[Lee Pryor]

I am looking to improve our cash flow.

I have seen another company that puts bar code stickers in peoples windows then scans them after their windows have been cleaned. the scanner then goes back to the office at the end of the day with all the data stored in it. they then up load that data and their computer system debits the customers bank account 2 weeks later.

This seems like a good method, does anybody else use this or something similar? and if so can you tell me where to find more info on it?

Thanks

[Ian Rochester]

I saw a company advertising it a long while ago, never heard anymore about it.

I'm sure it'll not be a cheap system to install or maintain.

[Londoner]

Keep it simple. Why do you have a cash flow problem? This business above all other businesses should be exempt from cash flow problems.

I just leave an envelope and ask them to send a cheque. If they don't play ball I drop them. I very rarely have more than £100 outstanding. Most cheques arrive within 2-3 days.

[Steve CM]

Keep it simple. Why do you have a cash flow problem? This business above all other businesses should be exempt from cash flow problems.

I just leave an envelope and ask them to send a cheque. If they don't play ball I drop them. I very rarely have more than £100 outstanding. Most cheques arrive within 2-3 days.

when you turn over a lot of money its easy to let the debt run away.

[seandyer2003]

Keep it simple. Why do you have a cash flow problem? This business above all other businesses should be exempt from cash flow problems.

I just leave an envelope and ask them to send a cheque. If they don't play ball I drop them. I very rarely have more than £100 outstanding. Most cheques arrive within 2-3 days.

IM gonna start bein much more strict with this i am always having to collect, but its hard to find people in, im gonna start leaving envelopes for all... I will leave off putting price up this year if they do as asked, if not i will bang price up for inconvenience of having to call back! I didnt mind collecting for a while but now its a burden It gets on my tits that i have to come back when its after work and i should be chiling at home, and the more work i pick up the worse its gonna be so i need to do something about it now.... see how it goes down!

[Blue Frog Systems]

Its about training your customers well. Ive started getting them to leave the money hidden / post a cheque / internet banking.

I too have got sick of collecting and am finding im spending more time collecting. I would speak to each customer and ask them what method of payment they prefer.

Explain that you cant collect anymore as it is taking up too much time each night and your not spending enough time with your family.

[seandyer2003]

too true, i have a 6 month old daughter and if i collect i dont get home till after her bed time and leave before she wakes so its not fun really!!!

Will sort it out soon

[brianbarber]

They either pay me on the day if they are in, or i leave a stamped addressed envelope, it works great,
when i started i was told by another window cleaner that collecting was a waste of space, and he gave me this great tip.

Mr B

[Small but perfectley formed]

If your customers use online banking , open a savings account but only allow money that people pay you go into it ,then once they have paid transfer money to your business account/current that way when you give people your details you dont need to worry to much about fraud because there is not much money if any to lose.

[seandyer2003]

didnt think they could do anything with sort code account no.?? THats what i was told when we collected direct debits for npower, that those details are harmless ??

[geefree]

I use internet banking now and 50% of my customers pay this way... most pay the same day, or the day after this way...

its the best move i have made... and the rest post cheques/or at the time of clean, cash at the door.

The other thing i do is leave them a slip...."your windows have been cleaned today" offering internet banking, with all my details, and an addressed envelope..(not stamped),....

and on the bottom of the slip i have recently added.. Please pay this within 3 days.what a response....its instant now.

Brilliant. !

[mike1986]

but if people pay by internet banking or direct debit, how can u tell which customer has paid? does the persons name show up wen u check whos paid? or is it just there account number? because ive got a few hundered customers, and i dont know most of there names.lol 

[seandyer2003]

they can put a short note, get them to make it there address

[mike1986]

Ah ok cheers. and does it matter if u are with different banks? sorry this is all new to me

[geefree]

All You do is , ask them to pay using their house number and postcode, then copy and paste into george.

[Davie T]

Not all banks will give the facility to put a reference on a payment via direct banking payment

[GWCS]

Not all banks will give the facility to put a reference on a payment via direct banking payment

then they can email you to let you know they have paid, so you can go check.