[telfordwindowclnr]

wfp is killing the game

I would love to know how...

[telfordwindowclnr]

I think it is a service industry and while there is demand, which there is, we will all continue to supply.

Seriously, how bad is this recession? If it was THAT bad, why are there still so many Indian, Chinese, pizza, fast food takeaways still open and opening? They are not cheap. I have em sometimes, but of I was flat broke because of the recession, I would not be able to afford it. If the whole nation was broke and could not afford it, they would be shutting. A recession can be classed as such if the economy shrinks by a tiny percentage that is barely noticeable in our pocket.

For many customers, window cleaning is an essential. They will cut out their takeaways before they stop our services. When your local Indian shuts, then it's time to worry...

[SB Cleaning]

Like one of the previous posters said it depends what part of the country your in.....most small businesses I have spoken with lately have loads of work on...

[telfordwindowclnr]

Like one of the previous posters said it depends what part of the country your in.....most small businesses I have spoken with lately have loads of work on...

Yep, I've had my best year ever.

I've not read many guys on here saying they are thinking of jacking it in because all their customers are cancelling.

[g.brookes]

solar steve, it tends to be the poorer people who who the takeaways going.  theyre really not that expensive and when life is really poop, the appeal to have a kebab (i.e a fast fix of sugar and fats to make yourself feel good for 30 mins) is very high.  hence why you see most takeaways in the poorer areas.  eg in whalley range manchester out of about 10 shops on one street, 5 are takeaways.  you dont get that in the middle/upper class areas. 
the recession is more visible in the number of holidays people are taking, the time they wait to replace their car etc.

anyway, in relation to the OP,  this game is a piece of p really.  if you want more business its there for the taking very easily.  yeah you might not get as much landing on your doorstep but if you look for it theres an endless amount.

[telfordwindowclnr]

solar steve, it tends to be the poorer people who who the takeaways going.  theyre really not that expensive and when life is really poop, the appeal to have a kebab (i.e a fast fix of sugar and fats to make yourself feel good for 30 mins) is very high.  hence why you see most takeaways in the poorer areas.  eg in whalley range manchester out of about 10 shops on one street, 5 are takeaways.  you dont get that in the middle/upper class areas. 
the recession is more visible in the number of holidays people are taking, the time they wait to replace their car etc.

anyway, in relation to the OP,  this game is a piece of p really.  if you want more business its there for the taking very easily.  yeah you might not get as much landing on your doorstep but if you look for it theres an endless amount.

+1

[richard jagger]

In our industry we need to consider a few factors.
There is always a saturation point in any business. To believe there is not is just been naive.
Business boffs say the first 1000 day are the most difficult in setting up a new business. If it took less  than 1000days, 5 years ago, them I would say they were good time.
We are in a shrinking economy that is a fact. Its not a death sentence but a up hill walk. This could turn self employed in employed, as some are not cut out for business
I am afraid trad  as a stand along business will die off with time. Sorry to say that for the trad guys and I know some will be unhappy to hear this. It will be a part of window cleaning service with w f p.
Tuff economy is a weeding time and if your business is not moving with time you might be in for a rough time.
We are moving from an informal sector business to a professional formal sector  level.
This is not the glass ball guessing but there is proof in our industry already.
There is more but these are just what come to mind.
One that might have doubt what I am saying. Then cut and paste on your computer and lets see in 5 years.
I will be just to happy to say I was wrong, but believe me I will not be.

[mr smear]

I canvassed last night while collecting and got £80 worth in couple hours. So it's there but like must of us i don't canvass enough. That £80 is quite an  improvement to yearly earnings if you keep up the canvassing  and get same result say twice a weekbut agree it's hard work.

[G Griffin]

Seems recession proof from where I'm sat if the definition of that is expanding and taking on staff.


Think on this: people on this thread are saying its hard to have a business in the current economic circumstances, but in the next sentence say there's too many new start ups with WFP. Make your minds up, it's one or the other.

