[slap bash]

So many times I have heard window cleaners say." If my customer doesn't pay, just drop them and move on ."
Well, I have heard it from the horse`s mouth. Two customers have let me down with none payment lately. Being the hard nose I am chased them up for payment.
When getting them face to face they both said why don`t you like," other window cleaners  just walk away as its a waste of time chasing them for payment.
Well, I thought I was going to blow a fuse the cheek of it, telling me not to expect payment.
I told them both in no uncertain terms payment will be paid even if its was in a court.
The most shocking thing they did not seem to be that sort of customer.
Has anyone come across this before?
Maybe these forms of advice need to be revisited if customer are thinking like this. Our bad business policies are coming home to roost.

[capn sparkle]

Maybe some 'lurkers' from Mumsnet among us

[AuRavelling79]

So did you get paid?

[slap bash]

One paid the other said she did not want her window cleaned anymore as by not paying is the way she got rid of other cleaners.  But said she would pay at the end of the month.  I have just typed a letter telling her what my next move will be if I am not paid at the end  of the month and there will be a later payment fee to add as my invoices state.

[Smurf]

Welcome to the world of  open forums as anyone can read posts including customers. 

[Johnny B]

I turn it back round on to my ex-customers. I have a few that stiffed me for payment a while ago. At least 3 of them have recently asked me if I could clean them again for them.

My answer is always the same: Yes I will, happily, when they have paid what they owe plus payment before clean.

Strangely, although all have promised to pay, they haven't yet got to the part where they have handed over their money, so, still no clean, still minging windows, and a still unpaid but grinning window cleaner!

John

[Smurf]

I had to laugh as I had a phone call from an ex- customer that dropped me about 2 years previously for a cheaper window cleaner guy that I amediatly twigged who he was. Apparently his friend recommended me so gave him my number after I had cleaned their block paving driveway.

Anyway to cut a long storey short I just  did the block paving & conservatory cleaning quote, done the work there and then as had time that day to do it and got paid. Everyone was happy...It's was as simple as that really. 

Oh and almost forgot to say I made sure I charged over the odds for the job too as you do 

[SeanK]

I don't think anybody just walks away without a least trying to get payment but there comes a time when its starts to cost
more in time and effort than you have already lost and in most cases its not a big enough amount to face the hassle of court.
We all know that these messers will have done this before and will do it again on the next shiner who comes along after we have dumped them, fortunately they are few and far between.

[richard groves]

Sounds more like these customers have got savvy to playing windies and see how many cleans they can get without paying before they move on to the next mug.

[Smurf]

More the mug that takes on the work in the first place as I can tell these types a mile off.

[slap bash]

I have been at this malarky for some  time  but still get taken as I deal in good faith.
I have a feeling the customer have been taught by our industry and window cleaners who show them the way by not persisting on payment. But if we all work away at the first sign of none payment  are we not guilty of perpetuating this attitude.
Maybe the time has arrived for a change in our advice we offer newcomers to our forum.
A prime example is the price of 1 pound a window for a price that's been around for so many years it just cannot be correct, but we still use it to guide newbies.

[slap bash]

More the mug that takes on the work in the first place as I can tell these types a mile off.

This is just a B/S statement so you have a special built in since the rest of us don`t have. Nonsense 

[Smurf]

Yarp! I must have as I've never had anyone not pay yet 
Just like potential customers you too can pick & choose who and what jobs you take on.

[Spruce]

We've had good customers for years that turn bad.

I agree with slap, we all work on trust and sometimes that trust is broken. We harp on about customers, but sometimes the window cleaner is also to blame.

We have had small amounts of debt over the years. We try a bit to get it in  but once we get past a certain point then I just write it off. 

If it was a big amount then I would persue it.

[Smurf]

There is that too Spruce as there is no such thing as a loyal customer.

People do talk and if the quality of the work does not meet their expectations and/or they just don't like the cleaner for whatever reason be it to start with or they do something to annoy them they will not want the cleaners services anymore. More often than not people that become messers after time have a change for the worst in circumstances money wise.

[Dave Willis]

Smurf are you actually a window cleaner? You seem to have an awful lot of spare time on your hands.

[Slash]

Maybe we should get some sort of white board and place it on the van with addresses of bad payers,let them be named and shamed,maybe then they'll cough up 😁😁😁😁

[Smurf]

Smurf are you actually a window cleaner? You seem to have an awful lot of spare time on your hands.

Yes I know... good int 

I will have you know I actualy cleaned 4 windows today for free 

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

ive found the bigger the bloke collecting the easyer it is to get paid ,