[P @ F]

.......that you are being undercut !

This is the third one off one street in 2 weeks now 

[P @ F]

Should I suggest he gets rid of the cats 

[deeege]

Delete, block and don’t even reply. What a plonker.

[P @ F]

I don’t even waste the time Deege, another gave no excuse and the other wanted to leave it until the weather improved, it doesn’t get any better than this does it 

I will soon see who’s telling porkies as I still do 2 other houses directly opposite these pair , these ones are solid custies as I do the whole family’s of both 

[Smudger]

.......that you are being undercut !

This is the third one off one street in 2 weeks now 

Classic 🤪🤪🤪

[Smudger]

I have to say - many cats I’ve seen while cleaning windows love it - they usually chase the brush around the window

Darran

[motod]

I had one cencel as the dog was going mental and it was true he wanted to eat me and the windows, crazy   

[zesty]

Classic!

Nigel will be along soon to suggest it’s because your water wasn’t hot enough.

[NWH]

Stop using that Xline brush the poor Cats 🐈 think they’ve got  a big ginger cat jumping up and down and the window peeing at em 🤣🤣 🚿

[NWH]

Classic!

Nigel will be along soon to suggest it’s because your water wasn’t hot enough.

Just seen that another bullying tactic about my hot water 🤣🤣🤣🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈

[NWH]

Why don’t people just say look can we stop the windows for a bit money’s a bit tight etc.

[Granny]

I had a similar one - every time you come it drives the cat crazy.
IMO the cats love it they are fascinated by the water.

[NWH]

I’ve shocked a few dogs with my hot water they chase the ball on my hose and try to chew through it,then they try jumping at the water jets until it hits their tongue 👅 🤣🤣🤣

[AuRavelling79]

I do a block of flats. Flat 14 gets the living room window missed out 'because the parrot goes crazy'. 🤣

[tlwcs]

The cats won’t be bothered by the new guy that a few quid cheaper. Peasants..😁

[Slacky]

I had one cancel because 'you always turn up when the dog groomer is here....'

[jk999]

I had 1 years ago when collecting in the evening, sacking me because I woke the dog up 🤣🤣🤣

[S.A.J]

Must be carful not to scare the cats 😅😘

[zesty]

Classic!

Nigel will be along soon to suggest it’s because your water wasn’t hot enough.

Just seen that another bullying tactic about my hot water 🤣🤣🤣🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈

But it clearly is the lack of hot water! Right?

[Splash & dash]

Lol I had one similar cancelled because me cleaning  the windows stressed the collie dog out so much it took it three weeks to recover then I was back the following week 😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

[robbo333]

So his cat sheds hair!

I'm going bald too, from the stress of having to deal with f**king stupid customers!

Seriously though...isn't there a breed of cat that actually is bald. Perhaps he has one of those and doesn't realise it....

I've binned off 2 jobs recently where the dogs bark all the time. From the second I put my brush on the first window they just bark bark bark bark all the time I'm cleaning. It ruins my 'chi'.  Pomeranians! I could drop kick 'em all day long.

Looking forward to finding out the truth of it all....

[jim bean]

People like that aren’t worth bothering with mate cats love window cleaners IMO. I’ve been sacked before for knocking on a door before starting which I generally don’t do, to check the gate was unlocked as the majority of the time it wasn’t even though I had text the night before

Couple of years ago I’d have bent over backwards for any customer now I can tell within a few minutes of chat how to approach it

This job definitely helps you read people and learn body language signals

[P @ F]

Funny thing is I have never seen the cat  in  over a year of  cleaning . 

They definitely live for the cat though , the front room has one of those climbing things in it , feckin thing is like Trump towers 

I remember when I took them on she said if you ever need to climb the wall be careful as the garden is cat proofed 
When I got around back I was like WOW , 2 sets of wooden rollers around the whole perimeter,  I remember thinking that it was a lot of expense to go to to keep cats out , that’s when I saw the cat flap and began to scratch my head !!

[dazmond]

i lost one today too(£17 4 weekly job)......apparently he said their dog gets stressed out when i clean the windows and as they are all going back to work they dont want the dog stressed out on her own(he works from home)..... ....

he s been a great customer over the years(about 7 or 8 years now)...always pays on time and sometimes makes a lovely coffee and stops for a 5 min chat....

why cant they just tell the truth that they cant afford it anymore?

[NWH]

Yeah complete nonsense I do a place the woman looks after about 5-6 dogs and they go ballistic when I get round the back,they bark and jump up the bifold doors for half an hour non stop it makes no difference she wants clean windows she would have the perfect excuse.
It’s rubbish Daz like I’ve said before why don’t they just say we can’t stretch to it anymore instead of coming out with pathetic excuses.

[markymark]

"I don't like it as your window cleaning makes our dog stressed."

Well, how about investing a little of your cash in training and socialising your dogs so they don't get stressed and react so badly to something which should be acceptable human behaviour to them?
I can't understand how people can claim to be animal lovers yet can't be bothered to train or educate their pet -which might have cost them a couple of grand.

[NWH]

I hate it when they lick  the glass and make a mess slobber 👅 everywhere pull thereselves across the carpet when they’ve got worms 🪱,that’s just the women of the house 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👌

[dazmond]

i lost one today too(£17 4 weekly job)......apparently he said their dog gets stressed out when i clean the windows and as they are all going back to work they dont want the dog stressed out on her own(he works from home)..... ....

he s been a great customer over the years(about 7 or 8 years now)...always pays on time and sometimes makes a lovely coffee and stops for a 5 min chat....

why cant they just tell the truth that they cant afford it anymore?

i wondered how long it would be until i replaced the job i lost yesterday.....got a referral this morning,priced up this afternoon.....£35 first clean then £25 8 weekly down a street where ive already got 4 x £25 houses.....not quite the same amount per year as the £17 4 weekly but not far off....

you just cant lose in this game!

