Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Clive McDonald on July 04, 2009, 10:04:24 pm

Title: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Clive McDonald on July 04, 2009, 10:04:24 pm
Fixed polls aside, where obvious stand out innovations, get trounced by gimmicks that are £6 job magnets, i think the hardest thing about trying to build a round is keeping your existing customers happy.As the round grows this gets harder and and harder.
What do you find annoying?
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: stephen s on July 04, 2009, 10:27:43 pm
posts that don't make any sense  :D :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: peter holley on July 04, 2009, 10:45:07 pm
late payments that get worse over months and then  cancelation. before u get a chance to drop them...oh.. and people on here that talk a load of nonsense...eg they post and brag and letslip their takings on a good day...and then you realise their not really as good as they seem to be ...and then u look at their posts and u wonder why their always posting in the day when most people are  at work ::)
mmmmm... there are quite a fiew on this forum ::)

ha ha
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: GWCS on July 04, 2009, 10:51:52 pm
late payments that get worse over months and then  cancelation. before u get a chance to drop them...oh.. and people on here that talk a load of nonsense...eg they post and brag and letslip their takings on a good day...and then you realise their not really as good as they seem to be ...and then u look at their posts and u wonder why their always posting in the day when most people are  at work ::)
mmmmm... there are quite a fiew on this forum ::)

ha ha

late payments.. yeah i agree.

Will be insisting all payments due before next clean, otherwise no clean - if no clean within 2 months then dropped.

Got better paying jobs to be doing than potential freebies.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: seandyer2003 on July 04, 2009, 10:56:50 pm
late payments that get worse over months and then  cancelation. before u get a chance to drop them...oh.. and people on here that talk a load of nonsense...eg they post and brag and letslip their takings on a good day...and then you realise their not really as good as they seem to be ...and then u look at their posts and u wonder why their always posting in the day when most people are  at work ::)
mmmmm... there are quite a fiew on this forum ::)

ha ha

late payments.. yeah i agree.

Will be insisting all payments due before next clean, otherwise no clean - if no clean within 2 months then dropped.

Got better paying jobs to be doing than potential freebies.

Good luck
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Oakley Windows on July 04, 2009, 11:03:05 pm
Customer who had a load of building work going on recently, so they rang me to ask if I could miss the next visit (favour #1); and they'd call me when it was done so I could go round sort the windows out and od some extra work as the neighbours windows would be minging (I do already do the neighbours windows anyway).

So a few weeks later the guy phones and says the work'll be done the middle of the week, so I says well the others in the road are due about then, I'll sort his out at the same time and do any extra work needed, such as the other neighbour whose windows would be minging because the building dust created.

Did the work, all sorted. A week later I got a call from custy. How much will it be he asks? I said well youve got a few new windows (2 small ones on the side a set of extra patio doors and a big double kitchen window); no need to worry about the extra time taken on all the windows (favour #2) but as it was already £16.00 lets make it £20.00. He huffed and puffed and then asked if I'd done them as the windows round the back had muck on them. I asked if the builders had done some more work since Id cleaned and he reckoned they had. So it seemed that was the explanation although he had asked me to go back middle of the week. Sure he didnt believe me.

Then he asks how much would the neighbours work be and I said it would be nothing, no problem, I could live with the few minutes extra, no harm done (favour #3)


Came home the following day theres an envelope on the doormat from him with the £20 in and a note cancelling. Reckon in his words they had someone to do the windows who was 'considerably cheaper' and with the same system. Didnt take him long did it to look through Yellow Pages after the favours I did him.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Oakley Windows on July 04, 2009, 11:05:59 pm
late payments that get worse over months and then  cancelation. before u get a chance to drop them...oh.. and people on here that talk a load of nonsense...eg they post and brag and letslip their takings on a good day...and then you realise their not really as good as they seem to be ...and then u look at their posts and u wonder why their always posting in the day when most people are  at work ::)
mmmmm... there are quite a fiew on this forum ::)

