[supernova77]

I have cleaned the windows of a certain pub local to me twice now... Both times they have just called me as and when they needed them cleaned.

However, the last time I was there (4 months ago) the manager told me to make it regular and clean them evey 4 months... So today I turn up, start unloading the van and this happens:

----------

Managers Dad comes out and says - You're not cleaning our windows today are you?

Me: Yes, your son (the manager) told me to come and clean them every 4 months.

MD: Hmmm, I don't think we want them doing until the new year.

Me: Well, your son said every 4 months, and its been 4 months.

MD: Let me just go and check with him. Goes off / Comes back - No, we don't need them doing. Sorry about that, can I call you in the new year and make another arrangement?

Me: Grumble grumble.

----------

Now - This job is £120, thats a lot of money to loose from a days work!

I think I'm going to send them a bill for 50% (£60)... Or should I bill them for the whole price (£120)?

The problem is I have no written agreement, but the manager did make a verbal agreement that it would be every 4 months.

What would you do?

Andy

[JohnL]

forget them and move on mate

[supernova77]

forget them and move on mate

Yeah - That is another option... But I know they will want me to do them again - And it only takes me 2 hours for £120! So its always worth doing when it comes up.

I think I'll bill them for 50% this time and then in the new year put a written agreement in place.

Andy

[Mike_G]

Tight sods, every 4 months.  

[Mike_G]

Do you honestly think they will pay your 50% bill?

[supernova77]

Do you honestly think they will pay your 50% bill?

Thats exactly why I posted this thread... To get everyones views.



Andy

[pylofm]

Andy, I think that you have allocated time for them as agreed thus a 50% bill is reasonable for turning you away...however I do appreciate that 120quid for future cleans will be nice...

Do you give new customers terms&conditions? ...I have a set if your intrested.

Cheers
Dave.

[Mike_G]

Well considering the guy is so tight he only has his window cleaned 4 monthly and he can claim it as an expense on his tax bill says it all really. I cant imagine for a minute he will pay and if you send him the bill chances are your £120 job for 2 hours work will not be yours any more.

[Moderator David@stives]

Just swallow it and call them before you turn up in future.

Just see it as an occassional extra job

[JohnL]

pylofm

I would appreciate a set please   

john.london@btinternet.com

[steveaqua]

i would just forget it, had a hotel that ped me about £200 for two hours work good amount but can't be bothered to be dictated to by some japs eye and have my time wasted...sounds like hassle to me so jog em on is my opinion

[paul mather]

Just swallow it and call them before you turn up in future.

Just see it as an occassional extra job

Couldn't agree more, whether you like it or not we are a service industry, which means many see us as an optional extra to be required as & when.

In my experience the amount people mess you about is directly proportionate to how well paying the job is. It only takes you 2 hours & pays £120, don't you think they  notice that as  well!

Perhaps if the bill was more reasonable it may be more regular.

[AuRavelling79]

What Dave St Ives said.

Make sure they can call you up when they need you, when they do (let's imagine it's January) tell them that as they are an occasional job and you're snowed under with regular customers, the price will be £180 this time. If they baulk at this ask them nicely how much extra they think they should pay for an extra two months dirt and muck on the glass?

Then negotiate. Or walk away. It's up to you.

Customers wax and wane. Since 1999 I had a nice set of factory offices inside and out every three months for £120, then the guy says make it every two months, then they had loads of internal offices built onto the shop floor and it was brilliant for rainy days. It grew to about £240 and took a leisurely six hours inside and out.

In Oct 2005 he walks by me working and says you do a really good job here we really appreciate it.

In November the company was bought out, the new owners cancelled the (verbal) contract and I did the last clean in Dec 2005. I tried to get back in, but no-one does them and the place is filthy now.

By pure chance I knocked on the door of and got a £250 one-off clean and the guy can't rent it out and I've been going very two months since. He just phoned and asked me to quote another property where I'm going to price up today.

They come they go - just keep adding good work at the top to replace the poorer work at the bottom and when you lose a contract canvass on those rainy days you don't want to work!

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

i would tell them that as they are not regular there are now in the 1 off brigade, so therefore add at least 50 % on what you would normally charge

[Paul Coleman]

I have cleaned the windows of a certain pub local to me twice now... Both times they have just called me as and when they needed them cleaned.

However, the last time I was there (4 months ago) the manager told me to make it regular and clean them evey 4 months... So today I turn up, start unloading the van and this happens:

----------

Managers Dad comes out and says - You're not cleaning our windows today are you?

Me: Yes, your son (the manager) told me to come and clean them every 4 months.

MD: Hmmm, I don't think we want them doing until the new year.

Me: Well, your son said every 4 months, and its been 4 months.

MD: Let me just go and check with him. Goes off / Comes back - No, we don't need them doing. Sorry about that, can I call you in the new year and make another arrangement?

Me: Grumble grumble.

----------

Now - This job is £120, thats a lot of money to loose from a days work!

I think I'm going to send them a bill for 50% (£60)... Or should I bill them for the whole price (£120)?

The problem is I have no written agreement, but the manager did make a verbal agreement that it would be every 4 months.

What would you do?

Andy

I would just walk away from that one myself.  It must be a nightmare cleaning the insides of the bar area after 4 months.
If they serve meals there, maybe it would get the message home if you pre-booked a table for 6 and didn't turn up.

_____________________

I wrote the above before getting to the £60 an hour bit.  Pubs are normally done fortnightly - especially in the bar areas.  That sounds like it would be a job that is just about a decent enough earner to justify going there as a special journey.  Ignore what I wrote above.  That one is too good an earner to let go of completely.  I think you need to re-negotiate so that you don't get sent away again.