[Pureandclean]

I had a customer complain to the apartment management company that I had scared away the pidgeon that was nesting behind the satalite dish by his bathroom window!

[AuRavelling79]

I had a customer complain to the apartment management company that I had scared away the pidgeon that was nesting behind the satalite dish by his bathroom window!

Graeme! Long time no hear. Hope all is well with you and yours.

[Soupy]

I had a customer complain to the apartment management company that I had scared away the pidgeon that was nesting behind the satalite dish by his bathroom window!

Graeme! Long time no hear. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Strange name for a pigeon.

[P @ F]

Oh dear , have we been telling porkies  Mr Custie 

[Smudger]

MuSt be using a cat friendly brush 

[P @ F]

My reply

[Smudger]

I wish I could like that post 1000 times - !!!

[P @ F]

I’m not getting anywhere with this dude , he must be a politician

[zesty]

Be interesting to see if that really is the case and it was only a render clean...

[Bungle]

It looks like mr clean is cleaning more than one property by the looks of his reel. I hope your ex customer is telling porkies otherwise you're going to look a d7ck

[dazmond]

personally i wouldnt of replied at all...its really  unprofessional IMO....at the end of the day the customer can do what he wants...

remember you dont own your customers....its a mutual agreement that can be ended(either way)whenever they(or you) want.....

ive lost jobs before now because i dont offer inside window cleaning,gutter clearing,etc....some customers want a "one stop" shop for all their cleaning needs.....i dont offer it so its goodbye......

[Slacky]

I had one today.

So, I picked up a bungalow job last week. However, in the 23 years Ive been doing this job Ive never had to phone the customer before hand to let them know Im coming. Text, yes: phone, no.

I was reluctant but took it on anyway, because of the calling beforehand scenario.

So, this week, I was going to pop round to them. Called three times, no answer. Popped round once, no-one in.


Eventually this morning they answered the phone. The old boy responded with, 'is that the man that was going to clean our windows this week, well, you haven't been round all week. You can go away, we don't want to use any more, you disgust me...!'.

Puts the phone down.....


I was feckin' seething....

[windowswashed]

Could have been worse if Mr Bit showed up instead of Mr Clean 

[AuRavelling79]

I’m not getting anywhere with this dude , he must be a politician

So was Mr Clean cleaning the windows too?

[robbo333]

And did 'Mr Clean' offer to provide a regular window cleaning service?

I would have done.

[jim bean]

I had one today.

So, I picked up a bungalow job last week. However, in the 23 years Ive been doing this job Ive never had to phone the customer before hand to let them know Im coming. Text, yes: phone, no.

I was reluctant but took it on anyway, because of the calling beforehand scenario.

So, this week, I was going to pop round to them. Called three times, no answer. Popped round once, no-one in.


Eventually this morning they answered the phone. The old boy responded with, 'is that the man that was going to clean our windows this week, well, you haven't been round all week. You can go away, we don't want to use any more, you disgust me...!'.

Puts the phone down.....


I was feckin' seething....

Some old people don’t text and aren’t willing to learn hell maybe they’re even scared of it. They are the majority of the time who can’t ‘work the internet’ LOL . You Have to be flexible if you want the work what’s a minute phone call at most? If it’s a job you want and is priced and located well to you why not? I have to call a handful of people . All of which are old and all numbers are landline numbers
Ain’t a problem in my book

[james peters]

I had one today.

So, I picked up a bungalow job last week. However, in the 23 years Ive been doing this job Ive never had to phone the customer before hand to let them know Im coming. Text, yes: phone, no.

I was reluctant but took it on anyway, because of the calling beforehand scenario.

So, this week, I was going to pop round to them. Called three times, no answer. Popped round once, no-one in.


Eventually this morning they answered the phone. The old boy responded with, 'is that the man that was going to clean our windows this week, well, you haven't been round all week. You can go away, we don't want to use any more, you disgust me...!'.

Puts the phone down.....


I was feckin' seething....

Some old people don’t text and aren’t willing to learn hell maybe they’re even scared of it. They are the majority of the time who can’t ‘work the internet’ LOL . You Have to be flexible if you want the work what’s a minute phone call at most? If it’s a job you want and is priced and located well to you why not? I have to call a handful of people . All of which are old and all numbers are landline numbers
Ain’t a problem in my book

sometimes it pays dividends . often they appreciate it and recommend you.
my retired customers are so valuable . they are the most reliable. pay cash on the day .

[mjm]

ive just counted 18  people i text for gates and call 3 to say iam coming  its £450 altogether

i have actually told every customer they will get a text before iam coming  because some are fronts only and backs have been getting missed off for ages so more money for me if they know iam coming then they can be in as some are terraced and access is difficult

[jim bean]

I had one today.

So, I picked up a bungalow job last week. However, in the 23 years Ive been doing this job Ive never had to phone the customer before hand to let them know Im coming. Text, yes: phone, no.

I was reluctant but took it on anyway, because of the calling beforehand scenario.

So, this week, I was going to pop round to them. Called three times, no answer. Popped round once, no-one in.


Eventually this morning they answered the phone. The old boy responded with, 'is that the man that was going to clean our windows this week, well, you haven't been round all week. You can go away, we don't want to use any more, you disgust me...!'.

