Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Clare.w on August 23, 2011, 07:58:56 pm
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Anyone got any ideas on the best cc machine that will fit in an estate car? (if there are any)
We will go and look at some when (we get a chance) kids are back at school but just wanted some ideas at what to look for.
we have a Vauxhal Zaffira, 7 seats but is like an estate when the seats are put down.
We were going to start with a portable then thinking of buying a TM (and van) next year if it takes off (it will!)
We are just starting out with the carpet cleaning but want to look profesional, so should we just go buy a van?
Clare
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I have a zafira & fit my portie in with plenty of room, it's a mytee speedster 200 it's a big machine also got a good deal from Woodbridge it has 200 psi online heater & cost £1800 Inc vat with hand tool, wand, and hoses
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A van is a good investment, looks proffesional, you get it sign written...free advertising. start small with a belingo or something like that with a steampro. once they see van and machine they will know you mean business and your around to stay.
I think un loading an estate car with all the gear somehow does not fill me with confidence.
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Yes I do agree with you, but just wanted to try it out a bit before spending loads.
We could have the Zafeira sighned, we were going to actually because we allready have a domestic cleaning biz. Do you think that could work for a little while?
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We have our Zafira sign written and it does a good job marketing wise. We have 2 kids and can't afford 2 vehicles yet so the zafira is perfect for us. Loading & unloading is pretty easy aswell. Some custy's have commented that they don't feel intimidated when we turn up which is nice
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Same here, we have 4 kids and don't really want to buy a van just yet.
Thank you for that you have made me feel loads more confident about going ahead.
The only probs I can see will be when we need to get all the kids in the car and will have to take everything out! :D
But i'm sure we'll manage for a while.
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Paul - could you post a pic of your Zafeira?
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I can post 1 tomorrow. People will have there own opinion on every issue on this site but I am over the moon with the zafira. Have u got a machine in mind?
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Think about a transit connect crew van, 2 seats fromt
3 in rear.
Maybe if things go okay, part exchange the zafire?
Mr B
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Paul, no I have no idea about machines yet. Will go and look at some when the kids are back at school. I liked the sound of the scorpion, because it sounded like we could stick with it for a while but someone said it wouldn't fit in our car.
Anyway any advice is very welcome ;)
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Thanks Mr B, but we have 4 kids and there are 2 of us.....we wouldn't fit in!
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Unless I put one on the roof! :D
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Amtech do a good machine there's the powerflight, you got prochem, ashbys ninja and the speedster from Woodbridge which is what we got bargain
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Clare you'll do well using your people carrier with a Speedster and then if things go well which I'm sure they will then is the time to have another look at what you need.
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Its not just the machine you have to think about, you will have brushes, airmover, Chems , wands etc.
You might manage for few months but you will need to get a van within a few months.
I use our people carrier when the van is off the road and it is an absolute nightmare.
Mark
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Mark I hate to say it but once you have used a van its hard to go back to an estate car.
I know I have used T/m equipement for over 15 yrs and i'd rather die than use a portable again.
But for our Clare she's used to her car and will handle what get thrown at her to start with.
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I agree with Dave's sentiments spend only on what is needed for now and focus on collecting customers then the customers will pay for the van.
Shaun
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Clare
the airflex mini is a good little machine
Jim
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The airflex minnie has been mentioned before, just to say though that it wont be me using it, will be my hubby -(just in case you thought the other machines too big for little me! :D)
So more important to get the best machine we can......
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I started with a speedster, wonderwand and sebo duo from my renault scenic, was a squeeze and I had to put all chems in to 1 litre bottles but I managed,
I did however feel a bit self concious in the car and parked where custy wouldn't see me, still have customers today from back then though
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How long was it before you upgraded?
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Hi Clare,
If you go on the Prochem website all the machine measurements on there.
Expro
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Maybe find out if someone will let you see there set ups and see what will fit in your car..
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That would be really good, If there is anyone not too far away that would be willing to show us.........
I am trying to find somewhere in Norfolk that sells a good range of machines so we can go and have a look, can't find any though.
Anyone got any ideas?
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I mentioned before drive down A11, M!1 to Alltec, Or go to Hugh crane but they did not have much there last time I went about 5 years ago.
i Think the other place is on Drayton Road begins with H they might sell you a nematic which would be a waste of time
All in all its worth investing a half a day or a day and popping to Alltec
You could also head for Wood bridge Commercials in Harlow
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Thanks Ian, yes you did mention it before.
Doesn't look like Hugh Crane stock very much but will visit Alltec.
Are they good machines? there's a lot to choose from.
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Alltec do training aswell, is that any good? or would we be better off training somewhere eles?
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The Ninja can have wheels fitted on the top where the handle is so it can be loaded on it's back if required. Might make life easier using estate car.
Cheers Tony
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I've just been reading through the website, the training and start up package looks really good. ;) will be going in 2 weeks.
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It would be worth paying Cleansmart a visit in Nottingham aswell , there are a number of machines varying size and spec to suit your needs I'm sure.
Mike
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The training at alltec is first class.
It is drivable if you need repairs
That said Cleansmart also offer good packages and training You would need to check local service arrangement
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whats wrong with a box trailer, some of these towavans are quite snazzy looking, surely thats a tad more professional looking. and big enough to get kit in that will do a professional job, + as long as there looked after they don't devalue if bought used so can be sold on when you get to the stage where you can invest in a van.
just a thought.
