[Fin Clearview]

In 15years I've never knowingly had someone undercut me, It may of happened , but today I know for sure, and it's p***** me off.
I do a road where the between myself self and another company, share each and every house. Today I was told by one of my customers that yesterday the other company were working in the road and my custy was out the front and one of their lot asked what I'm charging, to which she replied that she's not sure as her husband settles the bills, he then said well I'm sure we can do it cheaper. She then said thanks but no thanks.

Now I've faced competition over the years but to my knowledge it has always been respectable competition. Window cleaners with morals! Asking my price and that he will beat it in our trade isn't on IMO, thankfully my good service has saved me on this occasion but it doesn't mean it won't happen again and that the next custy will be as loyal as this.

I'm angry and know that confronting them will only add fuel to the situation but someone's got to stand up and I'm not going to be rolled over and stop me putting bread on the table for my kids.

[roundbuilder]

Thats just business mate. Sad but true.

[Frankybadboy]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

[Fin Clearview]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

Alright who the f*** do you think you're talking to

[Frankybadboy]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

Alright who the f*** do you think you're talking to

you asked keep your hair on if you got any left

so you got told,what do you want me to tell you ...........

[Fin Clearview]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

Alright who the f*** do you think you're talking to

you asked

so you got told,what do you want me to tell you ...........

There's a way to talk to people.

[kempy]

Calm down , Franky has made a good point .

I possibly need a new Shurflo pump
A shop in Hunslet is about £93
Purefreedom is £78 inc vat

I wonder who will get my custom ??

[dazmond]

nowt you can do mate.you didnt lose the customer so whats your problem?

the other company can do what the hell they want.

i personally would never undercut another window cleaner but some do.


dont worry about it.domestic customers are usually loyal if they like you and you do a good job.


regards


dazmond

[Clever Forum Name]

You don't need customers that dump for a cheaper price.

[PoleKing]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

Alright who the f*** do you think you're talking to

you asked

so you got told,what do you want me to tell you ...........

There's a way to talk to people.

Fin-do you see the irony in your comment?

For your OP though, sometimes it happens. That's just business.
My advice: do t lower yourself to their standard. You're (I'd hope) better than that.
You win some you lose some.
But as soon as you compromise your integrity, you lose, and it'll be your fault.
Leave it be.
Crack on with work.
Keep a smile on your face.
Customers buy YOU. Not what you can do.
If someone wants to leave you for a quid saved here & there-let them go, they're not the sort of customer you want anyway.
All the best

[Fin Clearview]

nowt you can do mate.you didnt lose the customer so whats your problem?

the other company can do what the hell they want.

i personally would never undercut another window cleaner but some do.


dont worry about it.domestic customers are usually loyal if they like you and you do a good job.


regards


dazmond

The only prob I have is that in my area, I know we are all generally a decent bunch but in recent times we have seen 2 local firms steep to new lows to gain work, IMO morals apart they are taking the money out of the game. They employ blokes on £10 an hour, do a great job but force prices down and can easily undercut a one man band.

[Frankybadboy]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

Alright who the f*** do you think you're talking to

you asked

so you got told,what do you want me to tell you ...........

There's a way to talk to people.

ok sorry next time I put me arm around you and you cry on me shoulder would that be better


if like me you just keep smiling and get on with life,if that all I got to worry about then I got trouble.

[dazmond]

fin clearview the thing is will customers want a groups of lads on their property instead of  the tried and trusted YOU?just to save a couple of quid?

i dont think so.

dont worry so much just keep doing the best you can at a price your happy with.


best wishes


dazmond

[Fin Clearview]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

Alright who the f*** do you think you're talking to

you asked

so you got told,what do you want me to tell you ...........

There's a way to talk to people.

Fin-do you see the irony in your comment?

For your OP though, sometimes it happens. That's just business.
My advice: do t lower yourself to their standard. You're (I'd hope) better than that.
You win some you lose some.
But as soon as you compromise your integrity, you lose, and it'll be your fault.
Leave it be.
Crack on with work.
Keep a smile on your face.
Customers buy YOU. Not what you can do.
If someone wants to leave you for a quid saved here & there-let them go, they're not the sort of customer you want anyway.
All the best

Thanks Darren. Good advice

[PoleKing]

so when you go shopping you always buy the dearest food ??


its life deal with it

Alright who the f*** do you think you're talking to

you asked

so you got told,what do you want me to tell you ...........

There's a way to talk to people.

Fin-do you see the irony in your comment?

For your OP though, sometimes it happens. That's just business.
My advice: do t lower yourself to their standard. You're (I'd hope) better than that.
You win some you lose some.
But as soon as you compromise your integrity, you lose, and it'll be your fault.
Leave it be.
Crack on with work.
Keep a smile on your face.
Customers buy YOU. Not what you can do.
If someone wants to leave you for a quid saved here & there-let them go, they're not the sort of customer you want anyway.
All the best

Thanks Darren. Good advice

No worries.
All the best.

I do need Villa to relieve you of 2 points tomorrow though.
And the Geordies to take 3 from city. 

[Fin Clearview]

fin clearview the thing is will customers want a groups of lads on their property instead of  the tried and trusted YOU?just to save a couple of quid?

i dont think so.

dont worry so much just keep doing the best you can at a price your happy with.


best wishes


dazmond

It's a fair point if we're talking about average properties but these are big houses £100+ and some of these owners are very shrewd and will pay the cheapest poss, although I hope the majority will be loyal should this happen again.