Puts the phone down.....


I was feckin' seething....

Some old people don’t text and aren’t willing to learn hell maybe they’re even scared of it. They are the majority of the time who can’t ‘work the internet’ LOL . You Have to be flexible if you want the work what’s a minute phone call at most? If it’s a job you want and is priced and located well to you why not? I have to call a handful of people . All of which are old and all numbers are landline numbers
Ain’t a problem in my book

sometimes it pays dividends . often they appreciate it and recommend you.
my retired customers are so valuable . they are the most reliable. pay cash on the day .

Yep they’re always in always paid on the day best ones in my book. Prob lose 5 mins as they love a natter but hey ho. They aren’t the sort to turn you away under any circumstance
Which reminds me I was turned away today as they had plasterers in the house. Couldn’t stop myself from laughing as I said bye lol custy looked bewildered she won’t be getting kitchen inside done for free any more after that crap
 Most recommendations I found are old folks as they’re the type to ask a neighbour or a local Freind because they don’t have a big network or know that many people
Only Downside is they tend to die. I must have had 40-50 that have passed away now

[Simon Trapani]

Slacky said he phoned them three times & called round once. What more should he do? That’s already above & beyond. Lesson learned. Why would you all want customer’s like that? They’re a ballache no matter the price.

[Slacky]

Exactly.

[P @ F]

I don’t call or text a single one , don’t think I ever have , I just tell them I don’t do it  .

[P @ F]

I’m not getting anywhere with this dude , he must be a politician

So was Mr Clean cleaning the windows too?

Nothing was wet other than 2 pencil jet trails from window to window !

[P @ F]

I couldn’t leave it without digging a bit further for the truth and leaving it in a less hostile situation, his last comment was actually funny if it was true 

[P @ F]

.

[mike1986]

P&F it could be because as you stated you don’t bother to text the day before coming and Mr Clean has probably offered to do this. I know lots of new customers I get are often impressed that we text the day before. (Sometimes it’s because they have pets that get distressed etc) Also you sound like the type of guy who would want to argue back and forth if they texted you and told you the actual reasons why they changed cleaner and probably cba with the hassle.

[AuRavelling79]

I "never" text beforehand. But being a softy over the years I I have relented on one or two if they have exceptional reasons. It always ends up badly.

The last one was last year when an 80 year old chap who was a bit slow on his feet and asked me to phone him - so he could put the dog in if it was out in the back garden and unbolt the gate (which I could reach over to unbolt anyway). I set out my store of no on the day cancellations and he agreed.

Got to the third clean and out he comes with a "can you leave it this time?"  (with no good reason) which led to me informing him it would be a permanent cancellation to which he said "well that's it then old son" and concluded the call.*

I have too much work on with people that I agree terms with and who keep to them to worry about the idiosyncratic, the eccentric, the idiotic and the thoughtless.

*It didn't stop him asking me earlier this week asking me to resume. 

[AuRavelling79]

P&F it could be because as you stated you don’t bother to text the day before coming and Mr Clean has probably offered to do this. I know lots of new customers I get are often impressed that we text the day before. (Sometimes it’s because they have pets that get distressed etc) Also you sound like the type of guy who would want to argue back and forth if they texted you and told you the actual reasons why they changed cleaner and probably cba with the hassle.

So you don't believe what the customer has texted either and yet you berate P&F for exactly the same?

[Richard iSparkle]

We never text people to say we’re coming.

We do give an expected clean date on our calling cards

And if we turn up on that day and can’t access the back we still charge them full price

Done that for 10 years now

[dazmond]

I very rarely get any messers old or young....and I dont get messers just because I send a text to some customers the night before either!sometimes it's for access,sometimes it's a courtesy text...

I find some of my larger stand alone,longer frequency jobs really appreciate a text so they know I'm coming rather than just turning up out of the blue...

[deeege]

I very rarely get any messers old or young....and I dont get messers just because I send a text to some customers the night before either!sometimes it's for access,sometimes it's a courtesy text...

I find some of my larger stand alone,longer frequency jobs really appreciate a text so they know I'm coming rather than just turning up out of the blue...

What if you turn up a day late/early and can’t get access? Still charge them?

I’d personally hate to be tied to such a strict schedule, I simply couldn’t make it work with my workload.

[KS Cleaning]

I very rarely get any messers old or young....and I dont get messers just because I send a text to some customers the night before either!sometimes it's for access,sometimes it's a courtesy text...

I find some of my larger stand alone,longer frequency jobs really appreciate a text so they know I'm coming rather than just turning up out of the blue...

What if you turn up a day late/early and can’t get access? Still charge them?

I’d personally hate to be tied to such a strict schedule, I simply couldn’t make it work with my workload.

I think you’ve replied to Dazmond instead of Richard by mistake? I was actually thinking the same thing, surely you can’t charge full price if you can’t access the back because you are a day or two later than the expected date?

[dazmond]

I very rarely get any messers old or young....and I dont get messers just because I send a text to some customers the night before either!sometimes it's for access,sometimes it's a courtesy text...

I find some of my larger stand alone,longer frequency jobs really appreciate a text so they know I'm coming rather than just turning up out of the blue...

What if you turn up a day late/early and can’t get access? Still charge them?

I’d personally hate to be tied to such a strict schedule, I simply couldn’t make it work with my workload.

I dont give a next clean date danny.....just some customers get a text the night before so they know I'm coming or for access reasons....🙂👍

[deeege]

I very rarely get any messers old or young....and I dont get messers just because I send a text to some customers the night before either!sometimes it's for access,sometimes it's a courtesy text...

