Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Rat-race on July 22, 2012, 07:54:58 pm
-
Guys need opinion
I have been looking at ebay deals, and I have seen this one, what is your opinion? I wonder how much it will go for
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Prochem-Truckmount-Carpet-Cleaning-machine-/160846948244?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257339a794
Please advice if you can.
kind regards
-
Hi Rat-race
How did the training go at Ashbys? Also the one on Ebay looks ok.Going the truckmount route now instead of a porty.
Richard & Tara
-
Buying a used machine like this is as much of a gamble as buying a used vehicle and it is quite easy to buy yourself a lot of problems. It all depends on how the machine has been looked after. Unfortunatly a lot of carpet cleaners are not very practically or mechanically minded and a lot of equipment gets used and abused. I have in the past bought second hand machines and bought a lot of expensive problems with it, so be carefull. The seller does however have a lot of good feed back that is a positive thing and I do buy a lot off ebay myself and do take notice of the feedback. Not knowing the age or the hours on the machine it is difficult to put a price on it but if you look at the cost of the van and allow at least 2500 on top for the machine it would be a good buy as long as hours and age are not too high. If you are going to go truckmounted join the truckmount forum as you will get a lot better advice on that forum. If you do not know a lot about the machine and what to look for and do not know somebody who does that can look at the machine for you, you might find it a safer option to buy a 2nd hand machine with a warantee off hydramaster doing this will also give you the back up and advice that these guys can give you if you do have any problems.
These machines are expensive to repair so it is important to get a reliable machine.
Peter
-
Richard and Tara
Hope you are both well!
Thank you for asking, the training went well but I still feel that I am a virgin in this field and therefore I will definite need more training, possibly working with somebody for a while to have hands on experience.
Regarding buying a TM or porty, am currently just looking and considering different options, while hanging on my fulltime job, where redundancy seem inevitable and therefore hoping to get a package. However, where possible I will get a kind of cleaning machine to start on part time to lay the foundation.
Please accept my apology, I promised to call back but I never did. May I still keep that offer as I will definite need your support when I decide to dive in the game?
Very kind regards
Rat race
-
Hi Peter Maybury
Thanks Peter for the detailed opinion, I am not an engine expert but I can probably do most of the electrical and mechanical maintenance, as you said it’s difficult to know exactly what you are getting especially from ebay and people you don’t know and the risk of investing huge money to buy problems.
I once bought a car which cost me more than a new car, I now you have made me think again.
Thanks though for your advice and opinion.
Kind regards
Rat Race
-
Hi Rat-Race just my opinion but if i were just starting up i would go the porty route not TM. I think you should start with a simple machine to gain your experience then build yourself up to TM if that's what you so wish although you might just decide to stick with the porty also TM is much more expensive and a lot more things can go wrong and also do you want to go TM without even having your own customer base and not knowing how busy you may or may not be.
Best Regards
Phil @ Extreme Clean.
-
Hi Rat-Race just my opinion but if i were just starting up i would go the porty route not TM. I think you should start with a simple machine to gain your experience then build yourself up to TM if that's what you so wish although you might just decide to stick with the porty also TM is much more expensive and a lot more things can go wrong and also do you want to go TM without even having your own customer base and not knowing how busy you may or may not be.
Best Regards
Phil @ Extreme Clean.
On the contrary. If you can get that setup for a reasonable price you should grab it with both hands. A TM like that will have you stand out from the crowd and give you the ability to clean any carpet, large, or small. The Blazer is a very basic machine with little that can go wrong with it and is an excellent starter package. You wil also be able to earn a lot more money much more quickly and because of the additional quality a TM produces it will help glue your customers to you as a stand out carpet cleaner and you cannot put a price on that.
The mistake newbies make is in investing as little as possible in order to 'give it a go,' but it is false economy. Ask Derek West of his experience.
Simon
-
you heard it from someone with the knowledge and experience take the advice and good luck.
