Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Perfect Windows on August 14, 2011, 04:27:48 pm
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I've always been a dedicated supporter of Gardiners but I've reached the end of my tether.
Today, Sunday, instead of visiting my father-in-law in hospital after his open heart surgery or just playing with the kids in the garden, I've been regluing the last clamps on my SLX-18. It's about six weeks old and this is now EVERY SINGLE clamp reglued and one replaced. They always (by definition) go while being used. I bodged them for the week, had to reglue them today and I've had enough.
Last week I was thinking about buying an SLX-25 but I've changed my mind as I know I'll have to reglue every single clamp and suffer equipment failure while I'm out.
If anyone out there has a pole 25ft long that is similar weight to the SLX-25 (1375g), please let me know. Sullpiers, feel free to let me know. Send me one to use for a month and I'll post a review on here.
Sorry Alex, but this is the straw that broke the camel's back. You simply have to get this quality control issue resolved. It might be your supplier's fault but we buy them off you and you need to get it fixed.
Vin
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its very true that this is a silly problem that really should have been PROPERLY sorted ages ago! its such a shame that the product is the best on the market but is let down by this, im not aware of any other pole company having this problem??
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No problems with mine. 8)
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We went to use our brand new clx,and the thread that comes out of the pole turns not happy!!
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I've always been a dedicated supporter of Gardiners but I've reached the end of my tether.
Today, Sunday, instead of visiting my father-in-law in hospital after his open heart surgery or just playing with the kids in the garden, I've been regluing the last clamps on my SLX-18. It's about six weeks old and this is now EVERY SINGLE clamp reglued and one replaced. They always (by definition) go while being used. I bodged them for the week, had to reglue them today and I've had enough.
Last week I was thinking about buying an SLX-25 but I've changed my mind as I know I'll have to reglue every single clamp and suffer equipment failure while I'm out.
If anyone out there has a pole 25ft long that is similar weight to the SLX-25 (1375g), please let me know. Sullpiers, feel free to let me know. Send me one to use for a month and I'll post a review on here.
Sorry Alex, but this is the straw that broke the camel's back. You simply have to get this quality control issue resolved. It might be your supplier's fault but we buy them off you and you need to get it fixed.
Vin
Email sent to you.
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We went to use our brand new clx,and the thread that comes out of the pole turns not happy!!
I'm not sure if you have already contacted the Office directly about this. If not, please could you contact me on alex@agardiner.co.uk and I sort this out.
I'm out with the kids now but will reply later.
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Ive had mine about 9 months and never had a problem with the clamps (have a clx18)
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Alex, I could indeed have contacted you directly about this but if publicity is what it takes to actually get the issue taken seriously and resolved, so be it.
Once you're selling a pole that doesn't have a post a week on here about repairs, I'll start buying from you again, as the design of the kit is exactly what I need; it's the build quality that is appalling.
Until then, if someone has a comparable pole, let me know. I'm in the market for one.
Vin
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Ive had mine about 9 months and never had a problem with the clamps (have a clx18)
Well, this is every single clamp on a six-week old model. I couldn't just send it back as, surprise, surprise, it's in use every day. So I'm left Aralditing it.
My old one (15 months old) is fine.
Vin
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Use sparky's tape..it does the trick.
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Use sparky's tape..it does the trick.
Deosn't really solve the underlying problem though, does it? That's how I bodge it till I can glue it properly. And I stress that gluing it doesn't solve the underlying problem either.
Vin
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Gluing it does solve the problem, you just got to do it properly.
I've had a couple go on my two poles. Sometimes they haven't used enough glue. It's just one of those things.
Good luck on finding a better pole.
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I genuinely had my worst day wfp in 11 years last week with a brand new SLX. EVERY time i extended it,that new soft absolutely useless yellow hose came off of the interchangeable gooseneck adaptor thing. So i threaded it back up the pole,took the gooseneck off and reattached it. This was my first day of using it too. I persevered but as i was so far from home i had to finish the block of flats with a 47ft Supermax. Which,incidently,had two section stops come off while in use so i pulled the extensions out of the pole on several occasions.
