[Pole 2 Pole]

Nor me Dave. And it's telling anyone and everyone what's inside the van to be nicked too

yep,iv heard there is alot of thieves out there today breaking in window cleaners vans pinching there dirty rags and half empty fairy bottles  

Oh the wit  :

[AuRavelling79]

Magnetic signs here.

[Spruce]

Hi Guys

We have got three vans all sign written the same,its a family business and have built up a good repution in part i belive due to the vans being sign written.
 
Regards Oliver Collins Rise & Shine Cleaning

Hi Oliver.

Been thinking about this for the last few days.

People know you in the area, probably because of your sign written vans, but for other reasons as well.
I believe that you look professional with your uniform and sign written vans, so a new customer will perceive you in a better light than someone who isn't dressed that way -ie., me for example. First impressions are what count so being young, well turned out, clean shaven and neat hairstyle are also contributory factors to these first impressions.
However, your reputation, especially in the long term, IMO is to do with the quality of service you provide and that's what makes you or breaks you.

If I wanted new windows and a salesman rocked up in a brand new MB SLK or Porsche Boxter my first impressions wouldn't be favourable as I would believe, rightly or wrongly that he was making too much profit to afford that vehicle. (Even although I spent many years in the motor trade and often experienced the monthly lease figures for a BMW where cheaper than for a C5, I would still have an issue with this).

If on the other hand a Plumber came to quote on installing a new boiler in an old battered van, I would also be put off his quote as my first impressions wouldn't be good either. However, he may have come recommended and have a good reputation despite his van. I might consider him on that basis, but if I recommended him to someone else because of a high quality work standard, then I would probably say to the person not to be put off by outward appearances.

I'm sure there are a few window cleaners out there whose vans are old and tatty, but they still have a full customer round.

Then I also remember not so long back when you ran 2 old Vauxhall Combo vans that wouldn't have the same image as you have now, but you still had plenty of work. Have you got any more work in 'Snobs Hill' than you had when you still had your Combo's? If so, is it your sign written van, or is it a conscious effort of you targeting higher paid work that's got it?

You made an interesting point and I enjoyed thinking about it.

Spruce 

[benji]

"A BUSINESS WITH NO SIGN IS A SIGN OF NO BUSINESS"

[gordonswindows]

 I hope you all know that although you do not have to have your van "sign written" you do have to have either the owners name and adress or firms address written somewhere on the outside of the van. Look at any old grocer van or even ice cream van.

The plod don't bother that is until their is a reason too and then you get fined

Gordon

ps there is no good reason not to sign your van, it is cheap and tax deductable

[Frankybadboy]

3 of my best paying jobs have come from when we been working and they seen the van signage.



so it allways pays,cause you never know what that next job will be.

[Steve Sed]

My van is a pile of s**t rust bucket that was all I could afford. I'll wait until I upgrade before I put a sign on it. Was interested in Spruce's comments.

[Johnny B]

I have only run old vehicles since becoming a windy 14 years ago. I have had a full book for the last 12, and have even had to cull work when I got too busy.

Never had signwriting either. I have built my reputation on the way I present myself, the way I deal with people, and the quality of my work, not by having a flashy modern van.

The van I drive now is 12 years old, but I look after it, and it is clean and tidy, but not sign written (I don't need any more work!)

I am not knocking signwriting (it clearly makes a lot of sense), it's just that I have never needed it in order to attract new work myself.

John 

[DaveG]

I have seen a lot of window cleaning vans on the road and wondered why they do not have them sign written ?
Wouldnt it be to an advantage have the advertising . . . . or am I missing something ?

How do you know they are window cleaners then?

[wpclean]

I have seen a lot of window cleaning vans on the road and wondered why they do not have them sign written ?
Wouldnt it be to an advantage have the advertising . . . . or am I missing something ?

How do you know they are window cleaners then?

Cos they had their poles out 

[DaveG]

 

[Spruce]

I hope you all know that although you do not have to have your van "sign written" you do have to have either the owners name and adress or firms address written somewhere on the outside of the van. Look at any old grocer van or even ice cream van.

The plod don't bother that is until their is a reason too and then you get fined

Gordon

ps there is no good reason not to sign your van, it is cheap and tax deductable

Hi Gordon
Never heard this before - doesn't this apply to larger trucks and vans? Can't find anything on internet. 
Spruce

[mci services]

I hope you all know that although you do not have to have your van "sign written" you do have to have either the owners name and adress or firms address written somewhere on the outside of the van. Look at any old grocer van or even ice cream van.

The plod don't bother that is until their is a reason too and then you get fined

Gordon

ps there is no good reason not to sign your van, it is cheap and tax deductable

Hi Gordon
Never heard this before - doesn't this apply to larger trucks and vans? Can't find anything on internet. 
Spruce

same here, although tonight I looked at the ice cream van and it had name and address on it, as I noticed most of them do, it makes sense I suppose but had never heard of before today, I though maybe it was because they were classed as street traders or similar

[bobby p]

I hope you all know that although you do not have to have your van "sign written" you do have to have either the owners name and adress or firms address written somewhere on the outside of the van. Look at any old grocer van or even ice cream van.

The plod don't bother that is until their is a reason too and then you get fined

Gordon   

ps there is no good reason not to sign your van, it is cheap and tax deductable

Hi Gordon
Never heard this before - doesn't this apply to larger trucks and vans? Can't find anything on internet. 
Spruce

my peugeot partner is an ex CO-OP van,still has the co-op address on it low down on the sides.   i have left it on,maybe  looks as if im the OFFICIAL co-op windie,adds provenance !