[rainbowindows]

Have been reading the posts for a while and noticed how lots of you approach local window cleaners in your area for a bit of help towards technique and the trade itself etc etc.....
I very politely asked the local W/C would he mind me working along side them for a couple of days  for free ,and he basically just laughed at me and had heard about me through some of his friends that there was a new window cleaner in the area,I said that i am not trying to take business of them as there were thousands of houses in the area for us all,he  just fobbed me of and walked away.
It just so happened that i work out at the local gym and i had asked could i leave some cards on the counter a few weeks back, i went in th gym a few days ago and they asked me that the manager of the centre asked could i price the whole building,i did on the spot and recieved a phonecall the same evening that they would like it done every 3 weeks,it is an enormous place.
I started it a few days later and guess who rolled up outside to see me doing the windows,my window cleaner friend,his face was a picture .....funny thing is,I just could not do that to someone trying to get on there feet.

[craig jwc]

Don't worry about it mate there is some helpful ones out there.

Out of about 12 w/c's in my area i get on with about 3 of them. I've tried talking to others but some just tell you too F off - i've had a couple even threaten me.
None of them bother me and i know i have taken work from some of them. Not by knocking or putting leaflets out just word of mouth. Most of the jobs i have taken i have even charged more.

It is better if you can get on as you can help each other out. One of the guys i know is Traditional so any work he gets that is better with WFP he lets me know about and i do the same if i think Traditional would be better.

Just keep smiling and saying hello to them. I do and after a while they'll probably come round if not who cares, there probably not worth knowing anyway.

Good luck Chap

Craig

[pylofm]

We have had 3 window cleaners phone up and 'shout' you're in my area....We have then gone onto explain we are not trying to steal any customers and should we find that the new customer has them and has just dumped them...we'll do the same to the customer.

We always ask if they have a w/c at present and if they say yes, we will not provide a quote but advise them to call us when they no longer have a window cleaner.

We recently moved house into a new area and as such we called the local guy....just to say hi, he has turned out to be ok  and the wives seem to get on well and chat every now and then.

Dave.

[Trevor Knight]

I checked your profile but you haven't disclosed your location?

Perhaps if you did, some of the more helpful and approachable window cleaners on here may be able to help??

[[GQC] Tim]

Never had anyone call me or stop me, even knocked on door where a WC lived. He went like meh, I'm a window cleaner.

Like Craig said :

We have then gone onto explain we are not trying to steal any customers and should we find that the new customer has them and has just dumped them...we'll do the same to the customer.

We always ask if they have a w/c at present and if they say yes, we will not provide a quote but advise them to call us when they no longer have a window cleaner.

Exactly what I do. But I will simply not tolerate anyone threatening me, and I will contact the Police immediatly. Never had anyone threaten me yet. Phew

[rainbowindows]

Am in Ireland living, I am sure there will be some friendly W/C about somewhere.
Think Craigs attitude is a great approach,just smile and say hello,thanks for feedback,really appreciate it.

[steveaqua]

I've never been approached, My partner has he basiclly got raged and told him to F*** Off! i know business is business but thier really is so much work out there why do people worry or get aggressive...until the day gets iffy when theirs no work people just need to relax about it!

[Paul Coleman]

I can honestly say that I've never had a problem with another window cleaner in 15 years of doing it.
When I first started, I was cleaning a semi when a ladder went up next door and there was another window cleaner doing the house attached to it.  We had a laugh over the hedge from atop our ladders.  When he found out I was new, he came around and gave me a hand and showed me some tips.  It started raining shortly after so we went to his flat for a cup of tea and exchanged numbers.  I still see him around occasionally.

[www.crawleycarpetc]

I can honestly say that I've never had a problem with another window cleaner in 15 years of doing it.
When I first started, I was cleaning a semi when a ladder went up next door and there was another window cleaner doing the house attached to it.  We had a laugh over the hedge from atop our ladders.  When he found out I was new, he came around and gave me a hand and showed me some tips.  It started raining shortly after so we went to his flat for a cup of tea and exchanged numbers.  I still see him around occasionally.

I`m not surprised Shiner you are built like a brick *hi* house! 

[simbo]

in life you get one good and one not a very nice person, i like to wind them up at every oppertunity. As an example ther is one around here that obviously does not like me works with 2 lads swearing all day hoodies the lot, when i did speak to him we talked about prices etc and i think he realised that i make as much if not more on my own and not busting a gut either, really really does not like me now, P***k
simbo

[Paul Coleman]

I can honestly say that I've never had a problem with another window cleaner in 15 years of doing it.
When I first started, I was cleaning a semi when a ladder went up next door and there was another window cleaner doing the house attached to it.  We had a laugh over the hedge from atop our ladders.  When he found out I was new, he came around and gave me a hand and showed me some tips.  It started raining shortly after so we went to his flat for a cup of tea and exchanged numbers.  I still see him around occasionally.

I`m not surprised Shiner you are built like a brick *hi* house! 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 

[steve jamieson]

Hows he being territorrial , if someone i didnt know came up to me in the street and asked me to show them the ropes i would tell them to p off

[P®oPole™]

Not a good answer Steve, ignorance gets you know were mate!!!

I wont be saying hello to you if I see you working my patch ... Cuffley and Goffs Oak. I have been told you operate there. If you see a pro around, thats me 

Manners dont cost nothing!!!

Pro

[craig jwc]

It's just been friendly.

If the guy is doing a good job he will have nothing to worry about.

Window cleaners are giving advice to others on this forum so what's the difference.
I'm sure you Steve have taken advice from the people and posts on here, I know i have and it has helped me greatly.

I had a phone call from someone up in North Devon the other day i've never met or heard of asking for advice on his wfp set up.
I know he's not in my area but i have helped w/c's in my area and made friends with them. Between us we can help eachother out and give advice whenever we can.
There are plenty of w/c's where i am who have the same attitude as the person rainbowindows mentioned.
1 of them i tried talking to basicially told me to F off.
About 3 months later he came up to me asking advice from me.
Bet he felt like a right tit

There's plenty of windows to go round and no one owns an area.

I've even given work to someone that i didn't want anymore.

Been friendly and helpful to someone doesn't cost anything as one day you might be wanting their help or advice.

Craig

[Londoner]

In this business there are always going to be other window cleaners covering the ground already.
Any established window cleaner worth a second thought will have more customers than he knows what to do with so he won't consider you a threat.

Anyway, how do you think the other window cleaners got their rounds in the first place? By doing exactly what you are doing now. The world is full of windows, no one man can clean them all.