[Ian Lancaster]

.....for tiny little jobs

It's the customer's prerogative, of course, but it annoys me immensely.  I had a bloke phone me to ask for a quote, he said he only had two windows and a door and wanted to know how much.  Before I could tell him we have a minimum £10 price, he went on to say "I'm just looking for a few prices at the moment."

A woman phoned while we were away and asked for a quote, I explained I wouldn't be able to get to her for a few days and she said that was OK - she wasn't in a hurrry. 

A week later I phoned and asked if she still needed a quote, she said "Yes please". I made an appointment and went to see her - 1 bed flat on the first floor of a block.  I told her that although it was only a small job, we would still have to charge our minimum £10 - she said "OK, don't worry, XXXXXClean have quoted me £5 every 8 weeks"!!!!!!

Over the years I've leaned to take most things in my stride, but people still manage to amaze me!

[Tom White]

Over the years I've leaned to take most things in my stride, but people still manage to amaze me!

Me too and I'm sure many of us have experienced similar to what you've described.  I've had a customer who wanted me to be at her house on a certain day and time each time I came.  It was like a 3-bed semi and she seemed to want me to be able to revolve my work around her property.

Fair one if I was a plumber charging £5k to install a brand new central heating system, then if she wanted me on Tuesday at 2.15 pm to start - no problems.  But for a £10 job!!!

I would like to intelligence test customers at the quoting stage.

[Alex Wingrove]

I don't get the jobs where people get multiple quotes.

[Window Lickers]

I don't get the jobs where people get multiple quotes.

Me neither.


Here's an example. http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=186929.msg1604156#msg1604156


i often mention if they say they're getting other quotes we wont be the cheapest.

[wpclean]

I am thinking of using the stella artois slogan . . . . reasuringly expensive 

[Ian Lancaster]

If I can be bothered I say "Make sure whoever you give the job to is properly insured - Oh, and by the way - since 2004 the Temporary Working At Height Directive deems you to be your window cleaner's employer - should he have an accident on your property you would be liable."

Never makes any difference but gives me a bit of satisfaction.  (Pathetic, I know, but better than just meekly walking away )

[Neil Gornall]

Two things I try to keep in mind when quoting.

1. If you get every job you quote, You are to cheap.

2. Under sell and over perform. (to many folk do it the wrong way round)

[Tom White]

i often mention if they say they're getting other quotes we wont be the cheapest.

Unless the premises has had a recommendation from another customer, quite often it boils down to a personality contest.  The biggest job we had was a Hilton Hotel and we weren't the cheapest quote (that was ludicrously low-priced), but the manager said we 'looked' like the Hilton.

Maybe it's based on looks too then?

No wonder Squeaky gets all the little naff jobs.

[AuRavelling79]

i often mention if they say they're getting other quotes we wont be the cheapest.

Unless the premises has had a recommendation from another customer, quite often it boils down to a personality contest.  The biggest job we had was a Hilton Hotel and we weren't the cheapest quote (that was ludicrously low-priced), but the manager said we 'looked' like the Hilton.

Maybe it's based on looks too then?

No wonder Squeaky gets all the little naff jobs.

What? You get told you look like Hilton and you took it as a compliment? 

[Tom White]

i often mention if they say they're getting other quotes we wont be the cheapest.

Unless the premises has had a recommendation from another customer, quite often it boils down to a personality contest.  The biggest job we had was a Hilton Hotel and we weren't the cheapest quote (that was ludicrously low-priced), but the manager said we 'looked' like the Hilton.

Maybe it's based on looks too then?

No wonder Squeaky gets all the little naff jobs.

What? You get told you look like Hilton and you took it as a compliment? 

Should I return and thump him?

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I always ask two things-

Where they are located- exactly.
What type & size of house it is.

These two things I find give me enough info to decide whether to bother proceeding any further at that point!

I can usually tell within a minute or so if they are going to be tight ar*es, a nuisance or more trouble than they are worth!

[Window Lickers]

And are they after a regular or one-off clean.

[Paul Coleman]

i often mention if they say they're getting other quotes we wont be the cheapest.

Unless the premises has had a recommendation from another customer, quite often it boils down to a personality contest.  The biggest job we had was a Hilton Hotel and we weren't the cheapest quote (that was ludicrously low-priced), but the manager said we 'looked' like the Hilton.

Maybe it's based on looks too then?

No wonder Squeaky gets all the little naff jobs.

What? You get told you look like Hilton and you took it as a compliment? 

What?  They told him that he looks like a tart from a porn film?

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

And are they after a regular or one-off clean.

I don't do one offs