Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Window Washers on March 18, 2010, 10:00:29 pm
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Went to Windex today:
seemed like a shadow of its old self. Suppliers seemed not to be supplying to much apart from systems this time. Mark Henderson not in a suit nor tie doing his stint trying to beat Terry on the three panes of already clean glass (someone needs to tell them about wfp its quicker) have to say the help Terry was getting was better than the window cleaning going on ;)
The seminar room was poor compared to last year, even though William and I got an award for the NVQ we did last year ;D (did not get a cup though Andy/Dave :o :'( )
Some of the so called big players must be struggling as the stands this year imo were like a ill fitting car boot sale with a couple of pictures printed to look good. You maybe able to tell I was a little under whelmed
Right to the better things I found and was impressed with:
First has to be Cleaning Technology Solutions. with the 62 modular pole that is like the sl2 but seemed better, has little pop in claps to hold pole hose and £750 is a good price.
Go see them tomorrow and Mention Window Washers and you can get a discount ;)
The pole is nice and lite, they alwasy have it in stock and bottom sections around £75
The guys are nice, honest, thats a plus in my book they are also window cleaners . so thats recommend One.
This one shocked me but I have to say the Polar Vac is a no brainer for anyone wanting to go into gutter vac'ing, , Had a great chat with the boss man hes not scary either , honest all the way through even when comparing my omni system with them, professional and nice people, his machine is IMO well worth the investment, and the price is low shockinging it really is low, well made tools
my next system will be from this company
without a doubt.
Another highlight was meeting up with Willam, Trevor Perry, Charlie Price Mike boxhall (that shocked me I was honoured I am memerable) X line because they supply the correct colour hose and a good price and I did not get hit by there bouncer for being cheeky:)
Last of all was and I am happy to say Ionics have come up witha fair priced pole at last, I am well impressed on the carbon swift, realeased next month can see me buying this pole at 35ft easy open close without catching, .
Brodex also need to get a meantion as they are always there alwasys try, there alloy poles at about £95 for about 17ft is a steal and guarenteed is a no brainer for anyone that has staff, they are cheaper in the long run than the harris pole, look nice also. Brodex also have a new modular pole out like the sl2 this market is wide open now, although I do feel for Alex not being there again, market share will be going else where now.
Windex 2010 out of ten is a 6 and thats thanks to Cleaning Technology soloution, Polar vac, Impact43, brodex, ionics, and xline and the guys that I meet.
Ian
Window Washers
p.s watch out for the new parking charges ;D
pps if some of you dont go I can scan some of the stuff I got so you can see it.
ppps Steve and Martin I would not bother tbh
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Agreed a shadow of its former self. Sign of the times I suppose.
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Agreed a shadow of its former self. Sign of the times I suppose.
I dont think thats true, I think there are newer ones coming up to replace I know 2 stalls for a fact will come back better next year for sure, just hope the other realise they cocked it up this year ;)
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Ian I saw your van there mate but couldn't find you lol
I had a look at the ionics swift 65 and I am seriously considering it as my next pole.
Matt
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Ian I saw your van there mate but couldn't find you lol
I had a look at the ionics swift 65 and I am seriously considering it as my next pole.
Matt
Matt I was the one with the window washers shirt on ;D
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Website for Cleaning Technology Solutions?
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Saw you there Ian but just nodded! sorry mate! My misses was with me but not too well!
My first Windex, and not really that impressed! Being a what i would call just normal wfper i struggled to find much other than companies wanting to sell hot systems and expensive poles!
What i needed was a kick up the arse! to make me want to earn more! I needed to come away with silly little bits of equipment and new poles and brushes which when i asked was told to order online etc i needed a new ro unit, but to no avail. i know the companies there cant carry everything but..................
My reality hit when i walked back to my van........ i noticed some of fellow window cleaners vans and thought,................. yes! nice vans, they must have some nice equipment inside! i could make my workin life easier with that! My customers would notice too!...... thats what i want! My incentive has been set, new van, new equipment..............
