Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Lee Burbidge on September 18, 2012, 07:44:48 am

Title: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Lee Burbidge on September 18, 2012, 07:44:48 am
Cowboy V Professional

What, in your opinon, is the definition of a cowboy window cleaner? When is the line crossed into Professional window cleaner.

Isnt the term 'cowboy' insulting for some one just starting up on very little money or for some one happy to only work part time??
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: bobplum on September 18, 2012, 07:59:15 am
i would draw the line in the sand ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: dazmond on September 18, 2012, 08:08:20 am
a cowboy IMO is someone who doesnt clean frames OR sills.bumps the bathroom window and leaves the doors.is trad only and misses the window above conny!!

uses beer towels as sill cloths,wooden ladders and works on the side paying no tax,insurance and is milking the state for as much as he can.

oh and usually he has a drink/drug problem!

he also stares with burning jealousy/anger when he sees another window cleaner(usually WFP) that seems to have is act together ON HIS PATCH!!!! :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Lee Burbidge on September 18, 2012, 08:17:32 am
a cowboy IMO is someone who doesnt clean frames OR sills.bumps the bathroom window and leaves the doors.is trad only and misses the window above conny!!

uses beer towels as sill cloths,wooden ladders and works on the side paying no tax,insurance and is milking the state for as much as he can.

oh and usually he has a drink/drug problem!

he also stares with burning jealousy/anger when he sees another window cleaner(usually WFP) that seems to have is act together ON HIS PATCH!!!! :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D

Is it possible, if a window cleaner has just a few of the things from your list, that he is wrongly seen as a cowboy. Maybe he is learning the job for example......
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: dazmond on September 18, 2012, 08:27:46 am
I personally think that a cowboy is someone whos not legit and takes no pride in his work.i know its only window cleaning but i think a proper job includes sills and frames and doors (this should be a standard window clean).

as for which method they use it doesnt matter!they will cut corners and do a shoddy job whether trad or WFP!! ;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Lee Burbidge on September 18, 2012, 08:33:48 am
I personally think that a cowboy is someone whos not legit and takes no pride in his work.i know its only window cleaning but i think a proper job includes sills and frames and doors (this should be a standard window clean).

as for which method they use it doesnt matter!they will cut corners and do a shoddy job whether trad or WFP!! ;) ;D ;D ;D

What if he is just no good at window cleaning but things he is.....
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: dazmond on September 18, 2012, 08:49:15 am
haha.......well.........i think as a window cleaner we all learn to spot the smallest speck or smear on a window half a mile away. ;D ;D ;D

having good equipment is half of it!water 000.dont use fairy in ya bucket if trad,good rubber in squeegee and good technique.

if he s no good at window cleaning but thinks he is then he suffers from delusions of granduer!!

maybe you need to take him to one side lee and show him where he s going wrong or are you talking about yourself?haha!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: bumper on September 18, 2012, 09:02:03 am
a cowboy IMO is someone who doesnt clean frames OR sills.BUMPS the bathroom window and leaves the doors.is trad only and misses the window above conny!!

uses beer towels as sill cloths,wooden ladders and works on the side paying no tax,insurance and is milking the state for as much as he can.

oh and usually he has a drink/drug problem!

he also stares with burning jealousy/anger when he sees another window cleaner(usually WFP) that seems to have is act together ON HIS PATCH!!!! :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D

Is it possible, if a window cleaner has just a few of the things from your list, that he is wrongly seen as a cowboy. Maybe he is learning the job for example......
IM GETTING IN TOCH WID MY SOLICITOR CALLING ME A COWBOY.who been telling you my perks of the job ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Johnny B on September 18, 2012, 09:57:04 am
In my humble opinion a cowboy describes one who does a shoddy job, irrespective of the equipment he uses.

I am trad, and use basic equipment, but do a very thorough job with what I have. I am registered legitimately and thus pay my tax/PRSI/Social charge (Irish taxes).

However, I don't claim tax allowance on horse feed.

John 
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: *Hector* on September 18, 2012, 11:14:02 am
Spurs on the wellies....

shouting yeee haaa every 5 minutes......

and silly hat.......

 8)
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Lee Burbidge on September 18, 2012, 02:56:43 pm
In my humble opinion a cowboy describes one who does a shoddy job, irrespective of the equipment he uses.

I am trad, and use basic equipment, but do a very thorough job with what I have. I am registered legitimately and thus pay my tax/PRSI/Social charge (Irish taxes).

However, I don't claim tax allowance on horse feed.

John 

Do you think that most wfp users think of the trad boys as in that group 'cowboys' sometimes IYO?
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Ian101 on September 18, 2012, 03:48:29 pm
In my humble opinion a cowboy describes one who does a shoddy job, irrespective of the equipment he uses.

I am trad, and use basic equipment, but do a very thorough job with what I have. I am registered legitimately and thus pay my tax/PRSI/Social charge (Irish taxes).

However, I don't claim tax allowance on horse feed.

John 

Do you think that most wfp users think of the trad boys as in that group 'cowboys' sometimes IYO?

definately not ... cowboy is down to attitude not equipment ... im water fed pole and consider trad guys to be "proper" windies ... with a pole i still feel im cheating a little but i dont care so that must make me a cowboy   ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Lee Burbidge on September 18, 2012, 04:01:22 pm
In my humble opinion a cowboy describes one who does a shoddy job, irrespective of the equipment he uses.

