Selling

Scott D. said:
What? Good luck with that.
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+10

I don't know about your area but typically the people that want to be paid up-front are the gypsies, scabs and thiefs. They don't come around much anymore as more people know about them and the scams they pull.

Try that down here and they would laugh your ass right out of town if they didn't kick it first. Too many scams where guys wanted money up-front or a partial payment to start the job and they left without doing any work. It has been on the news many times each year. Seems like these scabs prey on the elderly, the elderly that are nice and want to help everyone.

Now if this is a repeat customer and they will be out of town when the job is done then things can be arranged differently but typically payment is done when the work is done, this is in many industries like painting, carpentry, plumbing, elecrical, landscaping, pressure washing, etc...
 
Christopher said:
+10

I don't know about your area but typically the people that want to be paid up-front are the gypsies, scabs and thiefs. They don't come around much anymore as more people know about them and the scams they pull.

Try that down here and they would laugh your ass right out of town if they didn't kick it first. Too many scams where guys wanted money up-front or a partial payment to start the job and they left without doing any work. It has been on the news many times each year. Seems like these scabs prey on the elderly, the elderly that are nice and want to help everyone.

Now if this is a repeat customer and they will be out of town when the job is done then things can be arranged differently but typically payment is done when the work is done, this is in many industries like painting, carpentry, plumbing, elecrical, landscaping, pressure washing, etc...
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I think Im also going to ask for proof of homeowners insurance in case I get hurt. :rolleyes:
 
Ron Musgraves said:
It's actually a great idea, keeps the appointment made Now for a later date. Mike h uses it and so does chris at Wcr. They combined are over 5 mil.

Of course it's on larger deck jobs.

Chris I think get cc authorization?
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Bingo. Ive lost about 2k worth of work in cancellations this year. It didnt break me obviously but its something to consider.
 
Training

Hey Ron what training are you refering too ? Regards Jeff
 
Derek Belden said:
Payment upfront isn't only shady, but what if they absolutely do not like the work you did and you cant please the homeowner.
How could you not satisfy a H.O. by cleaning their house, roof or driveway? A skilled/experienced contractor (such as D.J. and his staff) could complete the work properly regardless.

Will you give them their money back?
If that were the scanario then yes.

What if something happens where you cant get to the job for a while?
Like what?

Anyways, let us know how it work out!
Hopefully he will.
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Sorry, I cant multi-quote on this b.b.
 
Kory said:
Deposits are shady if you ask me. Any job where the materials will cost you over 800 bucks I can see taking a deposit for that. But it you don't trust them to pay or you can't afford to front the money till completion of the job you probably should not attempt to do the job.
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They are Talking residential, i will definately get deposits, people are flakes.

Yes never deposits for commercial, people will laugh after you walk out.

I will do Draws as larger projects go...
 
wgasa said:
Hey Ron what training are you refering too ? Regards Jeff
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I do training at NCE events, we may open a Sales training in Phx someone day. Nothing planned as of now.
 
Derek Belden said:
Payment upfront isn't only shady, but what if they absolutely do not like the work you did and you cant please the homeowner.
I am not saying it will happen, but I am thinking from covering your companies rear end in every POSSIBLE circumstance. HO can be picky from time to time no matter how GREAT the work is.

Will you give them their money back?
It is more paperwork for a refund than to just not accept a payment

What if something happens where you cant get to the job for a while?
Such as family issues company issues. Things happen day to day and tomorrow in never guaranteed. Like I said before I would look at it from every possible pro and con their is

Anyways, let us know how it work out!
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Like others have posted different things work in different markets. I personally wouldn't do it here, but to each his own. I am not trying to bust anyones bubble. Just some questions for discussion.
 
It's simple would a hack have an iPad and taking credit cards. The receipt will go straight to their email or sms txt. The agreement will be signed on the pad and emailed to them and Sydney in the office where she will make a work order. Alan will call the client and set the schedule. Follow up call by Sydney to make sure everything went well. Then an invoice marked paid is sent out.

Does that say scammer to you or PROFESSIONALISM?

