[tlwcs]

I've had my leaflet through the door offering me a free window clean. They obviously say they will do a great job and you'll want to remain a regular paying custard.
Who the hell is in charge of the marketing there, he wants the sack or at least a kicking.

So with Windows thick with years worth of crap you ring them. Poor bloke turns up works his socks off giving you an impressive first clean, (a clean that most of us charge a premium for) only to be told we'll ring you when we want them done again.

17 years into this has taught me most people will take a freebie if it's needed. Most people who don't have them cleaned regularly, don't want them regular. The younger generation don't seem to want them as regular than their parents do and certain ethnic groups don't want them done at all. Finally if you don't value your time, the custard never will.
I could understand if they were to offer the 10th window clean free if the previous 9 weren't missed. Not something I would do.

In a evermore saturated market I find their offer of the first clean madness
What's everyone's thoughts?
Tony

[Simon Trapani]

I think it’s up to them.

[Lee Pryor]

We offer the first clean free if they have one of our add on services with it. Gutters, fascia, con roof ect.

Other than that yes I think its a bad idea to offer the first clean free on its own.

[Marc Stock]

Its desperation.

They all come out of the woodwork this time of year. 

[tlwcs]

We offer the first clean free if they have one of our add on services with it. Gutters, fascia, con roof ect.

Other than that yes I think its a bad idea to offer the first clean free on its own.

I would imagine the windows are priced into the other service though?

[Lee Pryor]

We offer the first clean free if they have one of our add on services with it. Gutters, fascia, con roof ect.

Other than that yes I think its a bad idea to offer the first clean free on its own.

I would imagine the windows are priced into the other service though?

No, we do not increase the price of the other services to compensate for this. We swallow the free clean.  We do this to encourage people to have the add on services. By having them its then easy to talk them into setting them up on a repeat basis, thus increasing the value of that customer over the year.

[Windy Miller]

Complete desperation as Marc says and a lot of these people come and go in a matter of months I've found.

I lost two customers recently who live across the road from one another to a window cleaner who's pulling a similar number. Not only is he cleaning them for half the price of what I was but he's offering a free clean for every new customer an existing one brings in. So I lost one to him because of him being half my price and then she proceeded to approach my other two existing customers in the street with the promise of a free clean for each new customer she got. I only knew this as the old dear who stayed loyal to me told me the whole story about being approached by her next door.

[Dane]

Surely this could just end up with a huge list of clients that have had a one off free clean 😂🙈

I understand a discount etc but a completely free clean and as a first clean is crazy

[STEVE-UK]

My house could do with the windows being cleaned, would save me a job

[Marc Stock]

Honestly dont worry about it.

If anything its good for your business, the numpty who is doing this wont last forever, and your cheap skate custies who went over to him, well that shows how much they value your service, and who wants customers like that anyway?

And even if he does make it a success, he will at some point have to raise the prices, or start cleaning more frequently to compensate and then he will be back to square one again when they start dropping off like flys.

And then of course if he is so cheap, then its likely to be someone who doesn't pay tax, and isnt insured.

About 6 years ago there was a company not far from me who were trying on the same game, they lasted 2 years, south African bunch

[dazmond]

a window cleaning company near me did this too a few years ago.they went flypostering  with FREE CLEAN in big letters and plastered them on telegraph poles in the areas i work....

i didnt lose any customers to them though.....

[Paul Wisdom]

I had the same leaflet and I live north Birmingham and this company is based in Leeds. Hope they aren't coming from Leeds to do free cleans in Brum 

[Shrek]

We had their leaflets a  while ago , but my business keeps growing. It does pee you off though - them offering work for free when we know how hard first cleans can be.

[tlwcs]

Honestly dont worry about it.

If anything its good for your business, the numpty who is doing this wont last forever, and your cheap skate custies who went over to him, well that shows how much they value your service, and who wants customers like that anyway?

And even if he does make it a success, he will at some point have to raise the prices, or start cleaning more frequently to compensate and then he will be back to square one again when they start dropping off like flys.

And then of course if he is so cheap, then its likely to be someone who doesn't pay tax, and isnt insured.

About 6 years ago there was a company not far from me who were trying on the same game, they lasted 2 years, south African bunch

Not worried in the least, I want to be slowing down!
I'm just amazed that a company from Leeds leaflets through the Uk offering a free clean. They obviously think it will be a winner 💩

[Soupy]

I NEVER EVER EVER clean windows for free.

