[dai]

This post is intended for all you new WFP guys.
I'm on the second time round now with WFP. The first time round I made the mistake of doing those over the con roof windows as a sweetner,to keep them happy with the WFP switch. Not one asked if there was any extra to pay.
This time round I'v either left them, or if they are in, asking if they wanted them doing as an extra. What are you guys doing with regard to this? DAi

[Davindo Cleana]

I clean the conservatories as normal and then pitch 'I also do the roofs' and start at £20 for a v basic one but £50 is not unreasonable

[windows_chepstow]

Dai,

I've just started WFP, one week in, and I'm doing them for free this time (mostly to make a point that filthy windows can be cleaned by WFP).

I tell the customer I've done it for free this month, since it wasn't in our agreed price, but if you want it done next month it's 'x' amount extra.  Then I waffle on some more about having to use a 30 foot pole and it's not easy and stuff.

Everyone's said yes so far.

[thewindowcleaner1]

Like you first time around did all those windows that did'nt get done before, decided to carry on with no extra charge,
But all new customers are charged extra and as you start the yearly price increases with the old customers I seemed to have a smaller drop rate,
plus as there are not many WFP out there at the moment its harder for them without to compete...
And before all those traditional cleaners start that they give a better service and they pick up work from WFP cleaners I am not knocking any one... but the fact is them imposible to clean windows can be done by WFP..

Like life itself WFP or Traditional window cleaning is not perfection I/we do the best of our abilities..get paid and go home..and start all over again the next day

[matt]

Im allmost at my 1 year with WFP

i still do them for free, afterall, its only 1 window and takes a few mins

its not a biggie in the grand scheme of things

[rosskesava]

I'm a meanie.

We do with wfp everything done prior wfp and nothing else unless it's a window that couldn't be done with traditional methods. Those we do as a matter of course.

A lady last week asked if we could now do the 4 Velux (velox?) window things on her roof. She was a bit taken aback when I said it'd be £5 extra but when I then explained that it was a service we didn't offer previously but now we do..... etc etc, she was happy to pay. If NTL add new channels to their cable tv you don't then get them for free?

Tosh's idea to do them for free this time but then next time they have to pay for it is a good idea though.

Cheers

[matt]

Oh i allways charge extra for Velux (you were right i think )

just feel the window above the consevr for free, just means i can do more than the traditional WC (you know the dinosaur stuck in the past ITS A JOKE FOLKS 

[rosskesava]

Hi Matt

Sorry but ..

We really must stop the wfp v traditional thing. It's not good for this forum or the window cleaning industry or for those new w/c's just starting up coming on this forum for the first time.

If you had just decided to go on this forum as a traditional w/c and read that type of joke what would you think?

Yes it's a joke but a joke that has a serious intention which is obvious by the joke itself. So it's not a joke, you are expressing an opinion in the disguise of a joke.

Anyway, some jobs cannot be done with wfp and some customers don't like wfp.

The industry will change in time and people perceptions will also change in terms of how their windows are cleaned in due course of time as a natural course of events.

By joking like that you are putting down those that still use traditional methods.

Dinosaurs are extinct and traditonal window cleaners aren't so the analogy is false. By saying 'it's a joke folks' means that you doubted others would see it as a joke. When you need to say a joke is a joke then again obviously...

One upmanship and knowledge don't sit well together.

Cheers

[Ian_Giles]

My word Ross, that a bit over the top!
To analyse a joke is to miss the point, and there is always something that has to be the 'butt' of the joke.
Your own reply to this thread (quite a justified reply) will only serve to re-open the WFP v Trad angle that you dislike.
I won't delete or moderate your post as there is nothing wrong with it.

But others be warned!

Further replies re, WFP v Trad will be romoved from this thread. Please stay on topic or start a new thread if you want to go down that line.

Ian

[Ian_Giles]

For me it depends on how difficult it is to get at said window. If I need to put the price up then I do so but most of the time it only adds 30 seconds to the time taken, and hopefully my price is good enough to swallow that without noticing.

I think an advantage with WFP is that on UPVC conservatories you can wash everything down and still be quicker than trad, so I wash these down, frames and all at no extra charge, the work is priced up exactly as if I was going to clean them the traditional way.

The only time I charge extra is if it going to make a difference in the time taken.
Velux lights I charge extra for though.

In the past I've found commercial customers the worst for asking for this or that to be done while we are 'at it'.
They always splutter then when you charge em' extra
I don't care though, they want the inside of a single door done it'll cost them at least a quid extra


Regards

Ian

[Stephen@Belper]

I've just started with wfp this week after 20 years of trad method. I give all my customers a leaflet explaining the new system. I also mention that with the wfp I can now get to windows which may have previously been inaccesable and I will be happy to quote for any such windows if so they wish. untill they ask I have just been cleaning the windows I have always cleaned. the ball is in their court but at least they dont expect to get any extra work done for nothing.

[s.hughes]

I'm on my own here. Most of my houses are large, you know the type where you have a long drive and lots of land around it and  to get to the point I have tried wfp and traditional methods. I still find the traditional method faster. This is because by the time I get the trolley out the car get the pole extended and all the tubes connected I would have done a couple of windows by this time on ladders. I've timed myself and I've been reasonable taking certain things into account. I know I could speed up by putting the pole on the roof already set up, infact change the pole to a more user friendly one and make sure I dont take out more than I need.
You must all admit that the traditional way is still better 1st thing and last thing when you come home. All I have to do is take some clean scrim out with a bucket and away we go and coming home just take in the dirty scrim. Simplicity, no unloading and reloading every day and of course all the filtering.
Mind you I aint knocking the wfp, no way its a good system if it works for you then your sorted.

Steve

[williamx]

Dai

I never had your problem, as I started the wfp way, but when I price a job I quote the same as I would if I was using ladders, but add more to the bill if I am cleaning windows that ladders cannot safely reach, and by safely, I mean the ones I consider safe.

I have done some houses where they have added an extension to the house which means more windows, then I charge extra.

[busydaffodil]

You mean theres a window cleaner that does "extras" for nothing out there??

Good luck with your business though.

[neil100]

I've told 70% of my cutomers so far that after 25 yrs of traditional w/cleaning I'm going to be using wfp system in the next couple of months.

Told cutomers its costing around £15,000 to set up including new van and top equipment.It will have Higher running costs so the price has to increase on average 20%. Any extra windows are charged for as well.

I've looked for the sympathy vote, told them I did not want to change, but so no alternative to increacsing health & safety regulations.and want to carry on till i drop.I've jumped rather then wait till be pushed.Not looking forward to the new system,and I hope I dont hate it.Love traditional w/c.

Ive not lost 1 customer.In fact gained 7 new ones.6 consevatry roofs to do. 3 faciacs.And two possible contracts.

Cant wait.nel