hi-temp hydro
New member
It's now happened twice this week with two stores. I call ahead to let restaurant managers know when I'll be on site to clean walkways, drive-thru's, and dumpster pads on a normal 60 day schedule that was agreed on with a simple handshake. I always call ahead just to make sure that the areas I will clean are clear of anything they may have stacked up. The managers reply that the hood cleaners are now doing the areas on a 90, one for $25 the other $50 less than my 60 rates. One of them said he couldn't tell that they even did anything outside and he would call to see what's going on and would get back with me if that if what he was looking at around his restaurant was the best they could do.
So let's look at lessons to be learned here to save you from potential issues:
1. MY FAULT.Never let a "personal" relationship with a client get in the way of business.
I will from now on have a written agreement signed prior to service with a no need to call clause prior to service. Anything that they stack up or put in the way will be cleaned around unless they want me to move and clean (for a nominal fee of course). And a 2 month notification of service cancellation.
2.THE NEW GUYS FAULT.Make dang sure you do as good of a job as the previous service provider.
I don't blame someone for an upsale at all, here in the case of the hood guys. I will get these back, it's just a matter of time. Once the customer sees the difference in service. They're now cleaning the same area that I used to clean every 60 in 90 and the customer can't tell a difference after 60? GOOD LUCK impressing him after a 90!
3.THE CUSTOMERS FAULT. Don't piss away good vendors to save a few bucks and sacrifice the overall appearance of the property.
Commercial accounts such as these are my priority. I frequently go out to clean for these guys in a pinch when major management pops in on short notice for a touch-up. Are the new guys gonna do that? It'll cost you much more for them since they're not doing the hoods.
I'm sure these circumstances and lessons I learned are common for many of you, but maybe someone else can learn from the first 2 pointers before it happens to you.
There's nothing you can do about #3. Everyone is trying to get more bang for the buck, and sometimes people who are thinking about saving a dollar don't recognize the difference in quality of service. The lack of respect given was what hurt the most, not even the common courtesy to give a call when approached with another proposal. From now on it's strictly contractual business with customers such as this.
Good luck, and hope this helps someone out.
So let's look at lessons to be learned here to save you from potential issues:
1. MY FAULT.Never let a "personal" relationship with a client get in the way of business.
I will from now on have a written agreement signed prior to service with a no need to call clause prior to service. Anything that they stack up or put in the way will be cleaned around unless they want me to move and clean (for a nominal fee of course). And a 2 month notification of service cancellation.
2.THE NEW GUYS FAULT.Make dang sure you do as good of a job as the previous service provider.
I don't blame someone for an upsale at all, here in the case of the hood guys. I will get these back, it's just a matter of time. Once the customer sees the difference in service. They're now cleaning the same area that I used to clean every 60 in 90 and the customer can't tell a difference after 60? GOOD LUCK impressing him after a 90!
3.THE CUSTOMERS FAULT. Don't piss away good vendors to save a few bucks and sacrifice the overall appearance of the property.
Commercial accounts such as these are my priority. I frequently go out to clean for these guys in a pinch when major management pops in on short notice for a touch-up. Are the new guys gonna do that? It'll cost you much more for them since they're not doing the hoods.
I'm sure these circumstances and lessons I learned are common for many of you, but maybe someone else can learn from the first 2 pointers before it happens to you.
There's nothing you can do about #3. Everyone is trying to get more bang for the buck, and sometimes people who are thinking about saving a dollar don't recognize the difference in quality of service. The lack of respect given was what hurt the most, not even the common courtesy to give a call when approached with another proposal. From now on it's strictly contractual business with customers such as this.
Good luck, and hope this helps someone out.
