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www.mrgutters.co.uk

  • Posts: 871
i have noticed a influx of window cleaners in the area recently not sure why maybe people talk about how much they earn etc.

got a text this afternoon on a 40.00 house the house is worth 1.6million.

and she said due to the current economicc cliamte we have gone with a much more competitive quote.

If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.

Londoner

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2008, 06:28:35 pm »
There are a lot of people getting put out of work at the moment. A percentage of these will start window cleaning. Its the easiest business to start up.

www.mrgutters.co.uk

  • Posts: 871
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2008, 06:36:04 pm »
its really annoying as things are getting tough for me too since the wife gave up work and we had our son.

but people just undercut and really dont think of the consequences.

oh well chin up....
If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2008, 07:29:04 pm »
I got one today, they did not go with a cheaper quote just removed services, picked up more than I lost, and got some very nice calls coming in as late so swings and round abouts as normal

seandyer2003

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2008, 07:59:16 pm »
just go get some leaflets out, and canvass shawn mate, i have been picking up some good jobs recently, but a few have gone 6-8 weekly, you got to keep your name out there though or you wont pick any up!

dai

  • Posts: 3503
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2008, 08:32:39 pm »
I lost two long standing customers yesterday to a new trad outfit. I have been doing them for just under 15 years, the last 3 years WFP. One customer wouldn't give a reason, the other said his wife preferred them doing trad. Not one complaint from either for 3 years WFP. I smell an undercut, and I was only charging them £5.50.
One was a bad payer, and the other had really bad access to the back, it's funny how I seem to lose the ones I don't want anyway.

AuRavelling79

  • Posts: 26588
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2008, 09:13:48 pm »
Lost a small end terrace one for a tenner today. She said can you leave them this time they don't look too bad and it's quite expensive. I said (Politely) I only call on you every two months, I'm afraid I don't work on an "as and when basis".

She said I could do them next time and I politely declined and said no thanks. She went in a bit miffed and said I'll make other arrangements.

Literally ten seconds after she went in her neighbour on the other end of the terrace (terrace of five) came over and said I've just moved in can you do mine please?

I said "Of course! I offer monthly or two monthly and only work on a regular basis."

"How much?" he asked. I told him a tenner for the lot, when you're not in I do the front for six quid. Send me a cheque if I miss you.

Every month please, that's very reasonable he said giving me a tenner up front.

So that's £120 a year to replace £60 a year.

Sweet.
It's a game of three halves!

peter holley

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2008, 09:20:49 pm »
it s funnyhow it works out....but that happens to me a lot ...lose 1 pick up 2 etc

LWC

  • Posts: 6824
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2008, 09:32:11 pm »
There are a lot of people getting put out of work at the moment. A percentage of these will start window cleaning. Its the easiest business to start up.

just you wait till the winter kicks in ;)

Roy Harding

  • Posts: 1986
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2008, 09:46:21 pm »
I have picked up 3 jobs this week, and one is a huge place, its only done every 12wks. But they are shelling out quite a few bucks, so im really pleased.

Roy

scrimit2

  • Posts: 155
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2008, 11:00:36 pm »
Im not sure how its going to all workout, i lost one the other day (saying they had to cut back, it was a £5 job, but they run two land rover discoveries) so maybe it wasnt the real reason, but all in all ive gained 12 new jobs these month so far...

www.mrgutters.co.uk

  • Posts: 871
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2008, 03:56:02 pm »
problem is i have a very small round ...about 25 jobs only but they are worth around 1800-2000 every 5 - 6 weeks

its just really hard to pick up domestics when you have about 10 houses on your book all are 40.00 and over

shawn
If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.

pjulk

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #12 on: September 26, 2008, 04:08:01 pm »
I lost one this week £23 one and im glad i did she moans about everything.
It was because i did not do her windows monday.
I never told her a day anyway but she kept saying every few months they have to be done mondays to which i told her everytime i would not comit to a certain day.
Anyway i did her tuesday and she wrote me a letter due to my unreliable service i have found another window cleaner who will do it at a time that suits me and no longer need your service's

AuRavelling79

  • Posts: 26588
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2008, 04:28:08 pm »
I lost one this week £23 one and im glad i did she moans about everything.
It was because i did not do her windows monday.
I never told her a day anyway but she kept saying every few months they have to be done mondays to which i told her everytime i would not comit to a certain day.
Anyway i did her tuesday and she wrote me a letter due to my unreliable service i have found another window cleaner who will do it at a time that suits me and no longer need your service's

I wonder how long that will last!
It's a game of three halves!

LWC

  • Posts: 6824
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #14 on: September 26, 2008, 04:52:35 pm »
i hate that "can you come on a wednesday" folk. i always so no because i never know where ill be what with the weather and the like

Paul Coleman

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #15 on: September 26, 2008, 05:34:02 pm »
I lost one this week £23 one and im glad i did she moans about everything.
It was because i did not do her windows monday.
I never told her a day anyway but she kept saying every few months they have to be done mondays to which i told her everytime i would not comit to a certain day.
Anyway i did her tuesday and she wrote me a letter due to my unreliable service i have found another window cleaner who will do it at a time that suits me and no longer need your service's

Some them can be absolutely pathetic can't they Paul.  They get a regular service and still find something to complain about.  Maybe you should have stuck to Mondays and done them at 6.30 in the morning  :)
Maybe you could send her a copy of that music track by Boomtown Rats "Because I don't like Mondays".

trike

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #16 on: September 26, 2008, 05:43:51 pm »
lost 4 bed semi  today 5qiud,dont do mine husband has just lost his job so he can do them from now on,if he gets another job ill ask you again to do them :o :o :o

Rob.Hall

  • Posts: 1095
Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #17 on: September 26, 2008, 06:32:38 pm »
I think there will be fluctuations in the market as new window cleaners come on the block.

They will undercut just to get business but just you wait until its raining and cold......

Problem is that people think there is buckets of money to be made at this job however this only happens normally over time with perciverence unless you can go out and buy a round etc.

Then you have to take into consideration quality of your work against speed etc.

Hang in there. I am sure you will make it through.




Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #18 on: September 26, 2008, 06:41:38 pm »
2 new customers i got today..  one for 14 every 4 weeks another for 25 every 8 weeks.

Another quote i did for 25, she said my other window cleaner did it for cheaper (er, yeah! where is he then?) she had over 25 panes of glass, i gave a good but cheap quote in essence. So i said, ok if my prices are not within your budget i can accept that.  ;D

She can find another numpty to turn up and do it cheap and not to go back a few months later :P


seandyer2003

Re: got my second cancelation via text due to economic climate...Rubish!!
« Reply #19 on: September 26, 2008, 06:48:19 pm »
i picked 3 up today and turned one down after she wouldnt accept my quote, and this is the 2nd time shes done that, i got 3 to a total of £34 a month, and the one i turned down had about 16 windows, i only qouted £10 because its quite small, but she said no 8, i said no ten! and walked off......had a barney wit a customer today as well who is a pain in butt, she cam out today looking up at windows id already cleaned while i was doing next door, i shouted thats inside  ;D she knew i was there, why do that?? really p's me of, then when i said its 2ce she started debating it so i just really got mad then and said just pay me and i wont come back because i dont work for people who dont trust me, i picked up 3 today i dont need the hassle, and all of a sudden she was nice and friendly  ;D ;D dont let them rule you!! ;D