I have a few accts I have been cleaning and today as I went to clean them some guy already did he was going from biz to biz will this help to stop this ???
I’m assuming this happened to some of your storefronts or maybe mom and pop shops. I have a few and only a few because of your reason you stated. There’s always a few bucket bobs running around. What I do is talk to the owners when I gave them an estimate and assured them I’m going to be as professional as possible. Good work and routine service at times and days that they choose written down and signed. (Kinda like an agreement but not a lockdown contract) Once this is done I set them up on a routine so they know when to expect me.(I always send a friendly reminder via email a week ahead though) I found this works on owners that care about the way their windows look and not so much on who’s cheaper. The few that I have gained always say the same thing,“I hate not ever knowing when they are going to come” I’m just waiting for the others to come around because its a good feeling to see windows Ive done and the windows to the shop next to mine with water runs and frames dusty because they weren’t wiped down.
If you like to see what I have, send me a pm and ill happily email it to you and you can use it or modify it.
The guy that trained me in window cleaning had a company that did something similar every once in awhile. Personally i have never had that happen in 15 years but i will say that if it does then i will discontinue the relationship with that store. I have used the fact that i do not have contracts as a selling point. I politely and simply tell them that if someone can do a better job, remain consistent, and provide better customer service then i fully understand if they choose to go somewhere else and they should not have to bound to an inferior service.
Sounds as though you had a poor relationship with those accounts if someone else could simply start cleaning them and the customers allowed it to happen.
Well I did just pick em up recently like 2 months ago from fish and I know it’s not them some other I guy I see once a month
Seems like there is always some new guy who is just getting started that is willing to do it for cheaper. I have lost several large multi-store contracts to guys like these. I always explain to the owners that I understand their position, but remind them that my service has been great and reliable, and they can feel free to call me back. ( NEVER BURN BRIDGES ) I have both of these contracts back now and have raised their price. Sometimes people don’t know how good of a job you do, till they see a bad job…
I always do contracts or service agreements on commercial jobs including storefronts. I put in the contract a required written notice for cancellation. This eliminates showing up and they say lets wait til next time when I spent time and gas. The written notice eliminates the, “we called and left a message. Didn’t you get it?” routine. Once I started this it separated the accounts that where serious from those who where not so serious about doing their windows consistently. I don’t have time for wishy washy accounts. It also showed more professionalism and commitment on our part to those customers who where serious and wanted a serious window cleaning company.
I recently had a franchise account cancel service because they are in housing the service to reduce cost. They have ten stores and it brought in 26,000 per year. I had an employee go to do the stores and they said they canceled the service and did not let him do the work. When I called them I asked them to review the service agreement which required a 30 day written notice to cancel. They apologized and sent a written notice for 30 days and we continued there service for the next 30 days.
This is good because it gives you time to adjust as well. You can try to replace the lost account before the cancellation date so there is no loss in revenue.
I’m impressed. Most places seem to ignore non-ironclad agreements, late fees, etc.
Good point also about never burning bridges. I am of the same mind. I’ve been able to mend a few bridges in my day. It’s a good feeling.
It seems to me you did not have a good customer to window cleaner contact… personality works wonders!
Just emailed you I’d like to use it.
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
Bucket bobs lol. We call them bucket hustlers.
This is a really old thread but…
Why not compliment the store owner?
Sir, I really appreciate the fact that you help out these bucket bobs around the community. Window washing is a way for guys to make a couple bucks to survive at major traffic intersections or guys hustling with buckets and squeegees. It’s what every American can do and should do, get out and work.
Please remember the value of my service too. I’d gladly pay someone to clean your windows for me but in this economy I’m happy just to have a job that puts food on the table and clothes on the kids backs. Can we schedule our next several cleanings for you in advance? And if there’s an egg or some debris on your window in between services maybe you can help that guy out by giving him a voile bucks to wipe it off. I’m always a phone call away, no charge to be here in an emergency for something small…thankyou
