[The Jester of Wibbly]

First one today.  A text from a customer to put on hold cleans until the spring.

How do you reply?

I sent a text back telling them it's fine. But I couldn't guarantee a spare slot in the spring due to being very busy now.

[Dry Clean]

That's the only way to handle it Paul, giving off and crying to customers only makes us sound desperate, that said I wouldn't be in any rush to take them back in the spring unless it suits you.

[M & C Window Cleaning]

Yeah I have maybe half dozen long standing customers that do it every year.  With some of them they go out to work before it's light and get back after dark so don't benefit from it. Another customer's work falls off during the winter months so her wages drop and she can't then afford it.
TBH it's not that many that it bothers me really as long as when I'm doing them they are conscientious payers.

[Missing Link]

I don't reply; I just take them off the books.

[Soupy]

Doesn't bother me.  I can clean more houses in July than I can in January anyway. Suits me.

[Cookie]

Charge a decent rate over the spring/summer /autumn that makes up for the lack of cleans during winter. I do this with several holiday lets on my round.

[Small but perfectley formed]

work out monthly price x 12 then divide by number of months they have them cleaned that way you get 12 months money for 8 months or so work 

[nathankaye]

I have 2 regular customers who do it, not for as long mind you. But I automatically pick them back up after a couple of months or so. I dont mind as im always picking up new work any way that it balanaces the books and more than not, making more profit so is it really a hassle,,,,not really!

[dazmond]

i dont have any customers who do this although i do have a customer who goes 8 weekly in winter from 4 weekly.it doesnt bother me at all.

[Johnny B]

I work according to whatever frequency the customer wants, so it makes no difference at all to me.

John.

[Stoots]

I've only had one.

No worries I said.

I simply deleted them from the round, if they ring back in spring and want to start again no problem but I won't  chasing them or asking . As far as I'm concerned they are no longer a custy, if they want to be one again balls in their court. Out of sight out of mind.

I've found best thing to do with all non committal customers, I'll think about it, I'll ring you next time, I'll let you know, I'll be in touch when the gates fixed,  I will be in touch in spring or I'll let you know when the garden finished. Any of these are a cancel and that's what I do, if they get in touch fine but we all know they rarely do.

[robbo333]

Just text back 'Ok no problem'
If you are really busy then this may help with the darker nights. You can pick them up again in Feb/Mar.
If you don't want them, then just don't contact them again.   

[AuRavelling79]

I don't tolerate inconsiderate behaviour. I delete them from my round.

[Soupy]

Window cleaners are very strange.

[Soupy]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

[Steve Newres]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

Do you shut for the winter then?

[P @ F]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

Do you shut for the winter then?

He must work all weekend too !
I see my windows in daylight all weekend , to me its just people penny pinching , which i dont have a problem with , but as a custie that type of mentality is no good to me , i have and do get caught by these people from time to time , but its never me doing them again come Spring , i do one first clean per custie and thats it !

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

Do you shut for the winter then?

No probably just sits at home sending invoices and taking Gocardless payments hoping they don't notice he hasn't been 

[Soupy]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

Do you shut for the winter then?

No, we clean windows for folk that want them done. If they don't want them done this time of year that's fine. Not about to throw my toys out of the pram.

There are plenty folks that see a benefit, if they don't, they don't. Why should they pay for something they don't need for my benefit? I wouldn't do that for anyone.

[Soupy]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

Do you shut for the winter then?

He must work all weekend too !
I see my windows in daylight all weekend , to me its just people penny pinching , which i dont have a problem with , but as a custie that type of mentality is no good to me , i have and do get caught by these people from time to time , but its never me doing them again come Spring , i do one first clean per custie and thats it !

I work most Saturdays November to February. No choice, it was dark at 3:30 today.

It'd be handy if a few more cancelled for winter to be honest.

[Steve Newres]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

Do you shut for the winter then?

No, we clean windows for folk that want them done. If they don't want them done this time of year that's fine. Not about to throw my toys out of the pram.

There are plenty folks that see a benefit, if they don't, they don't. Why should they pay for something they don't need for my benefit? I wouldn't do that for anyone.

I just don't take them back. It's very few and I just don't want customers that can't afford the service all year round. There's plenty that can.

