Newbies here...disappointing start at canvassing advice please

[adamangler]

The area you have described sounds like the areas i see in my dreams...then i wake up to the reality of every window gleaming and shiners everywhere!

best of luck mate, sounds like youve struck gold

 

[windowsurfer]

well done for getting started, all the best, sounds like you have found a good wee bit, just keep your prices good:thumbsup:

 

[Dave B]

I had a few estates like that in london and were some of the best places i did

Normal working class council bods tend to pay promptly and not mess about..maybe because they live more hand to mouth they see the importance of getting paid..I'm sure @boarcity will agree as he does estates

On the flip side i did big drums on the bishops avenue (millionaires row) and very hard to get your money..houses worth millions and no one wants to cough up

I quoted a woman and her parents next door yesterday

Nice houses

The dad works filming for tv all over the world and was trying to haggle me down a fiver while the bentley is sitting on the driveway

Says it all really

 

[Jimbo]

Fantastic thanks for this, will keep this in mind looks like I've got pretty much everything covered then, phone numbers for access first clean price, regular price our collection date if they are not in on the clean day and also the date we will be coming around. Leaflet dropped homes that weren't in and got a response within 10 minutes off setting off home, will keep canvassing in that area until I come accross some clean windows /emoticons/smile.png

Grand so. Now bloody well get on with it ! /emoticons/wink.png

 

[Taxlossloz]

Fantastic thanks for this, will keep this in mind looks like I've got pretty much everything covered then, phone numbers for access first clean price, regular price our collection date if they are not in on the clean day and also the date we will be coming around. Leaflet dropped homes that weren't in and got a response within 10 minutes off setting off home, will keep canvassing in that area until I come accross some clean windows /emoticons/smile.png

Personally I DO like to text customers day before and let them know - why would you be worried they are going to cancel ? That tells you something is wrong ... If your getting it right then you get a text back saying 'great see you tommorow - and please can you do inside , clean gutters, trim ivy etc.'

 

[Jimbo]

I had a few estates like that in london and were some of the best places i didNormal working class council bods tend to pay promptly and not mess about..maybe because they live more hand to mouth they see the importance of getting paid..I'm sure @boarcity will agree as he does estates

On the flip side i did big drums on the bishops avenue (millionaires row) and very hard to get your money..houses worth millions and no one wants to cough up

I quoted a woman and her parents next door yesterday

Nice houses

The dad works filming for tv all over the world and was trying to haggle me down a fiver while the bentley is sitting on the driveway

Says it all really

Indeed Davey. Walk into what used to be some Battersea oiks mid terrace house 30 odd years ago ( and now worth 2 - 3 million) and you find yourself trying not only to understand their accent but WHY they are haggling over a fiver. Yes Mr.Cameron.....it's looking EXCEEDINGLY good.

 

[CMRwindowcleaning]

Personally I DO like to text customers day before and let them know - why would you be worried they are going to cancel ? That tells you something is wrong ... If your getting it right then you get a text back saying 'great see you tommorow - and please can you do inside , clean gutters, trim ivy etc.'

Texting the night before ads in more work when I'm home I'm home I like to detach a little. sometimes you really can't control how customers are going to be. I have got customers that I txt but usually the bigger jobs. If it's on a road of 15 houses and one says o no sorry I'm away or dogs just died or I'm washing my hair that day... or worse they forget to leave gate open or something then it just gets annoying especially if they txt you begging you to come back the week after or something. Id rather organise a side gate key or clean front only or whatever. Each to their own it does have its benefits texting especially as they usually leave the money and you know your getting paid that day.

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

It takes two minutes to send a generic text to customers, the benefits are several, if they leave your cash in a 'safe spot' it will be there, if there is a gate that needs to be open then it most likely will be, should they forget to leave the gate unlocked then you can do the fronts and charge full price as you have taken every reasonable action to help them to make your life easier, they are the ones that forgot why should you be penalized after all you time is of the same value, your diesel cost the same to get their and home so I always text the night before.

 

[CMRwindowcleaning]

For me not texting has just as many benefits if not more you will never have to worry about gates not being unlocked you don't have to txt anyone the customer doesn't have to remember to do anything they don't have to pay the full amount for only the front being cleaned. Personally for me it's the best route not to say that I don't txt or call any of my customers because I do but 90% I don't. I think the best service is one the customer doesn't have to do anything apart from put their feet up. they want their windows cleaned And I like to make it as simple for them as possible I'll turn up clean the windows and all you have to do is either give me the cash before I leave or pay me transfer when They get home from work.

