Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: stephen s on November 25, 2009, 03:35:08 pm
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
-
so.......what happened?
Its not really a trick, its just if windows have been cleaned in the past with fairy liquid etc it can take to the 3rd clean to shift it and sometimes it can take to the 3rd clean to get rid of some green areas higher up on frames, as for the glass itself, is its just dirt it will clean after the first clean :)
-
I rarely find problems even on first cleans. If you take your time and do it right it should be a perfect result from day one. You might have to spend more time & possibly even re-do one or 2 troublesome panes on the first visit, but I charge more for the first clean to cover this.
-
sent beore I inished but have fixed it now
-
Now you have finished it makes more sense now, the git who done that musta just rushed it and splashed a bit of water on each window and thought that was it, i always take time on mine and i have not had a complaint yet, maintenance cleans are quicker though for obvious reasons :)
-
absolutely Nat.
its not about how great the window cleaner claims to be its about doing the job you have been paid for properly and giving attention to detail.
every clean should be spot on 1st time no excuses
-
if u cant do them rite first time u should not charge them ffffffffff ing con man is at it.
-
Now you have finished it makes more sense now, the git who done that musta just rushed it and splashed a bit of water on each window and thought that was it, i always take time on mine and i have not had a complaint yet, maintenance cleans are quicker though for obvious reasons :)
you have just hit the nail on the head by saying taking your time and no complaints and by taking your time on 1st clean it makes future cleans easier and quicker
-
the 2nd lady did say I was £3 more than the other guy when I gave her the quote to which I replied I'm saving you £44 on the next 2 cleans if the other bloke did them ;D
-
Its all down to the confussion of WFP
Never has the industry seen such a divide and utter confussion.
I would just love it if the government brought out a licence only for WFP and that in order to gain the licence the operater must go on a days training coarse.
As regards the other guy saying it will take up to 3 cleans to get the windows gleaming, its only what we hear on here everyday by respected WFP operators.
Confussion reigns!
-
from my own experience and im only at it less than 3 months is you can get the glass gleaming on the first clean if you take your time BUT the frames sometimes need that extra couple to do the glass benefit i feel, depending on what state they are in. Trippy a license wouldnt be a bad thing :) would teach some gits how to use it properly, i knocked a house one day recently and they said they had a guy there doing it WFP and the windows were rotten when he left so they dont like it and ended up doing them straight away after he left!!! Doesnt help us honest wfp guys who take their time does it?
-
Its all down to the confussion of WFP
Never has the industry seen such a divide and utter confussion.
I would just love it if the government brought out a licence only for WFP and that in order to gain the licence the operater must go on a days training coarse.
As regards the other guy saying it will take up to 3 cleans to get the windows gleaming, its only what we hear on here everyday by respected WFP operators.
Confussion reigns!
cant see why your confused mate, its simple someone pays you for a service and you provide that service. if I remeber just a couple of days ago you posted about customers coming out and asking you to leave the clean that day and you said that they entered an agreement for you to cleam their windows well its a 2 way thing.
I know what your customer did was wrong and you got ped off and I'm not in any way knocking your cleaning I was just using your post as an example.
-
from my own experience and im only at it less than 3 months is you can get the glass gleaming on the first clean if you take your time BUT the frames sometimes need that extra couple to do the glass benefit i feel, depending on what state they are in. Trippy a license wouldnt be a bad thing :) would teach some gits how to use it properly, i knocked a house one day recently and they said they had a guy there doing it WFP and the windows were rotten when he left so they dont like it and ended up doing them straight away after he left!!! Doesnt help us honest wfp guys who take their time does it?
its a little differnet for someone starting out WFP mate but what your doing is the correct way but with time and experiance and technique you will find frames a lot easier
-
from my own experience and im only at it less than 3 months is you can get the glass gleaming on the first clean if you take your time BUT the frames sometimes need that extra couple to do the glass benefit i feel, depending on what state they are in. Trippy a license wouldnt be a bad thing :) would teach some gits how to use it properly, i knocked a house one day recently and they said they had a guy there doing it WFP and the windows were rotten when he left so they dont like it and ended up doing them straight away after he left!!! Doesnt help us honest wfp guys who take their time does it?
Exactly, I'm not wfp yet, but it has always been my intention to go down that route at some point(hopefully in the new year) but as I posted on another thread earlier, there is only one guy in my town uses it and I have heard a number of complaints about him in a short space of time, so when I go that way the seeds of doubt are allready in the minds of folks
-
thats where you have to go and do a good job, thats how your name spreads and you get a good rep, i dont care if i dont do 20 jobs in the one day, id rather do 10 and do them right than do 20 and do them poope!! Wouldnt you agree?
-
thats where you have to go and do a good job, thats how your name spreads and you get a good rep, i dont care if i dont do 20 jobs in the one day, id rather do 10 and do them right than do 20 and do them poope!! Wouldnt you agree?
and there is your new slogan!! lol
-
thats where you have to go and do a good job, thats how your name spreads and you get a good rep, i dont care if i dont do 20 jobs in the one day, id rather do 10 and do them right than do 20 and do them poope!! Wouldnt you agree?
I agree if you get the first clean done to a high standard the the maint cleans sould be easy
-
I don't think the 3 clean rule is a con. I think its just a disclaimer to cover our arses.
I agree that time should be spent on first cleans and attention to detail is vital. But sometimes you could spend a long time on them and they won't be 100%
The odd spot, spec or run may still be visible. There are many variables why this may happen but it should only be minimal.
it can take 1, 2, 3 or even 4 cleans on some windows to get them perfect. not on many but it can happen.
I always say to the guys that we only get 1 chance to impress them and the first cleans are really important in building the relationship.
I think the 3 month rule is good because if there not expecting them to be 100% and you achieve that with 90% of new customers then they'll think your great! ;)
-
im going to market that slogan now milltown, would fit in better up your end though :) said in a belfast twang :) hows the business going now? wee question you in facebook lol
-
I don't think the 3 clean rule is a con. I think its just a disclaimer to cover our arses.
I agree that time should be spent on first cleans and attention to detail is vital. But sometimes you could spend a long time on them and they won't be 100%
The odd spot, spec or run may still be visible. There are many variables why this may happen but it should only be minimal.
it can take 1, 2, 3 or even 4 cleans on some windows to get them perfect. not on many but it can happen.
I always say to the guys that we only get 1 chance to impress them and the first cleans are really important in building the relationship.
I think the 3 month rule is good because if there not expecting them to be 100% and you achieve that with 90% of new customers then they'll think your great! ;)
thats the poorest excuse Ive heard, 1,2,3,4 cleans before the glass is clean if it takes you that you should be working in a factory and defo not window cleaning because to be honest you cant be much cop if it takes you that many cleans.
SO ITS OFFICAL THEN ? window cleaning is as complicated as brain surgery
because thats how you nake it sound
-
im going to market that slogan now milltown, would fit in better up your end though :) said in a belfast twang :) hows the business going now? wee question you in facebook lol
how dare you say that!! im no where near belfast! would hate to have that accent!
going ok, had a couple of bad weeks there, no more than steady at the moment. need to deliver/door knock more though.
aye im on facebook
-
I don't think the 3 clean rule is a con. I think its just a disclaimer to cover our arses.