-
Thanks guys
As always you all being create in opinions, I will I think I now have a pack of cards in my hands, I just need to make the right decision on which game to play. you all great and I hope you continue like that.
regards
-
Hi Rat-race
You can still give us a call
The reason we went porty is we do a lot domestic work ie 2up 2down houses and the parking is tight sometimes...We would love to get a truckmount.
All the best.... p.s checkout our website now...About us(gallery)
Richard & Tara
-
I wouldn't invest in a second-hand tructmount as my start-up machine, especially if your resources are tight; too many potential pitfalls and costs. I would cut my teeth on a more modest and affordable setup, airline pilots generally don't earn their first set of wings in a 747 or A380. Excellent results can be obtained with a good portable machine at a fraction of the cost of a truckmount, they are also relatively easy to maintain and not tied to one vehicle. What would happen if you bought this trukmount and it was out of action for an extended period or if the van broke down or was accident damaged? You need to factor these possibilities into your business plan and make contingencies just in case. Also bear in mind that being a good carpet cleaner and having good kit, will not automatically make your business successful. The most difficult part about running any business is making the phone ring and converting those enquiries into sales, the actual carpet cleaning is the easy bit.
-
I wouldn't invest in a second-hand tructmount as my start-up machine, especially if your resources are tight; too many potential pitfalls and costs. I would cut my teeth on a more modest and affordable setup, airline pilots generally don't earn their first set of wings in a 747 or A380. Excellent results can be obtained with a good portable machine at a fraction of the cost of a truckmount, they are also relatively easy to maintain and not tied to one vehicle. What would happen if you bought this trukmount and it was out of action for an extended period or if the van broke down or was accident damaged? You need to factor these possibilities into your business plan and make contingencies just in case. Also bear in mind that being a good carpet cleaner and having good kit, will not automatically make your business successful. The most difficult part about running any business is making the phone ring and converting those enquiries into sales, the actual carpet cleaning is the easy bit.
Spoken like someone who has never had a TM and knows nothing about them.
Do agree about getting the phone to ring, very true.
If you can get the phone ringing, a TM will print the money....simples. And the guy that chose the porty will be puffing and panting somewhere in the distance wishing to god he had bought that TM when he had the chance. ;D
Simon
-
Works with a rotary too you know... :o :o :o
No puffing and panting, and a different angle to keep the prices up a bit too... ;D ;D
I use the tag line
"We don't pump gallons and gallons of water into your carpets like the big truck mount systems do."
AND the kit is a fraction of the cost of either a porty or a TM .. Simples ;D ;D ;D
-
Morning Hector ;D
-
Morning Simon ;D ;D ;D
-
I have the same machine, it's a excellent entry level Tm.
Good suction (sutorbilt 3lp blower) same spec as the blazer GT (newer model), It also gets very hot. Easy to repair although parts are expensive like any Tm.
-
Appears he has spent over two grand on the machine think the most expensive one off item are engine / blower /heat-exchanger. It dose look very tidy
-
just looked at that ebay listing.......
if you are working to a tight budget if you ask him to not include the 2 trigger sprayers he might knock off the 76p
or if you want to be really cheeky tell him to knock off the dustsheet and reduce it by the £3 :D
-
Thanks all, I am still in it, but I was talking to a friend of mine who has a garage for commercial vehicles and he has asked me to keep away from Citron as they are too much trouble, I don't have experience with commercial vehicle (VAN), what are your opinion on that statement?
He recommended transit all the time, I wasn't fully convinced but your opinion will play a huge role in my decision.
Again I will like to continue thanking you for all your advice, inputs and opinion.
kind regards
-
Hi Rat-race
Your mates right i had a citroen berlingo before i had a lot of trouble with it..Touch wood had the Transit connect for 2 years now trouble free just the service bits.The transit connect is a 07 reg.My friend has a Transit swb he loves it and thats on a 56 reg its just starting to rust on the rear arch at the bottom.
Richard
-
Thanks Richard
I will try to avoid.
-
On the pther hand--- I had an R reg citroen dispatch and now have a Pugeot Expert- done around 200 000 miles and no problems with either.
-
Had my citroen dispatch van for 2 years an bought it brand new..Had no trouble as yet..
-
Rat race.