I find some of my larger stand alone,longer frequency jobs really appreciate a text so they know I'm coming rather than just turning up out of the blue...

What if you turn up a day late/early and can’t get access? Still charge them?

I’d personally hate to be tied to such a strict schedule, I simply couldn’t make it work with my workload.

I dont give a next clean date danny.....just some customers get a text the night before so they know I'm coming or for access reasons....🙂👍

Sorry Daz, I was supposed to quote Richards post, not yours.

[Smudger]

I'm sort of with Richard on this one - we give next clean date - everything runs like clockwork, I understand that not everyone likes to run like this but works well for me

if customer has left gat locked (rare) or we are a day late (even rarer) then we clean the front and charge 1/2 the normal price - I don't think charging full price is correct as the works not been done altho I see why Richard would do this

Darran

[dazmond]

I can be a day early or a day late or a whole week late...it doesn't make any difference....

My schedule is not that strict to the exact day their due on CP!as I sometimes juggle some jobs around here and there to suit me...

[Richard iSparkle]

I very rarely get any messers old or young....and I dont get messers just because I send a text to some customers the night before either!sometimes it's for access,sometimes it's a courtesy text...

I find some of my larger stand alone,longer frequency jobs really appreciate a text so they know I'm coming rather than just turning up out of the blue...

What if you turn up a day late/early and can’t get access? Still charge them?

I’d personally hate to be tied to such a strict schedule, I simply couldn’t make it work with my workload.

I dont give a next clean date danny.....just some customers get a text the night before so they know I'm coming or for access reasons....🙂👍

it does add some pressure to be tied to a schedule yes.

but on the other hand i have staff whose wages i have to pay on the same day every month, and thats pressure to get the jobs done on time

and also chopping and changing dates is pressure to so i think its a case of choosing your poison.

we don't usually turn up late or early, though if we do we text them to let them know

if they complain we refund them some the first time it happens, but ask them next time to please remember as they will be charged... we refund them about 33% for the cost

but it doesnt happen much to be honest, and nobody really complains about it when we charge them

[P @ F]

P&F it could be because as you stated you don’t bother to text the day before coming and Mr Clean has probably offered to do this. I know lots of new customers I get are often impressed that we text the day before. (Sometimes it’s because they have pets that get distressed etc) Also you sound like the type of guy who would want to argue back and forth if they texted you and told you the actual reasons why they changed cleaner and probably cba with the hassle.

My lord Mike , you sound like a doormat mate 
If you wish to fanny about then so be it , I just go in and do the windows and get gone , if they have a cat that shats it’s knickers at the sight of a Gardiner brush then it’s their problem not mine , I’m in it to make money not kiss butt !
As stated before , they usually don’t get a response from me but this one deserved a reply for the entertainment value , I can just see his cat curling one out as I type , priceless that is , you keep wasting time texting and I’ll just crack on cleaning windows and not being a social worker 

[P @ F]

Actually Mike I take that doormat bit back , a bit harsh me thinks ,  we run how we wish to run , I used to run what I thought was a tight ship until 2015 when I had a stroke which I think pressure was a major part of .

Since then it’s been sole trade only and how I want to run things with no exception, it’s my way or the highway , I don’t do stress no more

[swanson]

Well said

[robbo333]

I text, or call, every customer the night before (even the ones I have access to) and it works well for me; I clean 8 weekly.

I wouldn't call a customer 3 times. I would leave one answer phone message and turn up the next day. If it was a new customer and they weren't in, I wouldn't clean it, i'd just not bother contacting them any more. If they have no answer phone, then I wouldn't even take them on.

I don't mind texting at all, it's quick and easy, but about 10% of my work is calls and i'm not a fan of phoning. They are usually old people who tell you about their lumbago, and then tell you again about their lumbago when you turn up the next day.

The irony is, I am working towards building a round of just bungalows...and who owns bungalows?...old people!   

[Smudger]

wait till they move on to their bladder problems.....

[davids3511]

.

I find this hard to believe. A render clean is usually a multi hundred job, no way I'd just turn up and clean incase they moved, died or went bankrupt. A year is a long time, especially a covid year.

[Slacky]

I text, or call, every customer the night before (even the ones I have access to) and it works well for me; I clean 8 weekly.

I wouldn't call a customer 3 times. I would leave one answer phone message and turn up the next day. If it was a new customer and they weren't in, I wouldn't clean it, i'd just not bother contacting them any more. If they have no answer phone, then I wouldn't even take them on.

I don't mind texting at all, it's quick and easy, but about 10% of my work is calls and i'm not a fan of phoning. They are usually old people who tell you about their lumbago, and then tell you again about their lumbago when you turn up the next day.

The irony is, I am working towards building a round of just bungalows...and who owns bungalows?...old people!   

Particularly with lumbago 😆

[Spruce]

I text, or call, every customer the night before (even the ones I have access to) and it works well for me; I clean 8 weekly.

I wouldn't call a customer 3 times. I would leave one answer phone message and turn up the next day. If it was a new customer and they weren't in, I wouldn't clean it, i'd just not bother contacting them any more. If they have no answer phone, then I wouldn't even take them on.

I don't mind texting at all, it's quick and easy, but about 10% of my work is calls and i'm not a fan of phoning. They are usually old people who tell you about their lumbago, and then tell you again about their lumbago when you turn up the next day.

The irony is, I am working towards building a round of just bungalows...and who owns bungalows?...old people!  

