Mooloo's little tapestry of life, 2016

Savvy_sewing

I actually stayed up, tartan rug on my knees, and watched back to back episodes of a drama show. It was 10.45pm when I actually went to bed. I woke naturally at 7.am, tried to go back to sleep but gave up. I listened to one of my hypnosis tapes, for motivation really, and then was up just before 9am
I have changed my bedding, and put the next lot of washing on. I've grabbed all the spare hangers I could find and hung up all the wet washing in the bathroom.
I've washed up, twice because I decided to have egg on toast for breakfast.
I'm just having a cup of tea before I get the Hoover out.
Then I am off to see my Mum and take her shopping at Waitrose.
When I come home if I have any energy left then I plan to put the car seats down and start sorting out stuff that needs to be gone to free up space in the bedrooms.
I didn't win the lottery, so I better try and get my trash into cash, or just clear the clutter so I can feel less claustrophobic with the amount of stuff I have!

Savvy_sewing

Days plans all gone to pot again.
Did my housework a bit this morning, then took my Mum shopping and had lunch with her. I came home around 3pm and have been doing a little ironing. But I hate ironing so I keep stopping.
I have been asked to babysit for Biggest of Mooloo tonight, so I have to go all the way back again in about 50 minutes.
I'm still very tired, and would just love to curl up with my pjs and a book until later when Vera is on.
Oh well.
Maybe I will get some more done tomorrow before I go in to work.
The spare room, my old work room is full of clothes etc and it needs to be tackled so that the men can come to service the boiler on the 24th.
Should be easy but the room has been a dumping ground since last year!

dktreesea

Hey, Mooloo, you do know it's Sunday, day of rest and all that? I guess it's easier to get lots of things done when there's no little one needing your time/attention? Don't wear yourself out though. I once tried to have a rule that once it was dark I'd stop working and just relax. I was an abject failure over winter. :-) but I'm hopeful for the summer.

Slinky

Mooloo wrote: »

I hope we get the finished items collected and paid for sooner rather then later.

Hello Mooloo, I've been lurking on your thread for a while.

Can you not ask people for payment at the time they bring the job to you? Or 50% of it? Do you get people bring you stuff and then never collect it even though you've done the work? I would think that if people have parted with at least some of the money they'll be more inclined to come back and pay for the rest of the job.

I run my own business and do ask people for payment up front. I don't always get it with my bigger customers who have accounts departments, but the smaller customers will pay if you ask, you just have to be brave and do it.

If you've been running for some time with people paying on collection, perhaps stick up a sign prominently that from, say, 1st March terms will be payment up front, or 50% up front or whatever.

I heard a dry-cleaner on the radio yesterday, he'd got a 3 piece suit awaiting collection for the past 12 years!

Savvy_sewing

I used to stop at 8pm when the kids were little, but then I'd start sewing instead! In those days the husband ( before we split) used to work nights, so sewing was a relaxation, until it turned into a business.

I'm here at my daughters. It seems strange not having a valentine of my own this year, or having DGD around.
My life has certainly seen a lot of changes lately.

Savvy_sewing

Yes we have started asking if they would like to pay up front, especially those who don't have a phone number. I have clothes waiting a year now to be collected!

greenbee

I think you need to stop 'asking if they would like to' and making it a policy to at least pay a deposit.

I'm also pretty sure that the ts & cs on my dry cleaning tickets say that if I haven't collected within a certain period they will dispose of the item.

And everyone should have to leave contact details. You shouldn't be doing work you're not paid for, nor storing items for free.

Slinky

Mooloo wrote: »

Yes we have started asking if they would like to pay up front, especially those who don't have a phone number. I have clothes waiting a year now to be collected!

I've had repairs done at Zipyard, I'm sure I paid up front and wasn't asked 'if I'd like to', same when I get shoes re-heeled.


If you've been storing stuff for a year, it's pretty obvious people aren't coming back for them. A 'policy' about storage time sounds like it's needed also, you don't want to be drowning in other people's clut, particularly when you've wasted money repairing it.


Years ago somebody I knew used to treat the drycleaners as an extra wardrobe as she had very little storage space. I think they (foolishly) only asked for payment when the garments were collected, so they ended up storing a lot her stuff which was only collected when she needed it for a night out!


I don't believe anybody doesn't have a phone number in this day and age.... those that won't leave one have got to be suspect in whether they will turn up to collect.

Savvy_sewing

The gypsies are the worst. Then there are a few rather "mentally disturbed" people who don't seem to understand.
I did have t& c s up originally but think staff keeps removing them!
She has a habit of cleaning up and rearranging things and notices seem to be one of them.
I will re do the signs and start to ask for the money up front. I need to do that but I do find it difficult to ask for money upfront. Staff is better at that one then me.
I am home and tired now.
Kids were good as gold, but I'm out of the habit of babies!
I have to get fuel in the car, so I may walk to work in the morning.
I have put the electric blanket on ready to go to bed in a minute.
Was hungry and fancied a snack, but could only find tinned rice pudding.

greenbee

Make sure the Ts & Cs are put up somewhere obvious (and are large, with large print) and make clear to all your staff that they are not to be moved. You might also want to have some printouts and ask that they are handed out to new customers.

You're running a business, so you need to get the hang of asking for money!

Tinned rice pudding is a perfectly good snack. I really need to have a bath and head off to bed, but am still battling with some work. As usual all the people who didn't provide input at the start of the process now have opinions at the end and want to make drastic changes when there simply isn't time.