[steve jamieson]

One of my customers came out  to pay me today as usual, and then said be carefull there has been someone calling around offering  to do the work cheaper  , Happens all the time i said new people starting up ,It turns out that its actually a well known company to many on this site who claim they dont do this . This to me is not the problem . My concern is are we as wc creating an industry ie canvassing companies that will cause problems in the  years to come , as more of these companies set up . These are not casuals setting up for the summer . Someone once said  ,Never sell a gun to someone that someday may shot  you

[Moderator David@stives]

was it Doorknockers

[windows_chepstow]

Are we talking about Doorknockers?

I've said it before, but we're in a culture of searching out the best deal on broadband, gas, electric, telephone, credit cards, loans and loads of other bills.

So why not window cleaners?

Okay, I also say we provide a different and more personal service to our customers; but some of our customer's perceptions could be that we are 'just another bill'.

I like my customers to either think we're great; the best ever, OR, we're better than the devil they don't know.

Undercutting isn't something I'd want to do, but it's perfectly legal and business is business.

If it is Doorknockers; I'm not 'knocking' them.

It's a good compliment to you, Steve, that your customer would rather pay the extra and have you as their window cleaner.

[Stevie G]

steve i think you should say who it is it can only help other w/c

im currently useing canvassers and if found out they were undercuting id stop using them

i dont pinch other w/c work. and never should they!

[steve jamieson]

As i said they are well known , The point is can this door to door selling have an effect on us wc ,like we have seen in gas and electric sales, double glazing ect. When direct sales companies get involved in an unregulated industry . A couple of rogue sales people can cause problems  

[carl stanton]

so what sort of problems can you see being caused then? as 'we' the window cleaner would control the end result and service provided, not as a big company who does not see or know the customer and nevers sees them.
                         

[steve m]

the main problem is it will drive the price down. If they cerry on two things will happen

1.  they willset a new standard price. people will be told what they charge, so that will be the norm.

2.  the price will come down further as you undercut them to get your work back.

 this company should be named and asked to justify their actions as to why they can take a prsons livelyhood away from him for the sake of a few quid

[Extremeclean]

Are we talking about Doorknockers?

I've said it before, but we're in a culture of searching out the best deal on broadband, gas, electric, telephone, credit cards, loans and loads of other bills.

So why not window cleaners?

Okay, I also say we provide a different and more personal service to our customers; but some of our customer's perceptions could be that we are 'just another bill'.

I like my customers to either think we're great; the best ever, OR, we're better than the devil they don't know.

Undercutting isn't something I'd want to do, but it's perfectly legal and business is business.

If it is Doorknockers; I'm not 'knocking' them.

It's a good compliment to you, Steve, that your customer would rather pay the extra and have you as their window cleaner.

Very well put Tosh

This is along the lines of what I was getting at in my thread about change being on its way.

More and more we will see slick operations using direct sales tecniques such as door knocking and telesales. The companies will know what they can work for and offer the customer a service at that price. Those who think they own a patch or round will be in for a real wake up call.

Like you say though Tosh. If you look after your customers and can justify your prices in their minds then you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

I agree as well that we are in an age of changing suppliers of services and goods easilly because there is so much choice now. I see a day when this will have a marked effect on domestic window cleaning. It will take time but it will happen in my opinion.

[steve jamieson]

we are in control at the mo i agree ,there are  not that many canvassing companies at present people leave and start there own an industry is born.we will proberbly be able to buy work cheaper .the price of a round has allready gone down 50% in some areas .the area i work has so regulary been canvassed im finding it hard to put prices up .Ok then i need to work a little harder . thats life  .all i am trying to say is are we going to create an industry ie canvassing companies whos only goal is to make sales that when  or if they bugger it up can go sell something else.

[matt]

funny enough

ive heard of this in bristol, 3 "saleman" knocking doors to build a round to sell

Im going to next time i do a "newsletter" (i like to do them to stay in touch and let the punter know whats happening) im going to add a bit about this

as the common practise seems, company X build a round, sell it to a WC'er who then HAS to put the price up to be able to earn a living

so no1 wins in the end, Except company X

[pylofm]

Hi all, just to throw some numbers in...Here in Holland it is all very much still in the hands of the individual, however w/c rounds change hands at 6 or 7 times the monthly price.

Cheers
Dave.

[Customers4u]

Just come across this post!

If it is us 'Doorknockers' it has been done without my consent, as all my staff are trained to NOT pinch other w/c,s work, however we have had the odd individual who has done this and they might have been responsible, a particular person i have in mind left over a month ago and all of our current staff i am more than happy with.

This issue can affect all canvassing companies as you cannot oversee each and every member of staff.

Having said this, it is not a massive problem as there would be many other cases pointed out on this forum, and if there are, let me know the individual customer in question and i will go through my records to trace the individual responsible!

Paul

[steve m]

WELL DONE PAUL
                          At least there is someone out there that is willing to stand by his word. If it was doorknockers let him know about it discreetly by e-mail or phone and lets get this problem sorted out before someone loses their livelyhood overnight

[Customers4u]

Cheers for that Steve, 'Doorknockers' have been running for approximatley 1 year now and have signed up thousands of customers in that time, with that amount of volume you are going to get the odd abberation.

I'm quite amazed it has taken this long to come to light, but this fact should say to everyone on this forum at least that it is NOT a 'Doorknockers' policy to sign up anyone going, and we now call customers via our verification department to make sure there is nothing untoward,.

Any window cleaners work that has been 'pinched' please let me know and i will sort the problem out.

Paul