[Luke Johnson]

I might be buying a round soon, two days each week of work for a whole month and 6 week and 8 week jobs. How should I go about negotiating and making sure all is well and that the hand over goes well?

[archercleaningserv]

If you need any help feel free to give me a call & will help you the best i can       

chris 07788 503775     

[* mike RH]

Get introduced to a few random customers and sound them out. Has he been regular, customers feel looked after etc.

If you buy a round that has been neglected then there will likely be duds on the list.

There's a good article here about value of goodwill and stuff:

http://www.windowcleaningresources.co.uk/html/window_cleaning_round_for_sale.html

[Majestic]

I would work the round with him, or at least some of it. I would also want a full list of customers. Give some of them , if not all a call and explain to them you could be there new window cleaner, tell them how you intend to do the work, and collect there payment

[john tomkins]

I looked at the title and thought you were getting the beers in.....
was gonna say mines a pint

[Tosh]

I would work the round with him, or at least some of it. I would also want a full list of customers. Give some of them , if not all a call and explain to them you could be there new window cleaner, tell them how you intend to do the work, and collect there payment

I've read many posts here from window cleaners who've purchased 'paper rounds' (ie a list of addresses on paper) and when they turn up to clean, they've got a new window cleaner; and you're not wanted.

Unless a window cleaner is retiring or decided he's had enough, you may find he hasn't serviced his customers frequently enough to retain them.  He may have let things slide for a few months and some customers may have assumed they've been 'dumped' and found themselves a new window cleaner.

John's advice is spot on!

[Majestic]

Also if you go around with him you can see how each job is priced

[Tom@clearview]

All good advice from all, but also i think that i would do my math to! make sure you are buying a well priced round, ie amount of customers to the amount of return
will you need to increase prices and run the risk of a few dropping away
 Whatever you do good luck mate!!!

              11yrs in sales
                   18 months a wc , life is good now!!!
                          get it right, you wont look back.S

[Dave Turley]

 i would want a list of customers so you can have a drive round and get a feel for how well priced the work is. buy an underpriced round and you will be regretting it for quite a while.

also, it would be good, if you have time, to work the round with the guy, to meet your cusomers.

it might be an idea to ask him (with your help?) to distribute a letter to his customers explaining that you are taking over from him, with both his and your phone numbers (and possibly a photo of you??). that way everyone would know the situation, especially the older customers; they don't like change much   

this will all take time, but i think it would be worth the effort.

GOOD LUCK, it will be hard for the first few months, but keep at it and you'll do great   

[Ian Lancaster]

it might be an idea to ask him (with your help?) to distribute a letter to his customers explaining that you are taking over from him, with both his and your phone numbers (and possibly a photo of you??). that way everyone would know the situation

This is not just "an idea" it's IMPERATIVE.  Every customer must be given a "letter of authorisation" so they know who is taking over, and that he has genuinely bought the round from the existing window cleaner.

Not doing this leaves the field clear for all sorts of opportunists to turn up and say "I'm your new window cleaner"

I sold a business in 1996, and I encouraged prospective buyers to meet me on the round at a time decided by them to see it "in action".  They could then ask the customers anything they wanted.

If the round isn't currently being worked on a regular basis, it isn't worth the paper its written on.

Cheers,

Ian