Excellent mate.
One thing I have been doing if they say they already have a window cleaner is that I’m not looking to take anyone’s work but you can pop it in the draw and one day you might need it. I’ve made it really clear that I’m not taking or stepping on anyone’s toes, although no doubt the local window cleaner might not see it that way lol.
I'm the same mate, I give a leaflet and say "if they ever let you down then get in touch". I won't undercut anyone, but if someone is doing a bad job I don't feel bad about taking a customer.
In the area in currently canvassing I actually thought they was telling lies when they said they already have a window cleaner because the frames and sills are that bad! But there is so many that are saying it, it must be true! I can’t believe what they are getting away with. This with wfp as well because I’ve asked… it is hard walking away without saying wow! Your getting ripped off.
Yea you get them. I had a customer tell me they weren't happy with their windows cleaner as he isn't doing the frames, I clean their neighbour and you could clearly see the difference. They asked me for a price and I was £2 more expensive every 4 weeks - never heard from them again and they still have dirty frames.
Madness!
You'll grow slightly slower, but you'll have much better customers, so it's not really a bad thing. Until recently I was taking any job I could, ended up with a fair few difficult customers. I needed the money so would put up with it. Some of them I have managed to mould into a good customer, others I'll have a word with and drop if I need to.
Having been an employed window cleaner in the past even though not my money I did feel the pain with the rubbish jobs and low paid jobs. One thing I have promised myself is I wouldn’t just take on ****! I want to enjoy my time out working, I want to work 6 hours a day and 4 days a week. Doing some extras on day 5 if needed. I’m sick of working all hours and weekends!
Absolutely the best work life balance I've ever had. I used to work in retail, then in a call centre for 111 and was doing late shifts pretty much exclusively. And although they both had their pros, it's really nice to be able read my kids a story and get them to bed in the evening.
All the ups and downs of building your business. As long as you remember the upside when you're on a bad run you'll get there.
If you can pick up 1 (or more) on a street and get some maybes, after a couple of cleans just stick a flyer or business card through their door to jog their memory
One new one I got today was next door to one I already do. I asked if it was a recommendation from next door and she said no. I then said oh was it from the flyer I posted through your door a few weeks back. She said no it was from a post I seen on Facebook ??.
Well done. It does seem that different areas need different approaches.
Sorry to hear that mate. Don't take it personally, just try to learn from every mistake you make. You'll get better and better at being self employed.
Ahh the wonder of knocking on doors "good afternoon I'm a local window cleaner in the area looking to expand my customer ba"slam goes the door I've even been told to f/off it prepares you for allsorts when you canvass it also takes you to near breaking point but don't give up I promise things get better the more you do it. 32 years down the line and a heap of experience it just doesn't get any easier very fortunately I have several staff and a full time canvassers as we expand. what advice can an old grumpy F77ker like me give you? SMILE always SMILE look them in the eye when you speak and be polite when they say no offer a leaflet and then bid them good day, loyalty is a fundamental part of window cleaning and some people won't move we still have our first customers but one day they might call. other than that canvassing is really ****, I loved it though because i was always one no away from a yes.
Yeah I’ve started to get less confident, it’s strange because I’m very confident and can talk anyone to sleep (so the mrs tells me) but the rejection is a bitter pill to swallow lol. I’ll be fine just got to slap myself across the face and crack on. ?
