Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: tony talbot on July 13, 2009, 08:06:52 pm
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i dont know if you guys have come across this before, well heeled custys who don't like the wfp window cleaning are willing to pay a premium for them to be done traditional. As i cover both skills, i,ve started to get a small percentage who will pay well over the odds for trad cleaning, is this the way of things to come or is it just passing fad.
psthe wfp finish is spotless. they just dont like wfp because of the wet walls after the windows have been cleaned
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I dont give THEM the option, they dont write your health and safety policies up do they.
I tell them less water hits the walls than a medium strength rain shower.
At the end of the day, they pay you to clean their windows, not what method you use.
You dont tell a mechanic how to fix your car do you!
Ones that moan about the water on the walls, are usually the problematic customers.
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funny enough some1 has been canvassing mu bigger houses in a little village selling the " trad is best " line ::)
i spoke to some1 today about it
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Id be tempted to do them if they were low down straight forward houses
especially if you get more dough i bet a nice simple semi you could bang out in similar time not much slower!
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Id be tempted to do them if they were low down straight forward houses
especially if you get more dough i bet a nice simple semi you could bang out in similar time not much slower!
would of a few years ago sean but not these days!!!! ;D
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I'd just ask them if they are willing to scrape you off the patio and inform your next of kin not to bother keeping the dinner warm.
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just tell them ladders are illegal ;D
****runs for cover*******
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i suppose if you are 100% wfp (im not at all) and dont need the money - replace them and have an easy life
to swap and change methods would be hassle i s'pose if you dont need too plus you dont want all your custies finding out !!!
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Not all houses suit wfp, so i do offer trad.
and yes i do charge extra for it, as it takes longer.
I dont give THEM the option, they dont write your health and safety policies up do they.
I tell them less water hits the walls than a medium strength rain shower.
At the end of the day, they pay you to clean their windows, not what method you use.
You dont tell a mechanic how to fix your car do you!
Ones that moan about the water on the walls, are usually the problematic customers.
strange analogy, especially when you have the option of what parts you want them to fix - the cheap standard copy parts or the manufacturers recommended own OR some other entirely different make (usually uprated parts from standard).
Money talks, its what suits you best.
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Funny old world - I do a bungalow with ali windows and hardwood conservatory wfp. Some of the conservatory windows leak round the opening edges at the top under the transoms so I've agreed to do just the conservatory sides trad. for extra on the whole bill.
I wouldn't use a ladder for upper floors tho'.
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Not all houses suit wfp, so i do offer trad.
and yes i do charge extra for it, as it takes longer.
I dont give THEM the option, they dont write your health and safety policies up do they.
I tell them less water hits the walls than a medium strength rain shower.
At the end of the day, they pay you to clean their windows, not what method you use.
You dont tell a mechanic how to fix your car do you!
Ones that moan about the water on the walls, are usually the problematic customers.
strange analogy, especially when you have the option of what parts you want them to fix - the cheap standard copy parts or the manufacturers recommended own OR some other entirely different make (usually uprated parts from standard).
Money talks, its what suits you best.
I don't tell the mechanic not to use a buzz gun but to use a strong arm to remove the wheel nuts, I dont ask them to use the analogue instead of the laser system for correcting wheel alignment.
At the end of the day the customer calls you to clean their windows.
suppose similar happened when the squeegee blade was invent, oh I dont want you to use that on my windows I want you to use the chamois cloths. ;D ;D ;D
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if a customer isn't happy about WFP tough let them get someone else as I wont climb up ladders to please them. I wont do it for anyone and stick to my guns as I value my safety.
If they wanna get someone else then thats fine as it just means their not worth supplying my services to.
But one thing I would NEVER do is charge over the odds of what the clean is worth, thats what rogue traders and pikeys do, I have far too much pride to stoop that low.
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You need to charge a premium for trad because it takes a lot longer to do.
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The only time I go up the ladder these days is to get onto a roof. Sometimes I go up steps to WFP an occasional window as it's easier than getting the ladder off. Yesterday I went up steps to get a pil;e of bird poo off the lower reaches of a conservatory roof. WFP would have shifted it eventually but it was really caked on badly and would have taken a lot of passes.