ha ha

Not having a poke mate, but I post on here when I pop in for a cuppa and I know quite a few do from their blackberries etc.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: seandyer2003 on July 04, 2009, 11:09:23 pm
My phone allows me too post :)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: jouk45 on July 04, 2009, 11:10:46 pm
i have had many inovative ideas that i have posted over the years, sometimes no one says much, then a year or so later everyone is talking of the same idea posted by another person, now that is annoying especialy if you have come up with the idea first,and you get no credit for it, but thats the way it is on the forums, as for the poll they cant be rigged, unless you have all the members emails, could be rigged that way
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Oakley Windows on July 04, 2009, 11:11:59 pm
I voted for Clive and his reels out of sympathy cos he looks like Susan Boyle  :)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: peter holley on July 04, 2009, 11:17:16 pm
late payments that get worse over months and then  cancelation. before u get a chance to drop them...oh.. and people on here that talk a load of nonsense...eg they post and brag and letslip their takings on a good day...and then you realise their not really as good as they seem to be ...and then u look at their posts and u wonder why their always posting in the day when most people are  at work ::)
mmmmm... there are quite a fiew on this forum ::)

ha ha

Not having a poke mate, but I post on here when I pop in for a cuppa and I know quite a few do from their blackberries etc.

prhaps thats why their takings are down ... lol....lol....lol....lol...lol...lol. ;D
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: johns window kleen on July 04, 2009, 11:17:36 pm
Haven't you noticed the wage boasting posts are now a rarity these days! ;)

Jouk I thought your flyers were very original and a great idea.

 As regards building a round. I have enough work, but just need to tweak it a bit to give me a better profit ratio for the hours spent working.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: leapstallbuildings on July 04, 2009, 11:34:31 pm
Haven't you noticed the wage boasting posts are now a rarity these days! ;)

Jouk I thought your flyers were very original and a great idea.

 As regards building a round. I have enough work, but just need to tweak it a bit to give me a better profit ratio for the hours spent working.

Not surprising re the earnings posts.  Don't want to attract the wrong sort into the business do we?   :)  (that was humour in case no-one noticed).

Something that bugged me recently was a job I've been doing for a few years now.  It's a bit underpriced really.  They wanted to cut the frequency.  I dislike doing this for jobs of that size - especially as I'm not charging enough to start with.  Anyway, I went along with it whilst debating with myself whether to continue the job or not.  I went to clean recently and was asked if I had time to do the conservatory roof too.  "No" was my slightly off reply.  I was also doing the conservatory roof too cheaply because initially, it was meant to be done every other clean.  I seem to have got stuck with the same low price now that it's done barely once a year.
I'm hoping that there will be a cancellation note with the cheque as that will getr me off the hook.
I went along with chopping the frequency (against my better judgement) to help save them some money and then I was asked to clean the conservatory roof.  I know it's business and not personal but it does feel a bit like someone is taking the pee.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Clive McDonald on July 05, 2009, 05:27:45 am
good replies and they make me feel better because i recognise many of the situations. Favours and then cancelations is especially annoying.I had a £10 every 8 wks that had to be done 8.30 on a wed morning while she took dog for a walk and before she went to work.I cleared her gutter blockage for £10.

Cancelled "credit crunch decision". I notice some bird muck i have been tracking on one of her windows has gone, so i presume she has someone else.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: AuRavelling79 on July 05, 2009, 08:43:29 am
Had a "recommend" and when I went the lady told me how the previous w/c "only took ten minutes" and charged £25! I said I'd charge the same but that no way would the job take ten minutes. (About 40 mins if they're in actually - and 30 when their not!- modern detached plus a medium conservatory with victorian roof.)

Anyhoo - the old boy is home one afternoon and asks if I can brush over the con roof while I'm there - as he is fed up with leaning out the bedroom window with a hosepipe!

So ... as it has been kept clean I suggest a tenner (this is a roof that if done annually I'd charge £50 for) extra so making the job £35 per monthly visit.

"That much?" he says - "Do it every third time."

I must have lost my marbles but have agreed as the job will take an hour when I do it - including the original windows. But I reckon they are going to be trouble. The prob. is that they have been recommended as friends of one of my best custies - but it is irritating.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: ftp on July 05, 2009, 11:06:26 am
Annoying things? Self appointed business gurus on here, price braggers even if genuine or not - i don't think it's wise to plaster how much you've made in five minutes over an open forum.
Things I enjoy are honest people with a sense of humour willing to share their less incredible moments and mistakes.
I've been on here for nearly three years I think and several members are still around and posting regularly so it can't be all bad.  :)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 05, 2009, 02:40:03 pm
Not really got much to moan about this game. I get peed off when regular custies see we've have been and done the job, then "forget" to go to the bank before we come to collect a few days later.

