[paul alan]

One new customer today, saw us cleaning this week and walked up "we've been watching you clean and like the way you very thorough"-"can we have a quote?"

no problem! A full explanation ensued, went over it all again prior to today's clean. How pure water cleaning works and why it works, due to his senior stage in life I saw it necessary.

I cleaned his windows and conservatory to perfection, I would say they were just the like the day they were installed, but they were actually even cleaner as I took the silicone etc off too. I went on and cleaned the garage door and the gutters on the conservatory as a bonus for them.

I thought they were going to be over the moon, he came out with a face like a smacked backside and asked: "aren't you going to shammy the drips off?"

...honestly...

[dazmond]

Some customers are never happy no matter what you do.....

IMO your making a rod for your own back cleaning guttering and garage doors unless your charging a very high price for the window cleaning....theyll expect it again a few months down the line for free too......(just my experience over the years)...if they want guttering and garage doors cleaning it's extra...

[Spruce]

One new customer today, saw us cleaning this week and walked up "we've been watching you clean and like the way you very thorough"-"can we have a quote?"

no problem! A full explanation ensued, went over it all again prior to today's clean. How pure water cleaning works and why it works, due to his senior stage in life I saw it necessary.

I cleaned his windows and conservatory to perfection, I would say they were just the like the day they were installed, but they were actually even cleaner as I took the silicone etc off too. I went on and cleaned the garage door and the gutters on the conservatory as a bonus for them.

I thought they were going to be over the moon, he came out with a face like a smacked backside and asked: "aren't you going to shammy the drips off?"

...honestly...

They obviously weren't watching you.

They have come up with a plan and actioned it to perfection. They only wanted a one off clean.

They started off by heaping praise on you by complementing you for your good work that they have seen and taken note of. Your guard is down and you go to the ends of the earth to ensure their initial stated commendation is well founded (good for you).

Then they hit you with the bombshell. After they have begrudgingly paid you with dissappointment and shell shock on their faces, they go inside and high five each other. When the windows need cleaning we will find another cleaner and do the same thing.

You can walk away with your head held high satisfied that you did a good job. Your reputation is still intact. Sadly they took advantage of your good nature. The sad thing is that you are the one who walks away deflated and 'used'. The next time a genuine request is made along similar lines your brain will throw up a red flag because of past experience and you will have a trust issue with that customer. (Are they also just wanting a one off clean you will ask yourself.)

When a potential new customer says that they have been looking for a window cleaner and haven't been able to find one, I see a red flag pop up. Its wrong, but I prejudge this customer on my past experience. Will this customer, if I take them on my books, turn out to be another messer like the last one was?

[mufcglen]

i hope you charged double first clean, sounds like you been had as above pal.
one off's or messers will always find fault so cover your back with first clean charging more!

[John Mart]

Mrs 8weekly thinks I’m abrupt with some people that call for a quote. I handle all enquiries and having so many customers and having had so many experiences like Spruce describes I can often tell straight off one of these and I am “business like” with them I think it’s fair to say.

[paul alan]

It may well be the case, who knows.

When your building your round in the area you want to work and you get a walk up you have to give it a go, we all get messed around, I've been going 10 years and I've had my fair share.


I went through the introductory sheets with these people, weather policy, expectations and a formal quotation. I told them what I expect from them if I take them on, as I do with all new customers. To be fair since going through all these I havent had a messer in ages. I am very blunt and tell them "If I open up a space for you on my round you must use it each occasion"


I do go the extra mile, Its no bother. My employee had finished the front and asked if there was anything else needed doing, rather than have him do nothing I told him to clean the garage door. At 6,3" wiping the gutters on the conny is no strain.


It was the last job of the day and I was in no rush, I actually get a lot of satisfaction from doing a first class job and its as much for my benefit as it is theirs, I enjoy it.

So if I gain nothing else from this job I gained experience for my employee and was seen cleaning there on a saturday whilst everyone was at home. It was well priced and almost clean anyway, so happy days!

[Spruce]

It may well be the case, who knows.

When your building your round in the area you want to work and you get a walk up you have to give it a go, we all get messed around, I've been going 10 years and I've had my fair share.


I went through the introductory sheets with these people, weather policy, expectations and a formal quotation. I told them what I expect from them if I take them on, as I do with all new customers. To be fair since going through all these I havent had a messer in ages. I am very blunt and tell them "If I open up a space for you on my round you must use it each occasion"


I do go the extra mile, Its no bother. My employee had finished the front and asked if there was anything else needed doing, rather than have him do nothing I told him to clean the garage door. At 6,3" wiping the gutters on the conny is no strain.


It was the last job of the day and I was in no rush, I actually get a lot of satisfaction from doing a first class job and its as much for my benefit as it is theirs, I enjoy it.

So if I gain nothing else from this job I gained experience for my employee and was seen cleaning there on a saturday whilst everyone was at home. It was well priced and almost clean anyway, so happy days!

I fully agree. Its the 2 C's of the 3C's moto on here a few years ago; clean and cull. The only way you will know if they are messers is when you finished cleaning them or cleaned them a couple of times.

No matter how difficult it is to swallow, you have come out of this in a positive light. Yes, they think they have screwed you but they haven't.  You see they haven't considered that you are in the position to warn other cleaners about their tricks. They don't know yet that their pool of available cleaners has just shrunk more than they realise.

We've warned other cleaners about a bad payer in the past and they have stayed well clear of that person. Yes someone is cleaning that person's windows atm but for how long before the cycle of non payment starts. (Sorry, I've only got £5 until my next pension payment. Will you accept that and I'll pay the rest next time? Next time; I have no money as I just had to pay the Vet's bill of £100 for my cat. etc etc. Please can you call next month when I get my pension - but I didn't tell you that I won't be answering the door when you knock. I will pretend I'm out.)