Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jay moley on December 13, 2023, 04:24:35 pm

Title: Skip this clean
Post by: jay moley on December 13, 2023, 04:24:35 pm
They're all coming out the woodwork!

Had two today.

Dumped one as they have done it before and I let them get away with it. Not anymore.

Someone else skipped for the first time. I said I can do it but the next clean will be slightly more. They cancelled.

Upside is they are both ladder jobs which Im slowly getting rid of.

Think a bit of canvassing is in order next year for a top up.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: richard connett on December 13, 2023, 04:28:42 pm
It’s a strange time of year . I think some prioritise buying presents etc etc over window cleaning and some really want clean windows over the holiday. Usually the tips overide the cancellations so I give people a pass.
I get what you mean about ladder jobs though !
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Simon Trapani on December 13, 2023, 04:44:45 pm
Too many skips & it’s an instant dump.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Splash & dash on December 13, 2023, 05:04:15 pm
If they have a genuine reason not to have them cleaned like building work , decorating etc then that’s fine , but when quoting we always stress we work 12 months of the year and in all  weathers within reason so don’t accept leave it this time it would be an instant dump regardless. It’s very rare that we get this .
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: High-Tower on December 13, 2023, 05:39:58 pm
You’re not alone, I’ve had several otherwise good customers skip this week already, and I’m sure there will be more to come, just means I’ll be finished for Christmas sooner.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Stoots on December 13, 2023, 05:41:57 pm
Had way more than normal these past few weeks. I started dumping them but then thought maybe i was being a bit hasty. Had a few cancels as well.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: NBwcs on December 13, 2023, 06:37:12 pm
I sent a what i would deem a fairly polite text  (couple of months ago) back to one of my new customers who had asked to skip basically saying thats fine this time but please bear in mind for future cleans i will need to be cleaning every time as i have a limit on the amount of customers i can take on and as such cant afford to turn new enquiries away when i have existing customers skipping as it leave me out of pocket, (yeah i know, it doesnt literally but needed to get the point accross )and it obviously pressed her button, her reply was.... ""never in my life have i been made to feel bad for not having the money. We will find another window cleaner thanks"  Ive sent very similar texts out for nearly 20 years  in the same  situation and never provoked a response like that. . I so wanted to say well if your that hard up why are paying someone to clean your windows, no one ever died from dirty windows.. i reflected and remembered we live in an age of social media so opted for a polite, "sorry, it wasnt my intention to cause any offence".. .. some people need to get their priorities sorted.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on December 13, 2023, 07:31:06 pm
I never get bothered if it's a one off skip as holidays and building work happens.   But when i spot a regular skipper, they are told we only allow a maximum of 2 skips per rolling 12 months.   

I also sometimes tell them they are being moved to less frequent clean rota, with a new increased price to match their average gap.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: windowswashed on December 13, 2023, 07:42:03 pm
I never get bothered if it's a one off skip as holidays and building work happens.   But when i spot a regular skipper, they are told we only allow a maximum of 2 skips per rolling 12 months.   

I also sometimes tell them they are being moved to less frequent clean rota, with a new increased price to match their average gap.

Any work that becomes adhoc get dropped as soon as I get a replacement, not worth messing up my routine work which runs like clockwork. Don't mind when they are regular and leave a clean or two because of genuine excuses like painting, building an extension or similar.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Splash & dash on December 13, 2023, 07:50:26 pm
I sent a what i would deem a fairly polite text  (couple of months ago) back to one of my new customers who had asked to skip basically saying thats fine this time but please bear in mind for future cleans i will need to be cleaning every time as i have a limit on the amount of customers i can take on and as such cant afford to turn new enquiries away when i have existing customers skipping as it leave me out of pocket, (yeah i know, it doesnt literally but needed to get the point accross )and it obviously pressed her button, her reply was.... ""never in my life have i been made to feel bad for not having the money. We will find another window cleaner thanks"  Ive sent very similar texts out for nearly 20 years  in the same same situation and never provoked a response like that. . I so wanted to say well if your that hard up why are paying someone to clean your windows, no one ever died from dirty windows.. i reflected and remembered we live in an age of social media so opted for a polite, "sorry, it wasnt my intention to cause any offence".. .. some people need to get their priorities sorted.


