[Leighbrad]

He we go again only a month or two early this year! Most of the country comes to a standstill........ the phone rings but instead of the pre christmas bonanza its customers cancelling due to the inclement weather but learning from past experiences of going out in such conditions we have called time untill things clear up abit, a killer financially but it would be even worse if you lost your van and use of truckmount!
whats every one else doing? 

[robert meldrum]

Only about 8" of snow here so ................I was out yesterday cleaning upholstery and I'll be out today.cleaning a leather suite.

How would you feel if you were unable to get your regular shopping, or repairs to central heating, etc, done because someone could'nt be bothered making an effort

[JandS]

3 jobs today - first one re-booked half an hour ago.
Thought she might with the access.
Nothing now till 12 but both on fairly main roads.

John

[Mike_Roper]

We've had it up here in Whitby for nearly a week with n sign of stopping. You've just got to way it up but as you say no point in risking van etc for a few £. Have all on keeping the gear from freezing .Getting t most jobs ok, diary full .
Give up trying to get more winter tyres for the transporter nobody's got any !
Mike

[Leighbrad]

Robert
Whilst its commendable to have such a bulldog  spirit ......your quote (because someone could'nt be bothered making an effort) begs some questions?
one being if you own a truck mount and wish to go out in such weather and you have an accident  or more likely...... some dipstick ploughs into you...... you are stuffed.... this happened last year and because they were not insured we lost our no claims + £350 excess and 10 days of van being of road with subsequent income loss .
Two,  very few clients want there carpets cleaned with portables when you have sold them the advantages  of the truck mount and Robert your clients must be something special because none of ours want their carpets or upholstery cleaned in weather such as we are at present experiencing! They.... not us are  the ones cancelling!
Another point for consideration is if you insist your operators work in such conditions what would be the outcome if they slipped on ice and broke a limb 

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

Took the easy way out and cancelled ,my little van did a 360 last year : so not chancing it. Custy's ok with it so far.
Pretty thick here in the south east.

[fitz2kleen]

as long as we can get out and customers want us its business as usual here.
with regard to risking van and equipment.... isnt that a risk every time you get behind the wheel?
this country beggars belief at times..... a little bit of adverse weather and everything comes to a standstill.  :

[Leighbrad]

There are some stalwart cleaners out there!........ but I dont think some of  you guys  understand my point!
If it was law that everyone had to use snow chains or snow socks like the rest of Europe,  then people would be able to drive in such conditions but you get morons driving like they are  out on a mid summers day dash to the beach still...... check out the insurance stats for such spells of weather! there is often a twenty fold increase in claims made worse because local government haven’t got the proper resources for clearing roads and unlike America where if you went a**e over tip  on a clients iced covered driveway  or footpath  injuring yourself you could sue!........    Here 9 out of 10 people cannot even be bothered to clear their  footpaths let alone driveways!  Also if you employ people and they injured themselves because you had instructed them to work  Iam sorry to say you would be liable especially with the present appetite for health and safety in the Uk, but if you are self employed and have got no qualms about the increased risk to loss of livelihood and injury then by all means fill your boots    :
 Leigh

[murky]

Leighbrad.

I had a pair of those snowsocks on last year, got them off ebay. They are brill. and easy to put on. I got around quite easily only got stuck once and that was my fault.

Trouble is they got thrown out in the summer cos they were in the wrong box! Gonna get some more today.
Murky

[Leighbrad]

I got snow socks for all our vehicles ! but its like pantomime on ice on Essex roads at the moment...... I keep on saying it does not matter how careful you are its the others road users and some are not fit to drive in decent weather let alone these adverse conditions 
Leigh

[chrisjohn]

Ive put back todays work till next week,customers been great about it.Todays work was in a cul de sac(3 jobs) with a really steep hill.Rang customers advised me that I may get down the hill,but would struggle to get back up.Not worth the risk.Tomorrow nice little job 30 seconds from my house.Its all about risk and potential injuries.

Chris

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

As Leigh says Essex it is pretty impossible to drive a van with a TM in.

I will wait for the thaw.

Cheers

Doug

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

went out with truckmount thismorning and ended up with a van full of snow and water. I even managed to fall over. Would have been great for Beagle. Absolute nightmare. Next job was done with back up porty. Rebooked job that was booked in tonite... Roads just ca otic   Havin a beer instead...well after emptying van of water from this morning

[clinton]

Am only doing only very local jobs till it thaws as am not chancing my van any further till it clears.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

Working still - at least my hoses dont get muddy - afterall it only frozen water - or should I say WIFE is

[Neil Williams]

Had to walk to a quote this morning.
Managed to get half way up the hill on the estate but being front wheel drive the transit was having no more of it. Dropped down to a side street and walked to the house.
Got the job and booked in for next week, but she's already aware that's only on proviso the road is passable.

[robert meldrum]

Any day of the week you could be involved with a "muppet" driver  and why overstate the advantages of a T/M over portables when it's the person operating the machine that matters.

You must have one hell of a line in brainwashing if you have a single client who'd refuse to have her carpets cleaned with a modern portable. A bit stupid really as you could easily find the need to use a portable on occasions.

  

[fitz2kleen]

Any day of the week you could be involved with a "muppet" driver  and why overstate the advantages of a T/M over portables when it's the person operating the machine that matters.

You must have one hell of a line in brainwashing if you have a single client who'd refuse to have her carpets cleaned with a modern portable. A bit stupid really as you could easily find the need to use a portable on occasions.

  

Justice for porty operators 

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

We use both TM and Portables, depends whats best for the job

[jasonl]

We use both TM and Portables, depends whats best for the job

What TM did you get in the end ?