[windows_chepstow]

I downloaded Wavie Davies Standing Order form a few months back, numptyised it to suit my needs, checked with my bank to make sure it would work and have now recruited about fifteen customers to pay by standing order.

Ensure you use the first line of their address and surname for a Reference on the form.

It's been a success.  They all pay me on the 1st of the month (actually, I filled in the form for the money to be credited to me on the 1st; but for some reason all the payments were received on the 5th of this month - don't know why - does anyone know?)

I clean them, put a receipt through their door and forget about them.

One customer on my answer phone (who owes me money and wants a standing order form) says something about 'it's good that window cleaning has caught up with the electronic payment age'.

I know it's only fifteen customers, so far, but it's fifteen less I've got to call for a payment.  On my bills I highlight a 'Why not pay by standing order?  Ask me how this works?'  And come warmer evenings when we're more 'chatty'; I'll be actively harrassing my customers to pay by standing order.

I tried posting self-addressed envelopes, but it didn't work for me.

I clean once per calander month, and receive one payment per calandar month.

And if I couldn't clean a house - I'd refund them back in cash.

I'd thoroughly recommend this system; particularly for decent customers that you just can't catch in, or are rubbish at sending cheques - but don't mind paying!

[rosskesava]

We aim for a 4 weekly cleaning cycle but often due to outside factors it can be 5 or 6 or like this winter even more.

Personally, all I can see is a muddle looming by using standing orders.

We either collect cash or cheque at the time or we put an SAE plus stamp with a pre printed letter including the cost through the letter box.

In nearly 3 years (I think - doesn't time go quick) we've only had one problem and I doubt if that person would have agreed to a standing order.

Having said that, some on this forum swear by it but for us it's a case of 'if it ain't broken and so on' but I can see the value of standing orders for our commercial work as often we have to wait to get paid not because the owners don't want to pay, but because they are sometimes very busy people.

Cheers

Ross

[Ian Rochester]

Up here in the back of beyond, where an evenings collecting can amount to a round trip of 50 miles plus, we have adopted the card through the door which basically says, your windows have been cleaned, you owe this much, send a cheque to: or pay via BACS to this account.

Only started at the beginning of March and so far it is working VERY well, get cheques through the post every day and BACS payments coming through all the time, though had two so far that have only given their name and not address line...I don't remember names, only addresses.

[rosskesava]

Hi Lionheart

I do the same. Forget the name but remember the address.

I always keep intending to write the address on the back of the SAE but I'm always so eager to get on that I think I'll know who it is by the amount and then I get cheque a few days later and have to work out who it is from.

[s.hughes]

I always put a number at the back of the envelope and put this on my paperwork. When the envelope comes through I cross it off as paid. Works for me. I dont go out collecting much these days, only the really local customer, all the rest comes through in cheque or payment on the day. I dont put a stamp on it if the price hasnt increased over the past year. I think that other ways of payment will come in over the coming years, it could be that we will all carry credit card payment readers or something. At least we wont be short of change.

[matt]

on my slip it says

your windows have been cleaned today

can you either send a cheque to : BLAH BLAH
or pay online at : BLAH BLAH

or we will catch you next time


i let it run for 3 cleans then insist they send a cheque

[windows_chepstow]

Personally, all I can see is a muddle looming by using standing orders.

Ross,

It's really simple.  On Wavie Davies standing order form there's a Reference.  You fill it in using the first line of your customers address and name if you want.  For example '8 Oak Field Ave/Simpkin'. 

Use an on-line banking system if you want an 'up-to-the-minute' sight of your account.

On your bank statements, your account will be credited using the reference you have used.

I take all payments on the first of the month, and clean them at some stage during that calander month.  One clean per month, per payment!

As long as you keep to your end of the bargin, clean them to a good standard and once a month, it pretty much guarantees you a good, consistent customer.

[Simon Carter]

Ok presumably until you don't make it for whatever reason. Sounds like a system that would put a lot of pressure on a one man band window cleaner working at pretty near full capacity. A few really horrible days weather, ill health, or the van off the road & what then?

[rosskesava]

Hi Tosh

What I meant by I can see a muddle coming is that we aim for a 4 weekly cycle and set rounds on each day but 4 weeks can become 5 or 6 and the rounds on each day constantly change mainly due to the weather and contract work.

