[KarlJones]

Well, here I am again, Mr Karl who is still not cleaning but seems to have something to say on most things

pylofm, I think I would do a few calculations before I went about changing my business model. 
Something worth considering is calling any old failed estimates and offering them the 8 weekly clean at a slightly elevated price.
The next thing I would do is to use it as business retention tool.  If someone no longer requires my services I would offer it too them with the "are you aware that I also do an 8 weekly clean that works out much cheaper".

Then, I would test the market.  I know you use flyers.  I would send out 500 in one area, 500 in another and 500 in a different one. 3 areas.  I would then quote these areas seperatly,  4weekly, 6 weekly and 8 weekly cleans.  What I would be trying to do is find out if I had a different take up rate on my quotes.  Give them the one price unless they ask.  The price for the area and the frequency.

All you are doing is testing the market, it is a very good idea and it is something everyone should do before changing their business model no matter if it is finding out if they could get more customers with WFP or pricing and frequency.

I would do that anyway, if anything it will be an interesting experiment for you and will give you some idea if it is worth doing.

[AuRavelling79]

How are you informing your customers as to why their rates are going up 30%-50%?

If their windows are staying cleaner longer then why do you need to charge more? (From their point of view)

[pylofm]

Can you believe it...had another customer today call and asked to go bi-monthly instead of monthly....

So we have agreed that we'll do her windows monthly during the summer and bi-monthly during the winter....a good compromise, better than losing her all together...

Can you believe it  ...

[dai]

How are you informing your customers as to why their rates are going up 30%-50%?

If their windows are staying cleaner longer then why do you need to charge more? (From their point of view)


I told my customers that it was not economically viable for me to continue cleaning at the present price. It was  either dump them, which I would have done., Or 50% increase by-monthly. I pointed out the advantage of me getting an honest return for my work. And them saving 25% on their annual cleaning costs.
I was really surprised at how well they took to bi-monthly cleans. Dai

[john tomkins]

Can you believe it...had another customer today call and asked to go bi-monthly instead of monthly....

So we have agreed that we'll do her windows monthly during the summer and bi-monthly during the winter....a good compromise, better than losing her all together...

Can you believe it  ...

Yep :
But I still cannot understand the "monthly during the summer and bi-monthly during the winter", I'm embarassed at times as to how clean the windows and frames are after 4 weeks, thats with all the wind and rain we are getting, so whats it gonna be like come summer with no rain? tri-monthly
A few of my customers who I have to ring for access have said "dont worry if you leave it a week coz the windows are still clean"

[pylofm]

Guys, I think some of you may have gotten the wrong end of the stick...it is my customers who are pushing...I would prefer to do them all once a month but I am being pushed.

And before anyone tells me there are plenty of customers and not to change...I am not in the position to turn down money at the moment.. (no offence intended).

[john tomkins]

This is not the only thing I'm biting my lip for at the moment, I'm like yourself Dave that I'd like to tell em what I'm thinking, but for the sake of a few quid or loosing a customer I'm afraid it's the lose a few quid option at the moment, but my time will come

[pylofm]

Same, same... I am like yourself, not in the position to turn away money....

Cheers
Dave.

[Dean Aspects]

a bit of lazyness not wanting different time scale work its all money and remember window cleaning is a service you are providing a service and if you dont do the job someone else will giving them a foothold in an area that you should have
i do all work weekly fortnightly monthly 2/3/6 month cleans its all scheduled and gets done

[KarlJones]

Yes I would take the 8 weekly offer.  The reason is that currently you are getting 1 customer per 158 leaflets and your building at a rate of 3.6 customers a week.

in another 30 weeks you will have been going 1 yr.  At that time at the current rate you should not be far off 200 customers.

What I am trying to say is that it is hardly going to make a massive dent in your business plan if you let the odd customer go 8 weekly.  it only takes you on average 1 or 2 days to replace the work that is lost if one of them goes from 4 weekly to 8 weekly.

Also, you need the money, needs dictate.