[mr D]

guys i just want to check with those who know if i've got the facts right in my intro to wfp letter. here it is please feel free to pick holes.

At DCS we have recently introduced the latest in window cleaning technology to our Arsenal. It comes in the form of a Pure water fed pole. ‘What is this’ I hear you ask. Well with increasing restrictions and guidelines coming into place involving working at height it was necessary to find a safer and more cost affective method of cleaning windows. To date the best method found is with pure water.

Water that we all get through our taps is full of minerals and chemicals know as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) that when left to dry on glass leave unsightly marks. Here in the Bournemouth bay our water is particularly poor quality with very high levels of lime and TDS reading of between ‘250’-‘380’ particles per million. This is among the highest in the country. If left to dry on glass this lime can cause permanent damage causing the window to need replacing.  Our Water Fed Pole system sends the tap water through seven stages of filtration leaving us with a water that is 100% pure and having a TDS reading of ‘000’.

The pure water is then pumped and stored in 100ltr tanks before being transferred in to the vehicle tanks until its time for it to go to work. We pump the pure water up carbon fibre poles on the top of which are attached soft Super-Light jet fitted brush’s. These brush’s clean the window’s and frame work of any dust or dirt including beloved bird droppings. While the brush is cleaning the windows and frame’s pure water is simultaneously being jetted through it rinsing off the dirt and dust.

Now all that is needed is for the pure water to dry off naturally leaving you with perfectly clean and clear windows. And all done in a 100% safe manner putting no life or property at any risk.

Please be aware that the first time the Pure Water System is used you may find the odd small milky mark left behind. This is not dirt but soap left from the previous clean. Soap like any chemical is difficult to remove first time.

Tradition is a wonderful thing but where would we be if we refused to embrace change for the better.   

[Wayne Thomas]

I personally wouldn't give every customer the letter....only those that enquire about why their windows have been left wet.

Also if I was trad cleaning and switching over to wfp shortly, I would use de-ionised water with a tiny amount of GG3 to trad the glass removing built up soap left on the glass from previous trad cleans and spend some time cleaning the frames ready for WFP to follow to prevent customer complaints from wfp first cleans.

[Trotsky]

  Sorry not being rude, but...
I took one look at it, got to arsenal and quit reading
(and I was interested to hear what you were going to say!)
Most customers will do the same, it probably wont be read!

I wrote what I thought was an excellent, short, pithy little note!
Later a asked several customers what they thought...
"Oh, I never read it, sorry..."

[Chris Galloway]

Sorry not being rude, but...
I took one look at it, got to arsenal and quit reading
(and I was interested to hear what you were going to say!)
Most customers will do the same, it probably wont be read!

I wrote what I thought was an excellent, short, pithy little note!
Later a asked several customers what they thought...
"Oh, I never read it, sorry..."

Its better to give so that it can be read or not be read either choice if they are "bothered" to read it, then not give any information at all.
 At least you have made the effort to provide information to them, rather then to leave them thinking "eh?".

That's my policy.

[L.J.Thorpe]

this is just my opinion but when i went over to wfp i just turned up and did it
a lot of customers never even realised i was using it until they happened to be at home when i tuned up
one guy rang up about "water on all the windows" nearly 18 months after the switch.I usually did his house first thing in the morning cos he started work early,that day it ended up as the last job and he got home before they dried.I also think that mentioning any problems just makes people go looking for them,a brief xplanation on site and a "call me if any problems" worked fine for me.In total i lost 2 customers when switching over,just go for it

[Nathanael Jones]

Print a few "how it works" informational leaflets and keep them in the van. Give them to the ppl that ask,.. ppl that don't ask, just carry on cleaning like its what you've been doing all along. Mention spots or marks and ppl will go looking for them,.. say nothing and they might not notice even if they are there.

[windowwashers]

Print a few "how it works" informational leaflets and keep them in the van. Give them to the ppl that ask,.. ppl that don't ask, just carry on cleaning like its what you've been doing all along. Mention spots or marks and ppl will go looking for them,.. say nothing and they might not notice even if they are there.

I have to agree with Nat on that, giving a letter to everyone is asking for trouble

[mr D]

thanks for the feed back, as most of you said not to give it  to every one, thats what i've been doing. only the ones who quiz me on how it works get given one most are happy with a quick exepernation but i wrote the letter to give to the few that have kept me on the doorstep for lenth talking and there fore not earning

as a newbee to wfp i wanted confermation that i'd got the facs rite.

as for the di-h2o and GG3 tip thanks but bit late now as most have had 2nd clean and are comming up as good as there gonna get.

those who have read it hav'nt complained that its to long winded. i'm sad to hear they said yours was. never mind next time ask and i'll have a go at doing something for ya. 

[CLEANGLASSUK]

I wouldnt use the word arsenal, I think chelsea would be much better.

[AuRavelling79]

I wouldnt use the word arsenal, I think chelsea would be much better.

No capital "A" for arsenal in this context either...

FWIW I did give a letter to everyone on my round - not as in depth as yours and referring to the Daily Mail and BBC items about wfp. It worked for me.

But three years on I think more people are seeing wfp and accepting it.

I changed my round over in four separate chunks.

Commercial first - easy.

Then according to area so that I could handle any probs - but I only lost 5 customers out of 200 and 3 of those were "tired out" georgian frames.

