[daz1977]

was wondering after how many "not today thanks" do you dump a custy and replce them with a other

[Craig - CW Window Cleaning]

they get 3 chances with me then they get dumped...

[tony talbot]

depends on if your out canvasing, if you have lots of new work comming in you dump them pronto, but if times are a little slow you tend to hang onto them longer than you should

[Neil Williams]

They only get to pull that stunt twice then they're off the database.
There are some circumstances I will accept but plain stupid like.....It might rain or my dog isn't well doesn't go down well.
BTW the one about the dog isn't well did actually happen

[vacman]

Are you going regularly? Only i myself was guilty of "not today thanks" with my window cleaner, principly because he came when he felt like it and not the 4-week cycle he promised me. Because of this after about 6 or 7 weeks i'd do them myself and then sods law the guy would turn up a few days later. Also, as i didnt know when he was coming, i couldn't always get the garage clear for him to bring his ladders through to do the back.

I was suprised that he kept coming in fact, given the number of times i had to turn him away in the 4 years he came here. It was me who asked him to stop coming in the end as we went more than 3 months without seeing him at one point 

[Londoner]

Its more about the way that they do it. If my instinct is that they are playing up I just don't go back. I don't even say anything. As I have said in previous posts I am just in it for the money. No money= no customer.

[daz1977]

am pretty regular about every 4 weeks,  i have one custy that wants it every 2 weeks, but when i turn up he runs out the house to tell me not this week, so i dumped him  and when i next did his son he asked my why i havent been to his dad, so told him that i thought he didnt want it doing, he said he wants it doing as they are now getting dirty lol, they wouldnt be if he would let me clean them lol

[Mike #1]

dump custy pretty quick if messed about especially if i don't like doing house, although if house is a good earner and straight forward to do i give them the benefit of the doubt and hang on longer

[leapstallbuildings]

They only get to pull that stunt twice then they're off the database.
There are some circumstances I will accept but plain stupid like.....It might rain or my dog isn't well doesn't go down well.
BTW the one about the dog isn't well did actually happen

I had one a few weeks ago (in a corner plot) say not today because the next days weather forecast was for very heavy rain (it was a lovely afternoon when I was there).  It turned out to be true.  It cost me money as it was too late in the day to travel to alternative work. I wasn't sure whether to dump or not because I do three in a row.  I park outside the middle one and do all three from one stop so an OK earner.  Yesterday I had a call from the middle one cancelling as she has been made redundant.  It makes it easier now to dump the one in the corner plot.  I don't want customers who cancel a clean on the strength of a weather forecast - whether it proves correct or not.  So that's 2 x £20 jobs down the swanee.

[pingu]

Dump them if the work is a PITA, if you like/want the work...skip them

It is never nice being turned away but it's part of the job.  Personally I wuld charge them the full amount as per our 'Customer charter' flash wording for t&c's.

Cheers
Dave.

[AuRavelling79]

Generally my attitude is this: (but I have a full round)

If it's a "might rain" then immediate dump. No questions.
If it's a "don't need doing this time" then immediate dump. No questions.
If it's "I'm just going out and so I can't leave the gate unlocked" then immediate dump. No questions
If it's "My (lazy git of a) son is a sleep upstairs (at 11 am) so don't do them this time" then immediate dump. No questions

I haven't got any of these anymore ...

If it's "I've been made redundant/money's tight and I can't afford it this time" I'll suggest going to two months as I prefer regularity and knowing where I stand. But I'll be flexible especially if I like the custy.

But like Paul says above there may be exceptions - just can't think of any right now.

[simon knight]

Generally my attitude is this: (but I have a full round)

If it's a "might rain" then immediate dump. No questions.
If it's a "don't need doing this time" then immediate dump. No questions.
If it's "I'm just going out and so I can't leave the gate unlocked" then immediate dump. No questions
If it's "My (lazy git of a) son is a sleep upstairs (at 11 am) so don't do them this time" then immediate dump. No questions

I haven't got any of these anymore ...

If it's "I've been made redundant/money's tight and I can't afford it this time" I'll suggest going to two months as I prefer regularity and knowing where I stand. But I'll be flexible especially if I like the custy.

But like Paul says above there may be exceptions - just can't think of any right now.

Yes
Yes
Yes
and Yes to the 4 reasons to dump with no question.

