Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: telfordwindowclnr on March 19, 2013, 09:47:05 pm

Title: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: telfordwindowclnr on March 19, 2013, 09:47:05 pm
Is it coincidence that Alex gardiners new range of poles have been put out there on their website on the same day as the Cleaning Show begins?

Competitors of gardiner will be PAYING to showcase their new wares over the next few days. Is it coincidence that WITHOUT paying or by even being there, (I assume he wasn't there!) Alex has trumped all of his competitors and likely had more hits to his website and started the buzz about his new range of poles?!  His competitors will be spitting their beer out tonight!!!

Is it coincidence or is it very clever?

I know where I stand, it's very, very clever and I like it, A LOT! Fair play to you Alex, you've gone and done it again!!!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on March 19, 2013, 09:51:47 pm
I'm with you. Masterstroke!!
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Frankybadboy on March 19, 2013, 09:55:47 pm
did he do the same last year with somthing.

got to give it to him.even for a 70 year old bloke ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: wfp master on March 19, 2013, 10:26:43 pm
its all about timing  ;) timing is the key to all moves.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Jack Harris on March 19, 2013, 11:46:54 pm
Best poles, will never use any other brand.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: LT carpet cleaning on March 20, 2013, 12:57:08 am
Assume you get paid for that licking?
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: telfordwindowclnr on March 20, 2013, 07:00:03 am
 
Assume you get paid for that licking?

;D No. But I like the little nuances of good business and that is one. Praise where praise is due. ;D
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Nick_Thompson on March 20, 2013, 08:03:51 am
Assume you get paid for that licking?

;D No. But I like the little nuances of good business and that is one. Praise where praise is due. ;D

Hummer, with all due respect, kind sir, and assuming that your post did indeed carried the air of malice that seemed to have accompanied it, how exactly did you derive a sycophantic element to Steve's praise?
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on March 20, 2013, 08:19:51 am
Is it coincidence that Alex gardiners new range of poles have been put out there on their website on the same day as the Cleaning Show begins?

Competitors of gardiner will be PAYING to showcase their new wares over the next few days. Is it coincidence that WITHOUT paying or by even being there, (I assume he wasn't there!) Alex has trumped all of his competitors and likely had more hits to his website and started the buzz about his new range of poles?!  His competitors will be spitting their beer out tonight!!!

Is it coincidence or is it very clever?

I know where I stand, it's very, very clever and I like it, A LOT! Fair play to you Alex, you've gone and done it again!!!  ;D ;D ;D

Not really the case. Lets not over-egg the situation here. All due respects to Alex for continuing to re-invent the wheel. I am an avid Gardiners fan. We only use their poles and brushes, nothing else.

But when you say what you have Steve you are making an assumption. The fact that Alex has improved on his range of SLX poles has only become common knowledge to us because we frequent this forum. If I didn't come on here I wouldn't know about Alex Gardiner and his waterfed pole business down in Cornwall.

In other words, I would bet my dollar that the vast majority of Alex's sales go to CIU members. THIS is Alex's marketing avenue, the others rely on different avenues and probably do very well out of them.

Try considering how many or what percentage of window cleaners on a national basis come on here. Probably less than 5%. Less than that even.

Ive just put the term WATERFED POLE SUPPLIER into Google, Alex is nowhere to be seen. He has cornered the CIU market without a shadow of a doubt but the others probably graze elsewhere.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on March 20, 2013, 08:36:40 am
I think you may be right to some degree but IMO thats where it's a mastersroke.

Gardiners only pay for advertisers rights on here and the posters do the rest, due to me using Gardiners stuff 3 of the local lads who are not on here now swear by them, others aspire to use them.

Gardiners dont have the expense of trade shows, which always get slated on Dragon's Den, as people who buy their stuff advertise for them.

Plus, Gardeners are international with suppliers advertising fo them as well.

It would be interesting to know what % of the pole market they command.

(Matt your hat is to be posted today)
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: LT carpet cleaning on March 20, 2013, 11:36:09 am
Assume you get paid for that licking?

;D No. But I like the little nuances of good business and that is one. Praise where praise is due. ;D

Hummer, with all due respect, kind sir, and assuming that your post did indeed carried the air of malice that seemed to have accompanied it, how exactly did you derive a sycophantic element to Steve's praise?

No malice intended! But struggling how you dont see the sycophancy. Just wondered why all the constant praise for one man/product? Must be good eh  :)
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Alex Wingrove on March 20, 2013, 11:40:20 am
Is it coincidence that Alex gardiners new range of poles have been put out there on their website on the same day as the Cleaning Show begins?

Competitors of gardiner will be PAYING to showcase their new wares over the next few days. Is it coincidence that WITHOUT paying or by even being there, (I assume he wasn't there!) Alex has trumped all of his competitors and likely had more hits to his website and started the buzz about his new range of poles?!  His competitors will be spitting their beer out tonight!!!