I agree that time should be spent on first cleans and attention to detail is vital. But sometimes you could spend a long time on them and they won't be 100%
The odd spot, spec or run may still be visible. There are many variables why this may happen but it should only be minimal.
it can take 1, 2, 3 or even 4 cleans on some windows to get them perfect. not on many but it can happen.
I always say to the guys that we only get 1 chance to impress them and the first cleans are really important in building the relationship.
I think the 3 month rule is good because if there not expecting them to be 100% and you achieve that with 90% of new customers then they'll think your great! ;)
thats the poorest excuse Ive heard, 1,2,3,4 cleans before the glass is clean if it takes you that you should be working in a factory and defo not window cleaning because to be honest you cant be much cop if it takes you that many cleans.
SO ITS OFFICAL THEN ? window cleaning is as complicated as brain surgery
because thats how you nake it sound
Ok then you know best?
I take it ionic trained you then! ;D
-
Milltown im sorry i saw the name and thought you were from the city, where you based then? Its hard getting out knocking at the minute, weather doesnt exactly bode well and when its raining you always get the NO's at every door, not at the minute i always get, hate that line :( send me an email and ill tell you who to search for on FB and you can add me :)
-
This topic is so gonna open a can of worms ;)
Personally i feel I can answer this as I have been wfp for around 3 years but don't think I could have after being wfp for only a few months like some.
I have had some windows looking crap after 3,4 or even 5 cleans so to have them spotless after 1 clean is unlikely but saying that, sometimes they have looked great after a first clean. :)
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems.
Bob
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
-
I don't think the 3 clean rule is a con. I think its just a disclaimer to cover our arses.
I agree that time should be spent on first cleans and attention to detail is vital. But sometimes you could spend a long time on them and they won't be 100%
The odd spot, spec or run may still be visible. There are many variables why this may happen but it should only be minimal.
it can take 1, 2, 3 or even 4 cleans on some windows to get them perfect. not on many but it can happen.
I always say to the guys that we only get 1 chance to impress them and the first cleans are really important in building the relationship.
I think the 3 month rule is good because if there not expecting them to be 100% and you achieve that with 90% of new customers then they'll think your great! ;)
good post
the 3 clean is about right, we all know that the rubbers seals might not be 100 % and it takes a few cleans to get rid of the dirt trapped AND washing up liquid residue under the seals
of course you should aim to get them 100 % first time, BUT how many people clean a house even a few years on and its not 100 %, if you say your cleaning is 100 % clean 100 % of the time, you are kidding yourself
-
On a lot of first cleans i will trad especially new builds where there is builders mess on the glass, i would be lost without me trusted unger scraper.
Plus if you trad first time you can get most of the dirt out of the frames using wet cloth dry cloth method
-
My take on it is that there are sometimes imperfections left after the first clean has dried out. To minimise this, I reckon it's usually (though not always) necessary to go round twice. Once to scrub up the frames, glass and sills. The second time glass only. This is because it can take a while for dirty water to finish trickling from the top of the frame and the glass only second pass clears that up. Although I often do this at standard rate, if I sense that it might be a short term customer, I will either charge more for the first clean (and tell them I need two passes) or I will just go around the once and tell them that there may be imperfections left. So, I do give the customer what they pay for but if they want a double clean for standard rate when I am sensing that they may not be around long, then they are going to have to either pay more for it or poke up with the first clean not being ideal.
-
I've been cleaning (99% of jobs wfp) since April. My experience is that it can take a few cleans to get the windows spotless on some properties. I don't think it's a con. We wfp cleaners can usually deliver a very acceptable clean first time round on just about all jobs however I have experienced filthy vents that drip water after you've cleaned (even after you have gone away to another window and then returned to rinse again). It's great to see algae running away from the glass and frames. I always warn that grey stains won't come off without a proprietary cleaner - people tell me not to worry. I price some first cleans to allow me to take the time necessary to give a great result.
From the ground and looking high up it's hard to actually see fly poo and bee poo / snail trails, so some of these might not be cleaned thoroughly first time - they don't come off with a porcupine applicator or the scouring end of an Unger monsoon applicator either and i'd be willing to wager that trad guys doing 25 a day don't scrape every such window... Hydrophobic glass always makes wfp cleaning harder. I'd ban the damned stuff.
As you clean a second or third time vents come clean (I wash them every visit to gradually get them clean); first time though (and maybe with tfr) fly poo comes off with a bit of elbow grease; ditto snail trails. It's just high up that they might be a problem.
This is not a dig at trad guys - biggup the ladder posse - but they generally don't do the frames. I spend time getting as much spider webs out of the corner (and I mean where the bricks abutt the frame, not where the glass meets the frame, i.e. the reveal). Wfp cleaners could have a go at them saying they are glass cleaners, not window cleaners, but this is the quick route to disaster in my book - we shouldn't be fighting. If custies want a trad guy to do the frames - he probably will, but will rightly charge them for it, so the clean will be double the price at least; algae covered and they are gonna need a mortgage for me to do a house trad! It just happens that wfp cleaners do the frames as well.
In my book, in competent hands, a good job for an acceptable price is delivered by both methods, from the first clean.
-
This ones gonna run and run ;D
Ive been WFP getting on for 2 years and on one of the offices I do with wooden frames it took at least a year to 15 months for it to come up clear of chemical residue from the previous traditional methods of cleaning. Thats about 10-12 cleans I'd say.
Perhaps its just that I just dont know what Im doing (Im sure you'll try to imply that) or perhaps some windows are better suited than others. I think its good and proper to advise customers that occasionally they'll find there is some residue that is left from previous cleans.
One day we all find that happens; its inevitable, all the more harder to swallow though when you believe you're better than the previous guy.
-
I think in this poor weather it's easy to imagine you are perfect ' cos you are unlikely to see the full results. Wait till the summer and you'll be back on here like me moaning about how dodgy wfp results can be. Nearly three years no for me and I've yet to get a perfect clean on a whole house. First cleans are a nightmare if you want perfection.
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
cleaned window many years ago but have been WFP just over 3 years and I always clean frames on windows and doors and conservatories and never had a 1st clean yet that hasn't looiked spot on when Ive finnished
-
May I ask when was the last time you had an eye test?
-
Stephen
I'm not doubting your cleaning skills but....They always look clean when you have finished. Its after a couple of hours when the windows have dried and you are long gone, this is when you get problems ie spotting.