[NWH]

I always say to any new customers I’m not a fair weather WCleaner I work all year round regardless if you want me you want me all year,it only works out they have to put up with having them done 2-4 times at the most in the darker months. Once you start the slippery slope of saying that’s fine all there friends will be texting you too,I would just say it’s all year or not at all that’s why I always make sure I have more work than I can handle as anyone is bound to get these kind of people loaded or not,if it was a nice big quick 1 I’d just negotiate going to 3-4 monthly and say that’ll only give you 1 winters clean 2 at the most.

[Bungle]

I've had one so far. She sent a text just before she was due saying can we leave the windows until next April and rediarise then  . I clean all year round I texted back. She replied yes but can you rediarise for next April? I didn't bother replying. She even skipped a clean during the summer texting me saying she had visitors staying over. Like WTF has that got to do with anything 

Dumped!

[nathankaye]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

The ones who are in during the day will very rarely gaze through their window and say " wow arent my windows lovely n gleaming today! 
Most people have their windows cleaned for the outward appearance of the general house rather than being able to look through their window on the rare occasions like washing pots for instance.

[Soupy]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

The ones who are in during the day will very rarely gaze through their window and say " wow arent my windows lovely n gleaming today! 
Most people have their windows cleaned for the outward appearance of the general house rather than being able to look through their window on the rare occasions like washing pots for instance.

I wash pots so I've got a clean pot, not for general appearance. Why else would anyone clean a pot?

[Marc Stock]

I just say to them they are paying to keep their windows clean and in good condition. Not to pay to have them cleaned when they are filthy and cant see out of them again.

[nathankaye]

I wouldn't pay to get my windows cleaned through winter. It's dark when I set off in the morning, dark when I get home. I work 6 days a week, why would I bother paying for someone to clean something I will hardly see till April?

The ones who are in during the day will very rarely gaze through their window and say " wow arent my windows lovely n gleaming today! 
Most people have their windows cleaned for the outward appearance of the general house rather than being able to look through their window on the rare occasions like washing pots for instance.

I wash pots so I've got a clean pot, not for general appearance. Why else would anyone clean a pot?

Think that may have been misunderstood.
The thought is people dont generally look out their windows other than perhaps standing at the sink washing pots and looking out the kitchen window for instance

[AuRavelling79]

I tell them when I take them on what my terms are.

Regular. No doorstep cancellations. No "leave it this times". No "I'll text to make sure your gate is unlocked". No "Leave it 'til spring." No "It's raining/might rain."

So when they then ignore my  terms its goodbye from him. No drama. Just don't need them.

[windowswashed]

I've only had one.

No worries I said.

I simply deleted them from the round, if they ring back in spring and want to start again no problem but I won't  chasing them or asking . As far as I'm concerned they are no longer a custy, if they want to be one again balls in their court. Out of sight out of mind.

I've found best thing to do with all non committal customers, I'll think about it, I'll ring you next time, I'll let you know, I'll be in touch when the gates fixed,  I will be in touch in spring or I'll let you know when the garden finished. Any of these are a cancel and that's what I do, if they get in touch fine but we all know they rarely do.

Customers like that I take off my round and tell them to contact me when they are sorted even though I don't expect them back. If they do come back and it's been a while I tell them I've put my prices up since they were last a customer of mine and if they want back it's extra with the new price 

[Walter Mitty]

First one today.  A text from a customer to put on hold cleans until the spring.

How do you reply?

I sent a text back telling them it's fine. But I couldn't guarantee a spare slot in the spring due to being very busy now.

The last time someone did this was two years ago.
She asked, "Is that alright?"
I said, "It depends how much work I have by next spring."
I never went back.  If I had lost work over that winter, I would have returned - and re-quoted (probably would have upped it by one third or one half).  So either way, the job was over because I couldn't see her paying that.  My view is that if someone wishes to break the verbal contract, I can too.

[Soupy]

One day there might be enough competition in this game that you lot are forced to get a grip.

[Steve Newres]

One day there might be enough competition in this game that you lot are forced to get a grip.

There is and the competition are welcome to them. I’m seeing new vans regularly besides. To me these are sub prime customers.

[Soupy]

One day there might be enough competition in this game that you lot are forced to get a grip.

There is and the competition are welcome to them. I’m seeing new vans regularly besides. To me these are sub prime customers.

Then you are treating them incorrectly.

Before you can afford to throw a hissy fit and bin perfectly good customers, for no good reason, you have it too easy.

[Steve Newres]

One day there might be enough competition in this game that you lot are forced to get a grip.

There is and the competition are welcome to them. I’m seeing new vans regularly besides. To me these are sub prime customers.

Then you are treating them incorrectly.

