[foxy]

  i've got a problem and could do with some advice. i work in a nothern town cleaning shops and pubs. there is a large firm in town, that has had the run of a large shopping centre for 40 years (since it was built). a couple of years ago 1 of my shops moved inside the centre so i carried on cleaning, (£30 a week), since i've been inside i've gone for NEW shops that have opened up. i have got some of them. the established window cleaners (suburban windowcleaners) have tried to intimidate me and then said to other cleaners that i've been poaching/undercutting. i've not but it is getting me wound up. a new shop opening is fair game to a card; isn't it? they've been taking the mick for years, (£18 for 2 sheets of glass 10 feet by 3 feet, once a week!). what would you do? i am not arsed what anyone thinks or says about me but i want to hit back; any advice? thanks 

[Slash]

Give a price that is fair,shops will see this and want your services as long as your not really cheap but fair,fair play to the other WCs if they can get that much but buisness is buisness,I don't undercut but quote a fair price and I don't think I am cheap nor expensive,mind you WCs in my area quote cheaper and if they get an old client of mine well thats life!

[Chris Galloway]

Give a price that is fair,shops will see this and want your services as long as your not really cheap but fair,fair play to the other WCs if they can get that much but buisness is buisness,I don't undercut but quote a fair price and I don't think I am cheap nor expensive,mind you WCs in my area quote cheaper and if they get an old client of mine well thats life!

Fully agree there! 

[foxy]

  ewan, i'll get you some beers in if you ever come to doncaster. you talk sense and i am gonna go for it. the firm has been spoilt for years. the top dog must be a mason. it is going to come to a head. they have had the run of the town for 40 years and they think they are window cleaning royalty (i'm sure it's the same wherever you you live) the other cleaners have gone along with things because it's an easier life. the thing that winds me up is that i've done nothing wrong; i'm out to make a crust and i'm slated for it while he drives a jag and lives in one of the best parts of town (cadeby)

[foxy]

cheers stan the man,  there's baz and des and me and then the dark side. i really like my job. i am up and pulling my weight, my customers like me and i don't rip anyone off. honestly, doncaster would be mint if it weren't for these dicks. what's your town like?

[L.J.Thorpe]

They are most probably more worried about you.

I would go to all the other shops especially there’s and give them a quote.

Really sell yourself, as I’m sure you can be more competitive with price.

This is not undercutting, this is business and there person in charge knows it.

You need to plan this out, good luck.

AAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH I agree with ewan,thats twice in a year
seriously tho this absolutely spot on

[foxy]

they are going to get it. i know it shouldn't be personal but they are implying i'll get done in. the lad was a rugby star and they know some bad n's. i'm not that arsed coz i think a lot of it is chat. if they keep on moaning to people though i'm gonna give them something to maon about. i hate people that haven't had to build ait up, that've had it gifted to em. silver spoons; they think it always has to go their way and they cry foul when it doesn't

[alanwilson]

personally - if they tried to intimidate me it would end there and then, however you may want to try something a litte more subtle.  If that be the case I  would happily undercut them, at least force them down in price - effectively you will be making a dent in their profits.


I'd still prefer to make a dent in their noses though.

[poole bay]

just smack him he might give you all the work lol just kidding guys come on!!

[Rob.Hall]

Offer to buy him out....That will get him going!!

[Tosh]

i used to have a problem with a w/c on a road full of shops,i overcame this by switching my day,he cleans on a friday i now clean mine every thursday,so we dont come into contact any more

This happens in our town centre too! 

[Andrew McCann]

In any other business I can think of all custom is fair game. There is no such thing as patches or no undercutting. Window cleaning in this country is undergoing a big change and competition for business is going to get a lot tougher.

This guy is living in the past and I think that you have him worried. Go for the lot I say. You have tried the other way and are getting grief so you have nothing to lose. You are running a business and have every right to compete for customers.

All the best with it.

Andrew

[lovewindows]

Arrange to meet him , your probably hearing chinese whispers, doing this you can also get the measure of the man, you never know you might get on , i always think its best to get stuff straight from the horses mouth. good luck you probably wont need it.

[Wayne Thomas]

I wouldn't poach another window cleaners customers but if the window cleaner was bad mouthing me, I would purposely go out of my way of obtaining their work.

[foxy]

thanks to all the posters. it's not chinese whispers as i trust the fellow who told me. i work 6 days and see the men every morning. i'd love to smack them but i'm not hard enough to hit em as hard as i'd like. i'm a 1 man band, and my nephew gives ahand on a sat morn. i really like my job, i really dropped on to get a start and i have worked my arse off (you know how it's done) to get going. i really appreciate the support; it's given me a lift and i am going to give it a bit of thought and then go for it. they have got lots and lots to lose and i can see why it has got so nasty. the gaffer is a millionaire but is 60 odd and his son has it all to come (he's 40). i'm gonna get into em before the end of the year and give em something to whine about. thanks anyway, you've made my night 

[d s windowcleaning]

ewan, i'll get you some beers in if you ever come to doncaster. you talk sense and i am gonna go for it. the firm has been spoilt for years. the top dog must be a mason. it is going to come to a head. they have had the run of the town for 40 years and they think they are window cleaning royalty (i'm sure it's the same wherever you you live) the other cleaners have gone along with things because it's an easier life. the thing that winds me up is that i've done nothing wrong; i'm out to make a crust and i'm slated for it while he drives a jag and lives in one of the best parts of town (cadeby)

can i call for a beer (coffe ) i worked in doncaster for years at polypipe you minght know it .

[L.J.Thorpe]

go for the business side of it mate
price em out
imo anyone who threatens is a loser
the dangerous ones just do it
if tthey need to tell you or  others what they are going to do then relax
otherwise search kubotan on google
easy to make

[seandyer2003]

ewan, i'll get you some beers in if you ever come to doncaster. you talk sense and i am gonna go for it. the firm has been spoilt for years. the top dog must be a mason. it is going to come to a head. they have had the run of the town for 40 years and they think they are window cleaning royalty (i'm sure it's the same wherever you you live) the other cleaners have gone along with things because it's an easier life. the thing that winds me up is that i've done nothing wrong; i'm out to make a crust and i'm slated for it while he drives a jag and lives in one of the best parts of town (cadeby)

Go for it mate, alls fair in love and war and window cleaning:) give em a crack if they say otherwise, theyd steal your work without a sleepless night !!

[foxy]

cheers for the advice. dave shaw - i worked there too in 1990, in edlington. it put me off work for years. i'm in town centre 6 days and well known so i'm not hard to find 

[AuRavelling79]

A word of caution...

If this guy is a millionaire and knows a few hard guys then there will be tears - he can afford to up the ante if he wants to.

I remember a guy on here having his car windscreen smashed and tyres slashed - he stood up and carried on but it was stressful.

So by all means carry on about your business and not being intimidated but don't poke the fire or you might get burned!

IMO!