Bob
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
cleaned window many years ago but have been WFP just over 3 years and I always clean frames on windows and doors and conservatories and never had a 1st clean yet that hasn't looiked spot on when Ive finnished
Do you stanbd there and wait for the windows to all dry ? and also check them with a ladder ? I am not in anyway knocking your cleaning becaise I do not know what it is like, what I feel is a bit ott is that you seem to think you do not get any problems on any of your cleans, the reason some will say it can take upto three cleans is because they are being honest that there could be a problem, I feel you are leaving yourself wide open to people laughing at you
-
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems
I do cos it is a con, its utter drivel hence the reason the 2nd customer today was happy to pay the extra £3 to have the windows cleaned PROPERLY maybe its because some people are just too lazy to put the effort in so they come out with that tripe.
as for the norm advice you say ? don't know what company you got your system from Bob but I'm afraid theve told you a bare faced pack of lies
will say it again HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS ????????????? answers over the next 3 months ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
cleaned window many years ago but have been WFP just over 3 years and I always clean frames on windows and doors and conservatories and never had a 1st clean yet that hasn't looiked spot on when Ive finnished
You must be very arrogant or naive!!
I think the former, solely because the way you are talking to other members of this forum!!
You have been cleaning for 3 years?
not very long if you take into account most of us on here have been window cleaning for OVER 10 YEARS!
Cleaning windows and frames is different to restoring them!
some stains will not come off UPVC frames and sils!
-
Stephen
Calm down bud
I got my systems (all 3 of them) from Pure Freedom who have one of the best reputations for honesty in their trade. Had they told me a bare faced pack of lies, I wouldn't have used them.
You are saying that you tell your customers that you clean perfect from the first clean.
Tell me Stephen....from that statement.....Who sounds like a conman????
Bob
-
i m just glad we ve got some real experts on here now instead of people like us who have only been w/c 25 years and wfp about 7
-
I still get caught out, there are lots of unknowable reasons why a first clean might not come good.I could give you ten in a list, but it's pretty pointless telling you because you know it all already.
-
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems
I do cos it is a con, its utter drivel hence the reason the 2nd customer today was happy to pay the extra £3 to have the windows cleaned PROPERLY maybe its because some people are just too lazy to put the effort in so they come out with that tripe.
as for the norm advice you say ? don't know what company you got your system from Bob but I'm afraid theve told you a bare faced pack of lies
will say it again HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS ????????????? answers over the next 3 months ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
You seem to have left yourself wide open here Stephen, there are many of us that do not con people, also many that do a very good job no cleaner can be perfect all the time.
Ian
CIU please sort out the annoying error when replying to posts, is getting right on my errm
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
cleaned window many years ago but have been WFP just over 3 years and I always clean frames on windows and doors and conservatories and never had a 1st clean yet that hasn't looiked spot on when Ive finnished
Do you stanbd there and wait for the windows to all dry ? and also check them with a ladder ? I am not in anyway knocking your cleaning becaise I do not know what it is like, what I feel is a bit ott is that you seem to think you do not get any problems on any of your cleans, the reason some will say it can take upto three cleans is because they are being honest that there could be a problem, I feel you are leaving yourself wide open to people laughing at you
as I stated cleaning glass isn't rocket science although from some of the replies it is bless em
as for people laughing chief then I have to be honest and say I couldn;t give 2 shiney poopes whether they do or not but hey if they wanna pay my bills then I will worry what they say or think. until then I won't worry.
as for standing waiting for windows to dry I don't need to do that mate as I measure how good my cleans are by customer feedback and the feedback is always excellent so hey I must be doing something right.
I try to provide the best possible service to my customers, I call each and everyone the night before I clean so they know I'm coming and leave access and payment out, so by simple communication I don't have to do any collecting ever, well I tell a lie there the odd one or two do sometimes forget.
by doing this it also means I don't turn up at a customers and get all set up only for the customer to come out and say not this month, they can tell me that when I phone up and if so I just say ok will call you next month.
my customers are my bread and butter and my bread and butter is my business so when I clean I always give them a good clean and thorough rinse.
I know its not just me because Ive met quite a few window cleaners who share my views, in fact it was another w/c who first said to me HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS
-
steven, I'm surprised with all this bad weather we have been having, that you are able to just "fit in" a £30 and a £20 first clean.
You say you have been WFP 3 years..... don't you have a full round yet?
I'm behind with my work and like you have been going 3 years and I'm rammed out anyway, so any new customers needing that "Christmas clean" will have to wait till 2010 ;D
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
cleaned window many years ago but have been WFP just over 3 years and I always clean frames on windows and doors and conservatories and never had a 1st clean yet that hasn't looiked spot on when Ive finnished
You must be very arrogant or naive!!
I think the former, solely because the way you are talking to other members of this forum!!
You have been cleaning for 3 years?
not very long if you take into account most of us on here have been window cleaning for OVER 10 YEARS!
Cleaning windows and frames is different to restoring them!
some stains will not come off UPVC frames and sils!
no mush just have my own point of view, ooooh so cos they have been cleaning windows for 10 whole years they can clean a piece of glass better than someone whos cleaned FOR ONLY 3 YEARS SAY
your abolutely true some stains wont come off pvc or sills no excuse for not cleaning the glass though is it ? and defo no excuse to tell a customer it will take 3 cleans to get that glass clean.
anyway another £25 job picked up because someone didn't know how to clean windows, I just knew today was gonna be another good one ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
gotta go now as my dealer has just turned up so as phil Tuffnal would say HAPPY DAYS ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
May I ask when was the last time you had an eye test?
about 2 years ago mush why ?
-
so any new customers needing that "Christmas clean" will have to wait till 2010 ;D
i had one today ::) ::)
i clean most in the close ( i have done them for the last allmsot 7 years ) she has seen me many many time and she comes out
her " oh hello, we need a window cleaner "
me, well here i am
her " how much to do mine "
me " 12.50 ( my new 10 quid price )"
her " oh thats fine "
me " great "
her " i will pay you after you do them "
me " i will not be able to fit you in today "
her " when can you do them "
me " i will try to fit you in before christmas ( i wasnt even going to try ) but if not, it will be in the new year "
her " well i need them done before christmas, if not, dont bother "
me " fair enough "
away i walk singing to myself
-
S'pose it comes down to how much time you are prepared to spend on a first clean, especially if you're not charging any extra for it.
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
cleaned window many years ago but have been WFP just over 3 years and I always clean frames on windows and doors and conservatories and never had a 1st clean yet that hasn't looiked spot on when Ive finnished
Do you stanbd there and wait for the windows to all dry ? and also check them with a ladder ? I am not in anyway knocking your cleaning becaise I do not know what it is like, what I feel is a bit ott is that you seem to think you do not get any problems on any of your cleans, the reason some will say it can take upto three cleans is because they are being honest that there could be a problem, I feel you are leaving yourself wide open to people laughing at you
as I stated cleaning glass isn't rocket science although from some of the replies it is bless em
as for people laughing chief then I have to be honest and say I couldn;t give 2 shiney poopes whether they do or not but hey if they wanna pay my bills then I will worry what they say or think. until then I won't worry.
as for standing waiting for windows to dry I don't need to do that mate as I measure how good my cleans are by customer feedback and the feedback is always excellent so hey I must be doing something right.