Before you can afford to throw a hissy fit and bin perfectly good customers, for no good reason, you have it too easy.

If they were perfectly good customers I wouldn't bin them. That's the point!

It's a two monthly service - 6 cleans a year - if they skip 3 they are only half a customer. If they tell me when I sign them up they get told it's an all year service. When they sign up every customer is clearly told it's a clean every 8 weeks, so they are also less than straight,

[Slacky]

Its remarkable how personally people take it. I find the comment about space on the round next year not being guaranteed odd as well. I think thats just an opportunity taken to try to get 'one' back on the customer.

I had a text from an old, unreliable customer about a week ago about coming back to clean her windows and gutters. I just haven't replied.

Just get on with the day to day business of doing what needs to be done and enjoy the fact you're doing okay. Petty games are just petty.

[Slacky]

I've had one so far. She sent a text just before she was due saying can we leave the windows until next April and rediarise then  . I clean all year round I texted back. She replied yes but can you rediarise for next April? I didn't bother replying. She even skipped a clean during the summer texting me saying she had visitors staying over. Like WTF has that got to do with anything 

Dumped!

Years ago I had one say, when I'd turned up 'You always clean them when the dog groomer is here, can we leave it this time'.

[Soupy]

One day there might be enough competition in this game that you lot are forced to get a grip.

There is and the competition are welcome to them. I’m seeing new vans regularly besides. To me these are sub prime customers.

Then you are treating them incorrectly.

Before you can afford to throw a hissy fit and bin perfectly good customers, for no good reason, you have it too easy.

If they were perfectly good customers I wouldn't bin them. That's the point!

It's a two monthly service - 6 cleans a year - if they skip 3 they are only half a customer. If they tell me when I sign them up they get told it's an all year service. When they sign up every customer is clearly told it's a clean every 8 weeks, so they are also less than straight,

Again, you are looking at that all wrong.

Surely 16 weeks could cover most of winter, (24 certainly can) someone you cleaned the end of Oct would be back on mid to late Feb, ready for the spring.

You have missed them once.

[Steve Newres]

One day there might be enough competition in this game that you lot are forced to get a grip.

There is and the competition are welcome to them. I’m seeing new vans regularly besides. To me these are sub prime customers.

Then you are treating them incorrectly.

Before you can afford to throw a hissy fit and bin perfectly good customers, for no good reason, you have it too easy.

If they were perfectly good customers I wouldn't bin them. That's the point!

It's a two monthly service - 6 cleans a year - if they skip 3 they are only half a customer. If they tell me when I sign them up they get told it's an all year service. When they sign up every customer is clearly told it's a clean every 8 weeks, so they are also less than straight,

Again, you are looking at that all wrong.

Surely 16 weeks could cover most of winter, (24 certainly can) someone you cleaned the end of Oct would be back on mid to late Feb, ready for the spring.

You have missed them once.

If it was just one clean I wouldn’t mind. It would be April/May and easily half the annual income. Not worth it and not the message I want to give anyway.

[Walter Mitty]

One day there might be enough competition in this game that you lot are forced to get a grip.

Sure thing. If supply and demand changes sufficiently, I guess I'll have to adapt. Indeed, that has already happened to some degree with the increased roll-out of WFP.

[nathankaye]

If its one customer who's house is say £80 a clean and they ask to skip winter and then I can understand some being upset.

Or if it was 15 - 30 odd customers all cancelling till spring, again Incould understand some not being happy.

But one or two customers............get a grip folks.             Like someone said to me a while ago, how many new customers have you gained leading upto winter??  So in actual fact to where you were a year ago from now,,,,,,your actually doing well so its no real true loss.      Stop taking it so personnally people as if you have some claim of righy to how they spend their income and to how they choose to employ

[richard groves]

Just text back 'Ok no problem'
If you are really busy then this may help with the darker nights. You can pick them up again in Feb/Mar.
If you don't want them, then just don't contact them again.   

This would be my answer too. Leave the ball in their court. I can't be bothered trying to figure out if people genuinely wish to resume in the spring or not.

[Soupy]

I say 'Fine no problem, see you in Spring' and set their next due date to March on Cleaner Planner.

[NWH]

If they bin you off winter they are not a good customer and bad customers get dropped imo.

[Soupy]

And some of you wonder why the window cleaning industry isn't treated as professional.

[Soupy]

If they bin you off winter they are not a good customer

Why? It's a perfectly reasonable request.

A good customer to me is one who pays a fair price, promptly, for services rendered. End of.