I actually rang Vin from Perfect Windows,hoping he was near by with some o clips,went to see him and the ironic thing is is that he had just re-glued another clamp on his SLX when i got there. There is an o clip on the male fitting on the end of the pole hose to stop it coming off,so why not on the other end of the hose?
Thats a £750 pole with problems and a £300 pole which i had to repair on the first day of use.
I wish Gardiners had shocking aftersales and never had to ring them to find out,rather than great after sales.
Now i know Gardiners will send out some glue,or new hose,but why should i repair poles that obviously aren't fit for the job. Also,46ft Superlite,me and Vin of one section,two big fellas on the other section,trying to get it apart! Btw,thanks for the o clip Vin :)
I like others,pay good money for equipment to make my life easier,which is why i have the van that i do,and system too.
Wheres my ladders?
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I genuinely had my worst day wfp in 11 years last week with a brand new SLX. EVERY time i extended it,that new soft absolutely useless yellow hose came off of the interchangeable gooseneck adaptor thing. So i threaded it back up the pole,took the gooseneck off and reattached it. This was my first day of using it too. I persevered but as i was so far from home i had to finish the block of flats with a 47ft Supermax. Which,incidently,had two section stops come off while in use so i pulled the extensions out of the pole on several occasions.
I actually rang Vin from Perfect Windows,hoping he was near by with some o clips,went to see him and the ironic thing is is that he had just re-glued another clamp on his SLX when i got there. There is an o clip on the male fitting on the end of the pole hose to stop it coming off,so why not on the other end of the hose?
Thats a £750 pole with problems and a £300 pole which i had to repair on the first day of use.
I wish Gardiners had shocking aftersales and never had to ring them to find out,rather than great after sales.
Now i know Gardiners will send out some glue,or new hose,but why should i repair poles that obviously aren't fit for the job. Also,46ft Superlite,me and Vin of one section,two big fellas on the other section,trying to get it apart! Btw,thanks for the o clip Vin :)
I like others,pay good money for equipment to make my life easier,which is why i have the van that i do,and system too.
Wheres my ladders?
You dont know how to use a SL if you get the sections stuck!
The hose is fixed easily by using a barb to stem adaptor (although I do admit it should have been sent with one maybe)
I agree with another poster that people are not gluing clamps back on correctly or with the right glue, preparation is paramount! (although, again the clamps shouldn't come loose in the first place)
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Do you have a new pole with new hose? It is barbed but kept coming off. Your probably right,i obviously don't know how to use an SL correctly. Am i the only person to get a section stuck?
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Gluing it does solve the problem, you just got to do it properly.
I've had a couple go on my two poles. Sometimes they haven't used enough glue. It's just one of those things.
Good luck on finding a better pole.
None of my repairs have subsequently gone again; if I can do it, why can't Gardiners?
I'd be amazed if I could find a better pole but I'm now open to the idea. Once I stop seeing complains about pole clamps on here I might consider going back, but as for now, my intention to buy an SLX25 is officially shelved.
Vin
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46ft Superlite,me and Vin of one section,two big fellas on the other section,trying to get it apart!
And the two foreign blokes were so suspicious; they obviously thought some kind of con or pickpocketing was next when we flagged them down outside the Saints stadium and asked for them to grab the other end and twist.
Vin
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Gluing it does solve the problem, you just got to do it properly.
My comment was meant to point out that the underlying problem is poor quality control and my gluing them doesn't fit that.
Vin
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Do you have a new pole with new hose? It is barbed but kept coming off. Your probably right,i obviously don't know how to use an SL correctly. Am i the only person to get a section stuck?
I have the new hose on my new slx & Xtreme. I've always used the barb to stem adaptors though, it makes for a more secure connection.
