[Blue Frog Systems]

Hi guys,

For the past few weeks ive been having a problem with collections. People not in when I got to collect.

When i clean i leave a note saying your windows have been cleaned and i shall be there on sunday evening to collect payment

Been out tonight and got 1 out of 6.

How do you guys do collections ? Am getting fed up of going out various nights just to collect  the odd one or two.

Thanks

JP

[andyatkinson]

you can get em to send cheques in post leave envelopes with details, or standing oder, but if your intent on collecting why not try working till 5 30 and doing 15 mins collectin of what you've done that day, or just keep knockin!

[martinsadie]

i would never do Sunday,leave a note go round on Thursday night,then fri night for that days work,what you missed last night and any you missed the week before,then if you work Sat and dont get a lot paying quick whip round sat teatime  

[Window Washers]

Don't collect saves the hassle, and time, get them to send payments or pay online, it really is that simple

[m b shaw]

we use our mobiles to call clients to make sure they are in,it saves going to doors only to find they are out. This way we collect everything owed with no wasted journeys.P S we use envelopes for all cheque payments who are nt in. cheers mick

[stay white n bright window cleaning service]

Hi, i collect at the end of the day on the way back home,as ive only got 50+ custys .Anybody you askes
fora quote by email usually pays by pay pal ,got around 20 using this method

[Lee Pryor]

Hi JP

When i used to collect i did thursday evening and sat morning each week. but its a nightmare.

just get an online payment through paypal or have them send you a check.

[leapstallbuildings]

Cheques or BACS for me.  Haven't done doorstep collecting for years.  It did deplete the cashflow initially until I got them trained though.  I always have more money owing to me than when I collected but it's OK so long as finances aren't running too tight.

[brianbarber]

I leave a printed envelope, complete with stamp !!!

it works A TREAT !!!

Mr B

[lee_dewing]

envelope with bill in.
use to put stamps on but got p'd off keep buying stamps, especially as there was always a percentage that would always forget.

then i'd be annoyed as i'd wasted my money on a stamp
 if you are more keen on having the cash, then let it roll 2-3 times with custy's bill.

this only works if you have savings
by law of averages the one's you then catch in will pay for the ones that aren't.

i worked for a w/c for 2 years, he'd been doing it this way 30 years plus and he'd always have wads of cash

[cozy]

All good answers, I work the same way as Stan. Paypal works, also bank transfer and collect on set days when you tell the custies which day. Trial and error.

[lee_dewing]

cozy
what % do paypal take out of money trnsfer out of intrest

[cozy]

Pennies mate, it was about 2% when I sold in fleabay as I had to change money Euro to Pounds. Paypal is a really good idea in this game

[Nathanael Jones]

Paypal does cost money,.. but compared to time wasted trying to collect it's nothing at all.
I leave an envelope & "Windows cleaned" ticket (I keep a duplicate and each has a unique ticket number on it). The Ticket has details for online payments too, so the custie has the choice of how to pay. I only collect severely overdue accounts these days, which are very few and far between.

[williamx]

I telephone the night before and I receive over 95% of the moneys due.

[Tim82]

i find monday nights are best,usually get em to send cheque though

[big J]

I am considering a prompt payment dicount.say a job is £15 i will price the job at £17 but tell them i will knock £2 off for a prompt payment. I will apply this to customers that pay via BACS or similar . I have run other businesses in the past and customers like to think that they are getting something for nothing and pay up to save the £2 In the past I had a 95% sucess rate . Does anyone do this if so what do you think

[Tim82]

i think its a good idea and may try it!

[dai]

I leave envelopes with my slip, or they can pay on line.
One thing I found very affective, write the name of the person who usually pays on the slip, it makes it personal, and that person will take the responsibility for paying. Believe me it makes all the difference, just a John or a Mandy does the trick.

[GWCS]

I add an extra £1 to every new customer now to include a stamped SAE - I ask how they want to pay.

BACS/Standing Order,  PAYPAL or via the post. If they say via the post i leave them a stamped SAE (well they have paid for it) If paypal they have paid for the charge (its never normally over £15).

If they want it collected i pass on having them as a customer, unless they leave it safe..

I just dont have time to return to collect money