[paul beckett]

ever been to give a quote for some window cleaning,before you gave her the quote, she says she knows loads of people who need a window cleaner, so i went home got some more flyers and buisness cards stapled to them and hand delivered them to her. after 6 weeks nothin at all what a waste of time,all she wanted was a lower quote, what people will do to save a couple of quid. i would value them much more if they were just straight to the point. has anyone had people like this, IDIOTS

[gary999]

its called self interest...most of us can be accused of that

lesson learned you wont fall for that line again

[AJ]

You can't pay the mortgage with promises.
Get the new work then you can drop the price if possible, but not before.
Got bitten loads when starting out. Not no more!

[Ian Lancaster]

Next time someone tries to pull that one, offer an incentive for AFTER they've got you some more work.

e.g.: Quote your normal price, then say you'll give a discount on the first clean of (say) 10% for each extra job she gets you - if she gets you ten, she gets her first clean for free

[ZaNo]

Yeah happend to me, I said ill do your house for x amount which was well under priced because she said if i do then she'll get me 2 of her neigbours, sweet i thought, untill today i says what happenin then they ready for me yet, Oh i think they are happy with the current W/C and hes abit cheaper, what a B17ch!!

[GWCS]

First clean is double the regular, 4th clean is free.

or just double the first clean.

or price per hour on the first clean, and encourage insides too - they will be amazed how clean they look and may ask you to do the insides regularly, but on a less frequency than exterior..

If they "offer" friends, then give the recommender free cleans after they have had "3" and paid for the cleans.

Dont drop prices to get a job unless your desperate!

[Steve CM]

i got promised 28 hotels from a large national chain. i was new to the game. young and silly and i took a mans word as gospel.

leason learned never count your chickens until contracts are signed

[Clive McDonald]

What was your forfeit? or did he just get your hopes up?

[cozy]

First clean is double the regular, 4th clean is free.

or just double the first clean.

or price per hour on the first clean, and encourage insides too - they will be amazed how clean they look and may ask you to do the insides regularly, but on a less frequency than exterior..

If they "offer" friends, then give the recommender free cleans after they have had "3" and paid for the cleans.

Dont drop prices to get a job unless your desperate!

Spot on, I tried that, 3rd clean free but you can lose track, stops the (just 1 clean brigade).

[seandyer2003]

i got promised 28 hotels from a large national chain. i was new to the game. young and silly and i took a mans word as gospel.

leason learned never count your chickens until contracts are signed

Very true, big contracts will promise extra work for a cheaper quote etc. Always say you will arrange a discount as and when the work comes, but until it materializes your company prices everything on individual standpoint, mostly the extra work never turns up

[windowswashed]

Customers lie at times. How many say they'll let you know when they're moving if their house is up for sale? I always make a note if a house is up for sale. When I next visit, if the sale sign has disappeared there's a good chance the customer has as well.

[alanwilson]

I would never ever believe a word of promise from a customer.

give me the work before I discount - end of.

I'm too busy to take on more work anyway.

[perfectpanesplymouth]

If they "offer" friends, then give the recommender free cleans after they have had "3" and paid for the cleans.


this is the offer i have on at the moment but it is a nightmare keeping up

[sparklebright]

I almost fell for a trick like that a while ago, I'm ashamed to say.

'We run 10 houses in our property businesss' Blah Blah.
Then they asked me to price a job which I did for a little below standard price.

Then they asked to price a biggish job.
I gave them the price and they said 'Well, tell you what, you come down at 6 on Friday and get started and we'll be there just after and can talk about it'

No don't think so 

Like the idea of a discount for recommendations though...

[simp]

I offer new custys a one off half price clean per recommendation. I have found that even though my price may be a little higher than a fellow w/c the new custy usually goes for it.
I dont offer this deal to the big houses as they dont seem to be bothered about saving a few quid, just want a good job. Plus on the larger jobs it would grieve me to spend ages there for 50%.
This method has served me well up to now