[The Jester of Wibbly]

Well over the last few weeks I have bitten the bullet and become more strict in my business.   I have always been moderately strict in the past but have let a few get away with it for too long.

I have got rid of of those awkward difficult customers who seem hell bent on being awkward or rude.  It's funny how it's just a handful of customers that cause 90% of the stress bringing me down.

My business is at a comfortable stage where I am not desperate for new  customers so losing a few to minimise stress has cleansed me.

I have to admit on the other hand that I feel a bit down and crappy having to dump a few even though I know it's for the best. Some of the jobs I have given up are not commercially viable with all the messing about anyway.

How tolerant are you?   

[AuRavelling79]

I think the flouncing, impatient and stroppy Gold of years gone by has mellowed to a waltzing, more tolerant  and shoulder dropping Gold.

But occasionally the urge to pirouette is strong and last month I did walk away (but pleasantly and with no acrimony - just literally smiled, agreed to "not clean" and left - as in dumped) from two customers who I shall not go back for unless they contact me first and 1. Have explained to them "da roolz" and 2. A price increase.

 

[dazmond]

I haven't got any PITA customers....I got rid of them years ago.....that's why I'm usually happy in my work.....

obviously I do have some customers who turn bad over time.they get dumped if they.....

1.skip cleans for no reason

2.persistent late paying(having to send 3 or 4 text reminders after  EVERY clean)

3.dog poo everywhere....

[dazmond]

Once a year I'll review any long outstanding debts and write them off and dump the odd customer.....basically 'cutting out any deadwood'.....it's a very small percentage though.....less than 1% of my work.....I also do this throughout the year periodically....

Don't let the dross get you down though as your just making room for a better customer....that's how you should look at it...

[robbo333]

I love a good 'cleanse'!

I usually wait until i've got about 5 and then you can get the 'full cleansing effect'!

It's been a while though, as most of mine are good now...shame!

[windowswashed]

Any PITA customers get left until last, if I pick up decent new ones then they get left behind permanently (replaced by better work) 

[alank]

I will be doing a full check on all of my customers for any missed or late payments access issues etc at the end of this month ready for the shorter days and colder weather and yes the red pen will be getting used again we have had a good 2018 so can afford to lose a few so some will just get dumped as I wouldn't pass any crap customers onto another established windy

[Stoots]

I dump and replace constantly.

Each month that goes by it gets a little better as more dross is dropped.

I don't think we will ever get 100% problem free rounds, it's just not possible as the nature of the  business means it changes over time,  The best we can hope for is to strive for 100% and maybe we will end up as close as possible.

I think the key to sanity is to always have a steady influx of enquiries coming in so  you can just drop a customer and move on.

[nathankaye]

I agree, I don't think we can maintain 100% hassle free customer base.  I'm sure I'm tlnot the only one who has good and if not great customers.  Then after many years of regularly paying on time and being the idea customer suddenly start becoming not so great.

I had a customer who I've cleaned for years, since I began my own business but a couple of years back the last of their kids moved out and a slippery spiral  down began. The house used to be spotless etc but it started to slip, then strong smells of weed and skipping some payments. They eventually would pay and so I kept them on, thinking it was just a rough patch they were going through. Sadly there still in the rough patch and I no longer have them as customers

[SB Cleaning]

I had a good clear out of all the rubbish earlier this year, feels great to get rid

[rosskesava]

I've just dumped quite a few customers. Some of who I'd been doing their windows for years.

One in particular was 4 bungalows all together and they're all old people and I hate myself for saying this, but I don't want to spend ages every month listening to their trips to the doctor, their ailments, their aches and pains, all about how this tablet has been changed to this one or that one, and loads of other completely boring often repeated stories about this that and the other. I am not a dumping ground for their moans and whining.

I now have slightly less work than would take me a month to do but it's all simple, easy and no long winded boring talking about cr*p.

Boy oh boy, has it changed my working life.

I'm now thinking for the future, no more spending ages talking about stuff I have absolutely no interest to hear just to be polite.