It's what we do for a living. Free cleans devalue the service in the eyes of the customer.

[robbo333]

I had a quick look at their website and it makes interesting reading, (obviously not as interesting as motorbikes, or porn) but you get the gist.

Personally, I think they know bugger all about window cleaning, (reading 'between the lines' of their text) but they are quite good at franchising and dare I say it...marketing! The reason everyone is getting leaflets all over the uk, is because the cleaning is franchised out to local window cleaners.

They offer their franchisees a huge amount of work, due to their 'internet presence' and 'sales techniques', which I am guessing includes the free clean offer.

The contract must make 'interesting reading' but they do have a lot of franchisees.

Am I bothered, absolutely not.

Is it a good business model? I have no idea.

Will we be getting more leaflets? I reckon.

[bobplum]

i suppose its a numbers game, massive leafleting, get lots of enquiries, if 30% stay on it may be worth it and then you get the knock on effect of being in a area for the first time, generates more business and so on.
The franchise is paying indirectly for the leaflets, which may be bought cheaper because of bulk buying by Nationwide.
Only time will tell

[Slash]

There's a guy in YouTube cleaning commer ial windows free the first time,I won't mention his name but he is Irish.
This is desperation it seems.

[Dane]

I’ve seen their vans in york, more in the centre on a morning but have never seen their fliers. I assumed they were a national company with a lot of commercial work

[Delta]

Why is it desperation?
Bringing a new customer in has a cost attached to it.
If the cost is a £16 free window clean then it makes sense.
Sure they will get more cancellations but it seems to work for them.
Their new customer cost will surely be less than someone paying a canvasser x3.

[Slash]

Sod  that for a game of soldiers,,only mugs would clean for free,more fool them or anybody else who does a first clean for free.
I run a buisness,not a charity 

[Delta]

I agree it's not for everyone and I wouldn't do it but all the big new housing developments have been snapped up by windies who are offering free cleans so it does work.
New developments are not for me so it doesn't affect me.

[tlwcs]

I agree it's not for everyone and I wouldn't do it but all the big new housing developments have been snapped up by windies who are offering free cleans so it does work.
New developments are not for me so it doesn't affect me.

There is no end to this. Get your first clean free, and then get a different windy to do you another free clean.
It's a race to the bottom

[Cookie]

Maybe the free cleans explain why they get a 100% customer satisfaction rating. It's kind of them to let me know (as an 'Other window cleaner') that I have a 42% satisfaction rating:

http://www.ukwindowclean.com/index.html

I obviously need to pull my socks up!

[Splash & dash]

Lol I find this quite funny they do the first clean free , we charge double for first clean that stops the people who are pretending they want a monthly clean messing you about  works for us 😂😂😂😂😂

[Stoots]

UK window clean are  a huge company, obviously growing rapidly judging by the area they cover..i would hazard a guess much bigger than any company on here and it seems a large part of their marketting is using a free first clean.

So its obviously something that works for them or they wouldnt do it, you dont get a large company by constantly doing something that doesnt work.

Building a round is a numbers game and this is seems a good way to get numbers

Yet guys on here are ripping them and telling them how stupid an idea it is, come on guys wake up.

[Slash]

I'm gonna do a whole year of free cleans and this time next year I'll be as big as they are   

[Stoots]

I'm gonna do a whole year of free cleans and this time next year I'll be as big as they are 

But thats the difference though, do you work solo or do you have employees?

Marketting is a cost, and they have obv factored in the cost of customer aquisition into their business plan.



Its basic stuff.

[Delta]

They get bad reviews because their customer service skills are not up to much. It's the hardest part of any business when it grows exponentially, ask Lee Pryor. A great way of getting a bad review is threatening your customers with a debt collector. This is where UK Window Clean have fallen foul.

[Marc Stock]

JUST DID A WHOIS LOOK UP.

the domain name is owned by DFM Services Ltd, in Gibraltar

[Shrek]

JUST DID A WHOIS LOOK UP.

the domain name is owned by DFM Services Ltd, in Gibraltar

It’s that guy you scared off last month when he was acting the tough guy with lee.

[deeege]

Don’t they just sub all the cleans out to local mugs who are even more desperate than them? Or am I thinking of someone else?

