Free Hall with every cleaning??

[Barry-QDCC]

You'd think after 22 years in the biz I'd have decisions/ideas/ways of doing things already figured out - but I don't. I'd like to believe I'm a flexible thinker rather than a person who can't make a decision.

I'm considering the idea of raising my prices again - back to previous levels that I had for awhile but lowered because I felt business was affected for whatever reasons - economy/cheapskate customers/etc.

This time I'm going to offer "FREE hallway with every cleaning". (size restrictions will be in place) My minimum charge will do 3 rooms plus the free hallway. or maybe a smaller size bathroom if they don't have a hallway.

QUESTION for anyone who might have the same offer: If someone does NOT have a hallway or a bath to clean, would you discount an area the amount you'd normally charge for the hallway. In other words, the customer is only cleaning 4 rooms and has nothing else to clean so you'll discount the price of a hallway on the 4th room. OR do you say "sorry the free hall is just that...a free hall"

I'm leaning towards the "no discounting rooms" policy.

What say you?

 

[bob vawter]

An old timer tol me once.....
Every time you offer something for free.......

You've jus established the value of SED product or service. .....

 

[hogjowl]

That was a long assed post!

 

[Mikey P]

I had an elderly couple today, new clients, refered by a lady who has not used me yet, but is on the schedule soon in NV.
After I quoted $130 for three small bed rooms she asked for a seniors discount, he asked for a military.
With a smile I said " I charge more for seniors because you are all a pain in the ass"..

Both chuckled.


Later the man jokingly asked for $5.00 off cause I was using their water.
I told them I'd give it back to them in sweat.

I spent 45 minutes chatting with them on the couch after I was done.


Love them seniors and their lifes stories.



Got a five buck tip.







No discounts, just the best cleaning ever and plenty of lady killer charm.

They asked for a stack of cards..

 

[hogjowl]

That was a marvelous story

 

[Mikey P]

Im a marvelous human, what did you expect?

 

[ruff]

Barry, I never offered any discount on my services, accept as a thank you for referrals and for a long time for empty rooms, which as we all know takes less time to clean. So take my words with the proverbial grain of salt.

I am not opposed to giving something free, as long as it helps business and people understand that they are getting something "special". However, if you offer that discount as an incentive, yet will not offer that if they do not have a hallway etc. you'll create bad will. People will feel cheated. Instead of helping it may damage your business.

If you choose to go that way, be generous and do it with a smile.
Not a Sutley smile, a genuine one .

 

[hogjowl]

Read it two or three times.

Before your eyes completely gloss over.

 

[jcooper]

With a smile I said " I charge more for seniors because you are all a pain in the ass"..

Do not try this at home!

Later the man jokingly asked for $5.00 off cause I was using their water.
I told them I'd give it back to them in sweat.

Looooool!

 

[Barry-QDCC]

That was a long assed post!

next time swipe right

 

[Barry-QDCC]

I am not opposed to giving something free, as long as it helps business and people understand that they are getting something "special". However, if you offer that discount as an incentive, yet will not offer that if they do not have a hallway etc. you'll create bad will. People will feel cheated. Instead of helping it may damage your business.
.

Yep, my thoughts are along the same line. Just trying to look at it from all angles. Thanks!

 

[Old Coastie]

Barry, if you think this will help you, try it. If someone hasn't got a hallway and asks, substitute something like spotting or protectant.

Good luck!

 

[WillS]

Don't discount the rooms if they don't have a hallway. Just let them know it's just included incase they do have a hallway. We do hallways/closets free that are ATTACHED to the rooms/areas we are cleaning. When customers say they don't need a closet cleaned is it cheaper, we tell them no. It's just an added benefit if they do have one that needs cleaning. Never have an issue with people understanding this.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Give them the "free hall" but not free. Make them like you on Facebook, write a review on Google something.

Force them to give a little to get a little.

 

[WillS]

Good idea! Or like some of our competitors you can make them write a review about how great your company is and how clean their carpet is before you clean their home. If they won't, just leave.

 

[Mikey P]

Aren't you glad we have such great busy cleaners here giving advice...

 

[Desk Jockey]

Good idea! Or like some of our competitors you can make them write a review about how great your company is and how clean their carpet is before you clean their home. If they won't, just leave.

Free room & hall then!

 

[WillS]

Aren't you glad we have such great busy cleaners here giving advice...

This cleaners been MIA due to a slew of issues. Sometimes I wish I was just the employee and not the owner. Then I could say F IT let owner deal with it. Least shitty summer is over and we are back to packed schedules.

 

[ruff]

Aren't you glad we have such great busy cleaners here giving advice...

Free advice.

Very interesting though how every one has a different opinion and approach towards same issue. Not right or wrong, just different. I guess you have to go with what feels true to you and your business and be consistent.

 

[WillS]

Very true! All the advise I've gotten on here from different members I consider how it would really work best with our business.

What I found best...

Do the opposite of what Marty and Jimmy suggest.

 

[Desk Jockey]

LOL

We ALL are better off if we do the opposite of those two azz halves.

 

[ruff]

Very true! All the advise I've gotten on here from different members I consider how it would really work best with our business.

What I found best...

Do the opposite of what Marty and Jimmy suggest.

Not to put you on the spot Wills, but you only don't do half of Jimmy's advise (who's a two tricks pony.)

It is true that you don't use a Castex wand.
However, you do frequent encap alley.

 

[Mikey P]

You bet.


But advice from busy companies is priceless

 

[WillS]

I live in encap alley.

 

[Goomer]

would you discount an area the amount you'd normally charge for the hallway.

Maybe......Maybe NOT.

You will likely be more willing to give such a discount to some more than others.

I think discounts like this should be decided on an individual basis, based on the information you can elicit during the call, and what your Spidey senses are telling you in regards to what the likely conditions are, and the PIA factor, as opposed to a blanket policy.

Widow Piffleton should have a better chance of landing such a discount than Ms. Chavez and her 5 kids under 6 years old, and their 2 Chihuahuas.

 

[Mikey P]

Very true! All the advise I've gotten on here from different members I consider how it would really work best with our business.

What I found best...

Do the opposite of what Marty and Jimmy suggest.

Equivalent to a Harvard diploma..

 

[Desk Jockey]

4 kids. Them little bastards all grew up on me.

 

[Mikey P]

Suk it Sutley...

 

[Desk Jockey]

Man you live in a postcard! Beautiful country there!

 

[BIG WOOD]

In the 14years I've been painstakingly doing this, lol, I've never offered a free hallway. That's not to say it would've brought in more customers. I'm just saying it hasn't hurt my business for not offering it. But here's my results from not offering it as advertisement

When I arrived on the job and walked through the house, I can't count the number of times the customer would tell me not to clean the hallway or small bathroom. I would either tell them "don't worry about it, I'll do it "At no Cost", (not "Free",I hate that word). Or I would surprise them at the end of the job when they saw that I already did it. With that in mind, they see that I really worked harder than expected and they give positive gossip more about my business.

When we advertise our services "Free" we sound like a yellow van franchise, and we make the customer feel like we owe them something. That's the way I feel. When we surprise them with something that we gave them on our thanks, they really appreciate our services and price isn't the factor anymore.


How well do you remind your current customers every 9-12months that it's time to clean again?