got this from a customer
Hi Marc,
As you haven’t notified us of any price increases, I would like to check that the invoice you left me is correct.
It shows a price of £22.00, which is a 10% increase over the previous amounts we have been charged (£20).
If this is correct and it is an increase, could you let me know your reasoning for a 10% increase as inflation last year was 2.8%.
Best regards,
Richard
I've done for 2 and a half years never put up and last clean he moved from every 8 to 12 weeks!!
what do you do with customers like this?
If you want to keep him then:-
Dear Richard,
The price has gone up 10% because you changed your cleaning price due to you having a longer frequency between cleans. This means there is more dirt and grime to remove, taking longer to achieve.
I note your comment re: inflation and have absorbed inflation costs this year and the price has not gone up in two and one half years.
Yours sincerely,
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If you want to tweak his nose and don't care if you lose him (after all letting him increase frequency to 3 months without upping the price significantly is nuts to me) :-
Dear Richard,
Thank you for your email querying my changing the rate to £22.00. This was due to the longer frequency between cleans; I didn't say so because it seemed obvious to me that the longer frequency you implemented would equal more time cleaning at your property to remove the extra dirt that will have accumulated.
You are right about the inflation; I haven't charged to cover this as I haven't raised my rates for two and one half years and so should have done so.
Therefore although I will keep the price at £22.00 this time I will add 2.8% x 2.5 compounded which is £22 x 2.8% x 2.5 years = £1.54. Let's call it £23.50 from and including next time.
Y/S
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Or ...
Dear Dick,
Did I write £22.00? What a fool I am! I meant £27.50 due to the increased frequency you told me you were having.
Plus your kind reminder about inflation - let's call it £30.00 as I haven't put my prices up for three years.
Y/S