I used an sl2 for over 12 months without getting a section stuck. ;)
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Gluing it does solve the problem, you just got to do it properly.
I've had a couple go on my two poles. Sometimes they haven't used enough glue. It's just one of those things.
Good luck on finding a better pole.
None of my repairs have subsequently gone again; if I can do it, why can't Gardiners?
I'd be amazed if I could find a better pole but I'm now open to the idea. Once I stop seeing complains about pole clamps on here I might consider going back, but as for now, my intention to buy an SLX25 is officially shelved.
Vin
Stop whinging then & buy an elite 25ft!
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Alex, I could indeed have contacted you directly about this but if publicity is what it takes to actually get the issue taken seriously and resolved, so be it.
What makes you think the issue wouldn't have been taken seriously without publicity?
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Araldite is not the best glue to use really. I have used it too but it's not flexible enough and usually comes off in the end.
The stuff Alex sends out is the best. I'm sure I saw some the other day in a shop somewhere but can't for the life of me remember where. Penloc I think it's called.
I had the same problems and had a rant at the poor girls on the other end of the phone. Seems to be a common problem I don't know why, probably because the clamps flex a little when the pole is extended. You need to roughen the surfaces up a little and clean with alcohol before glueing. As for glueing on a Sunday? It's only a fifteen minute fix.
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I actually rang Vin from Perfect Windows,hoping he was near by with some o clips,went to see him and the ironic thing is is that he had just re-glued another clamp on his SLX when i got there.
Was he about to use it as well when you got there?
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I genuinely had my worst day wfp in 11 years last week with a brand new SLX. EVERY time i extended it,that new soft absolutely useless yellow hose came off of the interchangeable gooseneck adaptor thing.
Hi luther1,
Another option is tougher PU hose, or tube strengtheners which go inside the hose and ensure a secure push-fit connection.
If you email me sales@aqua-dapter.co.uk we could sort something out for you.
Regards,
Paul
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Gardiners will probably sort it out - they have the inserts too. ;D
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Gardiners will probably sort it out - they have the inserts too. ;D
I'm sure they will, not suggesting otherwise, just an option. AFAIK their inserts are a bit different.
Paul
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My CLX pole had initial problems, several clamps unstuck the first day and then the stop tape jammed which is a bit of a pain to free when your working. However, after Gardiners sent me out two lots of glue with instructions, none of them have come unstuck again. You have to rough up the surfaces with fine sand paper and then clean with alchohol wipe before applying the glue. If done properly, they will never come unstuck again.
I understand the complaint, but I feel that the poles are built to a price and are excellent value.
My 40ft Supermax is a higher quality product reflected in the price and not a single problem with glue/clamps.
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I don't want this to turn into a willy waving contest about what poles/equipment we all use,however,if it does then i'm happy to play that game with any aspect of our business's with anyone. My point was,was that the pole hose kept on coming off from inside the pole whenever it was exteneded,and unfortunately my round doesn't consist of just bungalows.
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Araldite is not the best glue to use really. I have used it too but it's not flexible enough and usually comes off in the end.
The stuff Alex sends out is the best. I'm sure I saw some the other day in a shop somewhere but can't for the life of me remember where. Penloc I think it's called.
I had the same problems and had a rant at the poor girls on the other end of the phone. Seems to be a common problem I don't know why, probably because the clamps flex a little when the pole is extended. You need to roughen the surfaces up a little and clean with alcohol before glueing. As for glueing on a Sunday? It's only a fifteen minute fix.
this always makes me laugh,why should anybody who is spending
decent money on a pole have to after a short time diy his pole,you
say gardiners send the correct glue if needed surely if he has the
corect fix surely they should make sure they go out correct in the first
place.
surely getting it right first time would get you more sales,the luck
of the draw attitude they have towards supplying poles def put
me off buying from them
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I don't want this to turn into a willy waving contest about what poles/equipment we all use,however,if it does then i'm happy to play that game with any aspect of our business's with anyone. My point was,was that the pole hose kept on coming off from inside the pole whenever it was exteneded,and unfortunately my round doesn't consist of just bungalows.