Not ideal but sometimes you need to improvise.
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You need to charge a premium for trad because it takes a lot longer to do.
no thats what RIP OFF MERCHANTS and PIKEY'S do which catagry do you fall in to ?
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It is entirely reasonable to charge double or triple and use equipment such as a ladder-mate and do them trad. I have been WFP for 4 years now and offer customers a "deep clean" this means hand scrubbing the frames and hand cleaning the gutters. Minimum price £150. After 18 months of WFPing windows benefit from the extra attention.
Some of you guys really have to get over your paranoia. Used properly ladders offer a good alternative and if care is taken there is no reason not to use ladders.
I would suggest anyone WFPing more than a year check the frames esp where the opener meets the frame as you will find dirt accumulating.
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I clean frames as well as glass as standard and not optional
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I clean frames as well as glass as standard and not optional
So do I stephen, however, you will find that after a while the frames will "gray up" in parts of the frame no matter how well they are scrubbed.
As the the mechanic analogy, it is perfectly possible to get a car that is hand built and crafted. If you have the money you will find them. As for using a buzz gun as opposed to arm muscle, I wish they had when they put my sump plug back on as they cross threaded it and had to re bore the sump, which they did badly I might add. Had to take it back and loose a days work while they re-did the plug.
Your average mechanic will work away like a zombie and get confused if he cant plug something in to do a job.
Same as the average WFPer, never learnt the skill of trad work and gets confused easily if he can't splash water at the window.
By the way I'm WFP and love it, but I'm not so arrogant as to believe that it is a magic stick and can fulfill every requirement. It is a tool to be used.
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I do a few small shops trad because they fit in with other work.
You will make more per hour wfp than traditional (generally), so charge a premium if you need that piece of work.
But you'd better hope word doesn't get out or lots of your custies might realise they have the option.
I tend to work to suit me, if something is worth doing then I'll do it, otherwise I won't.
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Sunshine I have been a traditonal window cleaner for 12 years mate lol
I am quick with the mop and blade but not as quick as WFP and to me the results on the glass are no different than traditional.
But I can see where your coming from.
too many so-called window cleaners that can only do WFP, dont know how to use a mop and blade.
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Sunshine I have been a traditonal window cleaner for 12 years mate lolApologies if I sounded harsh
I am quick with the mop and blade but not as quick as WFP and to me the results on the glass are no different than traditional.Yes, if you get good glass the results can be consistently better IMHO
But I can see where your coming from.
too many so-called window cleaners that can only do WFP, don't know how to use a mop and blade.I think this is why so many customers of new WFPers complain about the quality of window cleaning therefore giving WFP a very bad name, many of these window cleaners wouldn't know how to clean a window Trad! I try to extract as mush money as I can from each customer so if they want it done trad and I can do so safely I will. They will however, pay more than it would cost with WFP. These are classed as PREMIUM accounts. I take my time, they pay for it.! I even give people the choice on my website and they can see that it is more costly. To be honest though most go for the standard service. I then push the "Deep Clean" in the spring.
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Sunshine, I am trying to push for the plastics cleaning service.
Gutters cleared, flushed and washed down, fascia boards and soffits washed down, window frames washed down ( and in some cases upvc cleaner to clear the stains) then a window clean all this for £99.
I've had a few of those jobs but not as many as I would like.
I would love 3-5 per week ;D ;D ;D
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"psthe wfp finish is spotless. they just dont like wfp because of the wet walls after the windows have been cleaned"
What a bunch of muppets
there are some real stupid people out there !
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Tell me about it Pole King ;D ;D
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i think at the end of the day where all cleaning windows to earn money. wfp and trad are just skills we use to do the job. wfp has advantages over trad and visa- versa, if the custy is willing to pay extra for trad service then it should be offered within reason. the question behind my post was: if wfp is to become the norm then trad must be charged at a premium rate. the same differance between cutting grass with a rotary mower or do you pay extra for a cylinder cut that leaves nice stripes.