[michael papworth]

It's a brave effort, but it's bit long and it's full of errors:

* random use of upper case letters and apostrophes and a lack of commas.

* ppm = parts per million, NOT particles per million

If you want a more accurate, scientific exposition, have a look at:

www.wally-the-window-washer.co.uk/technology.htm

You're very welcome to use any of that which you might find useful.

[Moderator David@stives]

 say nothing unless asked.

If you do give literature, keep it short and sweet and get straight to the point.

Ie we have used wfp today and it will dry perfect , if not bare with me for 3 cleans, for  your windows to adjust to it, and for me to get the hang of it .  or something along those lines.

If you make it too long  they wont read it

[Oakley Windows]

I think its simply courteous and professional to explain when things change, customers are entitled to know.

As for if they read it or not, as Chris said, maybe they will maybe they wont, but theyve been given the choice.

When I went over to WFP I didnt lose any custys and gave out an explanation leaflet.    


The Water Fed Pole System

Dear Customer,
Your windows have been cleaned today using a method which is now the industry standard - The Water fed Pole System.
We are now using this technology for a number of reasons:

1). HEALTH & SAFETY -- A new legislation from Europe now limits the use of ladders. The law states that ladders can only be used when all viable alternatives have been considered, and now as The Water Fed Pole System is seen as a safer and more viable alternative for window cleaning Insurance companies are reflecting this in their premiums and terms and conditions.     

2). BETTER CLEANING RESULTS -- The major advantage of pure water is that it absorbs large amounts of dirt from your windows. The process involves brushing your windows clean with pure water. As such, they will be left wet and will need time to dry naturally. This may be a little disconcerting at first, as obviously this is not what most customers are used to. However, once dry your windows WILL be clean and smear free. In addition the window frames will also be cleaned more thoroughly and on every visit.

3). ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY -- Only pure water is used, eliminating the need for detergents and chemicals.

4). IMPROVED SERVICE -- We can now reach those previously inaccessible aspects of your property. Third floor windows, hard to reach windows, skylights, conservatory roofs etc.

Please note that if your windows have been cleaned previously using detergents or chemicals it may take 2 or 3 visits using the Water Fed Pole System to remove soapy residue, this may result in minor spotting on your windows. However, please be assured that once this is cleared you will be more than happy with the results.

As a company our aim is to continue to provide a high level of service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, or any other aspect of our service.

Many thanks



I have found that most new custys simply ask 'wont it leave smears or spots?' generally thats all they want to know, but to explain how the pure water method of cleaning windows works by it evaporating leaving no residue or mineral deposits can take a little time to explain, I just give them a leaflet and get on with the job. They can read it in their time not yours.

[windowwashers]

I think its simply courteous and professional to explain when things change, customers are entitled to know.

asking for trouble yes, professional to a degree I am with you on that, business sence is not good, if you have a little round of say 100/300 customers then maybe go with a letter, when I changed over I spoke to people before but not all, no letter I lost maybe 6 customers and to be honest it did not bother me in the slightest as I pick up far more jobs. I still get the odd call asking why there windows are wet all I say they will dry fine as we have been clean them like this for ages.

No way would I send out a letter asking people to inspect the work then call that would be total madness (you would get calls like I can see spots on my window "madam let them dry they will be fine", we do a good job but was never going to open that can of worms I have been dealing with the general public 18 years of working legally you learn along the way not to ask for problems. I worked on market stall aswell but was under age 


All I can say to this do what you feel is right, I give the details of what I did and the reason, it was right for my business, others think different, look at the facts, think and do whats right for you.

Ian

[NWH]

Never given a single letter and any problems i`ve sorted out on the doorstep,have faith and so will they.

[Moderator David@stives]

Matt

That is adapted from my origonal explaination leaflet believe it or not , which in turn I adapted from a guy called the Duke, if you look in the document section you will see it

www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=20501.0

In the end i dont think i gave my customers more than half a dozen leaflets i just got on with it. if asked i just said, just bare with me and my new machine.

[mark dew]

say nothing unless asked.

Best way. Why risk communicating anything while silence ain't rocking the boat?
Just make sure they know you guarantee your work.

It won't be the quality of the finish that will cause complaints, it will be the speed you have done them in. 

[Oakley Windows]

Matt

That is adapted from my origonal explaination leaflet believe it or not , which in turn I adapted from a guy called the Duke, if you look in the document section you will see it

www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=20501.0

In the end i dont think i gave my customers more than half a dozen leaflets i just got on with it. if asked i just said, just bare with me and my new machine.

Thats odd. I see what you're saying Dave, I would swear I got that from the document section on the PureFreedom site.

Perhaps they borrowed it too  

[mr D]

thanks guys. as i said b4 i've only given it to akward customas and i must higlight where my round is on the south coast there are an awfull lot of retired people there for i'd say 90+% are in when i do there windows so kwwping hush aint really an option coz those who have eldely customas will know there pretty lonley most the time and any excuse to chat to some one to fill a part of the day. the letter was as much a way of getting out of long conversations as it was to get them off my back.

i wanted to get the facts right because you'll be amazed how many are comming out to see the system and watching me do them. 2 have even asked to have a go to see how heavy the pole is!

i guess i've just got noisey custys

[poole bay]

load of bulls poo lol you wanna use mine dcs