How do you storefront guys handle doing inside windows with customers present. What I mean is tables and such real close to the windows with customers sitting at them. Do you skip those? Waiting for customers to leave, asking them to move or working around the customer doesn’t seem to be a good look. How are these issues typically handled, if you can’t get in before customers arrive?
Thanks,
JD
I usually time those early in the day before business picks up. If it can’t be avoided I just skip the window if I can’t access it.
It’s great if you can get into as many places where indoor seating could be an issue before they open. However, if you only have a finite amount of time in a day, you can’t just jump all over creation for this. When customers in the way is an ongoing issue, we sent at least one tech immediately inside to do every possible window where someone MAY sit. When a window is close by but not uncomfortably close we use discretion in cleaning them or politely ask if nearby patrons mind us carefully working. I’ve also found that subtle things can help get people to either vacate asap or even offer to move sometimes: for instance, don’t act exasperated or roll your eyes or mutter under your breath about them being in your way. Greet them in a friendly way instead. I am amazed how many actually give you the opening you’re hoping for.
Sometimes you simply have to leave some out, though. Idle time kills profits when storefront is involved and it is multiplied by how many techs are on that crew.
Mr.T and danwagoner thanks for the explanation. Great answer and easy way of handling those situations.
Perfect answer
So I have a similar circumstance with the “V” wireless internet and mobile coorporate storefronts I clean which the windows are contracted to be cleaned twice a month(the first and 3rd week of every month) and they are always packed. One of the stipulations of the contract is that the windows can only be cleaned during daylight hours while the stores are open. The answer you seek has variables… As far as outside goes, no problem, its always scrubber and squeegee on glass and I may even break out the WFP on the hot summer months when my mix will basically steam dry off the glass as soon as I lay it down. As far as inside goes, for me your frequency of cleaning is a huge factor…For something like a twice a month cleaning… I like to make sure the first time I get in there I go deep and detailed… If you have a high frequency of cleaning at the location, you can get by on spot cleaning as long as youve set your slate with a deep and pristine initial cleaning. I will follow up using my unger green pole with the IPC Techno Pad holder and use either Unger green cleaning pad or the green fuzzy polishing pad with a 50/50 solution of 90% iso alco/distilled water or just water from my Xero pure… Using the pole and pad can allow you to work around customer action quickly without having to square up in front of the commercial panes, but again, you do need a good first initial cleaning to follow up like this. As I move to the interior side of the glass, I jump straight to all the panes that arent occupied by customers, as I clean those sometimes customers get what they need and leave so I move to where they once were… when U do this, it creates customers to be aware and without saying anything more than 50% of the time, they offer or say, let me get out of your way and I always reply, hey thanks just give me a minute and Ill be out of your way… at the same time I do try to lightly engage and keep a friendly face as I work around making myself seem friendly and approachable, The key is to leave the smallest footprint possible by not impeding on the customers experience and you can do this by making sure your first initial cleaning is super thorough. Of course youll have to go deep again every so often(once every few mos) because of human aspiration and what not or high hand traffic area or areas where kids find stimulating… This is mainly pertains from my own experience I have working retail storefronts. With food and beverage locations where customers are seated and actively eating, I only clean those outside of store hours. I would suggest getting some pad holder attachments for your trad pole and pads to get some cleaning contact on the interior glass where scrubber and squeegee seem to invasive.
endzoneADAM
Great answer, thanks for the response.
I have clean many many many many burger kings , Panera breads , Wendy’s , pizzerias …. And on and on. Yes early if possible, but not always going to happen … especially when you’re doing many in a day.
It’s just the nature of the beast. Most managers get it , of course you want to clean where somebody is sitting. Just clean all vacant windows first , then if they’re still there go outside and clean outsides. If they’re still there, nothing you can do. I’m never going to wait. To much in a day to get done.
Most people will see you cleaning and move 90 percent will, there is always that 10%. It is what it is.
Aggravating… “ Yes” but once the manager gets to know you’re always doing a good job , they will never bother you about the ones you can’t get.
Never had a manager complain about having to skip a window or two because of patrons sitting where you need to get.
I ddi have an owner reprimand me for a customer moving, becuase he thought I asked him to move … (Which I didn’t he asked me if I wanted him to move ). That got real ugly. It was when I was actually working for the first company I ever worked for. I had a chip on my shoulder back then.
I’ll leave it there 
. Almost got fired , glad I didn’t. Don’t now if I’d be in the business today of I did.
If he only didn’t do it in front of a hole line of people. Like a real man. Has to be a tough guy.
So ya just clean all windows and hopefully they move. If not don’t let it bother you. It’s not your job to wait around . Most understand that.
