[Alan Rowley]

I think it's about time we put up our charges to some customers to cover rising prices. Has anyone done this recently and has a letter that they sent to their customers? I would be interested to know what you put.

I was thinking of quoting rising fuel prices, increased rates of pay, higher cost of materials, increase in holiday entitlement etc etc.

Any ideas?

[Kevin White]

I always put letters out with each rise in the minimum wage. People seem to understand that we are basically a labour based market and accept the rise. If you need to put a little extra on then it might be easier then.
I have never had a customer question the rise when done in october.

[Alan Rowley]

This is my attempt ...

Dear Customer,

Due to rising costs throughout the last year, we unfortunately have to increase the charge for our services to you.

We have not had to increase our prices since we started our business in April 2007, but unfortunately, the rising cost of fuel and materials, coupled with an increase in the minimum wage and holiday entitlements means we cannot maintain our current price levels any longer.

Your new charge from the next clean will be:  £

We wish to thank you for your valued custom and hope that you will understand the need for this price increase. We hope that you feel our service is worth a little extra.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

[craig mcneil]

Seems good to me but I'd lose the bit about the holiday entitlement as that's not going to elicit much sympathy in my opinion.

[Gerry Styles]

Holiday entitlement is part of the legal requirement. If you have costed in holidays originally then you shoul not have a problem with that. Used this paragraph in my original tender

We reserve the right to vary charges without notification which may arise from the introduction, modification  or alteration  to any Government legislation, taxation, duties or levies or other statutory payments including but not limited to National
Insurance and/or VAT and/or minimum wage legislation

[elite mike]

dont bother with letter, i just tell them face to face 

been doing it like that for over 27 years

[shelton]

dont bother with letter, i just tell them face to face 

been doing it like that for over 27 years

Agreed . . .that's how we broke the news of ours recently.  you can better gauge the reaction.