[Neil Williams]

Does the window cleaning industry need associations?
Yes/No reasons please

[Paul Coleman]

Does the window cleaning industry need associations?
Yes/No reasons please

Probably not strictly necessary 95% of the time.  It's the 5% that bothers me though.  I've managed alright for 15 years without one.
However, I feel that society is getting more and more regulated these days and there may well come a time when membership of a trade body is necessary to get into the commercial sector.  It wouldn't surprise me if licensing is the norm within the next few years and there needs to be a body (or bodies) to negotiate the best way to implement it.
Also, although things seem OK again at the moment, there may need to be meaningful discussion again one day with water companies.
So that 5% of the time when a TA may be necessary could increase vastly in future years.
A first year membership will cost me about £105 once I've taken account of the fact that the fee is fully tax (and NI) deductible.  Probably an OK deal I reckon.

[poleman]

YES.

Andy

[S_RICHARDSON]

what the hell do they actually do?


Shaun R.

[Paul Coleman]

what the hell do they actually do?


Shaun R.

Just check the website  http://www.apwc.info/html/benefits.html  and judge for yourself if you think it's worth it.  Some will think so.  Some won't.

However, even if the APWC did absolutely nothing, the fact that you've taken the trouble to join a TA gives the message to customers that you are taking your work seriously and are unlikely to be a fly-by-night.

[ivesons mobile cleaners]

HI

My view is that the associations need us not the other way round why pay loads of money for member ship when the genral public don't even reconise 99% of the cleaning associations. lets face it all the info we need is on these forums any way

regards paul

[Trevor Knight]

HI

My view is that the associations need us not the other way round why pay loads of money for member ship when the genral public don't even reconise 99% of the cleaning associations. lets face it all the info we need is on these forums any way

regards paul

Hi Paul,

Your view is a fair one but you should consider the following:

The APWC does offer other benefits:

Government Lobbying on behalf of the industry
Member list available to the general public and commercial sectors via this web site
Use of Association Logo on van’s letter heads etc
Help on obtaining the correct Insurance
Free personal accident insurance
Highly competitive Liability Insurance’s
Photographic ID Card
Networking via web site and future local meetings
Conferences and seminars with guest appearances
Member list supplied to all council offices
Member list available to all commercial premises
Free Website Hosting
Free Domain Name   www.yourcomapany.co.uk   (subject to availability)
5 Email Addresses
Association marketing to create public awareness
 
     
Up to date information relating to H&S and other important industry matters
Bi Monthly News Letter
Members only section on APWC Website (downloads will be available H&S info etc)
Help on preparing method and risk assessments
Help on preparing Health and Safety policies
Help on marketing your business
Discounts from suppliers
Promotional Discounts


Now in fairness, apart from all of this, if you were to gain 1 new £10 per month customer this would cover the cost of a single membership?

You are right, Associations do need members, of course they do, the more members that join the more weight the APWC will carry! Bigger discounts can be negotiated on your behalf, more clout when approaching Water Boards, Governments etc.. when lobbying on your behalf. Remember, the APWC is a NON Profit organisation. It is run completely by volunteers who gain NO Income from it whatsoever!

Again it is always a personal choice if you join, but remember, the APWC is out to help this industry not gain an income from it!
 

[DASERVICES]

Trevor,

The free web site hosting that is worth paying the money for, I presume the AWPC has its own server.

One thing I like the look of is " Association marketing to create public awareness ", but that is one big task as I am already finding out. How does the AWPC intend to do that.

As you have already researched only 10 % of window cleaners advertise their services, you then have to reach the 90% which is another difficult task as they will be your core membership.

Pity you don't have licensing in England and Wales then you would have all that information on your finger tips, like the SLWCN has now 

I wish you guys all the best but you have a long challenge ahead in trying to find the 90 %.

Doug

[Chris A]

Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris

[colley614]

I would join but its a little expensive for somebody who is just setting out on their own.

[JohnL]

Why have we got 2 threads asking and talking about the same subject?

[Chris A]

It seems that the APWC thought they could get us to part with our money and promise us loads of benefits too soon before they had started.  I last heard from them on the 18th of Dec and that was only cause I posted a complaint on here about the accident insurance policy that they promised would come with my membership pack and didn't. Bi monthly news letters have not been received and all the other benefits Trevor quoted is wrong.

JohnL  there are plenty of threads with the same subject

[Neil Williams]

Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris

There's been a few teething problems which are being ironed out as we speak.
Re: insurance. If you're a paid up member then you are insured to the sum of £25,000. As for the document I will look into it myself.

[Chris A]

 Paid up early last year, membership no 007. I take it the teething problems will be ironed out before the renewal?
Chris

[Neil Williams]

Chris, I have already e-mailed the relevant people and will follow it up again tomorrow on your behalf.
It's no excuse and no consulation to yourself but as we all do this in our free time (with exception of the association secretary) sometimes things get overlooked.
It's hard enough gaining members so we don't want to lose anyone either. Stick with us and you will see the results.

[Chris A]

Neil, I can't wait for the news letter. Will it be as informative as the pwc magazine?
Chris

[Neil Williams]

Just been told, Sunday latest hopefully

Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris

[Neil Williams]

Just been told, Sunday latest hopefully. And if you mean will it be full of adverts, the answer is no.

Just tried to log on to the "members only" section that was due for launch on the 5th of March and all it says is welcome, when will it be up and running?
Chris

[Trevor Knight]

It seems that the APWC thought they could get us to part with our money and promise us loads of benefits too soon before they had started.  I last heard from them on the 18th of Dec and that was only cause I posted a complaint on here about the accident insurance policy that they promised would come with my membership pack and didn't. Bi monthly news letters have not been received and all the other benefits Trevor quoted is wrong.

JohnL  there are plenty of threads with the same subject

I totally agree that things were offered to soon and we were running before we we walking, you have no idea how I really do agree with you, there will be certain people reading this that will know what I mean when I say "I told you so!"

However, as Neil has mentioned, work is ongoing and as far as I am aware all that is offered as a benefit is available? Perhaps you can either email me or post on here what you have asked for and not received. One thing is for sure, we won't bury our heads in the sand and ignore you but likewise we need to know whats wrong?

Please do not use offenisve language in your postings as I will delete it!!!!!!!!!! (this is not to do with just this posting but in general on all postings on this forum!)

[Neil Williams]

I have done the relevant checks as promised and your insurance document was sent to you on 18th December 2006

It seems that the APWC thought they could get us to part with our money and promise us loads of benefits too soon before they had started.  I last heard from them on the 18th of Dec and that was only cause I posted a complaint on here about the accident insurance policy that they promised would come with my membership pack and didn't.