This was the aim of most trad windies reaching retirement age. Try to hold onto a few bungalows to clean to supplement their pension. Its more difficult with WFP.

The other problem we have experienced is that bungalows are easy targets for trad cleaners who will do them for peanuts. I think we have only got 2 bungalows that we have done for 12 years and 1 we have done for 8 years; the rest come and go.

We had 1 cancelled last month when she spotted me in the Sainsbury's car park. "My husbands retired now and I'm going to do them and the dormer next door to save money." (The lady in the dormer next door is disabled and lives on the ground floor so the upstairs windows don't need cleaning apparently.)
We drove past there the other day cleaning the other houses in the street and a 20 plate new car was in the driveway ahead of her 16 plate Renault Captur she has had for 4 years.

[Always shining]

All I will say is when you come across some difficult customers. Whenever you feel aggrieved at having to text or phone them. When occasionally you have to jump a back gate. When sometimes they may be a bit off with you. Sometimes they are a bit late paying etc etc etc
Just remember that when you eat your steak and chips. When you get in the shiny new van with heated seats.
When you use your electric reels etc etc
When you sun yourself on the beach in Spain or wherever.
When you chip away at that mortgage year after year.
It’s THEM that are paying for it all.
Find it hard personally to feel anything but grateful to all the customers I have and have had over the years.
So big up the ones with the scatty cats and dogs.
Raise a glass to the ones that put you out for the seconds it takes to text.
Cheers to the grumpy ones who look at you like you’re on the bottom of your shoe.
Makes no odds to me. It’s all about what THEIR money does for me and my family.
If it wasn’t for the customers where would we be???

[AuRavelling79]

All I will say is when you come across some difficult customers. Whenever you feel aggrieved at having to text or phone them. When occasionally you have to jump a back gate. When sometimes they may be a bit off with you. Sometimes they are a bit late paying etc etc etc
Just remember that when you eat your steak and chips. When you get in the shiny new van with heated seats.
When you use your electric reels etc etc
When you sun yourself on the beach in Spain or wherever.
When you chip away at that mortgage year after year.
It’s THEM that are paying for it all.
Find it hard personally to feel anything but grateful to all the customers I have and have had over the years.
So big up the ones with the scatty cats and dogs.
Raise a glass to the ones that put you out for the seconds it takes to text.
Cheers to the grumpy ones who look at you like you’re on the bottom of your shoe.
Makes no odds to me. It’s all about what THEIR money does for me and my family.
If it wasn’t for the customers where would we be???

A nice sentiment but too sentimental.

By weeding out the "my pet gets precedence, the you are like muck on my shoe, the tell me what day and time you're coming and add in the not today they don't need doing, skip for winter, leave it when I'm on holiday" brigade I get a much happier and financially reliable round.

Decades ago someone on here posted that having a little too many customers is the key to a good round. Another said to set out your terms clearly before you take anyone on and don't waiver on those terms.

They were right because then you drop a PITA knowing that the incoming well trained and  good customers will pay for your heated mortgage, shiny new chips, electric holiday in Spain and you can raise a glass with your steak and chips.

[Always shining]

Just too much whining sometimes for me. I left school before the exams a very long time ago and was deemed stupid. Done really nicely for myself despite what people said at the time. So I ‘personally’ feel grateful and always have done. So there are some awkward customers out there. So what! The colour of their money is the same as everyone else. If you don’t want them that’s absolutely fine. I will take them no problem.
So ‘shiny chips’ to you my friend and have a wonderful day!

[james peters]

Just too much whining sometimes for me. I left school before the exams a very long time ago and was deemed stupid. Done really nicely for myself despite what people said at the time. So I ‘personally’ feel grateful and always have done. So there are some awkward customers out there. So what! The colour of their money is the same as everyone else. If you don’t want them that’s absolutely fine. I will take them no problem.
So ‘shiny chips’ to you my friend and have a wonderful day!

whilst I agree with this to a point, I  don't agree entirely
sometimes there comes a time where you have to much work and not enough time .
Not everyone wants to employ. (I am one of them )
so I have to either let  go of some or put some to a longer cleaning frequency.
or put all of my prices up

who am I going to let go.
mrs davies , who greets me with a smile , and pays cash on the day
or mr grumpy who can be rude , and always pays late ?   its a no brainer

however I do agree that whilst you are building, if you have a family to feed, then sometimes you just have to tyake it on the chin
or mr grumpy

[dazmond]

Just too much whining sometimes for me. I left school before the exams a very long time ago and was deemed stupid. Done really nicely for myself despite what people said at the time. So I ‘personally’ feel grateful and always have done. So there are some awkward customers out there. So what! The colour of their money is the same as everyone else. If you don’t want them that’s absolutely fine. I will take them no problem.
So ‘shiny chips’ to you my friend and have a wonderful day!

I have an allotted time 'window' for cleaning every week(currently it's around 20-25hours per week)....

Stipulations...

1.no work that earns me less than £40-£50 an hour at the very least.
2.no messers/skippers for no reason
3.must pay in a reasonable amount of time(14 days or soon after a text reminder)

That's it!😄👍

[Always shining]

Have to agree with you both James and ‘Dazmond’. If you get full up then of course streamline the business to how it suits you. Takes years and a lot of graft to do that 👍

[Always shining]

No need for the constant mentioning of money though. Bit boring to be honest mate.
Just hope you are making it work for you and can retire to the nice house and be comfortable. If not then it’s a bit of a waste of time really. This as always is just my opinion.

