[windowswashed]

Just ignore them. I get sent emails by plenty of them with different names. Thank goodness my email account allows me to block everyone of them

[rosskesava]

Out of curiosity I asked for a quote. Obviously, we all know what a quote is. They obviously don't.

I live 15 floors up.

After entering my postcode twice and my email address I got this 'quote' and I quote:


'We’re coming to your area soon, but we’re not quite there yet.

Leave us your email address and postcode and we’ll contact you when we’re cleaning windows in your area.

We promise not to share your details with anyone else, and we’ll only contact you once we’re cleaning windows in your postcode, we promise no spam!

Thank you! We'll be in touch by email as soon as we have window cleaners in your area.

[Cookie]

I think the cut is about 10%. Og should know since he's used them ....

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I think the cut is about 10%. Og should know since he's used them ....

Did someone say they are not vat registered?

If they are taking 10% of turnover their yearly net profit would only be 8k if they are performing at max vat threshold.  Take off all them advertising costs can't see them earning a wage at all.

[Cookie]

I think the cut is about 10%. Og should know since he's used them ....

Did someone say they are not vat registered?

If they are taking 10% of turnover their yearly net profit would only be 8k if they are performing at max vat threshold.  Take off all them advertising costs can't see them earning a wage at all.

Not only that.... The potential issue I see for Osha is that the customer and window cleaner will strike up a deal thus removing the "middle-man" altogether.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I think the cut is about 10%. Og should know since he's used them ....

Did someone say they are not vat registered?

If they are taking 10% of turnover their yearly net profit would only be 8k if they are performing at max vat threshold.  Take off all them advertising costs can't see them earning a wage at all.

Not only that.... The potential issue I see for Osha is that the customer and window cleaner will strike up a deal thus removing the "middle-man" altogether.

Their balance sheets make a up a good read on companies house.

[Marc Stock]

Exactly

not looking particularly successful is it.

[rosskesava]

It was hardly going to be a success story right from the start.

It's yet again a classic case of middle class type twatts thinking the money will come rolling in without having to actually work for it.

They had their business model and all that other stuff they dream up. It looks wonderfull on paper. Reality though for these people doesn't come into it until the bottom line hits.

I worked from 8.30am this morning untill about 4.30pm then from about 7.30pm to about 10pm. Hard graft. I had a very very good day earnings wise. Maybe Osha should try that first rather that sitting on their backsides looking at computer screens.

[Marc Stock]

Hey i suppose we can thank them for one thing.

Supplying revenue for our forum by advertising on here.

 

[Plankton]

That's the "national advertising" then!
Based on below it doesn't look that bad...
£12 - 10% £10.80
£12 - paypal £11.32
£12 - gocardless £11.88
So it's £1.08 per clean more than gc and over the year it's £14.04
Buying a £12 customer on a round is between 3 and 5 times the monthly clean which is costing you £36 to £60

[Smudger]

Wibble- as agents their turnover is the commission not the total cost of the clean as the windy is self employed ( same as a franchise model )

It amazes me that they can get people like virgin to throw money at something like this, when I started out 9 years ago the bank wouldn’t even give me a buisness account as I was “only” cleaning windows and certainly wouldn’t help purchase tools, van etc... not even a £50 overdraft

Just shows the class system is stil in action

Darran

[Steve Newres]

Wibble- as agents their turnover is the commission not the total cost of the clean as the windy is self employed ( same as a franchise model )

It amazes me that they can get people like virgin to throw money at something like this, when I started out 9 years ago the bank wouldn’t even give me a buisness account as I was “only” cleaning windows and certainly wouldn’t help purchase tools, van etc... not even a £50 overdraft

Just shows the class system is stil in action

Darran

Don’t know about that, but I do know that £10k is totally inadequate as a marketing budget for that kind of business AND that their model won’t engender any customer loyalty so they will endlessly be spending on adwords.

That said, I don’t understand the hostility towards them. A new startup in town would be far more of a threat.

[Soupy]

Wibble- as agents their turnover is the commission not the total cost of the clean as the windy is self employed ( same as a franchise model )

It amazes me that they can get people like virgin to throw money at something like this, when I started out 9 years ago the bank wouldn’t even give me a buisness account as I was “only” cleaning windows and certainly wouldn’t help purchase tools, van etc... not even a £50 overdraft

Just shows the class system is stil in action

Darran

Don’t know about that, but I do know that £10k is totally inadequate as a marketing budget for that kind of business AND that their model won’t engender any customer loyalty so they will endlessly be spending on adwords.

That said, I don’t understand the hostility towards them. A new startup in town would be far more of a threat.

I don't think anyone sees them as a threat, they're not doing any of the work so how could they be?

There may be many reasons someone can't find a window cleaner, it's not because we can't do marketing and need a middle man to help organise the industry though.

It's not threatening. It's patronising.

[Steve Newres]

Wibble- as agents their turnover is the commission not the total cost of the clean as the windy is self employed ( same as a franchise model )

It amazes me that they can get people like virgin to throw money at something like this, when I started out 9 years ago the bank wouldn’t even give me a buisness account as I was “only” cleaning windows and certainly wouldn’t help purchase tools, van etc... not even a £50 overdraft

Just shows the class system is stil in action

Darran

Don’t know about that, but I do know that £10k is totally inadequate as a marketing budget for that kind of business AND that their model won’t engender any customer loyalty so they will endlessly be spending on adwords.

That said, I don’t understand the hostility towards them. A new startup in town would be far more of a threat.

I don't think anyone sees them as a threat, they're not doing any of the work so how could they be?

