whats your top 10 reasons for sacking a customer?

[scottish cleaning service]

I have probably sacked off, sold on or gave away 100 customers in the last 12 months lol

I have to clean gutters tomorrow morning £150 because the house is worth £500k. Friday i have 2 new customers to first clean but their houses are worth £450k. I now price my cleans on the value of their house. Doesn't really matter how many windows they have, unless there is a conservatory. I have now noticed that Trust is the top of my customer's agenda. One house I do has a new £60k merc on the driveway and it doesn't seem to move. I tip toe my way around it, everytime I do their windows. I am noticing that I now want the cream of window cleaning because I don't seem to get any hassle especially with payment. fwiw

 

[Wind o kleen]

I have to clean gutters tomorrow morning £150 because the house is worth £500k. Friday i have 2 new customers to first clean but their houses are worth £450k. I now price my cleans on the value of their house. Doesn't really matter how many windows they have, unless there is a conservatory. I have now noticed that Trust is the top of my customer's agenda. One house I do has a new £60k merc on the driveway and it doesn't seem to move. I tip toe my way around it, everytime I do their windows. I am noticing that I now want the cream of window cleaning because I don't seem to get any hassle especially with payment. fwiw

Because the house is worth 500k ?? you have to charge £150 

I always seem to have a little giggle when reading some of your stuff,

I think it’s the way you put it across 

 

[Den]

I have to clean gutters tomorrow morning £150 because the house is worth £500k. Friday i have 2 new customers to first clean but their houses are worth £450k. I now price my cleans on the value of their house. Doesn't really matter how many windows they have, unless there is a conservatory. I have now noticed that Trust is the top of my customer's agenda. One house I do has a new £60k merc on the driveway and it doesn't seem to move. I tip toe my way around it, everytime I do their windows. I am noticing that I now want the cream of window cleaning because I don't seem to get any hassle especially with payment. fwiw

We only done 10 houses today the least expensive £80000 the most expensive approx £1.8 million not sure what that as to do with sacking customers off ? on the clients drive is a black Lamborghini, some extra special Porsche and a Range Rover still not sure how that’s related to sacking clients ? just to add I didn’t do any gutters though ?

Seriously Even though the above Is true, Tomorrow we are cleaning approx 30 smaller properties between us and will still be earning more than the million ponds properties in my experience doing the mansions and big flash manors don’t necessary mean you will earn more in one day far from it. 

 

[dmw]

I have to clean gutters tomorrow morning £150 because the house is worth £500k. Friday i have 2 new customers to first clean but their houses are worth £450k. I now price my cleans on the value of their house. Doesn't really matter how many windows they have, unless there is a conservatory. I have now noticed that Trust is the top of my customer's agenda. One house I do has a new £60k merc on the driveway and it doesn't seem to move. I tip toe my way around it, everytime I do their windows. I am noticing that I now want the cream of window cleaning because I don't seem to get any hassle especially with payment. fwiw

I'm a bit old fashioned and  give them a fair price for the work involved, over my many years in this game some of the most wealthy (not all) have also been the tightest.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

We only done 10 houses today the least expensive £80000 the most expensive approx £1.8 million not sure what that as to do with sacking customers off ? on the clients drive is a black Lamborghini, some extra special Porsche and a Range Rover still not sure how that’s related to sacking clients ? just to add I didn’t do any gutters though ?

Seriously Even though the above Is true, Tomorrow we are cleaning approx 30 smaller properties between us and will still be earning more than the million ponds properties in my experience doing the mansions and big flash manors don’t necessary mean you will earn more in one day far from it. 

Someone told me I have a mind like an algorithm whatever that is. Anyway, I have came to the conclusion that 300k to 500k houses are the best to clean. Like you say, the mansions are just money pits and more hassle than they are worth. So now I have changed focus and my optimum target is 3,4 and 5 bed detached houses and the odd semi thrown in. 

 

[Den]

Mix and match that’s what I say there Is no right and wrong, charge accordingly stop over thinking things probably why you only have 100 clients within two years of trading that is not a dig just a observation. 