I was not trying to talk you out of a truckmount as it really is the way to go. I wish that I had made the change far earlier. But you should consider buying a used machine from a dealer with a warantee. You can then decide which vehicle to put it into etc. Finding a reliable machine in the right vehicle is harder than buying the two seperately. If it was a good reliable machine in a van that was not reliable it would be as much use as a bad machine that was in a reliable van. The two things need to be dependable in order for you to work. If your van breaks down with a truckmount then your machine goes nowhere. There is no point taking a non working machine to a customer.
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)
-
Agree with Peter, Truckmount is the way to go, i changed nearly 2 years ago, best thing i did after 17 years using portables. Try these guys GP Cleaners 01452 731630, Ask to speak to ian, i think they've got a couple of secondhand ones for sale, and Roman the engineer there really knows his stuff, Really good guys there
-
Thank you Billy,
I phoned Ian (GP cleaners) and we are in talking, he is going to let me know what is available.
regards
-
Thank you Billy,
I phoned Ian (GP cleaners) and we are in talking, he is going to let me know what is available.
regards
Thats great news :)
-
I agree with what Simon has said. It is well worth going for a TruckMount to start with. Also again as Simon stated, the Blazer is a basic machine so pretty easy to maintain and work on. As for the van, well i have to agree. Citroen are not the best. If the whole package can be purchased at a decent price then go for it. Once you have it you can sell the van and buy a Transit. Moving the truckmount from one van to another is easy enough. Let me know if you want it done cheap :)
-
Thanks Richie, I will keep you updated on the outcome.
Unfortunately I have tried to contact the guy several times through ebay and phone without any joy, and that by itself gave me some butterfulies, I will try again but am a bit conscious.
Regards all
-
I have got a Prochem Blazer that I will be selling shortly. Fully restored complete with hoses, wand, recovery tank, hose reel, water tank etc.
Upgrading to a bigger machine.
Simon
-
Thanks Simon
Will you mid to drop some spec/photo for us to have a look, while you wait to acquire your new baby?
I thought the one you have in your van is hydromaster?
regards
-
Any indication of price Simon ?
-
Steve,
£3k'ish.
Rat Race,
I've got two, a Titan 875 and a Blazer.
Simon
-
I remember what you paid for it and the van, Simon 8) ;)
-
Hi Simon
Is this the same package you are getting lead of? (I bought a Blazer Plus with freshwater tanks, hoses, hose reels, wands, hand tool in a Renault Master recently) I won't include the price you mentioned in the past blog.
regards.
-
Yes, but it had a major refit, plus what I paid for it is irrelvant, it is what it is now worth that matters.
Simon
-
On the pther hand--- I had an R reg citroen dispatch and now have a Pugeot Expert- done around 200 000 miles and no problems with either.
Your engine would have been the XUD9TE which are excellent diesel engines which can go on for ever if looked after.
-
Yes, but it had a major refit, plus what I paid for it is irrelvant, it is what it is now worth that matters.
Simon
3k is a very good price imho! Worth that all day long.
-
I wouldn't invest in a second-hand tructmount as my start-up machine, especially if your resources are tight; too many potential pitfalls and costs. I would cut my teeth on a more modest and affordable setup, airline pilots generally don't earn their first set of wings in a 747 or A380. Excellent results can be obtained with a good portable machine at a fraction of the cost of a truckmount, they are also relatively easy to maintain and not tied to one vehicle. What would happen if you bought this trukmount and it was out of action for an extended period or if the van broke down or was accident damaged? You need to factor these possibilities into your business plan and make contingencies just in case. Also bear in mind that being a good carpet cleaner and having good kit, will not automatically make your business successful. The most difficult part about running any business is making the phone ring and converting those enquiries into sales, the actual carpet cleaning is the easy bit.
Spoken like someone who has never had a TM and knows nothing about them.
Do agree about getting the phone to ring, very true.