My point was, use your brain. Either bypass the JG connector totally, or at least untill you get the correct inserts. :-*
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I don't want this to turn into a willy waving contest about what poles/equipment we all use,however,if it does then i'm happy to play that game with any aspect of our business's with anyone. My point was,was that the pole hose kept on coming off from inside the pole whenever it was exteneded,and unfortunately my round doesn't consist of just bungalows.
My point was, use your brain. Either bypass the JG connector totally, or at least untill you get the correct inserts. :-*
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I used my brain and bypassed the JG connector completely. Its a bit difficult sometimes when you don't take every necessary spare connector/clip to work with you. Luckily i had a spare pole in the van.
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I don't think they have a problem with sales and it's a fairly easy fix. I would imagine the problem lies with the factory that produces them. Gardiners probably can't tell which clamps might come unstuck - as long as they can see a bead of glue then they must assume it's ok.
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I don't want this to turn into a willy waving contest about what poles/equipment we all use,however,if it does then i'm happy to play that game with any aspect of our business's with anyone. My point was,was that the pole hose kept on coming off from inside the pole whenever it was exteneded,and unfortunately my round doesn't consist of just bungalows.
My point was, use your brain. Either bypass the JG connector totally, or at least untill you get the correct inserts. :-*
[/quot
I used my brain and bypassed the JG connector completely. Its a bit difficult sometimes when you don't take every necessary spare connector/clip to work with you. Luckily i had a spare pole in the van.
To bypass the JG connector, you don't require any spares, in fact you create one! ;D
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i just got a 21 ft grafter pole they do a grafter plus, well chuffed with my pole cant fault it yet
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I don't want this to turn into a willy waving contest about what poles/equipment we all use,however,if it does then i'm happy to play that game with any aspect of our business's with anyone. My point was,was that the pole hose kept on coming off from inside the pole whenever it was exteneded,and unfortunately my round doesn't consist of just bungalows.
My point was, use your brain. Either bypass the JG connector totally, or at least untill you get the correct inserts. :-*
[/quot
I used my brain and bypassed the JG connector completely. Its a bit difficult sometimes when you don't take every necessary spare connector/clip to work with you. Luckily i had a spare pole in the van.
To bypass the JG connector, you don't require any spares, in fact you create one! ;D
:). Agreed. But then the pole hose pulls off the t piece!Needed an o clip!
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If anyone needs a specific issue sorting out then please email me on alex@agardiner.co.uk.
I assure you that we do take such quality issues very seriously and much time has been spent over the last few months ensuring that these problems do not occur. Whilst the % occurrences of recent months have been even less than previously, occasions like this have highlighted to us that more was needed. When an issue occurs not only does it cause our customers hassle and stress, which they do not need, but it also troubles us greatly - I do not like the thought that our clients have been let down. Because of all these reasons we have gone over this gluing process with a fine tooth comb and invested heavily in new processes and high-specification glues to eliminate these issues.
Once again if anyone has an issue contact either myself or the Office and we will attempt to sort this out as efficiently as possible.
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Alex, I could indeed have contacted you directly about this but if publicity is what it takes to actually get the issue taken seriously and resolved, so be it.
What makes you think the issue wouldn't have been taken seriously without publicity?
Matt,
I know you have some kind of problem with me so I normally ignore your posts but you have excelled yourself here.
Can you see the words after "seriously"? I'll give you a clue. They are "and resolved".
It's not resolved, despite plenty of posts on here and calls from me to Gardiners.
Now go away and make a pointless comment on someone else's thread - you're boring me.
Vin
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has Gardiners thought of going in the fishing market for poles you make a killing.
