Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mike1986 on October 11, 2018, 09:28:47 am

Title: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: mike1986 on October 11, 2018, 09:28:47 am
Do you still get this from customers? I’ve been wfp for about 8 years now and still get this from the  odd customer. They usually then go on to say it leaves spots runs etc.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: nathankaye on October 11, 2018, 09:53:49 am
I don't seem to hear it much these days.  I normally get
"we went such n such place and saw quite a lot of people cleaning windows like you do"
Or
"the hotel we stayed in had someone clean windows like you. Wow those poles can reach a good height can't they"

it often from trad cleaners or other non customers who I normally hear say those comments.  I often ask them if they want to go back to the horse n cart. Or if its a trades man i ask if they use power tools or old school methods.   The point is usually made
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on October 11, 2018, 10:26:12 am
Yep not often though.

Good luck to them. Walk away and forget about them.

You can talk to them till you're blue in the face, they will never change their mind, not by now anyway.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: John Mart on October 11, 2018, 10:32:49 am
Yep not often though.

Good luck to them and walk away and forget about them.

You can talk to them till you're blue in the face, they will never change their mind, not by now anyway.
I agree.

At one time I'd try to persuade them of WFP benefits, but now I just say. "OK, bye."
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 11, 2018, 10:38:38 am
Do you still get this from customers? I’ve been wfp for about 8 years now and still get this from the  odd customer. They usually then go on to say it leaves spots runs etc.

Are you "Oop North?" - above Cheshire but below Scotland?

That's where the last steam engines ran on British Rail ...
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: capn sparkle on October 11, 2018, 10:48:15 am
Oh! "You still use newspaper and vinegar" tends to shut them up.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Spruce on October 11, 2018, 10:53:01 am
Do you still get this from customers? I’ve been wfp for about 8 years now and still get this from the  odd customer. They usually then go on to say it leaves spots runs etc.

Are you "Oop North?" - above Cheshire but below Scotland?

That's where the last steam engines ran on British Rail ...

 ;D

But according to the history books we had at school, 'oop north' was where steam engines all began.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Spruce on October 11, 2018, 10:53:34 am
Oh! "You still use newspaper and vinegar" tends to shut them up.

I must remember that one.  ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: SB Cleaning on October 11, 2018, 12:03:28 pm
Yes I get it...

My reply is "Yes no problem but it will be double the price for the extra time" a very small minority say yes the others say they will stick to wfp ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: slap bash on October 11, 2018, 01:24:51 pm
Just tell them about your clean window guarantee.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on October 11, 2018, 02:02:08 pm
They are usually the same people that think the price should be £3 plus an apple  and pat on the back though.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: John Mart on October 11, 2018, 02:14:06 pm
They are usually the same people that think the price should be £3 plus an apple  and pat on the back though.
I think that’s true. They essentially don’t like paying more for what they perceive to be less. Time wise.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Stoots on October 11, 2018, 02:30:13 pm
Get it quite a bit on FB.

Do you use that pole thingy or ladders? Just sacked my window cleaner as he left marks and wet sills.

I just tell them there's a wrong and right way to use the system just like using any other tool.

If they want a demonstration of how it's done correctly then I'll be happy to oblige if not good luck finding a traditional cleaner.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on October 11, 2018, 05:29:45 pm
say too them if theres a  new  care on the drive

as  your car got powered steering ? bet you dont ask the dealers to take it off because you like the old fashioned way ?

or say , they said the same about coal fires 40 years ago and that central heating wasn't needed and wouldn't take off have you had your removed as you like the old fashioned ways ?

ive said this to a good few people and they just cant say anything back to you . your not going to get them as new customers so give them something to think about  ;D ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: markymark on October 11, 2018, 06:43:30 pm
Always makes me laugh (inside, that is).
The stock reply is usually "I can't fit you in" but occasionally I ask them if they ever ask a joiner to not use power tools or ask their doctors to keep all their information in paper files, not computers.  Not had a worthwhile answer to those questions yet. Some people just like to see you sweat for your money.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: dazmond on October 11, 2018, 07:03:47 pm
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: NWH on October 11, 2018, 08:02:29 pm
I also can’t remember the last time anyone even mentioned it,saw a chap I’ve known years he’s still trad tbh I look at him and think what’s the matter with you he must obviously enjoy Chinese torture climbing ladders everyday. If you worked out how far he’s climbed in 20 odd years he must have been to the moon and back again.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: KS Cleaning on October 11, 2018, 10:10:28 pm
say too them if theres a  new  care on the drive

as  your car got powered steering ? bet you dont ask the dealers to take it off because you like the old fashioned way ?