I try to provide the best possible service to my customers, I call each and everyone the night before I clean so they know I'm coming and leave access and payment out, so by simple communication I don't have to do any collecting ever, well I tell a lie there the odd one or two do sometimes forget.
by doing this it also means I don't turn up at a customers and get all set up only for the customer to come out and say not this month, they can tell me that when I phone up and if so I just say ok will call you next month.
my customers are my bread and butter and my bread and butter is my business so when I clean I always give them a good clean and thorough rinse.
I know its not just me because Ive met quite a few window cleaners who share my views, in fact it was another w/c who first said to me HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS
Leaving payment out is as dodgey! what if they forget to leave it out, but are convinced that left it out, what if it gets nicked before you get there?
Good feedback DOES NOT! mean that your cleans are spottless and errorless!!
IF WE AREN'T DOING A GOOD ENOUGH JOB, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS!!!!!!!!!!
AS FOR THE 3 CLEANS STATEMENT, IT IS IN FACT A DISCLAIMER!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT A DISCLAIMER IS?
-
WOW you call all your customers the night before.
I can clean up to 30 houses on a good day which I presume you could too. Thats means 30 phones calls :o
Have you got a family? There is no way my wife and kids would let me spend that much time on the phone in the evening instead of quality time with them.
-
i had me first one today who said cause the windows stay lovely and clean longer,can i have then done every other mth,
and cause i know they will take longer i pay extra,so price was £17 now £22 and shes happy to pay that. ;D ;D ;D
-
Stephen
Calm down bud
I got my systems (all 3 of them) from Pure Freedom who have one of the best reputations for honesty in their trade. Had they told me a bare faced pack of lies, I wouldn't have used them.
You are saying that you tell your customers that you clean perfect from the first clean.
Tell me Stephen....from that statement.....Who sounds like a conman????
Bob
Bob believe me I calm mate and laughing like a gooden here.
as I stated in my post my 1st customer I told her about the 3 clean con trick and said if she wasn't happy when I cleaned then she was not to pay me, she was happy to pay me and Ive said that to lots of customers DOES THAT MAKE ME A CON MAN BOB ? think you could offer that to your customers Bob ? I can and I know other w/cs who can and do.
anyway Bob how hard just is it to clean a piece of glass
however Bob you did make me smile with your calm down bud line, being a scouser calm down calm down is my middle name ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D thought I would get that in before tha anti-scouse brigade get it in
-
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH CCCHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
-
sorry couldn't stop myself from sneezing, as I am alergic to BULLpoopE!!
-
Im beginning to like you Steve.
Someone with a good sense of humour :)
Anyway its bloody hard to clean a piece of glass :)
Bob
-
Stephen
Calm down bud
I got my systems (all 3 of them) from Pure Freedom who have one of the best reputations for honesty in their trade. Had they told me a bare faced pack of lies, I wouldn't have used them.
You are saying that you tell your customers that you clean perfect from the first clean.
Tell me Stephen....from that statement.....Who sounds like a conman????
Bob
Bob believe me I calm mate and laughing like a gooden here.
as I stated in my post my 1st customer I told her about the 3 clean con trick and said if she wasn't happy when I cleaned then she was not to pay me, she was happy to pay me and Ive said that to lots of customers DOES THAT MAKE ME A CON MAN BOB ? think you could offer that to your customers Bob ? I can and I know other w/cs who can and do.
anyway Bob how hard just is it to clean a piece of glass
however Bob you did make me smile with your calm down bud line, being a scouser calm down calm down is my middle name ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D thought I would get that in before tha anti-scouse brigade get it in
do you wear a uniform ?
-
I don't think the 3 clean rule is a con. I think its just a disclaimer to cover our arses.
I agree that time should be spent on first cleans and attention to detail is vital. But sometimes you could spend a long time on them and they won't be 100%
The odd spot, spec or run may still be visible. There are many variables why this may happen but it should only be minimal.
it can take 1, 2, 3 or even 4 cleans on some windows to get them perfect. not on many but it can happen.
I always say to the guys that we only get 1 chance to impress them and the first cleans are really important in building the relationship.
I think the 3 month rule is good because if there not expecting them to be 100% and you achieve that with 90% of new customers then they'll think your great! ;)
good post
the 3 clean is about right, we all know that the rubbers seals might not be 100 % and it takes a few cleans to get rid of the dirt trapped AND washing up liquid residue under the seals
of course you should aim to get them 100 % first time, BUT how many people clean a house even a few years on and its not 100 %, if you say your cleaning is 100 % clean 100 % of the time, you are kidding yourself
hi Matt.
have to say your reply is not only a great reply but a very accurate one, your very right you me or any other person will never get a perfect finish as perfect we are led to believe is not achieveable in any walk of life, for instance a gymnast can score a perfect 10 but when the routine is analized minor inperfections are always found, seen that in a docu a few years ago
and yes I do agree with you that I would be kidding myself if I thought I could, but thats not to say a first class clean with windows sparkling and frames cleaned can not be achieved until it has been cleaned 3 times.
anyway yes it is a great post but also nice to get a non negative reply, whether we agree or not I do value your points
-
i m just glad we ve got some real experts on here now instead of people like us who have only been w/c 25 years and wfp about 7
so do you clean glass better with your 25 years of window cleaning ? or can just anyone start window cleaning and clean glass just as good as you
I take it you must be one of those don't try and tell me anything about window cleaning cos Ive been in the game 25 years bet you just love telling everyone that
-
i m just glad we ve got some real experts on here now instead of people like us who have only been w/c 25 years and wfp about 7
so do you clean glass better with your 25 years of window cleaning ? or can just anyone start window cleaning and clean glass just as good as you
I take it you must be one of those don't try and tell me anything about window cleaning cos Ive been in the game 25 years bet you just love telling everyone that
your a player Stephen love it lol
-
I still get caught out, there are lots of unknowable reasons why a first clean might not come good.I could give you ten in a list, but it's pretty pointless telling you because you know it all already.
so keep it to yourself then mush
-
steven may i say you are a c o c k ;D ;D
Thats a bit unfair.....................................on c o c k s
I like Stevens opinions, I like to ignore them.
oh bless you but if you like to ignore them why have you replied ????? come on what villiage are you from ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
I still get caught out, there are lots of unknowable reasons why a first clean might not come good.I could give you ten in a list, but it's pretty pointless telling you because you know it all already.
so keep it to yourself then mush
Steven are you a shell suit wearing southerner ? as you seem to be getting confused
-
Been reading this post and laughing. Steven is well known on other forums and I love his posts, I call him the big yin...he is 6 ft 6 and batters the hell out of van thieves as a past time.
He is very right here none the less. Cleaning glass is so bloody simple its hard to get wrong after the first few goes and a wee bit common sense which he has in abundance and always sees him through. Thats all he is saying and why would he need a disclaimer just to do that in normal circumstances.
He loves a good argument and will wind you lot up just for the fun of it.
He has a uniform,,,,a nurses outfit and stillettoes. ;)
-
Been reading this post and laughing. Steven is well known on other forums and I love his posts, I call him the big yin...he is 6 ft 6 and batters the hell out of van thieves as a past time.
He is very right here none the less. Cleaning glass is so bloody simple its hard to get wrong after the first few goes and a wee bit common sense which he has in abundance and always sees him through. Thats all he is saying and why would he need a disclaimer just to do that in normal circumstances.