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If anyone needs a specific issue sorting out then please email me on alex@agardiner.co.uk.
I assure you that we do take such quality issues very seriously and much time has been spent over the last few months ensuring that these problems do not occur. Whilst the % occurrences of recent months have been even less than previously, occasions like this have highlighted to us that more was needed. When an issue occurs not only does it cause our customers hassle and stress, which they do not need, but it also troubles us greatly - I do not like the thought that our clients have been let down. Because of all these reasons we have gone over this gluing process with a fine tooth comb and invested heavily in new processes and high-specification glues to eliminate these issues.
Once again if anyone has an issue contact either myself or the Office and we will attempt to sort this out as efficiently as possible.
Alex,
This is every single clamp on a pole. It's from your latest batch.
I called your office and they offered me some glue.
Vin
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I had another clamp go last week ::) dont bother me just glue it up and carry on..
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Hi Guys
This issue should be delt with privately not for the world and his wife to comment on,
Come on be proffessional.
Sorry but would you like one of your custoemers complaining to all of your potential custoermers.
Oliver Collins Rise & Shine Cleaning ::) ::) ::)
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Alex, I could indeed have contacted you directly about this but if publicity is what it takes to actually get the issue taken seriously and resolved, so be it.
What makes you think the issue wouldn't have been taken seriously without publicity?
Matt,
I know you have some kind of problem with me so I normally ignore your posts but you have excelled yourself here.
Can you see the words after "seriously"? I'll give you a clue. They are "and resolved".
It's not resolved, despite plenty of posts on here and calls from me to Gardiners.
Now go away and make a pointless comment on someone else's thread - you're boring me.
Vin
I do not want to butt into any issue between Matt and you. However Vin, this is the first time you have mentioned any of this to me - You have my email address and you have often contacted me for advice about your business and equipment. You emailed me just 6 days ago about systems and this clamp problem was not raised with me at all. I can only help with issues that I know about. I think that you know me well enough to know that I would help you out in any way I could.
If anyone needs a specific issue sorting out then please email me on alex@agardiner.co.uk.
I assure you that we do take such quality issues very seriously and much time has been spent over the last few months ensuring that these problems do not occur. Whilst the % occurrences of recent months have been even less than previously, occasions like this have highlighted to us that more was needed. When an issue occurs not only does it cause our customers hassle and stress, which they do not need, but it also troubles us greatly - I do not like the thought that our clients have been let down. Because of all these reasons we have gone over this gluing process with a fine tooth comb and invested heavily in new processes and high-specification glues to eliminate these issues.
Once again if anyone has an issue contact either myself or the Office and we will attempt to sort this out as efficiently as possible.
Alex,
This is every single clamp on a pole. It's from your latest batch.
I called your office and they offered me some glue.
Vin
You have obviously received a pole that had not had the correct glue treatment, in that all 3 clamps have now failed progressively in use. It was not from our latest batches of poles as we had a large stock of SLX18s in and have not had new stocks of these for about 5 months. We are currently awaiting the latest SLX18s back in as we are out of stock of them now.
Offering a gluing kit often provides the quickest and simplest option for clients to rectify the issue with a minimum of down time -which is why we do this. If this is not suitable for clients then there are other options that can be offered.
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I might be wrong but I can see a problem when gluing clamps on to a carbon pole, as getting glue that would attract to carbon fibre and the plastic of which the clamps are made off could be a very challenging problem. I build a few ocean going yachts and bonding is not as easy as one thinks. If this is the case I think the problem must be solved in the design of the clamp as I would think bonding on to carbon pole would easer .
If you made 2 circular groves , moulded in to inside clamp and 2 vertical groves inside the clamp these would work as keys for glue which can bond to the carbon pole easer. I feel this could solve this problem forever. The gluing adhesion properties of glues is not the same to all material.
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Alex, I could indeed have contacted you directly about this but if publicity is what it takes to actually get the issue taken seriously and resolved, so be it.
