[H2GoKent]

Had a letter today from Rentokil today, I clean a Debenhams for them, it's an 'alright' contract but I have other shops in the same precinct so doing it makes good commercial sense.
The letter says they have signed a 5 year deal and have had to cut their price so my price has to go down by 7.5%.

Now I'm tempted to tell them to stick it, but a 5 year contract at 'ok' is worth having in my view.

Anyone else had one? What's your views chaps?

[stuart mc]

I had mine cut a while back, but as you say it is still ok, hope it is not about to be cut again though

[C.C.S.]

hi i clean one debehams ,i sub from a different company not directly with initial.when i first took the job about 18 months ago i accepted what they offered ,a price per week.it was ok for first year.the amount of work that they want us to do is ridiculous but we made it work .last year we managed to get a ''raise'' of 20% which is slightly better but still not the real price.but they are ok with the way we maintain the windows/glass ,much better than previous cleaner.i would guess you have a better price anyway as you deal directly with them rather than another company

[H2GoKent]

Yeah, I did manage to push through an increase last year as the price had been the same for a few years. They asked me to do some more work at the store for way below its value.
I threatened then not to do it anymore. I do a good job so they agreed the increase.
Don't think i'll win if I play chicken with them this time.

I think if they keep squeezing then I think you are better off just doing the job, just doing a bit less.
It seems to me they are deciding what quality they are prepared to pay for.

I made the mistake in this past of not reducing the price and saying 'that's how much a good job will cost you' and lost a BIG contract. If I'd played it smart I'd would've said Yes and just did less. I might have got dumped after a few months but that would've given me time to replace it.
£1000 a month I was down. Hey-ho lesson learned, I've made it all back now.