[d s windowcleaning]

well lost my first customer today but at least they were honest and said they couldnt afford to pay me as theyve had there hours cut at work , hows things going in you part of the country due to the credit crunch ?

[Xline Systems]

hi dave ive had this a lot over the past few weeks and seems to be increasing. oh well im sure it will pick up again. i dont realy care as im in holiday mode now my flight leaves at 9.45 tonight

[Oakley Windows]

Luckeeee bugger, where you going?

[birdymiller]

Been dropped a few times in the past couple of months but no one has come out and said its cos of lack off money. I havnt asked what was wrong but just guessed it was the credit crunch. Still picking up more work than i lose so alls good . Mind you it would be better if i was flying out at 9-45

[mr merson]

well lost my first customer today but at least they were honest and said they couldnt afford to pay me as theyve had there hours cut at work , hows things going in you part of the country due to the credit crunch ?

Dave what is your mobile number please ?

[Paul Coleman]

well lost my first customer today but at least they were honest and said they couldnt afford to pay me as theyve had there hours cut at work , hows things going in you part of the country due to the credit crunch ?

Lost one yesterday (by post) because they reckon it always rains after I clean.  They've lived in the UK all their lives so not quite sure what they expected.  Also, I finally ditched one today that has been on its last knockings for a while.  They suddenly decided that I had to do a bit of extra work withoiut being paid for it.  It wasn't much work but, added to their previous "sins", this was the straw that broke the camel's back.  Also, I had another one today that expressed "disappointment" at the condition of some of the windows after the previous clean.  There was a window with a bit of bird's dollop left on it.  It was hard for me to see from the ground even when she pointed out where it was.  Fair cop.  I'm not perfect.  Trouble was there was a little bit of spotting on a main front window.  Not sure I can guarantee that it won't happen again either.  All I can do is brush well and rinse well with a high flow (it's had maybe 5 cleans now) but I couldn't say why itr spotted.  It's been fine on all previous cleans.  There was also an upper fanlight which was said to be dirty and there was an allegation that I had never cleaned it.  This was the bit that bugged me.  Telling me I've done an imperfect job is fine because no-one is perfect, but that last bit appeared to border on accusing me of dishonesty - or at least that's the way I took it.  It turned out that the muck on the upper fanlight was actually hardened gloss paint so that's why it had never shifted.  Haven't decided where to go with this one yet because I suspect that they might be on my case in future over every minor imperfection.
Not a good day.  Sorry to hijack.  I never intended to go on like this.
I don't ditch customers lightly but if a job is detrimental to my business or to my peace of mind then it causes me anxiety.  I don't handle anxiety too well.
Only two have ditched me for being skint BTW (or only2 have admitted that).

[Pittmonkey]

There's definitely something in the air. Been going for over 12 mths without a custy canceling, then lose 3 in the space of a month.

It just so happens there is a pattern emerging as well. All 3 have brand new houses and are all young couples. Something tells me their discounted rate has come to an end and are now feeling the pinch, be interesting to see if the For Sale signs go up in the next few weeks.

Can't complain though got my 200 th custy this week 

Wayne

[Wayne Thomas]

Picked up 3 nice new ones today (40ft jobbies) so they'll be sticking around through this credit crunch

[NWH]

You`ll only lose em if you do em to often,stretch out the time between cleans and get more work.People realise they need them doing but they don`t want them done what seems like every 5 mins.

[simbo]

You`ll only lose em if you do em to often,stretch out the time between cleans and get more work.People realise they need them doing but they don`t want them done what seems like every 5 mins

Spot on! people like having their windows cleaned so no point if they are already!have always stretched work out as i like to see a result after cleaning.
simbo

[NWH]

If you don`t clean to often you won`t be at the front of there mind when it comes to cutting costs.

[prestigeclean]

spot on nwh most of mine are 2 monthly and i,ve had no problems and keep picking up work , nothing for shiners to worry about in this downturn regards alan

[mr merson]

When I am cleaning customers property , and I talk to them , I always cry the poor tale telling them how I am just keeping my head above water  That usually keeps them on there toes LOL .

[Londoner]

Yes its coming and we are expecting to lose a few here and there but compared to many businesses we are nearly bombproof.
We have a wide customer base and low overheads. Thats about as good as it gets.

[dai]

If you don`t clean to often you won`t be at the front of there mind when it comes to cutting costs.

Well I'm doing nobody's for the next 5 weeks. Off to Indonesia for a month Next Monday.

[mr merson]

If you don`t clean to often you won`t be at the front of there mind when it comes to cutting costs.

Well I'm doing nobody's for the next 5 weeks. Off to Indonesia for a month Next Monday.

That is my idea of success 

[djhaydn]

i tend to do a rolling effect now,
if it rains i do them the next day,
if im on a fire shout , i do them the next day,
this makes once amonth or 4 weekly near impossible,
customers dont seem to mind as long as i do come back regularly
i seems to work out about 5 weeks sometimes even 6 weeks.
not lost any in the last 8 months and the ones i did before that was because another window cleaner started up again, (lost about 5).
I HAVE PICKED UP QUITE ABIT IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS,
off on hols for 2 weeks next week, so it will definately be a 6 week clean for my custies.
nearlyy dropped one today when she texted me and said £15 for conservatory roof was excessive, i normally charged more, but she is quite a good looker so i looked after her. she soon came back saying she didnt want to lose me, maybe she likes me...lol.
as some one said i think us window cleaners are in a bombproof business, fiver here and a tenner there they dont miss, well not my custies.

[d s windowcleaning]

You`ll only lose em if you do em to often,stretch out the time between cleans and get more work.People realise they need them doing but they don`t want them done what seems like every 5 mins

Spot on! people like having their windows cleaned so no point if they are already!have always stretched work out as i like to see a result after cleaning.
simbo

i dont clean them too often / i dont charge too much i have in my own words a good paying amount of work , i lost a customer today who ive done for over 5 years through 1 thing and 1 thing only the credit crunch and these are not young people either who have just bought a house .

[Jonathan Spencer]

I tend to try and drag the monthies to 5 weeks.  I always tell them it it will be between 4 and 5 weeks.  I do no know why but I can tell the difference in the windows in that extra week.

[mr merson]

I changed a four weekly onto eight weekly , charged him extra 30% , and they are caked !!!!!  :