Dog poo is bad enough, but when a custy then lets kids play in a garden full of the stuff is really bad. Stuff like wheely bins and lawnmowers left infront of garden gates is another thing :(

Pretty much what everyone else gets hacked off with really. :)



Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: pingu on July 05, 2009, 05:32:45 pm
I suppose I lose interest which I think is really down to boredom...I just get bored doing the same thing...day in, day out.

Dave.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Oakley Windows on July 05, 2009, 06:46:35 pm
Annoying: complacent window cleaners.

What window cleaners being complacent when theyre out on their round annoy you?

Why do you let complacent window cleaners get to you?
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Clive McDonald on July 05, 2009, 07:50:59 pm
I don’t have to keep the customers happy slumpbuster! (No wonder you need another window cleaner) I Just have to keep there windows clean.

Slumpbuster your idea with the drills & reels could be innovative, but you have some way to go before it will be considered new, assuming you will sell them.

As for being annoyed, the cost of some window cleaning equipment.


From now on when i'm in a bad mood or a bit grouchy i'm going to do what everyone else does and kick the forum cat.Right Ewan you're in for it.

Keeping the customers  happy is a big problem. When i had thirty customers it was finding two days a month to do them.I wasn't that keen and being new found it hard work. Later when i had a hundred ditto.

But around this point unless you look after them you lose them almost as fast as you can get them.Most of the newish biz's on here (under three years) will have high attrition or churn rates because we have picked up a lot of other window cleaners rejects, assorted nutters, and general time wasters.You will lose a lot of these even if your round is only a fantasy one (know what i mean?).

It's even more annoying to lose what you know is an okay customer though because of something you've done, and when you start getting into the 500's and a lot of the jobs are large ones, this plate balancing act gets harder.Don't worry though  this is probably years away for you.

As regards the reels i have no intention of selling them, i just find them a great help in my work and a little more Obsequiousness from the forum cat would be well recieved.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: mark dew on July 05, 2009, 08:21:18 pm
Dunno about fixed polls, but my newest annoyance (the last couple of years) is when people become unhappy that a job which used to take me several times longer is done much quicker now.
And when asked if there are any problems with the windows and frames they say no. But think i'm too fast.  ???
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: ftp on July 05, 2009, 08:41:29 pm
Trained him to do what exactly?
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: jonnyald on July 05, 2009, 08:49:20 pm
hey ewan , you really are posting in the correct section  this time  ,i too am eager to hear your  insider know how
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 05, 2009, 08:55:57 pm
Hang on lads, I admit that I am the one who (Kicks the forum cat). I understand the frustration that some of us on here feel when someone comes on the forum with verbal Diarrhea and with the intention of winding members up.

In the meantime I have read a little on the subject of syndromes. I think it comes down to WMS. Walter Mitty syndrome. If you google this you will see what I mean.

Personaly, I won't answer posts that come from people with WMS, as I have noticed that these sort of people have selective reading syndrome too.

Answering posts with multiple points becomes too difficult for these sufferers, and this leads to questions left unanswered or just ignored. I've seen so many symptoms in these posts, that I am convinced that it is, what we are talking about here.

Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Oakley Windows on July 05, 2009, 08:59:56 pm
It would appear Cozy that you have a point there most notably about our Walter Mitty character.

You are right, after googling the similarity is striking to say the least.

In addition to the multiple post answering inability (as noted on this very page by his ignoring my previous question; though him doing so is understandable, being the forum cat cant be much fun) I believe we have a fruit cake on our hands  ;)

Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Clive McDonald on July 05, 2009, 09:30:40 pm
I'm glad ewan has a thick skin and doesn't seem too offended.

I have peed quite a few people off in my time and usually don't mean too.

The thing about any walter mitty theory is that usually the fantasy is exiciting and glamourous.So maybe an airline pilot's or secret agent's forum would be more in character. I have never seen him bragg too much, but he seems to disagree a lot without any point that can be understood.

His post above was quite well reasoned.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on July 05, 2009, 09:39:56 pm
Things that annoy me are people who move house and don't tell me because they owe me a couple of month's money.

Also business owners, usually pub tenants, who move on and when you go to do the next clean the new tenants look at you as if you're mad. You then have to go through the whole rigmoral of explaining who you are, what the price is ( a good excuse to raise it slightly actually ) and to make sure that they are happy with the cleaning schedule.