[Splash & dash]

UK window clean are  a huge company, obviously growing rapidly judging by the area they cover..i would hazard a guess much bigger than any company on here and it seems a large part of their marketting is using a free first clean.

So its obviously something that works for them or they wouldnt do it, you dont get a large company by constantly doing something that doesnt work.

Building a round is a numbers game and this is seems a good way to get numbers

Yet guys on here are ripping them and telling them how stupid an idea it is, come on guys wake up.

It’s a bit like large supermarkets they sell some things and make a loss on them other things they make a huge profit on so it Evans out in the end , a smaller company cleaning windows can’t afford to do free cleans as a high persentage will only have a couple of cleans done then cancel, so you are loosing out , we charge double for first cleans to stop the messers who are about to move or want a one off clean ripping us off and it workes well I can now spot a one off clean merchant if they want a regular quality service they are quite happy to pay double the first time we are snowed under with work by working this way it’s a no brainier any one who runs a small buisness is an idiot to offer free cleans as they will loose out big time and get lots of messers , since charging double for first cleans we have had zero messers and as a small company that’s what I want regular good honest customers

[Shrek]

UK window clean are  a huge company, obviously growing rapidly judging by the area they cover..i would hazard a guess much bigger than any company on here and it seems a large part of their marketting is using a free first clean.

So its obviously something that works for them or they wouldnt do it, you dont get a large company by constantly doing something that doesnt work.

Building a round is a numbers game and this is seems a good way to get numbers

Yet guys on here are ripping them and telling them how stupid an idea it is, come on guys wake up.

It’s a bit like large supermarkets they sell some things and make a loss on them other things they make a huge profit on so it Evans out in the end , a smaller company cleaning windows can’t afford to do free cleans as a high persentage will only have a couple of cleans done then cancel, so you are loosing out , we charge double for first cleans to stop the messers who are about to move or want a one off clean ripping us off and it workes well I can now spot a one off clean merchant if they want a regular quality service they are quite happy to pay double the first time we are snowed under with work by working this way it’s a no brainier any one who runs a small buisness is an idiot to offer free cleans as they will loose out big time and get lots of messers , since charging double for first cleans we have had zero messers and as a small company that’s what I want regular good honest customers

That’s one thing Iv been caught out with a couple of times - people ringing up for a monthly window clean. When I turn up the 2nd month , they have a for sale sign up 🤬

[Stoots]

Theres your answer, Uk window clean are not a small company hence they can take a loss in the short term to profit in the long term, smaller businesses cant afford to or dont want to do the same.

[Walter Mitty]

It seems a reasonable strategy for a company that can take a small hit (relative to their size).
What percentage of first timers need to be converted to regulars to be in profit?  I don't know, but even if there's a small loss on this, it's cheap advertising.
Also, I doubt they will offer the free first clean forever.  Once that stops, they'll probably have retained at least a quarter of the freebie first timers as regulars, and put their name out there too.
My hunch is that they break even on this part of the business.

[John Mart]

Don’t they just sub all the cleans out to local mugs who are even more desperate than them? Or am I thinking of someone else?

I'm pretty sure that's what they do.

[Granny]

They are all over West Yorkshire.
Once they have done the free clean they just keep coming back and cleaning whether you want them to or not.
A mate of mine has been caught out by them.
Next thing you know is a letter from debt collection.
Most don't want bad credit or the hassle so they just pay it.

[Marc Stock]

It seems that window cleaning isnt the only business they have been involved with. From the looks of it they once owned a dubious insurance claim website.

Enterprise Insurance Claim website – DFM Services Limited
12 Aug 16
Update: 16/12/2016 DFM Services Limited was struck-off the register of companies on application by the company.

The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) is today issuing the following warning to the public regarding the website enterpriseinsuranceclaim.com. This website purports to offer assistance with claims against Enterprise Insurance Company Plc which is currently in provisional liquidation.

The website contains false and misleading information regarding the validity of Enterprise insurance policies and the position of policy holders while the company is in provisional liquidation. The GFSC is also concerned about the legitimacy of the website and the purpose for which subscriber information will be used.

The website is operated by a Gibraltar registered company, DFM Services Limited. This company is not regulated, registered or otherwise authorised by the GFSC. The website’s Contact page does not provide an address or telephone contact number and the website does not refer to DFM Services Limited at all.