Maybe thats where Windex has done it 4 me!
Next year i will be back better!
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i was quite impressed with the pure freedom 50litre trolley with the pole carrier quite light weight and not too bad a price at 600quid odd 25litres never really enough
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i was planning to go tomorrow
after that feedback i will have a sleep on it and might give it a swerve
last thing i want to see is a stack of SL2 ( type ) poles
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Modular poles will soon be yesterdays pole, by the end of the year ;)
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i was quite impressed with the pure freedom 50litre trolley with the pole carrier quite light weight and not too bad a price at 600quid odd 25litres never really enough
tidy ;D
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This show was a bit of a let down on some of the others over ther last few years, I went to look at buying various new equipment to advance my company, but the companies showing their wears was limited.
I did notice that on the window cleaning side, it is all wfp, so maybe the writing is on the wall on how the trade is going.
Window washers who like me was acredited with an award for our outstanding performance on the NVQ 2, that we took last year, it shows that we are a class above the rest ;D, we even had our photos taken 8). We are now waiting for the Queen to accept that we are the best and make us the first window cleaning knights of the realm. ::)
I had to go to the pub tonight :o so I have not had time to go thought the brochures yet, but as soon as I do I will come back and comment on it.
The other thing you need to be aware of is the car parking charge.
This is a rip off, when you entry the areana you are given a ticket at the barrier, you then pay for the car parking charge at the machine on the way out.
Only the barrier opens anyway, so do not pay at the machines inside the foyer.
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Saw you there Ian but just nodded! sorry mate! My misses was with me but not too well!
My first Windex, and not really that impressed! Being a what i would call just normal wfper i struggled to find much other than companies wanting to sell hot systems and expensive poles!
What i needed was a kick up the arse! to make me want to earn more! I needed to come away with silly little bits of equipment and new poles and brushes which when i asked was told to order online etc i needed a new ro unit, but to no avail. i know the companies there cant carry everything but..................
My reality hit when i walked back to my van........ i noticed some of fellow window cleaners vans and thought,................. yes! nice vans, they must have some nice equipment inside! i could make my workin life easier with that! My customers would notice too!...... thats what i want! My incentive has been set, new van, new equipment..............
Maybe thats where Windex has done it 4 me!
Next year i will be back better!
Hope you missus is feeling better soon, will be there next year so have a chat.
to the person asking for the webste address
http://www.cleaningtechnologysolutions.co.uk/
there site is being designed asap there are new to the market and nothing there at mo apart from their logos
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This show was a bit of a let down on some of the others over ther last few years, I went to look at buying various new equipment to advance my company, but the companies showing their wears was limited.
I did notice that on the window cleaning side, it is all wfp, so maybe the writing is on the wall on how the trade is going.
Window washers who like me was acredited with an award for our outstanding performance on the NVQ 2, that we took last year, it shows that we are a class above the rest ;D, we even had our photos taken 8). We are now waiting for the Queen to accept that we are the best and make us the first window cleaning knights of the realm. ::)
I had to go to the pub tonight :o so I have not had time to go thought the brochures yet, but as soon as I do I will come back and comment on it.
The other thing you need to be aware of is the car parking charge.
This is a rip off, when you entry the areana you are given a ticket at the barrier, you then pay for the car parking charge at the machine on the way out.
Only the barrier opens anyway, so do not pay at the machines inside the foyer.
im afraid im more impressed with your nice new van you have nice
signage looks the business i can imagine that does more for you
than some nvq.
was going to windex for a few hours today have been put off by
reports i think i will spend my afternoon doing something more
productive.
go fishing ;D
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I have seen Dave Morris, Wally and Matt!! Thank you guys.
I was suprised with the pole and team from Cleaning Technology Solutions. John (GM) is VERY neat guy. Very kind, intelligent and very professional as well. Obviously, they will get the success. Hope so.
