[sparklebright]

Doesn’t have to look cool, but you might want to look presentable!

Why does it matter how it looks?
I guess it depends how much you use it and when.
I used mine on the back of some town houses, about 1 hours work a month.
The pump was a 'whale' and more than adequate for the job.
people love spending money on things they just don't really need.
I like my money in my pocket, as long as you don't have defective patched up equipment who cares what it looks like?

[Window Washers]

Doesn’t have to look cool, but you might want to look presentable!

Why does it matter how it looks?

Business image, act like a (ijhfds) then be treated like one, give the corect image and you will be treated the same way.

So the look of what you are using really does matter, I have seen many things on here that make me cringe and i know full well would dilute my business image that I have worked very hard for.

[mark dew]

Doesn’t have to look cool, but you might want to look presentable!

Why does it matter how it looks?

Business image, act like a (ijhfds) then be treated like one, give the corect image and you will be treated the same way.

So the look of what you are using really does matter, I have seen many things on here that make me cringe and i know full well would dilute my business image that I have worked very hard for.

Wasn't a trolley that sprang to mind, was it ian? 

I think looking the part is important because it justifies the higher quote that can be put in.
Some diy trolleys do look very good, but it is a tax deductable long term investment in your business. So unless money is tight i would recommend the freedom trolley. There have been very few if any posts on here about them breaking down and the mark 2 is very light and looks good.
If i had the patience to diy, i would make one similar to this.
If money is tight, a backpack is the cheapest way to start.
 

[Window Washers]

lol, there has been loads of things on here, diy in some cases are very good but others very shocking to me and many people that I speak to off this forum, if you are refering to what I am thinking it was not used or I would have posted more about it.

[R W C]

Doesn’t have to look cool, but you might want to look presentable!

Why does it matter how it looks?

Business image, act like a (ijhfds) then be treated like one, give the corect image and you will be treated the same way.

So the look of what you are using really does matter, I have seen many things on here that make me cringe and i know full well would dilute my business image that I have worked very hard for.

I agree 100%, done custys house the other day big big house and they had 2 brooms brooms in the garden, oh how pleased i was that i didnt use this brush.

[sparklebright]

Doesn’t have to look cool, but you might want to look presentable!

Why does it matter how it looks?

Business image, act like a (ijhfds) then be treated like one, give the corect image and you will be treated the same way.

So the look of what you are using really does matter, I have seen many things on here that make me cringe and i know full well would dilute my business image that I have worked very hard for.

People make me laugh, I suspect some of you are just looking for the status that you think our job lacks.

I agree it doesn't do to look amatuerish but I used my trolley for one hour a month, it doesn't make economical sense to spend a lot on that.
A drum with a submersible pump and small battery, all tidy functional etc. Perhaps you want go faster stripes on it?
I fitted out my own van at a cost of about £1200, I could have had it fitted out for me, to a high spec, for thousands, but I paid that off my mortgage instead. I get more work than I could possibly handle. Customers aren't generally interested in your equipment, merely how good you are at what you do. I just suspect that it's a boys and their toys thing with some of this equipment.
Doesn't this look good, and it's got this or that.
So what?

I know a number of guys who have spent a great deal having stuff fitted to their vans, and they don't even know what some of it does! WFP can be, no, IS very simple. Anyone who sells you much the beyond the basics is merely adding what they call in sales 'added value' ie a gimmick to make you chose their equipment.

But hey it's your money if you want to waste it go ahead. When my mortgage is finished in 4 years time (10 years early) who will be right.

[dai]

Diy is not always anything to do with money, for me it's sometimes the only way I can get the actual thing I want.
Most of the trolley systems available commercially have been designed by fellow window cleaners, the Freedom trolley is one of them, and a very good one too.
I wanted a bullet proof trolley to carry 50 ltrs and a hose reel, and as I couldn't find the one I wanted, I made one, it's now nearly 4 years old and like Mr sparkle the only thing I have had to do to it is change Tyres, well wheels now, they won't sell the tyres on their own anymore. As for looking un professional, what customer would know what a trolley should look like. I have had people stop to take photo's of my trolley on 5 occasions, all of them total strangers.

[sparklebright]

If you are only using for one hour a month, 12 hours a year it not making you much money! Does that make economical sense? Is it worth lowering your overall presentation with a poor trolley?

I agree with your having a system hidden away in a van, looks wont matter, but wheeling an untidy trolley around for the customers to see could be detrimental.

As far as looks go with equipment a professional looking trolley is more important than a (hidden away) van system.

1. The hour is question was worth £60 an hour. So worth it, it was.

2. How exactly will having a water container on a sack barrow be detrimental?

3. As 'Dai' said which of your customers is going to look at your trolley and know whether it looks like an industry standard or not. If it's tidy and function and not made of milk cartons or something it'll be fine.

4. A professional looking trolley, you've been sold that one haven't you? by someone who wanted your money no doubt.

5. Overall presentation comes from your van being clean, your manners being good and your standard of work, even a tidy mocked up trolley will not bring that down. As I said before which of your custies is going to think 'Hmm that doesn't come from pure freedom, I not letting him loose on my windows'

[Window Washers]

If you are only using for one hour a month, 12 hours a year it not making you much money! Does that make economical sense? Is it worth lowering your overall presentation with a poor trolley?

I agree with your having a system hidden away in a van, looks wont matter, but wheeling an untidy trolley around for the customers to see could be detrimental.

As far as looks go with equipment a professional looking trolley is more important than a (hidden away) van system.

1. The hour is question was worth £60 an hour. So worth it, it was.

2. How exactly will having a water container on a sack barrow be detrimental?

3. As 'Dai' said which of your customers is going to look at your trolley and know whether it looks like an industry standard or not. If it's tidy and function and not made of milk cartons or something it'll be fine.

4. A professional looking trolley, you've been sold that one haven't you? by someone who wanted your money no doubt.

5. Overall presentation comes from your van being clean, your manners being good and your standard of work, even a tidy mocked up trolley will not bring that down. As I said before which of your custies is going to think 'Hmm that doesn't come from pure freedom, I not letting him loose on my windows'

If I had a trolley, which I don’t as at this time I do not need one. it would look professional.

You are right some customers would not bat an eye lid, I personally would be more worried about the image I would be portraying to the people that yet do not use our services.
Now I can look like a cowboy or not, I choose not to look this way for a reason, I am not slating others that have made there own trolley’s at all, but to me and my business I want a certain image and this is what I will have.

I made the last van mount I bought, I had it designed and made the way I wanted I could have went cheap but I choose not to, because I explain to new customers about what we do and show them, when I show them I am not embarrassed.

I did this the other day (Friday) the new customer said “I like thought of having a professional company clean our windows” that works out how I want my company put across. No snobbery just the way I want to come across, others are ten a penny round my areas it does not make me better than them at all and I know must of the guys doing window cleaning and all are a nice bunch, but if I come across more professional and get work because of it, I certainly am not going to moan about it. 

Ian

[Pristine Clean]

Actually I have found omnipole are doing a complete starter kit for £400 and its ok it s 35 litre drum not a bad price with a pole as well.

http://www.omnipole.com/omnitrolley.htm

Dave