[dave f]

a guy comes up to me and asked if I would do is cafe widows agreed a price clean all frames e t c  me being full of man flue priced for out side not expecting him to pull out the tables for me to do the inside.so I did them could not be botherd to argue the toss, to ill so I asked him what frequency dose he want  its just a one off my window cleaner is on holiday  a hole if id have known that  I woud not of botherd.  if I wernt so ill and worn out he would of got a moth full  twaaaat

[LT carpet cleaning]

He did absolutely nothing wrong. Funny how you didn't give him a mouthful though 

[AuRavelling79]

He did absolutely nothing wrong. Funny how you didn't give him a mouthful though 

True. But we've all done it haven't we - assumed we have the terms correct at the start of a job only to find out at the end we left something to be discussed.

[nathankaye]

Ive learnt to always ask so i can price accordingly. But think weve all learnt the hard way

[Johnny B]

I never assume that any new job I take on is going to be regular. I just aim to give the highest quality clean I can and leave it to the customer to decide if they want to see me again or not. Most tend to convert into regulars.

John.

[8weekly]

I never assume that any new job I take on is going to be regular. I just aim to give the highest quality clean I can and leave it to the customer to decide if they want to see me again or not. Most tend to convert into regulars.

John.

In some ways I admire that but in other ways I think you're off your trolley. 

[Stoots]

Always ask if it's one off or regular.

Most of the time if they say one off I say no thanks.

Ok so sometimes they will say regular and screw you over buy at least ask that's all you can do.

Charging double usually softens the blow.

[dazmond]

yep ,it happened to me a few months ago and ive been in this game for 24 years!2 monthly job .first clean was bad but she insists she wants every other month so i waived a first clean price.second clean done and he says he hasnt any cash(i offered BACS,cheque to no avail) they only wanted a "one off" not regular.

i did a malc gold flounce and i was on my way with a glare and "dont ever ask me again to clean your windows in 6 months time or ever!"he looked slightly scared!

they both hide now when im cleaning the rest of their street or pretend theyve not seen me!

i never forget though ever...even years later how much they owe me just in case they ask me to clean theirs again!

[Johnny B]

I never assume that any new job I take on is going to be regular. I just aim to give the highest quality clean I can and leave it to the customer to decide if they want to see me again or not. Most tend to convert into regulars.

John.

In some ways I admire that but in other ways I think you're off your trolley. 

Over here the culture is different from the UK. One person's meaning of regular may mean once a year! Another may mean monthly. I gave up trying to second guess what I think people mean and take them at their word until I know them well enough to know what their requirememts really are.

So when I do a first clean, unless they specifically ask me to call back in a month or whatever, I don't go back until they call me.

I have a good core of regular cleans, so the 'occasional' callers get cleaned around my regular schedule. As long as they make me money I am happy with working this way.

Finally, yes I am off my trolley. 😊

John.

[G Griffin]

a guy comes up to me and asked if I would do is cafe widows

Was it a Sad Café?

[Tom White]

At the end of each quote, once everything has been agreed, summarise what it is you're to do and the frequency; it's daft cleaning a job and then asking what the frequency will be; that affects the price.

For larger commercial jobs I've even typed up a 'statement of understanding' which sets out the frequency and requirements.

It reduces the risk of a misunderstanding.

And if you've got flu, stay in bed.

[Jonny Swirljet]

Many incident in life that happen to us are to expand our wisdom and knowledge and make us better people. These occurrence are destined to happen to us and beyond our control and you have to rise above retribution as it is a negative emotion.

I had an elderly lady customer who had a very small bungalow and I charged £12 to clean the windows.   Last month on completing the window cleaning she came to the door with the money clutched in her frail old hands and I was engulfed in a wave of guilt for charging her that amount so I said I'd reviewed her fee and decided to reduce it to £10. She was a bit dumbfounded but I explained that it only took me 10 minutes to complete the clean and I was happy with that amount.

The next visit she asked me if I knew anyone who could put together a piece of garden furniture for her, I didn't, but offered to do it for her.  It took me about half an hour and she made me tea and biscuits. On completion she offered me money for my time, which I refused.

