[Clearview]

Just got this text from a customer who i've had for 3 years. Its a 4 bedroom detached house on a nice estate & i was doing them every other month for £15. Last clean i put them up to £17. They're both full time teachers...

"Hi, Hope you're well, Just to let you know we will not be continuing with your window cleaning services. The unexpected price increase has made it financially un-viable for us."

Why is it that some people expect window cleaners to never put their prices up? I would suggest that after 3 years you should expect a price rise & £1 per month shouldn't make it "Un-viable".

[Stoots]

That's the risk you run. Some of my custys will be coming  up to 3 years now and I'm considering doing my first increase next April. I would hate to lose a long term custy over a quid or two though so I'm not sure if I will risk it.

[Small but perfectley formed]

Typical teachers  good salary and pension 13 weeks paid holiday but can't afford a £ 1   .

[Slacky]

I'm not sure if I will risk it.

You have an unviable business model in that case.

[Shrek]

I doubt anyone would lose 100% of their customers with a price increase..... which is why it isn't really an issue. You'll lose a few and then the cycle starts again, picking up new customers.
Does anyone know of a windy who doesn't get any ( not even 1) new customers anymore?

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

It's not that she can't afford it- she definitely can afford it. What she really means is that the 2 quid increase now decreases the "value" element of the arrangement. It's a psychological/control affair. It's the "number" rather than the amount that counts in her mindset. You win some you lose some, move on is my advice.

[Spruce]

We heard that  teachers are being put under pressure to renew their contracts which means a downgrade in pay and conditions. The Government wants to make school holidays unpaid, but teachers will still have their usual holiday allowance which they will have to take during school holidays.

According to our informant these new contracts will mean a pay reduction of around £2000 a year each. Schools are also under pressure to reduce staff - another worry if you are a teacher in an at risk catagory.

The prices we get for window cleaning are centered round what a customer believes or perceives is a reasonable price to pay. We had one years ago that set the price he felt was fair at £7.50 which included a conservatory. They were a mature couple, never had children, both had good jobs and the Astra with a personalized plate was replaced every few years. He is a member of the local golf club. When I increased the price to £8.50 he begrudgingly paid it. But son said he wasn't happy. About 5 years later I raised the price to £10.00. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He cancelled us.

We gave that street to son in law to work when he joined us cleaning windows 7 years ago. He ask SIL to quote to have them done and he told him it would be £10.00. No he replied, I will not pay more than £7.50. SIL laughed and walked away. Apparently, the last window cleaners ripped him off price wise for years. 

.

[P @ F]

I put all mine up last January by £2 , actually a handful only went up £1 due to them being new accounts and close to what they should have been anyway , i did not lose one of them , i had 2 grumble a bit but they stayed on in the end , this was the second rise in 12 years (my biggest mess up )
I would not go so far as to do it every year , but from Jan last they will be going up every other year for sure , if they grumble they are gone no questions .

[Spruce]

It's not that she can't afford it- she definitely can afford it. What she really means is that the 2 quid increase now decreases the "value" element of the arrangement. It's a psychological/control affair. It's the "number" rather than the amount that counts on her mindset. You win some you lose some, move on is my advice.

I agree with this.

Whether they can afford it or not is another matter. He could be paying child support to a previous ex. We have a doctor in this situation and she's screwing him for every penny she can get.

.

[Crystal-clear]

It's not that she can't afford it- she definitely can afford it. What she really means is that the 2 quid increase now decreases the "value" element of the arrangement. It's a psychological/control affair. It's the "number" rather than the amount that counts on her mindset. You win some you lose some, move on is my advice.

Lol this is so true well said
And mate it's annoying £2.00 bloody hell also spruces story is crazy too
Further advice is this
Before you price rise go out canvassing and pick up 30 new customers with you're new prices . Then go and price rise 30 of your old customer you're unlikely to loose more then 1-3 of the old customers but at least it keeps you relaxed when they come out with  "financially un-viable"

[dazmond]

Just got this text from a customer who i've had for 3 years. Its a 4 bedroom detached house on a nice estate & i was doing them every other month for £15. Last clean i put them up to £17. They're both full time teachers...

