Another cheapskate story

[Davit]

Think I'm going to have to change my terms...  think I'll be saying that I charge £35 an hour but then quote / invoice a "good will" price instead - which is valid as long as it's paid within 7 days

Might be best not to overcomplicate it, some customers seem to struggle to understand the price even when it's simple and spelled out for them.

 

[Dino]

There is a degree of skill involved. It's not over complicated for sure. But have a think on what's actually involved. :

Dealing successfully with the different types of customers 

Cleaning techniques 

Equipment maintenance and repairs 

Water processing and the maintenance and repair of that equipment. 

Round management 

Managing accounts 

Managing insurances 

Managing tax

It's not over complicated but imagine if we had to pay for equipment maintenance and repairs for a start. 

Not every man in the street would be able to do it. 

Not every man in the street would have the drive and motivation to do what we do 

And don't forget the £35 per hour is a long way from all profit. 

I'm proud of what we do and it's given me the best lifestyle and the most freedom I've ever had. I can finally get stuck in without bosses or, as was more often the case, small minded work colleagues holding me back. ??

Amen to all this.  I have a university degree and worked as a professional for years.  Having started this I am now enjoying the freedom of having no boss and having the interest in driving my own business.  Rather than being an over educated pencil pusher.  This is a great industry to be in.  It gives you a chance to be your own man.  Wished Id done this a lot sooner.

 

[Davy G]

Amen to all this.  I have a university degree and worked as a professional for years.  Having started this I am now enjoying the freedom of having no boss and having the interest in driving my own business.  Rather than being an over educated pencil pusher.  This is a great industry to be in.  It gives you a chance to be your own man.  Wished Id done this a lot sooner.

Hallelujah brother! Wish I'd started years ago too. I'm not religious but, hey? It's nice to appreciate when we've taken a chance and made it work. ?

 

[phillip]

Got to post this 

This has happend twice, got to laugh and put it down to experience. 

Ethnic/curry asked to quote cleaning gutters out, access really difficult with glass con gullies running along side of con and extension, also to clean glass con roof all fascia frames garage doors on a 5 bed house double garage with a huge extension on the rear in a posh area. 

What would be your cheapest price?

And I will tell you what these crazy dudes said.

It's in Newcastle.

Mind you she even said to me why do people quote and then let us down. I told her straight.

Cos your a greedy fxxxxr ! Only kidding, i had to bite my tongue.

I said, They are quoting to get the job, not to do the job. As they need the work.

So glad I do not have to grovel to people like this. As they are nightmares and take advantage of the inexperienced.

I nearly trapped her head in the gate by mistake on the way out.

Oopppsss.

Oh no offence intended as I like currys.

 

[Davy G]

Got to post this 

This has happend twice, got to laugh and put it down to experience. 

Ethnic/curry asked to quote cleaning gutters out, access really difficult with glass con gullies running along side of con and extension, also to clean glass con roof all fascia frames garage doors on a 5 bed house double garage with a huge extension on the rear in a posh area. 

What would be your cheapest price?

And I will tell you what these crazy dudes said.

It's in Newcastle.

Mind you she even said to me why do people quote and then let us down. I told her straight.

Cos your a greedy fxxxxr ! Only kidding, i had to bite my tongue.

I said, They are quoting to get the job, not to do the job. As they need the work.

So glad I do not have to grovel to people like this. As they are nightmares and take advantage of the inexperienced.

I nearly trapped her head in the gate by mistake on the way out.

Oopppsss.

Oh no offence intended as I like currys.

I like curry too but I don't tend to give curry makers the time of day as a rule these days. "Sorry my round is full" is my usual retort. Their way of thinking is most often very different to ours. Fair play to both parties is not in their mindset. I rarely see a well maintained, ie painted and fresh looking property of theirs, for instance, as they don't like paying for the work. 

Dad did work for them in the sixties and on one occasion when he wasn't getting paid after repeat visits, all of a sudden, after repeatedly instructing him with extras not priced for, "Mr Tom, can you just", He knocked on the door. When she answered he walked in without a word, accompanied by our big, confident and reliable German Shepherd. He sat on the sofa while she protested. "Mr Tom, what you do me husband not in!" He said "That's ok, we'll wait". Husband came downstairs after a few minutes and paid up. 

 

[Iron Giant]

Got to post this 

This has happend twice, got to laugh and put it down to experience. 

Ethnic/curry asked to quote cleaning gutters out, access really difficult with glass con gullies running along side of con and extension, also to clean glass con roof all fascia frames garage doors on a 5 bed house double garage with a huge extension on the rear in a posh area. 

What would be your cheapest price?

And I will tell you what these crazy dudes said.

It's in Newcastle.

Mind you she even said to me why do people quote and then let us down. I told her straight.

Cos your a greedy fxxxxr ! Only kidding, i had to bite my tongue.

