[Rob@Blast off]

Sent out a load of text's last night as normal but had half of them replying along the lines of not today thanks so I'm not going to do it any more and take my chances with gates etc, and see how i get on. 

[Smudger]

I have never got the text the night before thing, we work a strict schedule and stick to dates given, maybe 1 in 1000 forget/can't gain access.

Train your customers !!!   

Darran

[LBWCS]

Just stop doing the ones that don't reapond and quote this as a reason. Otherwise ur wasting time turning up or jumping over gates which is never good

[Dave Willis]

Weather Bomb!

[SeanK]

Why would anybody ever want to jump a gate, get yourself a multi position ladder open it to the v shape
Put it over the gate and climb over.( wide footed is safer )
Bring the reel hose to the gate and have an pole hose extension which you can connect to your pole hose this means you
don't have to drag any reel hose over the fence.
One extra minute tops.

[Rob@Blast off]

Definitely dropping one of them as this is the forth month in a row she has messed me about.
Just going to turn up on the agreeded date and crack on, if the gates locked i'll just do the fronts can't be doing with getting messed about like this.

Lol just about to say about a combi ladder as it would be handy for conny roofs as well 

[SeanK]

The thing is Rob I have customers who locked their gates when I started out and don't now, I also
have the opposite.
The same problem as yourself, sometimes you would turn up and gates would be unlocked other times they wouldn't
I had three choices dump, do fronts only or find a way to get over the gate quickly and safely.
Plenty of guys more than ready to climb gates in my area so fronts only wouldn't have worked and I wasn't in
the position to dump as I needed the work so it was the third option for me.
If I had done it from the start I would have spent a lot less time getting stressed and annoyed about something that's so
easily solved.
How many times do we all leave for work forgetting to do something.

[Clever Forum Name]

I send messages from cleaner planner. Customer can't reply. Simples.

[Arnold Palmer]

I send messages from cleaner planner. Customer can't reply. Simples.

This.

You don't even need cleaner planner although I do recommend it.

http://www.textlocal.com/

[Mick Kent]

Or just do commercial and front only cleans. Win win

[Clever Forum Name]

I send messages from cleaner planner. Customer can't reply. Simples.

This.

You don't even need cleaner planner although I do recommend it.

http://www.textlocal.com/

True

[SB Cleaning]

I text loads of custys....hardly ever get a not today and if I do its usually for a good reason like building work...you have to dump the not today's.

[robbo333]

I text or phone all mine. I use it as a selling point (by appointment only) and custys love it. Puts a couple of quid on the job.
Having said that I do get messers. Simply get rid of them and replace them. And I have got rid of a lot!
It takes a little longer to build a round, but you are left with some genuine custys who actually appreciate you cleaning every 8 weeks.
And when you get a 'not today' it's usually for a good reason.
If they are on holiday I do fronts only and charge accordingly.
If they forget, I do fronts only and charge accordingly (send them a very nice email). Never had anyone do it twice!
If you're really not sure and want 180 quids worth of work for the day, book in 210 quid and see who drops out.
I certainly haven't got it perfect but it works for me.

[Tom White]

I text loads of custys....hardly ever get a not today and if I do its usually for a good reason like building work...you have to dump the not today's.

Spot on, but I'd phone each of the 'not todays' back and explain that if I didn't clean them, I'd remove them from my round.

I rarely dump a customer without explaining the reason why.  It's only fair.  They may not even realise that it's annoying to cancel (some are just unthinking).  They deserve a chance.

Just be honest with your customer, you don't need to be aggressive or antagonistic.  Just explain what the situation is.

[windowswashed]

I expect it was the weather bomb. I only text those with gates or sash windows. I don't get messed around as they know I will just do fronts or leave the windows until the following clean. I had one area I use to text that I needed to kept messing me about so I dumped the lot and informed them. They see me in the neighbouring area and have asked me back a few times but I've politely told them not a chance even for double the money. I like regular consistent customers who don't take the mickey

[slap bash]

I would think they way the text is worded would make a difference to to the response one might get. I never ask to leave gate open. I tell them I will be cleaning there window tomorrow, leave access open.Thankyou.( No could you please leave gate open.) I don`t create an opportunity to say no. I also say" this text is automated and will not require a response."If I get a" not" I still clean by climbing over by ladder.I clean and fulfill my agreement we made when they took on my service.Which I repeat verbally back to them on appointment of my service." SO I will be coming to clean your windows on this day each month is this correct?"

[Marc Stock]

I have never got the text the night before thing, we work a strict schedule and stick to dates given, maybe 1 in 1000 forget/can't gain access.

Train your customers !!!   

Darran

100% correct

Train your customers, I have doing it like this for years, give them a date and stick to it.