There may be many reasons someone can't find a window cleaner, it's not because we can't do marketing and need a middle man to help organise the industry though.

It's not threatening. It's patronising.

It’s just marketing surely. And as much as Window cleaners may think they are swamped with competition, traditionally it’s nit been easy to find a window cleaner as they didn’t really advertise. There was this belief that you had to catch one on the street.

[Soupy]

It’s just marketing surely. And as much as Window cleaners may think they are swamped with competition, traditionally it’s nit been easy to find a window cleaner as they didn’t really advertise. There was this belief that you had to catch one on the street.

How long ago was that though? I'm sure you are a member of your 'local shiz' Facebook page. How often do you see 'looking for a reliable window cleaner' posts? I'll bet that almost immediately those posts have a reply.

If you Google 'window cleaner' you'll get at least 10 in your area. Their 'national advertising budget' will put them at the top but all they'll do is get one of the 10 below to do the work and take a cut.

They are trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist. In order to find them you need to Google 'window cleaner', if you just Googled 'window cleaner' you've already found 10 without their help.

As for taking payments, because we're too stupid to know how a bank account works? There can't be that many cash only, dole monkeys left. If there are; they won't be using osha clean anyway.

[Steve Newres]

It’s just marketing surely. And as much as Window cleaners may think they are swamped with competition, traditionally it’s nit been easy to find a window cleaner as they didn’t really advertise. There was this belief that you had to catch one on the street.

How long ago was that though? I'm sure you are a member of your 'local shiz' Facebook page. How often do you see 'looking for a reliable window cleaner' posts? I'll bet that almost immediately those posts have a reply.

If you Google 'window cleaner' you'll get at least 10 in your area. Their 'national advertising budget' will put them at the top but all they'll do is get one of the 10 below to do the work and take a cut.

They are trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist. In order to find them you need to Google 'window cleaner', if you just Googled 'window cleaner' you've already found 10 without their help.

As for taking payments, because we're too stupid to know how a bank account works? There can't be that many cash only, dole monkeys left. If there are; they won't be using osha clean anyway.

I wouldn't argue with any of that. I'm just not wound up by it.

[Marc Stock]

I think its a complete insult.

These two who set up Osha have demonstrated their complete lack of knowledge and understanding in a market they have no connection with.

They have  illusions of grandeur and superiority because they were 'professionals in marketing and consultancy' and they clearly feel that those who choose to window clean (which can actually be more profitable, and have a better work life balance) are knuckle dragging idiots who cant open a bank account, doesn't understand how to advertise, and lives on the dole.

What they fail to realise is that many of us were 'professionals' i myself have a college education in mathematics and IT, and have a background in engineering; many window cleaners even have degrees and have given up so called premium careers.

Many of us choose window cleaning because

1..we can make more money than we did in their so called profesional jobs
2. They dont have to mix with idiots like the ones who started up Osha who clearly think they are superior in the workplace
3. They have a better work life balance.

If they had actually gone into window cleaning, or at least had the balls to research their idea 1st by asking us our opinions on weather thier service could work, and engage with their ideas on this forum then they would get much more respect.

Instead i bet you they havent even checked this forum and have been out playing golf. If i met them i would give them a full account of what i thought about thier idea and how they have completely missed an opportunity in Osha by alienating themselves due to thier lack of foresight and understanding of the market proposition they face.

[tlwcs]

I think its a complete insult.

These two who set up Osha have demonstrated their complete lack of knowledge and understanding in a market they have no connection with.

They have  illusions of grandeur and superiority because they were 'professionals in marketing and consultancy' and they clearly feel that those who choose to window clean (which can actually be more profitable, and have a better work life balance) are knuckle dragging idiots who cant open a bank account, doesn't understand how to advertise, and lives on the dole.

What they fail to realise is that many of us were 'professionals' i myself have a college education in mathematics and IT, and have a background in engineering; many window cleaners even have degrees and have given up so called premium careers.

Many of us choose window cleaning because

1..we can make more money than we did in their so called profesional jobs
2. They dont have to mix with idiots like the ones who started up Osha who clearly think they are superior in the workplace
3. They have a better work life balance.

If they had actually gone into window cleaning, or at least had the balls to research their idea 1st by asking us our opinions on weather thier service could work, and engage with their ideas on this forum then they would get much more respect.

Instead i bet you they havent even checked this forum and have been out playing golf. If i met them i would give them a full account of what i thought about thier idea and how they have completely missed an opportunity in Osha by alienating themselves due to thier lack of foresight and understanding of the market proposition they face.

You should copy that to the idiots that have bailed them out. Good post

[Plankton]

This is most likely to be a side line for them, maybe some spare change has been thrown at it and if it doesn't work out to their liking they could sell what they have built (if anything) and turn their attention to other businesses. It could work for them whether you like it or not and I certainly can't see why anyone should be insulted by it.

[Tom-01]

This is most likely to be a side line for them, maybe some spare change has been thrown at it and if it doesn't work out to their liking they could sell what they have built (if anything) and turn their attention to other businesses. It could work for them whether you like it or not and I certainly can't see why anyone should be insulted by it.

A sideline with a 'national advertising budget'?

They come across as the type of customer 99% of window cleaners wouldn't want as a customer..

Cheap? No thanks.
Have to clean at a certain day and time? No thanks. 

They are only going to attract that type of customer, the ones the majority of us dumped ages ago.

I certainly wouldn't be able to build a profitable business under those terms so not quite sure how they would.

They would be better off using that 'national marketing budget' to employ some window cleaners and grow a local business.

The 3 reasons for using them are pathetic, smack of desperation and show they do not know the industry at all.