[p-pole]

Hi. All I am a newbie and have found the forum very helpful to get me started, and would like to know if any of you have been asked for I.D when pricing a job, I went to give a price today and the lady of the house said that there had been no one in the estate cleaning the windows for six months or more and then said that there had been a lot of break-ins and some of the neighbours were afraid to contact me after I had put flyers through their doors as they didn’t know me and were suspicious of the last guy as he hadn’t been seen from all these break- happened. It would nice to be able to show I.D that would show the public that you are a window cleaner by trade and a member of an organisation. What are your thoughts on this? P-pole     

[Extremeclean]

Get out there and knock the doors on this estate.

Wear a uniform with your or your company name on it. Have well designed leaflets/business cards with your telephone number and address and have a copy of your Public liability insurance certificate with you.

They should have the impression that you are a professional window cleaner and that you have nothing to hide and are tracable and contactable.

[24-7 S C Services]

Hi Everyone,

Unfortunately everyone everywhere is becoming more and more aware that there are certain threats out there and are becoming less trusting. Who can blame them though please read this Sun article: -

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006430356,00.html

An investment in your business for uniforms ID cards and sign written vans will certainly gain you some more credibility.

One of the first questions the police ask in a burglary is, "Have you had a new window cleaner or has their been a new window cleaner in the area'. This unfortunately blackens all of us.

However, as more and more people invest in their businesses and the professional image, as a trade, we should be able to climb out of this, but it will take time.

Andrew

[ccwc1988]

Yes...
Go to bwca.co.uk.....its only about £50.00 per year.

With that you you get a Window Cleaning magazine (cool)

it is worth £35.00 a year though..again

You can get accredited with the "Clear Choice" people you then can use there logo on your van and staionary, looks quite good.

One thing that I find invaluable is the photo i.d...

This works wonders on commercial jobs i.e. we do a lot of Banks and Casinos...

Try it for £50.00 what you got to lose

[24-7 S C Services]

Hi CCWC

I think you will find, in order get the accreditation and before you get the benefits of the logo and ID card, you have to go on the BWCA training courses which are just over £100 each when you add the VAT.

I may be wrong, but that is what I think will happen.

Andrew

[DASERVICES]

  Problem with Clear Choice even a burgular could join , I don't think you are
  Police checked unlike here up in Scotland. So you may as well show them your
  driving license.

  Have a word with the Police to see if they can do you a ID card of some sort
  saying you have been checked by the Police.

   Andrew just logged on will try and scan copy.

  Doug

[ccwc1988]

Hi CCWC

I think you will find, in order get the accreditation and before you get the benefits of the logo and ID card, you have to go on the BWCA training courses which are just over £100 each when you add the VAT.

I may be wrong, but that is what I think will happen.

No you do not have to do the courses ...if you choose to though they go on your profile, we haven't done one course...been in the game 18 yrs....so they couldn't teach me a thing.

I agree it's not hard to get accredited... just takes cash ..
but it can look as if your one up on Joe Blogs on his crate.

[reah]

Hey
I had this experience last year someone went and told a load of my customers that i was not cleaning any more wanted double payment up front did not clean the windows.
It was such a shame as it was only a few old ones that fell for this as thankfully some others phoned myself to ask if this was legitimate.
I had an idea who it was but the three old ladies one over 90 and was taken for £20.00 did not want the police involved.
Then the same happend again not to me but to a friend not far from this area.
Then about a month ago a client told me that her daughter was taken by the same scam.
I realy hope the police get this guy.
It is such bad news for the industry.

[markybop]

We have a window cleaning licence uphere in scotland that i have hanging around my neck and the embroidered polo shirt adds to the proffesional image too..............

[sunshine windows]

If you have nothing to hide why not pay for a criminal records check and produce this on request. I'm also security cleared by the MoD which helps.

Lance

[macc]

Why not carry your driving licence, has your picture of you & all your details.

Macc