[Steve Newres]

And some of you wonder why the window cleaning industry isn't treated as professional.

Some might argue that the more professional approach is to adhere to the terms of the arrangement. Each to their own. Given where you are I can understand why you might take a different approach. Do you get daylight this time of the year? 

[AuRavelling79]

Give it up Soupy.

If you want to have customers that cancel on a whim that's your prerogative. Mine is to make an agreement and stick to it.

I've more than enough work and it's a nice easy way for customers to self-cull. Because I set my stall up as to terms of business it rarely happens more than once or twice a year anyway.

As far as other competition and other window cleaners - the place is awash with them. (Pun intended) For some daft reason I get more recommends than I need. No website either.

[NWH]

Allow this to happen or be acceptable you won’t have a business for long you’ll be busy come spring though for 5 months that’s about it and all the Windows will be filthy dirty,ok if your hot though eh 😉

[Soupy]

Give it up Soupy.

Nah, you're being petty and pathetic.

[AuRavelling79]

Give it up Soupy.

Nah, you're being petty and pathetic.

 

[P @ F]

I assume all you guys that let custies do this charge double when they want to start up again ?
If not then you need yer heads looking at 

[Soupy]

I assume all you guys that let custies do this charge double when they want to start up again ?
If not then you need yer heads looking at 

No no, I establish this in the beginning and add extra throughout the contract.

[Steve Newres]

Just had one wants to cancel until March.

Hi Sue

Would it be possible to pause window cleaning now until March? We would like to then only have the windows cleaned every 2 months.

Please let me know if that is okay.

Thank you
Kind regards
Emma


Last cleaned in October, so half the income gone. In the interest of science I've sent this (my maths are skewed I know but I doubt she'll notice):

Hi Emma,

Your windows are only cleaned every two months. After 6 months your windows will be very dirty so the first clean in March would be £50. For an extra £25 (as three cleans would be skipped) you could continue to have the benefit of clean windows. Let me know which you want to do. Or ofcourse you can just cancel the service completely.

Regards,


Steve Seddon

[Bungle]

Just had one wants to cancel until March.

Hi Sue

Would it be possible to pause window cleaning now until March? We would like to then only have the windows cleaned every 2 months.

Please let me know if that is okay.

Thank you
Kind regards
Emma


Last cleaned in October, so half the income gone. In the interest of science I've sent this (my maths are skewed I know but I doubt she'll notice):

Hi Emma,

Your windows are only cleaned every two months. After 6 months your windows will be very dirty so the first clean in March would be £50. For an extra £25 (as three cleans would be skipped) you could continue to have the benefit of clean windows. Let me know which you want to do. Or ofcourse you can just cancel the service completely.

Regards,


Steve Seddon

So, is your name Sue or Steve?

[AuRavelling79]

He's Sue on the weekends.

[Walter Mitty]

And some of you wonder why the window cleaning industry isn't treated as professional.

If you (or I) agree to a contract and fail to honour it, we are usually penalised in some way. Maybe we have to keep paying until the contract would have lapsed or if we pay a credit card bill late, we must pay a £12 penalty plus some extra interest.

With window cleaning, that's not so easy to enforce so we have to do it by other means - like charging more per clean if a customer wants to re-start in spring, or maybe just find a higher paid job instead.  Most of us don't have a customer's signature on a contract, but it's still a verbal contract.  I/we clean your windows approximately every x weeks (except for unavoidable circumstances like freeze-ups/sickness) and you pay me/us £x.  If a customer says at the outset that they wish to cancel November-March cleans, I can thank them for their enquiry and decline, or I can factor that into the price.  If they make that decision after the contract starts, they have broken the contract. That gives me the right to do likewise.

No emotion. No hissy fits. No Gold-style flounces.
Just a business decision.

[KS Cleaning]

Just had one wants to cancel until March.

Hi Sue

Would it be possible to pause window cleaning now until March? We would like to then only have the windows cleaned every 2 months.

Please let me know if that is okay.

Thank you
Kind regards
Emma


Last cleaned in October, so half the income gone. In the interest of science I've sent this (my maths are skewed I know but I doubt she'll notice):

Hi Emma,

Your windows are only cleaned every two months. After 6 months your windows will be very dirty so the first clean in March would be £50. For an extra £25 (as three cleans would be skipped) you could continue to have the benefit of clean windows. Let me know which you want to do. Or ofcourse you can just cancel the service completely.

Regards,


Steve Seddon

She will only be skipping 2 cleans, I'm sure she will be able to work that out.