I even had a lady living in a 3rd floor flat tell me " not today, my windows aren't dirty"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I told her that's because you have a window cleaner ::)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 05, 2009, 09:42:43 pm
I even had a lady living in a 3rd floor flat tell me " not today, my windows aren't dirty"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I told her that's because you have a window cleaner ::)

That's a classic, have to remember that one  ;D
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 05, 2009, 10:05:25 pm
The thing about any walter mitty theory is that usually the fantasy is exiciting and glamourous.So maybe an airline pilot's or secret agent's forum would be more in character. 

Yes, that's right slump, but it's easy to start in a forum like "window cleaners or brick layers" to "feel the ground", then later the person can graduate to "brain surgeons weekly" or "gynaecologists chat".
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 05, 2009, 10:12:36 pm
See what i mean....selective reading. Only answering certain points......WMS

Cryptic answers like reading Nostradamus.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 05, 2009, 10:23:49 pm
hey ewan , you really are posting in the correct section  this time  ,i too am eager to hear your  insider know how



Any advice or comments I make, take with a pinch of salt, and put your own spin on them and use to your best ability and understanding.

Keep in mind I can be completely wrong about some things, as you don’t have time for fact finding when posting on a forum.


That's my point, I don't Google anything, or fact find. I only post from experience. Someone who is in this business, doesn't need to "fact find" to give advice. You really used to wind me up, now I feel sorry for you.

Sorry Ewan, I didn't realise, how important it is to you, to be a success in a virtual world.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Clive McDonald on July 05, 2009, 10:56:28 pm
It's not a big market, just us really. Any of you that saw it at a show or worked with it for a short while would want one though.
My dad did the work and it's quite involved.It might pay Alex to make a simple adoption and get a local engineering company to knock some off.You need a bit that attaches to the reel and a bit that attaches to a drill.He would probably have to sell this pair at about £120, and then you would need a drill and a decent reel.

In summary Alex or someone like him could make a few thousand over three or four years, and i know for a fact the customers would be satisfied, but this idea would never make anyone a millionaire.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 05, 2009, 10:58:15 pm
hey ewan , you really are posting in the correct section  this time  ,i too am eager to hear your  insider know how



Any advice or comments I make, take with a pinch of salt, and put your own spin on them and use to your best ability and understanding.

Keep in mind I can be completely wrong about some things, as you don’t have time for fact finding when posting on a forum.


That's my point, I don't Google anything, or fact find. I only post from experience. Someone who is in this business, doesn't need to "fact find" to give advice. You really used to wind me up, now I feel sorry for you.

Sorry Ewan, I didn't realise, how important it is to you, to be a success in a virtual world.



Cozy I don’t make any grand claims, others may interpret them as grand but that’s as far as it goes.

I apologise for calling you an idiot & thick, I know don’t think you are (picked that up from one of your post), but some of your post are vindictive.

As for being successful I already am, I have two beautiful children I can never top them.


Well done Ewan, many people on here have beautiful children too.

Now back to topic. You have given lot's of advice on here, for e.g. about web sites, or about claiming against tax for your sandwiches(food). It is obvious, you have no window cleaning business or experience in window cleaning.

You have no anecdotal experience to offer, no pictures, you just admitted that you have to "fact find" your anwers.
You insinuate, that nobody is on your "level" of understanding and therefore it's obvious, that you suffer from WMS.

The easiest way out now Ewan, is to answer the points you want to and ignore the one's you can't.

You have no proof, that you have a business. You have refused in the past and now, to give any evidence of your company, whether in Yellow Pages, or on the web.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 06, 2009, 01:38:58 pm
OK Walter, Firstly you seem to have taken a  day off work to get your point across. Well done on that score, must have taken ages for you to nearly get your point right.

You have never met me, neither have I met you. To claim I have no idea of window cleaning at all, I find that frankly, childish. You also claim that I have no business experience, how do you know what my turnover and profits are to be able to "know" this?

Why would anyone want to play being MI5 of window cleaners? Can't understand why you hide. You have never given advice about WFP, be it about repair or adapting parts or anything whatsoever.

All some of us have noticed is your "Nostradamus" type answers, in other words, as you said yourself, to be interpreted as we are able.

Then you are arrogant enough to always try to give the impression that you are highly educated and clever beyond other peoples "understanding".

If I was exposed as you have been on here, as being a sufferer of WMS, I would at least have the decency to stay away from threads that I have no idea about.

