[scrimit2]

Hello all, I could do with a bit of advice please

My round has more than doubled in the last year (which is good) but I just can't get all the work done, I'm the kinda person who likes to help people and I find it really hard to turn down new work, but I have almost double the work I need, at the minute Im four weeks behind!!!!!!! 99% of my work is good, I like 99% of my customers, but I know I will have to cut my round down before I loose the work in areas I don't want to, Ive tried having someone working with me but, its not really for me on a permanent basis.

So I know what Ive got to do! but Ive got this insecurity thing, that if I turn work away or cut my round that I would end up with not enough, has anyone done this and regretted it?

[kenstar]

whats your location scrimit ?

[jeff1]

If its a monthly round turn it into a six weekly round thats what I did.

[scrimit2]

lincolnshire, I did tell the last lot of new customers that it could be every 6 weeks instead of 4,
I like my job, but I spend too much of my time stressed about being behind

[steve smith]

Hi Scrimit

I am also in Lincolnshire, where are you?

steve

[scrimit2]

Spilsby Steve, how about you?

[marc al]

  Scrimit

    I am in Spalding, I may be able to come and help you a couple of days a month if you are interested.

   Marc

[marc al]

   Or even buy some work off you if thats what you want - you can email me at marcaluzzi@aol.com.

[scrimit2]

Small world isnt it? I will keep you posted on what I do, Ive got your email address now, I often get asked to go to Boston or Woodhall spa, is that too far for you? if not I can pass on your details,

I only go as far as half way between boston and spilsby, anything further away I could pass on

[macc]

Scrimit, sounds to me you need to sell some &  put your prices up.

macc

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Scrimit2,

I'm in Louth and been in this business 20 years.
In that time I've tried every thing.

My advice would be:

This is YOUR Business!!  YOU MUST TAKE CONTROL!!  Hard to do when you are a nice chap and like to help.......That's why you have so much work!
But at the end of the day:
YOU must decide what you want from your business and learn to say NO THANKYOU!!

Don't take anyone on, more hastle than its worth.
Sit down one this weekend and plan out your round.  Decide which areas you are to keep and stop doing the rest.  Tell the customers personaly and honestly.  You could look at Marc al's offer to buy some.
It won't be easy but it's better than worrying about it.

Ring me on 07815106363 if you want a chat I am only too pleased to help

David Salkeld

[simbo]

bump up the prices move them to 6 weeks, then you lose a few but earn more
simbo

[scrimit2]

thankyou all very much, I will take your advice,

What I want from my business is too earn a bit more than enough, have a good relationship with my customers, do a good job, and be able to easily keep up with 3 good days work a week (does that sound relalistic?)

there seems to be lot of us in lincolnshire, thanks again

scrimit2

[rp cleaning services]

hello scrimit2,im from boston lincs,why dont you keep the ones which are compact,so no travelling and pass the other costomers to somebody else,then in future if any new customers ask you to clean there windows add a couple of pound to the price you are now charging,if on one street you were charging £6 your new price will be £8,are you traditional or wfp.

[scrimit2]

Im traditional, I suppose another option could be wfp  to get around them quicker, yes Ive got some houses that are out of my way and it frustrates to think I could be doing the ones bunched up or closer to home, when Im driving around, I guess ive got to toughen up and make the most of this strong postion, do you other guys have such a demand in other areas of Lincs?

[callum macleod]

hi as you are traditional you could easily change to wfp that would eliminate some customer's and also you could easily cover the work you have now 

[rp cleaning services]

scrimit2,there are a lot of window cleaners in boston,at the moment there are 9 of us using wfp with three others about to change and probably twenty using ladders,best paid jobs are in the sticks,spilby would be excellant for wfp because of the big farm houses,have you any big houses to clean?

[rosskesava]

What we did was to write to the lowest paying and worst jobs saying that they were on a 'call out' service and to phone if they needed us but prices would be going up by 25%. Obviously it was written in the appropriate way.

Some never phoned, some declined but a number did (and still do) phone us when they want us.

It seemed a simple solution and fitting in a few extra jobs each day is quiet easy.

[stuart webster]

Microsoft recently said that to keep the company fresh they aim to "let go" 10% of staff per year.

Sounds like you need to do that with your customers.

I moved from monthly to 6 weekly and get round in 8.
It's not much of a service to my customers, so I'm looking to let £1k worth go.

You must cultivate really good customers, but let others go.

You can tell good customers, if you raise prices by 50% see who you loose!!

[AuRavelling79]

I recently wrote to a few of my "out of the way" customers saying basically that I had lost a commercial contract nearby (true - depending on your definition of "nearby" ) which meant that with rising fuel charges it was no longer viable to do them and a few other customers away from my main round.

These were nice people but it did my head in to fit them in especially during winter.

I feel a similar letter coming on to a few others soon.