[SeanK]

Strange I don't have any terms and conditions and I haven't had a single cancel.
My problem is customers queue jumping looking an extra clean before Christmas.
If customers are cancelling before Christmas its because their short on cash and all the terms
and conditions in the world wont change it.
The only thing your terms T+C will do is force them to cancel and not come back.

[C o z y]

Strange I don't have any terms and conditions and I haven't had a single cancel.
My problem is customers queue jumping looking an extra clean before Christmas.
If customers are cancelling before Christmas its because their short on cash and all the terms
and conditions in the world wont change it.
The only thing your terms T+C will do is force them to cancel and not come back.

Good post, well said.

[8weekly]

Strange I don't have any terms and conditions and I haven't had a single cancel.
My problem is customers queue jumping looking an extra clean before Christmas.
If customers are cancelling before Christmas its because their short on cash and all the terms
and conditions in the world wont change it.
The only thing your terms T+C will do is force them to cancel and not come back.

Good post, well said.

Not really. Last year I didn't have a single cancellation. This year I have had four or five. I don't have t&cs, but I see nothing at all wrong with giving every new customer a sheet of paper with frequency, price and simple t&cs. If I was better organised that is what I would do.

Incidentally I don't have a "three strikes and you are out" rule. It is one strike and dumped. No messing. I can't be bothered with customers that think they dictate the service I offer. Additionally my pride is a big weakness & a doorstep cancellation hurts my pride. 

[C o z y]

so ignore last year then an dish out T&C's this year?

[Tom White]

Mr Southern window cleaning.There are many types of window cleaning on this forum.But many fit into two groups.

1.  Those that can count.
2.  Those that can't count.
3.  Those that drink brasso and toilet duck mocktails.

You're in the third category.

[AuRavelling79]

I've been firmer this year (ooh errr) - last year I took on board what some on here said and thought "am I being a little harsh by dumping them as soon as they mess me about?"

Everyone I've given a tiny amount of slack to has tried to take some more ("give 'em an inch") at some further point in the year.

So I've now got even firmer about not accepting cancellations for:-

"Leave it 'til next time"
"Leave it 'til spring"
"Leave it I'm on holiday"

I generally just text; I'm sorry I'm afraid I don't work on that basis, I hope you understand. Best wishes.

Or:-

"Can you text me?" "No."
"What if the backs need doing and I'm not in?" "Key/Combination or let me use my gate ladder or just do the fronts." "Not happy about that." "Bye Bye."

All those who are frightened that another window cleaner will take them on; don't worry. There are enough people out there who:-

1. Want a first class job.
2. Want a reliable regular window cleaner and will pay for it month in and month out.
3. Won't expect you to suck it up because they want to save a month's money every so often. (The real reason they don't want you that month.)
4. Want someone they can trust around their property.

If they don't fit the bill then we part company. If I don't suit what they want then they can scratch around and find someone who will dance to their tune. 

[8weekly]

I've been firmer this year (ooh errr) - last year I took on board what some on here said and thought "am I being a little harsh by dumping them as soon as they mess me about?"

Everyone I've given a tiny amount of slack to has tried to take some more ("give 'em an inch") at some further point in the year.

So I've now got even firmer about not accepting cancellations for:-

"Leave it 'til next time"
"Leave it 'til spring"
"Leave it I'm on holiday"

I generally just text; I'm sorry I'm afraid I don't work on that basis, I hope you understand. Best wishes.

Or:-

"Can you text me?" "No."
"What if the backs need doing and I'm not in?" "Key/Combination or let me use my gate ladder or just do the fronts." "Not happy about that." "Bye Bye."

All those who are frightened that another window cleaner will take them on; don't worry. There are enough people out there who:-

1. Want a first class job.
2. Want a reliable regular window cleaner and will pay for it month in and month out.
3. Won't expect you to suck it up because they want to save a month's money every so often. (The real reason they don't want you that month.)
4. Want someone they can trust around their property.

If they don't fit the bill then we part company. If I don't suit what they want then they can scratch around and find someone who will dance to their tune. 

LIKE! I am going to stop texting as it is a pain.

Which ladder do you use for gates?

[SeanK]

For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.

[AuRavelling79]

For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.

Which one? (I just use the cut down top of my old triple from trad days - with ladder mitts on)

I want to get something a bit more prufeshnial.

