[Mike_G]

This one is now dumped.

Text her on Monday to say I'd be round and the reply was "but no one will be home" to which I sent back, it's outside only you dont need to be home, and her reply was "but my dark will bark"

[elite mike]

lmao    "but my dark will bark"   

[GB Window Cleaning]

DUMP, time waster! 

[colley614]

Loose one gain three. Thats my motto.

[g.brookes]

thats hilarious. sounds like a real dumbass

[Window Washers]

send a non reply message to customers, we will be cleaning on ...

then go clean them.

I would defo make sure you trained all customers that if you take the time to text them the night before or what ever this is not a chance for them to say not today or likewise this is purly for access to the back of house.

time wasting like this is best nipped straight in the bud, dont dump train them all the same way, because they will think it is fine, dumping just loses you money long term

[Mike_G]

send a non reply message to customers, we will be cleaning on ...

then go clean them.

I would defo make sure you trained all customers that if you take the time to text them the night before or what ever this is not a chance for them to say not today or likewise this is purly for access to the back of house.

time wasting like this is best nipped straight in the bud, dont dump train them all the same way, because they will think it is fine, dumping just loses you money long term

Perhaps you are right but I've dumped them. I got more work than I can shake a stick at and I have a guy who works with me as well and we need to know where we are going and what we are doing so we both earn money and sending texts to these kind of people is just more hassle than its worth. I have so much more things to do in my life than chasing people like that! Sometimes its just not worth it

[windiewasher]

i had a couple of can you come back in the spring etc!
Not bothered replying to there texts but have canvassed and done various things to get more work and have work coming from everywhere!
 Im really enjoying going out canvassing again,its great!
 

[Pro-Poler]

I have started a mininum charge policy which means it's not a lot cheaper just having just the front done, the worst thing you can do is warn them you are coming.

[Mike_G]

I dont make a rule of texting before hand but this job is a little out of the way so I wanted to make sure it was ok to do them. Almost all my customers know exactly when I'm due, I give them specific dates each month and it works fine, first monday of the month, second wednesday etc etc, it helps me plan my months work and it works very well, but there is always the odd messer, I dont normally dump customers, but like I said this one is dumped, my dog will bark, please!

[Dave66]

i had a "not this time the dogs asleep!" cya!!

[lee_dewing]

I had custy today that i dumped.

Cleaned for about 18 months, nice lady makes tea but always wants something for nothing, always pushing gutters together (pops out of clips). Wfp not trad so getting ladders off (pita)

Been turned away a couple of times due to building work (fair enough).

But lately been asking me to come before she goes to work; not really convienant for me to do her 1st one of the day.

I sent usual text yesterday to unlock for today.

recieve text please come earlier i'm going out.

 there are two sons 18 and 20 (always one in).

Got there late due to early rain.

Custy answered door as gate was locked and was a bit miffed that i was late. "i'm going out now!"

I told her I can't work my day around her schedule and can't you leave gate open like her two neighbours.

Got a lot of waffle so told her it's not gonna work for me.

It seems to me the more friendly and helpful you are in this job the more of a mug people take you for  :

End of moan.

[C-Thru.]

I always give them one maybe two chances, after that I simply and very politely but firmly, explain that this is my profession and that I'm not doing this for beer money, I just like them have bills mortgage etc to pay and need regular custy's and therfore a regular income.
If they still hum and arh I just suggest they try to find a part time uninsured dole claiming Window Cleaner who will fit in with their lifestyle.
Had one a couple of years ago who used usual excuses;
not today I'm going into town
not today looks like rain
and the last straw..... Not today my dogs ill (dog died soon after I discovered) but too late for me, she was gone!
She called me next time wondering if I was still trading as she hadn't seen me for months, explained the above, she'd turned me away 3 out of 4 times, sorry love, find a part timer!
Always be polite, but firm, these are our wages!

[lee_dewing]

Well put C-thru.

I think i'm too soft.

The genuine ones won't muck you around but there will always be messer's; unfortunately i can't always tell;  until they have comitted a messer offence

Is true what someone said on here recently, the new custy's that start laying the law down should not be bothered with.

I bump into a windy from time to time who use to work in sales and has a lot of chat.

He says when he picks up a new custy and explains how he does things if they start to interupt with a load off complications he half turns away and holds up a hand saying "sorry sir/madam; but i can tell we're not gonna get on"

He says most of he time they call him back as his walking away.

I have picked  some new ones recently and done this to a couple of them and still have them 3 cleans on......time will tell.

I think the greatest mistake i have made is not realiseing they are customers only and not friends, and given more leeway than i should.

I envy people like Marc Stock that have started again from scratch.
To look at all the pit falls of your business and address them is a lot easier i'd imagine on a new bunch of custies than trying to teach old dog new tricks  

[Dave Anderson]

This whole thing is a question of fairness....ok be fair, sometimes the customer will have circumstances that 'they' believe are fair requests for a skip, delay etc....

But on the other hand be fair to yourself, your business, your family...if the scales are tipping against you all the time...do as Cozy always suggest....go out get 2 more customers then cull the offending customer.

Treat your herd as that....Your herd

Treat them well but should they start not producing...cull them.

Cheers
Dave.