I am trad, and use basic equipment, but do a very thorough job with what I have. I am registered legitimately and thus pay my tax/PRSI/Social charge (Irish taxes).

However, I don't claim tax allowance on horse feed.

John 

Do you think that most wfp users think of the trad boys as in that group 'cowboys' sometimes IYO?

definately not ... cowboy is down to attitude not equipment ... im water fed pole and consider trad guys to be "proper" windies ... with a pole i still feel im cheating a little but i dont care so that must make me a cowboy   ;D

Lmao..... cowboy is down to attitude not equipment? I like that....
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: gary999 on September 18, 2012, 09:33:16 pm
other window cleaners opinions on who or what constitutes a cowboy
is irrelevant.

the only opinions that really matter, are your existing or potential customers
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: DG Cleaning on September 18, 2012, 09:36:43 pm
How many people did doors and frames when trad?
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Window Washers on September 18, 2012, 09:44:03 pm
a cowboy IMO is someone who doesnt clean frames OR sills.bumps the bathroom window and leaves the doors.is trad only and misses the window above conny!!

uses beer towels as sill cloths,wooden ladders and works on the side paying no tax,insurance and is milking the state for as much as he can.

oh and usually he has a drink/drug problem!

he also stares with burning jealousy/anger when he sees another window cleaner(usually WFP) that seems to have is act together ON HIS PATCH!!!! :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D
Daz I dont agree with you there mate sorry, when I was trad, I cleaned the glass only, I charged to clean frames if customers wanted that service as an add on many did not.
A cowboy to me is a cleaner that does not have insurance, undercuts everyone else becasue they need beer money/drug money, they work unsafe and claim dole or benifits whilst doing so.
Beer towels with trad work is very good to soak up water, maybe you didnt know this ?

Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: KS Cleaning on September 18, 2012, 10:38:58 pm
I agree with window washers ;)
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: rosskesava on September 18, 2012, 11:11:22 pm
I agree with window washers ;)

+1

I couldn't have put it better.
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: dave f on September 19, 2012, 06:51:07 am
window cleaning in my opinion is just a gloryfied domestic job theirs to much snobery in this game with ive got this i got that ,etc do the job get on with it i cant see what all the fuss is about  to much one upman ship
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: G Griffin on September 19, 2012, 07:43:09 am
I think Ian is right. A professional attitude is more important than all the flash equipment; though you can have both.
Talking about being 'pros' can make us look gimps, at times. It's not as though we're involved in a widely recognised profession, like doctors, lawyers and velcro salesmen. However much you earn or expensive your pole was isn't going to change public perception, in that respect.
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: dave f on September 19, 2012, 04:09:30 pm
corect
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Johnny B on September 19, 2012, 11:25:56 pm
window cleaning in my opinion is just a gloryfied domestic job theirs to much snobery in this game with ive got this i got that ,etc do the job get on with it i cant see what all the fuss is about  to much one upman ship

Someone else who can see it for what it really is.... ;)

Yup.

John
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: richard jagger on September 20, 2012, 06:44:08 am
A cowboy window cleaner is a window cleaer that will do a bad job ,expecing full payment for the result.Never thinks he might damage the name of the industry or the good will of his fellow cleaners.Cheats and steals customers and generally does not care for anyone or thing except his own pocket. Treats customer and fellow with no respect and lacks pride in in what he does and himself.
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Ian101 on September 20, 2012, 08:07:04 am
Ive only got 1 more thing to add

" Geroff my patch your horse and drink yer milk "

Yippi ki ai mother shagger
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Andrew Willis on September 21, 2012, 06:23:00 am
i would draw the line in the sand ;D

 ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Andrew Willis on September 21, 2012, 06:26:35 am
I think a cowboy is someone who pulls his water tank around on horseback.

  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: LWC on September 21, 2012, 12:01:01 pm
A cowboy is someone whos trad
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: paul saunders on September 21, 2012, 12:42:06 pm
A cowboy is someone whos trad

Or a part time fireman!!!  ;)
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: LWC on September 21, 2012, 04:40:23 pm
A cowboy is someone whos trad

Or a part time fireman!!!  ;)

Yes that to
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: CLEANCARE WC on September 21, 2012, 05:01:20 pm
How many people did doors and frames when trad?


I never did doors unless asked.
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: petemg on September 23, 2012, 08:59:44 pm
hi ya :)acording to this post  all window cleaners were cowboys till WFP came along, there are some proper shiners left on here but the y get on with the job and dont pose and bragg about how many and how mutch they do a day, and as we are in a decade of older folk there is still room for proper shiners respect where its due ........pete
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: dave f on September 24, 2012, 01:48:16 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz its getting boaring now :P
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Wc Solutions on September 24, 2012, 02:49:03 pm
A cowboy is someone who deliberately misses windows, frames etc ....

A pro is someone with experience and takes pride in his or her work and acts in the correct manor with customers, pays taxes etc ...
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: jimiwindows on September 24, 2012, 03:56:22 pm
a cowboy is someone that cleans houses
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: Lee Burbidge on September 24, 2012, 05:23:17 pm
Wadda I miss??????
Title: Re: Where do you draw the line?
Post by: 4S Cleaning on September 24, 2012, 05:29:48 pm
How many people did doors and frames when trad?


I never did doors unless asked.

I do anything that had glass in it  ;D