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my thoughts exactley
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my thoughts exactley
thats just it stupid you don;t think, you cant spell mind you I shouldn't laugh at anyone from Rotherham, after all it must be awful coming from somewhere where the football season finishes in September and where mums and dads begin at 13.
they do say every village has one and your defo one, but then again you know a great service when you pay over the odds for one.
do say hello to mummy tubbs for me ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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my thoughts exactley
thats just it stupid you don;t think, you cant spell mind you I shouldn't laugh at anyone from Rotherham, after all it must be awful coming from somewhere where the football season finishes in September and where mums and dads begin at 13.
they do say every village has one and your defo one, but then again you know a great service when you pay over the odds for one.
do say hello to mummy tubbs for me ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Sorry? Why make prejudiced remarks about someone because of where they live?
I could trot out some rubbish like "Did you put the Berk in Berkshire, Stephen S?" but I think it would diminish my argument to verbally abuse another forum member.
So I will put it this way.
If a customer doesn't want me to clean using wfp (even if I have a Thermopure Wfp and I know I can use it well) then why is it "being a pikey" to explain that I can do it their way but as it will take me longer then I will charge more for it? Time = money and all that.
As for me, as my using wfp is partly for safety reasons, it would diminish my stated reasons to the customer for using wfp if I went above ground floor trad. So I will do ground floor trad. for a premium in one or two cases, even if I feel the custy is completely batty to request it, if it otherwise suits me.
Now, if you have a lucid answer without abuse I'd like to hear it.
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so what your saying is that when you converted from trad to WFP you actually put your prices down ?
because that's what I can decipher from what your saying.
I'm all in agreement of a fair price for a good job but not to the stage where overcharging someone just because your climbing a ladder to do it, the post began as though it was a great way to cash in on people who were not fully converse with WFP and all that needs is a proper explanation about the benefits to the customer of having their windows cleaned that way and also the safety aspect to the operator.
I can fully understand why some w/c charge double for insides clean because of all the hassle involved of moving things about and thats fair enough, but if a potential customer said to me that they would prefer their windows cleaned trad as apposed to WFP and wouldn't mind paying extra I would simply tell them sorry I only clean WFP and stick to my guns and if they didn't want my service then fine.
as to your comments about me abusing someone because of where they come from, I totally agree its wrong but when some narrow minded scumbag calls me a TWAT ( his words ) and someone seconds that I feel its my duty to fight fire with fire even if the latter of my post was a joke in reference to a previous post between myself and that person but I agree uncalled for just the same.
Maybe your right and I was lowering myself to their scumbag standards but as I said anyone speaks to me like that then I can take it but give it as well.
as to having your little tongue in cheek go about Berkshire people then I would prefer if you directed it at me and not them, I'm a SCOUSER mate and very proud of the fact and as you should be aware we take it and give it just as good.
I will willingly see peoples points of view but will NEVER have them forced on me and should I choose to disagree with them I will,
I have chatted some some nice people on here and read some very interesting topics but have also noticed some total idiots and quite a few brown noses you know who you are ?
I would say that is Lucid enough
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I could trot out some rubbish like "Did you put the Berk in Berkshire, Stephen S?" but I think it would diminish my argument to verbally abuse another forum member
Contrary to popular rumour, I did not put the sex in Sussex.
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I could trot out some rubbish like "Did you put the Berk in Berkshire, Stephen S?" but I think it would diminish my argument to verbally abuse another forum member
Contrary to popular rumour, I did not put the sex in Sussex.
thank god its not sucks in sussex ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Stephen S - No you aren't making sense. I've been wfp for several years for most of my work. I believe that I can do a better job with it than not so if a custy insists I use trad methods then I do one of two things.
1. Is it an upper floor? If so then i refuse to do it.
2. If it is a ground floor that I have done for them wfp for several years and because they have leaky windows (poorly maintained or badly installed) they ask me to do their conservatory traditionally then if that adds to my time at their property then I will adjust my price accordingly. So if I charged say £20 before I might make it £25 to reflect the extra time changing from wfp to trad. to suit them.
As for your response about "Berk in Berkshire", I think you've over-reacted. It was simply my way of getting my point over that it diminishes my argument to use such abuse. The names the other posters are calling you are just as bad as you are calling them.
