Does anyone use Osha

[Osha]

So to be clear Louise, you have a customer in my area there are 4 partners for that postcode is it first come first serve does everyone get a text at the same time?And where do I find a link on your pricing as it is fixed?

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Hi Hunty,

You are correct, if there are 4 partners covering the same postcode areas they will all be contacted at the same time. The first company that replies to accept the job will be allocated and the full details passed over.

We are currently in the process of pulling together a pricing list that can be shared more widely on our website, however, in the meantime please email us at [email protected] and we will reply with the pricing structure.

All the best Louise

 

[Deleted member 257]

Can't see the problem don't know why you lot objectingIt adds overheads so drives up prices - which is good for me as sole trader as they can't compete with me

But if it works for the guy starting up with no work - fine

And it provides work for the company - fine

Just because somebody is sat behind a computer doesn't mean they don't deserve a wedge

Personally I'd rather be at the brush end

But you are assuming the prices are going to be higher than what an 'independent' shiner would charge... Which won't necessarily be the case...

And I don't see what the customer is gaining? They can already pay me safely online, they can have a one off, or ask for them to be cleaned at a specific time, but they'll pay a premium for it... Just the same as one of these companies will charge...

 

[Goodkingnige]

I've just looked at this - I don't see anything fundamentally wrong with it. Presumably, the way it works is that they price the job a little bit higher than you'd price it yourself - then offer it to their "partners". So, if you have a £20 house, they'd price it at (say) £22. Customer pays them £22, they pay you £20 and they get to keep the £2.

Depending on how the contracts are drawn up I can see advantages for the windy - I assume the headache of chasing the customer for payment lies with them for example? On the downside, the quotes are based on the customers own assessment of their property.

I could see myself working with someone operating this business model - ie I'd carry on doing what I do - canvassing and counting, then passing the information to Osha to put the property up on their list for their partners.

 

[iconicfranchise.co.uk]

I posted the following on another forum to Osha... Never got a reply... Personally I cant see it working long term.

---

Hi Mark & Louise

I've just watched your YouTube video...

Your USP seems to be that the customer doesn't have the hassle of having to find cash to pay the window cleaner..?

We have over 500 customers and only about 20% pay with cash these days... Others pay by bank transfer, direct debit, or card.

So I'm not sure that you're USP is going to work - as most people these days pay electronically - and most window cleaners these days accept various forms of payment not just cash?

Also... How are you going to make any money?

Example... Customer contacts you to have their windows cleaned... It's a £15 job... You spend time sourcing the window cleaner, spend time arranging the clean, and spend time processing the payment - how much of the £15 will you take for your time spent?

Also ... What if you arrange a clean and the window cleaner never turns up, or does a bad job? It's your company name tarnished...

And... What if a window cleaner does a job for you and then just takes on the customer direct for all future cleans?

I wish you the best - but there are so so many reasons why this idea won't work.

Andy

 

[Goodkingnige]

I’ve found and read that forum thread you’re talking about Andy – and I think that you’re right. Couple of chancers (!) – well, let’s be generous – they probably had a bit too much of the vino and genuinely thought they had a good idea (is it just me, or do they remind anyone else of the posh couple on Gogglebox? Or is it more the “I’m not drunk” family in the Fast Show?). I’m not overly surprised they got accolades from some businessy types who are far more interested in innovation than practicalities.

But – there’s still the germ of an idea in there.

What I mean is, something similar to what I was saying elsewhere on this forum.

My problem (as a canvasser) is matching my canvassing to the needs of the window cleaner – and your problem (I assume, correct me if I'm wrong) is matching your needs as a window cleaner to what the canvasser comes up with. My other problem is as a canvass team leader – getting my canvassers to stop giving jaw-droppingly low prices just to get that bit of paper in their pocket.

Where I think osha falls down in particular is in having the customer self-assess their property – first, because they’ll get it wrong; and second because no customer can be bothered with doing that. But what Osha are stumbling towards might work – well, I could see it working for me anyway.

What I mean is – I’d (by I - I mean I and/or my team) go out and canvass in an area but instead of pricing the jobs I’d just ASSESS the jobs: how many windows of each type, the type of property (full access/limited access), the area (high end, council); specific limitations (has to be wfp where ladders are not going to work) etc – and get the customer details.

Then notify the local windy’s of what it is I’ve got – allowing them to pick the ones they want and quote for the jobs. They should be able to quote without visiting the property. As a rule I’ve found most windy’s are charging pretty much the same as each other within an area so it doesn’t really matter which one takes it on. (Well, it doesn’t matter to me anyway).