lol that would be an instant dump , don’t need customers like that .
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Smudger on December 13, 2023, 08:50:28 pm
I think the customer dumped the window cleaner 🧐

Good save at the end SM can potentially ruin your reputation
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: dazmond on December 13, 2023, 10:30:27 pm
I sent a what i would deem a fairly polite text  (couple of months ago) back to one of my new customers who had asked to skip basically saying thats fine this time but please bear in mind for future cleans i will need to be cleaning every time as i have a limit on the amount of customers i can take on and as such cant afford to turn new enquiries away when i have existing customers skipping as it leave me out of pocket, (yeah i know, it doesnt literally but needed to get the point accross )and it obviously pressed her button, her reply was.... ""never in my life have i been made to feel bad for not having the money. We will find another window cleaner thanks"  Ive sent very similar texts out for nearly 20 years  in the same same situation and never provoked a response like that. . I so wanted to say well if your that hard up why are paying someone to clean your windows, no one ever died from dirty windows.. i reflected and remembered we live in an age of social media so opted for a polite, "sorry, it wasnt my intention to cause any offence".. .. some people need to get their priorities sorted.

I would never do this.i just dump.no need for an explanation text....they'll be struggling financially.

New year is a good time to have a clear out.i have 3 jobs I'm going to dump in Jan due to persistent late payment.im sick of chasing them up for payment.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Stoots on December 14, 2023, 10:32:30 am
I would have definitely put
If I were you I wouldn't get another window cleaner and mess him about perhaps work on improving your financial position before agreeing to services you  cant afford.

f*** em give as good as you get I've been moaned about on social media a few times and it's almost always them who started it haha
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Simon Trapani on December 14, 2023, 05:02:18 pm
Stoots I swear you’re my long lost brother or something!🤣🤣🤣I love your posts. I almost always agree🤣
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: AuRavelling79 on December 14, 2023, 05:30:21 pm
Set out your stall in the beginning.

I don't take skips for holidays, internal work being done or bad weather.

If there is scaffolding for external building work or roof work up is the only reason I regularly accept.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on December 14, 2023, 05:49:48 pm
Things are starting to bite had a couple of winter cancellations and a few none payers from long term customers.
Think I will be a tough year ahead.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: AuRavelling79 on December 14, 2023, 06:10:08 pm
Things are starting to bite had a couple of winter cancellations and a few none payers from long term customers.
Think I will be a tough year ahead.

Any particular age group or demographic?
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: robbo333 on December 14, 2023, 06:37:24 pm
I've had a few skips (normally good customers); I think it's a money thing this time of year.
I'm always polite about it and to be honest I'm a bit behind at the moment, so it actually does me a favour.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: NBwcs on December 14, 2023, 07:32:13 pm
Things are starting to bite had a couple of winter cancellations and a few none payers from long term customers.
Think I will be a tough year ahead.

Only thing ive really noticed is that tips are very down, and money coming in is a bit slower. Strange as looking at the amount of xmas lights on houses this year compared to last it sort of feels like were heading back to normal, certainly get the impression that the concern about the cost of living isnt any where near as prominent as last year. I should stop trying to predict things though, we've been through a lot over the years and the reality hasn't been any where near as bad as the worrying  that i did  before it. One of these days we might get caught out by an event that none of thought would effect us but does.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: dazmond on December 14, 2023, 09:17:43 pm
Picked up a new job today(she seen my van parked up and rang me)

Nice modern detached property.i was going to say £40 but £50 came out of my mouth.she accepted no problem.cleaning them 1 st week in January.easy windows to clean too.30 min job.

You just never lose in this game....
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: dazmond on December 14, 2023, 09:46:39 pm
Things are starting to bite had a couple of winter cancellations and a few none payers from long term customers.
Think I will be a tough year ahead.

