[Sir Squeaky]

I'm well aware this will start a Trad vs WFP debate, but that's part of it.

My point is this...

Are customers running out of patience with water fed pole cleaning?

It seems to me that's case, certainly in my experience.
I'm still gaining more work than I'm losing, but I have lost a fair few this year.
Most have said they're not happy with wet or "unfinished" windows.

I know it's not a quality thing, as no-one has any particular complaints, just the initial result.

When I've mentioned it to neighbours or friends of these people they've all said "Well I'm happy enough, but if I'm honest I preferred the old way"
Or "I did prefer the proper job you used to do, but understand you have to use this method now"

Now most of these are customers who I've had for years and have been done WFP for 3 and a half years now.

Could it be that they put up with it at first to avoid conflict and try to get on with it, but now the patience is wearing thin and they've had enough...?

I'm not overly concerned, as I get new work all the time anyway, but I can see many more who are "putting up with it" and will surely cancel soon.
I see a big opening for local trad cleaners...

Thoughts...? 

[prestige cleaners]

the only issue i think is price, if the windows look better when theyre dry and last longer staying clean, then they cant say anything, i wouldnt worry mate,

if your still trading then your either skint, or too stingy to invest in better safer tech.

[the bfg]

maybe they just cant stand the sight of you mate 



only jesting Roger,     I suppose its not for everyone but I have quite a few who love it,   

[david watts]

know what you mean sqeaks;i like both methods and charge a bit more for trad
bit more up market here than down south

[Sir Squeaky]

the only issue i think is price, if the windows look better when theyre dry and last longer staying clean, then they cant say anything, i wouldnt worry mate,

Well of course they can say something, many already have!
Usually "can you wipe them or squeegee them off please"... then cancel then or shortly afterwards.

[Sir Squeaky]

 I suppose its not for everyone but I have quite a few who love it,   

I do too, but I think a large majority of others just "put up with it"
For so long...

[Crystal-clear]

its all good WFP or goodbye

You wont catch me up and down a ladder again death trap

[tom2009]

I'm only relatively new but if they don't wont wfp then I can't be arsed to do it. I trad some shops but apart from that all wfp. I sometimes think customers don't know what they're talking about, they just say the first thing that pops into their heads. It [wfp] does a marvelous job nearly (99.9%) all of the time why wouldn't you want really clean frames, glass and cills?

[Clive McDonald]

If you want the feel good factor trad the bottoms and you'll feel loads better.You'll also be knackered and skint.


Yet again this is about your low self esteem.Start believing in yourself and stop projecting your inadequacy onto others.

[martinsadie]

best thing going is wfp,picking up new work all the time with people wanting trad 

[advanced]

Im  not sure  what planet your on mate  my customers love  pure water cleaning and zero complaints in 6 years

[Jackal]

the only issue i think is price, if the windows look better when theyre dry and last longer staying clean, then they cant say anything, i wouldnt worry mate,

if your still trading then your either skint, or too stingy to invest in better safer tech.

what a stupid comment im not skint or stingy, i want to go wfp at some point to,but only thing stopping me is i no i could proberly lose a fair few custys and i dont want take that chance at the moment

[barry mallett]

has the wfp  v  trad arguement sarted properly yet . come on get some insults going

[geefree]

What a negative thread this started out as.....!

Wfp is the way forward, everyone of my customers love it... new and old.


I think this is a ploy to stop more trad guys reading this , turning to wfp..... competition  etc.

[windiewasher]

i would say in the last month i have picked up 30 jobs that arent happy with there trad window cleaners because they dont clean sills and miss upstairs windows and have lame excuses!

[Bobs Window Cleaning]

I havn't lost a customer due to WFP for at least 6 months...infact I get more requests for cleaning using the pole nowadays, even bungalows because of the frame cleaning.

I picked up a new customer today who asked me if I would use the "magic water"  lol

But......some will never get there heads round it, especially older folk
Didnt you say before, that most of your customers are oldies??
bob
 

[Sir Squeaky]

If you want the feel good factor trad the bottoms and you'll feel loads better.You'll also be knackered and skint.


Yet again this is about your low self esteem.Start believing in yourself and stop projecting your inadequacy onto others.

Low self esteem? lol 
What are you on about you clown? If you can't contribute without being silly, please go away and leave the adults to talk. There's a good lad.

[Sir Squeaky]

But......some will never get there heads round it, especially older folk
Didnt you say before, that most of your customers are oldies??

Wouldn't say most no, but some have been.

Well I think people have got the wrong end of this as expected... :

Wasn't complaining about WFP, nor do I have any intention of not using it.
Nor do I have any work worries. I just simply stated what I've noticed lately.

God this forum is hard work sometimes...

[Londoner]

How many times have you been to a restaurant, had a meal but thought "I am not going back there".
But the restaurant is still busy and always full. You just can't please everybody, just as long as you please enough thats all you need to do.

I find window cleaning is 90% dealing with the customers , being bright and cheery, asking about their holiday, their kids or commenting about their new car.

If you are turning up with this attitude about WFP they will sense it.

[Sir Squeaky]

I find window cleaning is 90% dealing with the customers , being bright and cheery, asking about their holiday, their kids or commenting about their new car.

If you are turning up with this attitude about WFP they will sense it.

No, not at all, I think it's great.
I have the same attitude as you.

And if that was the case, why has this only started this year?