I said, They are quoting to get the job, not to do the job. As they need the work.

So glad I do not have to grovel to people like this. As they are nightmares and take advantage of the inexperienced.

I nearly trapped her head in the gate by mistake on the way out.

Oopppsss.

Oh no offence intended as I like currys.

And you seemed such a decent lad when I met you ?

 

[mike007]

I like curry too but I don't tend to give curry makers the time of day as a rule these days. "Sorry my round is full" is my usual retort. Their way of thinking is most often very different to ours. Fair play to both parties is not in their mindset. I rarely see a well maintained, ie painted and fresh looking property of theirs, for instance, as they don't like paying for the work. 

Dad did work for them in the sixties and on one occasion when he wasn't getting paid after repeat visits, all of a sudden, after repeatedly instructing him with extras not priced for, "Mr Tom, can you just", He knocked on the door. When she answered he walked in without a word, accompanied by our big, confident and reliable German Shepherd. He sat on the sofa while she protested. "Mr Tom, what you do me husband not in!" He said "That's ok, we'll wait". Husband came downstairs after a few minutes and paid up. 

Somebody on here mentioned before different races having different ways. These you mention have been brought up to "bargain and Haggle" and to try and get one over on the other party. Have heard many similar stories and also suffered once first hand myself...learnt my lesson and dropped her from my round, and yes she tried to pester me to resume cleaning her house....like to think it was because of the great job I do ........but think really was because other windies had same problems with the woman trying to get extra work done without extra payment.

 

[Dino]

I don't know what race has got to do with it.  I have met cheapskates of all colour, creed and persuasion.  If you are canny and haggle there are deals to be had.  What bargain is struck between those parties is between them.  Some of the worst free loaders I have met have been fish and chip eating white folk.  Perhaps if these white folk ate curry it might make them more effective at getting a bargain?  Agreed culture comes into it.  But not much.  If your a div and pay full price for something and could have got it for half price, that's your own look out.

In my experience in West Yorkshire, most of the hard working tax payers are Indian or pakistani who own small businesses.  Most of the free loaders I have worked for in West Yorkshire are lazy and white and live in 4 bedroom social housing that is paid for on housing benefits.  Takes all sorts I guess.

Typical door knock in Castleford would be white guy in 4 bed council house 'can you do my house for £5'  You go to Leeds and Bradford and some of the best customers are well educated Indians who love keeping their house tidy and well presented.  Admittedly the muslim demographic is harder to crack but if you get accepted then word of mouth will drive your business faster than anywhere else as community is much more cohesive with a clear hierarchy in a muslim community.

Don't be a mug just because you can't navigate stupid sterotypes.  Business is business no matter what food you eat or god you pray too.

 

[steve garwood]

I work in mainly affluent areas and have several Indian customers who are business owners and they have all been fine.

One of them owns a chain of doctors surgeries and, rather bizarrely, every time I clean his windows, he gives me a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky.

I cannot stand the stuff ?

 

[Davit]

every time I clean his windows, he gives me a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky.

And I thought I was doing well to get a cup of tea ?

 

[Part Timer]

rather bizarrely, every time I clean his windows, he gives me a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky.

It,Whisky, is a very very popular drink in India. 

 

[Davy G]

I don't know what race has got to do with it.  I have met cheapskates of all colour, creed and persuasion.  If you are canny and haggle there are deals to be had.  What bargain is struck between those parties is between them.  Some of the worst free loaders I have met have been fish and chip eating white folk.  Perhaps if these white folk ate curry it might make them more effective at getting a bargain?  Agreed culture comes into it.  But not much.  If your a div and pay full price for something and could have got it for half price, that's your own look out.

In my experience in West Yorkshire, most of the hard working tax payers are Indian or pakistani who own small businesses.  Most of the free loaders I have worked for in West Yorkshire are lazy and white and live in 4 bedroom social housing that is paid for on housing benefits.  Takes all sorts I guess.

Typical door knock in Castleford would be white guy in 4 bed council house 'can you do my house for £5'  You go to Leeds and Bradford and some of the best customers are well educated Indians who love keeping their house tidy and well presented.  Admittedly the muslim demographic is harder to crack but if you get accepted then word of mouth will drive your business faster than anywhere else as community is much more cohesive with a clear hierarchy in a muslim community.

Don't be a mug just because you can't navigate stupid sterotypes.  Business is business no matter what food you eat or god you pray too.

Personally, I'm nobody's  mug. I don't necessarily  judge people as stereotypes full stop, I assess by past experience, that is where I draw my honest opinion from. Over several years I have developed and learnt to trust my gut feelings and my ability to read most (not all for sure) people, like an open book. 

