[pfairfield]

hi guys and gals i run a window cleaning business which i do alot of areas in runcorn in the north west i recently just pick up about 8 new customers in a area that
i used to live in i heard there was 2 window cleaners that did a 'round' there so i got speaking to a family friend who know's everythink that go's on in the area he
informed me that these 2 window cleaners only ever come round every 6 to 8 weeks that they only do it for the beer money(sounds like dole claimers) so i went on
the knocker door to door i never tryed to barter with any of there customers or undercut them i picked up my 8 cos they asked me to do there windows and that they were unhappy with the other cleaners the other 2 cleaners charge £3/per wash i charge 3.50/per wash and upto now my customers have been very happy with my service i come every 2 weeks on the dot if the weather is good now my problem which i need help with is one of the other cleaners pulled me up the other day and was having a go saying they paid for this round (i found out they never there not even la-jit) and that i was robing customers off them and i was breaking a unwritten rule of window cleaners by stepping on there toes i try to explain to him that i have not undercut or barted so i have not done such the thing and i see it as if you pay for a round ur paying for a client list and if those said clients dont like ur work they have the right to find a new cleaner 'supply and demand'  if there is a legal rule that am breaking then i would stop cleaning the houses at risk of bad naming my business but i have looked every were on the net and found nothing the one lad has told me to watch my back i have informed the police to log it so if they do assult me there will be records

i was hoping for any info thanks for your time

[Londoner]

I am inclined to say that as long as you charge more than they do you are OK. there has always been a lot of "protecting your own patch" going on but if they get stroppy the threat of reporting them to the Inland Revenue and the Benefits Hotline usually focuses the mind.

[a-r window cleanin]

Dont worry about them business is business if they cant keep their clients its not your problem.
We had the same thing once a local wc told us we couldnt work on a particular estate as he did them all!!! This annoyed us a great deal as we had been called by this customer who was not happy with his service. Any way the local wc spent days leaving messages on the phone saying we better leave this particular area alone 'or else'. In the end we decide to canvass the area like mad picked up 36 new custys as he was not doing a good job he still gives us some grief now sometimes when he drives past but as I see it there was a demand for a decent window cleaner on this estate and we filled that gap. As far as pricing goes he charged £6 for the average 2 bed house were as we have a min charge of £10 so we were nearly double.

[d s windowcleaning]

theres a few diffrent cleaners on a area that i work , i dont regard this as my patch neither do they we all get on have a chat and pass work on to each other . At the end of the day if the custy wasnt happy with the others they will get rid and replace them . i sold a round some years ago and over time the lad who bought the round lost work to another cleaner but hes never once had words with this cleaner about it they speak and get on and thats the way it should be . you get out there mate and pick up what work you can 

[elite mike]

theres a few diffrent cleaners on a area that i work , i dont regard this as my patch neither do they we all get on have a chat and pass work on to each other . At the end of the day if the custy wasnt happy with the others they will get rid and replace them . i sold a round some years ago and over time the lad who bought the round lost work to another cleaner but hes never once had words with this cleaner about it they speak and get on and thats the way it should be . you get out there mate and pick up what work you can 

yeh i agree with dave,good advice there
keep at it
mike 

[Ian Lancaster]

Ignore them.

It's a free market, you do what you want.  If you're sure they're dole cheats and they keep giving you grief, carry a camera with you.  Next time you see them working take (or pretend to take ) a few photos.  You could threaten them that you'll send the photos to the benefit people, but the fact that they see you photographing them working illegally will probably be enough to scare them into shutting up and keeping a low profile

[Sir Squeaky]

I've got a similar situation brewing in the next week.

I won't hijack your post with my own questions, so I'll start a new thread later...

[jakeandmia]

Times like this when licensing would come in handy.

[john tomkins]

Times like this when licensing would come in handy.

Licencing never stops these type of people, it just hinders the law abiding

[jakeandmia]

I know what you mean but aswell as having a license the public should be made aware that you MUST have one to carry out your practise.

Wayne

[Captain Scarlet]

I get with all the cleaners in my area and have a good working relationship with them ( on the forum and some in person ). My dads best mate is a wc'er in our area, my two best mates are also wc'ers in my area!!!

[Sanity]

Offer a more professional service.  That way, you are not poaching customers.  customers are simply chosing a professional service over a cowboy.  Keep going m8.  Best of luck to ya.,

[NWH]

hi guys and gals i run a window cleaning business which i do alot of areas in runcorn in the north west i recently just pick up about 8 new customers in a area that
i used to live in i heard there was 2 window cleaners that did a 'round' there so i got speaking to a family friend who know's everythink that go's on in the area he
informed me that these 2 window cleaners only ever come round every 6 to 8 weeks that they only do it for the beer money(sounds like dole claimers) so i went on
the knocker door to door i never tryed to barter with any of there customers or undercut them i picked up my 8 cos they asked me to do there windows and that they were unhappy with the other cleaners the other 2 cleaners charge £3/per wash i charge 3.50/per wash and upto now my customers have been very happy with my service i come every 2 weeks on the dot if the weather is good now my problem which i need help with is one of the other cleaners pulled me up the other day and was having a go saying they paid for this round (i found out they never there not even la-jit) and that i was robing customers off them and i was breaking a unwritten rule of window cleaners by stepping on there toes i try to explain to him that i have not undercut or barted so i have not done such the thing and i see it as if you pay for a round ur paying for a client list and if those said clients dont like ur work they have the right to find a new cleaner 'supply and demand'  if there is a legal rule that am breaking then i would stop cleaning the houses at risk of bad naming my business but i have looked every were on the net and found nothing the one lad has told me to watch my back i have informed the police to log it so if they do assult me there will be records

i was hoping for any info thanks for your time
[/quote If you have the time in your diary to call every 2 weeks it sounds as if you really need the work.

[Squeegee Clean blackpool]

As i keep sayingif they did thee job right they have nothing to woorry about. I picked up 3 yesterday beacause they saw me wiping the edges and sills and yes im dearer.

[elite mike]

As i keep sayingif they did thee job right they have nothing to woorry about. I picked up 3 yesterday beacause they saw me wiping the edges and sills and yes im dearer.

like your my space page
pity about the surf

mike

[Squeegee Clean blackpool]

As i keep sayingif they did thee job right they have nothing to woorry about. I picked up 3 yesterday beacause they saw me wiping the edges and sills and yes im dearer.

like your my space page
pity about the surf

mike

I miss it

[elite mike]

yeh i know what you mean

quite fancied croyde or porthcawl this weekend

but mrs had other ideas   

regards
 mike