[stuart mc]

got a text from a lad local to me wants to start a round, well written text asking if he could work a few days with no pay to learn the basics, has his own car etc

I admire him for asking and being willing to do it, but he lives only a mile or so from me, would you train up someone that could be a competitor in no time or would you just do it to help a 23 year old out to get on in life.

and which one of you sods gave him my number he said he was told to try me as I am a helpful guy

[Frankybadboy]

i would and i have done this,enough work around for every one

[colin purewater]

To close not a chance,

[stresslesscleaning]

If I was in your position, I would give him a chance:-

1.0 - Only good can come from it, he might be a useful alliance in future, look out for you etc.

2.0 - If you both worked flat out in a calender month, how many houses could you both clean and how many would still be left to to clean.  Plenty for everyone.

3.0 - With or without your help, he's gonna start up, better to have him on side, picking streets or areas you don't work than picking streets you do work.  Kind of like a window cleaners agreement.

4.0 - Useful drinking partner on a Friday night too

Then again, what do I know......

Martin

[RO-Sheen]

If I was in your position, I would give him a chance:-

1.0 - Only good can come from it, he might be a useful alliance in future, look out for you etc.

2.0 - If you both worked flat out in a calender month, how many houses could you both clean and how many would still be left to to clean.  Plenty for everyone.

3.0 - With or without your help, he's gonna start up, better to have him on side, picking streets or areas you don't work than picking streets you do work.  Kind of like a window cleaners agreement.

4.0 - Useful drinking partner on a Friday night too

Then again, what do I know......

Martin

Stressless just saved me typing exactly what I was thinking. Definitely take this opportunity!

[stuart mc]

If I was in your position, I would give him a chance:-

1.0 - Only good can come from it, he might be a useful alliance in future, look out for you etc.

2.0 - If you both worked flat out in a calender month, how many houses could you both clean and how many would still be left to to clean.  Plenty for everyone.

3.0 - With or without your help, he's gonna start up, better to have him on side, picking streets or areas you don't work than picking streets you do work.  Kind of like a window cleaners agreement.

4.0 - Useful drinking partner on a Friday night too

Then again, what do I know......

Martin

you would say all that you are looking for work experience good luck to you by the way

I have had a chat with the lad and will give him a day or two and some advice on equipment, sounds a nice lad.

I know who gave him my number now as well a well known supplier of resin

[Nameless Drudge]

I would tell him i am happy to give any advice and even show him how to clean a window wfp but it would simply be unreasonable to allow him to "practice" on my paying customers without an insurance bond of  appx. £12000 in case you had to start replacing scratched windows.
                                              If you knew him then its a different kettle of fish and you`d likely be pleased to help,if he is a stranger then he is taking advantage.Offering his labour for free sounds ok but what else could he do,he should be paying you.
I`d expect to be told to sling my hook if i picked up the yellow pages and requested what he is after from any of the window cleaners in it.
                      So i would say no,just on the grounds that he asked in the first place. The insurance situation is a handy one to play on if you feel uncomfortable telling him to  eff off.

[stuart mc]

I would tell him i am happy to give any advice and even show him how to clean a window wfp but it would simply be unreasonable to allow him to "practice" on my paying customers without an insurance bond of  appx. £12000 in case you had to start replacing scratched windows.
                                              If you knew him then its a different kettle of fish and you`d likely be pleased to help,if he is a stranger then he is taking advantage.Offering his labour for free sounds ok but what else could he do,he should be paying you.
I`d expect to be told to sling my hook if i picked up the yellow pages and requested what he is after from any of the window cleaners in it.
                      So i would say no,just on the grounds that he asked in the first place. The insurance situation is a handy one to play on if you feel uncomfortable telling him to  eff off.

I get where you are coming from and I agree, I said he could by all means practice on my house windows but as far as work was concerned he could come and watch as I am set up for one man and not two, also mentioned insurance and license, but it is an opportunity as well to educate him on a decent price to charge unlike most in my area who take far too little he is going trad anyway and terraced council estates will suit him better than most of my work, so it will be to observe on the little trad work I actually do

[RO-Sheen]

Im glad I never asked you guys for training when I was starting up!!

I started up 7 years ago and contacted 2 guys from this site that gave me some work experience, granted, they are not in my area so had to travel but were both about 30-45 minutes away. They both gave me lots of advise and support and helped me on my way. Still in contact with one of them.
Another guy who lives in my town took me out a for a few days and insisted on paying me. I am still in contact with him and have since helped each other with converting to wfp, suppliers, website design, helping out each other with workload and passing work on to each other. He is also my off road biking buddy!!!

I make a point of always chatting to newbies i see around my town and it has never affected my business in a negative way.

[britishwill]

Def give him a chance. what goes around comes around. Give the bloke a chance. Remember all the people who helped u over the years!

[stresslesscleaning]

Stuart

Thank you.  I've been reading this forum on and off for about 5 years.  I keep coming back to the forum and I guess I could write a bit of a book on window cleaning even though I haven't cleaned a window since i was 21 (there's a story about that, i'll tell it some other time)

In my view, I would guess that all he wants to do is pick your brains, tell you what he thinks and has found out, what his ambitions are and ultimately, seek approval from a pro that he's doing the right thing.  I mean, anyone thinking of investing their time and money at the age of 23, must have given it a lot of thought.  Bit like me really, the only difference between him and me is 25 years.

Nahh, I have to believe that any help one human being can give to another human being, especially helping them stand on their own 2 feet, has to be a very good thing.  And i'm not saying that cos i'm seeking help myself.  I just think that if you help him and he makes a success of his life, you'll be able to look back in several years time and think to yourself "he is where he is today because I helped him all those years ago".  The satisfaction you would get....


Martin

[stuart mc]

I have already told the guy I will help him out, and I will, I take every ones point on board and yes RO sheen I agree some miserable sods on here

[roundbuilder]

so he isnt opposition why cant you take hime on if hes any good and build another round up and have him on a percentage scheme 70 30 in hes favour.

[stresslesscleaning]

Mick

That's a good idea.

Then, when he's ready to go it alone, sell him the round for a few grand.  Even though he's built it up for you, the sale price could be the reward for consultancy so to speak.

Everyone's a winner.  He gets a business which he knows inside out and you get a pay out for helping him succeed.  Kind of focuses the mind me thinks....

[stuart mc]

I don't need an employee, want an employee or do the donkey work for a rent of a round to someone either

I will show him how to use a squeegie, pointers to kit to buy and throw the odd job his way when I don't want it, never met the guy I don't want to go into business with him, never mind build a round for him,

and a bit of advice here and there

[Window Washers]

got a text from a lad local to me wants to start a round, well written text asking if he could work a few days with no pay to learn the basics, has his own car etc

I admire him for asking and being willing to do it, but he lives only a mile or so from me, would you train up someone that could be a competitor in no time or would you just do it to help a 23 year old out to get on in life.

and which one of you sods gave him my number he said he was told to try me as I am a helpful guy

I would help them out, if they wanted more help i would ask them to pay for it and help them as much as they needed, i dont spend time worrying about competition, leave that to them as its a waste of time, I do truly love this place for inspiration.

Help him feel good, Karma will repay you