[Paul Simpson]

Phone call today - "how much for 3 bedrooms to be cleaned"
didn't know the sizes but she explained it was a townhouse and average size rooms.
Gave her an approx. price as shes wants it done by Monday.
2-3 minutes later she phones back - "can I book the 3 bedrooms and 3 floors you gave me a price for"
Okay I said still registering 3 floors?
Whats the 3 floors your talking about I said - "Oh just the landings & hallways"
Well that will affect the price I said. "Well how much will that make it then?"
Just to clarify 3 bedrooms and 3 landings I said - "Oh and a lounge she said"
Okayyyyy
Any more I said - "Just the bathroom and 2 en-suites.
What about stairs - "Yes 3 flights of stairs as well. I thought these things would be included"
So basically you want the whole house done I said  :
No wonder she nearly bit my hand off at the original price.
Gave her a new idea of how much it would cost and needless to say she hasn't called back. 

[james roffey]

You have my sympathy, it can be like pulling teeth with some customers

Wanted you all set up and cleaning i expect then add the extras very hard to deal with customers that do not see above the initial price you estimate, i always try and get my foot in the door with a free no obligation quote etc then you can sell it much more effectively at a higher price than she would normally expect to pay and i say that because she probably thinks all carpet cleaners do the same job  :

[ianharper]

James

some might do just as good job but cheaper -)

Paul, provide a real basic service for these prospects. I think a lot depends on where they got your number some places will put you at an advantage other at a disadvantage. what you have to remember is all those part time carpet cleaners that don't have your overheads.

Ian

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Alot of internet enquiries are end of tennancy people wanting as cheap a job as possible you have to tailor the way you talk to them to fit their needs although you have to concede on alot of them that yo aren't going to get the job, I ask questions to find out what the requirements are ie where they live and when they want it doing, the first can question can give you the information to see if you want the job and the 2nd is the get out if you really don't want the job but most EOT want tomorrow (or even today) and the carpets are never that dirty until you get there!! I do convert them if I want them but when it's city centre stuff and maybe in a complex and 2 bedrooms I prefer not to upset them with a price and just say I can't do it until 3 weeks.

BTW one of the CD franchises around me quoted £300 for 2 bedrooms in a complex and got the job and didn't turn up!!! I just couldn't fit it in same day as I was already working late

Shaun

[wayne zabel]

On the subject of stupid customers - Ive just been to quote for a job,Got there and it was the same house I quoted for around Jan/Feb time and never heard a thing.

I got a call this week asking me to quote,they obviously hadn't realised that I was the same cleaner.

2 smallish lounges both BW's.I explained about BW's being woven sythetics and it was like talking to a brick wall.Didn't have clue what I was on about.

£35 I said for the first room and I will do the other for £15 while I'm there.................Look of dismay from the customer.

Customer said..............I used to clean carpets for £12 a room.

Customers wife...............That was 20 years ago.

So all in all the guy who used to clean carpets 20 years ago for £12 a room and didn't have a clue about a BW wants me to clean them for that now.

I dont expect to hear from them again.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

In all honesty Wayne would you want to hear from them again?

Shaun

[elliott cleaning]

Shaun is correct - Do you really want to hear from them again, Wayne?

In the same way that this client wasn't interested in the fact that his carpets were BWs' - thats your problem to clean (although I have never found it to be an issue)

If I wasn't in the business & wanted my carpets cleaned - I wouldn't be interested in being regaled about my carpet - just 'can you clean it or not'

[jasonl]

Quoted an eot today , 7 bedrooms,bathroom,stairs, landing, lounge , playroom . I quoted 350, customer showed me a written quote for 300 ,and asked if I would price match , No problem I said , both happy , love customers like that.
Sometimes taking a hit is better than losing the job altogether.  This is not the customer being stupid ,, it is just them seeking the best value.

[wayne zabel]

Shaun is correct - Do you really want to hear from them again, Wayne?

In the same way that this client wasn't interested in the fact that his carpets were BWs' - thats your problem to clean (although I have never found it to be an issue)

If I wasn't in the business & wanted my carpets cleaned - I wouldn't be interested in being regaled about my carpet - just 'can you clean it or not'

Your probably right - but my point is that the guy purpoted to be a CC and wanted me to match his 20 year old prices but didn't understand a bout a BW

[james roffey]

James

some might do just as good job but cheaper -)

Paul, provide a real basic service for these prospects. I think a lot depends on where they got your number some places will put you at an advantage other at a disadvantage. what you have to remember is all those part time carpet cleaners that don't have your overheads.

Ian

Ian with the greatest respect how do you suggest i run a profitable business charging £ 17 to clean a lounge     that will take me over and hour to do, are you saying that he can clean a carpet to the same standard and still make a profit
Because the last leaflet that came through my door and does so every month is charging just that

[ianharper]

James

I was joking

Ian

[james roffey]

  Sorry Ian

bit of a touchy subject i suppose.

[JandS]

Regarding the original post, I get a few like that from our Asian friends.
Also get the
How much for 3 bedrooms - price £x
3 bedrooms and lounge - £x
Just the lounge - £x
2 bedrooms and lounge - £x
At this point I lose it and ask them what it is exactly they want done.
Reply - I'll discuss it with my husband and get back to you.
Does my head in and I bet it happens at least once a week.

John

[Kinver_Clean]

.....and then if you do the job they want a discount..