Perhaps deleting your own posts from last year will help hide the fact that as you claimed to have a website, and also claimed to hold a letter from HMRC, authorising you to claim for food eaten while out on your fantasy round.

Exposed enough times since you have been rabbiting on about stuff you don't understand. It’s a liberty to assume that anyone you don't like, or see as a threat to the credibility you thought you had, must have no business experience. Pathetic ramblings about topics you "fact find" on Google will never impress enough people long enough for them to believe that you know something about a business.

I would think that someone like you with WMS, would pick a forum like this, because you see window cleaners as „Flat cap wearing. Rollup fAg smoking thicko's" who would more likely be impressed by types like you using words like“reiterate".

You can fool some people some of the time Walter, but not all of the people, all the time. I admit that I get annoyed with people like you. All I ever see from your posts is snobbery and condescending waffle. You make yourself a target for guys on here.

Last point, I find it sickening that lads and ladies come on here for help and support, sometimes it's nice to know that others are "out there" going through the same crap days and funny situations. It helps us "bite the bullet" when things go wrong, knowing your mates on here have bad days too. That's why it feels disgusting when someone comes on here to blow his own ego up and play at Richard Branson".

I don’t say that you have no business acumen, I'm saying that you have WMS.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 06, 2009, 01:50:09 pm
It looks like tit for tat to me.

Some people are just generally on the war path and when they have dangled enough bait, wooof there in there.

Please keep it civil

If you dont get on with someone, just stay away from them and stop winding each other up.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 06, 2009, 02:02:02 pm
In a perfect world Dave, wouldn't everybody do that. OK, I'll ignore him. Just need to hope he doesn't start another fight with someone every time he posts.

Sad.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: seandyer2003 on July 06, 2009, 03:18:12 pm
In a perfect world Dave, wouldn't everybody do that. OK, I'll ignore him. Just need to hope he doesn't start another fight with someone every time he posts.

Sad.

It does seem he is more often than not at the heart of disagreements on here, i dont think he is necessarily vndictive but just annoying the way he picks at people while not really giving much in the way of useful information, more tripe about generalitities than anything specifically valuable... IM not the only one who thinks this!!!
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 06, 2009, 03:25:25 pm
Sean

Maybe so, but there does seem to be a swarm ready to beat him up everytime he posts, I compare it to Halfwit on BB if you have been watching it.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Oakley Windows on July 06, 2009, 03:35:37 pm
BB if you have been watching it.

Perleasee!!!
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: seandyer2003 on July 06, 2009, 03:39:59 pm
Sean

Maybe so, but there does seem to be a swarm ready to beat him up everytime he posts, I compare it to Halfwit on BB if you have been watching it.

Nope... I think things would be better if people left him be, but new posters wont know the history so it will be a cycle :)

So maybe if he made more sense lol

O well ,, never mind
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 06, 2009, 05:02:06 pm
pigeon

you know the rules about swearing and that is bang out of order
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 06, 2009, 05:11:43 pm
 ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: macmac on July 06, 2009, 06:04:11 pm
Your drills & reels are fine or even brilliant for you slumpbuster and maybe even for few others who would like to try out your idea, but that’s as far as it goes. Your post about this so called innovation is not warranted, simply because all you have done is attached a drill to a reel and nothing more.

As for keeping customers happy, try customer service, a little tip actions speak louder than words.

It’s amazing I get lectured by so called window cleaners with many more years experience and they still haven’t figured out the basics, I may have only been trading for a few years, but in that time I trained and help set up another window cleaner up from scratch in a little over a year his turnover is £36k no DIY all of the shelf equipment.

I’m not so arrogant to know there are window cleaners on here who are more successful and knowledgably than me, like wise I also know there are window cleaners on here who understand very little, both types have been window cleaning a lot longer than me.



As for Ewan getting "forum bashed" he gives as good as he gets. I only use his posts for personal humour these days, read his posts closley & he's quite funny, to laugh at & not with though! ;)

As for the 36k turnover claim- your point being is what exactly? Hardly ground breaking eh? He might have spent 40k & made a 4k loss for all we know with the very limited info you've given.His running costs might be astronomical, slugging his balls out for very little profit! Looked at from this angle, it doesn't warrant bragging about really does it? We'd all be so much more impressed if you could give us a rough rundown of his year-end accounts? :-*

 
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: leapstallbuildings on July 06, 2009, 06:21:49 pm
This forum gives members the choice of anonymity, many have chosen to keep there identity private, the reason being obvious to most members of CIU

It’s easy to say you have no proof of being a window cleaner, I could say the same to you and a few others. It’s interesting that you use the word “business” because I don’t think you have one, you are a window cleaner who pays tax etc, but you do not have a business.

