[mbosticky]

Hi Guys

I have left a number with a cleaner that just happened to wash windows of my neighbour. I told him i would like to start a window cleaning business.

So he called me (drunk i think), and  mentioned that i don't want to take other peoples business because there is this agreenment between window cleaners. Otherwise: "what can happend is that others might trip your ladder and boom". Then he offered to sell me 8 clients for £100 in my area.

Is this guy for real? I mean I think he was drunk when he called. But perhaps I should pay him out to get him of my back? Or report him to the police. Unfortunately he knows where I live.

Doh, i was so excited about doing this  . Now I have to say I am very dissapointed.

Any thoughts? Martin.

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

my advice is to ignore him, whatever you do do buy him off that won't get ride of him. canvas a new area

[AuRavelling79]

This happened to me a few years back when I canvassed with flyers. If he phones again say something on the lines of "We're not trying to  take your customers.. we're  just trying to earn a crust that's all" (Note the "We" not "I" gives the impression there's more than one of you) also explain that your phone automatically records incoming calls and traces numbers withheld.

If he persists just explain that "you won't intimidate us my friend" and "that any further harrassment will result in you calling the police. Put the phone down. Ignore him. He isn't a reputable window cleaner.

Every other window cleaner I've come across is cordial and even helpful and vise versa!

[sham33]

Window Cleaning is a funny old business. U can have window cleaning companys turning over 1 million a year and on the other scale u get moneys like him who turn to it because thats all they can do.

I've only had to deal with people like him twice in 13 years. Don't buy any customers off him jeez u can pick up 8 new customers with a couple of hours canvasing.

You seem like a bright guy, treat him with the contempt he deserves. Make him feel a fool and your never see him again, i know how those people tick, sounds a nobody.

[mbosticky]

You are right. He can't be reputable. I will ask a few more cleaners if they know him. I have his number and it doesn't look very local to me. I suppose he could break a window on my house or something since he knows where i live now and he is coming around every 6 weeks. Perhaps I can find a local cleaner who would like to work with me. Also put up a few cameras on my house (always wanted to do that for fun to see what happens around when I am not arround ).

Thank you guys for this advice and encouregement, Martin.

PS: By the way, till now i was a software engineer for 5 years. How ironic? I think i will start a web development company side by side with window cleaning. ie. physical excercies + intelectual stimulation 

[mbosticky]

If i can pickup 8 customers with a few hours of canvasing, then why would he threaten me? Either he is just stupid, or he wants to make a quick buck on a few clients he doesn't really want.

No point thinking about it.

Cheers,
Martin.

[windows_chepstow]

Martin,

My missis and I were threatend once by another window cleaner and his side kick - face to face.

It wasn't very nice.  Being a Geordie - I just wanted to stick it all over them.  I would've received a good kicking though.  My missis is only 5' 1".

Anyway, we phoned the coppers instead and were visited within three hours.

This is what the policeman said:

It's good we reported the incident, because if any other incidents occur, then it can be classed as 'harrasment' (two or more incidents) and action can be taken.

He could speak to the 'threatener' and warn them it's been reported.  This could either settle the incident or inflame the incident.  We decided against this.

Anyway to cut a long story short - he keeps out of our way and we keep out of his.  Nothing has happened since (but I'd still love to give him a digging).

So my advice is:

Phone the police and log the incident.

Forget about it.  He just sounds like a drunken toss pot who wouldn't say boo to a goose in the cold sober light of day.

Remember that 99% of window cleaners are good, hardworking guys.  I cleaned a house side by side another 'rival' window cleaner today and we enjoyed talking shop.
'Shop talk' tends to bore non window cleaners.  ("What do you use - Fairy?  I find it wrecks my hands, etc...")


Remember to pass on customers to them, whom you don't want - once you get to know where they work. Every time you meet a new window cleaner, introduce yourself, ask for their phone number (if they're decent - they'll ask for yous).  Network with them.

DON'T DARE BUY THOSE CUSTOMERS OFF HIM.  Window cleaners sell stuff off they don't want.  Why doesn't he want them?  Not only that - he doesn't sound like the sort of guy you'd want to do business with.

[Duke]

I agree, any reputable cleaner is only too aware of peacefull co-existance...professionals don't operate the way this guy tries to. We help each other out. Hence forum's.