Rich people get paid before they work pour people get paid after they work

As long as i am confident they will be taken care of i have no problem asking for payment up front and selling the job for work to be completed at a later date.

This is a way for me to maximize my time and our efficiency
 
DJ Carroll said:
It's simple would a hack have an iPad and taking credit cards. The receipt will go straight to their email or sms txt. The agreement will be signed on the pad and emailed to them and Sydney in the office where she will make a work order. Alan will call the client and set the schedule. Follow up call by Sydney to make sure everything went well. Then an invoice marked paid is sent out.

Does that say scammer to you or PROFESSIONALISM?

Rich people get paid before they work pour people get paid after they work

As long as i am confident they will be taken care of i have no problem asking for payment up front and selling the job for work to be completed at a later date.

This is a way for me to maximize my time and our efficiency
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What?

Ron, does your company get paid before or after you clean?

DJ, Im a hack AND have an Ipad
 
DJ Carroll said:
It's simple would a hack have an iPad and taking credit cards. The receipt will go straight to their email or sms txt. The agreement will be signed on the pad and emailed to them and Sydney in the office where she will make a work order. Alan will call the client and set the schedule. Follow up call by Sydney to make sure everything went well. Then an invoice marked paid is sent out.

Does that say scammer to you or PROFESSIONALISM?

Rich people get paid before they work pour people get paid after they work

As long as i am confident they will be taken care of i have no problem asking for payment up front and selling the job for work to be completed at a later date.

This is a way for me to maximize my time and our efficiency
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I've paid people before they did work for me and it usually doesn't end well. I think you would lose a lot of customers.
 
Scott D. said:
What?

Ron, does your company get paid before or after you clean?

DJ, Im a hack AND have an Ipad
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In the commercial world no, larger jobs might have draws. Draws are when a certain percentage is complete you receive a payment. I do have slot of automatic cc we charge for regular cleaning. Electronic deposits is also another form of payment.

I would never show up at a residential customer without a cc number on file and a trip fee authorized. To many times they have changed there mind or the other guy that has not showed up will do it for half the price. I hate consumer shoppers!!!
 
Scott you have to remember I have agreements in writing for commercial accounts. Regular washing is detailed what we provide for how much. Payment terms are agreed on then. Prior to any washing, I have had people offer to pay in advance. I respectfully say on completing will pick up a check or bill you.

I have nearly 1/4 to 1/2 mill on 30 days constant.
 
I require a 50% non refundable deposit from residential customers on any job over $500.00. I have never had a problem with this. I do it to prevent the customer from hiring a low baller after we have scheduled a date for the job to be performed. I am usually scheduled 2-3 weeks out, and if the job is over $500.00, I just feel the the customer needs to make a committment just as I am with my schedule. It sort of locks them. If they don't want to do this, then I tell them I can call them during a slow period to see if they want it then.

90% of my jobs are paid before I do the job, including "new" cusotmers. This is done usually when I arrive on the job and the customer doesn"t want to hang out all day at the house, or has to go to work, and they ask me if they can pay me now because they are leaving and don't want to have to rush back. Also have many "new" cusotmers that I haven't even met that will just leave a check under the mat if they aren't going to be there when I arrive.

I am very active in the community, leave very proffesional and detailed proposals, return every phone call and I always show up on time for every appointment. And I am not saying that others here don't. Don't get me wrong on this. What I am saying is that I work real hard to develop trust with each customer from the very first phone call, and I believe that helps in securing deposits, payed up front, etc.
 
Ron Musgraves said:
Scott you have to remember I have agreements in writing for commercial accounts. Regular washing is detailed what we provide for how much. Payment terms are agreed on then. Prior to any washing, I have had people offer to pay in advance. I respectfully say on completing will pick up a check or bill you.

I have nearly 1/4 to 1/2 mill on 30 days constant.
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I have written agreements as well. We meet 90% of our clients and they sign on the dotted line agreeing. If its over $500 we will secure a CC but no payments are made till the job is complete.

Maybe taking deposits or full payments before doing the work is a good thing. Ill let DJ be the guinea pig.

Residential clients are not flaky. Ive never been stiffed for payment
 
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