Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Neil Williams on March 28, 2007, 10:16:09 pm
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Does the window cleaning industry need associations?
Yes/No reasons please
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Does the window cleaning industry need associations?
Yes/No reasons please
Probably not strictly necessary 95% of the time. It's the 5% that bothers me though. I've managed alright for 15 years without one.
However, I feel that society is getting more and more regulated these days and there may well come a time when membership of a trade body is necessary to get into the commercial sector. It wouldn't surprise me if licensing is the norm within the next few years and there needs to be a body (or bodies) to negotiate the best way to implement it.
Also, although things seem OK again at the moment, there may need to be meaningful discussion again one day with water companies.
So that 5% of the time when a TA may be necessary could increase vastly in future years.
A first year membership will cost me about £105 once I've taken account of the fact that the fee is fully tax (and NI) deductible. Probably an OK deal I reckon.
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YES.
Andy
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what the hell do they actually do?
Shaun R.
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what the hell do they actually do?
Shaun R.
Just check the website http://www.apwc.info/html/benefits.html and judge for yourself if you think it's worth it. Some will think so. Some won't.
However, even if the APWC did absolutely nothing, the fact that you've taken the trouble to join a TA gives the message to customers that you are taking your work seriously and are unlikely to be a fly-by-night.
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HI
My view is that the associations need us not the other way round why pay loads of money for member ship when the genral public don't even reconise 99% of the cleaning associations. lets face it all the info we need is on these forums any way ;D
regards paul
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HI
My view is that the associations need us not the other way round why pay loads of money for member ship when the genral public don't even reconise 99% of the cleaning associations. lets face it all the info we need is on these forums any way ;D
regards paul
Hi Paul,
Your view is a fair one but you should consider the following:
The APWC does offer other benefits:
Government Lobbying on behalf of the industry
Member list available to the general public and commercial sectors via this web site
Use of Association Logo on van’s letter heads etc
Help on obtaining the correct Insurance
Free personal accident insurance
Highly competitive Liability Insurance’s
Photographic ID Card
Networking via web site and future local meetings
Conferences and seminars with guest appearances
Member list supplied to all council offices
Member list available to all commercial premises
Free Website Hosting
Free Domain Name www.yourcomapany.co.uk (subject to availability)
5 Email Addresses
Association marketing to create public awareness
Up to date information relating to H&S and other important industry matters
Bi Monthly News Letter
Members only section on APWC Website (downloads will be available H&S info etc)
Help on preparing method and risk assessments
Help on preparing Health and Safety policies
Help on marketing your business
Discounts from suppliers
Promotional Discounts
Now in fairness, apart from all of this, if you were to gain 1 new £10 per month customer this would cover the cost of a single membership?
You are right, Associations do need members, of course they do, the more members that join the more weight the APWC will carry! Bigger discounts can be negotiated on your behalf, more clout when approaching Water Boards, Governments etc.. when lobbying on your behalf. Remember, the APWC is a NON Profit organisation. It is run completely by volunteers who gain NO Income from it whatsoever!
Again it is always a personal choice if you join, but remember, the APWC is out to help this industry not gain an income from it!
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Trevor,
The free web site hosting that is worth paying the money for, I presume the AWPC has its own server.
One thing I like the look of is " Association marketing to create public awareness ", but that is one big task as I am already finding out. How does the AWPC intend to do that.
As you have already researched only 10 % of window cleaners advertise their services, you then have to reach the 90% which is another difficult task as they will be your core membership.
Pity you don't have licensing in England and Wales then you would have all that information on your finger tips, like the SLWCN has now ;D
I wish you guys all the best but you have a long challenge ahead in trying to find the 90 %.
Doug
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Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris
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I would join but its a little expensive for somebody who is just setting out on their own.
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Why have we got 2 threads asking and talking about the same subject?
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It seems that the APWC thought they could get us to part with our money and promise us loads of benefits too soon before they had started. I last heard from them on the 18th of Dec and that was only cause I posted a complaint on here about the accident insurance policy that they promised would come with my membership pack and didn't. Bi monthly news letters have not been received and all the other benefits Trevor quoted is wrong.
JohnL there are plenty of threads with the same subject
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Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris
There's been a few teething problems which are being ironed out as we speak.
Re: insurance. If you're a paid up member then you are insured to the sum of £25,000. As for the document I will look into it myself.
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Paid up early last year, membership no 007. I take it the teething problems will be ironed out before the renewal?
Chris
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Chris, I have already e-mailed the relevant people and will follow it up again tomorrow on your behalf.
It's no excuse and no consulation to yourself but as we all do this in our free time (with exception of the association secretary) sometimes things get overlooked.
It's hard enough gaining members so we don't want to lose anyone either. Stick with us and you will see the results.
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Neil, I can't wait for the news letter. Will it be as informative as the pwc magazine?
Chris
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Just been told, Sunday latest hopefully
Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris
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Just been told, Sunday latest hopefully. And if you mean will it be full of adverts, the answer is no.
Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris
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It seems that the APWC thought they could get us to part with our money and promise us loads of benefits too soon before they had started. I last heard from them on the 18th of Dec and that was only cause I posted a complaint on here about the accident insurance policy that they promised would come with my membership pack and didn't. Bi monthly news letters have not been received and all the other benefits Trevor quoted is wrong.
JohnL there are plenty of threads with the same subject
I totally agree that things were offered to soon and we were running before we we walking, you have no idea how I really do agree with you, there will be certain people reading this that will know what I mean when I say "I told you so!"
However, as Neil has mentioned, work is ongoing and as far as I am aware all that is offered as a benefit is available? Perhaps you can either email me or post on here what you have asked for and not received. One thing is for sure, we won't bury our heads in the sand and ignore you but likewise we need to know whats wrong?
Please do not use offenisve language in your postings as I will delete it!!!!!!!!!! (this is not to do with just this posting but in general on all postings on this forum!)
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I have done the relevant checks as promised and your insurance document was sent to you on 18th December 2006
It seems that the APWC thought they could get us to part with our money and promise us loads of benefits too soon before they had started. I last heard from them on the 18th of Dec and that was only cause I posted a complaint on here about the accident insurance policy that they promised would come with my membership pack and didn't.
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looking back at previous posts many people were nt impressed by the federation of window cleaners and i gather that some are nt to impressed with the association,
i would like to hear from somebody who is happy with either organisation and to add some postive points about them.
Also, what are peoples opinions on the safe contractor scheme,
I am looking at the H & S aspects , risk assesesments and anything else i dont know about that falls into that catergory,
where would be the best place to start learning about these black arts!
cheers for any advice.
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i have just found www.windowcleaningsources.co.uk
answered most of my questions on H & S.
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Trevor/Neil
Thanks for being very polite with your replies. I now have 2 copies of the accident insurance policy? I didn't need another one, it was the newsletter and the web site thing that was getting on my nerves a bit. I really like the way you are both being very upfront and honest about the association on a public forum though. It makes a difference.
Chris
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Hi Chris,
Glad you received your accident insurance, both copies ;)
Regarding the Website, as we speak more and more is being added to it. The search pages are being thoroughly put together. Please check back as it should be live if not now, by the end of the week.
The newsletter is due for publication this month. I guess the main thing is looking and finding information that is both interesting and useful. If there is any particular information you would like to see included please let us know.
Like I have said before. ALL the committee members are doing this off their own back and are solely interested in helping the industry and NOT to get an income from it! Please, if people have any ideas or thoughts on how we can improve the APWC let us know.
Trev