[Davew]

For every new clean I pick up I seem to lose one, people around here seem to think that in the winter they don't need their windows cleaned so they just don't bother.  They seem to think we just hibernate in the winter, "come back in a couple of months now the winters on the way." I can't wait for the day when I have too much work so I can tell them "sorry I have my regulars to look after".

[NWH]

I don`t have this problem as the work is well established,i don`t understand some customers today the spring and summers that we`ve had over the last few years have been the wetest on record,i don`t know why they worry about the winter. : : : :

[mike richardson]

just tell them ye you will be back then just dnt bother.

plenty more fish in the sea,

if as customer asks me not to bother for a while i just make out they ment cancel for good,

so when they ask me why i aint been in ages i say SORRY (LOL) thought u ment not to bother as in you wanted them cancelled, they soon take the hint

[mark dew]

i used to get similar when  i was starting out. It's like customers can smell new wc's and think they are doing us a favour.
It does get better though. You just have to make sure that when anyone who you've cleaned before phones and asks if you can clean their windows, make sure to tell them that it will be another 3 weeks or so before you are back in their area. Never go within a few days of the request.
I've unintentionally converted a few from when they want to a regular clean by doing this.
good luck.

[johnny_h]

tell them you have a waiting list of potential regular customers thank them for freeing up a place for a new customer   walk away and forget em

[Londoner]

On the other hand why blow out a customer when all they want is their windows cleaned a bit less often?
Look at it from their point of view, they don't see it as important. You see it as MEGA important and an insult to you personally.
Back off and say "OK shall I put you on every other time until the spring? Nine times out of ten they will say yes and a deal is reached.
You keep your customer. Anyway, with all the dark mornings, dark evenings and endless rain it benefits you to have a few customers less in the winter months.

[Davew]

Which brings me on to another question - can you ever have a full round? Because you need time to catch up.

[Sir Squeaky]

Tell me about it.

Never used to be a problem.
I had more work than I could cope with.

Other way around now.
People are putting other things ahead of clean windows.
If you're short of cash, we're the first to get cancelled.

Money is getting tighter for a large proportion of people.
Lets face it, you'd do the same if you were short.

We're low priority.

[supernova77]

Tell me about it.

Never used to be a problem.
I had more work than I could cope with.

Other way around now.
People are putting other things ahead of clean windows.
If you're short of cash, we're the first to get cancelled.

Money is getting tighter for a large proportion of people.
Lets face it, you'd do the same if you were short. Undecided

We're low priority.

I don't think thats the same in every location... The last customers I lost was about 4 months ago. And since them I must have picked up atleast another 20 customers.

Andy

[Dean Aspects]

Tell me about it.

Never used to be a problem.
I had more work than I could cope with.

Other way around now.
People are putting other things ahead of clean windows.
If you're short of cash, we're the first to get cancelled.

Money is getting tighter for a large proportion of people.
Lets face it, you'd do the same if you were short.

We're low priority.

Exactly so this is why i am always polite to customers i have built my reputation up partly on this so that people remember me as a professional and therefore get treated as one meaning if they do cancel because they are short of money i am the first one they call instead of someone else when they have money again

Dean

[Davew]

Squeeks do you do any add on jobs? Looks like someone in my area has been picking up loads of guttering work. I think they must be using a jet wash because they are spotless. I've done a few - good earners but hard work wfp. I'm also picking up several conservatory roofs too. I reckon you could get work picking off those impossible over conservatory windows with your Superlight. A couple of w/c's have packed it in near me and only do gutters from a ladder because the money is so good.

[Paul Coleman]

Tell me about it.

Never used to be a problem.
I had more work than I could cope with.

Other way around now.
People are putting other things ahead of clean windows.
If you're short of cash, we're the first to get cancelled.

Money is getting tighter for a large proportion of people.
Lets face it, you'd do the same if you were short. Undecided

We're low priority.

I don't think thats the same in every location... The last customers I lost was about 4 months ago. And since them I must have picked up atleast another 20 customers.