[Gringo]

And one I agree with too👍old bragmondo can't help posting his hourly rate though

[Richard iSparkle]

No need for the constant mentioning of money though. Bit boring to be honest mate.
Just hope you are making it work for you and can retire to the nice house and be comfortable. If not then it’s a bit of a waste of time really. This as always is just my opinion.

i find it refreshing when people mention the money they are earning in this clear manner.

we are all in this to earn money, and it is common practice for similar businesses to compare their costs, income and profit to help them perform well for their industry.

the idea that you shouldn't talk about money is quite old fashioned british.

we can learn a lot from the americans in that aspect in my opinion

[AuRavelling79]

Just too much whining sometimes for me. I left school before the exams a very long time ago and was deemed stupid. Done really nicely for myself despite what people said at the time. So I ‘personally’ feel grateful and always have done. So there are some awkward customers out there. So what! The colour of their money is the same as everyone else. If you don’t want them that’s absolutely fine. I will take them no problem.
So ‘shiny chips’ to you my friend and have a wonderful day!

It's what forums are for. A bit of whining and 'there there.' 🤣

Don't allow being deemed stupid years ago to be a reason to prove the 'deemers' wrong 40 years later.  I bet many of us here have no more qualifications than you.

If you want to feel grateful then by all means feel grateful to your better customers, but more to yourself and your direction in applying your hard work.

[dazmond]

No need for the constant mentioning of money though. Bit boring to be honest mate.
Just hope you are making it work for you and can retire to the nice house and be comfortable. If not then it’s a bit of a waste of time really. This as always is just my opinion.

ill mention money as often as i like mate....after all thats what im working for.....

the least amount of hours for the most money is all im bothered about TBH these days........

[dazmond]

Have to agree with you both James and ‘Dazmond’. If you get full up then of course streamline the business to how it suits you. Takes years and a lot of graft to do that 👍

if your "too grateful" you end up with a stagnant round and keep lots of rubbish jobs and dont put your prices up for years(i know ive been there and done it_in the past!)...its constant refining process to stop it stagnating.....it never ends no matter how many years you ve been window cleaning....

[robbo333]

Just too much whining sometimes for me. I left school before the exams a very long time ago and was deemed stupid. Done really nicely for myself despite what people said at the time. So I ‘personally’ feel grateful and always have done. So there are some awkward customers out there. So what! The colour of their money is the same as everyone else. If you don’t want them that’s absolutely fine. I will take them no problem.
So ‘shiny chips’ to you my friend and have a wonderful day!

'So What'...I'll tell you what, awkward customers either waste your time, cost you money, or p you off; usually it's all three.
Yes, the colour of their money is the same as everyone else, but I would rather earn my money on easy jobs, well paid, with nice customers. And in time you will too.
Being grateful is a humble attitude to have, but remember you run a business not a charity.

[Always shining]

Thanks for the advice Robbo
39 years in the business I hope it comes soon 😀😀
Remember it was just my opinion!
As for follow the Americans way. That’s priceless. I lived next to an American years ago. He always had to have the better car, the better strimmer, the better lawn mower, his extension had to be bigger than mine. It wasn’t the fact that he had better things than me. Good luck to him. He had earned his money so could spend it on what he liked. It was the constant TALKING about them!! Seriously boring. For me personally back then (20 years ago) and today more than ever I find there are far more interesting things in life to talk about than money. It is ‘in my opinion remember ’ all about as someone once said on here ‘Willie waving’.
Totally unnecessary and pure bland!
Come on off you go ........
Gently though please 😀

[dazmond]

Thanks for the advice Robbo
39 years in the business I hope it comes soon 😀😀
Remember it was just my opinion!
As for follow the Americans way. That’s priceless. I lived next to an American years ago. He always had to have the better car, the better strimmer, the better lawn mower, his extension had to be bigger than mine. It wasn’t the fact that he had better things than me. Good luck to him. He had earned his money so could spend it on what he liked. It was the constant TALKING about them!! Seriously boring. For me personally back then (20 years ago) and today more than ever I find there are far more interesting things in life to talk about than money. It is ‘in my opinion remember ’ all about as someone once said on here ‘Willie waving’.
Totally unnecessary and pure bland!
Come on off you go ........
Gently though please 😀

i agree talking about money is not something i do outside of the forum.......but its a BIG part of window cleaning IMO ...when i first joined this forum in 2009  i was earning around £16k-£18k a year trad and was absolutely sick of climbing ladders.....

fast forward 12 years and its more like 50k a year for part time hours,no collecting and no ladder climbing!love it!

im proud of my business/round and how ive managed to knock it into shape over the years.....this forum gave me the confidence to charge more and treat window cleaning more like a business and that i am GRATEFUL for!

[Bungle]

Thanks for the advice Robbo
39 years in the business I hope it comes soon 😀😀
Remember it was just my opinion!
As for follow the Americans way. That’s priceless. I lived next to an American years ago. He always had to have the better car, the better strimmer, the better lawn mower, his extension had to be bigger than mine. It wasn’t the fact that he had better things than me. Good luck to him. He had earned his money so could spend it on what he liked. It was the constant TALKING about them!! Seriously boring. For me personally back then (20 years ago) and today more than ever I find there are far more interesting things in life to talk about than money. It is ‘in my opinion remember ’ all about as someone once said on here ‘Willie waving’.
Totally unnecessary and pure bland!
Come on off you go ........
Gently though please 😀

i agree talking about money is not something i do outside of the forum.......but its a BIG part of window cleaning IMO ...when i first joined this forum in 2009  i was earning around £16k-£18k a year trad and was absolutely sick of climbing ladders.....

fast forward 12 years and its more like 50k a year for part time hours,no collecting and no ladder climbing!love it!

im proud of my business/round and how ive managed to knock it into shape over the years.....this forum gave me the confidence to charge more and treat window cleaning more like a business and that i am GRATEFUL for!

