[lee_dewing]

see a few a making plans to go back to work soon.

I'm hoping to be out next week too.

just wondering how people will deal with custy's reactions at moment due to snow.

Not stirring things, i am probably looking for problems but what if your custy's said these comments to you how would you answer them.

1) I don't want you to do the windows this time; it's not worth it with the snow.

2) as above but with the added, you might as well leave it till spring.

 for 1) i 'd try to look cheerfull and reply o.k would you want inside done instead?

to 2) i might risk saying "o'k but will have to adjust the price by a few £ to make up for losses"

also do any of you worry by doing just downstairs, this will lead to a green light to being mucked about in future i.e just do tops i can do downstairs myself, type thing?

I plan to do as others go out later finish abit earlier, i'm wfp have trolley and back pack.

any thoughts guys
lee

[jonnyald]

i set out last week, wondering same as you .  the first half a dozen were fine about it ,and its been the same since

 my new resolution is get tuff with any whiners .  if i hear "can u leave it this month?" its an IMMEDIATE DROP

( unless its followed with a good excuse such as- having new window fitted in the next few days )

the big ladder firm in my town dont take ANY  rubbishy excuses and nor am i ,this year .

[david watts]

one  maybe start on bungalows
two start on custys your not botherd about ie low priced awkward that sort of thing
  me im going back when i feel its safe and adjust my days to get the max out of them  

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

just taking on the chin if any custys ,moan then dropping lost too ,much ,money to worry bout the odd few

[lee_dewing]

jonnyald

i hear what your saying and i'm usually fairly tough, but at the same time don't want to lose too much work.

[Johnny B]

jonnyald

i hear what your saying and i'm usually fairly tough, but at the same time don't want to lose too much work.

Why not just take it as it comes. If you find that you are losing too many ... take it from there.

John.

[Mike #1]

if a custy says not this time i will give them one more chance
if they say leave till spring i will say sorry you will have to find another window cleaner
and as for cleaning downstairs i do feel awkward about it but if i have no choice i will be out , i also use a trolley its a chew on dragging threw the snow when container is full but you have got to get out there when you can

[leapstallbuildings]

if a custy says not this time i will give them one more chance
if they say leave till spring i will say sorry you will have to find another window cleaner
and as for cleaning downstairs i do feel awkward about it but if i have no choice i will be out , i also use a trolley its a chew on dragging threw the snow when container is full but you have got to get out there when you can

The only problem with the first bit is if they do it once then they will think it's OK to do it again.  If you actually tell them about a "two strikes and out" policy, they could take it as an ultimatum and cancel anyway.  Probably better to cancel straight away and replace ASAP unless (a) you can't affoed to lose any or (b) they're normally a very good customer with a decent track record and you sense there is a problem.

[combat1]

Went out last Friday, all day using my usual method of trad extension poles and a backflip for the upstairs and usual trad downstairs, good day and felt much better getting back. Used warm water.
Doing Army quarters and the snow started, carried on doing the house in thermal hat, four upper layers, jeans with waterproofs, sealskinz gloves and three pairs thermal socks! a van pulls up and a soldier sticks his head out into the driving snow and says 'mate you are definately special forces!'
The householder was fine, as everyone was that day.
I just say we are professional and dont like to let people down. If its raining I leave a pre printed 'rain guarantee' never get a call back.
I did have to finish about 4pm as my wiping cloths and applicator were getting stiff as they started to freeze, but had managed a full days earnings.
From posts over this snowy period, if I cant work in future I will use the time for the business, either canvassing door to door locally or clearing snow from drives.

[lee_dewing]

thanks for your input guys
all my custy's have good track record as i have dumped messers.

Just got a feeling i'm gonna lock horns with some, as there always someone with an opinion.

just before crimbo someone said, "surely you don't work on cold days"

i just said rbs want mortgage money every month.

rather than dump custy's, i might just hike up the prices of new messers.

i.e leave til spring, ok 25% increase if they want to keep their space.

I just feel i can't be bothered arguing anymore with custy's, i'd rather they sack'em selves.

If i miss em out they always call or approach me when i'm working.

wanting to know why i don't clean their windows, i explain politely why.

But it's funny how they only see it from their point of view.
It does make me giggle sometimes seeing em go off in a huff.