or say , they said the same about coal fires 40 years ago and that central heating wasn't needed and wouldn't take off have you had your removed as you like the old fashioned ways ?

ive said this to a good few people and they just cant say anything back to you . your not going to get them as new customers so give them something to think about  ;D ;D
Really 😂
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: KS Cleaning on October 11, 2018, 10:20:19 pm
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Missing Link on October 11, 2018, 10:52:48 pm
Do you still get this from customers? I’ve been wfp for about 8 years now and still get this from the  odd customer. They usually then go on to say it leaves spots runs etc.

Just once this year.

Most of the window cleaners are van-mounted wfp round my way, apart from a very few, who don't seem to do that much.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Don Kee on October 12, 2018, 07:32:38 am
Do you still get this from customers? I’ve been wfp for about 8 years now and still get this from the  odd customer. They usually then go on to say it leaves spots runs etc.

Just once this year.

Most of the window cleaners are van-mounted wfp round my way, apart from a very few, who don't seem to do that much.

So when you getting your van mount?
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: dazmond on October 12, 2018, 09:20:16 am
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

only someone who uses a backpack for all his work would come out with such nonsense!its far quicker with a hot van mount system.in fact i managed to clean £850 worth of work in 3 days this week so 4 days off...dont go back til next tuesday!just as well as its wet and very windy for the next few days here in the north west! 8)

if i was using a backpack it d take me 5 days! ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: John Mart on October 12, 2018, 09:48:25 am
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

only someone who uses a backpack for all his work would come out with such nonsense!its far quicker with a hot van mount system.in fact i managed to clean £850 worth of work in 3 days this week so 4 days off...dont go back til next tuesday!just as well as its wet and very windy for the next few days here in the north west! 8)

if i was using a backpack it d take me 5 days! ;D
Well done for taking three days to do what one of my guys (inc me if I'm out) does in two.  ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: dazmond on October 12, 2018, 09:50:18 am
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

only someone who uses a backpack for all his work would come out with such nonsense!its far quicker with a hot van mount system.in fact i managed to clean £850 worth of work in 3 days this week so 4 days off...dont go back til next tuesday!just as well as its wet and very windy for the next few days here in the north west! 8)

if i was using a backpack it d take me 5 days! ;D
Well done for taking three days to do what one of my guys (inc me if I'm out) does in two.  ;D

i must have lower priced work than you mate..... :)
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: John Mart on October 12, 2018, 09:56:19 am
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

only someone who uses a backpack for all his work would come out with such nonsense!its far quicker with a hot van mount system.in fact i managed to clean £850 worth of work in 3 days this week so 4 days off...dont go back til next tuesday!just as well as its wet and very windy for the next few days here in the north west! 8)

if i was using a backpack it d take me 5 days! ;D
Well done for taking three days to do what one of my guys (inc me if I'm out) does in two.  ;D

i must have lower priced work than you mate..... :)
Just "yanking your chain. "  ;)
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: dazmond on October 12, 2018, 09:56:44 am
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

its not ego enhancing....if you want the quickest most efficient way of working with as little hassle as possible and a system to last you years and years then you have to pay for it......ive worked with backpacks and barrels,trolleys too....its a crap way to work,ive worked from old vans,ive used gas shower heaters and bottles to heat my water and everything in between......so i know what im talking about......
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: james peters on October 12, 2018, 12:36:20 pm
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

its not ego enhancing....if you want the quickest most efficient way of working with as little hassle as possible and a system to last you years and years then you have to pay for it......ive worked with backpacks and barrels,trolleys too....its a crap way to work,ive worked from old vans,ive used gas shower heaters and bottles to heat my water and everything in between......so i know what im talking about......