"Hi, Hope you're well, Just to let you know we will not be continuing with your window cleaning services. The unexpected price increase has made it financially un-viable for us."

Why is it that some people expect window cleaners to never put their prices up? I would suggest that after 3 years you should expect a price rise & £1 per month shouldn't make it "Un-viable".

we ve all had this before mate.

luckily its only ever 1 or 2 customers out of hundreds of price rises.dont worry about it.

[dazmond]

That's the risk you run. Some of my custys will be coming  up to 3 years now and I'm considering doing my first increase next April. I would hate to lose a long term custy over a quid or two though so I'm not sure if I will risk it.

classic mistake.put them up mate.you ll be glad you did as you ll only ever lose 1 or 2 out of hundreds of customers.

[Clearview]

That's the risk you run. Some of my custys will be coming  up to 3 years now and I'm considering doing my first increase next April. I would hate to lose a long term custy over a quid or two though so I'm not sure if I will risk it.

The problem is, if you never increase your prices you'll never progress as a business.  I certainly don't want to be making the same money i was making 5 years ago. Some customers don't appreciate that your running a business, not just collecting a few beer tokens for the nearest pub 

[Clearview]

The prices we get for window cleaning are centered round what a customer believes or perceives is a reasonable price to pay.
.

Thats the truth, you have to set their perceptions high to begin with so they value the work you do. Its all about managing expectation. Ive got a £20 minimum on all new work now, I don't really need the work so i'm not bothered if i quote & don't get it. Ive been picking up loads lately which is encouraging, some people recognise & value quality service.

[Clearview]

It's not that she can't afford it- she definitely can afford it. What she really means is that the 2 quid increase now decreases the "value" element of the arrangement. It's a psychological/control affair. It's the "number" rather than the amount that counts on her mindset. You win some you lose some, move on is my advice.

Lol this is so true well said
And mate it's annoying £2.00 bloody hell also spruces story is crazy too
Further advise is this
Before you price rise go out canvassing and pick up 30 new customers with you're new prices . Then go and price rise 30 of your old customer you're unlikely to loose more then 1-3 of the old customers but at least it keeps you relaxed when they come out with it no longer being "financially un-viable"

That is really good advice, thanks

[nathankaye]

I learnt this at the begining of the tax year. I put some prices up, first time in many years and ones moaned because it was a 50% increase or in some a 100% increase, which for one customer meant an extra £2.50!!

I didnt really put old prices up....kinda like a loyalty price! Whereas all new work was very nicely priced, but the gap was too big to ignore and so i took action.   There was no actual loyalty, i lost a handfull because of £2 or £3 pound.....unbelievable!! If i had put their prices up by a £1 each year it would have been tripple what i was putting it up by!!
I only lost about 5 customers in the end out of my entire round, but ive learnt from this so my customers who still have lower prices will be hit with an increase each year so they get used to it.  My other customers will get hit every 2 years.
If i loose any it doesnt matter as im always picking new work up at the new prices i want!

[Clearview]

I learnt this at the begining of the tax year. I put some prices up, first time in many years and ones moaned because it was a 50% increase or in some a 100% increase, which for one customer meant an extra £2.50!!

I didnt really put old prices up....kinda like a loyalty price! Whereas all new work was very nicely priced, but the gap was too big to ignore and so i took action.   There was no actual loyalty, i lost a handfull because of £2 or £3 pound.....unbelievable!! If i had put their prices up by a £1 each year it would have been tripple what i was putting it up by!!
I only lost about 5 customers in the end out of my entire round, but ive learnt from this so my customers who still have lower prices will be hit with an increase each year so they get used to it.  My other customers will get hit every 2 years.
If i loose any it doesnt matter as im always picking new work up at the new prices i want!

The problem that i have now is that there's such a big discrepancy between old & new work ( Normally £5 - £10 per house). So i have to raise the price of old work, but even if i do that at £1 per year it'll take 5 years to get up to current rates. And in 5 years time today's rates will be out of date.