Vadim
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i was quite impressed with the pure freedom 50litre trolley with the pole carrier quite light weight and not too bad a price at 600quid odd 25litres never really enough
sounds good! not a bad price compared to others on the market.
im guessing that price was a show offer?
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I spent two hours there yesterday, I thought some of the stalls were good especially the info I got off the polar vac guys, pure freedom an brodex. I will definatly be investing in a hot water add on very soon and also a polar vac.
The thing I really missed over blackpool was all the van set ups and actually usin the poles on windows like we did there.
Would I go again? Yes as the info is great an new products are all there, alex from gardiners should be doin these shows though for definate
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alex from gardiners should be doin these shows though for definate
I think that Alex has shot himself in the foot by not going, because yesterday I saw 2 companies who are selling modular poles that are same or even better than his.
You also had another company who has a carbon telepole that gives the slx a run or its money, if that company was to bring out a 21' pole, it definatly would take control of the medium pole market, also their "new transverse clamp" I think I have seen this before, but on my pole its black in colour. ;D
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I'm on the waitin list for the slx 22, if I'd seen a pole of this size yesterday they may of got my business, I find it a bit of a letdown that alex doesn't bother with the shows, also a bit arrogent on his side as if he is to good for them, he has a new wfp set up out an no way would I want to get one without seeing it an tryin it. Yet he is way way down south
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I have seen Dave Morris, Wally and Matt!! Thank you guys.
I was suprised with the pole and team from Cleaning Technology Solutions. John (GM) is VERY neat guy. Very kind, intelligent and very professional as well. Obviously, they will get the success. Hope so.
Vadim
It was very good to see you Vadim.
Hope you enjoyed the show, and you managed to get some good discount.
Matt
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It was great to see Vadim, Dave and Debbie Morris , Trippy, Steve, Wally, Brad and Ian from WCP, Craig from polarbrite, Andrew Wallis Impact43, Andrew Thompson from Purefreedom, Oh and Terry the Turbo Burrows (Thanks for the tips Terry, more practice I think lol).
All the best for the future guys
Matt
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i spotted you and your wife matt, i was to awestruck though to speak to you and just stood there in the background staring at you ;D
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Corr my feet!! thanks guys, was great putting a face to the voice/name today, and thanks mb for helping us load our van much appreciated.
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I'm so jealous. i wish i'd gone- it's forty minutes.
I've been doing a lot of moaning about alex because he left the forum, but when i look at his website i think wow! has that guy been busy.New poles, new crash tested systems.
His stragegy always was to avoid high marketing costs such as attending these events and to use his expertise on this and other forums to create trust.
One thing more, my own van, it's part diy and part pro install, but it's two years in front of anything the suppliers have got.People like Jeff Brimble and Matt, or joeuk, have had more input into this industry than some might care to admitt.Most of us have one or two good ideas, after that you have to pinch ideas off other people.
Suppliers ignore this at their peril.
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Corr my feet!! thanks guys, was great putting a face to the voice/name today, and thanks mb for helping us load our van much appreciated.
Thats ok mate, sorry I couldn't finish that sale.
should of handed it back to you before they left.
Matt
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i spotted you and your wife matt, i was to awestruck though to speak to you and just stood there in the background staring at you ;D
Its ok mate, theres always next year at the NEC lol
Matt
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;D Big thanks to all that came up and said Hi ;D the show was very busy I am now weak leamp Lifeless lost me mo jo ;D and a big Thanks
to dave st Ives Debs :o ;D well done to debs for breaking her best! ;D :o and many thanks to dave for giving me that blow fingy blow job dryer ;D :o it was the only fing I pulled up to bed ;D :o :-* many thanks :-* just great to see all been a really good 2 day show what more can I say :-* night night :-*
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I'm so jealous. i wish i'd gone- it's forty minutes.