I can see myself getting muddled as payment would be made every 4 weeks and this time we may clean their windows in 5 weeks time and then maybe 6 weeks after that. So we could end up doing their windows 1, 2 , 3 or 4 weeks after they've paid us to do it.

Then I'd have to drive round refunding money.

I think the idea is a great one where the 4 weekly cycle can be gauranteed but with us and my ability to get confused, I think I'd end up tearing my hair out.

Cheers

Ross

[Simon Carter]

Here's a thought. Tell the customer that the standing order is for twelve visits in the year, but because of the weather etc. it is possible that they may only get ten or eleven. When you leave a 'windows cleaned today' note, highlight how many visits they have had throughout the year on the basis that you will make good any discrepency at the end of the year. Do it at Christmas & some may say keep it as a Xmas box. More admin. it's true, but at least it avoids having to collect.

[rosskesava]

That idea has serious potential.

Maybe quite not in that way but non the less, there is a great idea within that somewhere.

Ross

[windows_chepstow]

Ok presumably until you don't make it for whatever reason. Sounds like a system that would put a lot of pressure on a one man band window cleaner working at pretty near full capacity. A few really horrible days weather, ill health, or the van off the road & what then?

If that happens, draw the cash out of your bank (it's already been paid in), stick a letter of explanation into an envelope with the cash, and post it through the missed customer's letter box.

Previous to this system, many of my cleans would run-over the original specified period, but now we're more disciplined and earning more money because of it!  It may force you to work the odd Saturday too!

I'd keep it simple, one clean per calerdar month.  February might be a problem (short month and short daylight hours, crappy weather, so mabye we'll do a six day a week month then).  Or one clean every other month (just half the amount for the standing order).

We're pretty much spot on at the minute; and aim to get a a day ahead of ourselves by Saturday!

So you're more disciplined, work more productively earning money, and less collecting.

Why not target those customers that you might consider dropping because it's hard to get the catch them in, get them to post cheques (but are otherwise decent customers), or those accounts awkward to travel too?

[The Bear]

Tosh,

This may sound like a silly question, when the customer has filled in the SO form and handed it back, do you send it to their bank or yours??

[Duke]

it goes to your own, doesn't it Tosh ?....sorry to butt in.....

[windows_chepstow]

Tosh,

This may sound like a silly question, when the customer has filled in the SO form and handed it back, do you send it to their bank or yours??

It goes to THEIR bank, not yours.  It's basically an instruction by your customer to their bank to credit your account a set amount each month.

I may fill out the form with the customer and send it off myself (to their bank); just for my own peace of mind.  I know it's done, but you could leave it with the customer to do; just fill the bits in relevant to yourself.

To 'sell' it to your customer (in this day of banking fraud), you can also tell them that it's NOT the same as a Direct Debit.  You have NO control over increasing the amount taken (unlike a Direct Debit - which you need to fulfill a certain criteria to be able to use).  You do not get anymore of their bank details that what you would have if they paid by cheque.

Give 'em a bit more waffle along the lines of, 'I'll receive payment for each month on the first, and then clean your windows sometime during that month.  I'll leave a note, saying I've been so you can check your windows and mark off my clean on your calender.  That way, you can keep track and we're both straight with each other'.

When filling out the form, unless the customer has an excellent memory, ask them to bring their cheque book.  The sort code, account number, account name and (usually) the bank's address will be on the cheque.

The customer can cancell at anytime, usually in writting; but also by telephone banking; as long as THEY give their bank four days notice.

Try it with one customer and see how it goes.

[Duke]

hmm..well that's cleared that up then...

[windows_chepstow]

Sorry, Duke.  I think it's all that 'Rum, Bum and Baccy', you had while serving in the Royal Navy.  It's muddled your mind!

[Duke]

ahh, the good ol' days...

[The Bear]

Thanks Tosh,

I've just finished my own form.

As i call every 6 weeks i've made the SO last untill dec 06, that way i can say you will have 14 visits untill it expires.

if their house costs £10 thats £140 divided by 20 months = £7.00 per month.

Then in jan we change the price.

Simple,

The Bear