[Crystal-clear]

We are "only the window cleaner" to these people!
They dont think or care that we have bills to pay as they see us as an added extra keeping there windows clean, i understand that this is a hard time of year and accept any customer asking to leave it this month etc, i have had 19 out of 1100 odd customers that have skip next to there address for the december clean!! Its just 1 of those things l, no point dumping as thats like spitting your dummy out or chucking your toys out the pram, as long as the custies are good throughout the rest of the year give them some slack. And defo dont lose any sleep from it.

Good post this

[8weekly]

For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.

Which one? (I just use the cut down top of my old triple from trad days - with ladder mitts on)

I want to get something a bit more prufeshnial.

Will this one be high enough?

http://www.midlandladders.com/products/4_Rung_Little_Giant_Classic-410-74.html

[SeanK]

For gates use a multi position fold up ladder with wide feet check them out on youtube.
Will get you over a 7 foot gate easily and safely
Sits nicely in the back of a small van.

Which one? (I just use the cut down top of my old triple from trad days - with ladder mitts on)

I want to get something a bit more prufeshnial.

Gold. I got mine on Ideal World they sell them for about £90.
It can be used as a 4.6 meter ladder or  a 7 foot step ladder and so on.
Check out their video.

[Klean07]

we dont have anybody turn down a clean in december, unless of course they are away...  there may be 1 or 2 of these.  otherwise we just turn up and clean.  in fact half of them have been a week early this month (3 weeks) so we can take time off over christmas.  we tell them when we sign up, we clean 4 weekly and thats what we do.  if they dont like that they cancel our service. 

IMHO it s a mistake to text anycustomers

Your probably right but I really don't have time to scale/climb over gates, sloping roofs, etc etc!

[alank]

I think when you agree to missed cleans etc it soon will become the accepted norm, you will then dance to the customers tune instead of running your business the way you want to. nothing wrong with the odd missed clean for good reason but we have to earn a living and you can not do that by not cleaning glass. read golds post, if you do not have your own rules and stick to them then you can expect customers to mess you about.

[Klean07]

I agree mate live and learn!

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

We are "only the window cleaner" to these people!
They dont think or care that we have bills to pay as they see us as an added extra keeping there windows clean, i understand that this is a hard time of year and accept any customer asking to leave it this month etc, i have had 19 out of 1100 odd customers that have skip next to there address for the december clean!! Its just 1 of those things l, no point dumping as thats like spitting your dummy out or chucking your toys out the pram, as long as the custies are good throughout the rest of the year give them some slack. And defo dont lose any sleep from it.

Amen

[keyser soze]

perhaps morrisons have made people question the need for window cleaner this time of year. just a thought .

[elite mike]

we dont have anybody turn down a clean in december, unless of course they are away...  there may be 1 or 2 of these.  otherwise we just turn up and clean.  in fact half of them have been a week early this month (3 weeks) so we can take time off over christmas.  we tell them when we sign up, we clean 4 weekly and thats what we do.  if they dont like that they cancel our service. 

IMHO it s a mistake to text anycustomers

got to agree with richard , good post

[barry mallett]

we dont have anybody turn down a clean in december, unless of course they are away...  there may be 1 or 2 of these.  otherwise we just turn up and clean.  in fact half of them have been a week early this month (3 weeks) so we can take time off over christmas.  we tell them when we sign up, we clean 4 weekly and thats what we do.  if they dont like that they cancel our service. 

IMHO it s a mistake to text anycustomers

at last someone who actually talks sense on this forum .agree with every word .

[South Window Cleaning Ltd]

Mr Southern window cleaning.There are many types of window cleaning on this forum.But many fit into two groups.The established who have ironed out all the problems with there customer base.Who see any new idea as to much effort.For them all is well until someone rocks the boat.The see themselves as successful and happy with there lot.They will not co-operate until there livelihood is under threat.
Then you have another group that follow blindly after these contented fat cats and have very little in common with them but are happy to bask in the fat cat shadows. Faltering at every hurdle because they admire the fat cat assets and also what some of the fame and fortune. No quite realizing what it takes to get to the same position of contentment as Mr Fat Cat window cleaning.Unity in strength is were its at. But we are not blessed with muck vision are we.
So you go on a have a good laugh every time your T+C and spelling and grammar get a knock by short sighted brothers, at least your customers understand your T +C. Strangely enough I to do not have any cancelling for December with my T++C in place. P/s its also my best year for Christmas double payments everfrom my customers

  Well Said