A few days ago a customer who lives opposite her rang me to inform me that the old lady had passed away suddenly which saddened me.

In conclusion I'm just trying to say that "don't let money be your god al the time" it will make you miserable and you will develop a vinegary persona.

I'm reasonably well off but after a heart attack and not knowing if I was going to survive, possessions became very insignificant and life took on a whole new meaning. I'm not religious, not in the organised religion sense but aware we have spirit guides who are here to guide us on our short journey of life.   

[Spruce]

Many incident in life that happen to us are to expand our wisdom and knowledge and make us better people. These occurrence are destined to happen to us and beyond our control and you have to rise above retribution as it is a negative emotion.

I had an elderly lady customer who had a very small bungalow and I charged £12 to clean the windows.   Last month on completing the window cleaning she came to the door with the money clutched in her frail old hands and I was engulfed in a wave of guilt for charging her that amount so I said I'd reviewed her fee and decided to reduce it to £10. She was a bit dumbfounded but I explained that it only took me 10 minutes to complete the clean and I was happy with that amount.

The next visit she asked me if I knew anyone who could put together a piece of garden furniture for her, I didn't, but offered to do it for her.  It took me about half an hour and she made me tea and biscuits. On completion she offered me money for my time, which I refused.

A few days ago a customer who lives opposite her rang me to inform me that the old lady had passed away suddenly which saddened me.

In conclusion I'm just trying to say that "don't let money be your god al the time" it will make you miserable and you will develop a vinegary persona.

I'm reasonably well off but after a heart attack and not knowing if I was going to survive, possessions became very insignificant and life took on a whole new meaning. I'm not religious, not in the organised religion sense but aware we have spirit guides who are here to guide us on our short journey of life.   

Well said, although I believe we all have a conscience which we let motivate us to do right or ignore or suppress it when we don't do right.

My father once explained to my brother and myself as kids that money isn't everything in life and that we should also volunteer our services to help others in need without expecting a financial reward for doing it. We volunteered our services twice a week at the local RSPCA, although I often look back and wonder if we were more of a hindrance than a help. Sometimes we might do a service for others and they may not even know we have done it.

That conversation had a huge impact on me. My younger brother on the other hand said that these were the words of a stupid old man and if you believed them you were also stupid.

My brothers whole life was centered around money and he paid the ultimate price; he died prematurely from a heart attack that was a direct result of his life style.

.
 

[JandS]

Nice one Jonny.
I have a few elderly customers and I will do the same.....little things that little old ladies can't do.
Changing smoke alarm batteries....kitchen window over sink for free because that's the only one they can't reach......sorting out a dripping gutter joint on their bungalow....5 minute jobs that mean the world to them.
And most of the time there is a reward down the line.....usually in the form of paid work for family and friends.
Or maybe like this year from one,  18 can pack of Stella and a bottle of wine for the wife.

[PHILIP HARDY]

Unfortunatley not believing "money is king", only comes to us later in life when a realisation that mortality is a cetainty, as a younger human being you are driven to work,earn and provide for the family institution and as thus must ensure there wellbeing which normally drives you to work the admittedly flawed capitalist system, later you recognise that working more than playing,missing more than seeing and regretting more than celebrating has along with your youth past you by,
Money is not King, contentment and living up to your own standards of dignity and compassion are King.
Here endeth Sunday morning service 
Phil. (an atheist who would have stabbed his granny for 50p at 30 and is now @60 giving skint customers free cleans until they get back on there feet!!).

[Tosh]

A vinegary personality. 

[Smurf]

I would like to think any decent human being would try to  help others out  when in need if they are able to do so.

[Shrek]

I always try to earn as much as I possibly can , once I'm well off then il think about doing stuff for free

[Marc Stock]

You know what, i found. If you go into business to make as much money as you can...... you will do so at the expense of:

1) Your health
2) Your reputation with others
3) Your family
4) Your customers

However if you go into business to

1) Be the best at what you do
2) Remain competitive
3) Put your customers 1st
4) Make time for relationships in both business and personal life

The wealth will take care of itself.

[dave f]

unlike you I am not or ever have been well off but I have the opportunity to help the local community which I do  so there