[John_McGavin]

Just had the worst week ever!!

Monday - had 2 last minute cancellations.

Yesterday finished my first job, taking the machine back to the van I had to go down a set of 6 steps. Slipped ended up at the bottom with the machine on top of me. Sprained wrist, cut to bits and bruised knees!

Today big job (full house & suites) done all prep work, went to start machine & backplate blew on pump!

Think im gonna hibernate til the New Year!!

[colin thomas]

if it's any conciliation john i have had the same sort of time for the last 2 weeks. last minute cancells, turned up for job and the painter still there, one lady had just had a breakdown and the house was a tip, (going back next week!) it's got to the point where every time the phone rings i think it will be someone else letting me down, i usually go months with no problems, must be the weather, never mind, soon be xmas!!

colin     

[Macarthur]

Mon and Tues were quite horendous for me. Turned up to do a large house on Monday, could only do a couple of carpets downstairs as builders, painters and carpet fitters were everywhere else. As soon as I walked in: Power cut (Whole area affected).  went home. Was home for about 10 mins, they then called me back to say power was now back up, returned there again (half hour journey each time). Carried on with work. Lovely painters had got lots of gloss spots all over carpets, slowing me down having to remove.
Went back Tues to complete. All painters, builders, and carpet fitters still working. Asked if I could pospone for another day. Answer: No, as they were moving in Wednesday and all had to be completed by then. All I can say is that everyone was getting in each others way. Job was an absolute nightmare, was glad to get this one finished. All other trades were still there when I eventually left at around 3.15pm.
Has anyone else had this, felt like I was delayed by at least a few hours, just glad they were pleased with the job I did afterwards, I was more than a little concerned that the other trades were going to mess it all up again after I`d left.
Nigel. 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Hind sight is a wonderful thing but over the years I've endured these problems, I now say to all of my customers even the good ones

"if you need to cancel I need 7 days notice or there will be a £50 cancellation fee, I do this because I will be turning work away from people wanting cleaning done before Xmas and it's not fair on them (the crux line) repectfully you wouldn't want me to not turn up to you just because I get a bigger or better job in would you?"

It is long winded but it works for me.

Shaun

[Jeremy]

Nigel.

I sympathise with what you went through. I have a client who does office interior design work. I get the jobs to rectify the carpets once they have finished. Problem is, they are never finished when I get there.

Monday was like something out of a horror movie. Picture the scene. Office block barely complete, Parking lot full of earth moving machines and construction vehicles. Carpenters, Painters and plumbers still in the building where I needed to be. There looked to be more people in the building then outside.

Set my TM up with pipes in cement, mud and other rubbish (took hours to clean). People walking over pipes.

And now we find out that there is no outside tap to plug the machine into.

In the distance I see an exposed water pipe. Cut it in half, (water everywhere) did a jimmy on the end to attach to my hose pipe and off I went (lookily I asked one of the plumbers to rejoin when I left, which he did).

Got a call from the tenant the next day saying that I obviously didn't clean the carpets.

Can you believe this. I asked what time the building was emptied of workers and was told only the next morning.

Jeremy

[bennymon]

only had one job booked in all week  and it got called off

[TonyMarti]

Well I can commiserate with you guys, but I've just had to tell my little 'un that he won't be getting his Xmas present on Xmas Day. Pre-ordered the Nintendo Wii in Sept only to be told that stocks won't be in until after the festivive period.-I know it's not carpet related but I feel better sharing it with everyone!

Cheers Tony 

[Timmy Boy]

Hi Guys
I think I can trump the lot of you. Monday:Shrunk Belgian Wilton, Tuesday: BOTH of my vans written off (one driven through a Ford & one by me as I was driving to where the van was stranded). Wednesday: Lost a cleaning contract (I am a contract cleaner as well). I think I will light a candle this time next year.
Regards
Tim

[carpetguy]

Wish I had your problems, guys, I've lost 6 jobs, so far to Flu and this morning my wife found me crawling on hands and knees up our hall

Lost the ability to stand/walk/etc and totally bu*****d after stupidly lifting a tool box and twisting, something I tell everyone else to avoid.

Not sure if I'll manage to get any of the work booked, completed.

I'd planned to concentrate on Leather Suites, from January............now I don't know if I'll be able to do anything.

I'VE BEEN A BLOODY FOOL, WITH MY BODY..............TAKE HEED.

ROBBIE

[Neil Grainger]

Crap day today, Had to go Christmas Shopping with the wife.

Hope your new year is good

[rambly]

Jobs Ok but driven to distraction by cold callers about 3 a day trying to sell advertising.

Nearly lost a job when the mobile rang (number with not displayed so I thought it was another cold call) and snapped at a potential customer. But realised quickly and apologised for being short.

[Carpet Genie]

On my way to a job yesterday eveing and the exhaust on the van snapped and fell off!
Quoted £400 for a full system.
Happy christmas!

[the red carpet]

These all sound like typical days to me,

Iv had days like this everyday for nearly 2months touch wood the last two days have been ok, so hopefully things are looking up

I would post all thats happend to me, but trust me theres so much you would get bored reading it.

Oh well, on the bright side, things can only get better

[John_McGavin]

Think ther'll be a few extraction machines on Ebay after Christmas eh??

Seriously thinking about doing something else part time once xmas is out the way. Last quarter has been terrible compared to last year.

Anyone else in the same situation? For info been doing this fully time for 2 years now. Previously done it on a part time basis while still keeping my full tim job going.

J

[stevegunn]

T/m broke down first thing(coil) cannot get oe till WED/THURS 

[the red carpet]

What, no back up machine Steve?

[stevegunn]

Using dry fusion on carpets and only leather suites to clean.I would rather walk away than use a portable again

[the red carpet]

I got the porty out today just to save on the £5-£10 of fuel i would have used.

[Kev Loomes]

Wow Dan, how much do you spend on fuel - on an average week, just running the TM?

[Damian]