Is it coincidence or is it very clever?

I know where I stand, it's very, very clever and I like it, A LOT! Fair play to you Alex, you've gone and done it again!!!  ;D ;D ;D

Not really the case. Lets not over-egg the situation here. All due respects to Alex for continuing to re-invent the wheel. I am an avid Gardiners fan. We only use their poles and brushes, nothing else.

But when you say what you have Steve you are making an assumption. The fact that Alex has improved on his range of SLX poles has only become common knowledge to us because we frequent this forum. If I didn't come on here I wouldn't know about Alex Gardiner and his waterfed pole business down in Cornwall.

In other words, I would bet my dollar that the vast majority of Alex's sales go to CIU members. THIS is Alex's marketing avenue, the others rely on different avenues and probably do very well out of them.

Try considering how many or what percentage of window cleaners on a national basis come on here. Probably less than 5%. Less than that even.

Ive just put the term WATERFED POLE SUPPLIER into Google, Alex is nowhere to be seen. He has cornered the CIU market without a shadow of a doubt but the others probably graze elsewhere.

I was talking to Alex some time ago, maybe 3 years, and I think he told me that most people who bought the SLX had never been on CIU.

Maybe things have changed
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Spruce on March 20, 2013, 11:56:08 am
I think you may be right to some degree but IMO thats where it's a mastersroke.

Gardiners only pay for advertisers rights on here and the posters do the rest, due to me using Gardiners stuff 3 of the local lads who are not on here now swear by them, others aspire to use them.

Gardiners dont have the expense of trade shows, which always get slated on Dragon's Den, as people who buy their stuff advertise for them.

Plus, Gardeners are international with suppliers advertising fo them as well.

It would be interesting to know what % of the pole market they command.

(Matt your hat is to be posted today)


I was just thinking this the other day.

In South Africa the major power tool importers, AEG, Black & Decker, Bosch, Metabo, Makita, etc registered their monthly sales with a central auditing firm. These figures where supplied in various catagories. The auditors would total the amounts up and advise each importer of the totally monthly sales of the each catagory.

As you knew you figures you gave them, you would then calculate your market share.

The motor manufacturers do the same in the UK with vehicle registrations, except the DVLA tell everyone what they registered that month/period etc.

I doubt there would be anything like this in the WFP pole market. Must be very difficult marketing and selling a product and have no idea how well you are doing with regard to the market. Their only way of measuring success is against their own sales and profit statistics year on year. There again success isn't only just about that; after sales customer care is just as important and can be a real motivator in some instances, as I believe it to be with Alex.

Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on March 20, 2013, 01:20:49 pm
(Matt your hat is to be posted today)

"Thankin' you nicely master, thankyou thank you"  ;)
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: thermoclean on March 20, 2013, 05:16:42 pm
I've got a 25 ft and 35 ft slx there amazing light and rigid but the clamps are just plain crap would much rather use a facelift or elite clamp.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Alex Gardiner on March 20, 2013, 05:23:55 pm
I've got a 25 ft and 35 ft slx there amazing light and rigid but the clamps are just plain crap would much rather use a facelift or elite clamp.

Hi thermoclean

I'm sorry to hear this  :(

 Drop me an email on alex@agardiner.co.uk and hopefully we can sort out whatever is the issue.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: richard jagger on March 20, 2013, 05:42:58 pm
I think Alex is a good businessman and have a natural feel for this market which he has build up with good products and great service to our industry. It has not fallen in his lap its talented, visionary ability and hard work. Most of the time he is a market leader and many try to emulate him. He deserves all the success he has worked for and still remains humble. I have never come on here and  heard him play the big deal as so many do with must less to be proud of. I say congratulations Alex Gardener and keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on March 22, 2013, 03:18:02 pm
(Matt your hat is to be posted today)

It arrived today Stuart, thanks. Very fetching ;-)
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on March 22, 2013, 03:21:09 pm
(Matt your hat is to be posted today)

It arrived today Stuart, thanks. Very fetching ;-)

You're welcome Matt.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Mike @ Facelift on March 22, 2013, 05:38:49 pm
Is it coincidence that Alex gardiners new range of poles have been put out there on their website on the same day as the Cleaning Show begins?

Competitors of gardiner will be PAYING to showcase their new wares over the next few days. Is it coincidence that WITHOUT paying or by even being there, (I assume he wasn't there!) Alex has trumped all of his competitors and likely had more hits to his website and started the buzz about his new range of poles?!  His competitors will be spitting their beer out tonight!!!

Is it coincidence or is it very clever?

I know where I stand, it's very, very clever and I like it, A LOT! Fair play to you Alex, you've gone and done it again!!!  ;D ;D ;D

Clever??? Hardly.. 95% of the reason for trade shows is networking!!!

