[pingu]

Hi all...as some of you maybe aware I and a few others offer a scheduled window cleaning service instead of the 'Aprox x weeks' method.

Now I am not in anyway putting down any of the methods but I ask why would you offer or not offer a scheduled service ?

Now I do not want to make this a 'put down session' but would really welcome you constructive comments on this.


Sorry I have just read my poll question and it should read....

Do you offer a Scheduled service....sorry to confuse this poll.

Could a mod alter the question please? or could someone 'report' this poll to a moderator for me?

Cheers
Dave.

[Londoner]

We have to phone a lot of our customers a few days before to arrange a time to come. If we didn't the chances are they would be out. So many people are out all day and have locked gates or you can only access through the garage. Does that count as a scheduled service?

This is happening more and more.

[karygate]

we ring our customers the night before and it saves on collecting because they leave it in an arranged place. the only downside is if we have a good day and want to perhaps do some of tomorrows we cannot because of this reason. other than that it is a benefit especially when starting up because we get all our new custys by recomendation .

[pingu]

I started out no so long ago with the intention that the 'scehduled' service would be a Unique selling point but it has infact become a core tool for our business inresepct of access, trust and enforcing our terms and conditions. Yes I know t&c's are not totally watertight but inconjunction with the sechduled date it has made the customer in most cases more 'sensitive' to ensuring access on the 'agreed date'.

There are many other reasons why I like scheduled dates...but this is all about what you think.

Yes Vince I would think that call-ahead is scheduled.

Cheers
Dave.

[Alex Gardiner]

As the majority of our clients are commercial, they work on a once a month basis. We are therefore able to offer an exact schedule for when their work will be carried out. Usually I can tell them to the hour when the job will be carried out for at least 3 months in advance.

[Chris Cottrell]

I allways offer a clean based on the No of weeks that i will be back usualy it works out to be the exact day each time most of my customers now know which day I will be there some do need a call before when i need access, this is not a problem for me but i do prefer to keep this to a minimum for the simple reason that some customers use it as a chance to decide weather they want me to clean or not, which is not what the call is for

[Mr H]

I work on apox a 4week basis and tell my customers it will not be less than that but might be slightly longer due to bad weather conditions. They are all happy with that.
The commercial ones I do on the actual day they are due but might do them very early or late in the day, once again depending on the weather or parking...

Regards
Mr H

[ianhannaford]

I understand the benefit, not only to the customer but also to the business of a scheduled service, however doesn't the very nature of window cleaning (i.e outdoors and affected by the weather) mean that sometimes its impossible to stick to set days weeks/months in advance?

For example, if you said to a customer that you will clean on the 15th of every month, what happens if a) Adverse weather conditions b) sickness c) Other factors like an accident on the way or broken vehicle?

Would this guarantee not back fire - i.e you said to customer you were going to be there on 15th, you then fell ill and could not work? I suppose if you have more 1 employee then this eleviates this problem slightly.

Ian

[pingu]

Ian there will always be occassions when something gets in the way and prevents cleaning....so when sickness occurs, van breaks down or the weather gets the best of you...all that is required is an alteration/reschedule to the Schedule which is then very much easier knowing where you can put those affected.

I have only been going 2 years granted but you have to consider that this job is outside and you will need time off so planning is essential is it not.

Personally I have an 8 weekly cycle with some 12/16/24/48 weekly jobs...having a schedule allows for planning and in the event permits alterations but lets face it...very rarely are you not able to complete your work for the most part week on week.

The key to this is building in time to allow for odd 'things' to occur....if this time is not required for 'changes' then it can be used for time-off/rest, canvassing, admin/deviant hobbies...whatever you like I am very rarely out of the house for more than 6 hours every day so it's all down to making the most effective use of time/resources v turnover.

It's all down to the 6 p's...

I know many use the aprox method and this work well for them...and this poll is all about finding and discussing the pro's and cons of the methods.

Cheers
Dave.

[seandyer2003]

Ian there will always be occassions when something gets in the way and prevents cleaning....so when sickness occurs, van breaks down or the weather gets the best of oy...all that is required is an alteration/reschedule to the Schedule which is then very much easier knowing where you can put those affected.

I have only been going 2 years granted but you have to consider that this job is outside and you will need time off so planning is essential is it not.