Dazmond does have a point. I think the people that moan about him mentioning his earnings probably aren't that well established. I remember years back reading a comment from a poster who also sold brushes etc (he was a condescending tw*t mind) who said you could clean a window WFP in a minute. I thought this is bull, he was wrong, you can clean a window WFP in under a minute.

[Smudger]

Well said Daz - you have every right to be proud - you have worked wonders

Maybe, and this is just my opinion, sometimes your  posts are a little thoughtless/insensitive to others that are yet to make the improvements you have successfully done

Darran

[Always shining]

Dazmond is right to be proud of what he has achieved. Anyone who can make a successful business out of manual labour should be applauded. No qualifications needed just will, determination and sheer effort to keep getting out of bed every morning especially when it is sub zero out there. Especially so when it’s just you, bucket and ladder strapped to the top of a crappy old van. You’ve worked your ticket mate as I and lots of others have. With modern technology anyone can now get into this business and make very good money. That wasn’t the case years ago.
So don’t think I’m ever having a go at you personally and certainly not what you have achieved. Couldn’t be further from the truth.
I was just talking about this need to be talking about the £40-£50 an hour etc etc.
Just try and remember back to the £3 per house days. We are both from the North after all. Maybe you’re not as old as me 😀
Good luck to you mate 👍

[Richard iSparkle]

I love the fact he mentioned specific hourly sales targets

That’s a fundamental statistic for getting your business right

This is a business forum after all

[james peters]

always shining .... I remember those £3 a house times when I started in 1992 
my goodness it was a hard slog...... not to mention the collecting.

from reading dazmonds posts ..... my round is petty similar, and my hours are similar....
back then I wouldnt have believed what is achievable over time.

lately , I have been dipping my toe into softwashing.... amazingly is this far more lucrative than window cleaning
my son is in college and has started helping me for a few hours on saturday mornings , so I save softwashing jobs for a saturday morning.

i watched with interest when zesty was trying to explain to NWH   that softwashing is worth the effort.
unfortunately it fell on a closed mind and deaf ears.

window cleaning is the base.... and is the avenue to the cream jobs

[Always shining]

Yes collecting on a Thursday and Friday 😀
You’re right about the customer base being just the start. For the last few years I’ve morphed into all kinds of property maintenance type work from fencing, painting, paving etc etc and it all started from my regular window cleaning customers. Once the reliability and trust is there and also being able to actually do the other work to a good standard then they would rather have me than faff about looking for tradesmen. It’s each to their own really. Window cleaning on its own can be very lucrative but I have always had an inability to say no to everything else 😀
Never really minded what I do so long as it’s legal and I’m earning
 

[robbo333]

I love Daz, he reminds me of Harry Enfield's 'Loads O money'!

[james peters]

you have to admire his positivity
glass is always half full , even though hes tea total 

cumon daz try some softwashing ?
NO NO NO
2 years later.......

hel be loving it !

[Always shining]

Was thinking about Harry Enfield the other day when Kevin turns into a teenager 😀😀 My twins are teenagers in a couple of weeks 😱

[dazmond]

you have to admire his positivity
glass is always half full , even though hes tea total 

cumon daz try some softwashing ?
NO NO NO
2 years later.......

hel be loving it !

Not for me mate.....if it means working on a Saturday morning.....😄👍....as for drinking I do drink occasionally these days but it's only once or twice a month...usually a glass or 2 of wine with a meal or the odd beer....🙂

[NWH]

always shining .... I remember those £3 a house times when I started in 1992 
my goodness it was a hard slog...... not to mention the collecting.

from reading dazmonds posts ..... my round is petty similar, and my hours are similar....
back then I wouldnt have believed what is achievable over time.

lately , I have been dipping my toe into softwashing.... amazingly is this far more lucrative than window cleaning
my son is in college and has started helping me for a few hours on saturday mornings , so I save softwashing jobs for a saturday morning.

i watched with interest when zesty was trying to explain to NWH   that softwashing is worth the effort.
unfortunately it fell on a closed mind and deaf ears.

window cleaning is the base.... and is the avenue to the cream jobs

I will get the softwashing jobs I have done not with the modern equipment I get a price from the guy I use and then put a price into the customer,that’s far more lucrative for me because I haven’t got to even go to the job and do it.

[robbo333]

I'm similar.
I hate doing fsg cleans and clears on houses; makes my shoulders ache like buggery and also i'm too busy!
Don't mind bungalows though.
So I give them all to a mate of mine for him to do.
I don't take anything for it; now and again he takes me out for a meal and a p155 up!

[NWH]

I’ve just given another 1 away a couple of weeks ago it’s like builders cleans people kid thereselves they have plenty of work,if you did you wouldn’t be scraping concrete off windows anytime soon would you.

[james peters]

I’ve just given another 1 away a couple of weeks ago it’s like builders cleans people kid thereselves they have plenty of work,if you did you wouldn’t be scraping concrete off windows anytime soon would you.

softwashing on render is nothing like builders cleans.
and nothing like fascia and gutter washing.
I can get in a morning softwashing what I can for 6 hours on the windows , and its easier graft also
I do have plenty of work, but if you read my post, I am doing them for a few hours on a saturday morning to help my son who is in college.
up untill now I very , very rarely work a saturday morning, but not only is this good for my son to get him earning through education. it is quality time with each other.
the fathers out there will understand the importance of quality time together

[jim bean]

Is that on flat render or the pebble dash stuff?
I’ve seen a few done and it just shows up the flaky paint I thought it was done in prep for painting but it seems to be instead of!