If you can get the phone ringing, a TM will print the money....simples. And the guy that chose the porty will be puffing and panting somewhere in the distance wishing to god he had bought that TM when he had the chance. ;D
Simon
Really surprised by comments and suggesting a TM for a startup machine. Personally I would hate to see van / machine sitting on the drive OMG. As Simon has stated it will enable you to complete jobs quicker but that is not an issue for a new starter. Quote 'If you get the phone ringing' and this is a masssive IF !
How much do you intend to spend on advertising / marketing ??? ??? as this is the key issue. You can have the most powerfull TM in the UK but with no phone calls its useless!
Rat Race it appears... maybe I am wrong but you have no experience, does it not make sense to start with a portable learn the trade and build up to a TM - Hell you might not even like carpet cleaning :-X
Ps I havent got a portable for sale ;D ;D
-
The hardest thing to do on this forum is know who to take the advice from. When some body asks for advice on something you always get people wiht little or no experience telling you what to do. Here you have several experienced people who have worked from portables up to truckmounts giving sound advice from their experience over a long period of time. Then you have people who have obviously never even seen a truckmount in action giving advice.
Which advice would you take?
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)
-
The hardest thing to do on this forum is know who to take the advice from. When some body asks for advice on something you always get people wiht little or no experience telling you what to do. Here you have several experienced people who have worked from portables up to truckmounts giving sound advice from their experience over a long period of time. Then you have people who have obviously never even seen a truckmount in action giving advice.
Which advice would you take?
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)
Nice Peter ! What the guy asked for was opinion on a startup machine - I gave my opinion as its a forum !
What I didnt realise is only a select few are allowed to answer, What gives you the right to question another persons experience ???
Some ego's on this side of the forum are hilarious
-
Mike,
Don't worry about Pete, he's just a know it all
;D ;D
-
It is entirely possible to go from a start-up situation with a TM. Take the guy who bought the Blazer in a van on ebay recently for just under £5k. If he got himself a good website, did some Adwords, went out leafletting, door knocking and carrying out demos he should easily begin to fill his diary within a short space of time. Derek West did it with ALL new equipment. And £5k to start a business with a machine easily capable of £110k per year is peanuts. Besides being a lot more productive, it gives you a huge advantage in the USP stakes as people (rightly or wrongly) tend to see you as more of a committed professional equipped with the very best kit, whereas we all know it isn't the kit, it's how you use it.
Simon
-
Good day all,
Let me start with thanking everyone who have contributed to my request thread, they are all great advices and food for thought, I also like to apologise on behalf ... as I didn’t intend to cause any fight between the 2 methods/machine users, I was just collecting the opinions, based on the replies it will have to be up to me to make the call on the direction I will take.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect them irrespective of their situations, but I choose on which one to act to.
Simon
I was not really question your price you bought or you are selling the machine for; I only asked coz I wanted to check the spec in the web. I really understand you have done some work on it and I didn’t expect you to do it for free and hence I apologise if I came across questioning the price.
Kind regards
-
Rat Race,
No worries, my friend, I hadn't taken offence.
Simon
-
Rat Race,
No worries, my friend, I hadn't taken offence.
Simon
Thanks, just keeping peace.
-
If a TM appeared at 5 grand including van ( assuming it all is in reasonable nick - its not going to be new for that price) I would have taken it.
2 1/2 for machine and 2 1/2 for the van seems ok.
That has probably gone so I would go for a triple vac or 2x 6.6 from somewhere. I know which I would go for....
If you have an estate then with any luck things would fit in there for the time being- it does not look professional though, it would do till you could get a van, at least you would know how big a van to get.
-
It was a post asking about an opinion on a specific machine but then people without any experience of truckmounts started giving advice on other ways of setting up. There was not anything egotistic about my post at all. The post was not aimed at anybody in particular so why have you specifally taken any offence?
Instead of making childish school boy insults why do you not tell rat race about your personal experience of truckmounts that has prompted you to give him advice on what is fundamentally a very important business decision. When I started I could not afford a truckmount and most truckmounters, life changing decision has been to go that way, their biggest regret is not doing it earlier.
Here is a man who may have the means to start off with that type of equipment and you have got people who have no experience themselves feeling qualified to advise him. There is nothing egotistic about telling him to watch whose advice to take.
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)