I've been doing a lot of moaning about alex because he left the forum, but when i look at his website i think wow! has that guy been busy.New poles, new crash tested systems.
His stragegy always was to avoid high marketing costs such as attending these events and to use his expertise on this and other forums to create trust.
One thing more, my own van, it's part diy and part pro install, but it's two years in front of anything the suppliers have got.People like Jeff Brimble and Matt, or joeuk, have had more input into this industry than some might care to admitt.Most of us have one or two good ideas, after that you have to pinch ideas off other people.
Suppliers ignore this at their peril.
surely taking all this to a show like windex would of promoted it far more than his website does at the moment? i think alexs products are fantastic from my experiances so far, the thing that annoys me though is that someone who is supposedly a market leader does not attend these trade shows , its a bit like Land Rover not attending and off road day.
I recently purchased a 40ft pole from alex for 565, i asked them what happens if i get it and im not happy with it, their reply was unless it was faulty then i wouldnt get a re-fund, im buying gardiners equipment purefly and solely off recomendations on here so im taking a big risk, i dont have money to waste, surely alex could spend some of his money and attend one of these shows
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My experience of Windex was ------------------ Well Done Suppliers, nice to see so many there and all there new products.
I was there for 2 days and nights and it definately wasnt long enough, I never got bored for one minute. I must have met 100 window cleaners from this forum, and I spent at least 30 minutes on each stall talking to suppliers and examining there wares, so many good products and loads of competition, driving the industry forward.
The speed competition was good also, but maybe I am biased as I came 2nd today, despite no practice and recovering from a dodgy shoulder. My wife also broke her world record by an astonishing 3 seconds.
I picked up a few leads for the future which are quite promising, The Gala dinner on thursday evening was quite interesting as I got to rub shoulders with a few interesting people I would never of met otherwise, some of whom I would probably do business with in the future.
I would like to say all the window cleaners I met were brilliant, and it was a pleasure to meet everyone of you, you all helped to make my stay at Windex absolutely brilliant.
So here it is
Thank You all
The
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Had a great 2 days at the show, met a lot of old faces and some new ones
picked up a lot of new ideas for my business, definately my best windex so far, my first windex was back in 2006 in london and its improved every time since then.
Thanks to facelift for doing me a great deal on a pole, i found all the suppliers very helpful there are lots of new trolleys out there if you want one, in my opinion pure freedom trolleys are still the best.
I also was very impressed with the polar vac
Brett
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I came over from cork and over all I was expecting more. Thought there might be some new ideas, or maybe something on roof cleaning, power washing gear etc. The ionics 35ft pole looks the biz and the turkish made poles ( cant remember their name) looked pretty good too. Would have been great to see Gardiners poles there to compare with the competition.
Some of you may be able to do a comparision on the gardiner poles v ionics etc for the rest of us. I also really liked the ionics brushes.
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My experience of Windex was ------------------ Well Done Suppliers, nice to see so many there and all there new products.
I was there for 2 days and nights and it definately wasnt long enough, I never got bored for one minute. I must have met 100 window cleaners from this forum, and I spent at least 30 minutes on each stall talking to suppliers and examining there wares, so many good products and loads of competition, driving the industry forward.
The speed competition was good also, but maybe I am biased as I came 2nd today, despite no practice and recovering from a dodgy shoulder. My wife also broke her world record by an astonishing 3 seconds.
I picked up a few leads for the future which are quite promising, The Gala dinner on thursday evening was quite interesting as I got to rub shoulders with a few interesting people I would never of met otherwise, some of whom I would probably do business with in the future.
I would like to say all the window cleaners I met were brilliant, and it was a pleasure to meet everyone of you, you all helped to make my stay at Windex absolutely brilliant.