The GFSC has contacted the company’s sole shareholder and director but remains dissatisfied with the explanations provided in terms of the legitimacy of the website.

The GFSC therefore urges the public to exercise appropriate caution in respect of this website. Policy holders should not rely on statements contained on this website but should instead refer to information issued by the GFSC and the Provisional Liquidator.

[Small but perfectley formed]

I reckon the company is probably  owned by people whose ancestors arrived from a British overseas  territory.
I could be wrong but it's what they did to the taxi  industry maybe the repeat business of window cleaning is very appealing especially. If you are not doing the graft.

[dazmond]

My missus just got one of these leaflets delivered from UK window cleaning yesterday.their all over the country by the looks of it!

[Marc Stock]

Wouldnt surprise me if we see a bbc watchdog about them.

[Mick Kent]

Uk window clean have 22 domestic vans out around the UK and 10 vans out on Commercial! All domestic rounds average £250 a day, i didnt talk about commercial with him. I subbed some commercial gutter cleaning work to them in the past and did a great job considering the guys Get paid min wage plus bonus for work completed and minimal time off!. The owner lives in Gibraltar and runs everything from there via a few managers. Has done verey well for himself becoming a millionaire all from window cleaning.
I dont get you guys saying doing the first clean free is bad business when you have mugs that pay x3 for canvassed work. A high percent of homeowners want a window cleaner to be reliable and regular and not some as and when he feels like turning up type of guy! I have minimal customers who sack it after 1clean when you do a decent thorough job admittedly i dont do first cleans for free but if i did id make sure its on owned houses and not council or housing association style places etc.

[Stoots]

Mick do UK window clean employ and franchise as well?

I know a lot seem to think they are a franchise operation but I know for a fact they employ so maybe they do a bit of both?

I live about 15 mins from their base in Leeds and back in around 2012 I think it was I once had a job interview with them when I was working as a delivery driver. It was before I had even considered window cleaning and just fancied a change of job at the time.

I got offered the job but never went through with it as they wanted me to do a one month unpaid trial! They had a scheme going with the local Job centre and it was designed for those on benefits. They would do a month free trial whilst still recieving benefits. So yes they do employ and do so on minimum wages.

[JandS]

A house I clean just round the corner from me....her son works for them commercial only though.
He can't even clean his mother's windows.

[Robert2k]

Does anyone know how much they charge for window cleaning? say a typical 4 bed detached.

[Soupy]

A house I clean just round the corner from me....her son works for them commercial only though.
He can't even clean his mother's windows.

Do you mean he's incapable or not allowed?

[deeege]

Owning  a company that files/banks in Gibraltar certainly looks like it has some benefits.

[Stoots]

A house I clean just round the corner from me....her son works for them commercial only though.
He can't even clean his mother's windows.

Why would he be able to clean his mother's windows? Assuming if he's employed and his mother is a non paying customer he would be in trouble for wasting time and water/fuel etc cleaning his mother's for free.

[Stoots]

Does anyone know how much they charge for window cleaning? say a typical 4 bed detached.

I think there prices vary quite a lot depending much they want the job.

Living close to where they started out I've come across them quite a lot.

They were charging 20 quid for a 3/4 bed semi with a conny. But I've seen them underprice jobs as well.

Considering they are up north the prices they charge are generally good for my area. I'm not sure if they charge more when they are working areas further down south.

[John Mart]

I’m not convinced that first clean free would bring in that much more than any other leaflet. It’s still about them needing a window cleaner at the time the leaflet lands and not already having one. I would like to think that if you do a decent job at an acceptable price a customer wouldn’t switch for one free clean.

It might make a difference if you canvass it though as someone could probe a bit more and persuade them to give it a go after all what have they got to lose.

[nathankaye]

The free clean is a bonus, it would depend how much the cleans would cost afterwards.
(some on here feel that if ones charge cheap then customers wont complain as much if do a bad job, because these ones feel you cant do a good job fast.)
So if the potential customer likes the free clean quality and then likes the price its a done deal and this would be the case, regardless of any campaigns you wish to do
 

[Slash]

We offer the first clean free if they have one of our add on services with it. Gutters, fascia, con roof ect.

Other than that yes I think its a bad idea to offer the first clean free on its own.

This makes sense as the windows are going to get dirty anyway.