[Walter Mitty]

She has 2 little dogs

That's what I regard as an "only clean if I'm home" job.

Also known as "history".

[dazmond]

ive just sent them a text that he's not coming now so can leave gate locked 

 

[Brian Nunn]

See ya 
That is exacctly why i dont text , i reckon if i did i wouldnt have anybody left !

you prefer to sneak up and catch em by surprise hey?

If they dont know your coming they cant cancel can they , I run a slack ship with regard to my whens and wheres 

Yes I can see your point. Just say roughly every 4 weeks no fixed day of the week. Ask about access beforehand and make a note of it.
I do prefer the customer to be in though and collect payment there and then.
What do you do if they are out, drop a note in saying you have cleaned the windows?

[Marc Stock]

I have a locked gate policy.

I do not text the day before.

On my bills is the next clean date. I will return on that date, that is a contract.

It says on my bills 'please leave access on the due dates as we cannot guarantee to return on a later date'

It also says all payments are due in full under all circumstances.

Trust me they forget once, they dont do it a second time as full payment is required regardless.

It works, and works very well.

[paul alan]

I have a locked gate policy.

I do not text the day before.

On my bills is the next clean date. I will return on that date, that is a contract.

It says on my bills 'please leave access on the due dates as we cannot guarantee to return on a later date'

It also says all payments are due in full under all circumstances.

Trust me they forget once, they dont do it a second time as full payment is required regardless.

It works, and works very well.

I haven't got the balls to do that!

I don't mind it too much as the front only is usually 1/3 of the job but charge 2/3 of the price for this.

like your style though!

[P @ F]

I have a locked gate policy.

I do not text the day before.

On my bills is the next clean date. I will return on that date, that is a contract.

It says on my bills 'please leave access on the due dates as we cannot guarantee to return on a later date'

It also says all payments are due in full under all circumstances.

Trust me they forget once, they dont do it a second time as full payment is required regardless.

It works, and works very well.

Thank God for that , I was starting to think I was the only one with a spine    (KIDDIN CHAPS)
Although 12 years is not a life time , its more than enough time to realise that you dont have to have the P155 taken out of you on a regular basis , true , i still have some fools on the books , a few poor payers too , but i take the P155 when it comes to my water bill and my council tax too , but if they didnt rip me off to begin with they would get theirs sooner !!!

[Stoots]

Only text if needed (locked gate).

If I turn up and gates locked I do front only.

In the case of a text like that I would just say "no problem thanks". If it became a habit I would get rid but no need to dump someone just because once in a blue moon they can't unlock the gate.

[Shrek]

Only text if needed (locked gate).

If I turn up and gates locked I do front only.

In the case of a text like that I would just say "no problem thanks". If it became a habit I would get rid but no need to dump someone just because once in a blue moon they can't unlock the gate.

Course there is , he’s quoted them a monthly clean price and the customer doesn’t even want him to do the front because no one is going to be in! If that isn’t a messer , I don’t know what is 

[nathankaye]

Only text if needed (locked gate).

If I turn up and gates locked I do front only.

In the case of a text like that I would just say "no problem thanks". If it became a habit I would get rid but no need to dump someone just because once in a blue moon they can't unlock the gate.

Course there is , he’s quoted them a monthly clean price and the customer doesn’t even want him to do the front because no one is going to be in! If that isn’t a messer , I don’t know what is 

Absolutely and even if it is down to dogs making a mess etc, stick them in the back room etc.
This ain't the first time she has done this but on the previous occasion I didn't mind as I had an hectic day and one less house to clean was a good thing, so didn't even offer just a front clean option.
But she's made it pretty clear so she can become some one else's problem

[Stoots]

Only text if needed (locked gate).

If I turn up and gates locked I do front only.

In the case of a text like that I would just say "no problem thanks". If it became a habit I would get rid but no need to dump someone just because once in a blue moon they can't unlock the gate.

Course there is , he’s quoted them a monthly clean price and the customer doesn’t even want him to do the front because no one is going to be in! If that isn’t a messer , I don’t know what is 

Nah if he can't unlock it he can't unlock it no point getting upset.

Who wants just the front of there house cleaning? I wouldnt.

Not saying that he might not become a Messer, if he does dump him.

What's to be gained dumping a customer who you clean 11 times a year rather than 12.  Will you miss the tenner over the year?

