was uncomfortable with this since I don't want to 'tread on other window cleaners toes'.

What would you suggest I do in this situation? Although I've never met the window cleaner in question he does seem to be fairly popular although people have said his cleaning schedule can be a bit irregular.

[Walter Mitty]

It sounds weird to me.  If the back is accessible, why doesn't the current guy clean there?

[Cookie]

It sounds weird to me.  If the back is accessible, why doesn't the current guy clean there?

I think the current WC is trad. Whereas I use WFP.

[Cookie]

Some of the windows at the back would be difficult to reach with a ladder.

[SeanK]

As long as you don't use any underhanded tactics then there is nothing wrong with taking another window cleaners work.
The other cleaner has lost the work because he wasn't able to offer the customer what they want or need, if you don't
take it then somebody else will.
I have one rule and that is I don't slate another cleaners work or quality, if the customers tell me they are not happy then
I don't have a problem taking the work.

[Shane sharples]

As long as you don't use any underhanded tactics then there is nothing wrong with taking another window cleaners work.
The other cleaner has lost the work because he wasn't able to offer the customer what they want or need, if you don't
take it then somebody else will.
I have one rule and that is I don't slate another cleaners work or quality, if the customers tells me they are not happy then
I don't have a problem taking the work.

Well said Sean, it's one thing taking the work coz the custy isn't happy, but when people try and undercut you....that's another thing 

[Smudger]

This is becoming a rather strange habit,, but Sean is spot on.

Your a buisness, not a charity, friend, community worker doing rival businesses a favour. If people can't get what they want from tesco's they go to asda - that is tesco's fault for not supplying the correct service, not asda.

You've been approached so the work is fair game.
No point in undercutting as you end up slaving away for little reward and end resenting the job.

Darran

[Matt.]

Yes cookie you are well within your rights mate, maybe a whole st there for you to take simply coz you are prepared to clean the backs................

Punch line ..........,

Just don't take the biscuit 

[richard groves]

I've had similar situation before.
I just said , ask your cleaner, give them the option and explain you have found someone to do it if they can't. Get back to me if you need to, here's my card.

[Phil J]

Go for it, if he can't offer what the customer wants and you can. Take the job on. Could be a little awkward if he shows up next door while your cleaning. 

[robbo333]

Never feel embarrassed or uncomfortable getting someone else's work.
Providing you've won it 'fairly' then really...that's business.
I also tell the custy to inform the other window cleaner first; that puts the onus on them not you.
If they turn up while your cleaning, talk to them. Don't try and explain why you are doing it, explain to them why THEY are not. Nicely of course. They may even be grateful for your info and think about investing in wfp themselves. And if they don't like it, that's their problem not yours. But it does work both ways.
Make sure you do the best possible job, every time, because one day it may happen to you. 

[Walter Mitty]

There was a time I would have been more concerned about this issue.  However, over time, you tend to lose some jobs to other window cleaners and it becomes less of a guilt trip.  It's not as if I go around chasing other people's work but sometimes, people are genuinel;y not happy with what they are currently getting.  I do make a point of asking what the problem is though, because sometimes the customer is expecting too much.  I've actually been told before that someone is dropping their window cleaner for often being a week late or because he won't make appointments to only clean when the customer is at home.  I do turn such jobs down and explain why.  Such customers would be detrimental to my system of working.  Also, regarding the "week late" complaints, do they really expect their window cleaner to never be ill or never have a holiday?  Or sometimes he might be knackered and need an extra day or two off.

[Cookie]

Thanks all for your feedback. Some very good advice ....

[Frankybadboy]

I would Go and put flyers though all the house he does and get them all 

[Stoots]

I think undercutting is also fair game. I mean loads of companies compete on price why not windys?

I canvassed one not long ago, she says how much i said £12, she says oh my windy charges £15 do you mind if i take a card i need to cancel my old windy first, not at all, she cancelled him and i now clean her windows. Im more than aware some chav may com along with his ladders and undercut me. This is business guys not help the aged.

[SeanK]

I think undercutting is also fair game. I mean loads of companies compete on price why not windys?

I canvassed one not long ago, she says how much i said £12, she says oh my windy charges £15 do you mind if i take a card i need to cancel my old windy first, not at all, she cancelled him and i now clean her windows. Im more than aware some chav may com along with his ladders and undercut me. This is business guys not help the aged.

That's not undercutting to win work, you just gave her your price without knowing what the other cleaner charged.
I would say you would have got the work for £15 as most customers don't move for the sake of a couple of quid its more
that they weren't happy with the service.

[Shane sharples]

I think undercutting is also fair game. I mean loads of companies compete on price why not windys?

I canvassed one not long ago, she says how much i said £12, she says oh my windy charges £15 do you mind if i take a card i need to cancel my old windy first, not at all, she cancelled him and i now clean her windows. Im more than aware some chav may com along with his ladders and undercut me. This is business guys not help the aged.

If you would undercut me , I would be Sincerely ped off , we are not tescos competing against asda . This is a business, not help the aged? so your not helping the aged by doing the job cheaper? exactly, it's a business, a proper business makes more money in less time, not less money in more time

[M & C Window Cleaning]

It's all about providing a good and reliable service. If we don't provide the service our customers want they will be swayed by another windy even if he charges the same or more. Although I don't encourage my customers to be picky, I do tell my customers that if they are not happy with my service for whatever reason to communicate with me especially if it's a repetitive problem. I've lost customers to much cheaper window cleaners and in time got them back again.
I'm currently in the same situation as the first poster with a customer who has another windy doing her fronts trad while I do the backs wfp as she has a conny he can't reach over and our prices are quite different.

[davids3511]

I think undercutting is also fair game. I mean loads of companies compete on price why not windys?

I canvassed one not long ago, she says how much i said £12, she says oh my windy charges £15 do you mind if i take a card i need to cancel my old windy first, not at all, she cancelled him and i now clean her windows. Im more than aware some chav may com along with his ladders and undercut me. This is business guys not help the aged.

If you would undercut me , I would be Sincerely ped off , we are not tescos competing against asda . This is a business, not help the aged? so your not helping the aged by doing the job cheaper? exactly, it's a business, a proper business makes more money in less time, not less money in more time

Who are you to set the price bar though. Your competition might be faster or better organised than you or might just need to earn less each day. What's right for you doesn't necessarily fit everyone.

[Shane sharples]

I think undercutting is also fair game. I mean loads of companies compete on price why not windys?

I canvassed one not long ago, she says how much i said £12, she says oh my windy charges £15 do you mind if i take a card i need to cancel my old windy first, not at all, she cancelled him and i now clean her windows. Im more than aware some chav may com along with his ladders and undercut me. This is business guys not help the aged.

If you would undercut me , I would be Sincerely ped off , we are not tescos competing against asda . This is a business, not help the aged? so your not helping the aged by doing the job cheaper? exactly, it's a business, a proper business makes more money in less time, not less money in more time

Who are you to set the price bar though. Your competition might be faster or better organised than you or might just need to earn less each day. What's right for you doesn't necessarily fit everyone.

It's nothing to do with being faster or better organised, the customer won't have a clue how fast he is until he starts cleaning, we are not like OTHER companies, some actually buy work of other windys , the price might already be £15 when you bought the work? some actually spend time and effort canvassing, doing first cleans and servicing the house for years , then some disrespectful person comes and undercuts you, is there not enough houses out there? so you have to go and steal someone else's business??? I would never undercut anyone, I find it disrespectful