Suppliers being absent from trade shows might be cheap but they are the one's missing out on swapping business cards with a whole range of new contacts... Window cleaners, potential distributors, purchasers for national companies... Huge amounts of potential customers.

As small as the show was I went every day and I'm glad I did, networking is the key to building relationships... Even with the competition.

..... And I met Turbo Terry again.... Legend!



Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on March 22, 2013, 05:51:15 pm
Is it coincidence that Alex gardiners new range of poles have been put out there on their website on the same day as the Cleaning Show begins?

Competitors of gardiner will be PAYING to showcase their new wares over the next few days. Is it coincidence that WITHOUT paying or by even being there, (I assume he wasn't there!) Alex has trumped all of his competitors and likely had more hits to his website and started the buzz about his new range of poles?!  His competitors will be spitting their beer out tonight!!!

Is it coincidence or is it very clever?

I know where I stand, it's very, very clever and I like it, A LOT! Fair play to you Alex, you've gone and done it again!!!  ;D ;D ;D

Clever??? Hardly.. 95% of the reason for trade shows is networking!!!

Suppliers being absent from trade shows might be cheap but they are the one's missing out on swapping business cards with a whole range of new contacts... Window cleaners, potential distributors, purchasers for national companies... Huge amounts of potential customers.

As small as the show was I went every day and I'm glad I did, networking is the key to building relationships... Even with the competition.
..... And I met Turbo Terry again.... Legend!





I presume that is the reason Mr Fox is employed?
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Mike @ Facelift on March 22, 2013, 06:12:33 pm
Absolutely..... Mr F is a well connected guy...

Awesome level of experience at every level of the industry...

.... But he is modest about it all!
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: telfordwindowclnr on March 22, 2013, 06:48:09 pm
I think Alex is a good businessman and have a natural feel for this market which he has build up with good products and great service to our industry. It has not fallen in his lap its talented, visionary ability and hard work. Most of the time he is a market leader and many try to emulate him. He deserves all the success he has worked for and still remains humble. I have never come on here and  heard him play the big deal as so many do with must less to be proud of. I say congratulations Alex Gardener and keep up the good work.
+1, in fact, +2!
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: telfordwindowclnr on March 22, 2013, 06:52:48 pm
Is it coincidence that Alex gardiners new range of poles have been put out there on their website on the same day as the Cleaning Show begins?

Competitors of gardiner will be PAYING to showcase their new wares over the next few days. Is it coincidence that WITHOUT paying or by even being there, (I assume he wasn't there!) Alex has trumped all of his competitors and likely had more hits to his website and started the buzz about his new range of poles?!  His competitors will be spitting their beer out tonight!!!

Is it coincidence or is it very clever?

I know where I stand, it's very, very clever and I like it, A LOT! Fair play to you Alex, you've gone and done it again!!!  ;D ;D ;D

Clever??? Hardly.. 95% of the reason for trade shows is networking!!!

Suppliers being absent from trade shows might be cheap but they are the one's missing out on swapping business cards with a whole range of new contacts... Window cleaners, potential distributors, purchasers for national companies... Huge amounts of potential customers.

As small as the show was I went every day and I'm glad I did, networking is the key to building relationships... Even with the competition.

..... And I met Turbo Terry again.... Legend!




Swapping business cards? Maybe you have a point. But swapping cards does not result in sales. I know from my own experience. How many folks who's business card you received will you actually do business with?

Here, on this forum you are not guessing your market. Hey are in the palm of your hand. They are not potential, they are your market. Networking is he key, but only with the right people, buyers. I very much hope you got what any business needs, buyers.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Mike @ Facelift on March 22, 2013, 07:19:10 pm
Luckily Trade shows are full of buyers.... Big Buyers...

Those who don't buy tend to refer.

That's networking.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: CLEANCARE WC on March 22, 2013, 07:30:04 pm
@ Matt bateman....

I bet he sells a lot to JW's too, not cos he is one of our own, but because everyone knows everyone and we talk.
As you say he simply sells the best poles so people recomend them to eachother and No we do t get a discount or loyalty card just the occasional pen or carribina  like everyone else  ;D
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Stephen.C on March 22, 2013, 07:41:43 pm
I was on the Ionic stand yesterday and they were selling poles like hot cakes.
I was also told the same was to be said for unger.
A good day networking, I have to say Dave Morris is right about networking. Got one very good lead just being at the show on the right stand at the right time.
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Stephen Fox on March 22, 2013, 08:58:31 pm

I presume that is the reason Mr Fox is employed?

Sunshine, not sure what you mean?
Title: Re: Is It Coincidence Or Very Clever?
Post by: Goldoak cleaning specialists on March 22, 2013, 09:22:55 pm
Success is recognising opportunities in front of you.  Being smart is reaching out to them. Being clever is knowing how how to grab them.

If you say what your saying is true then I say its clever.  Very!!