He loves a good argument and will wind you lot up just for the fun of it.
He has a uniform,,,,a nurses outfit and stillettoes. ;)
Ronnie, I am shocked at you, if Stepen is 6, 6 and wears stillettos you can run faster.
Tell him hes talking out of his hotpants.
-
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems
I do cos it is a con, its utter drivel hence the reason the 2nd customer today was happy to pay the extra £3 to have the windows cleaned PROPERLY maybe its because some people are just too lazy to put the effort in so they come out with that tripe.
as for the norm advice you say ? don't know what company you got your system from Bob but I'm afraid theve told you a bare faced pack of lies
will say it again HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS ????????????? answers over the next 3 months ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
You seem to have left yourself wide open here Stephen, there are many of us that do not con people, also many that do a very good job no cleaner can be perfect all the time.
Ian
CIU please sort out the annoying error when replying to posts, is getting right on my errm
Inever said for one minute that everyone on here was Ian, and I know lots of w/c on here do a honest days work, let me the first to say that without some of the advice I got of people on here and other forums it would have took me a hell of a lot longer, but Ive also put that advice to good use in helping other w/cs
as for the perfect clean I know thats not possible but as Ive stated perfect NO very clean YES
but when you say Ive left myself wide open ? what exactly do you mean by that ?
-
S'pose it comes down to how much time you are prepared to spend on a first clean, especially if you're not charging any extra for it.
yes but by doing a real dirty first clean and spending the time that it needs makes the future cleans easier and quicker
-
Quoted a house yesterday eve and was asked if I could clean today which I did ( £30 regular clean )
As I was round the back cleaning the lady brings me out a cuppa and starts chatting away when she quips now on month 3 the windows will be gleaming then ?
Now love your windows will be gleaming after Ive cleaned them today, oh she says but my friend a couple of miles down the road has also just had her windows cleaned and the guy told her it would take 3 cleans before the windows were right.
I told her that the guy has told her friend a blatent pack of lies so he can rush through as quick as possible and get to the next job, its a total con I told her and explained that if she took her car for a valet and was told that it would take 3 seperate valets to bring it up nice would she pay ? no way she said, yet you were prepared 3 times beore your windows were cleaned properly I said.
I then told her that if the windows were not gleaming after I cleaned then she was NOT TO PAY
anyway after I finished she told me how delighted she was and would be recommending me to others.
with that her friend calls and she tells her everything I said and her friend asked her if I could come to hers after I finished and have a look at her windows. so I went down ther gave her a quote ( 25 ) and cleaned them there and then.
after I finished she said the difference was amazing and that I had actually taken 15 minutes longer than the other guy who she was now calling for everything and I don't blame her.
I don't feel bad about taking his job in fact I feel quite good, maybe if he did the job properly and not try to use that stupid 3 clean con trick he wouldn't lose his work.
I mean how hard is it to clean a window ? it aint rocket science.
Could I ask how long you have been cleaning windows for and how long you have been using wfp ?
cleaned window many years ago but have been WFP just over 3 years and I always clean frames on windows and doors and conservatories and never had a 1st clean yet that hasn't looiked spot on when Ive finnished
Do you stanbd there and wait for the windows to all dry ? and also check them with a ladder ? I am not in anyway knocking your cleaning becaise I do not know what it is like, what I feel is a bit ott is that you seem to think you do not get any problems on any of your cleans, the reason some will say it can take upto three cleans is because they are being honest that there could be a problem, I feel you are leaving yourself wide open to people laughing at you
as I stated cleaning glass isn't rocket science although from some of the replies it is bless em
as for people laughing chief then I have to be honest and say I couldn;t give 2 shiney poopes whether they do or not but hey if they wanna pay my bills then I will worry what they say or think. until then I won't worry.
as for standing waiting for windows to dry I don't need to do that mate as I measure how good my cleans are by customer feedback and the feedback is always excellent so hey I must be doing something right.
I try to provide the best possible service to my customers, I call each and everyone the night before I clean so they know I'm coming and leave access and payment out, so by simple communication I don't have to do any collecting ever, well I tell a lie there the odd one or two do sometimes forget.
by doing this it also means I don't turn up at a customers and get all set up only for the customer to come out and say not this month, they can tell me that when I phone up and if so I just say ok will call you next month.
my customers are my bread and butter and my bread and butter is my business so when I clean I always give them a good clean and thorough rinse.
I know its not just me because Ive met quite a few window cleaners who share my views, in fact it was another w/c who first said to me HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS
Leaving payment out is as dodgey! what if they forget to leave it out, but are convinced that left it out, what if it gets nicked before you get there?
Good feedback DOES NOT! mean that your cleans are spottless and errorless!!
IF WE AREN'T DOING A GOOD ENOUGH JOB, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS!!!!!!!!!!
AS FOR THE 3 CLEANS STATEMENT, IT IS IN FACT A DISCLAIMER!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT A DISCLAIMER IS?
might be dodgy where you are but I have nhever had a problem with customers leaving payment out, I always get them to leave cheques made out to my company and the customer is happy to do so so no collecting, as I say a little communication goes a long way
I didn't say good feedback I said excellent feedback and when a customer give me excellent feedback that tells me I'm giving an excellent service thats how I measure my feedback mate and as I proved today it got me another job
as for the DISCLAIMER for the 3 clean con trick isn't that just something a lazy window cleaner uses to get out of doing a thorough job on 1st clean ? a cheap cop out for instance
-
WOW you call all your customers the night before.
I can clean up to 30 houses on a good day which I presume you could too. Thats means 30 phones calls :o
Have you got a family? There is no way my wife and kids would let me spend that much time on the phone in the evening instead of quality time with them.
half hour a night mate most calls less than a minute, but that half hour a night saves me going out collecting for 3-4 hours but also a lot of my houses are in the sticks and some large houses at that so they text me codes for electric gates and tell me where keys and stuff is and most important the customers like it because they know exactly when your coming
-
sorry couldn't stop myself from sneezing, as I am alergic to BULLpoopE!!
well you do enough brown nosing on here saddo so you will blow poop out of your beak
sorry I cant agree with you mush because to me your no one YOU DO KNOW WHAT A NO ONE IS DONT YOU MR DISCLAIMER
-
Im beginning to like you Steve.
Someone with a good sense of humour :)
Anyway its bloody hard to clean a piece of glass :)
Bob
I'm a scouser bob and its in our nature to have a good s.o.h its what makes us tick
its not hard if you smash it, me and my scouse ways ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
Stephen
Calm down bud
I got my systems (all 3 of them) from Pure Freedom who have one of the best reputations for honesty in their trade. Had they told me a bare faced pack of lies, I wouldn't have used them.
You are saying that you tell your customers that you clean perfect from the first clean.
Tell me Stephen....from that statement.....Who sounds like a conman????
