The Good
This is the category where most of my window cleaning customers reside. I’ve been lucky to have been blessed with a plethora of great customers. They understand the value of my service, keep their appointments, and pay promptly.
One of my first customers was the owner of the gym I go to. His home was in an affluent town in The Coachella Valley called Rancho Mirage. The development was Thunderbird Cove, an exclusive community home to people such as Barack Obama. I arrived to an 8500 square foot estate. I walked the home with Mr Stolich, taking it all in. Ten foot tall sliders, capped off with clear-stories, then skylights. Butt-joint laminated glass running into steel, and solar panels. I was amazed the house could even stand being built almost all of glass. It took me three days to clean all that glass, of course I was a newbie and slow but I gained experience from that one home. Over time I shaved the time to one day. I cleaned Mr Stolich’s windows for three years until he moved to San Diego.
The Bad
I must admit, bad or rude window cleaning customers take me aback. I don’t come across them that often, thus my reaction time is delayed. Not all are self aware, some are just innocently inconsiderate. Forgetting about the cleaning appointment they setup a week ago, hosing off the patio along with the windows that were just cleaned after being finished, or not putting away their dog that follows you around trying to hump your leg ( true story )
One recent window cleaning customer in Indian Wells started out great. There were a couple of red flags I failed to notice though. The first was the negotiation attempt on the price, stating that her last window cleaner only charged $120 to clean her 4500 square foot home. I asked why he wasn’t cleaning her windows anymore, she stated ” he did a horrible job, he had to come back twice” She then told me of the handyman she hired to fix her entry gate and the horrible job he did. After small talk I cleaned the exterior windows, screens, and tracks. It was time to collect payment, the nightmare began. She started to point out cobwebs against the pool pump, the shrubs, the ac unit, in the garage. I stated that I deweb the windows only, not the whole house. She then began to berate me, calling me a thief, liar, and cheat. After the storm settled, her poor , embarrassed husband apologized quietly and paid me.
The Ugly
This category of window cleaning customers aren’t necessarily difficult or bad to work with. They just have little quarks to them. One such customer was a great customer of mine. Very OCD, very clean, had me out cleaning windows at his Palm Springs home every month. I called him “The Kung Fu Nudist” he was a black belt in Karate, Massage Therapist, and a nudist. I would clean his windows, he would be cruising around the house naked, swimming, etc. I would just keep my eyes on my work. In defense of The Kung Fu Nudist, he paid well, on time, and often.
I have had many types of window cleaning customers, all unique in their own way. Good, bad, or ugly all are welcome to be part of ShinePro Window Cleaning customer base. I am not judging as I am not perfect by any means, I simply wanted to share my experiences. I would love to hear yours, as a service provider or customer.
Brandon Scott, Owner of ShinePro Window Cleaning located in the Palm Springs / Palm Desert area of Southern California
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