[will01]

Had an Lr cpt and 3pce suite to to this morning. Lady phones me at 0800 this MORNING to cancel
Excuse was that she's decided to lay a wooden floor (that old chesnut) and was sorry for inconvienence. I then asked if she still wanted her suite cleaned. She got kinda flustered and said she would call me in New Year.
Anyway I thought I would do some leafleting thru the several villages on route to my next job and it just so happened that the ladys house was in one of these villages in a little private cul-de-sac.

Anyway started leafleting in said cul-de-sac and lo and behold who was parked in her driveway but the local "Wild West cleaners" complete with old, battered steameasy and old early 90's red escort van. What really got me was that the machine was still in van but had hose extensions!!!
When I got to her house butch cassidy was pouring his dirty water down a storm drain out front!!. I bid him good morn and was about to throw a leaflet thru her opened door when she emerged from the kitchen and took it herself.
I then asked her if I could make a suggestion...... "As you've decided not to have your carpets cleaned due to the fact that you're having a wooden floor laid may I suggest real wood instead of laminate because real wood wood is a much better job, it looks better and after all you get what you pay for!!" I think she then twigged just as "Butch" was coming back from the storm drain and had noticed my nice shiny signwritten van and cobult blue shirt with embroidered breast pocket. I bid them good day and the look on their faces was damng priceless. I think it will most definately cheer me up for as long as I am on Gods earth!!

[*paul_moss]

Nice one.

[cleaning co]

how do u know he didnt do a great job? he may hav an old machine an a old van but he might just be starting out  dosnt make him a cowboy , bit of a insulting post really imo

[Macarthur]

I agree with Gary here, I know it can be a right pain losing jobs to others that underprice you, happens to me regularly and I am sure many others on here.  When I first started for the first few years I was loading up everything in my Ford Mondao, before I purchased my first van. Even some of my customers could not believe it.  But I have always done a good job for them and continually get recommended to others.  Not everyone (myself included) wants to go out and get a £15-£30.000 loan when they first start out.
I have built up my business on a gradual basis, continually upgrading and will continue to do so.  At least I have no business related debts and plenty of extra money in my accounts.
Nigel.

[Liahona]

Have to agree with Gary. Everyone keeps saying its not the machine its the person using it. This in mind whats the problem here. Not only that but at the end of the day he was getting paid for cleaning and you were putting out leaflets. Best, Dave.

[will01]

sorry guys. Maybe I did'nt make myself clear. The guy in question is a well known local cowboy. The sort that flits from being a window cleaner, to a carpet cleaner to a general handyman etc etc.. I know several reputable cc's in my area who (like me) have done work for people who have used this guy before. The same stories almost always emerged that the suite and carpet were wet for days and dried out sticky with stains wicking back on carpet.

I'd have thought that the fact that he was using a steameasy still in his van with considerable extensions would have been a clue to the reason why these soft furnishings were wet for longer that they should have been.

I have nothing against good competition and believe me there are quite a few round here. Nothing wrong with that at all.

What goads me is these fly by night idiots charging 50.00 for a suite (and get your carpet cleaned for free!!). They use up all the customers they can and as they get nil referrals move onto something else for a few months then its all change again!!

best rgds

Will

[Neil Grainger]

Will01

Just a thought, did you go and see her to quote or was it over the phone.

Phone converstations never give you info on the type of person you are going to see. For me if you quote over the phone you are wide open to this sort of thing happening.

The whole point of a quote is to sell you and your cleaning, you cant do this over the phone. I find that customers looking for phone quotes want the cheapest Job going and will show no loyalty to you if they can find a cheaper price.

Going to see them gives you the chance to get to no them and for them to get to no you.

Being cheap is no sign of doing a bad job, Cheap may mean more jobs for less money and some people really like to work hard rather than less.

[will01]

Neil:

Must admit that it was a phone quote.  Was xmas time and was extremely busy but I take your point that it would have probably been best to call with her.

I realise that being cheap is SOMETIMES not a sign of doing a bad job but if you read my last post then you'll realise what a rep this gentleman has.

Will

[Neil Grainger]

Will

If he did a bad Job or you think he did send the customer a letter saying that you will do the job for your price minus the cost of the Dodgy CC's fees to make up for the problems that he left you with. They will feel warm and it will make them realise what a good company you are. Less for more.

If they go with it, you will have a customer for life and will be able to make up the loss in future Jobs for them.

[calmore]

When I got to her house butch cassidy was pouring his dirty water down a storm drain out front!!.

I would have politely mentioned to the lady that what he was doing (Disposing of chemical waste down a storm drain) was completely illegal and could land him/her with a £2000 fine, (or however much it is).

If you feel really vindictive you could grass him up!

[murky]

I'm with Will.

100%

I have had a few custys over the years who have come back to me after using cheaper but not as good cc's.

You get what you pay for (usually).

[Phil Marlor]

How can any of you call his post insulting, the only insulting person here is the customer who choses to call at 08.00am this morning to cancel.

Personaly, and this may be a strong word,  but these people are scum in my eyes, who mess about with people's livelyhoods, this is our living and for someone to phone at such a late stage to cancel is totaly wrong.

I hope the bloke did a crap job and her carpets are wet for the rest of the week!

Phil

[cleaning co]

yes phil u right the custy is out order, but not the cleaner doing his job to earn few pounds
happy new year to u phil 
gary

[Phil Marlor]

Happy New Year to you too Gary, 
Had my best year ever,  hope next year is as good.

Phil

[craigp]

someone said on here that there local water authority adviced c/c ers waste is best going down the storm drain.

they even said they had it in writing

[will01]

Must admit it's the first i've heard of that.

[calmore]

I have been told on more than one occasion that it's illegal to tip it down the storm drain 'cos it enters the watercourse/rivers.

Even if you clean the carpet with pure water the carpet (And thus the waste water) could contain all sorts of toxins depending on what has been spilt on the carpet and used to clean in in the past.

[calmore]

Certainly illegal in the States:
http://www.hydramaster.com/inside/articles/article1.asp

[Matt Read]

so where do you dispose of yours calmore ?

[scott.]

I was of the opinion that all water, even the bog water was re-cycled, so whats the difference.....more to the point...whats wrong with extension hoses..saves your back carrying machines upstairs...and...maybe the guy was happy with his old van...Why buy a brand new van?...dosnt make a blind bit of difference...mine is 10 yrs old...havnt been told to p**s off yet.....hard cheese...there tight gits out there....I just laugh at them, and let them learn by their mistakes....had it a few times.