[Clean Cloth]

In 3 years of window cleaning that was my first "not today".

I have 4 in this road and a customer I have had for 2 1/2 years told me her neighbour wanted her windows cleaned 4 weeks ago, I said I will have a look and give her a price, she said she had already told her how much it would be. Cheeky.
As it happens her place does not have a conservatory so I was happy to do it for that price.
After I had finished she said how thorough I was and how much longer I took than the last window cleaner (they were filthy that's why).
Today her neighbour told me she wanted me to miss her this time.
I am short of work so will see if she does it again.

[G Griffin]

She can't do that.
It's a police matter.

[MrChurchMouse]

Is it the new customer that you've only done once who asked you to skip it or the older one you've had for a couple of years?  Either way I'd keep them on the round myself and just go back next time and assuming they don't cancel then as well then no problem.  It is a bit annoying though if it's the new customer cancelling on only the 2nd clean as presumably she agreed to a 4 weekly schedule. 

[dazmond]

In 3 years of window cleaning that was my first "not today".

I have 4 in this road and a customer I have had for 2 1/2 years told me her neighbour wanted her windows cleaned 4 weeks ago, I said I will have a look and give her a price, she said she had already told her how much it would be. Cheeky.
As it happens her place does not have a conservatory so I was happy to do it for that price.
After I had finished she said how thorough I was and how much longer I took than the last window cleaner (they were filthy that's why).
Today her neighbour told me she wanted me to miss her this time.
I am short of work so will see if she does it again.

She wanted a one off xmas clean!

1.dont let another customer dictate your price...price it up yourself...
2.ask her does she want a one off or regular clean...
3.charge double for a really dirty first clean....

[Stoots]

Always get the odd one skipping, just get more work then each skip is a relief lol

[AuRavelling79]

Mine are all trained. They never skip now.

[Splash & dash]

As far as we are concerned the only acceptable reason for canceling a clean would be
Painting the house
New windows being fitted
Building work going on
Or any similar situation

[NWH]

If you have a group of houses together the worst thing you can do is happily miss one out and say that’s fine,I would only ever do that in the past if it was building work or another very good reason once you start doing that it’s a slippery slope as people talk before you know it when you turn up you won’t know if you are cleaning 6 or 3 that day,run it like a business before you know it it’ll be worth 3 x the monthly earnings 🤣🤣🤣

[Amazin]

I'm assuming you have been window cleaning for many many years now? One thing I've noticed is that people still don't qualify prospective clients enough. Make sure they understand T&Cs , so many people trying to use us for one offs because they know they will get charge big if they go to a big cleaning company.

Personally I will mention gocardless and get them to sign up. It will filter out 95%  of one offs

[james peters]

Always charge more on the first clean......my guess is that she just wants you to call whenever she needs it.
you dont want or need these types of customers...
sounds like you are doing really well though, if its the first time its happened in 3 years.
when I am building about 30% turn out to be useless

[Stoots]

As far as we are concerned the only acceptable reason for canceling a clean would be
Painting the house
New windows being fitted
Building work going on
Or any similar situation

So not "the husband has just done them at the weekend so can we leave it till next time"

Thats what i got on a second clean the other day.

Dumped.

You have to differentiate between a good paying long term customer skipping the odd clean and a new one messing you about.

I do have some older customers who skip occasionally but dump them would be silly, as long as you have more customers than you need its never an issue, maybe a slight annoyance but not an issue.

I have one that skips every Christmas as she puts Christmas lights up, she did it again this week, im not going to dump her for it.

[Jonny Swirljet]

As far as we are concerned the only acceptable reason for canceling a clean would be
Painting the house
New windows being fitted
Building work going on
Or any similar situation

I had a cancellation today because her husband had passed away.

[KS Cleaning]

As far as we are concerned the only acceptable reason for canceling a clean would be
Painting the house
New windows being fitted
Building work going on
Or any similar situation

I had a cancellation today because her husband had passed away.

How very dare she!

[Bungle]

OP has done very well to only have one cancellation in 3 years! How many customers have you got?

[Clean Cloth]

Yes it was the new customer that I had only cleaned once before that skipped.
Her previous window cleaner had let her down apparently.
I showed her how I cleaned the windows and told her I am around every 4 weeks, (she knows that anyway from her next door neighbour) and I asked if the gate would be unlocked for me,  she said it always is unlocked.
I did not get to speak to her yesterday as the neighbour told me she asked me to skip her this time, I could see her back door was open so she was home.
I told the neighbour I don't normally allow customers to skip, especially  as it was a first clean.
It would not be a big deal but I am struggling to get enough customers, I am embarrassed to tell you how many I have now Bungle.

[Bungle]

Yes it was the new customer that I had only cleaned once before that skipped.
Her previous window cleaner had let her down apparently.
I showed her how I cleaned the windows and told her I am around every 4 weeks, (she knows that anyway from her next door neighbour) and I asked if the gate would be unlocked for me,  she said it always is unlocked.
I did not get to speak to her yesterday as the neighbour told me she asked me to skip her this time, I could see her back door was open so she was home.
I told the neighbour I don't normally allow customers to skip, especially  as it was a first clean.
It would not be a big deal but I am struggling to get enough customers, I am embarrassed to tell you how many I have now Bungle.

It sounds like a part-time job? Three years in you should have a decent round (that's if you want lots of customers). Nothing to be embarrassed about, we've all started with just a handful of customers. It's the 'where do I take this' though isn't it. Some want empires, some want to plod along.

[Don Kee]

Loss of earnings, get claiming the grant!

[windowswashed]

Yes it was the new customer that I had only cleaned once before that skipped.
Her previous window cleaner had let her down apparently.
I showed her how I cleaned the windows and told her I am around every 4 weeks, (she knows that anyway from her next door neighbour) and I asked if the gate would be unlocked for me,  she said it always is unlocked.
I did not get to speak to her yesterday as the neighbour told me she asked me to skip her this time, I could see her back door was open so she was home.
I told the neighbour I don't normally allow customers to skip, especially  as it was a first clean.
It would not be a big deal but I am struggling to get enough customers, I am embarrassed to tell you how many I have now Bungle.

Don't ever be ashamed about it. If people ask, just say you are always busy but got room for a few more customers if any of your regulars ask as some of them may recommend you to their friends.

[dazmond]

Yes it was the new customer that I had only cleaned once before that skipped.
Her previous window cleaner had let her down apparently.
I showed her how I cleaned the windows and told her I am around every 4 weeks, (she knows that anyway from her next door neighbour) and I asked if the gate would be unlocked for me,  she said it always is unlocked.
I did not get to speak to her yesterday as the neighbour told me she asked me to skip her this time, I could see her back door was open so she was home.
I told the neighbour I don't normally allow customers to skip, especially  as it was a first clean.
It would not be a big deal but I am struggling to get enough customers, I am embarrassed to tell you how many I have now Bungle.

It sounds like a part-time job? Three years in you should have a decent round (that's if you want lots of customers). Nothing to be embarrassed about, we've all started with just a handful of customers. It's the 'where do I take this' though isn't it. Some want empires, some want to plod along.

ive been window cleaning for 27 years.......im part time too......you dont need to work full time to make decent money in this day and age once your well established with lots of compact work concentrated mainly in one area......

[NWH]

Some customers have to or like to be in control I’ll let them control to a point if it’s worth it for me,you normally find with this sort of person they’ve been through many different window cleaners.
When I take new stuff on I always say remember I’m not like a dog for Christmas or I’m not a fair weather window cleaner.