[geefree]

Why have you locked your topic, when it was all about trying to gain information, ?

You went to great lengths to tell us how good your set upwas and waited for constructive comments, whilst admitting your debt management skills were not the best,....

why did you not wait for more help, or answer the question asked by someone ... "are you Mr Sol"?...... at that point you locked the topic?

Asking if someone has a better " your windows have been cleaned"... slip ... will not improve your debt management skills, as that is merely informing , you have done the job , and require paying.

In the first instance you have to go out and collect,.. meet your customers and explain how you work, and how you would like to be paid in the future,.. offering the steadfast crew other alternatives...

a letter or a demand is unlikely to generate good feelings between you and your customer...

you say your management skills are good... then you should know how to talk to people, and get them on side... and get the best out of them... whilst promoting yourself, and getting them to like you too.... see your customers , smile , talk to them... and when you have explained... your  letters through the door will make sense to them.


Gary.

[Clive McDonald]

Sorry Garry I thought it had all gone downhill a bit and wasn't likely to improve. There were 44 posts but most had to do with a distinct lack of passion. I don't collect, I was hoping someone in the same boat could offer some pointers.I'll unlock it and see what happens.

[chrismroberts]

Sorry Garry I thought it had all gone downhill a bit and wasn't likely to improve. There were 44 posts but most had to do with a distinct lack of passion. I don't collect, I was hoping someone in the same boat could offer some pointers.I'll unlock it and see what happens.

I've been collecting since I started, about 2 years ago...... really, really sick of it now though so I'm introducing a check payment system in about a week or so.

I wrote a polite letter explaining the new process, offering alternatives, and telling my customers it would take effect as of their next clean. I attached it to my "Your Windows have been cleaned" slip and then when I collected, made sure they had got the note and asked them if there were any problems.

There havent been any objections as of yet, and I've already received a load of cheques and a couple of requests for online banking details, and this is all ahead of next month.... so, all in all... its gone very well

Look after your customers matey, they are your livelihood... even if it takes a month or 2 of explaining, it should all pay off in the end.

[Clive McDonald]

Yes maybe a letter of explanation would help when i take a new customer on. Thankyou that's a good idea.
Friendly, tell them how lucky they are to have me, and explain that I leave an envelope to pay when they are not in. I could ask them to please pay promptly as having so many customers It can get a little confusing if it's left.

[chrismroberts]

I always say that I'll call back to collect on the first clean if I miss them, to check that they are happy with the job... and there after, if all is well, could they stick a cheque in the post/send the money online etc.... it seems to get a good response 

How about something along the lines of "In order to maintain a consistent service, we would be grateful if you could forward payment within X number of days"?

[Clive McDonald]

I've got to go to a bigger firm and sign some subcontract forms for cleaning cladding on factories tomorrow. I don't know if this will be good or a waste of time, anyone got any thoughts on this?

[matt]

so

"are you Mr Sol"
as i tell you what, your posts read EXACTLY like his, the manner of his posts are the same as yours

he of course allways said he charged "top dollar" for his work, he leaves, then along come yourself, boasting about being "cheap"

looks like a wind up to me, a good un at that

[geefree]

Sorry Garry I thought it had all gone downhill a bit and wasn't likely to improve. There were 44 posts but most had to do with a distinct lack of passion. I don't collect, I was hoping someone in the same boat could offer some pointers.I'll unlock it and see what happens.

Hi,

i dont collect either.... but i didnt mean go out and collect all the time... i meant... go and see them who dont pay.... collect the money.... and explain in youry best manner , your new methods of being paid,,, internet..cheques..... or ask them to leave it with a neighbour....

give them options.....so they have no excuses.. but make it clear you dont collect....

then your bad debts will get smaller... and you may have to end up collecting on only one or two.....

then if you are unhappy with that... drop them.


Gary.

[Clive McDonald]

I'm serious, I can't help the boastfull side. I do look to improve from the input of others. Getting that last few percent of knowledge that takes me past being amongst the best is proving hard.

Anyway if I'm screwed up what must you be? If you say you're not motivated how did get the GB badge with the ludo. You don't get to that level by thowing a few lucky sixs, there is some serious hard work involved.

I'll send you an email tomorrow of a dog clutch i've had made.

Gary, good info thanks.

[Nathanael Jones]

so

"are you Mr Sol"
as i tell you what, your posts read EXACTLY like his, the manner of his posts are the same as yours

he of course allways said he charged "top dollar" for his work, he leaves, then along come yourself, boasting about being "cheap"

looks like a wind up to me, a good un at that

I'm convinced,... simply by his avoiding answering!!

Welcome back Clive,... you were missed!

[Alex Gardiner]

I have never collected, even when I used to do all domestic. I would always leave a slip through the door with where to send the cheque, worked for 90% of customers. The others would simply pay me next time.

These days I do still take on a few domestic jobs, but only if they are right next to a commercial complex so I do not have to unreel my hose a second time. For these clients I will only take them on if they are happy with paying me by standing order. Most clients love the thought of standing order as it means a regular payment with no worries about being in to pay.

When I converted my current domestic clients to this method, I put their prices up and then said that if they wanted to pay what they had been, I would discount their price if they switched to Standing Order. Only 1 client did not want to and she ended up moving house 3 months later!