[Fast 1 *]

I picked up a job the other day because,as she said,her window cleaner was in prision for burgluary.As i was speaking to her,i tried to get across that i was trustworthy.Isnt it bad i had to do that.I dont want to be tarred with the same brush.Yes it does get my back up that there is so many scummy no hopers in window cleaning,and that is what pro pole is talking about,they make it hard for us.They underprice to the extent it makes it harder to justify our prices.

[Paul Coleman]

Squeaky I havent mentioned wfp  

Im talking about trad shining, I know of guys running very professional trad companys.

Not in 100 year old cars, that charge peanuts and use mish mash found in the kitchen equipment to clean windows with like a bin and a tea-towle (using only a tea-towle FOR EVERYTHING) ones that use step ladders, milk crates, broom handles for poles an charge stupid prices for rubbish jobs, DOES THAT NOT MAKE US LOOK BAD


80% DEARER, SAY NO MORE.

I had to smile at this.  I use a milk crate for a few windows on some bungalows that I do trad.  The ground falls away a bit.  It's much easier using a crate than pulling a pointer out for a few windows.  I use a step ladder for a few things too such as cleaning sign above a shop front.  I tried using WFP for that one but it knocked down one of the letters of his shop name - oops !!  I don't use steps or crate very much though.  Just the occasional job where it's more practical.
Although image is reasonably important, I find that the quality of the job and the interractions with the customers count for a lot too.  I find that if I am OK ith the customer and treat myself with respect too, then that is usually sufficient.  A bit more may be needed for some high end domestic and larger commercial work though.

[geefree]

Im worried now Ian... :

you said you only got a new car last year, and you been doing it years.... dont forget im new, you are suppose to be inspiring me,....

oh and im not a cowboy lol.

gary.

[DASERVICES]

 What I class as a cowboy is someone who cons their customer in not doing
 what the customer is paying for.

  For example I have picked up jobs because the previous window cleaner
  just cleaned the fronts and not back, he thought the customer was not in
  and could get away with it.

  Another one cleaned the windows with a scrim thinking the customer was
  away, she then noticed how dirty the windows were.

  Window cleaners are paid to clean all windows trad or wfp in that they are
  mark free after completion. This is the agreement between the w/c and
  customer.

  When w/c try to cut corners and provide a bad service then this gives w/c
  a bad name. How many times have I heard from new customers that they
  have no confidence in w/c. However this happens in all trades.

  Are they cowboys, more like scammers.

  Doug

[Ian_Giles]

Im worried now Ian... :

you said you only got a new car last year, and you been doing it years.... dont forget im new, you are suppose to be inspiring me,....

oh and im not a cowboy lol.

gary.

Hi Gary,

I'd other costs to worry about that were more important than a brand new vehicle, always had second hand...until now that is.
Cos of WFP I was able to lease purchase my £17,000 Nissan Primastar And I'm still left with more than before, I didn't intend to mention WFP as I know this isn't really a WFP thread, but it has been the difference for me between earning an ok living and earning a good living.

I generally agree with Doug too, the cowboy is also a con man, but there is also a line between the window cleaner that just isn't very good, someone who is just scratching a living to the best of their limited ability and someone who is a true cowboy.
Is the window cleaner I've just described lazy and slovely and thereby a cowboy by default?
Or does there have to be some deliberate intent to rip people off?

Ian

[Sir Squeaky]

I'd other costs to worry about that were more important than a brand new vehicle, always had second hand...until now that is.
Cos of WFP I was able to lease purchase my £17,000 Nissan Primastar And I'm still left with more than before, I didn't intend to mention WFP as I know this isn't really a WFP thread, but it has been the difference for me between earning an ok living and earning a good living.

That's because the majority of his work is top-notch commercial stuff.
(Which he's upped the prices on...)

WFP on domestics only won't get you a new van.

Newbies please note!

[mark6765]

i do domestics only. wfp
and i run a brand new vivaro.
same van i think.
pre wfp i just had an old escort estsate.

wfp can get you a new van sqweeky.

and more money and respect.

[mark6765]

squeeky.