[Kev Martin]

I've just dumped quite a few customers. Some of who I'd been doing their windows for years.

One in particular was 4 bungalows all together and they're all old people and I hate myself for saying this, but I don't want to spend ages every month listening to their trips to the doctor, their ailments, their aches and pains, all about how this tablet has been changed to this one or that one, and loads of other completely boring often repeated stories about this that and the other. I am not a dumping ground for their moans and whining.

I now have slightly less work than would take me a month to do but it's all simple, easy and no long winded boring talking about cr*p.

Boy oh boy, has it changed my working life.

I'm now thinking for the future, no more spending ages talking about stuff I have absolutely no interest to hear just to be polite.

So you won’t be taking that part time volunteer job I told you about with the Citizens Advice Bureau then?

[paul alan]

I've just dumped quite a few customers. Some of who I'd been doing their windows for years.

One in particular was 4 bungalows all together and they're all old people and I hate myself for saying this, but I don't want to spend ages every month listening to their trips to the doctor, their ailments, their aches and pains, all about how this tablet has been changed to this one or that one, and loads of other completely boring often repeated stories about this that and the other. I am not a dumping ground for their moans and whining.

I now have slightly less work than would take me a month to do but it's all simple, easy and no long winded boring talking about cr*p.

Boy oh boy, has it changed my working life.

I'm now thinking for the future, no more spending ages talking about stuff I have absolutely no interest to hear just to be polite.

I have exactly the same problem with certain customers, no matter how many times you look at your watch and say "must go-house is burning down" they take no notice at all. The worst ones are them that cant remember what they're trying got tell you.

[Stoots]

As much as it will seem cold to the more "personal" type of cleaner on here i actually strive to have a cold business type relationship with my customers.

I want as little interaction with them as possible, text for gates if needed, ideally turn up and clean, no knocking the door if can be helped, note through and gone.

I never initiate a conversation other than a "hello,  just cleaning your windows".

I try to keep it all short and sweet and professional. a smile , a hello, a  thankyou and a goodbye.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Some just think they are the only customer and are just completely ingronant to my time to get to the next job.

One I dropped always have cars rammed together on driveway blocking all access and have to wait an age for the cars to me moved.  The same house then makes me wait while three members of the family fully inspect every window.  They all do it one person at a time.  Then they said to to wait a bit longer as the person paying the bill is around the corner at a friend's house saying they are phoning her to come home.

Really?

[Shrek]

Some just think they are the only customer and are just completely ingronant to my time to get to the next job.

One I dropped always have cars rammed together on driveway blocking all access and have to wait an age for the cars to me moved.  The same house then makes me wait while three members of the family fully inspect every window.  They all do it one person at a time.  Then they said to to wait a bit longer as the person paying the bill is around the corner at a friend's house saying they are phoning her to come home.

Really?

Is this a joke

Why on earth would you work for people like that 😂
Was it a good price?

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Some just think they are the only customer and are just completely ingronant to my time to get to the next job.

One I dropped always have cars rammed together on driveway blocking all access and have to wait an age for the cars to me moved.  The same house then makes me wait while three members of the family fully inspect every window.  They all do it one person at a time.  Then they said to to wait a bit longer as the person paying the bill is around the corner at a friend's house saying they are phoning her to come home.

Really?

Is this a joke

Why on earth would you work for people like that 😂
Was it a good price?

No joke mate.  That's why I dropped them straight away.

[Shrek]

They sound weird , how long did you clean their windows for?
What were you doing whilst three people inspected their windows? Played snake on your Nokia ?? 😂😂

[The Jester of Wibbly]

They sound weird , how long did you clean their windows for?
What were you doing whilst three people inspected their windows? Played snake on your Nokia ?? 😂😂

Sacked after the second clean which was when they did that.

The first clean was a similar story but as it was their first clean I thought it was just a learning curve for them as they asked about leaving windows wet. They were happy with them too after inspection.

But as it happend again with the added wait of the paying customer to turn up I decided not again. 

I did not have to play snake on my phone Shrek as I was playing snake real time with my hose around their cars