I disagree... my daughter works with me.  we can either do a house each, or one does the back and one does the front, we both have a back pack.     I have a transfer pump from the tank to fill them ... it takes seconds....then we are away ... no trailing hose..
then when finished just walk back...job done , no reeling in
I don't have to worry about freezing pumps etc, and on very cold days which are very few , I just fill my tank with hot  pure water.
I have only worked, 17 hours this week, and have taken more than that figure you said.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: tlwcs on October 12, 2018, 01:01:55 pm
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

its not ego enhancing....if you want the quickest most efficient way of working with as little hassle as possible and a system to last you years and years then you have to pay for it......ive worked with backpacks and barrels,trolleys too....its a crap way to work,ive worked from old vans,ive used gas shower heaters and bottles to heat my water and everything in between......so i know what im talking about......

But your also prone to changing your mind 😁
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Smudger on October 12, 2018, 01:09:11 pm
Oooo....

Do I hear the flapping of big willies being waved 🤔

Darran

Mod note: Glad you edited that!  ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Don Kee on October 12, 2018, 01:10:56 pm
Oooo....

Do I eat the flapping of big willies being waved 🤔

Darran

Depends on what floats your boat, I’m not judging.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: dazmond on October 12, 2018, 01:29:56 pm
on large properties you d be forever filling up with a backpack...its defo NOT the most efficient way of WFP window cleaning IMO.....
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Shrek on October 12, 2018, 02:26:03 pm
on large properties you d be forever filling up with a backpack...its defo NOT the most efficient way of WFP window cleaning IMO.....

Very true that daz , a lot of my customers live in houses which take 30 minutes upwards. It’s be a PITA with a backpack, plus I’d be very conscious about saving water.
I could get a 3 bed semi out of a backpack , not sure about anything else
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: nathankaye on October 12, 2018, 02:45:54 pm
I have a trolley for those odd moments when its needed, but it fills me with dread to think I considered using a trolley first before changing my mind to go straight to van system. (I listened to some great advice)
Now my friend is wanting to go from trad to wfp but dispite my efforts to put the lad off, he's insisting on using wfp upstairs and trad downstairs
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: *Hector* on October 12, 2018, 02:50:41 pm
Oooo....

Do I eat the flapping of big willies being waved 🤔

Darran

Depends on what floats your boat, I’m not judging.

Let's face it...... you are not in a postion to judge

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: davids3511 on October 12, 2018, 05:15:01 pm
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D
It's doesn't though.  I've experience of both, started in my Rover 45 with a Shurflo backpack and 25ltr barrels. Now have a van, 800ltr system with hot water. I can make literally twice the money with the van and hot water.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 12, 2018, 05:29:01 pm
Do you still get this from customers? I’ve been wfp for about 8 years now and still get this from the  odd customer. They usually then go on to say it leaves spots runs etc.

Are you "Oop North?" - above Cheshire but below Scotland?

That's where the last steam engines ran on British Rail ...

 ;D

But according to the history books we had at school, 'oop north' was where steam engines all began.

Nope; the first steam locomotive ran in Methyr Tydfil in 1804 in Wales invented by a Cornishman called Richard Trevithick.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: nathankaye on October 12, 2018, 05:31:06 pm
Same story with bagpipes isn't it?
Started in Wales and not scotland

Haha nothing to do with window cleaning, but hey ho
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: John Mart on October 12, 2018, 06:15:51 pm
Same story with bagpipes isn't it?
Started in Wales and not scotland

Haha nothing to do with window cleaning, but hey ho
Credit where it’s due though. Scotland gave us the deep fried Mars bar and the Bay City Rollers.  ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Soupy on October 12, 2018, 06:28:52 pm
Same story with bagpipes isn't it?
Started in Wales and not scotland

Haha nothing to do with window cleaning, but hey ho
Credit where it’s due though. Scotland gave us the deep fried Mars bar and the Bay City Rollers.  ;D

Don't forget:

adhesive postage stamps
anaesthetics
antisepsis
artificial diamonds
reaping machine
Bank of England
latent heat
Brownian movement
Buicks
chemical bonds
penicillin
the decimal point
documentary films
Encyclopedia Britannica
engineering sciences
fax machines
first cloned mammal
flailing machines
geosciences
golf
historical novels
hypodermic syringes
Kelvin scale
percussion powder
logarithms
Maxwell's equations
marmalade
mackintosh raincoats
macadamized roads
microwave ovens
colloid chemistry
breech-loading rifle
tubular steel
quinine
Sociology
pneumatic tyres
pink bathtubs
hollow pipe drainage
Peter Pan
radar
paleobiology
polarization
cure for scurvy
King Arthur
Halloween
refrigerators
Neptune
bakelite
iron bridges
solitons
the steam engine
telephones
thermos flasks/dewars
the telegraph
television
the stereotype
sulphuric acid
the steam-hammer
cure for insomnia
paraffin
Sherlock Holmes
Toad of Toad Hall
Long John Silver
Jekyll and Hyde
Auld Lang Syne
Whisky
US Navy
Chilean Navy
Economics
Cloud Chamber
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: John Mart on October 12, 2018, 06:42:21 pm
Same story with bagpipes isn't it?
Started in Wales and not scotland