 

[scottish cleaning service]

Like I say, I have a memory like an elephant. I'm a constant reader so when I joined two years ago I read many of the old posts. Then I begun quickly seeing patterns emerging with procedures. Folk who were doing well had well defined procedures of work patterns. Gocardless was one of those well defined procedures for collecting cash which I believe is one of the best, the other being squeegee planner. Last week an older chap from Yorkshire called me to ask some questions. I was painting skirting at the time and was happy to oblige. He was a roofer by trade and was now involved in pvc cleaning and wanted to know how to get more customers. His biggest problem lay in not being or willing to clean windows. Most of my pvc customers come through my window cleaning customers or Checkatrade. The biggest positive in window cleaning is meeting your customers every month because we are there first port of call for anything else they need done. That's why I like collecting cash because you can tell them that they need their gutters cleared or a tile has slipped out. There's always method in my madness, that's why the old roofer called me, he said he has been reading all my posts on the QT.  

 

[Den]

Like I say, I have a memory like an elephant. I'm a constant reader so when I joined two years ago I read many of the old posts. Then I begun quickly seeing patterns emerging with procedures. Folk who were doing well had well defined procedures of work patterns. Gocardless was one of those well defined procedures for collecting cash which I believe is one of the best, the other being squeegee planner. Last week an older chap from Yorkshire called me to ask some questions. I was painting skirting at the time and was happy to oblige. He was a roofer by trade and was now involved in pvc cleaning and wanted to know how to get more customers. His biggest problem lay in not being or willing to clean windows. Most of my pvc customers come through my window cleaning customers or Checkatrade. The biggest positive in window cleaning is meeting your customers every month because we are there first port of call for anything else they need done. That's why I like collecting cash because you can tell them that they need their gutters cleared or a tile has slipped out. There's always method in my madness, that's why the old roofer called me, he said he has been reading all my posts on the QT.  

I can see that working for you as you don’t have many clients, but in my case pointing out work likes dirty gutters, cladding etc is the exact opposite to what I want ? as a matter of fact on a few occasions I have posted on here that I pass all extras onto another non window cleaner who only specialists in replace, repair and cleans all plastics gutters, facias cladding etc. 

Works perfect for me.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I can see that working for you as you don’t have many clients, but in my case pointing out work likes dirty gutters, cladding etc is the exact opposite to what I want ? as a matter of fact on a few occasions I have posted on here that I pass all extras onto another non window cleaner who only specialists in replace, repair and cleans all plastics gutters, facias cladding etc. 

Works perfect for me.

As they say :- what works for you, keep it simple, you are still helping your customers by arranging other workers. I see a big problem for me if I end up with 200 customers, I would have no time for add-ons. This could happen at the end of next year as I must be gaining 1 or 2 new customers a week now. I will probably take someone on to help me or run another van. watch this space!

 

[Bart90]

I dumped an old boy a couple of months back because of his constant talking.

I know that sounds heartless, but this was beyond a joke. From the moment we stepped out the van, he was over like a rocket and trying to get away was really difficult.

The worst of it was, the subject never varied. It was always about the poxy miniature trains he built. Boring beyond words

I'm with you on this Steve.  I've got some lovely customers and have some good chats/banter but 95% know your busy and limit it. I have a handful that drive me nuts as they seem to have no social awareness that you need to get on.  I've been pinned talking before now for 20 minutes solid, wasn't even a conversation, i was just listening!!!  ?  I don't think it's heartless to dump them, I think it's rude on their part to hold us up beyond what's reasonable.  If mine hadn't been on my books so long, I'd probably dump them but as it is I'll just use them as a harsh reminder every month to avoid future customers like that lol

In answer to the original thread, my favourite reasons for dumping are:-

Not today its raining (then it won't be tomorrow either my dear)

Rudeness

Skippers

And people that suddenly go weird about leaving you access and only want you to go when they're home

 

[BigFoot]

The not today it’s raining

non stop talkers ( I’ve even viewed online videos on how to end a conversation quickly but some are immune to it)

skippers

can you just do this while your at it it will only take a few minutes for no extra money.

dog **** ? 

rose bushes/ thorns near windows or on or on natural path of hose

slow payers

chancers 

Knobheads!

crazy nut job menopausals

and miserable people who suck the life out of you 

customers that tape signs to the windows every celebration 

better stop here already on twelve  ? 

 

[Iron Giant]

I once dropped a customer because she flipped her lid as I had the audacity to clean her windows on a Saturday morning! (Instead of Friday).

