[JackieW]

It's too windy,

One of my semi inherited customers was given to me as a 'don't clean them if they're not in', because the guy locks side gate.

When I was using ladders I thought, that's not reason enough for me, as I would split ladders and climb over gate.

First couple of times they were in anyway so no problem. Then inevitably I had to clean them when they weren't in. When I went to collect he asked politely not to do them if they weren't in as they are away sometimes for extended periods. I explained that I really only do customers on a regular basis but I'll knock anyway.

I said it's not a problem me splitting ladders  but he said no please could you just knock first.

So the next two visits I did walk over and knock but no answer. Since then I 've changed to WFP so can't access back unless they unlock gate anyway so I've just carried on cleaning houses around them.

This was last April. Price £8 for every 4 weeks for modern detached. Takes 20 minutes. Since then I've been repricing them to £12 for every 6 weeks and explaining gently that they were underpriced and I now do a far better job. Customers are happy with the frame cleaning, his neighbour actually said I'm so pleased you've changed over to the pole thingy.

So anyway after 6 months of not seeing him he came around the back of the house I was cleaning 2 doors away and asked if I could clean his windows.

I said yes, no problem, but since I saw you last I've changed the price and frequency
to £12 / 6 wkly or £18/ 12 wkly.

He said ''well can we just do it today and see how it goes?''

''Yes, but for one offs I charge £25.''

''Ok, we'll just leave it then''

[LT carpet cleaning]

Dont blame him.

[Pro-Poler]

nor me

[Ian101]

Dont blame him.

whys that ? ..... out of interest ?

[JackieW]

Nor me.

[Ian101]

nor me

whys that then ? ... out of interest ?

[JackieW]

Lol.

I can't blame him for not wanting my service on my terms.
I don't blame myself for not wanting his custom on his conditions.

No probs.

[Ian101]

Nor me.

strange ............. so you dont agree with your actions ? ............. why bid @ £25 if you dont blame him ?

[Paul Clapham]

You were there ......he wanted his windows cleaned.......you have cleaned them before......why not just do it for the £12.00, and take the money ...........

[C o z y]

It's a mind set thing  The guy was a bit awkward with cleaning when he was a custy in the past. Why not just work for who you want? That's one of the advantages of doing this stuff surely. We work for who we want, when we want (within reason  ) and that's what helps make this game fairly stress free. There are enough customers out there, why back step to pick up work that didn't fit in the first time?

Some will, some won't, so what? Look after the custies who are worth looking after, and things run smoother. Just my opinion.

[G Griffin]

Lol.

I can't blame him for not wanting my service on my terms.
I don't blame myself for not wanting his custom on his conditions.

No probs.

That's a good attitude, Jackie.

[johnny bravo]

he will just get someone else in the area then they will underprice you to get more work,  dont give them a chance to creep in, be glad you had that customer,  pays 4 your fuel.

[deeege]

he will just get someone else in the area then they will underprice you to get more work,  dont give them a chance to creep in, be glad you had that customer,  pays 4 your fuel.

No, no it doesn't pay for his fuel. It pays for his time (20 minutes). That is, unless he values his time at 0.

[SPE]

You were there ......he wanted his windows cleaned.......you have cleaned them before......why not just do it for the £12.00, and take the money ...........

because jackieW has read on here (like myself) sooo many times before that you charge double for a one off clean and that is set in stone with no room for negotiation. "Real world" is another matter though isn't it ?

[Small but perfectley formed]

Done the right don't need awkward customers

[Pete Thompson]

"One of my semi inherited customers was given to me as a 'don't clean them if they're not in', because the guy locks side gate."

And that is as far as it would have got with me.
I'm paid to clean windows - not to knock on doors on the offchance they are at home.

+1

Anything other than absolutely straightforward window cleaning, on my terms, and they enter the dropzone.

I would certainly never stand around arguing the toss with them, plenty more customers who are easy to do.

[SunShineCleaning]

he will just get someone else in the area then they will underprice you to get more work,  dont give them a chance to creep in, be glad you had that customer,  pays 4 your fuel.

The problem with that attitude is that you end up doing awkward jobs for less money.

I like to have the phone number of a shoddy window cleaner who works for peanuts to hand. 9 times out of 10 the customer is taught a lesson about price and quality.

[LT carpet cleaning]

Lol.

I can't blame him for not wanting my service on my terms.
I don't blame myself for not wanting his custom on his conditions.

No probs.

A fair enough attitude I have to say 

[G Griffin]

It's nothing to do whether he cleaned the windows or not, it's about Jackie's attitude.
He and the customer couldn't agree terms, so the service was withdrawn. What's wrong with that?
Blame is pointless.

[richard jagger]

I AGREE WITH THE WRITER OF THIS POST.Try going to any business and dictating how you want a thing to go. I find there are some people who just think because your are only a window cleaners they can run all over you.The days of the Lord of the manner are long past.I run my business. I call the shots.I do pay heed to the needs of my market, but do not allow  the customers to dictate how I clean with what tools and how and when they should pay me. That's is the reason I work for myself in my business. I must admit I don`t seem to get to these problems.I don`t work for ! I work with, its quite a difference.