[Feen]

I wonder what you think of this. I phoned the oil rep today to get my tank filled to run my central heating and water. I decided that I'd get the tank filled as I think oil prices will not fall and will probably rise. He told me it was 60p per litre. Last top up was mid Feb when the price was 42p. I think people will very soon start feeling the draft and we'll be amongst the first things to go. I wouldn't have my windows cleaned if I was short of cash. I know there is still an awful lot of money out there, but rises like this are bound to impact IMO

[jewelcleaning]

From the experiences I've heard about recessions in the past, window cleaning always seems to survive well, as people always seem to want to have their windows cleaned!

(Unless your way overpriced of course!!)

Good thing about a window cleaning round and being self employed, is that all your eggs are not in one basket.

[NWH]

That`s why it`s much better to work on a 6-8 weekly basis,with the gap between cleans people will be less worried.If i worked on a monthly basis i would be more worried,i`m always behind so if i needed to i could bring work forward slightly without a problem.If i was going to prepare for this i would get more work and stretch out the time between cleans.

[simon knight]

Hiya Feen, my experience is that people still want 'em done but maybe will go longer between cleans...so we need to get as many custys as possible.

I'm now for the 1st time looking after new customers before my established ones...why?...because my regulars are feeling the pinch and don't mind waiting an extra 2-3 weeks!

Simon

[Feen]

Good points guys. Not having all your eggs in one basket is a big plus to window cleaning. NWH - I see the sense in the 6-8 week argument. Simon - I don't keep the regulars waiting, that's like giving them the chance to cut down the regularity of cleans

[jewelcleaning]

Good points guys. Not having all your eggs in one basket is a big plus to window cleaning. NWH - I see the sense in the 6-8 week argument. Simon - I don't keep the regulars waiting, that's like giving them the chance to cut down the regularity of cleans

The more regularly you clean, the more money you earn!  Don't let them slip, cos when you need more ££ and try to start doing them 4 weekly again, you may encounter problems! (In my experience anyway )

[NWH]

The more regularly you clean?just get more work then,a month comes round very quickly.

[AuRavelling79]

Most of my domestic custy's are older more established folk 50's plus to retired. And I have several thirties/forties professionals like doctors and nurses, who have economy proof jobs. I haven't sought them out, but that's the type of folk who have approached me.

They seem to have pensions and are comfortably off and seem somewhat recession-proof. they are also of the age group and type that wouldn't have time or inclination to clean their own windows.

Younger couples with kids and hefty mortgages never seemed to be overfussed about regular window cleaning however good the economy.

Don't panic Mr. Mainwaring!

Not complacent here, but not overly worried.

[Feen]

Most of my domestic custy's are older more established folk 50's plus to retired. And I have several thirties/forties professionals like doctors and nurses, who have economy proof jobs. I haven't sought them out, but that's the type of folk who have approached me.

They seem to have pensions and are comfortably off and seem somewhat recession-proof. they are also of the age group and type that wouldn't have time or inclination to clean their own windows.

Younger couples with kids and hefty mortgages never seemed to be overfussed about regular window cleaning however good the economy.

Don't panic Mr. Mainwaring!

Not complacent here, but not overly worried.

Not exactly panicking. More making an observation. I hope I may be able to use it to increase the "quality" of my round.

[simon knight]

The more regularly you clean?just get more work then,a month comes round very quickly.

Couldn't agree more! I have just one customer who wants monthly...ok she's an old girl who's got bundles (but even so I don't cane her!) But when i go round I really feel I'm taking her money(£10) out of false pretenses...they just simply didn't need doing! OK she's the customer and gets what she wants! But other people...well, you need to protect them from themselves sometimes.

Better to suggest bi-monthly than to get "we're a bit short of cash...can I call you?"

[Wayne Thomas]

I've lost plenty of customers so far this year.
I'm having to work harder to replace them with the same quality.
Not as easy to pick up as it was say a year ago, that's for certain. However, I won't be picking up poor quality work just for the sake of remaining full.
If I'm forced to cut my hours down then so be it as I have a lot of jobs around the house that I've never got around to since I bought my house 13 years ago.
I'm not falling into the trap of becoming a busy fool working twice as hard just to bring in the same level of income. So long as I have enough to pay all my bills and put aside for rainy days I'm happy.

[kris martin]

2 thirds of my work is on a 2 weekly basis and the rest is monthly, i have that many customers im really struggling to get around the work at the moment, maybe loosing a couple (for a short spell) wouldnt be such  a bad thing...