What makes you think the issue wouldn't have been taken seriously without publicity?
Matt,
I know you have some kind of problem with me so I normally ignore your posts but you have excelled yourself here.
Can you see the words after "seriously"? I'll give you a clue. They are "and resolved".
It's not resolved, despite plenty of posts on here and calls from me to Gardiners.
Now go away and make a pointless comment on someone else's thread - you're boring me.
Vin
Steady on Tiger. only trying to help
You need to mention it to Alex, he's a top bloke and supplier. Faultless. Stop complaining you big girls blouse ;D
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I do not want to butt into any issue between Matt and you. However Vin, this is the first time you have mentioned any of this to me - You have my email address and you have often contacted me for advice about your business and equipment. You emailed me just 6 days ago about systems and this clamp problem was not raised with me at all. I can only help with issues that I know about. I think that you know me well enough to know that I would help you out in any way I could.
Alex,
This is every single clamp on a pole. It's from your latest batch.
I called your office and they offered me some glue.
Vin
You have obviously received a pole that had not had the correct glue treatment, in that all 3 clamps have now failed progressively in use. It was not from our latest batches of poles as we had a large stock of SLX18s in and have not had new stocks of these for about 5 months. We are currently awaiting the latest SLX18s back in as we are out of stock of them now.
Offering a gluing kit often provides the quickest and simplest option for clients to rectify the issue with a minimum of down time -which is why we do this. If this is not suitable for clients then there are other options that can be offered.
As regards the batch issue I was going on what your staff told me; it was their explanation for the time I had to wait for delivery. On that basis I assumed it was a new model.
I didn't bring it up when I last emailed you because I hadn't wasted half a day dealing with it as I have today.
Take off brush.
Strip pole down and clean.
Prepare and repair clamp number 3.
Replace clamp number 2 (which snapped in two earlier in the week)
Wait 2 hours for glue to go off.
Put pole back together.
Put brush back on.
Top clamp comes off as I put the brush on.
Repeat the whole rotten, sodding process.
I have better things to do with my Sundays.
I really do hope the new ones are better for your business's sake.
Vin
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I have replied to your email version of this post via email.
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I do not want to butt into any issue between Matt and you. However Vin, this is the first time you have mentioned any of this to me - You have my email address and you have often contacted me for advice about your business and equipment. You emailed me just 6 days ago about systems and this clamp problem was not raised with me at all. I can only help with issues that I know about. I think that you know me well enough to know that I would help you out in any way I could.
Alex,
This is every single clamp on a pole. It's from your latest batch.
I called your office and they offered me some glue.
Vin
You have obviously received a pole that had not had the correct glue treatment, in that all 3 clamps have now failed progressively in use. It was not from our latest batches of poles as we had a large stock of SLX18s in and have not had new stocks of these for about 5 months. We are currently awaiting the latest SLX18s back in as we are out of stock of them now.
Offering a gluing kit often provides the quickest and simplest option for clients to rectify the issue with a minimum of down time -which is why we do this. If this is not suitable for clients then there are other options that can be offered.
As regards the batch issue I was going on what your staff told me; it was their explanation for the time I had to wait for delivery. On that basis I assumed it was a new model.
I didn't bring it up when I last emailed you because I hadn't wasted half a day dealing with it as I have today.
Take off brush.
Strip pole down and clean.
Prepare and repair clamp number 3.
Replace clamp number 2 (which snapped in two earlier in the week)
Wait 2 hours for glue to go off.
Put pole back together.
Put brush back on.
Top clamp comes off as I put the brush on.
Repeat the whole rotten, sodding process.
I have better things to do with my Sundays.
I really do hope the new ones are better for your business's sake.
Vin
Good advice form a sole trading window cleaner of 15 months! ;D ;D
I hope for your sake that you never come across any real problems! ;D
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Have same problem since bought pole, lost a lot of work time due to fixing the pole
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Enough