There’s plenty on here who offer equipment advice problems or cleaning problems, I have posted on both subjects, there are fewer people on here who willing offer any business advice about window cleaning.

Worse still people like yourself are not even using wfp’s, so your own experience of window cleaning is zero where this is concerned, yet you could have been window cleaning for many years, like wise you are extremely limited in offering any window cleaning business advice, reason being you simply don’t know anything.

There are just a handful of egos on CIU who try to dominate threads with there limited experience, experience which they mistake for the amount of years they have been a window cleaner, achievements are far more relevant and it’s possible to achieve a lot more in a shorter amount of years.

I’ve got 3 years under my belt window cleaning, but my window cleaning achievements excel the short time I have been doing this, the same achievements applies to others on here, if you read there post.

Reading your post cozy, your been window cleaning for years with little achievement.


I suppose it depends what criteria someone uses with which to measure achievement.  Which criteria do you use Ewan?  Everyone has different priorities.  I feel that I have achieved quite well because I have managed to keep my stress at a reasonable level while earning decent money.  If you were to know my background, you would understand why lowish stress is more important to me than big money or big business.  However, I imagine most people would equate success with numbers and pound signs - or by how many people they employ.  Nothing wrong with any of those things as we all have different priorities.  Yet others on here regard achievement as earning enough to live on by working part-time so that they can devote time to more spiritual matters.
All of these things are just fine so long as someone is getting what they want from their businesses.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: leapstallbuildings on July 06, 2009, 06:30:41 pm
Dunno about fixed polls, but my newest annoyance (the last couple of years) is when people become unhappy that a job which used to take me several times longer is done much quicker now.
And when asked if there are any problems with the windows and frames they say no. But think i'm too fast.  ???


I make sure that they know that I've invested thousands in the equipment and that extra turnover is paying the loans for it (it doesn't have to be true)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: wfp master on July 06, 2009, 06:35:30 pm
posts that don't make any sense  :D :D :D :D :D
fixed polls wtf is he going on about.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Clive McDonald on July 06, 2009, 07:10:51 pm
When we all gang up on one person it's not good, and i can tell you when you see that account deleted it's not victory that you feel.

Reference fixed polls, there was a clear and obvious winner but everyone 14/3 voted for the bank note gimmick over the idea of substance, so this was a reaction to that.Some people pretend to have no interest whatsoever in my reels, but others enjoy regular updates.I can email you some reel info sfwc if you like.Thanks for the interest.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: mark dew on July 06, 2009, 08:21:04 pm
When we all gang up on one person it's not good, and i can tell you when you see that account deleted it's not victory that you feel.

Very true. Although i did enjoy seeing jonahs name in black ink.

I used to be indifferent to ewan, but i quite like the guys style nowadays. Ever since he's had a herd on his back i reckon.
I'm all for the underdog.
The fact that he hasn't been scared/pushed/bullied off the forum makes him a trooper in my opinion.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: martinsadie on July 06, 2009, 08:24:04 pm
When we all gang up on one person it's not good, and i can tell you when you see that account deleted it's not victory that you feel.

Very true. Although i did enjoy seeing jonahs name in black ink.

I used to be indifferent to ewan, but i quite like the guys style nowadays. Ever since he's had a herd on his back i reckon.
I'm all for the underdog.
The fact that he hasn't been scared/pushed/bullied off the forum makes him a trooper in my opinion.

he reminds me of the wife  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 06, 2009, 09:02:22 pm
I yield to no man

In fact i backed the little man today, maybe i should have a re-think
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: mark dew on July 06, 2009, 09:09:02 pm
By all means mark dew join in with the Ewan bashing when it’s needed   :D

Thanks ewan. I wouldn't rule it out.  ;D
But it isn't my style to knock the poster. I like to think that i write based on the content.
Well i try anyway.  :)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Clive McDonald on July 06, 2009, 10:18:56 pm
I'm just going to say this once more....