Re the "I've been made redundant" or "money is tight" I always say:

Ok let's leave it until you're back on your feet.

Reason being that if in a few months time the customer still is out of work/money is tight chances are you're gonna get canned anyway.

[pingu]

Gold really has hit the nail on the head..when you have a full round...your are in a very different position to when you are starting...obvious conclusion I know....but I did not really understand how much so until about 2 weeks ago.

Just over 3 years now in the game and I was able to price 2 quotes this morning at prime rates and not feel that I should price to get the work...(not that I price low) but I did not need the work so my attitude is a little different...not arrogant but just more 'relaxed'....and got both jobs

Cheers
Dave.

[simon knight]

I think the thing with dumping customers is the relief. It's like pulling a splinter out: Hurts at the time but your finger then feels so much better.

[TonyD]

As a newbie, BUT being experienced in another similar business (car valeting/detailing)  I'm used to these type of customers too.  It's even worse when you have 5 x £30 mini valets booked or even worse 2 x £75 full valets and the customer only tells you when you turn up "ohh, sorry I need to go out, I'll call you and re-book ! " these are dumped straight away.

This past experience has given me a head start I feel when it comes to building my round and dealing with the issues discussed.  I know the value of not undervalueing and taking on PITA customers just to get work, but then realise the work isn't worth it and a pain and waste of time.  

So I'd say to anyone reading who is new to being self employed in window cleaning, don't undervalue yourself and under quote or put up with PITA customers JUST to fill your diary, better to build more slower if need be, and price what you think is a good earning from the start.   It'll be a lot better for you in the long term.  

So to any newbies like me reading, take something from the posts above and don't put up with excuses that are not deserving of the cancellation from the start, and leave that space in your diary free for a better customer, they will come along soon, hopefully  

[R W C]

As a newbie, BUT being experienced in another similar business (car valeting/detailing)  I'm used to these type of customers too.  It's even worse when you have 5 x £30 mini valets booked or even worse 2 x £75 full valets and the customer only tells you when you turn up "ohh, sorry I need to go out, I'll call you and re-book ! " these are dumped straight away.

This past experience has given me a head start I feel when it comes to building my round and dealing with the issues discussed.  I know the value of not undervalueing and taking on PITA customers just to get work, but then realise the work isn't worth it and a pain and waste of time.  

So I'd say to anyone reading who is new to being self employed in window cleaning, don't undervalue yourself and under quote or put up with PITA customers JUST to fill your diary, better to build more slower if need be, and price what you think is a good earning from the start.   It'll be a lot better for you in the long term.  

So to any newbies like me reading, take something from the posts above and don't put up with excuses that are not deserving of the cancellation from the start, and leave that space in your diary free for a better customer, they will come along soon, hopefully  

youll do well in this trade mate.

[martinsadie]

if you have plenty of work what does it matter just move on to the next house 

[leapstallbuildings]

Generally my attitude is this: (but I have a full round)

If it's a "might rain" then immediate dump. No questions.
If it's a "don't need doing this time" then immediate dump. No questions.
If it's "I'm just going out and so I can't leave the gate unlocked" then immediate dump. No questions
If it's "My (lazy git of a) son is a sleep upstairs (at 11 am) so don't do them this time" then immediate dump. No questions

I haven't got any of these anymore ...

If it's "I've been made redundant/money's tight and I can't afford it this time" I'll suggest going to two months as I prefer regularity and knowing where I stand. But I'll be flexible especially if I like the custy.

But like Paul says above there may be exceptions - just can't think of any right now.

Funny how it woprks isn't it?  I left this morning contemplating losing two £20ers and came home this afternoon with two new £14ers - without even looking for them.  OK, so not quite the same value but less windows than the £20ers.  Also, just wanted to add that I would naturally take the redundant person back onto the list if she gets a new job and wants to re-start the window cleaning.  I actually appreciated the fact that she took the trouble to phone rather than just waiting until I got there.

[Gleaming windows]

They only get to pull that stunt twice then they're off the database.
There are some circumstances I will accept but plain stupid like.....It might rain or my dog isn't well doesn't go down well.
BTW the one about the dog isn't well did actually happen

I had one where she said 'You always come when the dogs having its coat trimmed!' it was only the second visit.