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Price Increases Beware

Poles Apart

Well-known member
Messages
1,666
Location
Birmingham
So we are in economic boom times so the Government would have you believe? Don't be fooled by this a lot of people haven't had a pay rise in 5 years and some have had pay cuts, additionally child benefit and tax credits have been frozen for 4 years when you take the increase in the cost of living into account that's a cut. Fuel is down but the ridiculous week on week rise in that over the last few years means it's probably just at the level it should be. I was thinking of increasing prices as haven't put them up in 2 years but is this wise? Next year 13 million people get effected by cuts in tax credits a benefit that tops up earnings for people on lower earnings including most window cleaners, you can just imagine the list being drawn up around the family dining tables up and down the land with the words 'well that will have to go' being spoken, is the window cleaner in for the chop and is it time for complacency?

 
So long as you keep the increases small I.e £1or so, there shouldn't be a problem. Any loss in custom should be covered by the other folk who are paying more. And then it just means you have more room to take on new customers, who will also be paying the new going rate.

A window cleaner around here has everyone conditioned to know that there will be a minimal price increase every year. He's still in business and thriving.

It's up to you how you run your business, but I'm seeing too many people on here selling themselves short lately.

 
It really shouldnt be a problem to raise the price a bit, your overheads rise too. Over here its common known that any business price increase every year, usually in january and about 1-2%

 
I'm sort of talking not pennyless families who couldn't afford a window cleaner anyway, I'm talking working families with mortgages who will always put a holiday first and other priorities. Remarkably you could earn up to £50,000 and still claim the tax credit and child element, window cleaners aren't whiter than white when it comes to declaring cash work just like anyone else so they were beneficiaries of this benefit it's gonna be an interesting time that's for sure.

 
Don't always think you know how affluent or poor someone is. The amount of people I've worked for that are tight as a ducks ****, and always pleading poverty, who then go on to get a 30 grand extension put on there house.

 
I am not flash but not skint either

You wouldn't know my financial situation if you didn't know what i do for a living

You can't judge a book by it's cover

I know really flash people who have it all on the never never and are into the credit cards for stupid amounts and i also know very affluent people who you wouldn't think had 2 pennies to rub together to look at

 
I am not flash but not skint eitherYou wouldn't know my financial situation if you didn't know what i do for a living

You can't judge a book by it's cover

I know really flash people who have it all on the never never and are into the credit cards for stupid amounts and i also know very affluent people who you wouldn't think had 2 pennies to rub together to look at
Exactly^.

 
iv been jacking many[ but not all] my prices up this year,mostly by 2 quid . iv had more cancel who were still paying 2010 prices than the ones who i have increased .

 
It's also worth noting that from 01.11.2015 the Government have increased the IPT rate (Insurance Premium Tax), so the costs of everyone's insurance will increase slightly from thereon in. It's nothing to do with our industry (insurance providers), its a state controlled tax that we are obliged to collect.

The current rate is 6% and the new rate will be 9.5% so this might be worth factoring in to any prices you charge your customers.

 
I am not flash but not skint eitherYou wouldn't know my financial situation if you didn't know what i do for a living

You can't judge a book by it's cover

I know really flash people who have it all on the never never and are into the credit cards for stupid amounts and i also know very affluent people who you wouldn't think had 2 pennies to rub together to look at
I'll never forget the day my dad walked into Currys years ago when I was maybe 8ish and asked about TVs, he had just been out running and was wearing crappy trainers and shorts, the guy in the shop showed him some low end TVs etc, he told the guy to show him the best they had and he started saying how expensive it was and they could do finance etc etc, he soon shut up when my dad pulled a roll of 20s out his sock and paid cash.

My dad (who I never lived with or had much to dom with, haven't seen him in 10 years) always had a **** car, small house, **** clothes, tight as a ducks **** but was loaded.

 
It's about competition too

How much would someone else charge for what you offer? But then there is the trust and reliability you have built up with your customers

You weigh it all up then stick a quid or two on when it's time

 
It's also worth noting that from 01.11.2015 the Government have increased the IPT rate (Insurance Premium Tax), so the costs of everyone's insurance will increase slightly from thereon in. It's nothing to do with our industry (insurance providers), its a state controlled tax that we are obliged to collect.
The current rate is 6% and the new rate will be 9.5% so this might be worth factoring in to any prices you charge your customers.
ta for that...didnt know...but my insurance is due just after but...now ...may buy earlier...ta.../emoticons/biggrin.png

 
I think if your going to put it up make it worth doing I haven't put prices up in two years but this year ive been putting some on off them up to 2-3 quid and in some cases a fiver you will surprised what you can get away with...of course this doesn't apply to everyone .just word it right

 
I have done a £2 increase on most of my round one block of flats up £10 and one job £5 no cancel as yet ? funny about some people I had a job I also clean next door they were pleading poverty all lockdown saying not a pot to **** in or a window to throw it out then cancelled as lockdown finished saying there window cleaner who does there commercial premises will incorporate there house etc as money was short I thought fair enough then they had new driveway electric gates new office garage conversion i was like ffs ??
 
I have done a £2 increase on most of my round one block of flats up £10 and one job £5 no cancel as yet ? funny about some people I had a job I also clean next door they were pleading poverty all lockdown saying not a pot to **** in or a window to throw it out then cancelled as lockdown finished saying there window cleaner who does there commercial premises will incorporate there house etc as money was short I thought fair enough then they had new driveway electric gates new office garage conversion i was like ffs ??
Always remember, No Loyalty in Window Cleaning full stop. Once you have this in your bones then you will do okay. I bent over backwards for folk when I started and still they cancelled. Took many years to realise that they want it and will pay for it or not, its as simple as that. My time is too precious now so asking the messers to set up SO or they can get someone else, just too busy now. ?
 
Always remember, No Loyalty in Window Cleaning full stop. Once you have this in your bones then you will do okay. I bent over backwards for folk when I started and still they cancelled. Took many years to realise that they want it and will pay for it or not, its as simple as that. My time is too precious now so asking the messers to set up SO or they can get someone else, just too busy now. ?

I don’t agree. As I may have said before , I could give you a list of all my customers, and I bet you’d only get a handful of them.
If your friendly, reliable and do a good job , most customers will stick with you. ??
 
Always remember, No Loyalty in Window Cleaning full stop. Once you have this in your bones then you will do okay. I bent over backwards for folk when I started and still they cancelled. Took many years to realise that they want it and will pay for it or not, its as simple as that. My time is too precious now so asking the messers to set up SO or they can get someone else, just too busy now. ?
There's precious little loyalty anywhere these days and I'm far less inclined to go the extra mile nowadays because of all the people that just want to take advantage of you, given the chance....but there are still decent people about who do appreciate a good job being done. I always want to do a good job anyway but when they throw in a £50 or £100 tip it's a nice touch
 
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