[wrighty]

I would just ignore it and go where you want after all I bet he signs on too as he definately is not a professional.

Best Of Luck in your new venture.

As they say you always get one and he is the odd one.

Craig

[gaza]

tELL HIM HIS LADDERS COULD BE TRIPPED AND THEN BOOM HE MIGHT LAND ON YOUR BEER BOTTLE.

[petski2]

Happened to me when I first started.Luckily because of this forum I was aware this happens so I was expecting a call from a certain bully boy cleaner as I found out I had leafleted HIS AREA.Sure enough 2 days later my mobile went when I was at home and his first words were "are you the cleaner thats poaching my customers?".To which I replied "Oh we've been expecting your call,I will just put you onto my brother PC (his name).
Put the phone on unit for a couple of seconds,picked it back up and he'd gone.That was 9 months ago,never heard anything since.

[texas girl]

  Wow that is taking window cleaning contracts a bit too seriously!
Over here we are aware of competition but no one ever resorts to threats!

I have been in business for a long time and I think I got in at the right time, but I have seen my share of competitors. I can honestly say that I have the largest service in the central Texas area which really helps. But I have paid my dues!

I have learned not to rely on any contract being forever so if something happens to that account it is no big deal.

I always think that The Lord will provide as long as I keep being honest and keep stiving to pick up customers.

Take care; I would ignore a kook like that. It is a waste of anxiety.

Texas Girl (Debbie)

[UBA1]

Some mug got one of my cards when i was canvassing a little while ago, rung my no. and threatened my wife! My missus had recently only had a baby, so hormones everywhere and all that. Anyways i worked out the area i had recently been canvassing, i went straight down to that area, and i found the little mug still cleaning...the rest is history

[AuRavelling79]

Tell us more - sounds good!

[UBA1]

Tell us more - sounds good!

Let`s just say i DON`T like bully boys, my right hand was swollen, and so was his chin

[reah]

Is that the reinactmant your showing us! I bet he still has a headache.

[thewindowcleaner1]

When I first started was told that area is coverd by so so and that area ect,ect. took no notice and carried on met other win cleaners No problems, recently had phone call of windowcleaner who's area I just canvassed asking me to "stop putting leaflets through his customers doors," to which I replied "if he would be so good as mark his customers doors with a big Red cross I would pass by those doors without leaving a leaflet" put the phone down and tapped in the code for BT's Choose to Refuse so that he can't ring my number from that phone again, Then arranged with all my fammily 8 in totall to blanket canvass the entire area, No more calls to date and that was 3 weeks ago

[UBA1]

When I first started was told that area is coverd by so so and that area ect,ect. took no notice and carried on met other win cleaners No problems, recently had phone call of windowcleaner who's area I just canvassed asking me to "stop putting leaflets through his customers doors," to which I replied "if he would be so good as mark his customers doors with a big Red cross I would pass by those doors without leaving a leaflet" put the phone down and tapped in the code for BT's Choose to Refuse so that he can't ring my number from that phone again, Then arranged with all my fammily 8 in totall to blanket canvass the entire area, No more calls to date and that was 3 weeks ago

Well done fella, my wife said sumink similar, and he offended her, AND in the process offended me.
It`s  a case of it`s nobodys `patch`

regards

[reah]

Are they wearing a new range of summer cleaning shorts i quite like the trunk ones that the guy is wearing doing the roundhouse kick. not sure where you put your squeege though.

[Rob_Mac]

I've had two incidents

The first one was when I first started - dropped a load of leaflets and on the Sunday was out for the day with my ex missus  Phone call from old boy.

Are you leafleting on my turf

I says - You dont know me and have definately not seen how big I am or you wouldnt be ringing  - now F**! *!f

3 years later I have all his work and am the main window cleaner in the area

Second incident - I had started a new area with only one clean and was building the work quite nicely. On this particular day, near Christmas I was working on the same side of the road as the established window cleaner.

One of my customers came out and payed him for work I had done and he pocketed the money.

I go over when I realise what has gone on and get my money back.

I am now the main window cleaner in that area as well and I've had all his work.

You get what you sow in life.

Do not be put off by the idiot with the caveman mentality

Good luck

Rob