[brianbarber]

Had exactly same thing a few weeks ago, went up,£3 from 27 to 30
8'weekly so, yearly increase 6 cleans at 3 , basically I've been sacked for the sake of £18 per year....
  Unreal.
This sacking was also after a long email explaining costs of living situation etc

Mr B

[dazmond]

Had exactly same thing a few weeks ago, went up,£3 from 27 to 30
8'weekly so, yearly increase 6 cleans at 3 , basically I've been sacked for the sake of £18 per year....
  Unreal.
This sacking was also after a long email explaining costs of living situation etc

Mr B

i never send a long email explaining a price rise.they either except it or not.i really dont care whether i keep the job or not (literally!).this is the best attitude to have IME.

[Slacky]

Sod explaining about my living costs. Truth is that's nothing to do with your custards, end of story. If you wish to put your prices up, regardless of reason, the custard either takes it or leaves it.

[nathankaye]

Sod explaining about my living costs. Truth is that's nothing to do with your custards, end of story. If you wish to put your prices up, regardless of reason, the custard either takes it or leaves it.

Cant believe im quoting slacky!
But hes right.....thats there choice as it is our choice to amend our prices.
We expect them to at least acknowledge the fact that prices go up.........to suck it up and continue employing us. But the simple truth........they dont have too, the market is saturated with window cleaners more than willing to do it cheaper!!
Or else there wouldnt be a market for "Go compare" and we wouldnt have to put up with the annoying adverts. But thats what people do..   or dont you shop around when it comes to renew your van insurance, or gas/electric bills or drive around for the cheaper petrol station.......same principles applies for our customers

[nathankaye]

Had exactly same thing a few weeks ago, went up,£3 from 27 to 30
8'weekly so, yearly increase 6 cleans at 3 , basically I've been sacked for the sake of £18 per year....
  Unreal.
This sacking was also after a long email explaining costs of living situation etc

Mr B

One of my customers who i had for over ten years sacked me because of a pound increase.....why??
Because to them my job was even easier now that im not up n down a ladder taking longer to clean their windows. So why should i be paid more for doing so!
Fair enough i will get someone who doesnt know difference and they will pay my asking price.. without getting into my cost of living and work expenses bla bla blar...

Or everytime you pop into your local shop is there a notice above every price increase......." sorry about the increase......hope you dont mind but petrol costs have gone up, so its got knock on effects and supply costs have gone up. We have no choice....sorry!!"
😂😂😂

Plus that email hit the spam bucket straight away

[Clearview]

Sometimes its down to sheer jealousy. You can see the customer doing the maths in their heads "He charges me £20 for a job that takes 30minutes, that means he makes £40 per hour". And that means you don't  fit  the box they want you to be in as their window cleaner / house boy.  They don't like the fact that you're making more money than they are.
What they forget of course is that you're running a business & there is a difference between business TURNOVER & profit.

[dazmond]

Sometimes its down to sheer jealousy. You can see the customer doing the maths in their heads "He charges me £20 for a job that takes 30minutes, that means he makes £40 per hour". And that means you don't  fit  the box they want you to be in as their window cleaner / house boy.  They don't like the fact that you're making more money than they are.
What they forget of course is that you're running a business & there is a difference between business TURNOVER & profit.

.....and driving about in  brand new vans and going on 5 star holidays!

[Stoots]

So what's the best way of approaching a rise.

I was thinking a letter 2-3 months before giving a date (let's say 6th April)

Notifying them after that date their clean will increase by X amount. Obviously if they are in you can explain in person along with the letter (or just shove it in their hand and run  )

To be honest I think a blanket increase say £1 every 2 years would be easier to get them used to it.

Obviously those underpriced jobs need to come into line so all work is on a level.

Do you think it would be viable to say to the customer  "if there's any problem with the price increase, speak to me and I will see why I can do" or would you just be hard   and it's a like it or lump it? Perhaps this would depend on the custy...if you don't like doing that job anyway and you don't care then maybe you be firm, if it's an easy job and they are great payers maybe you can say, you know what I'd rather keep you on then lose you over a quid. Are we perhaps being too greedy in some cases? Especially since most of use will be increasing way above the rate of inflation.

[Shrek]

So what's the best way of approaching a rise.

