Do you text your customers beforehand or just rock up?

[PJ Bullard]

How many of you operate a text service for your customers before you show up?

I've been doing this so far but I've been thinking that I might now start informing any new customers, via a letter I give them on their first clean, that I will be back in 4/6/8 weeks time. Im thinking I tell them the frequency in the letter and the week number it starts on and then, just rock up, do the job and leave a slip.

I've only been thinking this because a couple of customers have messed me about lately by texting me back once I've sent them the reminder and giving me reasons why they can't: i.e 'they're pretty clean at the moment, maybe next month' or 'I've had a lot of bills this month and can't afford it'.

Don't get me wrong 95% of my customers don't do this. I just want to eliminate the chances of this sort of thing happening again.

Your thoughts?

 

[Markyboy 50]

Just rock up. I've got about 10 that I text for access issues. I make it clear at the start that this isn't to give them a chance to skip a clean it's for me to get round the back.

 

[Nick pegler DWC]

I do text and call before hand if they so not this time I just book someone else in or if need be move bits and pieces to fit in other aspects eg pressure cleaning or gutters it is a bit of a pain but they are 99% are pleased I do inform them

 

[TolishAPurd]

I do everything I can to not text, and only ever text when I have no other choice.

 

[Eddie dragon]

Just rock up and crack on. Got about a dozen I text as gates are locked. I send a standard text. Hi Mrs brown or whatever, just a reminder that your windows are due for cleaning. Could you please leave your back gate unlocked tomorrow morning. Many thanks.

If no access issues, I tell them when quoting I just turn up and leave a card. Had no problems with any of the customers who won't texting. I meet all new customers and inform them how I work. Not how they like it how I work. Only failed to pick up two out of 60 quotes this year.

 

[Dave B]

Only failed to get 2 quotes means you are too cheap

Put your prices up a couple of quid lol

I used to make a point of texting now i only text access issues and the rest i just turn up

Forgot to text 1 last night to get the customer to sort the dogs out in the morning (his admin woman lets them back out when she gets there) and walked into the back garden and his 3 boxers went mental at me

They are lovely really but they don't like the pole

I swear one of them will eat it one day while my back is turned

 

[PJ Bullard]

Thanks guys, its good to hear what you think on this.

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

I always text.

'Not this month, cant afford it' 'They're still clean enough' Drop them as these are the clients that are messers and when the want a clean give a one off price as that's about all they ever really want.

'Sorry cant leave gate open I am away on hollidays'

No bother there as we take a break now and then and it saves you a wasted trip.

Using a text service will help weed out potential messers.

I would rather a text back saying no than drive to the property just to hear it.

 

[peter rogers]

i only text the ones who need to leave alley gates open etc that cant be climbed

but theres only 9 i text the rest just get invoice wen im finished

 

[chris clean]

Text all mine and as green says if they are a messer then its saved you a wasted trip. If they try saying not this time for whatever reason I say no problem but it will be more expensive next time as the windows will be dirtier. If they mess about twice there are plenty more customers to fill the slot and they are told I will not be cleaning your Windows again as I have other more reliable customers tjat can fill there slot

 

[David K]

1 that just likes to know , all other is only if theres acces issues .

 

[Solarpanelcleanington]

Just rock up and roll.

 

[Beccy]

Just rock up and roll.

This for me. Very rarely any problems and don't have access issues really on my round. A couple of posh ores have electric gates but they give me the code so I can get in if they're out /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Taxlossloz]

I agree totally with green

I text as many as poss ( although I do work alone on larger property )

Sorts out the good customers from the **** I don't want

I usually get ' great thanks can you also ...'

I do it all 6-8 week so nobody ever says don't bother this month

If they do they get dumped

( unless a valid reason )

 

[PJ Bullard]

Nice. Yeah like you guys say texting them first weeds out the timewasters and it also gives them the reminder to leave the cash in a safe place so you dont need to drive back to collect. The guy that taught me used to do this. He would do all of his jobs and write a little note for each one that wasn't in, then come back to collect. But I think thats awefully time consuming and I'd rather text them first, give them the heads up and say myself hassel later on.

 

[Dave B]

That's why 90% of mine pay online

No need to pre warn them just leave an invoice

 

[Diwrnach]

Text pretty much all my customers.

 

[adamangler]

I only text for access issues, or to leave cash out on the few that dont pay online.

Texting gives an opportunity for them to try to skip, most people wont turn you away to your face.

90% of my jobs i just turn up at some point during the week they are due and crack on, most are out which is a bonus.

 

[CHWS]

I honestly don't know how anyone could be ballixed texting all there customers the night before. I think I'd rather go out collecting than have to text so many people /emoticons/smile.png)

 

[adamangler]

Only needs one text though. All my customers are saved as a contact in my phone. Look at work sheet add a fee custies to text. Takes 2 mins. Feck texting them all though there's no need for that.

 

[Markyboy 50]

I only text a few. And I never go collecting. It all comes in in the end.