People that don't plan things.

I have a feeling that I'll get a lot of people calling last minute want to get their carpets cleaned before Christmas, how do you guys deal with those people ? Try to squeeze them in ? Just flat out tell them no can't do ? Charge a lot more ?

I am single with no kids, so any holiday is just another day on the calendar. I don't change anything.

Funny part is that they always think that I must be really busy or that I would be really going out of way for those jobs so there are always pretty sizable tips involved.

I let it work itself out like that. Now, if I had family....whole different story.

I'm talking about this coming week, say your schedule is already full and this guy call and he has good size job, you decline, squeeze him in, raise your price ? After all it's all about supply and demand right ?

I've hardly ever had a busy holiday season.
Like once in 24 yrs.
If I were busy, I would do my best to squeeze him in. And charge more.
This past week, 2 repeat customers were very thankful that I could "squeeze" them in. Only for them:)

dp1 wrote:I'm talking about this coming week, say your schedule is already full and this guy call and he has good size job, you decline, squeeze him in, raise your price ? After all it's all about supply and demand right ?

I have 4 to do this week, but hardly full. I would not decline a job unless we were talking about Christmas Eve / Morning. I still would do it, but if I had family, the phone would have been turned off anyway.

Being able to decline a job this time of year is a major luxury and one that I do not have. In your region where there will be more jobs when you roll out of bed after the holiday? I would decline the job.

I DO charge more for rush jobs. It's not just a supply/demand thing, its a lack of planning thing. You want me to drop my plans, to rearrange my schedule? Ok, but it will cost you.

We only have one thing, and that is time. You can't buy more of it. You can only pay people to do tasks for you to give your time back to you.

Great ! After my schedule is full, I’m raising my prices by 50% for these people

Actually Bob, we are a lot slower too after the holiday, I’m considering to close completely from Christmas Eve through first week of January, but still have to see how the phone rings this week.
There was one year, I forgot what year that was, we were really busy in January, it’s crazy.

charge more and just fit in the ones who make sense with the route of that truck.

if they are way out of the way then no sorry we are booked

Today I got frustrated with the phone calls and emails, my day started with 3400 sq ft commercial cleaning that lasted 3 hours including set up and tear down, and by the time I got to 2nd job, I realized that we’re going to be behind with the rest of the jobs, I started making phone calls and called a couple customers back as well, as soon as they say they’re in an apartment, I immediately told them that we won’t be able to do it until January, got 4 emails that asked stupid questions like how soon can you do it ? If you’re in a hurry, why can’t you call ?? Replied to all of them with “due to high volume of emails, we are not able to answer any questions via emails today, please call” guess what, no one called.
It’s amazing how you deal with customers when you’re not hungry anymore, lol.

dp1 wrote:Today I got frustrated with the phone calls and emails, my day started with 3400 sq ft commercial cleaning that lasted 3 hours including set up and tear down, and by the time I got to 2nd job, I realized that we’re going to be behind with the rest of the jobs, I started making phone calls and called a couple customers back as well, as soon as they say they’re in an apartment, I immediately told them that we won’t be able to do it until January, got 4 emails that asked stupid questions like how soon can you do it ? If you’re in a hurry, why can’t you call ?? Replied to all of them with “due to high volume of emails, we are not able to answer any questions via emails today, please call” guess what, no one called.
It’s amazing how you deal with customers when you’re not hungry anymore, lol.

Great reply

That has also baffled me, why don't people call anymore? That device in their hand is a "cell-PHONE" yet I will get 4 texts or emails from someone asking a bunch of questions.

Sounds like you had enough on your table for the day.

Phone call: 10+ minutes of time. Doesn't matter if I am calling for myself or I am being called by someone. I can't always get right at the phone when it rings.

Some people want to take that time out of their day. That's ok. I don't always have that much time, as bad as that may sound. I am totally cool with and onboard with anyone that wants to use text or e-mail for conducting business. It may not be perfect communication and it certainly is FAR less a personable way of doing things, but it absolutely is a time saver.

I can understand your point Freemind, as it can save you from stopping work to answer the phone, but I never get a simple text, it is always part of multiple back and forth until I just call them.

They never answer the phone though, just keep texting me information back. I just think I could end it faster by talking than texting, although I do ask for a confirmation text of their address so that I don't have to write it down at that moment.

Don’t get me wrong, I love emails and texts in appropriate timing, when you need same day service and you email me, most likely I’m not going to be able to accommodate you, especially when the emails going back and forth a few times before appointment is confirmed, that takes a whole lot longer than a simple phone call that takes 5 - 10 minutes and boom, appointment is confirmed.
I don’t think I would email a plumber or handyman if I need immediate service, especially if I have some questions to ask before I decide to hire them, plus having someone on the phone, I get to feel how their attitude is, which is most important since I’m having them come in to my home.

dp1 wrote:Don’t get me wrong, I love emails and texts in appropriate timing, when you need same day service and you email me, most likely I’m not going to be able to accommodate you, especially when the emails going back and forth a few times before appointment is confirmed, that takes a whole lot longer than a simple phone call that takes 5 - 10 minutes and boom, appointment is confirmed.
I don’t think I would email a plumber or handyman if I need immediate service, especially if I have some questions to ask before I decide to hire them, plus having someone on the phone, I get to feel how their attitude is, which is most important since I’m having them come in to my home.

Exactly!