I am a newbie and have the space to fill so am happy to get new customers. The van signwriting has been great, plus wfp is interesting for many people, so they stop and chat. I gained 1 yesterday, plus another I have to quote for. I reckon I am getting 3 or 4 a week.
On the downside i've just lost someone whom I only cleaned for once. I gave a quote and arranged a time for the first clean. The wife called me at 11am on the day of the clean and asks where was I - I was supposed to be there between 9 and 11. Anyway, she says, "Just leave it - we'll call you if we want you". I had nothing written down in my quote notebook about specific times (I rarely give specific times as you never know if you might miss) and as she was so angry and as she was recommended from a good custie I called her back after 10 mins and said I would be there in an hour and i'd clean them for free. This rather took the wind out of her sails but she agreed. I got there and she was out. The agreed first clean price was £40, anyway the husband says that he will pay, but £20, the price of the regular clean.
Annyyywwaaay, he calls this morning and says the clean I did was great but it's made him realise that he should be getting of his backside and be doing it himself and he'd like to cancel the regular clean!
I also lost one that I canvassed for on Sat and cleaned for on Monday. An old lady who seemed all there, but whose daughter called me and told me she has Alzheimer's and she's had a regular window cleaner for years. Mind you, he must be traditional and charging for glass only as the frames were filthy. I was very polite and said she can call me at any time if her Mum needs the frames doing and that it was no problem.
I canvassed on Saturday and gained 11 new custies so the loss of the odd one is no big deal.
On another subject, do you find people want less-regular cleans in the winter months? I'm worried my monthly's might drop to 8 weekly or even less and my takings will half. Thoughts?