[Shrek]

I just had one who is front only -

‘Hi shrek , thanks for cleaning the windows today, payment has been made and I would like to change to every 2 months from now on’
Me ‘ yeah no worries, it’ll £x for 2 monthly’

Her ‘ is that for front and back?’

Me ‘ no front only , your windows will be dirtier after 2 months and will take longer to clean ‘

Her ‘ oh il stay monthly then ‘

Me -   

[dazmond]

Just had one wants to cancel until March.

Hi Sue

Would it be possible to pause window cleaning now until March? We would like to then only have the windows cleaned every 2 months.

Please let me know if that is okay.

Thank you
Kind regards
Emma


Last cleaned in October, so half the income gone. In the interest of science I've sent this (my maths are skewed I know but I doubt she'll notice):

Hi Emma,

Your windows are only cleaned every two months. After 6 months your windows will be very dirty so the first clean in March would be £50. For an extra £25 (as three cleans would be skipped) you could continue to have the benefit of clean windows. Let me know which you want to do. Or ofcourse you can just cancel the service completely.

Regards,


Steve Seddon

i couldnt be arsed with that if shes a 2 monthly customer.id dump her.if all your customers did this you d be up s*** creek without a paddle.luckily i dont have a single customer who doesnt have their windows cleaned all year round.

[Walter Mitty]

i couldnt be arsed with that if shes a 2 monthly customer.id dump her.if all your customers did this you d be up s*** creek without a paddle.luckily i dont have a single customer who doesnt have their windows cleaned all year round.

There you have touched on the way I see things Dazmond. It's in the "... if all my customers did that ..."  If all my customers cancelled for the winter, I would be living in a doss bag in a shop doorway by February - broke, hungry, lucky to have survived any freeze-ups. It sounds dramatic, but if ALL customers did it, my income would be £0.

[Steve Newres]

Just had one wants to cancel until March.

Hi Sue

Would it be possible to pause window cleaning now until March? We would like to then only have the windows cleaned every 2 months.

Please let me know if that is okay.

Thank you
Kind regards
Emma


Last cleaned in October, so half the income gone. In the interest of science I've sent this (my maths are skewed I know but I doubt she'll notice):

Hi Emma,

Your windows are only cleaned every two months. After 6 months your windows will be very dirty so the first clean in March would be £50. For an extra £25 (as three cleans would be skipped) you could continue to have the benefit of clean windows. Let me know which you want to do. Or ofcourse you can just cancel the service completely.

Regards,


Steve Seddon

She will only be skipping 2 cleans, I'm sure she will be able to work that out.

"Hi Steve

That's great thanks. I thought so but couldn't remember what we'd set up.
yes, fine for £50.

Thanks
Emma"

Hmm. you were right - only two cleans and by charging £50 only one clean. I might do this again.

[Soupy]

You are all stupid.

I'm right, you're wrong.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

You are all stupid.

I'm right, you're wrong.

When you're talking about your own business then you're right.

When you're talking about someone else's business you're wrong 

[Steve Newres]

You are all stupid.

I'm right, you're wrong.

I was surprised she'd agree to £50.  I'll review each one on its merits, but I won't automatically bin. In this it's just two cleans and she pays double on the third.

[Shrek]

Just had one at 9pm ...
‘Hi shrek , after tomorrow’s clean I would like to go to once a month please until spring ‘

Me...’ hi - I’m confused, Iv been cleaning them once a month for the past year ‘

Him ‘ oh ok , carry on as normal ‘

Me .... 

[AuRavelling79]

Just to throw a spanner in the works ...

When I semi-retire (I'm only one quarter retired at the mo' ) I might tell all my customers I don't work between Nov 1st and March 1st.

I bet plenty would go for that and if they do and they say things like "you know what my last window cleaner was a right PITA - he virtually forced me into having my windows done in winter or he wouldn't come back!"

I'll reply "How shocking and inconsiderate. You are well shot of him!"

 

[Soupy]

If you want to have customers that cancel on a whim that's your prerogative. Mine is to make an agreement and stick to it.

That's the crux of it there. I doubt you set an agreement at point of sale that you would continue to clean throughout the winter and that this was part of the ongoing contract. I doubt that you stated that any deviation from that was tantamount to breach of contract and that your service would be terminated and an onslaught of flouncing would ensue.

If you tried to enforce that on people in a properly competitive market you'd be screwed in no time. Perhaps you've not got as much competition as you think?

