Ran into another window cleaner today on the main street in Aberdeen. We usually say a hello, sometimes chat about business etc. This time he does not look happy at all. He asks why I'm trying to "nick his contracts". I was a bit taken aback as we have never knowingly undercut anyone.
I asked which job he was referring to. Turns out it was a premises which I had been asked by a local maintenance co. to price up for cladding cleaning. When I looked at the job it was obvious that the windows would get mucked up as they had cladding above them. So, the owner of the premises then said i should price for window cleaning too.
I wrote the prices on one of my cards and handed it to him. Then he says "You're more expensive for the cladding and cheaper for the window cleaning". At this point I realise he has already got a company doing the cladding! I didn't believe him as it was covered in bird dirt. I am thinking, this guy is just trying to get it cheaper.
"Why did you ask the maintenance company for a quote if you already have a cleaner?" I said.
Wierdly, he then denies it saying, "I didn't ask"
So, I tell him I am not in the business of undercutting and I only price jobs that don't have a window cleaner or where they have already been sacked. He can keep my card (big mistake) but only call if his existing cleaner lets him down or gives up. I then called the maintenance firm who confirmed that the guy had defo asked for a quote. Thought about going back in to speak to him but decided to cut my losses and go.
Back to this morning. Yes, you guessed it. This is the guy who already has the contract. Turns out that the building owner used my card to drive down the price for the windows. Worse still, my price was only for the display windows. The existing cleaner does all the interior partitions etc which take hours. We had both been played for mugs.
I only wish that Colin had phoned me first instead of dropping his price.
Fortunately we already know each other and are on good terms so we didn't get into a fight over it. But, I think he will always view me with suspiscion now. Very annoying as we got on pretty well until this morning. What can you do?