Here’s the thing : some prospect customers, when they are paying a pre-agreed price, are only happy if they see "the help" working hard and taking a long time to do the job. They like to feel they're getting value for money by us running about. If the job is done in ten minutes with modern, professional equipment and techniques it can't be as good as if it takes twenty minutes the hard way with ladders, squeegees and cloths.
We had one this week. A new prospect next door to another new prospect. Both happened to ring us on the same day for quotes. Prices agreed. We did both at the same time. Then the elderly lady came out of one as we were about to go, asking if we were going to dry the windows? I told her no, the job was finished. She wasn't happy, paid me for that one clean but didn't want us to continue. That's a pity but it's no big deal. I wouldn't dream of telling a carpenter he's not allowed to use an electric drill, saw or screwdriver. Or telling a housewife she couldn't use a washing machine but instead would have to use a tin bath, scrubbing brush and washboard.
The other new customer phoned up later to say he was delighted with the result. It was his first time having wfp and he said he was a bit dubious when we drove off leaving the windows wet but when he saw how they dried lovely and clean and that all the frames and nooks and crannies had been washed out as we'd explained, he couldn't fault it. He said he looks forward to seeing us again.
Now, to my delight the lady next door will see the difference in the two houses every time she looks at the next door house. No traditional cleaner will ever get her windows to the standard I achieved with the wfp, quite impossible.
Then there's the operative to consider : For years I worked for contractors on pipelines and utilities. I worked with all sorts of people. Some few were a delight to work with. Numerous guys though, were not happy unless the jobs were being done the most bull-headed, awkward and difficult way, with beads of sweat dripping. I always held my ground and worked efficiently. I needed to as I was half the size and weight of most of them. I always kept my job even when some of the bulls were let go. Efficiency, professionalism and reliability was the thing that got me through some very worrying times of recession.
Now, I finally run my own business. I won't put myself at unnecessary risk to do an inferior job for the pleasure of a customer, nor will I make my work harder or slower than it needs to be and accept a lower income, for the same reason.
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I have customers who utilise this method, but it never clicked to provide the bags so that more customers could take advantage. Thanks mate! ??