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you could get some magnetic adverts made for the car and made for the back windows that make it look like a van
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;D Clare dont buy from Ashbys what ever you do :P there arrogant rude not nice at all,and they ripp you off!
and they charge you for every thing,even in warranty,steer well clear! ::) trust me I am having it large with
them now :o
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maybe try karcher machines. I have a transit connect and its briliannt, loads of space in the boot and 5 seater as well
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Thanks Terry, yes I read your other post!
( I think they may have read it to.....maybe why they were so rude to you?)
:)
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Clare
I would not lift my steampro into a car or a van as I have a bad back the only draw backs with the mini is lifting it into the van and a bit more bucketing as smaller tanks its spec is as good as you will get for a portable with that I mean you can easily take it up to attic flats if you want a higher spec then go for a jag or the storm and as derek posted use a trailer.
Jimmy the weakling
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they have ripped me off and I told them I am going on here and telling the truth about them,everyone on this site knows all about Ashby,money grabbing, ::) just check by my posts and see why this has have been so ::)
they know I know too many people,I warned them! there attitude stinks! ::) if you dont know I got a ninja,still under warranty oct 211,because I am not the buyer from new they will not do the work under the warranty,
last week £167 later to do the repair,2 hours of work later problem still not solved :P now there saying pump head, they are conning people, ::)so its back again with them,I will keep you all updated as this story I am sure will go on, they have so messed with the wrong guy! ::) I am the 2nd owner its like a brand new machine,
because of there stinking attitude there going to get what they deserve, its not needed
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Jimmy the weakling
Jimmy (the weakling :D)
Thats a good point to make actually, My hubby does't have a back problem, but I don't want him getting one! - I could'nt stand the moaning ;D
So maybe We should consider a bit more how heavy they are... I think thats why I thought the scorpion would be good because it say's on the website how light it is.
Can you use a ramp or something to help?
The minie looks like it would be a good choice to start with, with an aim to upgrading to a truck mount and van -in 6 months time ish, then we would have the minie for any hard to reach areas -flats.....Does that sound like a plan?
Box trailer is a good idea but wouldnt work for us, we have no off road parking.
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Terry pity you didn't buy from Ashbys then you would have had a warranty. Before going T/M I bought a 400psi Ninja with built in heat exchanger and had GREAT service from Ashbys and the Ninja which may I say is still going strong on the odd ocassion it is needed first class machine.
Tony
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Clare
I started about 18 months a go with a prochem steampro good machine still use but selling soon
then got a little sensei for flats most of my work and upgraded that to a airflex mini which I now use as my main machine but looking at a van mounted porty and then later going t/m if I can build up enough work.
If you are handy for alltech go and have a look and try lifting machines I would not like to lift a 3 vac or 2 with large pump into a car as its a lot higher than a van.
Jim
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Hi Tony ;D this is whats the problem they hate not buying from them,£2000 I paid they know it ::) they dont like you getting a deal, Derek said to me a week ago, why dont I buy a new machine from them,I said you was not at the shows,you get a deal at the shows right ;D the machine I did get a vac went in 6 months,hardly used the machine,he said if you got that from us I would have replaced the vac, now look how good they really are ::) they love to take your money, you have looked at the posts, I will say as I find,and the storys not done yet, ::)
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Hi Jim, how much are you selling your prochem for?
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;D clare another good little machine is the Altec Elite around £1700 2 vacs heater wand hose this you will have no prob getting in out of the car, ;D :-*
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Hi Clare (& all)
New to the forum but certainly not new to the industry (16 years this September).
My son has just started carpet cleaning & like you has a family & doesn't really want to afford another vehicle at the moment. He has successfully managed to fit a new Jaguar extraction machine with all the basics (wand, hoses, vacuum cleaner, chemicals etc) into a Fiat Multipla which I believe is slightly smaller than the Zafera?
His only problem was the smell when he went to drive away! Because the machines exhaust faces to the front of the car all the heated smells circulated in the car (not very pleseant). However, he quickly fitted a 4" gutter over the exhaust & with a 180 degree bend pointed it to the open boot, problem solved. Loading is simple, as the machine is reversed in so 2 scaffold boards at home makes loading/ unloading easy.
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Using a car is just a none starter IMO. Looks sooooo unprofessional and how will you cope with all your equpiment?
Get a small van Clare. It'll be good for your domestic cleaning business too! You can claim all the expenses back on your tax and you can sign the van with all your phone numbers, website, company name etc.
You could easly pick up second hand Ford Connect (great wee van) for about £2 - £3k. Which is nothing really. Better than that money sitting in a crap savings account or crap return ISA! lol
Invest in your business!! your adding assets and growing your business by buying a van!
For the price of a second hand van, life is to short too be struggling with a car to do a vans job!
Tony
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I agree with you Tony, and we will buy a van.
The reason we didn't really want to just yet unless we really have to is that we will be buying a house next year, after april, as first time buyers and need our profits to be as high as poss -for the mortgage.
We don't need a van for the domestic cleaning as we don't clean ourselves, we have 27 cleaners on the books and we just manage them, so no equipment to carry, no visits to clients except for the initial meet and occational key pickups which our car is fine for (would be better sighned when we get around to it!)
Thats also why I wanted to get the cc machine on lease. sounds silly I know but we have a large family (4 kids) and need a big house, a few thousand pounds could make all the difference.
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4 kids!! bejesus! you'll have your hands full then...
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Yep, house full to! ;D