[Ian_Giles]

roger you are wrong, the difference for me is domestic accounts, 2 or 3 accounts I previously had that I've stuck up about £20 each are a drop in the ocean.

Having the van + signwriting has brought in work for sure, but I only invested in the van AFTER I had picked up a further £350 or so of domestic work per month.

My original criteria was to wait until I had picked up £250 worth of domestic accounts before I invested in one, but wanted to be really sure I could affords it, so waited until I'd picked up another £100 worth of domestic.

Any new commercial work was not added into the mix either, commercial work can be fickle and not always to be relied upon for the long term.

Prior to changing over to WFP I only had 2 domestic accounts, they make up well over 3rd of my work now, and my commercial business has also increased by a fair degree too.

Since having the van I've also picked up more well priced commercial purely as a result of the van.
you may not like it, but to new prospective clients, your projected image counts for a lot.
All they know is what they see....of course, underneath the gloss you could still be a complete cowboy.

Ian

[mark6765]

or even squeaky

[Ian_Giles]

Oh, and the majority of my commercial work are shops and pubs Roger, most which are still the same price as they were when you were working for me 6 years ago.

Ian

[Terry_Burrows]

we use to do houses then we got 6 months for it

[Sir Squeaky]

and more money and respect.

Ho ho!!!

How does it get you more "respect"?
You get more respect for being a skilled manual tradesman, not some bloke with a brush machine.

[Ian_Giles]

There you go again Squeaks, casting disparaging remarks on WFP, it takes skill to use the equipment.
And either wheeling around a smart trolley, carrying a back pack, or opening the doors on on a well set up van mount looks impressive to most people.

You get looked at very differently when you are well turned out, smart van, sign written, uniform etc.
It doesn't make you a better person or a more professional window cleaner, but appearances count.

The same thing goes for trad cleaners too, your image gives out signals, the more 'pro' you appear the more respect (initially) you can command.

Ian

[Roy Harding]

WFP on domestics only won't get you a new van.

Newbies please note!

Sorry Rog

But your wrong.


Roy

[ronaldo]

I brought my mrs a new 4x4 and i use wfp on domestic only 

[windows_chepstow]

WFP on domestics only won't get you a new van.

Newbies please note!

I've got to agree with Squeeks on this one.

It takes more than just a WFP system; doing residential or commercial; to get you a nice shiney new van.

It takes a bit of gumption, HARD WORK, and some good business sense; stuff some of you lads are taking for granted.

Squeeks is happy on his dodgy ole ladders with no feet; stop picking on him.

[brett walker]

I know of a window cleaner thats been going 20 odd years he:

knocks on for his money before he cleans the windows  :

starts downstairs first

uses a brush handle for a pole

has not got any pouches or any decent equipment and uses carrer bags to carry his scrims about in

he leaves his ladders on peoples gardens has he has no car

but hes a really nice chap, dont know if this makes him a cowboy or not but if it did he wouldnt own a horse either because he doesnt own anything else.
I lost a customer to him after putting one up 50p, but i have gained a lot of his
I dont even think hes heard of wfp this wc has worked this way for all of these years and is still making a living but personally i like to use all new equipment uniform etc and hopefully with a lot of hard work i will get that new van one day.
At the end of the day its whatever you are happy working with

Brett

[Sir Squeaky]

There you go again Squeaks, casting disparaging remarks on WFP, it takes skill to use the equipment.

As usual people don't actually "read" what I posted.

I never said it doesn't require skill, maybe in some cases it does.....

I said it doesn't look like it does.
It doesn't impress people like someone who's working hard.

[windows_chepstow]

It doesn't impress people like someone who's working hard.

Eh!

So WFP users should start doing 50 star-jumps with a burpee, inbetween each window or something?  That would certainly make window cleaning hard work.

Instead of using a hoover, should house cleaners revert back to using bass brooms to clean carpets with?

Cars are quite lazy aren't they?  Shouldn't we carry our equipment, or push it on carts or something?

That would impress our customers!

Isn't the idea to 'use your head and keep your feet for dancing' or 'work smarter, not harder'?

Squeaks, what are you on?