[bobplum]

nowt you can do mate.you didnt lose the customer so whats your problem?

the other company can do what the hell they want.

i personally would never undercut another window cleaner but some do.


dont worry about it.domestic customers are usually loyal if they like you and you do a good job.


regards


dazmond

The only prob I have is that in my area, I know we are all generally a decent bunch but in recent times we have seen 2 local firms steep to new lows to gain work, IMO morals apart they are taking the money out of the game. They employ blokes on £10 an hour, do a great job but force prices down and can easily undercut a one man band.

i feel the problem you have fin is that your comparing your ethics to others, you have had a good period of stability in terms of prices and competition and now , as you say, the two company's aren't playing ball, but thats business, they may feel your prices are extortion, they may be able to operate at lower levels of profitability and at the end of the day thats there right to operate the business as they see fit, assuming its legal.

I have said this before, dont worry about the lower priced competition.look at the higher priced guys above you and learn from them.

Why not sell the work to them and invest in say......... gutter vac or power wash system and start to divers

sit down and analyse

[Fin Clearview]

nowt you can do mate.you didnt lose the customer so whats your problem?

the other company can do what the hell they want.

i personally would never undercut another window cleaner but some do.


dont worry about it.domestic customers are usually loyal if they like you and you do a good job.


regards


dazmond

The only prob I have is that in my area, I know we are all generally a decent bunch but in recent times we have seen 2 local firms steep to new lows to gain work, IMO morals apart they are taking the money out of the game. They employ blokes on £10 an hour, do a great job but force prices down and can easily undercut a one man band.

i feel the problem you have fin is that your comparing your ethics to others, you have had a good period of stability in terms of prices and competition and now , as you say, the two company's aren't playing ball, but thats business, they may feel your prices are extortion, they may be able to operate at lower levels of profitability and at the end of the day thats there right to operate the business as they see fit, assuming its legal.

I have said this before, dont worry about the lower priced competition.look at the higher priced guys above you and learn from them.

Why not sell the work to them and invest in say......... gutter vac or power wash system and start to divers

sit down and analyse

Cheers Bob, I agree I am comparing my ethics. I suppose I'm a little stuck in my ways and it gets to me when so many of us here are 'sticking to the window cleaners hymn sheet' in regard to pricing, not pinching work, slagging off others etc and then you get 2 firms going against all that and being totally ruthless. It won't affect my business anywhere near enough to justify diversifying (already have the vac) but thanks for the idea anyway.
Ps I forgot to send a pic of our Xmas drink, I'll do it tomorrow. Have to try and meet up this Xmas.

@Darren, who do you support utd? Liv? Or spurs?!

[PoleKing]

nowt you can do mate.you didnt lose the customer so whats your problem?

the other company can do what the hell they want.

i personally would never undercut another window cleaner but some do.


dont worry about it.domestic customers are usually loyal if they like you and you do a good job.


regards


dazmond

The only prob I have is that in my area, I know we are all generally a decent bunch but in recent times we have seen 2 local firms steep to new lows to gain work, IMO morals apart they are taking the money out of the game. They employ blokes on £10 an hour, do a great job but force prices down and can easily undercut a one man band.

i feel the problem you have fin is that your comparing your ethics to others, you have had a good period of stability in terms of prices and competition and now , as you say, the two company's aren't playing ball, but thats business, they may feel your prices are extortion, they may be able to operate at lower levels of profitability and at the end of the day thats there right to operate the business as they see fit, assuming its legal.

I have said this before, dont worry about the lower priced competition.look at the higher priced guys above you and learn from them.

Why not sell the work to them and invest in say......... gutter vac or power wash system and start to divers

sit down and analyse

Cheers Bob, I agree I am comparing my ethics. I suppose I'm a little stuck in my ways and it gets to me when so many of us here are 'sticking to the window cleaners hymn sheet' in regard to pricing, not pinching work, slagging off others etc and then you get 2 firms going against all that and being totally ruthless. It won't affect my business anywhere near enough to justify diversifying (already have the vac) but thanks for the idea anyway.
Ps I forgot to send a pic of our Xmas drink, I'll do it tomorrow. Have to try and meet up this Xmas.

@Darren, who do you support utd? Liv? Or spurs?!

I'm a Chelsea boy.
Top of the table! (For at least 12 hours )

[mgba_78]

Whilst i dont agree with undercutting business is business after all! Obviously id be upset if we lost a customer(s) to someone under cutting us but thats life, and thats the perils of being a Business owner.

If it was happening to us and we knew who it was the only option in my eyes is to get even!  Canvass work you know he/they have, if they are happy to try and poach customers they know you have they cant argue with you doing the same

We have potentially just gained a large 5 figure contract with the local council and 60% of the decision about who get the work is weighted on price, price is very important especially in this day and age.

We've quoted houses before when canvassing and people have been open in the previous price of their window cleaner some times we've said we cant go lower no point in pricing it  other times it is possible for us to go lower than they are paying, infact one house the previous window cleaner was charging £45, i presume it was out his way as we did it for £20 no way did it warrant £45 for 20 minutes work.