I was thinking a letter 2-3 months before giving a date (let's say 6th April)

Notifying them after that date their clean will increase by X amount. Obviously if they are in you can explain in person along with the letter (or just shove it in their hand and run  )

To be honest I think a blanket increase say £1 every 2 years would be easier to get them used to it.

Obviously those underpriced jobs need to come into line so all work is on a level.

Do you think it would be viable to say to the customer  "if there's any problem with the price increase, speak to me and I will see why I can do" or would you just be hard   and it's a like it or lump it? Perhaps this would depend on the custy...if you don't like doing that job anyway and you don't care then maybe you be firm, if it's an easy job and they are great payers maybe you can say, you know what I'd rather keep you on then lose you over a quid. Are we perhaps being too greedy in some cases? Especially since most of use will be increasing way above the rate of inflation.

See what you can do? Nooooooo
You 'Hi , your price is going up £1'
Custy ' erm what can you do for me? I'm not happy with that.'
You ' ok , il keep you at the same price '
Custy '  '

You - back to square one 

[Slacky]

I used to tell them. They just get the new price now on the slip that goes through the door.

[Slacky]

Do you think it would be viable to say to the customer  "if there's any problem with the price increase, speak to me and I will see why I can do"

Yes thats viable. For them.

[nathankaye]

You definately do not ask them if they are not ok with the increase, thats a one way ticket to problems!

I just let them know that i have to adjust their price which will be £x on next clean.
That gives them 4 weeks to let me know not to do them, if not they are still my customer.
You have to stop being scared of running your business incase you loose one or two customers!!! Just remember all the new customers you may have picked up in the last couple of months as in technically youve already replaced them if they say no!

[Stoots]

It costs money to replace customers though through marketing costs.

Of course if you are in a position where they fall on your lap then you are laughing. However most of my customers have been gained through a lot of effort or expense.

Just seems daft to lose a great paying, reliable income source for the sake of a quid. Some of my not so good customers I could care less about mind.

[nathankaye]

It costs money to replace customers though through marketing costs.

Of course if you are in a position where they fall on your lap then you are laughing. However most of my customers have been gained through a lot of effort or expense.

Just seems daft to lose a great paying, reliable income source for the sake of a quid. Some of my not so good customers I could care less about mind.

Buy isn't it the same......its a bit daft of a customer to loose a good worker for a couple of quid! 😕
Im sure you must have had walk ups or people contact you through word of mouth??? Or in space of a year you must have gained more new customers than lost (be it physically or financially). If you are, then your not really loosing a customer as you already replaced them with customer x a couple of months back who actually pays more than what this one does anyway 😉

[P @ F]

This is what i used , it worked just fine bar 2 moaners

[Shrek]

This is what i used , it worked just fine bar 2 moaners

I used this earlier in the year !! Thanks - only lost one , happy days 👍

[dazmond]

So what's the best way of approaching a rise.

I was thinking a letter 2-3 months before giving a date (let's say 6th April)

Notifying them after that date their clean will increase by X amount. Obviously if they are in you can explain in person along with the letter (or just shove it in their hand and run  )

To be honest I think a blanket increase say £1 every 2 years would be easier to get them used to it.

Obviously those underpriced jobs need to come into line so all work is on a level.

Do you think it would be viable to say to the customer  "if there's any problem with the price increase, speak to me and I will see why I can do" or would you just be hard   and it's a like it or lump it? Perhaps this would depend on the custy...if you don't like doing that job anyway and you don't care then maybe you be firm, if it's an easy job and they are great payers maybe you can say, you know what I'd rather keep you on then lose you over a quid. Are we perhaps being too greedy in some cases? Especially since most of use will be increasing way above the rate of inflation.

your overthinking it.just notify them a month/2 months prior to the rise either face to face,by text or scribbled on their invoice.be firm and do not mention anything about a "problem".most will be fine.occasionally you ll lose 1 or 2 but IME its very rare.you ll still be quids in.

i put over 200 accounts up a quid or two and only lost 2 jobs back in april purely to pay for my van rental(the rise easily covers it).

[AuRavelling79]

Say for arguments sake you have 100 customers at an average price of £15.00 per clean. The 100 custies are making you £1500 per clean.