[Always shining]

Don’t listen to him James. He’ll be banned again in a couple days 😀
You do what’s right for you and your boy.  Quality time together and earning. Win win 👍

[KS Cleaning]

Don’t listen to him James. He’ll be banned again in a couple days 😀
You do what’s right for you and your boy.  Quality time together and earning. Win win 👍

By all means if you yourself don’t like what he has to say, don’t listen to him, but encouraging others to do likewise is a bit below the belt.

[Always shining]

I was offering support to someone who was talking sense about spending time with his boy. Cant see for the life of me see what’s wrong with that.
Why should what he says be questioned by someone who is continuously contentious and talks gibberish for the most part?

[james peters]

 i dont need encouraging or discouraging 
I have been in this  for 29 years .
what I  dont like is being belittled by idiots who think they know better...( no names mentioned) spouting nonsense
even after 29 years  I am learning off people on this forum . many who have less years experience than me .
I  am doing really well . but I dont feel i need to elevate myself and put others down .
I am dipping my toe into other ventures like soft washing . I dont need to or need the money , but i want to to mix things up .
smudger ...  splash and dash and zesty have really helped .
but i have been to scared to ask for advice at times  because every subject gets hijacked by a certain person spouting drivel .
its so annoying .

[james peters]

 

[james peters]

whilst  im on the giggle water ....
I am lucky to have a good woman ... she is a renal nurse  ... she has spent years dealing with kidney treatment

[Always shining]

👍
Have a good day mate

[james peters]

 

[NWH]

Thank you KS we should listen to what he says though really he has reached almost 50 posts.

[Ggh]

Thanks for the advice Robbo
39 years in the business I hope it comes soon 😀😀
Remember it was just my opinion!
As for follow the Americans way. That’s priceless. I lived next to an American years ago. He always had to have the better car, the better strimmer, the better lawn mower, his extension had to be bigger than mine. It wasn’t the fact that he had better things than me. Good luck to him. He had earned his money so could spend it on what he liked. It was the constant TALKING about them!! Seriously boring. For me personally back then (20 years ago) and today more than ever I find there are far more interesting things in life to talk about than money. It is ‘in my opinion remember ’ all about as someone once said on here ‘Willie waving’.
Totally unnecessary and pure bland!
Come on off you go ........
Gently though please 😀

i agree talking about money is not something i do outside of the forum.......but its a BIG part of window cleaning IMO ...when i first joined this forum in 2009  i was earning around £16k-£18k a year trad and was absolutely sick of climbing ladders.....

fast forward 12 years and its more like 50k a year for part time hours,no collecting and no ladder climbing!love it!

im proud of my business/round and how ive managed to knock it into shape over the years.....this forum gave me the confidence to charge more and treat window cleaning more like a business and that i am GRATEFUL for!

12years!!! What have you been doing?

[Bungle]

i dont need encouraging or discouraging 
I have been in this  for 29 years .
what I  dont like is being belittled by idiots who think they know better...( no names mentioned) spouting nonsense
even after 29 years  I am learning off people on this forum . many who have less years experience than me .
I  am doing really well . but I dont feel i need to elevate myself and put others down .
I am dipping my toe into other ventures like soft washing . I dont need to or need the money , but i want to to mix things up .
smudger ...  splash and dash and zesty have really helped .
but i have been to scared to ask for advice at times  because every subject gets hijacked by a certain person spouting drivel .
its so annoying .

Do what many others have done and put him on 'ignore'. Believe me it's great 👍

[NWH]

Yeah just put him on ignore 🤣🤣🤣

[Smudger]

i dont need encouraging or discouraging 
I have been in this  for 29 years .
what I  dont like is being belittled by idiots who think they know better...( no names mentioned) spouting nonsense
even after 29 years  I am learning off people on this forum . many who have less years experience than me .
I  am doing really well . but I dont feel i need to elevate myself and put others down .
I am dipping my toe into other ventures like soft washing . I dont need to or need the money , but i want to to mix things up .
smudger ...  splash and dash and zesty have really helped .
but i have been to scared to ask for advice at times  because every subject gets hijacked by a certain person spouting drivel .
its so annoying .

Do what many others have done and put him on 'ignore'. Believe me it's great 👍

Are we talking 'Nige" here - is he still posting carp ?

Darran

[Gringo]

Still posting but as I've blocked him can't see any of his repetitive drivel superb👌

[mjm]

what is the ignore and whare is it

[Smudger]

click your name at the top of the page or go to profile

go to modify profile  on the bottom of the list is the buddy/ignore list - enter name of the one/s you no longer want to see - not sure what the buddy list is as I haven't got one   

Darran 

[mjm]

click your name at the top of the page or go to profile

go to modify profile  on the bottom of the list is the buddy/ignore list - enter name of the one/s you no longer want to see - not sure what the buddy list is as I haven't got one   

Darran 

thank you 

[NWH]

Funny though in it still keep getting read 🤣🤣🤣💩💩

[Slacky]

‘Read’ means clicked on the thread link. Regardless of the crap you spew, ad nausem.

[Splash & dash]

I feel another ban coming on 😳😳😳😳

[dazmond]

I hope so...the guys a complete jerk and needs to get a life away from this forum