Haggling is not in my nature. If I think a price is fair to both parties that's the price I will pay or accept. In fact on the rare occasions I go to a car boot sale I will usually round up the price of a purchase slightly to help the seller have a better day. I've traded from vans on the side of the road and know the value of small kindnesses. I'm not prepared to waste my time on other people's methods such as haggling, I've more important things to do with my life.

My experience is real, my observations are honest and true to that experience.  I can't comment on other people's experience or their areas, or how they view different ethnicity. ?

 

[Dino]

Personally, I'm nobody's  mug. I don't necessarily  judge people as stereotypes full stop, I assess by past experience, that is where I draw my honest opinion from. Over several years I have developed and learnt to trust my gut feelings and my ability to read most (not all for sure) people, like an open book. 

Haggling is not in my nature. If I think a price is fair to both parties that's the price I will pay or accept. In fact on the rare occasions I go to a car boot sale I will usually round up the price of a purchase slightly to help the seller have a better day. I've traded from vans on the side of the road and know the value of small kindnesses. I'm not prepared to waste my time on other people's methods such as haggling, I've more important things to do with my life.

My experience is real, my observations are honest and true to that experience.  I can't comment on other people's experience or their areas, or how they view different ethnicity. ?

Fair play.  Was not a direct poke at you or anyone else directly.  I know we all have different experiences.  I should have worded it differently.

 

[Davy G]

Fair play.  Was not a direct poke at you or anyone else directly.  I know we all have different experiences.  I should have worded it differently.

Fair play to you too. I think we're all pretty much on the same side on here. We're going to have different experiences and different opinions based on them. 

I think though, basically we try to help each other. That's the main thing. 

 I've certainly learnt a lot from folk on here. ??

 

[Tango]

are you guys just starting out?...sounds like your  "messer" magnets at present......you need to exude an air of confidence and act like you dont care whether you get the job or not(i genuinely dont!),set out your stall from the off(frequency,price,payment method or a one off job)

i would not be happy to receive £10 for an agreed £20 job and would phone them up straight away,it might just be a misunderstanding or maybe you ve done a bad job?have you contacted them?

Think i must be the magnet lol.

As for the £10.. turned out to be another clients cheque i had paid in and forgot about lol. The client i thought had cheated me actually paid the full £20 by bacs 2 days after the clean. I am a prat. Don't know how on earth i forgot about the cheque, i had it burning in my wallet for weeks before paying it in.

 

[Tango]

 Over several years I have developed and learnt to trust my gut feelings and my ability to read most (not all for sure) people, like an open book. 

Ever since a kid i've read peoples character straight away based on two things:

1) Face

2) Name

Faces are a dead giveaway to me - especially someones eyes. I have a manager at my weekend job who has a pleasant enough face but her eyes show contempt in her personality and remind me of my grandmother.

Names I'm not going into as i don't want to wind up anyone lol but there's names I get on with and names i don't. No idea why but certain character types seem to relate to certain names and i've noticed it repeatedly over the years.

 

[Davy G]

Think i must be the magnet lol.

As for the £10.. turned out to be another clients cheque i had paid in and forgot about lol. The client i thought had cheated me actually paid the full £20 by bacs 2 days after the clean. I am a prat. Don't know how on earth i forgot about the cheque, i had it burning in my wallet for weeks before paying it in.

Ha! Ha! Sounds like something I'd do. You got it sorted though. ? 

 

[Dino]

Think i must be the magnet lol.

As for the £10.. turned out to be another clients cheque i had paid in and forgot about lol. The client i thought had cheated me actually paid the full £20 by bacs 2 days after the clean. I am a prat. Don't know how on earth i forgot about the cheque, i had it burning in my wallet for weeks before paying it in.

If it makes you feel any better.  I put a letter through someones door after she never responded to three of my text reminders asking for payment.  The letter was basically a blag with small claims.  She texted me within the hour and told me she had paid me like a week earlier using her partners name for reference!!  I felt bad but she didn't reference it properly.  Luckily the customer had a sense of humour and stayed on my books.  I felt a complete tool.

 

[Tango]

Good job my invoices say 7 days lol... gives me a bit of thinking time at least... Also states to use the first line of the address as reference - that seems to have worked rather well as my old invoices were getting "windows" for the reference quite a lot lol. Thankfully in those early days it didn't matter too much..

 

[Dino]

Good job my invoices say 7 days lol... gives me a bit of thinking time at least... Also states to use the first line of the address as reference - that seems to have worked rather well as my old invoices were getting "windows" for the reference quite a lot lol. Thankfully in those early days it didn't matter too much..

Aye.  Mind also instruct to use address as reference.  They still put windows or surname lol!

 

[scottish cleaning service]

It might be classed as unskilled starting a wfp business to trad and the general public but its a skill to get the £20k to invest in it. I'm well over that sum now and feel i'm only just beginning my business because i can now clean 4th story flats. The opportunities over trad is vast when one crosses over to wfp and that's where the money is, that's what i have found out in my first month.