Anyway Nath asked him did he want the front doing and he said no. Shouldn't have asked should have stated "no problem, will just do the fronts this time and charge accordingly" then if he had said no I can see your point. But if you are asking the guy he feels like he has a choice, you are giving him mixed signals by asking him then demanding he complys or you will dump him

[JandS]

What happens if you cannot do them on the next due date due to unforseen circumstances......do you text them then.......some on here are very inflexible surprised they still have rounds.

[Dry Clean]

I have a locked gate policy.

I do not text the day before.

On my bills is the next clean date. I will return on that date, that is a contract.

It says on my bills 'please leave access on the due dates as we cannot guarantee to return on a later date'

It also says all payments are due in full under all circumstances.

Trust me they forget once, they dont do it a second time as full payment is required regardless.

It works, and works very well.

I haven't got the balls to do that!

I don't mind it too much as the front only is usually 1/3 of the job but charge 2/3 of the price for this.

like your style though!

Who are his customers ? put it this way if a shiner turned up at your door looking paid for a job he hadn't done because you had
forgot to unlock the gate, would you pay him ?
Worse still, imagine if this was somebody's pensioner mum who had forgot and then had to pay for a non clean,  its not about having the balls its about keeping them from feeling the sharp end of a steel toecap boot. lol.

[Missing Link]

That's what I regard as an "only clean if I'm home" job.

Also known as "history".

My customers just tell me not to nick their stuff:



She's an ex-army orificer.

[G Griffin]

Nate, you've been undone by your overuse of words again. 'Ask if required'?
You asked and you weren't required.
Just ask her to leave the gate open. If she doesn't or doesn't want them doing then use loads of words and flannel to dump her via courtesy text.
You might want to increase your texts allowance first though.

[Walter Mitty]

What's to be gained dumping a customer who you clean 11 times a year rather than 12.  Will you miss the tenner over the year?

Because if every customer did this, it would be a cut in income of 8 and one third per cent (one twelfth).
If something like this happens and the customer has very good history, I will probably let it go - unless it's for a reason that's likely to be repeated. I was once sent away in case I upset the new dog (it was a rescue job).  That was likely to be a repeat send away due to the reason. In spite of the customer's good record, I dropped the job. Now if it had been (for example) "My neighbour is in hospital for a couple of weeks and I'm looking after their aggressive dog, but it will be gone soon, I would probably take that on the chin.

[LT carpet cleaning]

I have a locked gate policy.

I do not text the day before.

On my bills is the next clean date. I will return on that date, that is a contract.

It says on my bills 'please leave access on the due dates as we cannot guarantee to return on a later date'

It also says all payments are due in full under all circumstances.

Trust me they forget once, they dont do it a second time as full payment is required regardless.

It works, and works very well.

Surely nobody is foolish enough to pay for work that hasn’t been done.

[Stoots]

What's to be gained dumping a customer who you clean 11 times a year rather than 12.  Will you miss the tenner over the year?

Because if every customer did this, it would be a cut in income of 8 and one third per cent (one twelfth).
If something like this happens and the customer has very good history, I will probably let it go - unless it's for a reason that's likely to be repeated. I was once sent away in case I upset the new dog (it was a rescue job).  That was likely to be a repeat send away due to the reason. In spite of the customer's good record, I dropped the job. Now if it had been (for example) "My neighbour is in hospital for a couple of weeks and I'm looking after their aggressive dog, but it will be gone soon, I would probably take that on the chin.

But every customer doesn't do this, I also said if becomes a habit then get rid. But the odd customer skipping the odd clean doesn't do any harm. "Can't unlock the gate" on one occasion doesn't equal a dump.

I'm more than happy to dump genuine Messer's.  I had one custy which was a backpack to the rear job, I text for rear gate gets all way round and it locked. Did I dump them on the spot? No I explained that it would need leaving open in future. It happened again a couple of cleans later so I just did the front and got paid. I then stopped texting a just cleaned the front for about 6 months. Then the wife said why don't you do the back anymore, so told her why. Next clean comes round still locked! So never went back.

I also dumped one a few weeks ago, she recently got a three legged dog, small yappy thing. Had been a great custy up until then, always home to pay cash..cleaned a few times and the dog goes nuts jumping all over the house (quite why she lets it rather than sticking the boot in it I don't know). Anyway she started saying things like "oh your here to upset my dog again" and could tell she didn't like me turning up anymore. Until one day I turned up and she said, not today can you only come when we are out as the dog hurt itself last time. Of course I never went back to that one.

