Perplexed new starter

[boarcity]

thats got me thinkin of Ray Mears, totally out of shape [ not as big as gerald] braggin how he stalked Raoul Moat , but decided not to capture him - yeh rite ray, i bet you never entered that wood you would have got shot in the eye by rambo and you know it

 

[Dave B]

Good book ryskviking

I have got it

 

[boarcity]

heres "gerald the legends" number - send him a text lads 07762648027

 

[Ryskviking]

thats got me thinkin of Ray Mears, totally out of shape [ not as big as gerald] braggin how he stalked Raoul Moat , but decided not to capture him - yeh rite ray, i bet you never entered that wood you would have got shot in the eye by rambo and you know it

Yes, Ray Mears and Chris Ryan. Heroes of their own right. Well, Ryan is a bit more real hero, but still... Calling Bear a fake? I will leave those boys to sort it out though, none of my business.

 

[Ryskviking]

Good book ryskvikingI have got it

Reading SAS chapters now - I need a few motivatinal thoughts for tomorrow. Not an SAS selection - but selection for a better life. I think it's as important to me as it was SAS to him. Or even more.

 

[boarcity]

did you see that vid where Ray mears fooked up that blokes brand new canoe by being clumsy with an axe .

 

[Ryskviking]

did you see that vid where Ray mears fooked up that blokes brand new canoe by being clumsy with an axe .

I am not interested in Ray - for some strange reasons I think he couldn't fight his way out of wet paper bag in real life. To choose between overweight clumsy wimpish Ray or a ripped SAS soldier Bear?

Give me a few days to come back with an answer...

P.S.

Not that Ray will ever read it - but I think I'm outright nasty talking behind the back of a man who doesn't have a chance to defend himself here. That's a quite undignified behaviour from me. Sorry, Ray - and I mean it.

 

[TolishAPurd]

I am not interested in Ray - for some strange reasons I think he couldn't fight his way out of wet paper bag in real life. To choose between overweight clumsy wimpish Ray or a ripped SAS soldier Bear?Give me a few days to come back with an answer...

P.S.

Not that Ray will ever read it - but I think I'm outright nasty talking behind the back of a man who doesn't have a chance to defend himself here. That's a quite undignified behaviour from me. Sorry, Ray - and I mean it.

Two sides to every argument mate. If I was stuck on a desert island with the option of ray or bear I'd choose ray. Bear would have you eat a 3 days dead fish and strain the liquid out of a horse **** for you to drink. ...whereas ray would rustle you up some freshly caught wild salmon, with fire baked bread, and a dash of saffron rice, washed down with a glass of pine needle tea and honey stolen from a load of angry bees. Bear can f**k off, I'm Rays ***** for life now.

 

[Ryskviking]

View attachment 3323

Two sides to every argument mate. If I was stuck on a desert island with the option of ray or bear I'd choose ray. Bear would have you eat a 3 days dead fish and strain the liquid out of a horse **** for you to drink. ...whereas ray would rustle you up some freshly caught wild salmon, with fire baked bread, and a dash of saffron rice, washed down with a glass of pine needle tea and honey stolen from a load of angry bees. Bear can f**k off, I'm Rays ***** for life now.

That's fine with me. You keep Ray - I keep all the screaming pretty girls whom I would inevitably meet while hanging out with Bear (as he doesn't need any of them being a faithful husband to Shara).

If a dead fish and horse pee is a price to pay for that - I am willing to oblige. Can catch up on eating gourmet while dining with some classy beauty. Thanks, Bear!

 

[Leeds]

I think you might be misunderstanding some of the comments here. I can't speak for everyone, but I think you'll find that when most people on here are talking about ditching the bad ones they are talking about the bad customers that pay late, mess you about by not opening gates, talk down to you, cancel you off for stupid reasons etc. These reasons are irrespective to a person's income or status. Often the customer can become a burden that ends up costing you money, or worst ...sleep. So one good perk of the job is to be able to get rid of this stress like you would a sore stomach; with one almighty fart... BANG, and the dirt is gone. /emoticons/biggrin.png

and the slight issue of, earning money is more crucial than having clean windows. If you drop a customer, they won't 'suffer'. if a customer drops you, then you will! No custy sits there years on thinking resentfully over that window cleaner that stopped doing their windows lol.