So here it is
Thank You all
The
Dave have you ever been to windex before ?, because I am shocked if you thought that was the best, did you have you eyes closed ? the buzz was not there, even wcw did have the normal buzz they have, was nice to meet some new contacts there but hope they do better next time and supplier try a little harder, and one of them sell some parts that most will have wanted a few extra of ::)
Annoys me when I go to spend money on things and I cant
Ian
p.s I may have to train my guys missus to challenge Debs in the speed tests but wearing my uniform ;) you did give me one tip that I will be using asap, thanks for that and nice to meet you.
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I am so surprise that there is no mention of the best exhibit of the whole Windex show. I am sure every one saw it ,and was gob smacked at its design. Its was the well designed little lady helping terry Turbo and Dave Morris. What a neat construction. She would get my vote every time. Who could disagrees.
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name and shame the sad git who had there company t-shirt on,you stuffy gits.
seen a few. :P :P :P :P
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Was omnipole there?
Did they have a stand next to polarvak.... ;D
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I enjoyed the show to. got to test a lot of poles and see some good systems. the polar vac has some good suction. i would like to test it at height though as i'm unsure about wielding a pole at 40ft in the air having all that vac hose flapping about. Looked very good for the money though. and i think it felt like it had more suction than what my omnivac has.
for me the ionics poles are to heavy, to flexible and far to expensive.
the stand next to it had a very good value moduar pole that feels very similar to the sl2 and the replacement sections are only 70 quid each!! they had a nice solution to the hose on the outside of the pole as well. i think gardiners should adopt that method. nice brushes and goosenecks at a very attractive price. hopefully i will buy one in the future
Met a few guys to which is nice to put a face to a name. See some nice females floating about to which was a bonus ;D
For me the brodex hydra ally poles are a must for an everyday cheap pole and a 3 year guarentee. i will be ordering a few this week.
good show, good people, good information and products. Well worth the trip ;)
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name and shame the sad git who had there company t-shirt on,you stuffy gits.
seen a few. :P :P :P :P
Didn't realise you were going Franky
Matt
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Ian I see the good in everything.
It worked for me, I came home richer and wiser, and have built a few new good relationships
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name and shame the sad git who had there company t-shirt on,you stuffy gits.
seen a few. :P :P :P :P
Didn't realise you were going Franky
Matt
:P
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Was omnipole there?
Did they have a stand next to polarvak.... ;D
They were both there! No pistols at dawn though!
All seems fine :D
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Ian I see the good in everything.
It worked for me, I came home richer and wiser, and have built a few new good relationships
Dave I came home much wiser, not so sure about richer! lol
Matt
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Ian I see the good in everything.
It worked for me, I came home richer and wiser, and have built a few new good relationships
The show worked for me also, was just a shadow of last year and the year before, I would have went friday had I not had work on
I cam back richer than I would have liked I was open to having my wallet drained.
I agree with Steve CM about the new suppliers with the modular pole, and about brodex poles.
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Ian#
Considering there is a recession , great show
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Ian#
Considering there is a recession , great show
What recession
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The ones the suppliers are having or think they are having
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If they want more business then all they have to do is drop their prices to what the equipment is worth, not over inflate the price and blame the recession.
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If i had of gone i would have worn an embriodered polo and jumper, and i would have gone in my van rather than a car.
What's wrong with a wc'ers tee shirt? People would have a better idea of who you are.
As regards the recession, well the opposite is true for suppliers because the number of start ups has exploded as times have got tougher. I think the suppliers have their own forum where they can go on and gloat about topping up newbs.They even have their own special terms, just like the carpet boys do bait and switch, they do wash and rinse, and like us the rinseing part is the most important.They even have rows about rinseing on and rinseing off.I can testify that they both work though because i have been cleaned out a few times.
Inside info; rinseing off is where you don't attend but still ricochet big orders off the show. ;)
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;D I thought the show was a good success you have think we as a country are not doing good there are only pockets of the country that are doing ok :-\
so the show in my opinion was a winner taking all things in to account :)
NEC next march by then hope we are all back to normal....