So if you read my last post you know that I started canvassing for the first time and I went 0 for 35. Im not as discouraged as one would think but about 90% of the people said “we have a guy already”. Whether they were lying or not I did come across a strip that said they have a guy that does for cheap (half of my price to be exact). Unfortunately most storefronts would rather take the lower price rather than better quality so I was just wondering how do you guys/girls beat the Bucket Bobs in your area?
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You don’t. You just wait until they retire or get bored of window cleaning. Don’t lower your pricing you will regret it if you do.
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Storefront work is a numbers game.
They will turn there back on the chicken coup and the fox will eat well.
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Some guys have strip malls sewn up. Look for off the beaten path stores, commercial buildings, etc. Everyone fights over the low hanging fruit, but what about the $100 building behind the strip mall?
And sometimes, people in that strip mall aren’t happy with the guy. So canvas quickly and keep moving.
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While they’re downtown having $5 price wars with the other Bob’s I’m approaching company executives with office buildings full of glass.
Rise above the crowd so to speak.
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I’d leave them a card and tell them if they change their mind to call.
I was at a Burger King yesterday and was thinking of asking the manager if they had anyone for their windows only to remember I don’t have any tools! Haha
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Never compete on price. In a race to the bottom, nobody wins.
If the prospective account does not see the value in having a window guy who is clean, reliable and insured, then they are not the kind of customer you should want anyway.
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I think there’s something to the idea that if you are competing with Bucket Bob’s you are a Bucket Bob. The key is to move out of that stage as soon as possible. Two tips: Go off the beaten path and hit up businesses where you have a relationship with the owner. My only commercial work is where I have a relationship with the owner of the business. You have to start somewhere so don’t be afraid to take a couple of crappy paying jobs.
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Atascocita, right?
look for dirty glass… i learned to do a kartwheel wirh one fist in my mouth for the real hard ones ( in tthe be parking lot)
itll help if you immerse yourself in the area . by that i mean dining in the sleazy cafe,every day, with your vehicle parked outside . that way youll get noticed that You are part of the street scene ,ready,approachable. its suprizing what you will pick up if you make a point of being there . maybe theres no cafe ,so why not sit in your vehicle reading a newspaper all the while gazing at the buildings with 1 eye and suddenly youll think of an angle ,maybe somewhere unusual you can put up your flyer and you see the same guy carrying out trash you can befriend him while hes having a smoke and get the contacts smoking.next time youre there somebody whos apartment overlooks will tap on your car window and so it goes on
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Yes… This was in the Atascocita area. I told him try the Kingwood and Summerwood area next. This is his dad by way. I’m BigAl and he’s little Al. Do you have any Intel about the Atascocita area that would help? @ahm915
We do not do any commercial simply for this reason … way too low pricing …
Been cleaning residential for over 26 years …
I recently went to give an estimate for a store front and priced it at $100 and she stated that the cleaner they have now does it for $50 and takes him only 15 minutes . lol believe me it would take atleast 1 1/2 hrs.
We clean residential and have high end customers that appreciate the good job done and being trusted in their homes …
commercial never did it for me
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Don’t get frustrated, 0 out of 35 is not even worth feeling bad about those results.
Dedicate some small window of time everyday and market some route work, make sure to follow up on all warm leads (your follow up will gain you the most work.)
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- The first question that came up is “Did you still leave a card with a price at every one, despite the rejection?”
If, so, you actually went 35 for 35. Cast your bread upon the water. You dont know where it will have success.
- Expect to close 2 out of 100. So you still have 65 to go.
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Respectfully, What makes them the Bucket Bob and not you? How do you know they don’t have a profitable way to do the work? How do you know they haven’t been faithfully showing up to those accounts for years? Why should someone pick you instead? How do you know your quality is better?
Other people pointed it out, but if you’re grabbing some tools and hitting all the easiest places in town, don’t be surprised if you don’t have much success. Generally speaking, the market doesn’t reward easy work with high pay. Distinguish yourself, and don’t assume that because you charge more that means you do a better job.
I’m not trying to be negative, but don’t put the blame on others. Why should a store owner Pay you more for a service that’s maybe only marginally better? Why are you so much better than “Bucket Bobs?” If you can answer that question, then you need to find customers who care.
I’ll Give you our example: we are honest, respectful, thorough, tidy/clean, insured, and have fantastic customer service. We deserve to be paid better for these qualities. Guess who doesn’t care? Most shop owners. A business owner’s primary concern, by default, is money. How do any of the qualities I just listed equal cleaner windows? Will the windows be significantly cleaner than a “Bucket Bob?” Probably not. And that’s why my customers are not store fronts.
I’m not telling you in any way that you should give up. What I am encouraging you to do is to look for the path to success. There are no other window cleaners between you and success. There is only you. If you choose to compete for the low hanging fruit, you can’t blame anyone but yourself for striking out. Don’t blame the “Bucket Bobs,” don’t blame the business owners. A fundamental rule of business is that when supply goes up, price goes down. You have chosen to charge headlong into a very saturated market. You need to honestly assess whether or not that decision aligns with your goals/expectations.
Yes, you will find some work, but will it be on the terms that you want?
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Good point, I did leave a card with a quote at every store I hit
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Sometime a storefront market is all sewn up. Sometimes it’s ripe for the picking. That’s been my experience. Sold hundreds and hundreds of storefronts. If they like who they have you’re out of luck. It’s a crap shoot.
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Look for your opportunities…somewhere out there, there is a guy who stopped showing up. Find one of his customers, then go find another and another. Don’t give up.
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