[AuRavelling79]

Good ole' dcs08! Complete rant off the subject. The original post is about using a quotation form to distinguish between a professional and non-professional service.

But talking vans/cars:-

Up until the end of 2006 I used a J reg Honda estate with 200L in the back but still had an industrial uniform jacket and would even use a collar and clip on tie with it when canvassing small commercials.

DCS08 - My parents wouldn't have things on credit and generally I agree except when I find I can lease/purchase a new van, reduce fuel bills by half and reduce down days to virtually zero. This ameliorates the obvious cost of depreciation.

When you're ready, get a van and pass the car to Mrs. and baby!

I've started using quotation forms in the last month and mainly use them for medium to large domestic customers (that's £25/£50 in my book).

I use them to specify frequency - e.g. prices for:-

Monthly, two-monthly and one-off.
Price for initial clean.
Condition and cleanliness of their windows to start (Good, fair, poor)
A space for special conditions such as:-

Includes conservatory side glass but not roof or
Doesn't include inaccessible window over barn conversion and car port
Putty loose in some windows which we will not be responsible for

[NWH]

There`s no way i would say i would do all that every visit i like to earn money throughout the day when i`m at work,not being funny but your including far to much in a regular clean.I do the frames if there PVC but other than that i clean the window`s only.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

I'd say a cowboy is some one who either:-

Doesn't have insurance
or
Is claiming benefits that they are not entitled to whilst working
or
is working really dangerously.

Some people are cheap, some offer a lower quality service.  Some have all sign written gear and can't trad an inside window.  I don't think any of those things make some one a cowboy. 

My normal reply to people who tell me there last window cleaner did them for a less is, "Why don't you get him to come back if he's cheaper" or "Why do you think he stopped?"

Simon.

[windowwashers]

I'd say a cowboy is some one who either:-

Doesn't have insurance
or
Is claiming benefits that they are not entitled to whilst working
or
is working really dangerously.

Some people are cheap, some offer a lower quality service.  Some have all sign written gear and can't trad an inside window.  I don't think any of those things make some one a cowboy. 

My normal reply to people who tell me there last window cleaner did them for a less is, "Why don't you get him to come back if he's cheaper" or "Why do you think he stopped?"

Simon.

I straight away say why do you think he stopped coming...then wait for the answer....

95% of the time is because of price the cowbiys as they are called (i would say not in the know) realise they are charging not enough and just stop I pick up loads of work this way and I am totally upfront and honest with every customer about it. you pay for what you get it if you want cheap try and find it, if you want reliable workers than do the job when they say and how they say they will do it then you have the right comapany, I dont take on cheapest price work I let another huy(not in the know) do that.

I am not the most expensive out there I know that now, but I make dam sure I do the best I can every time, this IMO pays, done ok for the years I have been doing it 

[NWH]

9 times out of 10 when i pick up jobs this way the price needs doubleing to make it worth my while,if a WC stops calling the prices are always way to low and to be honest the customers normally know why they`ve stopped coming.They might give it the old i`m sucking a lemon face when you tell them the price but they know your right,they`ve got away with it for long enough and now have to pay the price for a reliable service.

[windowwashers]

9 times out of 10 when i pick up jobs this way the price needs doubleing to make it worth my while,if a WC stops calling the prices are always way to low and to be honest the customers normally know why they`ve stopped coming.They might give it the old i`m sucking a lemon face when you tell them the price but they know your right,they`ve got away with it for long enough and now have to pay the price for a reliable service.

so true