 

[Leeds]

View attachment 5281Yes, I have read Bear Grills' autobiography where he explained that during SAS selection course not those most physically fit got through - but who were most strong-minded and kept plodding regardless. And the list of his victories is quite long: old Etonian, black karate belt, SAS soldier, mended his spine broken in 3 places after parachuting accident in South Africa, climbed Everest after that, got through selection process of French Legion, got across North Atlantic in an open inflatable boat, has an outstandingly successful TV career, is a chief scout, major of marine commandos, has his own clothing line, sells and flies paragliders, is a motivational speaker and most likely a millionaire... And a husband to a beautiful wife and a father to a few great boys. And still looking quite unassuming and down to earth.

Hence - mind over matter.

Very inspiring, gentlemen.

And I am complaining about knocking on the doors with not much or not as much as I expected response?

Feeling ashamed now.

wife not fit. couldnt help it lol :laugh:

 

[TolishAPurd]

and the slight issue of, earning money is more crucial than having clean windows. If you drop a customer, they won't 'suffer'. if a customer drops you, then you will! No custy sits there years on thinking resentfully over that window cleaner that stopped doing their windows lol.

If you're getting rid of a custy for the reasons i mentioned above, then it will probably work out better for you in the long run. Its not about trying to make them feel bad, its about making things better for yourself.

 

[Leeds]

If you're getting rid of a custy for the reasons i mentioned above, then it will probably work out better for you in the long run. Its not about trying to make them feel bad, its about making things better for yourself.

Yeah exactly Tolish, I was replying to the OP. Customers getting dropped dont feel bad like we would if we got dropped by a customer. It means less expense for them. For us it means less income

 

[GEM CLEANING LTD]

If any body wants help with canvassing let me know as i have done it successfully for a long time...i am now having ago at what you boys do ...

 

[Ryskviking]

and the slight issue of, earning money is more crucial than having clean windows. If you drop a customer, they won't 'suffer'. if a customer drops you, then you will! No custy sits there years on thinking resentfully over that window cleaner that stopped doing their windows lol.

I'm not trying to come across holier than anybody else here, but I think our window cleaning business is a direct reflection of our outlook and mentality.

Yes, if to look at it from the point of view of it being a money making machine - then you are probably right. Sleek it down to the best and most expensive customers - and then drop the rest.

I am not fanatical about clinging to customers who are outright nasty or not paying. But somehow all of my current customers are nice (some are even very nice/pretty), so it doesn't seem I will be needing to drop anyone any soon.

People here are saying to eventually drop those under £10. Call me altruistic - but I firmly believe that one of my roles in my life is to take care of others. We won't always win money wise, but the point still stands true - giving is happier than receiving.

Haven't you even been treated by someone in your life just as a mere subject, as if you were just a means to an end? How did it feel? People are intelligent - most of them will understand why you stopped coming to clean their windows or might ask you when they see you next time, and if they are low paying customers - they are probably living in more modest accommodation and most likely of lesser means. I think they had too many reminders in their lives of being underdogs, and I'm not going to be yet another reason for them to feel that way over again.

Not everything in life is money. Love for each other is what makes us human, and if that means combining business with charity - I am happy to oblige. This is where I feel I belong.

 

[Ryskviking]

View attachment 3441

wife not fit. couldnt help it lol :laugh:

Shara is a very sweet and committed woman, was with Bear since he was penniless and unknown. She is not a model - but beaty is a combined expression of looks and inner heart. Give me this kind of a girl over any self-obsessed strikingly gorgeous woman. Any day!

 

[adamangler]

I'm not trying to come across holier than anybody else here, but I think our window cleaning business is a direct reflection of our outlook and mentality.
Yes, if to look at it from the point of view of it being a money making machine - then you are probably right. Sleek it down to the best and most expensive customers - and then drop the rest.

