[Richard iSparkle]

Am looking into pressure washing as an add on service to my window cleaning business.

Does anyone know about SmartSeal?  They offer a complete business package as well as, what appears to me at least, a very large range of specialist products for cleaning and restoring hard surfaces.  Seems like for every differnt surface they have a different cleaner, different treatment, different stains, different oil removal etc etc.

are they any good?  what does anyone think of them?

thanks

[kordun]

None of their products, they all repackaged

[BDCS]

They are the bettaware of the pressure washing world. Catalogue full of miracle cures for every problem, train you cure every problem in a day and also take your web site full of catalogue images on that very same day. Look at all their web sites and they always show four different FSC's. They must be very good - obviously IMVHO  

[Richard iSparkle]

They are the bettaware of the pressure washing world. Catalogue full of miracle cures for every problem, train you cure every problem in a day and also take your web site full of catalogue images on that very same day. Look at all their web sites and they always show four different FSC's. They must be very good - obviously IMVHO  

Hi,

Thanks for the info.

Are they not great in your opinion then?  would you be able to recommend another supplier? 

Also what is an FSC? 

[BDCS]

You need to search through old posts. I use very few chemicals but have heat, a wet blast for sand or soda, bleach (hypo) and non and caustic TFR. This will sort most problems except oil spills which you could try oil technics for their products if you qualify the customers expectations.
FSC is a flat surface cleaner or spinner - works better on higher flow machines.
Everything is in the old posts - even drive surgeon

[Blast Away]

Chris from Southport will speak highly of them. 

My opinion differs mate. I think each of us should be unique in what we show on our websites, showing the work we do ourselves. Not the case with Smart seal websites as they are templates. Throw you a logo on and the majority of them show the same images.

With the chems they sell, you can buy cheaper and stronger.

[Richy L]

Smatseal are only interested in selling their products and providing training - their products are over priced. Their companies pop up and disappear.
All the pictures are the same on every website. When I see a smartseal company it doesn't feel like a real company, just something bought off a shelf.

[chris scott]

I have done well with smartseal.
The products can be bought cheaper elsewhere...same as everything.The products are made by a leading multinational firm they are as good as they get for acrylics .
The websites offer outstanding value for money.
Nick and nigel are always available to give good advice on the phone.
They generate good quality leads that are reasonabily priced.
My next Smartseal advanced training day is going to cost me £35...bargain!
Whats not to like?
If you go alone you need to spend money on a website.
You need to generate leads/work.
You need to buy products.
You need advice on the suitability of products for jobs.
Chris from southport

[Ian101]

They are the bettaware of the pressure washing world. Catalogue full of miracle cures for every problem, train you cure every problem in a day and also take your web site full of catalogue images on that very same day. Look at all their web sites and they always show four different FSC's. They must be very good - obviously IMVHO  

Hi,

Thanks for the info.

Are they not great in your opinion then?  would you be able to recommend another supplier? 

Also what is an FSC? 

flat surface cleaner (rotary spinny thing) ...... will give you a shout when my set up complete

[Roger Oakley]

Whats not to like?
If you go alone you need to spend money on a website.
You need to generate leads/work.
You need to buy products.
You need advice on the suitability of products for jobs.
Chris from southport

This is just my view but
Get your own website to show what you can do not generic templated site.

Why pay for leads that might or might not come off, and from the stories I have heard from guys using Smartseal more don't come to anything even though you pay for them.

Better products out there then what they have to offer.

As far as advice, do some research, try different products, as some times no 2 problems as the same.

As I said just my view on the set-up

[Richard iSparkle]

Whats not to like?
If you go alone you need to spend money on a website.
You need to generate leads/work.
You need to buy products.
You need advice on the suitability of products for jobs.
Chris from southport

This is just my view but
Get your own website to show what you can do not generic templated site.

Why pay for leads that might or might not come off, and from the stories I have heard from guys using Smartseal more don't come to anything even though you pay for them.

Better products out there then what they have to offer.

As far as advice, do some research, try different products, as some times no 2 problems as the same.

As I said just my view on the set-up

Thanks Roger.

That's really useful information for me.

Just had a look at your own website and it is very impressive. Looks like a lot of hard work has gone into it too.

Cheers

[chris scott]

It's a website/a online advert...most customers use as a quick reference point and then on to contact details.So what if its the same as someone elses website that is 200 miles away? Your customer requires  a cleaner in the area.. they are not a website comparision company ...simples!  You can use your smartseal website to start with and then upload your own photos, text change, change the colour,layout ,keywords yourself from the comfort of your own computer (no charge).This should be done frequently to keep the content fresh (google likes this)  You do not pay directly for smartseal leads. Most of the leads from smartseal have already being pre qualified.Most end in jobs ..for me anyway.
Smart seal products are ok. Acrylics will never compete with pu's in performance.
Sealing of block paving is  a subjective issue...i for one do not totally agree with it and the claims made. Too mainy variables! But if the customer understands the limitations and still requires it doing ..i'll take the job and the money!!
Sealing of imprinted concrete in necessary .Smart  seals imprint and there range of colors are very good.
I can take the top money for restoring imprint as it,s a win win situation ,the customer is  always happy with the end result and it is easy to do a proper top of the range job at a premium price to me.  

[chris scott]

You can buy the machine,the website,the products,the leads.....what you cannot buy is experience.
As Rodger rightly says every job is different.
Here are some pictures of jobs i have done myself.  http://www.paint-removal.co.uk/epages/es142879.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es142879/Categories/Paint_Removal_Projects

[BDCS]

So you can go to Smartseal for the "all the gear and no idea package" and that is exactly why smartseal trained oppo's get such a bad name. They come with their redundancy, buy the gear, fail and disappear - and its these idiots that give us all a bad name.

[chris scott]

Do we have a bad name ? My customers love me

[Roger Oakley]

Chris,

Agree with you that sealing block paving is a subjective issue, even with Resiblock, I personally don't up-sell it as I can't agree with all the claims that suppliers/producers claim.
Sealing PIC totally agree with you it is a must do, but we don't do PIC.
I don't have an issue with Smartseal, just that people that have bought in to the hype, and have a website done by them, is no better then anyone else that is working in the same area with the Smartseal brand and down here (do a google search for London or Surrey) the market seems flooded with them, so in my opinion stand alone, be a bit different, it works for us.
Any website is an online advert, but when you look at anyone with a Smartseal site what makes any of them seem different from the next Smartseal "agent"?
On most they are all stock/template photos, wording etc no individuality.

[chris scott]

Rodger i would like to maybe phone you tomorrow and talk in depth about you restorative tecniques for outside furniture. Having viewed your website you make a pretty impressive job!!
Would you share your info...i am far enough away from you as to not affect your catchment area.

[Roger Oakley]

Rodger i would like to maybe phone you tomorrow and talk in depth about you restorative tecniques for outside furniture. Having viewed your website you make a pretty impressive job!!
Would you share your info...i am far enough away from you as to not affect your catchment area.

Chris
I'll happy to have a chat with you in the new year, we have just finished today for the year and have loads to do between now and the "big day"

Isn't Smartseals techniques/advice on wood up to scratch? LOL

[Blast Away]

Rodger might dodge ya! 

[chris scott]

No problem i'll call you in the new year.
There is always room for improvement...that's how we become the best in our class!