[Dave Anderson]

If you don't like this.... Just go out get 2 more customers in that same area and then make whatever decision you choose upon in 7 days.... This way you get 2 new customers and also give yourself time to think at YOUR leisure without the 'heat of the moment' reaction.

Cheers
Dave.

[AuRavelling79]

My stance is to train them beforehand when you take them on.

If someone texts back "they don't need doing this time" then my general stance is to text back:

"Thank you for your text; however our agreement was to clean "every X weeks" and as you will appreciate I schedule my work accordingly. I have a waiting list of those wishing to "get on my books" and so I would be grateful if you would let me know whether you want me to turn up tomorrow or not. If not then I take it you would prefer me to take you off of my round and replace you?"

If they do not respond positively or go silent I then don't go back.

This is only for the "they don't need doing brigade" - if they have a good record and they ask to be left every couple of years or so because (e.g) the house is being painted or an extension is being built then fine.

[dazmond]

The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows  if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you  haven't  cleaned their  windows  for months your reply is because when I'm in your area  it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you  wtf

every customer thats ever said that to me gets dumped straight away and i never go back.luckily its only ever been a handful of times in 24 years of window cleaning!

[Marc Stock]

This is why i dont text. I leave the next cleaning date on the bill, and just come and do them. No problems, no need to waste evenings texting, no need to give customers an option or an opportunity to cancel, i have a locked gate policy that if access isn't available on the due date, full payment is still due and if there is schedule time will pop back to redo the backs, but they know its not guaranteed. Often they forget once and never again, or they give me a key.

[Marc Stock]

The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows  if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you  haven't  cleaned their  windows  for months your reply is because when I'm in your area  it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you  wtf

every customer thats ever said that to me gets dumped straight away and i never go back.luckily its only ever been a handful of times in 24 years of window cleaning!

24 years of window cleaning dazmond. How many times gave you thought of jacking it in?

14 years for me in April, just got through a 2 year stint of wanting to pack it in but no seem to have pushed through that and re kindked my interest in pushing the business forward again

[Dry Clean]

This is why i dont text. I leave the next cleaning date on the bill, and just come and do them. No problems, no need to waste evenings texting, no need to give customers an option or an opportunity to cancel, i have a locked gate policy that if access isn't available on the due date, full payment is still due and if there is schedule time will pop back to redo the backs, but they know its not guaranteed. Often they forget once and never again, or they give me a key.

That sounds way too easy, I don't feel like I'm running a business unless I make things as complicated as possible for
myself.
Totally agree.

[dazmond]

The best ones are the ones that say don't do my windows  if it looks like rain then five months down line ask why you  haven't  cleaned their  windows  for months your reply is because when I'm in your area  it looks like rain they say can't you come on a sunny day when your reply is no they sack you  wtf

every customer thats ever said that to me gets dumped straight away and i never go back.luckily its only ever been a handful of times in 24 years of window cleaning!

24 years of window cleaning dazmond. How many times gave you thought of jacking it in?

14 years for me in April, just got through a 2 year stint of wanting to pack it in but no seem to have pushed through that and re kindked my interest in pushing the business forward again

i used to think of jacking it in years ago marc when i was trad and still drinking but not for over 10 years now!

it never crosses my mind anymore mate.ive got it too good these days.

[Splash & dash]

I don't txt customers haven't got the time for that , only exception is commercial work , I ve had customers say I'll call you when I want them done again after I've explained that I only do regular work , I say to them sorry won't be doing them again as we agreed to a 4 weekly service  . Won't be messed about by people like that they usually turn into bad payers as well

[M & C Window Cleaning]

The bulk of my work is 4 weekly. I've got a few who do this from time to time. However, they are not bad payers when they owe money. I do find it irritating though if it's for no other reason than that stated in the OP. I've recently started charging them the 8 weekly price though and so far none have complained so long as it's explained to them.

[Paul H]

What kind of customer or they ? ..new / old  / good payer etc..
Have they done / tried it before ?
How much do you value their custom ?

The whys and what' fors are endless to argue for both dump or retain stance

I agree with what others have said in that a response along the lines of you ve agreed every X weeks  blah blah

You just never know what that customer maybe be dealing with at that time to knock you back this time around

Allow them to skip this once  whilst outlining all the relevant points you've raised on stuff like you clean on a regular service and can't and  won't allow customers to have cleaning on an as and when basis ( no window cleaner would operate like this )  - back it up with by asking them if they  feel their frequency is to frequent you could extend it ( say from 4 to 8 weekly ) and outline any extra cost in swapping the frequency

This way it offers a resolution to the excuse they've given you for this clean
And you've Made it clear to them moving forward from here they'll be dumped  should they try it again

Oh and I've been off this forum for a while for one reason or another but good to see it still going strong

Cheers
Paul

[tlwcs]

I would have offered them an 8weekly slot at 50% extra. I think you were quick to dump.
Your needs may be to have 4 weekly customers but with pure water they do stay cleaner longer.
I find customers fit into 3 categories,
Monthly, alway clean, generally.
Bimonthly, can see they need a clean
Couldn't give a monkeys/1 offs when family are coming 
Im not so hung up about frequencies, as long as their profitable