[Ian Lancaster]

I'm old enough to remember when squeegees were the "new fangled" way to clean windows.

Up to then people had only seen the "leather and scrim" method.

Sqeegees were suddenly the in thing, and everybody and his brother were using them, and most of them had NO TRAINING in how to use them.  In fact, most of us had to learn by trial and error, because Scott Young couldn't get round to teaching every one of us all on his own

There was a huge amount of resistance to the change in method, and customers were complaining everywhere and demanding a return to the "proper" way to clean windows :

Then as time went on people learned how to use the new tool, the customers got used to it, and squeegees became the "right" way to clean windows.  How many customers now remember the leather and scrim method, do you think?

The same will happen with WFP - resistance will diminish as more skilled operators become the norm, and people will forget that we used to run up and down ladders and wave squeegees about.

All it takes is time: the duff operators will be weeded out because they won't have any customers left, and skilled people will raise the profile of WFP to the point where no-one will want it done by the "old" method.

Have faith, and do a superb job.

In years to come you'll wonder how anyone could make a living with a squeegee

[jeff1]

As a young boy in the 60's I remember my mums window cleaner using a funny shaped ladder  (pointer) a scrim and a shammy.
Your right about it becoming the norm to see wfp but don't  forget Ian, its not just the customer getting used to it but the die hard ladder user he still has to be converted before the customer gets used to it.

[Sir Squeaky]

I still find 8-9 out of 10 people haven't seen or heard of it.
It's usually more difficult then.

[cat9921]

there will always be trad because there are some windows that just do not take to WFP ( customers need to have their window replaced  ) but I think your right I am seeing more and more WFP out there 

[poleman]

WFP will be the norm, and trad will be in the bin of life!

[aztec]

totally disagree! there is a place for wfp but the squeegee is an integral part of window cleaning and always will be, how do you do inside windows with a pole!before you ask ive seen the ionics inside pole and its useless, i gain more customers using my ladder (domestically) than i have advertising wfp

[Neil Williams]

WFP will be the norm, and trad will be in the bin of life!

So how do you think inside windows will be done, or origional leaded windows?
Best not ditch all those squeegies, scrims, leathers yet

[prestigeclean]

spot on ian , some on here need to move into the new millenium regards alan

[Neil Williams]

spot on ian , some on here need to move into the new millenium regards alan

We are wfp orientated but maintain the skills of trad for the reasons given.

[NWH]

there will always be trad because there are some windows that just do not take to WFP ( customers need to have their window replaced  ) but I think your right I am seeing more and more WFP out there 

I disagree in the future more and more wc`s will be WFP over time the blade will only be used on shops and what is easier for the wc,if customers don`t like it in the future they will have a job get there windows cleaned if you ask me.Obviously for insides but as far as outsides go it will be wfp or nothing,that`s the approach more and more of the wc`s i know.Anyone coming into this game would be mad to be soley trad,even over the last couple of years how many do you know that have gone wfp,i know loads and i can only see it carrying on in this fashion.To be honest in this day and age you`d be silly to want to climb ladders all week-month anyway.

[Captain Scarlet]

agree.

[mlscontractcleaner]

We're probably going to have to get used to wfp cause by the time the health and safety police finish looking after us we wont be able to step more than two feet from the ground without scaffold, helmets and high vis jackets.

I personally only ever get the mop and squeegie out when working inside or when absolutely necessary, and my ladders are, by and large, for ornamental use only!!!

Someone, somewhere, will come up with a good, reliable way to clean the insides with a wfp, and the squeegie will be no more. Everything is bettered by something new, even if it appears to be the only way something could possibly be done.

You read it here, some day your mops and squeegies will be on show in a museum for your grandkids to look at.

[NWH]

The mop and blade will never completley die,never ever.

[cat9921]

there will always be trad because there are some windows that just do not take to WFP ( customers need to have their window replaced  ) but I think your right I am seeing more and more WFP out there 

I disagree in the future more and more wc`s will be WFP over time the blade will only be used on shops and what is easier for the wc,if customers don`t like it in the future they will have a job get there windows cleaned if you ask me.Obviously for insides but as far as outsides go it will be wfp or nothing,that`s the approach more and more of the wc`s i know.Anyone coming into this game would be mad to be soley trad,even over the last couple of years how many do you know that have gone wfp,i know loads and i can only see it carrying on in this fashion.To be honest in this day and age you`d be silly to want to climb ladders all week-month anyway.

Oh dear you disagree with me  

You are right I am turning work down if its not WFP at the moment I have about 97% Wfp

But as for this trad will die I hope not trad is a great tool why go against it I love them both surely there is a need for the two  :

[Gerry Styles]

Thjere is plenty of room for both trad and wfp as also the is plenty of room for carpet cleaning portables and truck mounts. I still remember my first window clean in the early 1960's  was with two dusters and a bottle of windowlene

[poleman]

WFP will be the norm, and trad will be in the bin of life!

So how do you think inside windows will be done, or origional leaded windows?
Best not ditch all those squeegies, scrims, leathers yet

Trad! meaning ladders

[paulscotney]

I was in a bar in France last year and the landlady cleaned the inside of her windows with a karcher window cleaning vacuum cleaner. Did a brilliant job. Dead quick, no mess. She had 2 windows about 10' by 5' and a door.
Never thought to ask her how the outsides were done.

[NWH]

Thjere is plenty of room for both trad and wfp as also the is plenty of room for carpet cleaning portables and truck mounts. I still remember my first window clean in the early 1960's  was with two dusters and a bottle of windowlene

There is plenty of room at the moment yes there is but a moment isn`t very long and before long if you can`t get them windows above 3 story roofs etc you`ll be no longer needed because the WC down the road will be able to clean them with ease,actually i prefer doing the higher awkard windows because it shows off WFP for what it is an essential tool,there`s no getting away from change only people trying to stop it.

[Neil Williams]

Trad! meaning ladders

No it doesn't. In this day and age it means using applicator and squeegie. Ladders don't enter the equation on this occassion.

[vision tech]

wfp men trying to justify spending thousands on a system that is only suitable for third floor and higher,

it will never do as good a job as trad,

any wfp man i have spoken to has said it is rubbish,and i have seen the results for myself,

take 20 or 30 houses in one street , are you saying it is easier with wfp than trad?

i have seen plenty of wfp men doing offices but never seen any doing houses,

trad will never disappear.