Anyway, these people are not cancelling. Monthly ones will miss 3-4 cleans, bi monthlies will miss 1-2. Those months being December (short days + at least 2 days off for Christmas), January (short days + at least 2 days off for new year), and February (short days, short month), all with the possibility of adverse weather. If you're not struggling to get finished in these months you need to buck your ideas up, what have you been doing all summer?

Also, you get to charge them a nice big fat one off price when they phone up wanting their windows cleaned for Christmas, if you've got time of course. Often I don't, if only more customers would stop over winter, eh.

[Steve Newres]

If you want to have customers that cancel on a whim that's your prerogative. Mine is to make an agreement and stick to it.

That's the crux of it there. I doubt you set an agreement at point of sale that you would continue to clean throughout the winter and that this was part of the ongoing contract. I doubt that you stated that any deviation from that was tantamount to breach of contract and that your service would be terminated and an onslaught of flouncing would ensue.

If you tried to enforce that on people in a properly competitive market you'd be screwed in no time. Perhaps you've not got as much competition as you think?

Anyway, these people are not cancelling. Monthly ones will miss 3-4 cleans, bi monthlies will miss 1-2. Those months being December (short days + at least 2 days off for Christmas), January (short days + at least 2 days off for new year), and February (short days, short month), all with the possibility of adverse weather. If you're not struggling to get finished in these months you need to buck your ideas up, what have you been doing all summer?

Also, you get to charge them a nice big fat one off price when they phone up wanting their windows cleaned for Christmas, if you've got time of course. Often I don't, if only more customers would stop over winter, eh.

Explain what you mean by “properly competitive”?

[Soupy]

Explain what you mean by “properly competitive”?

Enough competition that customers could quickly and easily bin you for someone of a similar price who doesn't have ridiculous terms in their contract

[Steve Newres]

Explain what you mean by “properly competitive”?

Enough competition that customers could quickly and easily bin you for someone of a similar price who doesn't have ridiculous terms in their contract

Then the marketplace here an everywhere I would think is “properly” competitive. A quick Google would give half a dozen competitors, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg.  It’s not “ridiculous “ to have an agreed frequency and price.

[Soupy]

It’s not “ridiculous “ to have an agreed frequency and price.

Of course not. What is ridiculous is your insistence that the agreement cannot include 'no cleans between December and February', which is a perfectly reasonable request.

[Dry Clean]

Explain what you mean by “properly competitive”?

Enough competition that customers could quickly and easily bin you for someone of a similar price who doesn't have ridiculous terms in their contract

Then the marketplace here an everywhere I would think is “properly” competitive. A quick Google would give half a dozen competitors, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg.  It’s not “ridiculous “ to have an agreed frequency and price.

He does have an agreed frequency and price he just doesn't have the luxury of binning a customer for deciding to cancel a
few cleans, obviously you do.
Your competition isn't on google, its the other shiners who clean on the same street and what they have to offer.

[dazmond]

a customer is someone who has their windows cleaned.if they keep faffing about wanting to skip cleans for no good reason.whats the point?most customers are great and have them cleaned on the agreed frequency with no trouble at all.why put up with the 00.01%?

i clean the same amount of work whether its spring/summer/autumn/winter as i dont work past 4pm anyway and only actually work 5-7 hours a day 4 or 5 times a week.the only extra work i do in the warmer months are add on jobs(i pick them up in winter too but not as many as spring/summer).

[Dry Clean]

a customer is someone who has their windows cleaned.if they keep faffing about wanting to skip cleans for no good reason.whats the point?most customers are great and have them cleaned on the agreed frequency with no trouble at all.why put up with the 00.01%?

i clean the same amount of work whether its spring/summer/autumn/winter as i dont work past 4pm anyway and only actually work 5-7 hours a day 4 or 5 times a week.the only extra work i do in the warmer months are add on jobs(i pick them up in winter too but not as many as spring/summer).

What are you putting up with ? if a customer decides they don't want a winter clean that's their business, if they pay on time without fuss, aren't rude and you have room on your round then the only reason not to take them back on is revenge,
is it any wonder most people don't consider window cleaning a business.
For the worry warts on here, if the whole country decides to do this then you charge enough over the summer months to cover
the winter shortfall and spend the winter with your feet up in Spain.

[Marc Stock]

I think we can agree to take each one case as a case by case basis.

I have had a few in the past want to skip a clean or two. What do i do about it? I upsell. Offer a quarterly service at an increase of price.

