[Ian101]

Phone call yesterday.

"You used to clean my windows @ no 18 blahblah road but you stopped coming ... I assumed you had ceased trading so me husband has been doing them but just found your website so can you restart me"

I knew who it was straight away ... right moaning cow.

Sorry Mrs S but took you off the round cos you were always having a go if I was a few days late and to be honest I prefer a stress free working day and as more customers than I can get through I took you off the round so no cant take you back on.

she went silent and said "If I promise never to moan at you will you take me back on ?"

With pleasure Mrs S .... see you later this week 

[M & C Window Cleaning]

Have had to do similar with some of my customers over the years. Some learn, others never do and get binned again

[robbo333]

Make sure it IS this week...or she'll be moaning 

[Tom White]

I had one who always dragged her feet when it came to paying; sometimes it would be treble and she always screwed her face up when she saw us arrive.

I waited till I got paid and didn't bother going back.  Six-months later she phones me, so I explain the situation, honestly and she asks if I would take her back on if she paid by standing order.  I agreed and she's now a lovely customer.

I think if we're honest and open with them, it solves a lot of problems.

[Ian101]

Make sure it IS this week...or she'll be moaning 

yup I did think this 

[Ian101]

I think if we're honest and open with them, it solves a lot of problems.

took me a while to realise this

[Smurf]

It's a matter of managing customer expectations for the price they pay. The ones that are moaning are generally the ones that  have their expectations set far too high for the job in hand.

[Smudger]

Under promise and over deliver..

I like to do the old "sharpe intake of breath" when looking at conservatory roof cleans - you know the one builders do when they're about to wack you for a few grand, and say, well the access is tricky, that's really one of the worst I've seen, I think if we put a bit extra effort in it should come up ok....

Then on the day it looks like new, we are the best thing since sliced bread walking away with payment and a tip 

Darran

[Smurf]

Under promise and over deliver..

I like to do the old "sharpe intake of breath" when looking at conservatory roof cleans - you know the one builders do when they're about to wack you for a few grand, and say, well the access is tricky, that's really one of the worst I've seen, I think if we put a bit extra effort in it should come up ok....

Then on the day it looks like new, we are the best thing since sliced bread walking away with payment and a tip 

Darran

You don't sound so daft as you look  Smudger so to speak...That's another trade secret out of the bag now   

[Smudger]

This is a trade forum is it not, with highly professional businessmen and women, who care and share experiences and problems, where we sit down together and rationally thrash out a solution for all to benefit from...

Darran

[Smudger]

Sorry, got to stop sniffing the white vinegar......

[Matt.]

This is a trade forum is it not, with highly professional businessmen and women, who care and share experiences and problems, where we sit down together and rationally thrash out a solution for all to benefit from...

Darran

I like that Darran and I always see you sharing info............ It is a shame that some others are quick to take and not to share info.

Your quote pretty much says it in nut shell, when you reach a level of comfort in work were your happy to help others try to reach that level,
Never knocking people always tryin to help find a solution.

Top marks mate

[Spruce]

This is a trade forum is it not, with highly professional businessmen and women, who care and share experiences and problems, where we sit down together and rationally thrash out a solution for all to benefit from...

Darran

I like that Darran and I always see you sharing info............ It is a shame that some others are quick to take and not to share info.

Your quote pretty much says it in nut shell, when you reach a level of comfort in work were your happy to help others try to reach that level,
Never knocking people always tryin to help find a solution.

Top marks mate

Its life Matty. There will always be givers and takers.  I bet there are a few husbands and wives that can say the same thing about their spouses.

The trick is not to let the takers get you down.  I often seen successful business owners with several franchisee members being slated for their answers - from someone working out of the back of a Reliant Robin (hyperbole.)

One just recently - "I haven't been on here for a while, but I have a problem with ................."  A couple of the usual posters answered and that was it. No thanks, no nothing. He had been on after the last post but then not 'live' again for 2 weeks after I looked.  Won't see him again until he has another problem.

I've a lot of respect for  Darran - his replies are from his heart and from his genuine experience. For those of us who have been on here a while, we have seen his business grow. You can't knock his success. You have to take his advice seriously.

[Smurf]

That's what a forum is about as I'm always willing to help if I can as with the likes of others but you will always get one or two that are happy to take and not give so to speak.

[Smudger]

Firstly, let me apologise - I've had a very busy 3 weeks, where I've had to get my fat arse out and on the tools for 6 am, with a 9.30 pm finish the other day..

My post to smurf was trying to be ironic, but failed no doubt, smurf and I have debated many things over the years, he's a top guy, and sometimes even funny  - I had in mind another part of the forum 

I strongly believe this forum is for sharing and helping, no one here really effects my biz, no one who lurks is ever going to steal customers, I'm more than happy to share my experiences good and bad with those on here and people local to me, it's hard and lonely enough to run your own biz without others constantly sniping but never coming out with any info.
Hopefully, now I've had a bit of a rest, taken my metformin and stopped spraying white vinegar up me nose I will be less niggly 

Darran

[Smurf]

I was told by a wise old man wisdom comes with age.
That means basically you have to fook up now and then or you will never become wise