Not necessarily. The new start ups might not last because it's too hard for them.

[dazmond]

granted its defo harder to pick up work than it was 5 years ago but im still making more money year on year the last few years so i dont worry about it.

im well established though.i bet its harder to get going from scratch.

[bobplum]

nothing is recession proof but i feel if you have a business like our industry and your established you will ride the storm out.
i also think diversifying is a good way to protect your self

 

i was thinking of you

[richard jagger]

Diversifying?if its adding a complementary service then yes. But oven cleaning or carpets could be a problem as they can clash with a round.I did some handy man and found it a problem fitting all the sudden and pressing needs of customers as well as big jobs that needed weeks in time.It starts as a small job and as you go on the job`s time grows,and this and that.

[Dougaldum]

I blame those window cleaners who can clean 40 houses a day. 

what's wrong with cleaning 40 house a day BY The way I CAN CLEAN 40+ EASY WITH SON

[Fin Clearview]

Unless every single one of our clients are part of the wealthy ruling class I'd say we're all in the same sinking boat. The future is grim.

[Ian Lancaster]

All you doom mongers

If you sit around and moan and tell yourselves you're going down the pan, then sure as tides and taxes that's what will happen to you.

It's hard to get new work, a lot harder than it used to be (in 1968 I was the only domestic window cleaner I knew of in Rochester) but it's still out there for the getting.

The people with real spirit and determination will prosper, the rest of you will all go to the wall, and hurry up I say - then I'll get out and pick up all your ex-custies

[richard jagger]

One fact about business is adapt or die.We are part of an ever changing ,market place and if one does not adapt to these change by moving forward in ever aspect your business will certainly die. All of those who are growing   are adapting possibly  with out realizing it, as its an integral part of what the do or run there businesses.Which shows they have a fell for business.
 So often when I read between the lines of what is said on this forum then it does not take any genius to see were there might be problems.
    Don't under estimate the success of what you do when you are successful.It is not a bad thing, but one is inclined to think most are level with you.Just pay heed to some of the ridiculous answers one reads on this forum at time and you will see why so many fell times are hard.
      I have from time to time made statements of gold only to be knocked down by someone that could not see the forest for the trees. I am not aiming this an anyone so don`t get excited.e.g Allowing your customer for decide or dictate something which clearly falls is the domain of a business owner.
       The best part of this industry is lost to these types of mistakes and most time these poor decision are made repeatable time and again.One needs to be wide awake in today's Market.I make no apology for the hardness of these statements as business is a hard game to be in at these time and the good day as we have known in the past have gone for good.
      Look at Woolworths did not adopt, Hmv gone.Bensons Jesops all did not read the market change.
and were are they now, don`t think we are immune we are all business just less formal and a lot smaller with the same pain. I don`t intend this to be a negative thread, but a wake up call, and this includes me as well.

[Pro-Poler]

i have been a window cleaner for 18 years and during that time you used to pick rounds up for fun , i built rounds and dropped full rounds as they were hard to collect ,  you just can not do that now , everyday you wouls pick up at least 2 customers your lucky to pick up 2 a month ,
The ressesion has realy made a pig of it  when it started i thought wont effect me but id not think
houses let out
new people starting window cleaning in mass
people short of cash
frequincy of cleans (never heard every eight weeks )
price of diecel
canvassers 

All added up grim future , will get back to normal in future , as 70 % of people who clean windows now only do it as there is no other work .

they may have done it temporary on a ladder, but not with a water wand, rich window cleaning is finished

[lee andrew]

How many window cleaning businesses have gone bust because of the recession, then there is your answer on how recession proof window cleaning is (not a lot) if your still making a living it's working...

[richard jagger]

The reason why there are so many take away shops, is because so many today cannot cook and are lazy.
I live is a London spill over town and window clean is bred into the blood like crime and theft.

So many of the windies in our area, are a family of the daffodils they only come out after the cold window and bloom in spring and into the summer months then die back into a long winter hibernation.


just another wind up.