[Feen]

This thread is about unprofessional’s in cars and how anybody can just hijack this trade as and when it suits them, not how people started or whether people think it’s right or wrong if a professional decides to use a car or van.

That'll be us told then

[Window Washers]

This thread is about unprofessional’s in cars and how anybody can just hijack this trade as and when it suits them, not how people started or whether people think it’s right or wrong if a professional decides to use a car or van.

It's not how you get there mate, it's what you do when you arrive.

to the most part your right, but it does make a difference getting new work out and about, looking smart ect ect, only reason I say this is because new customers tell me it

[andyatkinson]

its not neccesarily hyjacking the trade, the trade is there and customers choose who they want, by me a guy carrys fold up ladders in an old pram base as he walks around, his ladders dont reach the windows so he reaches the rest of the way with a pole and does a horrific job, (hes broken his arm twice) point is no matter how pro i look i wont get his customers EVER because he offers something i dont - an hour or more chattin to the lonely oldies smokin fAgs! point is customers choose who they want and why, so with sensible prices and a good job no ones a threat, theyre just there. and it happens to lots of semi skilled trades, painters and decorators, gardeners etc are also easy trades to jump into.

[sparklebright]

Well said.

I think the message I take from this is to look after my existing customers.

In general if you do a good job, you keep customers, even if someone knocks or drops in a leaflet. I have had several customer give me leaflets they have been given, or that have been dropped thru their letterbox. Haven't a lost a single residential customer to a newbie yet.

And just to get on your nerves Ewan I started off driving a citreon AX 2 door, with a roofrack, and some second hand ladders, but went WFP in a few months as I had planned.  

[andyatkinson]

i got married 7 months ago and stayed on honeymoon for an extra 5 weeks! all my work was covered except residential windows, after coming back after 6 weeks we had not lost a single customer, lots had got us presents and extra cash, now theyre buying baby clothes for us, my point- after 7 years the rappor is so good they become like friends, yes a pain when collectin as chattin can go on a bit but will we ever lose these customers to a newbie undercutting.......... i doubt it

[dai]

i got married 7 months ago and stayed on honeymoon for an extra 5 weeks!  now theyre buying baby clothes for us,  ;
D

You didn't waste your time then

[andyatkinson]

tryin for more tips!!

[peter holley]

i havnt read through all these posts ......but, one thing i know is that its all about being reliable... the ones that are tooo cheap , let custies down after a few months, that does me a favour, .....people dont mind paying a bit extra for a reliable wc.... most of these start ups will be too cheap , and find it hard in bad weather, and realise its not easy sailing....!!!

theres more to it than just cleaning windows 

[johns window kleen]

Whats wrong with wearing jeans, t shirts, and baseball caps, and using a bashed up old estate?
Most custies on some estates would expect nothing less.

Turn up in a new van wearing a blue boiler suit and theyll think your pest control.

In my experience some custies wanna see failure, and get the right hump if it looks like your doing too well in life by meerly cleaning windows. So let them perceive it.

So horses for courses, if im doing the well off's, or offices, out comes the decent motor, and professional image becomes everything. But they get the same job.

[Oakley Windows]

Pride! in your appearance.

If your customers expect you to look like a pikey you need to change your customers or get some self-respect.

[johns window kleen]

Pride! in your appearance.

If your customers expect you to look like a pikey you need to change your customers or get some self-respect.


I have total pride in my appearance mate, and have self respect.

You wear a blue boiler suit dont you!!

[matt]

I must be the only one going backwards, I started off with a very tidy Nissan Sunny, and now I use an M reg escort van.
I could go out and buy a new one cash if I wanted, but the one I have is reliable and cheap to run.
With a long established round, who do you need to impress? Proven honesty and reliability over the years
Is what gets me new work.
You can buy a new van, but you can't buy a good reputation.

funny enough i was chatting to a window cleaner this week and we both said the same thing

[matt]

i got married 7 months ago and stayed on honeymoon for an extra 5 weeks! all my work was covered except residential windows, after coming back after 6 weeks we had not lost a single customer, lots had got us presents and extra cash, now theyre buying baby clothes for us, my point- after 7 years the rappor is so good they become like friends, yes a pain when collectin as chattin can go on a bit but will we ever lose these customers to a newbie undercutting.......... i doubt it

also discussed this week 

[ftp]

Same goes for quality of work too. You guys who think you are brilliant and do the best job in the world with your £30,000 outfits won't prise the work away from one of the locals in my area. He's crap and drives a battered old yellow van - might be a miestro or something. They all moan about him using the same bucket of dirty water for the whole street and the smears but none of them will sack him. He's the family window cleaner and well up in his sixties, doubt if he's worried about newbies somehow. 

[luther1]

There are literally dozens starting up in my area (Southampton),maybe something to do with Fords closing down,however,one nipper in his green golf who i always see, stopped me in Tescos as i was enjoying my prawn salad ha ha and asked me why i never acknowledge him,so i told him i thought he was a painter and decorator! ,

[s.hughes]

I drive an estate car, but its a nice silver one. Looks good when the silver ladders are on the top it all matches.

[andyatkinson]

i got married 7 months ago and stayed on honeymoon for an extra 5 weeks! all my work was covered except residential windows, after coming back after 6 weeks we had not lost a single customer, lots had got us presents and extra cash, now theyre buying baby clothes for us, my point- after 7 years the rappor is so good they become like friends, yes a pain when collectin as chattin can go on a bit but will we ever lose these customers to a newbie undercutting.......... i doubt it

also discussed this week 

who discussed me gettin married matt???!!!!!

[andyatkinson]

interesting...... not sure i agree entirely. if a customer wants the unpro wc then they'l have them if theyre cheesed off with result then they call us and we look like shining knights, if theyre happy with a bad job and paying less for it, who cares?? get work elswhere

[andyatkinson]

what?

[geefree]

it doesnt help people posting on here, hourly rate polls, when someone asks can a decent living be earned.... people actually answer in bold detail....

I mean, most websites of window cleaners , have links to forums..... so the customers and the general public will view our posts too !!

so its not suprising really is it....

some people only have themselves to blame.