[pingu]

Just thought I would throw this out ....How many customers do you on average lose per year?, percentages would be nice...just trying to get a snapshot of other business's year events..to see if I am out ..

Mine last year:

A) I dropped = 11
B) Dropped me = 7
C) Move = 3


A) You drop.
B) Drop you.
C) Move.

Cheers
Dave.

[Tosh]

Any reply would need to be qualified with how long you've been window cleaning.

For example, if you've just been going for 1 year, you'll have a far bigger customer loss rate than if you've been going for 10 years and have a settled customer base.

[Paul Coleman]

Just thought I would throw this out ....How many customers do you on average lose per year?, percentages would be nice...just trying to get a snapshot of other business's year events..

A) You dump.
B) Dump you.
C) Move.

Cheers
Dave.

Very few really.  I may lose a dozen a year.  That might split down to 2 or 3 dumping me, me dumping 4 or 5, and perhaps 3 or 4 moving.  I suppose maybe 1 or 2 die occasionally too.  Depending on your beliefs, that might count as moving.

[pingu]

OK thanks....I have been going 85 weeks now.... ...so last year was my 1st complete year...

Cheers
Dave.

[Paul Coleman]

Any reply would need to be qualified with how long you've been window cleaning.

For example, if you've just been going for 1 year, you'll have a far bigger customer loss rate than if you've been going for 10 years and have a settled customer base.

Too true Tosh.  My turnover rate of customers was far greater in the early years.  The only time since then that I've experienced big upheavals was when I was too ill to work for a few months and the first few months of starting with WFP.  It's been very settled in the last 18 months really.  Unless one moves, it's pretty unusual for me to lose a longstanding customer.

[Jon-scwindows]

been going 6 months (already?)
1 cancelled after 3 cleans no apparent reason

[frames to panes]

I reckon i've dumped about twenty last year, lost four, one mover.

[williamx]

I've lost about 10 this year already, all of them died.

I'm beginning toi feel like the "Grim Reaper"

[windowwashers]

I reckon i've dumped about twenty last year, lost four, one mover.

any shakers ?

[frames to panes]

Plenty of shakers (old peoples home).

[jeff1]

The three I have lost so far this year.

1 moved & 2 died and 2 of them never paid 

[groundhog]

In the last year I can only think of 3 that have cancelled, 5 have moved, and I have dumped about 6.

[pjulk]

I think for me about 6 moved, 1 died, 1 did a bunk owing me a tenner, and i think i dropped 3 or 4.

I had one cancel as she wanted me there at certain times and certain days which i could not and would not do.

[ronnie paton]

iv had alot more than that cancell mainly with excuses but money talks, alot and some not all will change to a cheaper cleaner if they can.

you must all be the dogs to have so few cancellations.

[brett walker]

I've lost about 10 this year already, all of them died.

I'm beginning toi feel like the "Grim Reaper"

william

was it through shock when you told them you paid 4 quid for a cappuchino at windex

i picked £100 worth of work up last week and lost 1 £8 job, customer said she has got someone to do it for £4 quid i told her im sorry i couldnt clean her windows frames sills front and back door for £4 : hes welcome to it

over the years ive picked much more up than i have lost or dropped

Brett

[Erich]

I've been going for around 6 months myself and in that time iv'e had 1-moved,
1-died and i've dumped 2 for bad payers.Had none that have dumped me and well made up the loss of the others.
Mind you have had 10 gone to monthly instead of fortnightly.Must be giving to good of a service   

[mark311069]

more of a worry for me is that i have lost 5 in the last 2 months because they cant pay the mortgage and they have lost there homes.

[Wayne Thomas]

Since January 08

3 died
5 moved to OAP homes
16 sold up to downsize or move out of the county
33 cancelled (lost some to a cheaper window cleaner and some are feeling the credit crunch
2 cancelled (glad they did because I wanted to drop them, too dodgy)

42 new customers
17 more new customers to replace the lost ones then things are back to normal again for me.

I have been going for 10 years now and am really noticing different attitudes in customers now more than  ever.

[davids3511]

Started July 07 0 customers
Dumped by 23
Dumped 14
Moved 4 (one kept my number and I now clean her new house)
Total live customers as at today - 209

[jonah]

I explain to my custys that if they are going to die , then I need two weeks notice !