Bob
Bob believe me I calm mate and laughing like a gooden here.
as I stated in my post my 1st customer I told her about the 3 clean con trick and said if she wasn't happy when I cleaned then she was not to pay me, she was happy to pay me and Ive said that to lots of customers DOES THAT MAKE ME A CON MAN BOB ? think you could offer that to your customers Bob ? I can and I know other w/cs who can and do.
anyway Bob how hard just is it to clean a piece of glass
however Bob you did make me smile with your calm down bud line, being a scouser calm down calm down is my middle name ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D thought I would get that in before tha anti-scouse brigade get it in
do you wear a uniform ?
do you mean a shellsuit ? leave that one up to you mate
-
your not very consistant with your BS are you?
Firstly you state that you give a thorough clean!
Then you state you clean 30 houses a day!
and that these houses are RURAL!
Do you own a teleport machine??
If you are going to LIE then be consistant with what you are saying.
Brown nosing???
Give me an example? you do know what an example is don't you???
Mush? do I look like a f u c king PEA??
-
I still get caught out, there are lots of unknowable reasons why a first clean might not come good.I could give you ten in a list, but it's pretty pointless telling you because you know it all already.
so keep it to yourself then mush
Steven are you a shell suit wearing southerner ? as you seem to be getting confused
born and bred in Liverpool and moved down south 21 years ago, well I was actually sent here by a magistrate ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
go back up to the pool every other month to visit family and friends cos there aint no walton prison in Berkshire ;D ;D ;D
I'm also half Danish making me a scouse Viking so yes I wear a uniform ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
I don't think the 3 clean rule is a con. I think its just a disclaimer to cover our arses.
I agree that time should be spent on first cleans and attention to detail is vital. But sometimes you could spend a long time on them and they won't be 100%
The odd spot, spec or run may still be visible. There are many variables why this may happen but it should only be minimal.
it can take 1, 2, 3 or even 4 cleans on some windows to get them perfect. not on many but it can happen.
I always say to the guys that we only get 1 chance to impress them and the first cleans are really important in building the relationship.
I think the 3 month rule is good because if there not expecting them to be 100% and you achieve that with 90% of new customers then they'll think your great! ;)
good post
the 3 clean is about right, we all know that the rubbers seals might not be 100 % and it takes a few cleans to get rid of the dirt trapped AND washing up liquid residue under the seals
of course you should aim to get them 100 % first time, BUT how many people clean a house even a few years on and its not 100 %, if you say your cleaning is 100 % clean 100 % of the time, you are kidding yourself
hi Matt.
have to say your reply is not only a great reply but a very accurate one, your very right you me or any other person will never get a perfect finish as perfect we are led to believe is not achieveable in any walk of life, for instance a gymnast can score a perfect 10 but when the routine is analized minor inperfections are always found, seen that in a docu a few years ago
and yes I do agree with you that I would be kidding myself if I thought I could, but thats not to say a first class clean with windows sparkling and frames cleaned can not be achieved until it has been cleaned 3 times.
anyway yes it is a great post but also nice to get a non negative reply, whether we agree or not I do value your points
thanks
it makes me wary when people make good posts about me ;D
on the note of 3 cleans, i allways tell the customer that it can sometimes take 3 cleans to get a standard of clean that i aim to achieve on regular cleans , i point out the washing liquid residue and dirt under the seals, the customer doesn't then look too hard at the finish as they are expecting a not 100 % finish, after the 3rd clean they are used to having you as a window cleaner and you have the job
it works well for me
having said that, when you get asked to do the insides and you look out at your " clean windows " it can be scary :o
-
Been reading this post and laughing. Steven is well known on other forums and I love his posts, I call him the big yin...he is 6 ft 6 and batters the hell out of van thieves as a past time.
He is very right here none the less. Cleaning glass is so bloody simple its hard to get wrong after the first few goes and a wee bit common sense which he has in abundance and always sees him through. Thats all he is saying and why would he need a disclaimer just to do that in normal circumstances.
He loves a good argument and will wind you lot up just for the fun of it.
He has a uniform,,,,a nurses outfit and stillettoes. ;)
Ronaldo
how can you say that mate ? I have one to many Pimms and I swear I was minding that nurses outfit for someone and you never let me live it down. it was bad enough in the court room with all the sn****ring
-
anyone mindif i post on this thread, iam rather tipsy?
-
your not very consistant with your BS are you?
Firstly you state that you give a thorough clean!
Then you state you clean 30 houses a day!
and that these houses are RURAL!
Do you own a teleport machine??
If you are going to LIE then be consistant with what you are saying.
Brown nosing???
Give me an example? you do know what an example is don't you???
Mush? do I look like a f u c king PEA??
you really should pay more attention to whats being said and who says it nobby, I never once stated I clean 30 houses a day Bob said that to mke in reply to me calling all my customers.
but hey keep up with the reading and writing and all those tractor driving days will be over, now all you need is a nappy for your nose ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
anyway are you not feeling down of late, I remeber reading one of your posts a couple of months ago saying how you felt down with window cleaning and stuff like that ?
thank god for that DISCLAIMER EH ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
I couldnt feel better!
-
I couldnt feel better!
good to hear but I will be honest and say that was bang out of order for me to say that to you even if it was just to wind you up and that is wrong of me and I apologise for that last comment but you can also do with leaving out any personal attacks and I'm not a Liar
-
I couldnt feel better!
good to hear but I will be honest and say that was bang out of order for me to say that to you even if it was just to wind you up and that is wrong of me and I apologise for that last comment but you can also do with leaving out any personal attacks and I'm not a Liar
Apology accepted, I apologise for accusing you of lying, even though I find some of what you say hard to believe.
going back onto subject, most of us give a guarantee.
So any problem will be rectified asap. All my customers know that.
I charge 50% more for first cleans, and I spend 50% longer on them.
-
bitches, the lot of yez ;D
-
lot of bitches on here ::)
-
I spend a lot longer on first cleans, I am very thorough, an if I feel here will be a problem downstairs window...eg. a window with 2 top opening sashes, I will squeegy off that window...I do tell th customer, that the first clean may not be to the usual standard, even though it nearlly always is...
It covers my back, as sometimes it may be just one window that may be a pain....lol ::)
-
I know my customers fairly well and I often will tailor a clean to suit their personalities; if they're fussy - I'm a little more fussy with my cleaning. If they're not fussy, I'm fast! If they're too fussy they'd be dumped; but this hasn't happened I don't think.
This is a business at the end of the day, we're here to make money, not to hang around waiting for windows to dry so we can check them, nor are we here to provide 'perfectly clean' windows; acceptable is good enough for me, and it must be good enough for my customers too. I haven't lost one in ages and I've never lost a load in one go due to how I/we work (or for any other reason for that matter).
Other window cleaners may clean windows to a higher standard than I, but I don't give a fat WRACs pump; I'm happy with the way we work!
-
wow this topic has opened several cans of worms hasnt it.
