Ditch new customer?

[1393jason]

I went over and quoted a new customer yesterday afternoon and agreed with her partner a price for cleaning the windows.

I have this customer on the job sheet for the first clean tomorrow and have noticed she is still requesting quotes from others.

Do I ditch her now before I do the first clean or speak to them before cleaning or just crack on with it?

I quoted £11 and the other windie has quoted £8.

 

[Clisty1989]

Id go tomorrow, but dont be suprised if they cancel, if they do go ahead, even though your more expensive then your onto a potentially good thing

 

[Goodkingnige]

Why would you want to ditch her? She's entitled to get quotes - especially before she's had the first clean. Sounds like she's the sort of person who's seriously looking for a windy - and from her pov until you've done the first clean she doesn't know if a) you'll actually turn up and b) you'll do a good job.

 

[tench0771]

just crack on and clean it if she cancles then never go bk

 

[Hunty]

Are you concerned she is going to ditch you after the first clean if so maybe advise 1st clean double 3rd clean free, how do you know she is getting other quotes and they are cheaper?

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[1393jason]

Well nobody was in and I have been and done them. Let's wait and see what happens.

I am planning to start introducing a first clean fee

 

[Ajk]

Well nobody was in and I have been and done them. Let's wait and see what happens.
I am planning to start introducing a first clean fee

First clean fee is good cause there more dirt and it takes longer to clean why not charge few quid more for hard work then you would for a regular clean plus if shows you that the new customer wants a window cleaner

 

[Leeds]

Always charge extra first clean fee. That way even if they cancel, It's not so bad.

 

[Goodkingnige]

Or - I suppose you could charge upfront for first 3 cleans?

 

[1393jason]

How would you work out the first clean fee? Simply double to mkjthly amount? Or case by case depending on windows?

 

[Clisty1989]

If the windows arent too bad its an extra 50% the worse they get the more it is, had one when i first started that i should have charged 3x but in my inexperience didnt add a premium, 2 hours for a tenner! Now it works out at least 30 an hour. Did first clean and tiny conny roof yesterday for 65, was out there in an hour definatly worth charging more

 

[Williams Jet Wash]

I add a bit more very often did first cleans got new customer 9am clean today £30. 1st clean then £15 there after looked like they had never been cleaned poor access and bottom Windows attack have had dogs jumping up then the Windows and door are black with mud !

 

[Leeds]

Pretty much. Work out monthly fee, and then double it. In the case that they "I'm ditching my window cleaner for you, they've been cleaned regularly " then it would be x1.5 the normal fee.

 

[1393jason]

As expected customer cancelled this morning, stating that they had a cheaper quote elsewhere, lesson learned and will introduce the first clean fee on all quotes from now on.

 

[Clisty1989]

In this game it happens all the time, just take it as a learning point and move on. If she call you in a few months saying they havent done there windows either say no or put a crazy high price in on both 1st and maintenance cleans. If she then says yes, cancel on her

 

[1393jason]

I know, I am going to lose and gain customers all the time.

I have not set myself up as the cheapest around so I have factored in losing customers as part of my plan.

 

[adamangler]

Decide what prices you want and stick to it.

I posted an add on fb this morning and got 3 replies for quotes. Didn't get a single one of them.

It's often the case I only get 1 out of every 3 or 4 I quote on fb.

Low prices round here but it's worth holding out for the better quality customers because they do exist amongst the dross.

 

[Kennygggkent]

Always charge extra first clean fee. That way even if they cancel, It's not so bad.

double it up......I do

 

[adamangler]

I never double up simply because I don't have the volume of enquiries to risk the odds of securing their business even lower. You win some lose some but it's no big deal really.

 

[Kennygggkent]

I never double up simply because I don't have the volume of enquiries to risk the odds of securing their business even lower. You win some lose some but it's no big deal really.

Yeah doubling up is risky if you don't get the enquiries. I just hate...HATE..... getting a custy drop me after the first dirty clean! Worst thing ever

 

[adamangler]

Yeah doubling up is risky if you don't get the enquiries. I just hate...HATE..... getting a custy drop me after the first dirty clean! Worst thing ever

True. But when I quote someone £12 and they were expecting £6 and you can hear them gasping already telling them the first clean will be £24 seems far too ambitious lol