Only thing ive really noticed is that tips are very down, and money coming in is a bit slower. Strange as looking at the amount of xmas lights on houses this year compared to last it sort of feels like were heading back to normal, certainly get the impression that the concern about the cost of living isnt any where near as prominent as last year. I should stop trying to predict things though, we've been through a lot over the years and the reality hasn't been any where near as bad as the worrying  that i did  before it. One of these days we might get caught out by an event that none of thought would effect us but does.

Last year £450 in tips,the year before £612,this year I'm on just over £300 at present.its defo getting less and less every year.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Splash & dash on December 14, 2023, 10:02:53 pm
Things are starting to bite had a couple of winter cancellations and a few none payers from long term customers.
Think I will be a tough year ahead.

Only thing ive really noticed is that tips are very down, and money coming in is a bit slower. Strange as looking at the amount of xmas lights on houses this year compared to last it sort of feels like were heading back to normal, certainly get the impression that the concern about the cost of living isnt any where near as prominent as last year. I should stop trying to predict things though, we've been through a lot over the years and the reality hasn't been any where near as bad as the worrying  that i did  before it. One of these days we might get caught out by an event that none of thought would effect us but does.

Last year £450 in tips,the year before £612,this year I'm on just over £300 at present.its defo getting less and less every year.


Don’t forget to declare that on your tax return 😂😂😂😂
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: DJW on December 14, 2023, 10:28:12 pm
Picked up a new job today(she seen my van parked up and rang me)

Nice modern detached property.i was going to say £40 but £50 came out of my mouth.she accepted no problem.cleaning them 1 st week in January.easy windows to clean too.30 min job.

You just never lose in this game....

Council house?
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: Billy clarke on December 15, 2023, 04:38:34 am
I never get bothered if it's a one off skip as holidays and building work happens.   But when i spot a regular skipper, they are told we only allow a maximum of 2 skips per rolling 12 months.   

I also sometimes tell them they are being moved to less frequent clean rota, with a new increased price to match their average gap.
. So you actually tell customers they are allowed to skip 2 cleans per year . If I have read that right I am stunned .
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: tlwcs on December 15, 2023, 02:30:09 pm
I sent a what i would deem a fairly polite text  (couple of months ago) back to one of my new customers who had asked to skip basically saying thats fine this time but please bear in mind for future cleans i will need to be cleaning every time as i have a limit on the amount of customers i can take on and as such cant afford to turn new enquiries away when i have existing customers skipping as it leave me out of pocket, (yeah i know, it doesnt literally but needed to get the point accross )and it obviously pressed her button, her reply was.... ""never in my life have i been made to feel bad for not having the money. We will find another window cleaner thanks"  Ive sent very similar texts out for nearly 20 years  in the same same situation and never provoked a response like that. . I so wanted to say well if your that hard up why are paying someone to clean your windows, no one ever died from dirty windows.. i reflected and remembered we live in an age of social media so opted for a polite, "sorry, it wasnt my intention to cause any offence".. .. some people need to get their priorities sorted.

I would never do this.i just dump.no need for an explanation text....they'll be struggling financially.

New year is a good time to have a clear out.i have 3 jobs I'm going to dump in Jan due to persistent late payment.im sick of chasing them up for payment.


Daz don’t dump them.
Text them the evening before with something like this. 
‘Please pay for your window cleaning this evening to ensure tomorrow’s clean”

They will pay or dump you first but at least they know they’re crap payers. 😀
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: dd on December 16, 2023, 04:15:59 pm
Picked up a new job today(she seen my van parked up and rang me)

Nice modern detached property.i was going to say £40 but £50 came out of my mouth.she accepted no problem.cleaning them 1 st week in January.easy windows to clean too.30 min job.

You just never lose in this game....
I would find somewhere better to store my cash if I were you.
Title: Re: Skip this clean
Post by: the king on December 16, 2023, 09:57:15 pm
ive had 1 skip so far but tips are way down on last year