I know I’ve been criticised for not being a windy myself but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to work with you (the collective you) to find a solution to the age old problem (and no, I’m not going to get my squeegee out just for the experience! I did offer elsewhere on these forums to go along for a day or two but I’m glad the person who suggested it didn’t take me up on it). In previous incarnations I've been, among other things, a computer systems designer - without ever having worked in the industry I've designed the systems for; what matters most is communication between you (the user) and me (the system designer).

What I (and my team) do really well is go out and find people who have an interest in products and services (not just window cleaning – we’re tarts, we’ll canvass for anything). What you do best is clean windows. Finding a good way to work together has to be worth the effort to come up with a workable solution that suits everyone – notwithstanding (mom – he’s using long words again!) the occasional golden find of a canvasser who suits you perfectly.

I’m moving towards that model of working in my home area. That is – speculative canvassing, then call on the windy’s I’ve got contacts with and ask them if they want any of it.

 

[Leeds]

I’ve found and read that forum thread you’re talking about Andy – and I think that you’re right. Couple of chancers (!) – well, let’s be generous – they probably had a bit too much of the vino and genuinely thought they had a good idea (is it just me, or do they remind anyone else of the posh couple on Gogglebox? Or is it more the “I’m not drunk” family in the Fast Show?). I’m not overly surprised they got accolades from some businessy types who are far more interested in innovation than practicalities.
But – there’s still the germ of an idea in there.

What I mean is, something similar to what I was saying elsewhere on this forum.

My problem (as a canvasser) is matching my canvassing to the needs of the window cleaner – and your problem (I assume, correct me if I'm wrong) is matching your needs as a window cleaner to what the canvasser comes up with. My other problem is as a canvass team leader – getting my canvassers to stop giving jaw-droppingly low prices just to get that bit of paper in their pocket.

Where I think osha falls down in particular is in having the customer self-assess their property – first, because they’ll get it wrong; and second because no customer can be bothered with doing that. But what Osha are stumbling towards might work – well, I could see it working for me anyway.

What I mean is – I’d (by I - I mean I and/or my team) go out and canvass in an area but instead of pricing the jobs I’d just ASSESS the jobs: how many windows of each type, the type of property (full access/limited access), the area (high end, council); specific limitations (has to be wfp where ladders are not going to work) etc – and get the customer details.

Then notify the local windy’s of what it is I’ve got – allowing them to pick the ones they want and quote for the jobs. They should be able to quote without visiting the property. As a rule I’ve found most windy’s are charging pretty much the same as each other within an area so it doesn’t really matter which one takes it on. (Well, it doesn’t matter to me anyway).

I know I’ve been criticised for not being a windy myself but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to work with you (the collective you) to find a solution to the age old problem (and no, I’m not going to get my squeegee out just for the experience! I did offer elsewhere on these forums to go along for a day or two but I’m glad the person who suggested it didn’t take me up on it). In previous incarnations I've been, among other things, a computer systems designer - without ever having worked in the industry I've designed the systems for; what matters most is communication between you (the user) and me (the system designer).

What I (and my team) do really well is go out and find people who have an interest in products and services (not just window cleaning – we’re tarts, we’ll canvass for anything). What you do best is clean windows. Finding a good way to work together has to be worth the effort to come up with a workable solution that suits everyone – notwithstanding (mom – he’s using long words again!) the occasional golden find of a canvasser who suits you perfectly.

I’m moving towards that model of working in my home area. That is – speculative canvassing, then call on the windy’s I’ve got contacts with and ask them if they want any of it.

Could work

 

[Woody]

This may work so long as they don't become reverse auctions sites like shiply.com or anyvan.com did for the 'man with a van' industry where drivers have to keep entering lower and lower bids to get the jobs. These sites don't care who gets the job, they get around £6 per booking so it doesn't affect them. They still get their cut.

Drivers have to cut their prices to the bone to get the jobs. Hence there's no money left for reinvesting in the business, so they drive tatty old vans and work all the hours that god sends just to scratch a living.

I'd hate this industry to go that way.

 

[Leeds]

That's why it is important to use profits to re-invest into your business. Separate your self from scrim n ladder jonno. Believe it or not, people do want to pay more for professionals.

Something would twig if they're getting people willing to clean their 5 bed house for £7. They wouldnt want it. They wouldn't trust it.

See this service involves trusting a stranger to be around your property regularly (often) without you being there. I would be willing to pay more for a uniformed worker with a sign written van, insured, professional. Heck I'd pay double than what tracksuit n vest chav man would charge.

So there'll always be a market for higher end service providers in this industry. And there's commercial.

 

[Goodkingnige]

Good point Meridion - and something I admit I've paid too little attention to. I should really be doing a bit more vetting on the windy's that I'm offering the jobs to if I do go down this route.