So you put prices up by £1 average to £16.00. Now you make £1600 per clean. Let's say 4 cancel. Now you have 96 customers at £16 totalling £1536.

So you are getting an extra £36 for 4% less work. Lovely.

More likely 1 or 2 will cancel so less work and even more money and more time to take on new custies.

Now lets say you put up prices by £2 to £17.00. Lets say 6 cancel. Now you have 94 x 17 totalling £1,598 for 6% less work.

But there will come a point where it will be counter productive. Prices going up by 5 to 15% maybe tolerated by most. I bet a 50% rise would only be tolerated by a smaller number. A 100% rise by almost no-one.

[AuRavelling79]

"Hi, Hope you're well, Just to let you know we will not be continuing with your window cleaning services. The unexpected price increase has made it financially un-viable for us."

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your concern as to my health; I am very well and I hope you and your family are too.

I appreciate your letting me know that your finances are in such a precarious state that the increase I have applied is making the present level of household expenditure unviable for you.

I have been giving some thought as to how you can become financially viable once more and that along with cutting out having clean windows you might consider extra part time work? For example with the 12 weeks holiday in the teaching profession you could get seasonal jobs such as Santa or one of his elves at Xmas, or a job as a Yellowcoat in the summer at Maplins.

The benefits would be compounded if you were to cut out your skiing holiday to Switzerland or your Caribbean cruise in summer. I know you do not have to pay towards a pension if you want a viable retirement as I do but nevertheless your being abstemious with your finances now will surely help in the future.   

Once again thank you for custom to date; it has been much appreciated although I must confess that your leaving has made room for two viable customers from my long waiting list of fair minded folk who appreciate having a good and reliable window cleaner.

May flights of angels transport you to your rest.



Clearview.
P.S.  Teachers! ... Leave them kids alone!

[nathankaye]

"Hi, Hope you're well, Just to let you know we will not be continuing with your window cleaning services. The unexpected price increase has made it financially un-viable for us."

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your concern as to my health; I am very well and I hope you and your family are too.

I appreciate your letting me know that your finances are in such a precarious state that the increase I have applied is making the present level of household expenditure unviable for you.

I have been giving some thought as to how you can become financially viable once more and that along with cutting out having clean windows you might consider extra part time work? For example with the 12 weeks holiday in the teaching profession you could get seasonal jobs such as Santa or one of his elves at Xmas, or a job as a Yellowcoat in the summer at Maplins.

The benefits would be compounded if you were to cut out your skiing holiday to Switzerland or your Caribbean cruise in summer. I know you do not have to pay towards a pension if you want a viable retirement as I do but nevertheless your being abstemious with your finances now will surely help in the future.   

Once again thank you for custom to date; it has been much appreciated although I must confess that your leaving has made room for two viable customers from my long waiting list of fair minded folk who appreciate having a good and reliable window cleaner.

May flights of angels transport you to your rest.



Clearview.
P.S.  Teachers! ... Leave them kids alone!

Wouldnt it be funny and amazing if someone had the balls to actually reply like this......im gonna keep this under my belt for when im told something to the effect of their finances

[Walter Mitty]

If someone cancelled over £1 a clean, they probably were about to cancel anyway.

[JackieW]

My  God, what has the world come to when someone has decided they no longer want their windows cleaned at the offered rate.

[nathankaye]

For me, i prefer people to be upfront. A spade is a spade for instance.
Thats my moan and we happen to be on a forum full of window cleaners who also at times would like a small rant thinking that its a safe place to do so as we all can relate to it.
But we all have different egos and are all mostly men so rather than just letting someone rant we feel the need to correct them or fix it..........rather than it being what  it is,,,,,,,a pointless rant!

 😂😂😂  No i sound like my mrs 😭

[johnny bravo]

i usually put a few up at a time to see what the feed back is. usually only a pound,  it dosent sound as much as 2 POUND.
It does make a big difference that £1 extra.    could be an extra few hundred pound a month
    the north east is very competitive atm  , everyone giving daft prices.  im just glad i have the amount of customers i have gained.   i am always getting calls from newbie customers,      if they are in my encachment area i may do them,  but not at a low price to please them.       i can easilly walk away now not feeling guilty that i charge them a higher quote than i would have done when starting out.
Pressure washing , ive had loads but stopped doing this last year,  just have not got the time to let my regular customers get behind.       Theres always someone waiting to jump in.

