It finally hit me too...

El Flojo

El Flojo

New member
Well my biggest fleet washing account just told me that they are cutting back on their washing in order to save some mulah :mad:. I will be washing bi weekly now. but my question to you pros is ... If I am under contract can they do that or do they have to wait untill the contract is up? I'm a lil sore because it was a 40k gig that is now 1/2. and one of my reg stores are going to a quarterly as of sunday. but its an eyeopener for me because now it just means that I have to hustle. and kick up some dirt in my neck of tha woods.
I love the challange.
 
El Flojo said:
Well my biggest fleet washing account just told me that they are cutting back on their washing in order to save some mulah :mad:. I will be washing bi weekly now. but my question to you pros is ... If I am under contract can they do that or do they have to wait untill the contract is up? I'm a lil sore because it was a 40k gig that is now 1/2. and one of my reg stores are going to a quarterly as of sunday. but its an eyeopener for me because now it just means that I have to hustle. and kick up some dirt in my neck of tha woods.
I love the challange.
Click to expand...
I just have a few questions...
Who told you that your contract is going to change ?
Did they give you 30 days advance, written notice ?
 
What are the terms covering cancellation in your contract?

We've had this happen several times over the past 2 years only with complete termination. They call it stopping "non-essential" services. They need to understand that the trucks are much dirtier and take longer to clean when done every 2 weeks. Thus a different per unit rate.

Times are tough but maybe you can negotiate a new deal that works for both of you.
 
IndyExterior said:
What are the terms covering cancellation in your contract?

We've had this happen several times over the past 2 years only with complete termination. They call it stopping "non-essential" services. They need to understand that the trucks are much dirtier and take longer to clean when done every 2 weeks. Thus a different per unit rate.

Times are tough but maybe you can negotiate a new deal that works for both of you.
Click to expand...

This is kinda where I was going with my questions.
Technically, a contract is binding on both parties. However, most... if not all contracts allow for a 30 day, written notice (with both parties), giving various circumstances.

Depending on whom is making this decision, you may be able to contact their supervisor making your case as to why your services are, in fact, essential.
 
This is one of those tricky areas, not sure what can happen due to contract not being honored but it is a very good question.

If I was guessing, they should be following what is in the contract as for cancelling and then making a new agreement but who knows if they would be willing to sign the new contract.

The way I see it is if you try to go to court, it will take money out of your pocket and lose that customer forever over some money that is probably due to you for last service at full price and/or cancellation fee.

OR

The other way is try to negotiate a new price but with all the lowballers/hacks out there, this might end up with a new contractor doing the work for less money (which could even be what they are trying to do to get out of the contract if they are one of those kinds of companies knowing you want more money for less frequent service and the trucks being more dirty upon service), you just never really know until the smoke clears.

I don't know what I would do until I go talk to them with the contract in hand and try to work out a deal that benefits both of you.

You can say that since you have a contract, the last cleaning will be at full price as in the contract and then tear it up and .....hope....they will talk to you about doing the job at another price, they might turn into A**holes becuase of you trying to honor the contract and then out of spite get a lowballer/hack to do the work.

It is a very hard call, not sure what I would do since I am not in that situation, maybe pray about it and then go talk to them?

Good Luck.






_________________
Superior Power Washing
Chris Chappell
361-853-2513
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com
House Cleaning
Fleet Washing
 
I agree

That is a big job! I dont think that by trying to get them back by throwing the contract in their face is the best, I say just wait it out if you can. And hopefully they well see that you have a good Company and they'll want to keep you around. Youll be the guys their very happy with and wont drop your business for some newbie. I cant tell you how many companies ive called trying to get new business and some will tell me no thanks were happy with who were with, and I appreciate that because that tells me who ever their with they must be a good company.
So, if you can wait it out then do so. And hopefully you get the weekly business back if not then god must have something better in store for ya.
;-)
 
Your contract or theres? I feel your pain. I just lost 100k detailing heavy equipment with one of my accounts, they claim its the economy but they gave all that work to there contracted painters. Im still contracted for there other PW services but it under there contract. they hadnt given any notice to me about what was comming and i had invested in chems and equipment before the next service for an upcomming auction. felt like the rug pulled out from under me and this one was a good lesson learned.
 
That really sucks!

I would not even know what to say about that much money except maybe talk to an attorney since they gave the work to someone else but you were in contract at the time, an attorney could advise you of what you can and should do.
 
Which painter was it? I would bet that they do not have a hot water rig. I would also bet that there was some talking going on behind the scenes.
 
Christopher said:
This is one of those tricky areas, not sure what can happen due to contract not being honored but it is a very good question.

If I was guessing, they should be following what is in the contract as for cancelling and then making a new agreement but who knows if they would be willing to sign the new contract.

The way I see it is if you try to go to court, it will take money out of your pocket and lose that customer forever over some money that is probably due to you for last service at full price and/or cancellation fee.

OR

The other way is try to negotiate a new price but with all the lowballers/hacks out there, this might end up with a new contractor doing the work for less money (which could even be what they are trying to do to get out of the contract if they are one of those kinds of companies knowing you want more money for less frequent service and the trucks being more dirty upon service), you just never really know until the smoke clears.

I don't know what I would do until I go talk to them with the contract in hand and try to work out a deal that benefits both of you.
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I agree with Chris this is a sticky situation it would be a shame to burn a bridge that could lead to more work when the economy recovers. You know your customer better than any of us this may be an opportunity to get a bit more per service and work out to your advantage in the long run.

Good luck.
 
Well I talked to him about me having to charge more per truck. becuz it will be twice as dirty and he said no. This was only temp and as soon as the holidays comes around he will be going back to regular cleanings. He was just trying to pinch some pennies for now becuz his trucks from Mex. have not been haulin as much any more due to some new laws. He needs to bring those trucks up to par first. Come holidays there will be plenty of imports so he will have to wash them aswell. So I dont wanna push it. If he starts to cut more then I will make it an Issue. Plus a guy opened a truck wash across the street in his front yard and is charging $10 per Tractor and $12 for the trailer(any size even washouts) but his work is super crappy. and leaves water spots all over including bugs on the air dams. He has been watching how i do things and will come by and talk to me. He only washes after work.
 
they went with a national contract for texas. but I am no longer washing for them.
 
IndyExterior said:
What are the terms covering cancellation in your contract?

We've had this happen several times over the past 2 years only with complete termination. They call it stopping "non-essential" services. They need to understand that the trucks are much dirtier and take longer to clean when done every 2 weeks. Thus a different per unit rate.

Times are tough but maybe you can negotiate a new deal that works for both of you.
Click to expand...
Looks like it didnt work out
 
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