[geefree]

Hi

From day one (1 year ago)... i have left notes after a clean, saying "windows have been cleaned please send cheque payable " blah blah...

and it has worked well , up to now,
my cheques are coming in more slowly now, and less frequent,
 so i am thinking of doing what a lot of you guys do , leaving a stamped address envelope.... i thought i didnt need to as it was working well, but i think its the " stamp" bit that is putting people off... not paying for it... but going out and buying it...

its all hassle for the customer i think...

how much do you pay out per month on stamps and envelopes ... and do you pop it on to your cleaning prices to cover it over a yearly period .

Also which is the best method to use.. and least costly  ..

labels from the printer.?....... a rubber stamp?...

or a franking machine for the rich guys. 

[Pure H20 Cleaning Services]

I just leave  self addressed envelopes no stamps and i only have a few who forget and they pay on the  next clean no problem . Most people now carry a few stamps with them and a lot of my customers post them off to me from where they work (franked with company name on it )100 envelopes £1.99

[jampot]

im still collecting at the and hating it 
im converting to envolopes as from next week im going to do sections at atime test the water. maybe pay through paypal in time.
do you put the stamps on or just a blank envolopes?

[johnny_h]

i always ask if they dp internet banking if thet do i give them my a/c no and sort code they pay me that night i takes 3 working days to clear and is free of charge im slowly droping cheques

[geefree]

Most stamp them i think... i did a small survey and most said the reason its late is remembering to buy a stamp for the envelope in the car...  :

i would not use paypal as they charge silly amounts simply to transfer it to your bank...

you could give people your bank details etc etc... but keeping tabs of who has paid into your bank would be more of a headache than collecting..
 

[geefree]

how do you know whos money is whos





 

i always ask if they dp internet banking if thet do i give them my a/c no and sort code they pay me that night i takes 3 working days to clear and is free of charge im slowly droping cheques

[johnny_h]

they have to put their address in the reference section plus it gives me their name too so wouldnt be too hard to work out who has paid

[geefree]

Ah right 

[mark dew]

i have one who pays by standing order and it shows up online with his surname.

I would avoid the stamps thing as it seems like a step backwards. I phone and generally pester people if they haven't paid by the 2nd clean. I tell them that i am regular and they could arrange to leave it out on the day i'm there, otherwise could they post it as i too have bills to pay.
I've just this minute come back from visiting a previously good payer who is now 2 cleans behind with her due again next week. I have tried phoning and leaving messages to no avail. A neighbour in her close told me he thinks she has moved? Though there's still furniture in the house.
I left a handwritten note saying if i don't hear from her by this friday i will assume i will need to register a claim against her...blah blah blah.
I will fire off a printed letter, registered post on saturday, giving her 7 days if i have not heard by then.

[Bazzy1999]

Gazzasp8

Do you have Microsoft Works Word? if so email me your address you want on your envelope and i can make it for you and you can get your envalopes from here:

http://www.viking-direct.co.uk/catalog/catalogSku.do;jsessionid=0000ljjtyWWdVX2w-12jT_TAEq9:11g06oin9?id=DL110&PR=H29

This is where i get my envelopes from and they deliver within 2 working days..
Plus i'll give you a tip on how you know whos payed from the envalope you left..

Bazz...

[Bazzy1999]

I should of said 99% pay very quick coz i stick a stamp on the envelope and its got my address on it so they post it on there way to work..
I do claim for the stamps and envelopes and put it down for stationary...

Bazz...

[chris@c.m.s]

I just put the first line of the address on the back of the envelope, as soon as I get a cheque the details of customer go down in George account name ect its  simple, I also provide a stamp 50p on top of the estimate covers things, know way would I collect now.
 

[windowwashers]

Hi

From day one (1 year ago)... i have left notes after a clean, saying "windows have been cleaned please send cheque payable " blah blah...

and it has worked well , up to now,
my cheques are coming in more slowly now, and less frequent,
 so i am thinking of doing what a lot of you guys do , leaving a stamped address envelope.... i thought i didnt need to as it was working well, but i think its the " stamp" bit that is putting people off... not paying for it... but going out and buying it...

its all hassle for the customer i think...

how much do you pay out per month on stamps and envelopes ... and do you pop it on to your cleaning prices to cover it over a yearly period .

Also which is the best method to use.. and least costly  ..

labels from the printer.?....... a rubber stamp?...

or a franking machine for the rich guys. 

Introduce a late payment fee, I bet you get the payments quick I did this a year ago and get most checks now within a week  the only ones that will moan about it are the ones that pay late all the time, will if they do they have to pay for it.

[geefree]

thanks lads..

cheers ian...

whats the best way to word a late payment fee... do i put it on the  note / cheque slip i leave?

or send a letter out seperately.... mind you i can imagine people dropping me if i sound a bit above myself. 

[windowwashers]

thanks lads..

cheers ian...

whats the best way to word a late payment fee... do i put it on the  note / cheque slip i leave?

or send a letter out seperately.... mind you i can imagine people dropping me if i sound a bit above myself. 

I sent a letter out as i do every year, Saying that I love them and I thank them for their custom etc etc etc, I added there will be a late payment fee of £2.50 for payments later than 21 days.

I will hook out a copy of the last letter I sent and email it to you, you will need to reword it as mine is a little on the strong side (i got one person say something to me about it and i just sweet talked her and said this is for the people that think it ok to pay me next time, I have bills same as anyone, all will understand, just look at the banks, bt, etc they all charge.

[stevedale]

wooow .... dont start threatening people , remember your providing a service , 2nd class stamp, .... there address in the corner , if they forget double up next time , stamps aint that expensive ........

[windowwashers]

wooow .... dont start threatening people , remember your providing a service , 2nd class stamp, .... there address in the corner , if they forget double up next time , stamps aint that expensive ........

I dont threaten my customers, I have just made it compnay policy for people to pay within a stated time, if half my customers didnt pay till the next month, I could not pay the wage bill, it is ok if your a one man band or have money in the bank, but when trying to build a business all money helps  also it is a respect thing, I do the best job I do and out of respect they should pay me for it 

[LWC]

i just go to post office buy a huge amount, you can get a sheet of either 1st or 2nd with 100 of them on.

their no cheaper to buy in bulk, but i bought a sheet a couple of months for £24.99 and ive still got loads

i took over a few peoples rounds and they were offended that they had to get the stamp, after all its not their fault theyre out, and also, 20 odd p on a stamp and no collecting...yes please

i collected the first year, and it was sooo much hassle, people never in, calling and people saying they havent got it. i dont get none of that anymore, and most of my cheques come through in a week

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

if you call this number 08457 782677 and ask for a box of 100 x 1st class DL 100g envelopes.
i buy 200 at a time (costs £85-00)

these are pre paid from royal mail so no stamp required

[Count Phil]

I stick a stamp on. second class. Always works.

I invoice about 100 a month or so. So it costs about £22.

Well worth it. 2nd is still quick, in isn't next day but it is the day after!