-
Yes mate, and always charge more for worms ;D
-
firstly steven, what do you drive around with, an hgv tanker ::) to spend all that time, and guarantee spottless clean windows and frames first time round, you must be using tons of water, if it was glass only i would agree, the 3 clean con, as you call it is not a con, it is there for several reasons, the main reason is, surprising not for making sure they are clean, but for w/c who have a very large customer base changing over to wfp, now can you imagine what that would be like having 300 or more customers, and converting over from trad to wfp? it would take far to long if they had to spend 30mins or more on each house, the 3 cleans helps them to slowly but gradualy convert over from trad to wfp,
steven, you may know this, or not, trad w/c are now being advice before changing over, to clean and wipe all frames, sills,air vents by hand, and by doing it that way, almost certainly cuts out the 3 cleans. also it is a protection for newbies to give them the chance to perfect there skills at wfp, and at the same time given them some protection from complaints. there are many reasons for the 3 clean con ;D
-
Excellent post Joe.
Its all well and good saying 'Oh I got a new one today that came up spotless' when you are only do one new one a week or a day or wahtever, but when converting a whole round over its entirely unreasonable. You'd be a fool NOT to tell your custys there may just be occasional detergent issues.
-
I've just done one for the third time today and it's still very poor - painted windows with deep frames - absolute nightmare.
Mind you it would be perfect if I didn't look at it when I'd finished. ::)
-
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems
I do cos it is a con, its utter drivel hence the reason the 2nd customer today was happy to pay the extra £3 to have the windows cleaned PROPERLY maybe its because some people are just too lazy to put the effort in so they come out with that tripe.
as for the norm advice you say ? don't know what company you got your system from Bob but I'm afraid theve told you a bare faced pack of lies
will say it again HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS ????????????? answers over the next 3 months ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The issue with that is that if the other cleaner came back and did a second clean, his work would probably have been fine too. He did the first clean for you and you reaped the reward. You crafty git ;D
-
What about leaded windows, do you know how much soap gets caught up in them ;)
-
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems
I do cos it is a con, its utter drivel hence the reason the 2nd customer today was happy to pay the extra £3 to have the windows cleaned PROPERLY maybe its because some people are just too lazy to put the effort in so they come out with that tripe.
as for the norm advice you say ? don't know what company you got your system from Bob but I'm afraid theve told you a bare faced pack of lies
will say it again HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS ????????????? answers over the next 3 months ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
You seem to have left yourself wide open here Stephen, there are many of us that do not con people, also many that do a very good job no cleaner can be perfect all the time.
Ian
CIU please sort out the annoying error when replying to posts, is getting right on my errm
It's a browser issue. My firefox browser does it. IE 8 did it (until I uninstalled the update and reverted to v.6) but IE6 doesn't do it.
-
Excellent post Joe.
Its all well and good saying 'Oh I got a new one today that came up spotless' when you are only do one new one a week or a day or wahtever, but when converting a whole round over its entirely unreasonable. You'd be a fool NOT to tell your custys there may just be occasional detergent issues.
Well said matt ;)
-
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems
I do cos it is a con, its utter drivel hence the reason the 2nd customer today was happy to pay the extra £3 to have the windows cleaned PROPERLY maybe its because some people are just too lazy to put the effort in so they come out with that tripe.
as for the norm advice you say ? don't know what company you got your system from Bob but I'm afraid theve told you a bare faced pack of lies
will say it again HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS ????????????? answers over the next 3 months ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
You seem to have left yourself wide open here Stephen, there are many of us that do not con people, also many that do a very good job no cleaner can be perfect all the time.
Ian
CIU please sort out the annoying error when replying to posts, is getting right on my errm
It's a browser issue. My firefox browser does it. IE 8 did it (until I uninstalled the update and reverted to v.6) but IE6 doesn't do it.
hey leaps try google chrome, its brilliant
-
i have personally have never told a customer it can take three cleans
to get your windows cleaned correctly,i do tell the customer when
ihave cleaned their windows for the first time that there is a small
chance that there could be some spotting and to feel free to call me
if there is a problem so i can correct it.
in last three years i have only been called back twice
i clean windows to my customers satisfaction
if they are satisfied im happy.
-
well i must say that this for turned into a very good debate.
now this is what the forums are really about,
not just asking them same old silly questions which have been posted 1000 times before,cause you cant be assed to do a search :P :P :P
keep it up lads.
steven have you got pictures of yourself dressed up plz, ;) ;) ;) ;) :P
-
here is a pic of stephen dressed up,
-
here is a pic of stephen dressed up,
classic smithy ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
just spat me tea out everywhere ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
and here he is drive in to work,
-
and here he is drive in to work,
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
-
?????????
-
I know my customers fairly well and I often will tailor a clean to suit their personalities; if they're fussy - I'm a little more fussy with my cleaning. If they're not fussy, I'm fast! If they're too fussy they'd be dumped; but this hasn't happened I don't think.
This is a business at the end of the day, we're here to make money, not to hang around waiting for windows to dry so we can check them, nor are we here to provide 'perfectly clean' windows; acceptable is good enough for me, and it must be good enough for my customers too. I haven't lost one in ages and I've never lost a load in one go due to how I/we work (or for any other reason for that matter).
Other window cleaners may clean windows to a higher standard than I, but I don't give a fat WRACs pump; I'm happy with the way we work!
I to know my customers and each and everyone of them gets equal treatment,that is a job well done,no half measures to suit their personalities.Imo that is not a very professional attitude to take.
Wfp customers need to be told about possible spotting on the initial clean,after that if they are spotting then you are not cleaning them properly.Of course this is only my opinion and i expect to get shot down in flames over them... ::)
-
I know my customers fairly well and I often will tailor a clean to suit their personalities; if they're fussy - I'm a little more fussy with my cleaning. If they're not fussy, I'm fast! If they're too fussy they'd be dumped; but this hasn't happened I don't think.
This is a business at the end of the day, we're here to make money, not to hang around waiting for windows to dry so we can check them, nor are we here to provide 'perfectly clean' windows; acceptable is good enough for me, and it must be good enough for my customers too. I haven't lost one in ages and I've never lost a load in one go due to how I/we work (or for any other reason for that matter).
Other window cleaners may clean windows to a higher standard than I, but I don't give a fat WRACs pump; I'm happy with the way we work!
I to know my customers and each and everyone of them gets equal treatment,that is a job well done,no half measures to suit their personalities.Imo that is not a very professional attitude to take.
Wfp customers need to be told about possible spotting on the initial clean,after that if they are spotting then you are not cleaning them properly.Of course this is only my opinion and i expect to get shot down in flames over them... ::)
That all sounds very honourable of you, Daniel, my good man, but I like to apply a little common sense to how I work. Now read the last line of my quoted post!
:P
-
Yes i read your post from beginning to end,but i still felt that i wanted to put my point of view across.Of course i take it that is ok with you tosh and with other forum members :P
-
Yeh, that's okay, Daniel, I don't mind.