Andy

Well I lost two in the last week - and gained ten.  There are times when it seems to stagnate or even reduce but in the last three weeks, it seems to have gone mental.  I like it when I get customers this time of year because it usually means they're in it for the long term and aren't Winter cancellers.  If someone asks about cancelling over the Winter I tell them two things
1)  I would only be able to start cleaning again for them in the Spring if there are gaps in my schedule.
2)  That if I do start cleaning again, the first clean would be at a much higher price due to having a whole Winter's dirt on it.

It's rare these days that I need to say the above but the last couple of times I've said it, I put them off the idea of suspending the service and just carried on cleaning.

[NWH]

It`a all down to area it`s as simple as that,a lot of my customers are in there 40`s and retired.If there struggling for cash then yes you might get dumped,but if there millionaires i don`t think you need to worry.That`s what i mean by selecting good areas to get work in,beleive it or not not all these people have WCS.

[jdemarco]

On the other hand why blow out a customer when all they want is their windows cleaned a bit less often?
Look at it from their point of view, they don't see it as important. You see it as MEGA important and an insult to you personally.
Back off and say "OK shall I put you on every other time until the spring? Nine times out of ten they will say yes and a deal is reached.
You keep your customer. Anyway, with all the dark mornings, dark evenings and endless rain it benefits you to have a few customers less in the winter months.

My thoughts exactly vince (careful though mate if you start thinking like me you might get enemies, not mentioning any names!!) Theres no need to get all bitter and twisted if they ask you to leave it over winter, its there money! Just put the price up next time around. Keep the customer happy and it will give you a good reputation and more work will come from it.

[macmac]

I always get busier in winter & seem to pick up more new work than in summer. I always try to accomodate customers needs & be polite with them. rather than ditch them, use them to your advantage & fit them in when it suites you. I've only ever ditched one that i can think of for messing around, she got some polish guys to do the bottoms & then asked me to come & only do the tops
Cheeky cow.

tony

[windowwashers]

For every new clean I pick up I seem to lose one, people around here seem to think that in the winter they don't need their windows cleaned so they just don't bother.  They seem to think we just hibernate in the winter, "come back in a couple of months now the winters on the way." I can't wait for the day when I have too much work so I can tell them "sorry I have my regulars to look after".

I would say that everytime they say that, if they say can you come back in a couple of months say this" we maybe able to but we will have to offer yuor place on our round to someone else and cannot guarentee I will able to clean them in a few months, this is because we work all year and only take on work on this basis" I say that to any new customer aswell

[Moderator David@stives]

9 times out of ten when thay say , "i will call you in the spring"

They really mean "i am cancelling but i am too scared to say so"

[Tosh]

I can't wait for the day when I have too much work so I can tell them "sorry I have my regulars to look after".

I've only had this happen about five times, but when stuff like this occurs; I'm brutally honest.

I explain that when I took them on we agreed to a set frequency of clean and an amount.  I tell 'em that I've stuck to my side of the agreement, however if they want a longer cleaning frequency, I'll stretch to every other month at a slightly higher price; and would charge (for example £13 for what was a £10 clean) and I tell them why (dirtier windows take longer to clean).  I also explain that it's just not viable to clean houses on an ad hoc basis, this is my occupation, and I've a family and bills to cover.

If they don't agree, that's fair enough; no hard cheese as they say.  I'd thank them for their custom and walk away.

But I would also drop any customers who messed me about; straight away; and if you're desperately short of work, get your finger out and get more.  It's not difficult with a bit of thought as to what area and a bit of a 'spiel' to canvass more up; honest.

[TVCS]

Got one customer that for the last 3 times had said not this time, cos of the weather etc.

I only went back to him 3 times as he is in the middle of a 6 house block that I do.

Anyway, after the 3rd time I considered him dropped.   Who should appear at my door today asking where I have got to.

I know for a fact that his windows are scummy now so he wants them clean again then it'll be back to 'not this time, it might rain or a dog might bark'

I told him i might fit him in by xmas but its doubtfull  as i have a lot of regular, loyal customers to fit in.  But somehow i might be too busy by then.

[Tosh]

TVCS,

Why didn't you just reinforce your terms and conditions and tell him you're only prepared to clean his windows if he sticks to your original agreement?

(Unless of course, you feel he's a confirmed timewaster!)