 

[sparkey74]

It takes two minutes to send a generic text to customers, the benefits are several, if they leave your cash in a 'safe spot' it will be there, if there is a gate that needs to be open then it most likely will be, should they forget to leave the gate unlocked then you can do the fronts and charge full price as you have taken every reasonable action to help them to make your life easier, they are the ones that forgot why should you be penalized after all you time is of the same value, your diesel cost the same to get their and home so I always text the night before.

And you think your customers will be happy over 2-3 months of this?

Me thinks, NOPE? Then you have to chitter chatter & another explaining things.

If you have a phone number? Great.

But do not mess about texting/phoning people until after you have cleaned & then basic explanation/payment info.

Time is money, simple as & above all customer happiness is priority.

Hope this helps from a simple traditional window cleaner.

 

[Dave B]

Around here there are a lot of locked gates etc and i no longer vault gates like a young un

I don't have any not this times even though i text the night before as they know that means not ever unless it's a proper reason like on holiday so not around to open gate etc

I have a good rapport with most of my customers and they like the fact i let them know when i am coming

Then they leave payment out or pay me in the bank during the day so i don't have to worry about collecting

Why would you want to not let them know and then have to fight with gates etc?

My customers are happy with this after over a year back on the glass

Some i have had for about 14 years and always have let them know I'm coming..

 

[CMRwindowcleaning]

A lot of mine aren't locked and the ones that are I have either got a key or they leave the key under a door mat or plant pot. For me it's just easier I can get home from work go gym and do whatever I need to do rather than think **** I have to txt my customers now. If they are on holiday then they still get done and I won't have to worry about them not being able to open the gate ect as I'll already have that base covered...it just gives me the freedom to come and go when I please basically for example if you send out a txt and then wake up in the morning and it's chucking it down you will have to send another txt explaining why you didn't turn up and that you will be round the day after and then if it rains again the next day it's another txt. My point is if you don't have to txt then why would you? Personally find it better to turn up and if there not in just leave a calling card with my banking details or address to send a cheque. Not slating anyone though each to there own!

 

[Tuffers]

How do you lot handle this one? A text the night before and get a reply 11am the next morning asking to leave this time but come next time. I don't have a FU in my repertoire as I'm too soft.

 

[Dave B]

I don't text everyone ..just the ones with access issues

That 1 tuffers i would have said sorry already on my way..

 

[CMRwindowcleaning]

I'd politely ask why and explain I don't really miss cleans as the price agreed is for that particular frequency id say it's fine for this time but would prefer if they would stick to the schedule from now on.

 

[boarcity]

in the long run its best to never text . iv a few who have been customers years who i never had any problem ,suddenly put padlocks on their gates for security and NOW require a text to remind them to unlock. even tho they pay properly theyre going to be dropped off as fresh work forces something to go .

i always block anybodys number who i drop, saves any aggro

 

[TolishAPurd]

I'd politely ask why and explain I don't really miss cleans as the price agreed is for that particular frequency id say it's fine for this time but would prefer if they would stick to the schedule from now on.

^Thats a very good way to word it,I'll use that if I ever get a problem. Never been much of an issue, but I always run late, so they are desperate. /emoticons/biggrin.png

I was going to make a new thread about changing circumstances like you are mentioning @boarcity. A custy of mine, hes no bother, but decides hes going to stick a small shed partially blocking 1 downstairs window,and making life very difficult on the one above it. What do? lol

 

[Dave B]

Get a wfp for the upstairs one then

Never thought I'd hear myself say that a few months ago

 

[boarcity]

^Thats a very good way to word it,I'll use that if I ever get a problem. Never been much of an issue, but I always run late, so they are desperate. /emoticons/biggrin.png
I was going to make a new thread about changing circumstances like you are mentioning @boarcity. A custy of mine, hes no bother, but decides hes going to stick a small shed partially blocking 1 downstairs window,and making life very difficult on the one above it. What do? lol

when u gotta go, u gotta go.

 

[TolishAPurd]

when u gotta go, u gotta go.

Take a dump in it?:/emoticons/ohmy.png:

 

[boarcity]

actually i bleve many customers are relieved when i stop coming. theyve a breather from the pressure of coughing up money and can look around after a while for somebody new

its same as if you go to the cinema every week ,at first you loved it , suddenly one day you cant face going in , that guy who sells popcorn hates you and you know it .