I think the shortest and quikest answer (polite) is to say "Your not a customer"

A think a price hike is a good warning to.

Custy can either pay new price, pay old price and stop messing or go on there way with my blessing

p.s. i have noticed some have t&c's and state that if custy misses a go then 50% extra next clean, does this actually work?
has anyone imposed this and custy's paid no quibbles

thanks all
lee

[brett walker]

i did some bungalows last week, as the snow had stopped which i thought was ideal work but i was very shocked to find at least 6 not wanting it done, i explained to them i had not worked properly since before xmas
It wasnt raining or snowing on the windows so i cant get what there problem was !

This really annoys me i told them i have got to earn my money i dont get dole money one lady even said come back in march when its all gone


brett

[lee_dewing]

Brett

I think this is what i'm gonna get.

try to think of some answers now; and not fly off the handle, when eneviatable happens.

At the end of the day the custy is just not bothered about us

think it's just an excuse; there skint after xmas.

[brett walker]

Brett

I think this is what i'm gonna get.

try to think of some answers now; and not fly off the handle, when eneviatable happens.

At the end of the day the custy is just not bothered about us

think it's just an excuse; there skint after xmas.

Lee

the customer i went to are not short of cash i just think they lack respect for us trying to earn a living ive never known a winter like this in 19 yrs of doing this job

some customer o the other hand are grateful you can get out and do you a hot drink, im thinking of drafting a letter up for my customers, my service is once a month and we clean in sunshine rain snow hurricains and blizzards as we do not get benefits and are not on the dole and we are not doing this for just a bit of beer money so they get the picture.

i will be out tomorrow if its above freezing anyone that turns me away wont get it done again 

Brett

[leapstallbuildings]

i did some bungalows last week, as the snow had stopped which i thought was ideal work but i was very shocked to find at least 6 not wanting it done, i explained to them i had not worked properly since before xmas
It wasnt raining or snowing on the windows so i cant get what there problem was !

This really annoys me i told them i have got to earn my money i dont get dole money one lady even said come back in march when its all gone


brett

Yet the same people probably moan that they can't get a reliable W/C.  No wonder.  All the decent W/Cs gravitate to reliable customers and gradually move on to commercial work.

[kevin James]

I've worked every day apart from last weds. From -8 to light snow & not had a single knock back. Mind you, I turn up & just start & if I sense any atmosphere then After the clean, it's a ticket through the door & away.
By not askng whether they want a clean or not, it's up to them to make an issue & if they've been long standing custies then they don't want to upset & lose you.

Kevin. 

[tompoole]

If people don't want it doing I just smile and say see you next month, if in the mean time i pick up another ,i will put the not this time  on my list of if busy leave till next month. It works both ways you know.

[Window Washers]

Maybe just say if they say not this time, thats fine but will have to charge different rate for every other clean and due to snow there will be an increase of 100% because windows will be dirtier 

[hotsteam]

Before I started window cleaning, some loon was trying to clean my windows with a wet scrim,which instantly froze,told "him on yer bike".
You may get similar replies.  :
Regards Hotsteam

[wizard]

I feel a customer that chages at the door step as you arrive is not worth the effort and does not deserve a window cleaner in the first place. I feel one must just go ahead and donot wait for a problem.Make as if cleaning is the norm. If the say come back in march  then boot them into touch.Say Could you call me in three month when you aresdy and I will come back and give you a quote.( Because I will have moved on never let them think you are hard up. Dont tell them this.) Make out you have a pile of folks waiting.If the say skip this time then follow with telling what a 8 week will cost due to more dert.Always act and never buckel Look confident and go to your van and drive off to cry around the corner.

[lee_dewing]

Thanks guys.

I think as said i'l grin and bare any flack but will just give price rise to messers.

i.e not in this weather,

"o.k, see you next time by the way it's going up next time"  then give em 10% pay increase on next clean.

Or maybe cowdy custard and hike their bill up in spring.
thrown alot of work away in past and don't know if i've been a bit childish
"i'l show you"

maybe i take it too personally sometimes.

I feel your pain brett

as you said these custy's can afford it,
so put em up
especially if they've peed you off and you were thinking off ditching em

i'm glad you said you've not seen a winter like this in 19years, lets hope it's another 19 years

I might have got out of the financial mess of this winter and saved an emergency fund by then.