[ronnie paton]

this has been covered loads in the past but im considering which one to join.
 
My imprission is that the fed is very old school stuck in its ways, others good things like tendor lists(which may have already been hand picked) discount on equipment (mainly trad) its more well known free helpline and im sure there loads more apwc seems to want to move window cleaning forward but is very new and i get the idea its a bit of a struggle, you get free accident insurance and i think a discount a window cleaning warehouse.
 
but which one is the one to go with??? who is with who and wot use have they got from there membership has it helped get them any work??? which one can help lead us window cleaners forwards and up wards??

[Roy Harding]

I have never recieved any tender information from the fed in years as for discounts on equipment you can buy cheaper online.

Roy

[ronnie paton]

are you still with th fed??

[ronnie paton]

i think the tendor info is on there website!

[colley614]

Hi Mate,

I did a lot of research on here about both a few months ago although I haven't joined either yet I was swayed towards the APWC myself. In my personally opinion they seemed the more interested in me as a window cleaner and when I do get a bit more work I'm going to have APWC plastered all of my stationary. But its your call whoever you think fits into your business idea more but I get the feeling you have swayed towards the APWC by you post and I would say they are a good choice but then I wouldn't say the Federation is a bad choice either it more established but I did read something about having problems with them since they had a business shake up a couple of years ago.

The choice is yours my friend.

[Roy Harding]

are you still with th fed??

No as they would not let a member look at the accounts as it says in the rule book any member can. They canclled his membership why?

Roy

[ronnie paton]

im not sur yet but i want to help my business move forward and joining one must help.
im doing my iosh training at the fed on monday so ill get a better insight maybe then.
also just done my ipaf traing so and im doing my safe contractor questionaire so the next stop is to join one.

im hoping some of the experienced guys will give there well respected opinion

[colley614]

This board is full of APWC members mate so you'll get loads of info off them and they weren't Biased either. They spoke about both associations with high opinions.

[DASERVICES]

From a business point if you look at the yellow pages there are so many fed members for the public to choose so the percenatge of them picking you is slim. Whereas AWPC is new so this may be an advantge where someone will want to try something different.

[windowwashers]

also the apwc IMO have a fresh approach, one thing I would say just because you have there logo it will not bring work in, everything else has to be looked at.
Reason is this many people have not heard of the fed or AWPC. I could make up a logo and site and call it say (uk professional window cleaners) have a logo UPWC would this get me more work?

before I get loads of flack for writting the above I would like to say I am not knocking either company I am just pointing out that not every person in the UK will know who they are, they are not wonder drugs but they are very helpful, I myself if making the choice it would be APWC

[DASERVICES]

also the apwc IMO have a fresh approach, one thing I would say just because you have there logo it will not bring work in, everything else has to be looked at.
Reason is this many people have not heard of the fed or AWPC.

They are known in the Commercial industry but not the Domestic. In order to do that you would have to leaflet peoples houses. The SLWCN have tried a few methods and have found that leafleting had the biggest impact which will be introduced throughout Scotland. What we found is the number of leaflets that were put out 95% of that number people logged onto the site. You do not have to leaflet every house, only small sections and let the word spread.

[Small but perfectley formed]

We are members of the FWC and have saved money on public & employees insurance through their broker this more than paid for subs,also done there iosh H&S course which is also good for anyone doing commercial work very cheap at least 50% cheaper .Traditional equipment is cheaper from fed also get discounted advertising in yellow pages

[jeff1]

I did some reasearch into both of them some time back, and if and when I do join any, it will be the APWC.

My own personal reasons for this were swayed by some past posts, not only that but the APWC is run by an all professional w/c team and they care for there members, there not trying to line there own pockets, infact each commitee member pays for a lot of things out of there own pockets.

They are also on here every day giving helpful advice to those who ask and they are very good business men.
I think its an up and coming association that will get stronger and stronger as time goes by, and I wish them the best of luck.

Thats just my twopence worth.

[Moderator David@stives]

I am not adding here to sway one way or another.

Yes I agree Joe public has never heard of the fed or the apwc, but what they have heard of is associations and what they stand for.

A small effort is required by you and this is easy to do, you inform your customers you are a member of an association either by means of the logo on your stationary , van etc or verbally. all my customers know i am a member and what it is all about.
 Apart from that on every quote i do i make it part of my sales pitch.
ie , uniform , id card, sign written , professional and that i am a member of a trade association. 99 times out of 100 i get the job.

Have a read through this article, you might have to enter your details but there is loads of other good things on there to.

http://www.bldc.co.uk/international/245_2981.asp

Dave

[windowwashers]

I did some reasearch into both of them some time back, and if and when I do join any, it will be the APWC.

My own personal reasons for this were swayed by some past posts, not only that but the APWC is run by an all professional w/c team and they care for there members, there not trying to line there own pockets, infact each commitee member pays for a lot of things out of there own pockets.

They are also on here every day giving helpful advice to those who ask and they are very good business men.
I think its an up and coming association that will get stronger and stronger as time goes by, and I wish them the best of luck.

Thats just my twopence worth.

Jeff, your twopence worth is great value for money, fresh outlook says APWC everytime, and being run by window cleaners and not people that read books or have never window cleaned before has got to be the best part IMO everyone can make money if they want to, but helping others make it is the way I like to do business.

[mark dew]

Jeff, your twopence worth is great value for money, fresh outlook says APWC everytime, and being run by window cleaners and not people that read books or have never window cleaned before has got to be the best part IMO everyone can make money if they want to, but helping others make it is the way I like to do business.

i don't think you can accuse the fed of not being window cleaners and being literate is a plus i reckon.
But looking through past forum posts about the fed should give the reason as to why the apwc was formed and some sensible reasons for not joining the fed.
I also believe the apwc looks the more attractive option. The people involved are certainly more approachable and open to its members needs.