Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: geefree on September 26, 2008, 07:46:35 pm
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I do them really well, i work my butt off to make sure they are good when i leave,
i rinse rinse and rinse some more..... then i go and check the centre of windows, where the dirty leaks are most common...
but lost two today.... both rung and said a window was streaky, despite the explanation letter, and me doing all i could....
they did not even give me chance to put it right. just took the huff and said they disappointed and would prefer to find someone else.....
if only they let me go back.... and then see the second clean too.... anyone had this before?
Gary.
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I have had this several times. When I go back I find that most is runs from condensation on the inside of the window. I then try and follow up with an inside clean......Get them when they feel most guilty ;D
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just me then. ;D
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No. the same gazza.
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i did 17 first cleans yeterday and no complaints yet , i think the answer is to get loads of water on the glass , i use a 4 pencil brush and it works atreat regards alan
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seventeen first cleans :o :o
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We do first time every day since 28.05.08 (its VeRy new for Russia). The results meet with customers approval. But they (clients) like the most the process - its like free show on the streets.
Vadim
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Just tell them that it's gonna look rubbish first time but it's only as your cleaning the frames then next time arrange to do it in 2 weeks. Double the money!!! ;D :D ;)
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Not bad. That's could be a new case study for MBA in LBS. Let sell them then. This is profitable 2.
Vadim
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Dirty runs = your not giving enough time on the first clean for the top frame to stop dripping on the glass below,you don`t hardly get any dirty runs like this when they`ve had a couple of good cleans.This is why it`s important to clean the frames especially on plastic,take your time on the first couple of cleans then it`s plain sailing.
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i ALLWAYS point out the first few cleans will not be 100 % , i make sure they realise this, then they allways say after " it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be "
if you let them know the results will not be 100 %, they accept it and in there mind they look at the windows expect the worse and its never really that bad
it works well
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He did all that Matt. They dumped him. Some people seem to thrive on catching you out, your systems a load of rubbish i knew it would be etc.
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I use iso for stopping everything freezing in winter but i`m getting more and more convinced that hot water is far better overall for cleaning,think i`ll go hot soon.
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Hope I'll go hot soon too.
Anyway one of my collegue says: using wfp to clean thoroughly and slowly - to get the result better and ... faster. Wide smile is also helps.
Vadim
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I do them really well, i work my butt off to make sure they are good when i leave,
i rinse rinse and rinse some more..... then i go and check the centre of windows, where the dirty leaks are most common...
but lost two today.... both rung and said a window was streaky, despite the explanation letter, and me doing all i could....
they did not even give me chance to put it right. just took the huff and said they disappointed and would prefer to find someone else.....
if only they let me go back.... and then see the second clean too.... anyone had this before?
Gary.
Yes I have had this. I've also had people continue with me and ask me not to use the squeegee method again because they prefer pure water.
With new first cleans I go around twice and scrub and rinse thoroughly in order to minimise any problems. Even then, some arewn't happy. The window cleaning might be fine but they worry about water on their walls - like it never rains in England.
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I used to get the same problem but since going over to hot and using Gardiners Dual trim, and rinsing on (less splash and spray) I have not even had one run - I have been amazed to be honest.
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Kevin what hot system do you have,and how long does it take yours to get hot.
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Its possible to get the windows and frames done properly on the first clean, it just takes more time.
The frames are very dirty on the top, and also if its upvc frames with vents, as the water will drip from them.. check it..and its brown, it only takes a few dirt particles to get streaks!
First scrub the top frames and the top 2 inches of the window up down, then side to side, back to up and down, do it for all the windows. Wait till they have semi dried, you can then see which ones haven;t fully be cleaned properly cos of the streaks. Again brush the top frames of the ones that have streaks.
Then you brush the windows up to the top of the windows minus the 2 inch that u have already done, then rinse it down missing the last top 2" of the window.. perfect results first time every time.
But it takes practise! Its not that it takes 2-3 cleans to get it right using wfp, its the fact it takes you personally 2-3 cleans. All you need is experience with it.
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we have now done over 150 first cleans.we wash the frames on a low pressure wait for them to dry and then do the windows with a double rinse. never had 1 complaint yet and we do wooden aluminium and plastic frames. we run off lower pressure which does take a little longer but it has always worked for us.
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And you all charge double of course, because the system is crap for first cleans. ;D
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some people just dont like wfp, you cant convert some, they like to see you up a ladder polishing the windows, and spending longer. they dont like the fact that your earning the same money but are there half the time
ive had em mate. at end of day we cant please everyone, and by the sounds of it you did all you could then youve done your best. some people are complete *************** lol
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I think most of us have lost a customer when converting a round over to wfp. But first time cleans is a different matter, you can get them spotless it just takes a little longer, preferably 2 passes.
It sounds to me like this new customer didn't want a regular window cleaner just a one off or maybe they talked together and then found someone who was cheaper. You'll probably find the spotting is an excuse and that if you went round the windows would be perfect. I would go round any way and have a look so you can learn from any mistakes.