I / we don't mind being bested in an argument. Taking the mick and making me look stupid is okay. What we are asking is every now again you include some kind of personal detail- such as what van you drive or pole you use.

If you are not a window cleaner that is okay too.


I can remember some of your early posts, and i thought i had a picture of you.

It is true that i don't have much in my profile, but i am always letting slip nuggets of information. It's not noseness, just that there is no point chatting on certain subjects if their is no connection.

IE. i don't tell ftp about gutters because he is light years in front of me.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 06, 2009, 10:31:27 pm
I wonder if Matt@oakley and pigeon will ever be on air at the same time

nudge nudge wink wink
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: mark dew on July 06, 2009, 10:35:26 pm
Ooooh :o, i love these little secrets. Trouble is i never seem to work them out until i am told.  ;D

Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: dai on July 06, 2009, 11:08:29 pm
When we all gang up on one person it's not good, and i can tell you when you see that account deleted it's not victory that you feel.

Reference fixed polls, there was a clear and obvious winner but everyone 14/3 voted for the bank note gimmick over the idea of substance, so this was a reaction to that.Some people pretend to have no interest whatsoever in my reels, but others enjoy regular updates.I can email you some reel info sfwc if you like.Thanks for the interest.

Slump buster, small boat fishermen use lightweight hydraulic net haulers with a slipping clutch, It may be the way forward in powered reels. Just a thought. Dai
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: leapstallbuildings on July 07, 2009, 02:32:29 am
This forum gives members the choice of anonymity, many have chosen to keep there identity private, the reason being obvious to most members of CIU

It’s easy to say you have no proof of being a window cleaner, I could say the same to you and a few others. It’s interesting that you use the word “business” because I don’t think you have one, you are a window cleaner who pays tax etc, but you do not have a business.

There’s plenty on here who offer equipment advice problems or cleaning problems, I have posted on both subjects, there are fewer people on here who willing offer any business advice about window cleaning.

Worse still people like yourself are not even using wfp’s, so your own experience of window cleaning is zero where this is concerned, yet you could have been window cleaning for many years, like wise you are extremely limited in offering any window cleaning business advice, reason being you simply don’t know anything.

There are just a handful of egos on CIU who try to dominate threads with there limited experience, experience which they mistake for the amount of years they have been a window cleaner, achievements are far more relevant and it’s possible to achieve a lot more in a shorter amount of years.

I’ve got 3 years under my belt window cleaning, but my window cleaning achievements excel the short time I have been doing this, the same achievements applies to others on here, if you read there post.

Reading your post cozy, your been window cleaning for years with little achievement.


I suppose it depends what criteria someone uses with which to measure achievement.  Which criteria do you use Ewan?  Everyone has different priorities.  I feel that I have achieved quite well because I have managed to keep my stress at a reasonable level while earning decent money.  If you were to know my background, you would understand why lowish stress is more important to me than big money or big business.  However, I imagine most people would equate success with numbers and pound signs - or by how many people they employ.  Nothing wrong with any of those things as we all have different priorities.  Yet others on here regard achievement as earning enough to live on by working part-time so that they can devote time to more spiritual matters.
All of these things are just fine so long as someone is getting what they want from their businesses.


Window cleaners criteria, fair enough if you base your criteria on personnel aspect, but this is a window cleaning forum.

I'm not joining the people who gang up on you Ewan.  It's just not my style.  I was hoping that you would list your criteria when you assess whether or not you have achieved well.  Personally I'm not religious, nor am I someone who is into big business.  It's just about balancing income needs with stress levels.  Go on.  Post what you use as your own criteria.  No just Ewan either.  I would be interested to see others' criteria for deciding whether or not they have achieved.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: Oakley Windows on July 07, 2009, 06:52:04 am
I wonder if Matt@oakley and pigeon will ever be on air at the same time

nudge nudge wink wink

You tell me when youre going to be on Dave and Im sure we can organise something  ;)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 07, 2009, 06:59:30 am
Leaps' there was a post before, from Tosh I think. Got loads of answers but I can't find it now. Open a thread and sit back and enjoy. :)
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 07, 2009, 12:07:04 pm
This is going to be the post of the year, awaited with hushed expectancy.
Title: Re: Fixed polls and other annoying issues
Post by: cozy on July 07, 2009, 09:34:09 pm
Leaps, you said earlier,

 I would be interested to see others' criteria for deciding whether or not they have achieved.

Why not open a thread mate?