I am not fanatical about clinging to customers who are outright nasty or not paying. But somehow all of my current customers are nice (some are even very nice/pretty), so it doesn't seem I will be needing to drop anyone any soon.

People here are saying to eventually drop those under £10. Call me altruistic - but I firmly believe that one of my roles in my life is to take care of others. We won't always win money wise, but the point still stands true - giving is happier than receiving.

Haven't you even been treated by someone in your life just as a mere subject, as if you were just a means to an end? How did it feel? People are intelligent - most of them will understand why you stopped coming to clean their windows or might ask you when they see you next time, and if they are low paying customers - they are probably living in more modest accommodation and most likely of lesser means. I think they had too many reminders in their lives of being underdogs, and I'm not going to be yet another reason for them to feel that way over again.

Not everything in life is money. Love for each other is what makes us human, and if that means combining business with charity - I am happy to oblige. This is where I feel I belong.

love the sentiment, but im in this game to make as much money as possible enjoy life to the max, whilst having the freedom that comes with not being chained to a 9-5 to live life on my terms.

honestly if i wanted to be charitable id give money to good causes.

unfortunately customers are just money, that doesnt mean i wont enjoy a chat or a cuppa but im not there for the sake of it, im there to make money

 

[Ryskviking]

I start seeing your point, gentlemen. I'm very loyal to my customers, but they start testing my loyalty.

When you are starting from scratch - you tend to compromise on some things. For instance - not charge your new customers double price for your first clean. I have some clients living in newly built houses in some area where construction work is ongoing, so their windows are jolly dirty with some serious crust of dirt, spider web/nests and what's not.

Obviously takes time to clean. Then you come next time and they pull a surprised face to see you cleaning again - "oh, we don't need them cleaned now, we'll call you back [3 years later] when we need them cleaned".

Really? I thought we agreed to clean them every 4 weeks. Felt quite angry.

Thinking now whether I should do their windows next time or just tell them to forget it. I doubt other window cleaners will be keen on dealing with them either.

Having said that - it took me no more than 30 minutes (with doing/undoing ladders etc), so that's £10 in 30 min. Probably should not be too uppity and leave them door open.

Otherwise I'm inching toward my financial goals. Lots of canvassing, my knuckles hurt from knocking - but it's all good.

Still haven't decided whether to keep on doing windows traditionally or switch to WFP. I'm a bit of a snob - doing with WFP makes you look more professional and more safe as you don't have to climb the ladder.

Besides, WFP guys says you basically double your income if you switch from traditional to WFP.

I wonder how true this statement is? Anyone here who made a transition from traditional to WFP with this sort of increase of income?

 

[Mark Foster]

Hi

I would like some advice on canvassing a new round. Am probably just being really thick but I cant figure how to start a new thread?

 

[Dave B]

Just quoted 2 jobs

Another £59 a month trad lol

Mark you need to get some business card (you can start without them but i get new custys to hand them to friends/family)

Then you pick a few roads right on your doorstep and knock every door

Then next day you knock the next nearest roads and work outwards until you have enough work

If you find nothing that close then when you do get a good response somewhere target that area

Simple as that really

Canvass 1 day if you get a few do them next day latest..don't let them cool off

Once you get a bit of work clean for the day and then canvass for an hour when you finish and just keep going

It sounds daunting but once you have knocked a few doors you will think nothing of it

Google whizzbizz as he has some very good advice on how to approach potential customers at the door

Hope this helps

 

[SPCleaning]

Yes, many window cleaners once get going drop such properties as they are too "inconvenient" to do. I don't see them as properties, I see them as people who need my service. Loyalty is key.

Don't get confused and mistake these people as your friends, or go overboard with being loyal. They won't in the most part be loyal back. You can't grow your business if you are holding on to customers for ever and if it is all too friendly you will feel awkward putting up prices or charging for those 'just jobs'.

I see them all as clients, they come and go.