Haha nothing to do with window cleaning, but hey ho
Credit where it’s due though. Scotland gave us the deep fried Mars bar and the Bay City Rollers.  ;D

Don't forget:

adhesive postage stamps
anaesthetics
antisepsis
artificial diamonds
reaping machine
Bank of England
latent heat
Brownian movement
Buicks
chemical bonds
penicillin
the decimal point
documentary films
Encyclopedia Britannica
engineering sciences
fax machines
first cloned mammal
flailing machines
geosciences
golf
historical novels
hypodermic syringes
Kelvin scale
percussion powder
logarithms
Maxwell's equations
marmalade
mackintosh raincoats
macadamized roads
microwave ovens
colloid chemistry
breech-loading rifle
tubular steel
quinine
Sociology
pneumatic tyres
pink bathtubs
hollow pipe drainage
Peter Pan
radar
paleobiology
polarization
cure for scurvy
King Arthur
Halloween
refrigerators
Neptune
bakelite
iron bridges
solitons
the steam engine
telephones
thermos flasks/dewars
the telegraph
television
the stereotype
sulphuric acid
the steam-hammer
cure for insomnia
paraffin
Sherlock Holmes
Toad of Toad Hall
Long John Silver
Jekyll and Hyde
Auld Lang Syne
Whisky
US Navy
Chilean Navy
Economics
Cloud Chamber
The Donald.
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: alank on October 12, 2018, 07:36:28 pm
And haggis ;D
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Smudger on October 12, 2018, 07:38:52 pm
That predictive text again 😂😂😂
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: Splash & dash on October 12, 2018, 07:43:26 pm
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

its not ego enhancing....if you want the quickest most efficient way of working with as little hassle as possible and a system to last you years and years then you have to pay for it......ive worked with backpacks and barrels,trolleys too....its a crap way to work,ive worked from old vans,ive used gas shower heaters and bottles to heat my water and everything in between......so i know what im talking about......

I disagree... my daughter works with me.  we can either do a house each, or one does the back and one does the front, we both have a back pack.     I have a transfer pump from the tank to fill them ... it takes seconds....then we are away ... no trailing hose..
then when finished just walk back...job done , no reeling in
I don't have to worry about freezing pumps etc, and on very cold days which are very few , I just fill my tank with hot  pure water.
I have only worked, 17 hours this week, and have taken more than that figure you said.





Backpacks have there place but to use one all day every day no way lifting it in and out of the van 40 + times a day no thanks big houses or conservatory’s you would have to fill it up neumouros times totally inaficient way of working
Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on October 12, 2018, 08:04:30 pm
I only use mine if I can't park close to a house or hard access to the back.

Or maybe if my van is off the road for a while I could hire a small van and work from a back pack to keep going.

Title: Re: I prefer the old fashioned way...
Post by: KS Cleaning on October 12, 2018, 08:52:14 pm
i honestly cant remember the last time a customer said that to me...it was years ago now....

when i first switched i lost around 3 or 4 customers who didnt even give me a chance to use WFP......they point blank refused to have them cleaned with the pole.... ::)roll

most window cleaners have WFP near me now....even the stubborn ones......albeit using glassfibre poles,barrels and trolley systems or backpacks ::)roll ;D...theyll learn.....eventually.....
But maybe someone’s backpack gives a much better ROI than your all singing dancing , diesel guzzling, ego enhancing  system does  :D

only someone who uses a backpack for all his work would come out with such nonsense!its far quicker with a hot van mount system.in fact i managed to clean £850 worth of work in 3 days this week so 4 days off...dont go back til next tuesday!just as well as its wet and very windy for the next few days here in the north west! 8)

if i was using a backpack it d take me 5 days! ;D
£850 in 3 days, pfffft 😂