-
firstly steven, what do you drive around with, an hgv tanker ::) to spend all that time, and guarantee spottless clean windows and frames first time round, you must be using tons of water, if it was glass only i would agree, the 3 clean con, as you call it is not a con, it is there for several reasons, the main reason is, surprising not for making sure they are clean, but for w/c who have a very large customer base changing over to wfp, now can you imagine what that would be like having 300 or more customers, and converting over from trad to wfp? it would take far to long if they had to spend 30mins or more on each house, the 3 cleans helps them to slowly but gradualy convert over from trad to wfp,
steven, you may know this, or not, trad w/c are now being advice before changing over, to clean and wipe all frames, sills,air vents by hand, and by doing it that way, almost certainly cuts out the 3 cleans. also it is a protection for newbies to give them the chance to perfect there skills at wfp, and at the same time given them some protection from complaints. there are many reasons for the 3 clean con ;D
yes Joe.
I do use lots of water on 1st cleans and yes I do spend more time because as I stated earlier, spend the time and get it right and it makes all the future cleans easier
-
I've just done one for the third time today and it's still very poor - painted windows with deep frames - absolute nightmare.
Mind you it would be perfect if I didn't look at it when I'd finished. ::)
I do a couple were the frames bleed on every clean, solution wash em rinse em and then do a 2nd rinse
-
I certainly dont think telling a customer "it may take 3 cleans to get them perfect" is a con. As this seem to be the norm advise you get when you purchase a system from the companies that sell the systems
I do cos it is a con, its utter drivel hence the reason the 2nd customer today was happy to pay the extra £3 to have the windows cleaned PROPERLY maybe its because some people are just too lazy to put the effort in so they come out with that tripe.
as for the norm advice you say ? don't know what company you got your system from Bob but I'm afraid theve told you a bare faced pack of lies
will say it again HOW HARD IS IT TO CLEAN A PIECE OF GLASS ????????????? answers over the next 3 months ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The issue with that is that if the other cleaner came back and did a second clean, his work would probably have been fine too. He did the first clean for you and you reaped the reward. You crafty git ;D
honest mate if you seen the windows which he cleaned 2/3 days beore me you would not have paid him. and Ive now had a call for another quote when I came home today 6 doors down from the 2nd customer
-
i have personally have never told a customer it can take three cleans
to get your windows cleaned correctly,i do tell the customer when
ihave cleaned their windows for the first time that there is a small
chance that there could be some spotting and to feel free to call me
if there is a problem so i can correct it.
in last three years i have only been called back twice
i clean windows to my customers satisfaction
if they are satisfied im happy.
and I tell them exactly the same
-
well i must say that this for turned into a very good debate.
now this is what the forums are really about,
not just asking them same old silly questions which have been posted 1000 times before,cause you cant be assed to do a search :P :P :P
keep it up lads.
steven have you got pictures of yourself dressed up plz, ;) ;) ;) ;) :P
well said Richard.
I don't mind what people think or say to me on here, thats their choice but I have my opinion and I stand by that, think of me what you like just don't GET PERSONAL
yes it is a good topic and yes it beats the how much does everyone earn type topcs yawn yawn
-
here is a pic of stephen dressed up,
no mate I wear white fishnet stockings ;D
-
and here he is drive in to work,
nice one big ears ;D
-
Calling people con artists who warn first clean results might not be perfect is a bit personal, so to ask that replies aren't of a personal nature when you put your point over in such a bombastic and dogmatic way is a bit hypocritical.
And this thread is very far from being a good debate.
Reading some of your posts you do seem to know what you are talking about and also have a reasonably well thought out approach to this business.The problem comes when you try to impose dogmatic views on others.
-
Dogmatic is when you refuse to see any view point but your own and keep restating it. I don't say anything either about three cleans, but i wouldn't denigrate people who do, and i have had a few nasty surprises when what i thought was a brilliant job wasn't.
I can and have made mistakes so when i see others trying to avoid this i do not damn them as incompetent or con men.
-
Calling people con artists who warn first clean results might not be perfect is a bit personal, so to ask that replies aren't of a personal nature when you put your point over in such a bombastic and dogmatic way is a bit hypocritical.
And this thread is very far from being a good debate.
Reading some of your posts you do seem to know what you are talking about and also have a reasonably well thought out approach to this business.The problem comes when you try to impose dogmatic views on others.
I'm not dogmatic my friend as I'm not trying to impose my opinions on people I'm mearly giving my honest opinion based on my experiences, thats not being agressive or trying to force it on other people.
when people say its gonna open a can of worms as in a few replies to this post then surely that means a topic for debate ? where not a dictatorship just yet are we
as for your comments about whats personal, well let me you right. by saying people who use the 3 clean con trick is not personal my friend as its a collective, to make it personal it when you SINGLE someone out thats PERSOANL
-
Calling people con artists who warn first clean results might not be perfect is a bit personal, so to ask that replies aren't of a personal nature when you put your point over in such a bombastic and dogmatic way is a bit hypocritical.
And this thread is very far from being a good debate.
Reading some of your posts you do seem to know what you are talking about and also have a reasonably well thought out approach to this business.The problem comes when you try to impose dogmatic views on others.
but thank you for some positive comments as well
-
Dogmatic is when you refuse to see any view point but your own and keep restating it. I don't say anything either about three cleans, but i wouldn't denigrate people who do, and i have had a few nasty surprises when what i thought was a brilliant job wasn't.
I can and have made mistakes so when i see others trying to avoid this i do not damn them as incompetent or con men.
no your wrong again my friend, Ive made my case and listetened to everyones views and beacuse I don't share them all that doesn't mean I'm dogmatic it means Ive based my case on my experiences.
and I'Ve not been convinced I'm wrong, but hey if thats dogmatic to you then thats your affair.
now if you could justify why it can take 3 cleans then the forum is yours CONVINCE ME give me the facts
-
Dogmatic is when you refuse to see any view point but your own and keep restating it. I don't say anything either about three cleans, but i wouldn't denigrate people who do, and i have had a few nasty surprises when what i thought was a brilliant job wasn't.
I can and have made mistakes so when i see others trying to avoid this i do not damn them as incompetent or con men.
great reply my friend and full respect to you because after reading my thread I can understand how it may seem aggressive but I certainly wss't in anagressive mood when I wrote it nor have any of the replies caussed me agression as I'm not that type of person, yes I am a big 6ft-6 giant who weighs 20 stone but I'm a BFG and proud of that fact, but if I have something to say I will say it
Is the 3 clean rule every individuals own original view? Or have they been told that. You could quite easily say, stay at the job up to 3 times as long on initial cleans to get the windows up to standard. Which in my opinion should be the norm and not the 3 visits & cleans?
I agree though his thread is aggressive, but his point about the 3 clean rule is very valid, he could have challenged the rule more diplomatically when he started this thread, but that’s CIU ;D
-
[
I can and have made mistakes so when i see others trying to avoid this i do not damn them as incompetent or con men.
yes we all make mistakes ( said the darlek climbing off dustbin ;D ) but surely telling a customer it mat take 3 cleans to bring it up right when if you put the effort in and gave the job the time it deserves then thats not making a mistake my friend,
-
over 120 posts for this topic
-
over 120 posts for this topic
thats cause 110 of them are yours my friend, ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
trying to get your post count up or what. :P :P :P :P :P
-
I don't know what all the fuss is about. ???
All the windows will look fine in the dark ;D