[Ian W]

I was playing with my kids at the weekend and hurt my leg. It is incredibly painful and, having taken some medical advice, I might not be able to work for a couple of weeks until the pain and swelling has gone. 
That is going to put me about about 2 weeks behind, but should I let the affected customers know, or just inform them if they call me?

[windowwashers]

I was playing with my kids at the weekend and hurt my leg. It is incredibly painful and, having taken some medical advice, I might not be able to work for a couple of weeks until the pain and swelling has gone. 
That is going to put me about about 2 weeks behind, but should I let the affected customers know, or just inform them if they call me?

wait for them to call you , most will not I have been off since friday ill and am well behind to top that off my van now will not start so has to go in the garage :

Hope you get better soon dont rush back before it is healed or it will get worse

Ian

[Moderator David@stives]

When I bought my round, I handed the guy £3k, The next day went cleaning a school, stepped off my ladder and tore the ligaments in my ankle. I was gutted, I thought what a disaster.

I got strapped up and went to work the next day, hobbling up and down the ladder, I was in agony but I was skint so had to work.

[windowwashers]

When I bought my round, I handed the guy £3k, The next day went cleaning a school, stepped off my ladder and tore the ligaments in my ankle. I was gutted, I thought what a disaster.

I got strapped up and went to work the next day, hobbling up and down the ladder, I was in agony but I was skint so had to work.

Dave that didnt answer his question.

[Tim82]

 Most customers understand when you have time off or sickies as that's normal for employed people to take a a few weeks off in the year and sick days. I'm sure they'd completely understand if you explained why you're late (they might even be SYMPATHETIC! ). I'd wait til they phoned me but if it got to a month or whatever I would probably let them know why.

[Sanity]

I sent all my customers a letter on headed notepaper telling them of the stuation (my computer went t*ts up and I missed out about 50 customers regular 4-weekly cleans...

They were very understanding and said that they have never had such a good service like that.  It is what seperated me from the dole-boys.

So yeah, send them a letter.  They will think more of you for it...

[chrismroberts]

I sent all my customers a letter on headed notepaper telling them of the stuation (my computer went t*ts up and I missed out about 50 customers regular 4-weekly cleans...

They were very understanding and said that they have never had such a good service like that.  It is what seperated me from the dole-boys.

So yeah, send them a letter.  They will think more of you for it...

I agree.... I did the same thing, not long after I started. I was running behind anyway, and then was ill for a couple of weeks so didnt want them to think I'd forgotten about them.

Its not only great customer service, but the feedback (and sympathy) I got was more than worth a few quid in stamps.

[Moderator David@stives]

When I bought my round, I handed the guy £3k, The next day went cleaning a school, stepped off my ladder and tore the ligaments in my ankle. I was gutted, I thought what a disaster.

I got strapped up and went to work the next day, hobbling up and down the ladder, I was in agony but I was skint so had to work.

Dave that didnt answer his question.

Ian

Neither did that,

 It was just a comment in a similar vein !!!!

[Ian W]

Thanks for all the comments. 

I think I will get typing. It probably won't matter too much either way judging by your experiences, but I like the thought of separating myself from the dole boys.

Dave, I actually find myself in a similar situation to you. I am going full time in May and have just bought some work. Once it gets to the takeover date, then my wife won't give me any option but to go out on the ladders!  :

[The Seven Bays Window Cleaning Company]

When I bought my round, I handed the guy £3k, The next day went cleaning a school, stepped off my ladder and tore the ligaments in my ankle. I was gutted, I thought what a disaster.

I got strapped up and went to work the next day, hobbling up and down the ladder, I was in agony but I was skint so had to work.

Dave that didnt answer his question.

Ian

Neither did that,

 It was just a comment in a similar vein !!!!

Is it raining  down there Dave - honking it down up here in Padstow!

[Moderator David@stives]

Ian

Dont worry its all up here from now on, just set yourself some goals for when you are well again.

Gofish

Got to work at 11.00 not rained since, just got back now 5.30 so not a bad day all round.

Dave

[Paul Coleman]

I was playing with my kids at the weekend and hurt my leg. It is incredibly painful and, having taken some medical advice, I might not be able to work for a couple of weeks until the pain and swelling has gone. 
That is going to put me about about 2 weeks behind, but should I let the affected customers know, or just inform them if they call me?

Don't tell them a thing unless they ask - going by my past experience anyway.

[Paul Coleman]

Thanks for all the comments. 

I think I will get typing. It probably won't matter too much either way judging by your experiences, but I like the thought of separating myself from the dole boys.

Dave, I actually find myself in a similar situation to you. I am going full time in May and have just bought some work. Once it gets to the takeover date, then my wife won't give me any option but to go out on the ladders!  :

Do you have your customers on a database so you can mailmerge.  It looks nicer if it appears to be done individually.

[dai]

I'm 2 weeks behind, and most of them haven't even noticed. DAI

[Niall McAllister]

I call with my free minutes. it never hurts to keep them informed.

have you noticed that when you're self employed, you're never just as sick as when you work for someone else

[Ian W]

Dont worry its all up here from now on, just set yourself some goals for when you are well again.

Thanks Dave. I hope so. 

[Ian W]

[quote author=The Shiner link=topic=54515.msg460609#msg460609 date=1209488535

Do you have your customers on a database so you can mailmerge.  It looks nicer if it appears to be done individually.

No, I don't at the moment. But I could do. Thanks for the idea. 

[matt]

2 weeks is nothing

what happens when you go away for a few weeks holiday

mine wouldnt even notice

[Ian W]

I guess you are right, it would be just like a holiday. But as I have been cleaning regularly, then I think I might be missed. Who knows...

I actually popped round to see one customer that was given to me by another cleaner. I had booked them in for a clean tomorrow (Don't normally do it, but she is a good customer).
They were really sympathetic and told me not to worry.  

[pjulk]

If its only 2 weeks i would not bother most won't notice as matt has said.

If any ring you then just say that you are unwell and you will be with them next week or so.

Paul