[Dave Turley]

i'm thinking of offering my customers a discount for recommending me to their friends/family as a way to help them save money and grow my round with minimal effort.

i'm thinking I could offer to reduce their bill by 25% of the monthly cost of their friends house.

the bigger their friends house, the more money  they save!

eg.   a customer recommends me to their friend with, say, a £20 house. I could probably cover the existing customers discount by adding a bit more on top of the extra charge for a first clean (say £30 instead of the £25 I might have charged)

my existing custie is happy as they will get a £5 discount off their next clean and i'm happy as i've got an extra customer with little effort.

this would be open to possible abuse by the "one-off" brigade but if I charge enough for the first clean I don't think i'd lose out.

what do you all think?

[Chris Galloway]

never worked for me so i removed it.. if they are going to recommend you they will anyway.

my deal was a free clean after their friends had 3 cleans...

[Rob.Hall]

Try it Dave. It might work for you.

Nothing ventured etc.

Even if you only get one custy......its progress.

[RO-Sheen]

I tried it too. I offered a free clean if their friend took a regular account. In the 6 months I ran this I got a handful of customers on the back of this. Since I stopped I still get recommended on a regular basis.

As Chris said, They will recommend you anyway.

What does work for me is I sometimes go to an area the day before I am due to clean, pop a leaflet through their door explaining I will be in the area tomorrow doing most of their neighbours and if they wanted to be included in the round the price will be £? on a 6 weekly basis. I also ask them to leave the leaflet in the window if they want to be included in round. This works well as its no hassle to the customer. They dont even have to phone to book a slot!

[Tosh]

I've read somewhere on this forum that the best way to get recommendations is to ask for them.

I believe this to be true.

[seandyer2003]

never worked for me so i removed it.. if they are going to recommend you they will anyway.

my deal was a free clean after their friends had 3 cleans...

I thought of that but where will their friend live?? Miles away probably and then it aint worth it

[Chris Galloway]

never worked for me so i removed it.. if they are going to recommend you they will anyway.

my deal was a free clean after their friends had 3 cleans...

I thought of that but where will their friend live?? Miles away probably and then it aint worth it

Didn't matter to me, its always nice to get into new areas.

[seandyer2003]

never worked for me so i removed it.. if they are going to recommend you they will anyway.

my deal was a free clean after their friends had 3 cleans...

I thought of that but where will their friend live?? Miles away probably and then it aint worth it

Didn't matter to me, its always nice to get into new areas.

Not if its just one house though in an area that already has a cleaner, and they are just recommending there mate for a freebie

[Chris Galloway]

never worked for me so i removed it.. if they are going to recommend you they will anyway.

my deal was a free clean after their friends had 3 cleans...

I thought of that but where will their friend live?? Miles away probably and then it aint worth it

Didn't matter to me, its always nice to get into new areas.

Not if its just one house though in an area that already has a cleaner, and they are just recommending there mate for a freebie

thats why you have *conditions* 

[Paul Coleman]

What about a "3 in a row" scheme, if they get neighbors on both sides they all three get a small discount, would help keep the round compact!

I don't do many domestic, but thought this might be a good way for those that do!

I've found that if/when offering a discount, it is better to time limit it or just make it a one off.  I work roads where I used to have a few jobs and priced lower because of that.  When they move/cancel/die, you can be left with just a job or two and stuck with the lower rates.  These days, I price each job as if it's on its own.

[Dave Turley]

thanks for responses, seems generally inconclusive.

will mull it over a bit more

[geefree]

A bottle of wine to be given to the recommendee.... for each new customer who accepts a quote. .

Hey christmas is coming 

[bwoofie]

Good idea gazza- everyone loves a freebie

[Dave Turley]

A bottle of wine to be given to the recommendee.... for each new customer who accepts a quote. .

Hey christmas is coming 

I like that idea.... good one!

[Londoner]

What happens when they recommend someone too far away or a house with no access and no parking etc etc?

[geefree]

Well.... the person who recommends..... gets the bottle of wine, after quote accepted... no quote ......would come in to that catagory.