Sad really because her husband was a nice chap and always paid me  on time...... But know one wants a Wailing Banshee having a bloody go at them.

Should have tried a Sunday next clean ?

 

[Iron Giant]

customers that tape signs to the windows every celebration 

I really like those, miss out windows and charge the same price also I get finished quicker ?

 

[Part Timer]

The not today it’s raining

non stop talkers ( I’ve even viewed online videos on how to end a conversation quickly but some are immune to it)

skippers

can you just do this while your at it it will only take a few minutes for no extra money.

dog **** ? 

rose bushes/ thorns near windows or on or on natural path of hose

slow payers

chancers 

Knobheads!

crazy nut job menopausals

and miserable people who suck the life out of you 

customers that tape signs to the windows every celebration 

better stop here already on twelve  ? 

You've had your fair share of dodgy customers. Is there something in the water your way ?

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I did that gutter clear with the Vac and it took me 2hrs. What a pleasure working for someone who respects us. He just left the garage open and left me too it. Will probably get other work from him before he sells in the Spring. Will probably bodyswerve the problem customers from now on.

 

[Tango]

The worst of it was, the subject never varied. It was always about the poxy miniature trains he built. Boring beyond words

What? - You mean you don't find all that stuff interesting? - I'm a volunteer at a model railway exhibition! I don't get people like you.. honestly how can you not like it?

Because the house is worth 500k ?? you have to charge £150 

I always seem to have a little giggle when reading some of your stuff,

Me too LOL - Everytime i see his user name i have this vision in my head of a bloke with a kilt running round, tongue hanging out drooling over all the money while leaving mud on the windows LOL (sorry scotty lol)

I'm a bit old fashioned and  give them a fair price for the work involved, over my many years in this game some of the most wealthy (not all) have also been the tightest.

I did kleeneze for a bit years ago, the well off areas were always the ones to snub it. The poor areas seemed quite happy to order senseless cheap chinese **** that seemed like it should serve some sort of odd man made purpose.

 

[Iron Giant]

Phil Collins ? I have noticed a lot of windies wearing headphones, now I know why!

Rod Stewart is a model railway enthusiast Rod Stewart's Model Railway just ignore the winy voices 

 

[scottish cleaning service]

What? - You mean you don't find all that stuff interesting? - I'm a volunteer at a model railway exhibition! I don't get people like you.. honestly how can you not like it?

Me too LOL - Everytime i see his user name i have this vision in my head of a bloke with a kilt running round, tongue hanging out drooling over all the money while leaving mud on the windows LOL (sorry scotty lol)

I did kleeneze for a bit years ago, the well off areas were always the ones to snub it. The poor areas seemed quite happy to order senseless cheap chinese **** that seemed like it should serve some sort of odd man made purpose.

There is a big difference and I will tell you why. Well off areas are well off because they spend their money wisely. They are now realising that their biggest asset is their house or houses. They will wisely spend money on the asset by maintaining it but they need trustworthy tradespeople. Only today M&G suspended withdrawals from the UK's biggest commercial property fund. I believe our greatest asset is our house, maintaining it, is like putting money in the bank. fwiw

 

[Part Timer]

Only today M&G suspended withdrawals from the UK's biggest commercial property fund. I believe our greatest asset is our house, maintaining it, is like putting money in the bank. fwiw

They suspended withdrawals because so many investment companies were trying to cash in their investments in it. Not everyone believes that property prices are going to remain strong.

 

[Martyn]

Been thinking about this one, apart from slow payers it would be the customer who has their windows cleaned about three times a year and expects to get internals and externals done on December, palmed that one off on a mate of mine. ?

 

[steve garwood]

All this ‘oh the rich ones are the worst tippers’ is utter cack in my experience. 
As I’ve mentioned before, I do mainly affluent areas with massive private gated mansions. I always do extremely well from my customers, often exceeding £450.

It’s you miserable buggers doing something wrong ?

All this ‘oh the rich ones are the worst tippers’ is utter cack in my experience. 
As I’ve mentioned before, I do mainly affluent areas with massive private gated mansions. I always do extremely well from my customers, often exceeding £450.

It’s you miserable buggers doing something wrong ?

Oh, and Tango, the reason I don’t like model railways is because I’m not a seven year old nerd and I have a life ?