Every friday i do my quarterly customers. On average they are 30% more profitable vs time spent. I now have alot of quarterly customers well over 120 of them and it keeps them happy and makes me more profit.

[AuRavelling79]

And while Soupy and co. tell me what I can and cannot do, I do it anyway.

Just to repeat. Despite having several cleaners in my area, of which I know at least two others clean in the same streets in all the areas I work I do not tolerate anyone who cancels for winter.

When I take them on I say "Let me tell you my terms of business; then you can see if we will get on businesswise. I mention a few points including "I clean all year round and only take on regular customers on that basis. "

Once or twice a year someone tries it on and I remind them I do not work on that basis.

"Simples" as our Meerkat friends say.

[Slacky]

I can categorically and truthfully state I am 8 weekly’s window cleaner and he regularly cancels on the doorstep.


Sad but true 

[CleanClear]

Just had one at 9pm ...
‘Hi shrek , after tomorrow’s clean I would like to go to once a month please until spring ‘

Me...’ hi - I’m confused, Iv been cleaning them once a month for the past year ‘

Him ‘ oh ok , carry on as normal ‘

Me .... 

LOL !! I've had exactly that.......

[Splash & dash]

We do 4 weekly cleans with a very small amount of 8 weekly jobs , if someone wants to cancel from October to March type of thing that’s 6 cleans half a year I certainly won’t be going back don’t need that type of customer , over the years I have weeded out most of this type of customer , when taking on new jobs I stress it’s a year round agreement, if they are having work done on the property ie. decorating , extensions built fine , but they either want clean windows each month or they don’t , we are that busy with existing work and regularly picking up more work I just thank them for there custom but say I won’t be coming back as someone else who wants year round cleaning will be getting there slot , if you start letting customers dictate to you like this they will say to there friends that they have cancled  until the spring and very quickly. You won’t have enough work in the winter then in the summer you will struggle to get round it all :

[Soupy]

And while Soupy and co. tell me what I can and cannot do, I do it anyway.

Just to repeat. Despite having several cleaners in my area, of which I know at least two others clean in the same streets in all the areas I work I do not tolerate anyone who cancels for winter.

When I take them on I say "Let me tell you my terms of business; then you can see if we will get on businesswise. I mention a few points including "I clean all year round and only take on regular customers on that basis. "

Once or twice a year someone tries it on and I remind them I do not work on that basis.

"Simples" as our Meerkat friends say.

Nobody is saying you can't do anything. I'm saying you are pathetic because you do.

You're pathetic, your competition is fairly pithless too. That won't be the way forever. Probably long enough away for you to sod off before it's a problem, because, you know, you're old AF.

[Soupy]

My word, I'm exceptionally grumpy at the moment, no need for any of that.

Crack on boys. If you want to turn away customers because you don't like being asked not to clean their windows during winter, I don't care, not really.

Crack on.

[dazmond]

some of my customers skip a clean occasionally due to building work,holidays and such like.if you have a customer that cancels for the winter they too could skip a clean in the spring/summer months so how many times a year are you going to be cleaning these properties if their on an 8 weekly frequency?twice a year,three times?then theres xmas and holidays where we all move our work forward a week or two.

i understand where soupys coming from as its work (regardless of frequency.)just price accordingly but its not something ive experienced much TBH.(AS IN CANCELLING FOR THE WINTER)

marc hits a good point and it makes sound business sense to offer longer frequency cleans for a higher price(so your times worth more) esp if you ve already got a  full round of more regular work.this tends to work best for larger stand alone properties IME.

[AuRavelling79]

But you do care enough to "worry" at my posts eh, Soups? 

I agree with you really; if I had a knight in shining armour like you with several of his minions in their 4x4's turning up in my area then all my customers would go to you to receive professional service and benefit from your business acumen.

'Til then I'll just carry on until I "sod off" into oblivion and (hopefully later) off of this mortal coil.

[Soupy]

But you do care enough to "worry" at my posts eh, Soups? 

I agree with you really; if I had a knight in shining armour like you with several of his minions in their 4x4's turning up in my area then all my customers would go to you to receive professional service and benefit from your business acumen.

'Til then I'll just carry on until I "sod off" into oblivion and (hopefully later) off of this mortal coil.

In all honesty I value your opinion over many/most on here, and I should know better than to dismiss your opinion so readily. You don't learn anything entrenching in your own ideas.

Think it might be all those customers phoning me up to cancel for winter that's got me all wound up.

