Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ants on October 29, 2012, 09:20:38 pm

Title: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: ants on October 29, 2012, 09:20:38 pm
Working today and my brush [supalite]started to go on a strange angle.On inspection it was the head that had split where it threads onto the pole. >:(

So went to change it  for a spare [exteme] which is starting to look like Rooneys forhead,the hose came off the Y connector cos the hose is too big for the Y imo.

So changed it again for the sill brush which i dont like for maintenance cleans [but is good for fascias and conny roofs] same problem with the Y connection so  ended up gaffer tapeing it,more lost time. :(

Anyway got me thinking ,if you saw them in the £1 shop you wouldnt think how can they make them for a £1.
Why are they so expensive? ???
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: wfp master on October 29, 2012, 09:44:01 pm
the name. G
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: richard jagger on October 30, 2012, 09:48:11 am
Because the suppliers have got us by the curlies.
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on October 30, 2012, 09:55:56 am
Working today and my brush [supalite]started to go on a strange angle.On inspection it was the head that had split where it threads onto the pole. >:(

So went to change it  for a spare [exteme] which is starting to look like Rooneys forhead,the hose came off the Y connector cos the hose is too big for the Y imo.

So changed it again for the sill brush which i dont like for maintenance cleans [but is good for fascias and conny roofs] same problem with the Y connection so  ended up gaffer tapeing it,more lost time. :(

Anyway got me thinking ,if you saw them in the £1 shop you wouldnt think how can they make them for a £1.
Why are they so expensive? ???


Custom brush designs will always be more expensive, also the orders won't be in the thousands of brushes, again increasing in price. You need a profit on that as well, running your own business isn't cheap either so costs need to be reflected in the product.

My last Xtreme lasted me 18 months. Now if I look back how much money that brush has made me, personally speaking it's ludicrous to be complaining about the price of that brush. Also, remember that they aren't the most expensive brush manufacturer out there either.

If your brush split like that it can mean two things, either there was a problem with the brush to begin with or you've done some serious damage to it. I think there being a defect is more likely, as I've never heard of that happening. Give them a call, I'm sure they'll sort something out with you.  :)
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: scottt24 on October 30, 2012, 09:57:57 am
Partly because they will be manufactured in relatively small batches compared with brushes for different jobs ie brooms etc
Partly because of the designing and testing of them
Partly because of the hype some of them are given on sites such as this
And partly just because they can
I can't really complain though when I've got a van full of the little bstads as I suspect most of you all have 😉
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: Mike #1 on October 30, 2012, 01:57:03 pm
The threaded socket on my extreme also split the other week although I may have screwed it on to tightly which caused the split ,

I used self amalgamating tape to repair it bonds instantly usually then superglued later on after detaching brush . Works fine now no probs . Mike
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on October 31, 2012, 10:23:49 am
So is it the socket or the actual brush stock? If it's the socket it probably has been over tightened? They sell them separately.
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: Mike #1 on October 31, 2012, 11:25:11 am
Why buy if you can repair people are to quick to through things away without trying to repair first . Mike
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: ants on October 31, 2012, 06:18:30 pm
So is it the socket or the actual brush stock? If it's the socket it probably has been over tightened? They sell them separately.
Its just the socket i repaired it by taking one off another old brush where the bristles had all gone curly
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on October 31, 2012, 07:44:24 pm
Try resetting the bristles by submersing just the bristles in near boiling water, so put it back to normal. :)
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: Window Washers on October 31, 2012, 10:08:20 pm
Try resetting the bristles by submersing just the bristles in near boiling water, so put it back to normal. :)
if your having to reset bristles they are not fit for purpose IMO

Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: Smudger on October 31, 2012, 10:20:04 pm
wfp brushes may seem expensive compared to your average addis brush in tesco ( which you could use if you wish )
but as stated gardiners and others are specialist brushes which are made in relatively short batch runs,

you also have to take into account the brush is drilled and jetted then the pipework added - most likely by hand

when compared to the work they do £30 to £40 is not a lot - we change our brushes every 6 months as the bristles
have defo. lost their edge in cleaning

Darran
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: Mike #1 on November 01, 2012, 05:21:35 am
who mentioned bristles  ??? should have gone to specsavers lads  ;D ;D . Mike
Title: Re: Why are w/c brushes so expensive?
Post by: ants on November 01, 2012, 05:09:19 pm
Vikan can make brushes that last without them falling to bits, for the same price or less,i know they are too heavy for everyday use,but they manage to produce a quality brush that probably sells in similar quantities
I think the point im trying to make is are they  built to break?