[MJH]

I have gone months without losing any customers then 3 go in a week!! They are only small domestic accounts so moneys not an issue but i find it frustrating that they can drop you at any time, i have cleaned them all for over 2 years without complaint, the excuses range from my Mrs has got a pole thingy to do them herself!! and we want a break!!! whatever that means...Why are some customers a pain!!!

[xxmattyxx]

and we want a break!!!

The spend on the credit card for Christmas came out of their bank account Standing Order now theyve just had the statement come through from the bank for January. 

[Andy@w.c.s]

loads more fish in the sea
i find that within a week or so with the better weather coming we will have more than we can deal with

all we need is a few more sunny days

Remember them !!!

[MJH]

Good point, but i can't see how £10 a month makes that much difference, they can still afford new cars and LCD t.vs etc!!! What makes me laugh is they say they will call me when they want to resume they were not unhappy with the service!! :

[MJH]

i agree Andy, and maybe im being over sensitive but i work hard like most guys on here and do a good job but some people think its fine to bin you at a minutes notice!!

[davids3511]

I lost two this week and had one "not this month", all three had lost their jobs. I wonder if this is the economic slowdown we are all hearing about. Of course they could just be lying to me.

[pjulk]

It goes like that you lose a few at the same time but there again i bet you pick up loads more than you lose just being seen about.

I don't mind losing customers as it make's way for a new customers at a better price's.


Paul

[Stephen Dwyer]

I have lost quite a few customers over the course of the last 6 months or so due to no fault of my own.  Like the thread starter said they never seem to give you a good reason.  I like to think I do a good job so I don't know what their problem is.  If a customer is moving house it is understandable but most of the time when a customer drops out that is not the case. 

I also find myself having to drop customers frequently because they either don't pay me or they keep cancelling month after month even in good weather with no reason given.  If they do this too often I have to let them go.  I have quite a few customers on my books now that are supposed to be every month but I have only actually cleaned them about twice in the last seven months or so.   

[BVC]

Good point, but i can't see how £10 a month makes that much difference, they can still afford new cars and LCD t.vs etc!!! What makes me laugh is they say they will call me when they want to resume they were not unhappy with the service!! :

These are the worst, lost on yesterday, the old faithfull, "my son will do it for me"  Yeah right as if he is.

[Blackbushe Windows]

BVC, you'll probably get the call when he doesn't. 


Peter

[Londoner]

I always think a lot of it is down to money despite the excuses. When it happens without a complaint even more so.

[spickandspan]

Hi guys i am not a window cleaner but i think lots of people do not like windows being cleaned with the pole system, i know my mum has cancelled her window cleaner because it makes such a mess with water and the window sills do not get a wipe, thats her words not mine. Just thought i would let you know.

[johnny_h]

i have picked up 5 new customers this week all happy to pay and the pole was an advantage as a trad guy would not be able to reach some of the windows

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

customers come and go, don't let it get to you.

i lost 1 this week but gained 17

with a little bit of extra canvassing

[simon knight]

I always think a lot of it is down to money despite the excuses. When it happens without a complaint even more so.

Spot on Vince! I think people are getting a bit more choosey as to how and where they spend money.

Rather than part with £20 Mrs Smith will happily put up with slightly grubby windows for another month or so.

As and example: My car badly needs a clean. I shop at a big Asda and there's a car cleaning service while you shop. It's £12 in and out, and they do a good job so it's not even expensive.

I was up there yesterday afternoon. Did I get my car cleaned?...Nah!

Why?

Because I'm Mrs Smith...!!

[Paul Coleman]

i agree Andy, and maybe im being over sensitive but i work hard like most guys on here and do a good job but some people think its fine to bin you at a minutes notice!!

You've summarised it well there I think.  For me it's not about a customer cancelling.  Over the years I've had a number of temporary cancellations (lost job, temporary illness, marital split etc.) who have phoned eventually for me to re-start.  That's not the problem.  For me the problem is when I've taken the trouble to arrive at their place, often with the equipment unloaded, and THEN told not to start.  Unless there is a VERY good reason for it, sending the W/C away at a moment's notice is ill mannered and unnecessary.  I've no problem with someone asking me to restart if they've had to cancel temporarily while they're getting an aspect of their life in order - so long as they've given reasonable notice when cancelling in the first place.

[Paul Coleman]

i agree Andy, and maybe im being over sensitive but i work hard like most guys on here and do a good job but some people think its fine to bin you at a minutes notice!!

You've summarised it well there I think.  For me it's not about a customer cancelling.  Over the years I've had a number of temporary cancellations (lost job, temporary illness, marital split etc.) who have phoned eventually for me to re-start.  That's not the problem.  For me the problem is when I've taken the trouble to arrive at their place, often with the equipment unloaded, and THEN told not to start.  Unless there is a VERY good reason for it, sending the W/C away at a moment's notice is ill mannered and unnecessary.  I've no problem with someone asking me to restart if they've had to cancel temporarily while they're getting an aspect of their life in order - so long as they've given reasonable notice when cancelling in the first place.

Responding to my own post here 
A recent example of the above was a customer I visited recently.  After cleaning her windows she asked me not to clean for a while as they are having all their windows replaced this Spring.  I made sure she had my number and she said she would call me to start cleaning again when the new windows are ready for their first clean.  I hope she does.  I've been cleaning for her for about 15 years (at two different addresses).

[MJH]

i agree with all above comments, i use wfp tops only but as it for making a mess its only water this is what we are up against with some people its quackers

[Wayne Thomas]

i agree Andy, and maybe im being over sensitive but i work hard like most guys on here and do a good job but some people think its fine to bin you at a minutes notice!!

Don't take these type of customers back on if you want a regular, reliable customer base.

[Simon Mason]

We get our customers to pay in advance,3,6,or 9 cleans and most of them are on direct debit.
Disco!!!