 

[Slacky]

I think you value my opinion more if the truth were told Soups.

[Dry Clean]

I have about 6 or so that cancel over the winter, great tippers so out of the three missed cleans when all is added up I lose the price of a clean, wont be dumping them anytime soon, to be honest even if they didn't tip I still wouldn't be dumping them I just ain't bovvered.

[Soupy]

I think you value my opinion more if the truth were told Soups.

Obvs.

[Steve Newres]

I have about 6 or so that cancel over the winter, great tippers so out of the three missed cleans when all is added up I lose the price of a clean, wont be dumping them anytime soon, to be honest even if they didn't tip I still wouldn't be dumping them I just ain't bovvered.

If they can afford to tip so well you’d think they could afford to have the windows cleaned. 

[NWH]

I just say to em I’m only a window cleaner yeeeeeeaaaaahhhh just call me when you feel like it love I’m easy I’ll come and do em when you fancy it,clear sky 28 degrees no rain forecast for 2 weeks no worries.

[Bungle]

I have about 6 or so that cancel over the winter, great tippers so out of the three missed cleans when all is added up I lose the price of a clean, wont be dumping them anytime soon, to be honest even if they didn't tip I still wouldn't be dumping them I just ain't bovvered.

If they can afford to tip so well you’d think they could afford to have the windows cleaned. 

They tell him to call round for his Xmas tip while they're on their 6 month break from having the windows cleaned 

[Soupy]

I thought north east Scotland was bad but I don't fancy living where you guys live.

Six months of winter? Screw that.

[Og]

It gets dark at four, I’m happy to lose a couple or few over winter.

[Soupy]

It gets dark at four, I’m happy to lose a couple or few over winter.

15th to 31st of December it's dark before 3:30 round here.

[Og]

It gets dark at four, I’m happy to lose a couple or few over winter.

15th to 31st of December it's dark before 3:30 round here.

 I went to primary school your side of the border, just. Hogweed, adders and diminishing daylight were big features.
And good raspberries.

It’s a service industry, customer satisfaction is paramount. If losing maybe £50 a week of work for two months is a problem then you perhaps you don’t have the flexibility that is needed by some of us, to maintain our best jobs over time.

[Soupy]

It gets dark at four, I’m happy to lose a couple or few over winter.

15th to 31st of December it's dark before 3:30 round here.

 I went to primary school your side of the border, just. Hogweed, adders and diminishing daylight were big features.
And good raspberries.

It’s a service industry, customer satisfaction is paramount. If losing maybe £50 a week of work for two months is a problem then you perhaps you don’t have the flexibility that is needed by some of us, to maintain our best jobs over time.

Oh, I get by through winter just fine thanks. 'Cancel for winter' customers and all.

[Dave66]

Tell them if they can convince the mortgage company gas electric sky tesco etc etc if they don't mind not been paid till spring I'm in!

[Dry Clean]

I have about 6 or so that cancel over the winter, great tippers so out of the three missed cleans when all is added up I lose the price of a clean, wont be dumping them anytime soon, to be honest even if they didn't tip I still wouldn't be dumping them I just ain't bovvered.

If they can afford to tip so well you’d think they could afford to have the windows cleaned. 

Afford has nothing to do with it they just dont want them cleaned.

[Soupy]

Tell them if they can convince the mortgage company gas electric sky tesco etc etc if they don't mind not been paid till spring I'm in!

They sound very much like your responsibilities, not your customers.

How much thought do you give about the bills of people you buy stuff from? Not much.

[Walter Mitty]

It gets dark at four, I’m happy to lose a couple or few over winter.

15th to 31st of December it's dark before 3:30 round here.

That must be pretty scary for you. Do you have one of those miner's helmets for work?

[Soupy]

It gets dark at four, I’m happy to lose a couple or few over winter.

15th to 31st of December it's dark before 3:30 round here.

That must be pretty scary for you. Do you have one of those miner's helmets for work?

Nah, it's always been that way.

We just work Saturdays in December (plus we get a few that cancel during winter).

[robbo333]

I don’t clean my own in the winter 

[P @ F]

I dont clean my own in the summer 
That is why i bought the Mrs a backpack last Christmas 

[paul alan]

I don't clean my own .

[Soupy]

I don't clean my own .

I'll do 'em. £90

No 'not till springs' though.

[paul alan]

hopefully will have moved by then, and even more hopefully (but not realistically) the property would be worth £90 window clean.

[Slacky]

I don't clean my own .

I don't clean.