Personally I have an 8 weekly cycle with some 12/16/24/48 weekly jobs...having a schedule allows for planning and in the event permits alterations but lets face it...very rarely are you not able to complete your work for the most part week on week.

The key to this is building in time to allow for odd 'things' to occur....if this time is not required for 'changes' then it can be used for time-off/rest, canvassing, admin/deviant hobbies...whatever you like

It's all down to the 6 p's...

I know many use the aprox method and this work well for them...and this poll is all about finding and discussing the pro's and cons of the methods.

Cheers
Dave.

I just show up when they are due, any access issues, i ring ahead, but not many! Maybe when im fully wfp and access is a bigger issue my round will be a bit more "scheduled" but have not really had a problem the way i do it...

[pingu]

Ian I just re-read you post and the schedule is not a guarantee but a scheduled date and in the event that a 'circumstance' gets in the way you just need to contact them and alter the day.

I have very little contact with my customers with regard to calls etc...in fact using internet banking for payment I very rarely have any contact with the vast majority of them....suits them and suits me

Cheers
Dave.

Horses for courses

[Paul Coleman]

I voted NO to offering a scheduled service though I do supply something pretty close to that for some commercial jobs. e.g. shops to be done on certain days and when I do office blocks I prefer to do them at weekends (access/safety issues).  If I were to offer that type of service to ALL customers, I would feel like a slave to my own business and it would remove what is probably one of the best bits about being self-employed (for me at any rate).

[Chris Galloway]

Most of my custys are on a 4 week regular service, and most are i just turn up to do it when its due. the others i txt to let them know im coming the next day - in order for them to unlock the gate.

I tend not to phone my regular custies as it give them an excuse to say not this month please, so i find it better to txt their mobile or land line.

Only a few or my larger houses in the "posh" areas i phone to make a appointment with them (as they like it that way).

[ianhannaford]

Most of my custys are on a 4 week regular service, and most are i just turn up to do it when its due. the others i txt to let them know im coming the next day - in order for them to unlock the gate.

I tend not to phone my regular custies as it give them an excuse to say not this month please, so i find it better to txt their mobile or land line.

Only a few or my larger houses in the "posh" areas i phone to make a appointment with them (as they like it that way).

Do you think that being able to send an SMS message from WCP would be a worthwhile feature?

Ian

[gary999]

every sunday evening i go out and post my business cards with date of clean
on for that week normally around 60 of them doesnt take me long most of my
work within 2 mile radius any probs customer rings me,if i cant clean that day
for whatever reason which is rare i slip a card through again night before
next available date

[Chris Galloway]

Most of my custys are on a 4 week regular service, and most are i just turn up to do it when its due. the others i txt to let them know im coming the next day - in order for them to unlock the gate.

I tend not to phone my regular custies as it give them an excuse to say not this month please, so i find it better to txt their mobile or land line.

Only a few or my larger houses in the "posh" areas i phone to make a appointment with them (as they like it that way).

Do you think that being able to send an SMS message from WCP would be a worthwhile feature?

Ian

hell yes!!  So long as its free. As i get free msg's so i might as well use them on my customers.

[AuRavelling79]

I work on apox a 4week basis and tell my customers it will not be less than that but might be slightly longer due to bad weather conditions. They are all happy with that.
The commercial ones I do on the actual day they are due but might do them very early or late in the day, once again depending on the weather or parking...

Regards
Mr H

+1

Exactly the same here.

[windowwashers]

Do not offer this service to the bulk of work, but the large ones we have to for security and to gain access.

on the whole no I did try this quite a few years ago, and to be reliable you just cannot do it. we offer a 4/6 weekly service we never let people down because we never fall beyond this time scale or heads would roll

[Mike 108]

I work on apox a 4week basis and tell my customers it will not be less than that but might be slightly longer due to bad weather conditions. They are all happy with that.
The commercial ones I do on the actual day they are due but might do them very early or late in the day, once again depending on the weather or parking...

Regards
Mr H

Same here

Mike 108

[colinyates]

We offer a 4 to 10 weekly service.  They sign a contract (not leagal) we then Tex the clients a couiple of days before the service. We do this from the PC, as  I have a 3G mobile package, I basically buy a bundle of messages every month.  It works a treat and easy to do from a PC.

You can also get software for texing, whick allows you to set up multiple tasks.  You can then send them one 2 days before, one on the day and even a thank you when you have finished.