[Walter Mitty]

What's to be gained dumping a customer who you clean 11 times a year rather than 12.  Will you miss the tenner over the year?

Because if every customer did this, it would be a cut in income of 8 and one third per cent (one twelfth).
If something like this happens and the customer has very good history, I will probably let it go - unless it's for a reason that's likely to be repeated. I was once sent away in case I upset the new dog (it was a rescue job).  That was likely to be a repeat send away due to the reason. In spite of the customer's good record, I dropped the job. Now if it had been (for example) "My neighbour is in hospital for a couple of weeks and I'm looking after their aggressive dog, but it will be gone soon, I would probably take that on the chin.

But every customer doesn't do this, I also said if becomes a habit then get rid. But the odd customer skipping the odd clean doesn't do any harm.

Like I said, it depends if the reason is likely to be part of an ongoing issue.  Also, it does do harm.  If the job is for, say, £20, that's £20 I won't earn that day if I'm up to date with my work. If I'm a bit behind, maybe it won't cost me money as I can bring another job forward (if there are any more in that area).
I'm already hard pushed financially. It's easy to think of this as the person dipping into my wallet and taking £20.

[Stoots]

What's to be gained dumping a customer who you clean 11 times a year rather than 12.  Will you miss the tenner over the year?

Because if every customer did this, it would be a cut in income of 8 and one third per cent (one twelfth).
If something like this happens and the customer has very good history, I will probably let it go - unless it's for a reason that's likely to be repeated. I was once sent away in case I upset the new dog (it was a rescue job).  That was likely to be a repeat send away due to the reason. In spite of the customer's good record, I dropped the job. Now if it had been (for example) "My neighbour is in hospital for a couple of weeks and I'm looking after their aggressive dog, but it will be gone soon, I would probably take that on the chin.

But every customer doesn't do this, I also said if becomes a habit then get rid. But the odd customer skipping the odd clean doesn't do any harm.

Like I said, it depends if the reason is likely to be part of an ongoing issue.  Also, it does do harm.  If the job is for, say, £20, that's £20 I won't earn that day if I'm up to date with my work. If I'm a bit behind, maybe it won't cost me money as I can bring another job forward (if there are any more in that area).
I'm already hard pushed financially. It's easy to think of this as the person dipping into my wallet and taking £20.

I think if it's a problem to you to miss the odd ten or 20 quid  then you need more work.

Likewise if you are on top of your work and up to date you probably my need more work.

I would always factor if having slightly more work than you need due to these factors, I never seem to run out of work, if someone skips or whatever I just do the next job, someone might want a conny roof doing so if I've time I'll do it.

Dont you get asked for gutters or conny etc? The way I see it is if 20 quid of work can't be done this week but I've been asked to do conny roof then I'm no worse off.

[dazmond]

What's to be gained dumping a customer who you clean 11 times a year rather than 12.  Will you miss the tenner over the year?

Because if every customer did this, it would be a cut in income of 8 and one third per cent (one twelfth).
If something like this happens and the customer has very good history, I will probably let it go - unless it's for a reason that's likely to be repeated. I was once sent away in case I upset the new dog (it was a rescue job).  That was likely to be a repeat send away due to the reason. In spite of the customer's good record, I dropped the job. Now if it had been (for example) "My neighbour is in hospital for a couple of weeks and I'm looking after their aggressive dog, but it will be gone soon, I would probably take that on the chin.

But every customer doesn't do this, I also said if becomes a habit then get rid. But the odd customer skipping the odd clean doesn't do any harm.

Like I said, it depends if the reason is likely to be part of an ongoing issue.  Also, it does do harm.  If the job is for, say, £20, that's £20 I won't earn that day if I'm up to date with my work. If I'm a bit behind, maybe it won't cost me money as I can bring another job forward (if there are any more in that area).
I'm already hard pushed financially. It's easy to think of this as the person dipping into my wallet and taking £20.

I think if it's a problem to you to miss the odd ten or 20 quid  then you need more work.

Likewise if you are on top of your work and up to date you probably my need more work.

I would always factor if having slightly more work than you need due to these factors, I never seem to run out of work, if someone skips or whatever I just do the next job, someone might want a conny roof doing so if I've time I'll do it.

Dont you get asked for gutters or conny etc? The way I see it is if 20 quid of work can't be done this week but I've been asked to do conny roof then I'm no worse off.

i dont get it either adam.walter mitty has been cleaning windows longer than me(he started back in 1991) and he s always skint.