[Slacky]

Chances are if a rise in price is too much for them to swallow they'd find paying on time awkward. Be grateful, you've got rid of someone who negatively influences your cash flow instead of second guessing them.

[Marc Stock]

I put my prices up by a fiver in some cases and other cases £1, or £2 last year.

Not lost one customer due to price increases. The key to it is to not bring too much attention to it.

If you send them a long essay describing that the prices are increasing or 'going up' and how you can't swallow the extra costs yadda yadda yadda.... your bringing attention to it.

I send a very short but consise letter, in with their window cleaning bill that prices are being adjusted. I simply state the new price will now be £xx from the next clean going forward..simple

So they see their current bill  £30 and the letter says the price is being adjusted to  £32 they already have the 30 figure in their head and when they read £32 it's not a shock as 2 vs 30 is small.

But if you send a letter saying YOUR PRICES ARE GOING UP BY £2. your already programming a negative reaction before they have been finished reading the sentence, and the solo £2 sticks out in their head vs 32..

Just need to use a bit of foresight with these things guys..

[tlwcs]

Thank you for your text but it's financially un-viable for me to continue at the old rate. See ya 😁

[H2GoKent]

Once a year, same time every year (so they can't say 'but you just put it up') increase your price at least by inflation.
Review your work, increase the messers by more a lot than the rest.
I write a short letter saying something like 'costs are always increasing blah blah blah, from the ...of...the price to clean your windows will increase to...thank you for your loyal custom'

If you forget to did this, you can find yourself facing a paycut as inflation bites into your earnings.
Value your time.

[dazmond]

Once a year, same time every year (so they can't say 'but you just put it up') increase your price at least by inflation.
Review your work, increase the messers by more a lot than the rest.
I write a short letter saying something like 'costs are always increasing blah blah blah, from the ...of...the price to clean your windows will increase to...thank you for your loyal custom'

If you forget to did this, you can find yourself facing a paycut as inflation bites into your earnings.
Value your time.

personally i think putting up prices every year is too often.everything isnt going up every year at all.prices go down as well as up but we dont ever put our prices down do we?(petrol/diesel for example)

[H2GoKent]

Once a year, same time every year (so they can't say 'but you just put it up') increase your price at least by inflation.
Review your work, increase the messers by more a lot than the rest.
I write a short letter saying something like 'costs are always increasing blah blah blah, from the ...of...the price to clean your windows will increase to...thank you for your loyal custom'

If you forget to did this, you can find yourself facing a paycut as inflation bites into your earnings.
Value your time.

personally i think putting up prices every year is too often.everything isnt going up every year at all.prices go down as well as up but we dont ever put our prices down do we?(petrol/diesel for example)

Up to you mate, but inflation is running at 3% overall.
I always aim to earn more this year than last in real terms. You only have a finite amount of time so you should use it well.

Doesn't your tag line say 'price higher work harder'?

[dazmond]

Once a year, same time every year (so they can't say 'but you just put it up') increase your price at least by inflation.
Review your work, increase the messers by more a lot than the rest.
I write a short letter saying something like 'costs are always increasing blah blah blah, from the ...of...the price to clean your windows will increase to...thank you for your loyal custom'

If you forget to did this, you can find yourself facing a paycut as inflation bites into your earnings.
Value your time.

personally i think putting up prices every year is too often.everything isnt going up every year at all.prices go down as well as up but we dont ever put our prices down do we?(petrol/diesel for example)

Up to you mate, but inflation is running at 3% overall.
I always aim to earn more this year than last in real terms. You only have a finite amount of time so you should use it well.

Doesn't your tag line say 'price higher work harder'?

yep it does.it was something i put there a few years ago to give me a bit of motivation.ive earned more every years for over 7 years now due to price rises and taking on better quality work at higher prices(in fact £22,000-£23,000 more on top of my previous normal annual earnings)but i still think a price rise every year for regular customers is too often.