Why do you feel it is necessary to do this?
Oh, and no, I didn't put my prices down when I changed from trad to wfp - you inferred that - incorrectly.
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In answer to Tony Talbot's sensible question at the outset - I know several trad. cleaners who take great delight in telling me that they've taken on trad. work at a higher rate from "rubbish" wfp operators.
If so then good for them.
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Maybe pikeys have a brain then if you are charging the same price for everything!!
Its a business! If you dont wanna do it charge higher if they wanna pay then great, i think the pikeys could teach you something mate, probably manners too from the remarks in your post
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Stephen S - No you aren't making sense. I've been wfp for several years for most of my work. I believe that I can do a better job with it than not so if a custy insists I use trad methods then I do one of two things.
1. Is it an upper floor? If so then i refuse to do it.
2. If it is a ground floor that I have done for them wfp for several years and because they have leaky windows (poorly maintained or badly installed) they ask me to do their conservatory traditionally then if that adds to my time at their property then I will adjust my price accordingly. So if I charged say £20 before I might make it £25 to reflect the extra time changing from wfp to trad. to suit them.
As for your response about "Berk in Berkshire", I think you've over-reacted. It was simply my way of getting my point over that it diminishes my argument to use such abuse. The names the other posters are calling you are just as bad as you are calling them.
Why do you feel it is necessary to do this?
Oh, and no, I didn't put my prices down when I changed from trad to wfp - you inferred that - incorrectly.
I make perfect sense and I noticed to didn't say anything to that prick for calling me a TWAT but like I said and I'm proved right there are so really bad brown noses on here and thats you included.
But I can live with that because I'm a happy person with a great outlook on life and value my points of view.
you talk about me not making sense but Ive read your post over and over and you even contradict yourself how silly
anyway enough of that I know where I stand and as I said in my earlier post if some prick or brown nose wants to slag me off then thats fine but I will willingly give it back EVERY TIME
now if you want to say anything constructive then feel free
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Stephen S - No you aren't making sense. I've been wfp for several years for most of my work. I believe that I can do a better job with it than not so if a custy insists I use trad methods then I do one of two things.
1. Is it an upper floor? If so then i refuse to do it.
2. If it is a ground floor that I have done for them wfp for several years and because they have leaky windows (poorly maintained or badly installed) they ask me to do their conservatory traditionally then if that adds to my time at their property then I will adjust my price accordingly. So if I charged say £20 before I might make it £25 to reflect the extra time changing from wfp to trad. to suit them.
As for your response about "Berk in Berkshire", I think you've over-reacted. It was simply my way of getting my point over that it diminishes my argument to use such abuse. The names the other posters are calling you are just as bad as you are calling them.
Why do you feel it is necessary to do this?
Oh, and no, I didn't put my prices down when I changed from trad to wfp - you inferred that - incorrectly.
I make perfect sense and I noticed to didn't say anything to that prick for calling me a fool but like I said and I'm proved right there are so really bad brown noses on here and thats you included.
Although you've typed the above rather poorly I get the gist of it. Read the bit above in my post which you have highlighted and which I in turn have highlighted in red. You are reading too quickly and missing salient points, Stephen S. Why are you calling me a brown-nose? You are not thinking it through.
But I can live with that because I'm a happy person with a great outlook on life and value my points of view.
I am very glad you are a happy person and that you value your own points of view. Sometimes we can grow and be even happier if we respond to how others see us sometimes.
you talk about me not making sense but Ive read your post over and over and you even contradict yourself how silly
Sorry, Stephen, perhaps you could show me where I have contradicted myself. I like to learn from others; especially about how to improve my window cleaning - that's why I come to this forum. Yes I can be silly but would like to know how I have been silly over this matter.
anyway enough of that I know where I stand and as I said in my earlier post if some prick or brown nose wants to slag me off then thats fine but I will willingly give it back EVERY TIME
I find that not slagging people off and "shouting" lowers my blood pressure and makes me feel more relaxed.
now if you want to say anything constructive then feel free
Love and kisses to you Stephen S. May angels from heaven rain sweetmeats and blessings upon you. ;D
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oh thank you sweetheart, and keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*