Simon.
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Lots of good points here, first cleans are always going to be difficult because you are trying to flush dirt out of joints, seals and crevices that have never been touched before. Not only that but you are trying to dissolve years of fairy liquid residue. Kev R has a good point about using a good brush that allows water to flush through and not flicking dirt back over the glass you have just cleaned. You can only do your best - some customers don't like the system they see it as messy and cheating. Others love the fact that you can clean the frames and wash the front door down. "My old cleaner used a bucket of dirty water and a rag" was said to me yesterday. Times are changing and it's good to see this job moving its image upmarket.
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karygate - i use that method ive had no probs 1st clean either
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Kevin what hot system do you have,and how long does it take yours to get hot.
I have the new Varitech system.( in fact I have the prototype) Its get hot very quickly but you have to wait to the hot water fills your hose (about half to a hole small house). I usually turn it on as Im leaving home in the morning and the internal temp is 80 degrees C within 5 mins or so. The max recorded temp at the brush head is 52 degrees C as which is more than plenty but if you add insulated hoses you can get it higher or so I am told (I have standard microbore) which would be good for cladding cleaning I guess.
The temperature is adjustable of course. ;)
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Kevin R, hi.
What the price and dims of Varitech hot systems? What the method of heating? Could you publish a picture. Thank you in advanсe. spb@MoemGorod.ru
Vadim
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Kevin R, hi.
What the price and dims of Varitech hot systems? What the method of heating? Could you publish a picture. Thank you in advanсe. spb@MoemGorod.ru
Vadim
Varitech do 2 systems one for a dual pole system and one for a single operator. It can be run on red or standard diesel. The internal heater is a webasto heater. Give them a call for a price as mine was a prototype and I got a good deal in exchange for testing it etc. . I have posted a picture but the design has now changed and the unit stands upright to save space. The new unit is approx 3ft high X 2 ft wide X 1 ft. It also is now fitted with a thermostatic frost protector too.
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This morning I went out to do a one off internal and external clean. The frames were wooden and filthy. So I decided to do a glass only clean to save time.
I saw no point in preparing the frames as she didn't want a regular service. I used hot wfp concentrating on the glass only and any cross beams etc. I rinsed on.
I was expecting to have to have to go back and do the frames because of runs etc but to my surprise no spotting or runs. From now on customers that want one offs will get a quick glass clean unless they wish to pay extra for the frames and the time it take to get them to a good standard.
In the past I have believed to get an excellent result on first cleans trad was the best or you have to spend time and do windows twice (glass only second time) with wfp - but now with hot wfp and Gardiners new dual trim it seems times have changed. ;D
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Kevin, thanks. Very helpful.
Vadim
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I do them really well, i work my butt off to make sure they are good when i leave,
i rinse rinse and rinse some more..... then i go and check the centre of windows, where the dirty leaks are most common...
but lost two today.... both rung and said a window was streaky, despite the explanation letter, and me doing all i could....
they did not even give me chance to put it right. just took the huff and said they disappointed and would prefer to find someone else.....
if only they let me go back.... and then see the second clean too.... anyone had this before?
Gary.
this is why i always charge more for 1st cleans.
daz
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hi kevin
what are the running costs for this system, diesel ect, good to have some first hand info on system.
daz
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Daz, hi.
1st clean for us ussually is the ticket for 2nd + positive feedback for neighbours and freinds as well. So good price & satisfactory quility - more important for us than profit. And we charge more then. It works.
Vadim
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hi kevin
what are the running costs for this system, diesel ect, good to have some first hand info on system.
daz
The unit burns 520 mls of diesel and hour. So at the moment with fuel at £1.22 litre, I use roughly 3.12 ltrs over a six hour commercial day so about £3.80 a full commercial day. However is is much quicker than cold so for me its nothing in the scale of things. Also in the winter it will save the freezing problems.
I also use it for cladding cleaning, conservatory cleaning etc so you have no need for chemicals so you save money on those. The pictures below are of a perspex bike shed, it was covered in algae, the back was a bit worse but with hot wfp I completed the outside in 35 mins with no chemicals.
Trust me if you try it you wont go back, I know I cant work without it now ;)
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Do varitech have a website and if so where are they in the country.
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am i right? h_ttp://www.varitech-industries.com/
vadim
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I`ve found the website but it says nothing about hot water systems.
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Omnipole is nearer to me anyway,i don`t want to travel for miles.
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I`ve found the website but it says nothing about hot water systems.
me 2.
...Alex told me he knows good producer of hot water systems. He will get the complete info on Monday.
Vadim
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Varitech do not have a website. However they do supply a lot of the wfp suppliers etc. The best bet is to telephone them on 01626 830 830 ask for mike as he deals with hot wfp.
The hot system is very new. I have had the prototype for about two months. The hot systems are they are building reach higher temps than most other systems currently available and are also adjustable which some are not.
Make sure the one you buy has variable heat and frost protection as some for the same money do not.