[Shaun McGovern]

Hi guys, new to the forum, thanks for having me.

So I'm currently in the process of buying a WFP system however, my customers have been used to trad for 10+ years. What's the best way to approach the transition without huge collateral damage?

Also, if anyone is selling a small van, I'm on the look out.

Thanks.

[Stoots]

Never done it but I would just clean them.

If you rock up and just crack on with confidence I think most will be fine.

If you turn up unsure and show signs of weakness, umm erm I'm sorry Mrs Jones but I need to use this now please can I type of attitude they will feed on it.

You need a certain arrogance, just clean them and when they ask tell them all the many reasons why it's better .

I mean If they dump you they dump you, You cant stand still forever you need to progress If that means losing all your customers and replacing them so be it.

[NWH]

I would be prepared to say let me clean them like this and look at the results and see if you are happy,some people will give you a chance some won’t.
You are cleaning in a completely different way understand some people won’t like or appreciate it,it’s how you sell yourself not always how the windows get cleaned.

[alank]

Just crack on most won't be bothered at all. If anyone questions it just tell them you're investing in better equipment to give a better clean and improve efficiency and then mention health and safety. You will be able to clean awkward windows above conservatories etc. The time you save going over to wfp makes it a no brainer really so if you lose a few don't worry they can soon be replaced. 

[Shaun McGovern]

Perfect guys,

Thanks very much for the advice, whether it's tough or not, it's happening anyway.
People just don't like change at the best of times lol!

Thanks again.

[NWH]

It’ll be a better clean etc let’s hope it is take you’re time scrub em till the the end of the pole looks like an old nail brush lol.

[Smudger]

Practice practice practice- when confident then do customers - those who are out will never know the difference - those that are in just explain the benefits to THEM

I have a vivaro going if interested
😃

[Innocence & Experience]

Communicate with your customers and explain in an assertive manner - your not asking their permission your just informing them of the change.
Show your customers respect & they will return it.
When i switched over i lost 1 customer and that was the only one i hadn't told!!!
If you just crack on with out telling them you'll be leaving yourself wide open to cancellations - especially in these uncertain times!

[KS Cleaning]

If you don’t have any WFP experience I always recommend wiping top frames and top seal with a cloth on your last trad clean, that way you increase your chances of achieving good results on your first clean which is really important when switching over. If you have any dubious customers there’s more chance of them cancelling if you don’t get off to a spotless start.

[JandS]

I just picked a nice sunny day in Summer so the windows would dry quickly enough for them to see the results fairly quickly and cracked on.........to be honest most weren't bothered and only lost two....who I was happy to lose anyway....a lot were quite intersted in how it worked.

[richard connett]

Let them watch you cleaning a frame and see the filthy black water running down , then blame it on the previous cleaner

[Stoots]

I just picked a nice sunny day in Summer so the windows would dry quickly enough for them to see the results fairly quickly and cracked on.........to be honest most weren't bothered and only lost two....who I was happy to lose anyway....a lot were quite intersted in how it worked.

Probably the worse time to show them. Had 3 issues with spotting this last week. Had no issues at all last 6 months..soon as sun comes out its spotting time.

[dd]

When I switched I gave my customers a letter briefly explaining the reasons and how wfp works.

[tlwcs]

I also gave an explanation letter and asked them to support me for 3 cleans with the promise I’d change back if they didn’t like it.
2 customers didn’t like it. I dumped them 😊

[windowswashed]

Have a simple laymans terms letter explaining water fed pole cleaning and the benefits to hand for any customers who ask a million questions whilst you are cleaning them. Be confident because if you ain't then it will come across as you don't know what you are doing. You may lose some but you have to expect that as not everyone will be convinced after being cleaned traditionally.

Perservere and don't cave in to customers asking you to switch back to trad cleaning, it will come good if you clean thoroughly. I switched from trad to wfp 20 years ago when no one was doing it and had millions of questions asked by customers and people passing in the street.  Whizz round nowadays.

[NWH]

Once up and running you won’t agree to go back to traditional you’ll find if you do that it’ll hold you up,may do it the odd time and once you get more work you’ll soon stop that lol,a front leaky door or insides that’s it some people want to control how you clean their windows I’ve said to them years ago you wouldn’t say to a carpenter you can’t use a nail gun I want you to use a hammer 🔨 please.

[Adam Tarpley]

I'm new to this but it's quite simple as been replied several time be confident. If you don't show your trust in it nor will they. All way mention heath and safety not so much to older customers lol as the don't know what it is but with ladders hse say 3 points of contact. Again look online you can download the letters to send out which explains all about wfp from how it works to how much safer it is

[lozsing]

Dear Customer,


Your windows will be cleaned shortly using a method that will soon become the industry standard – The Water Fed Pole System  
The system uses extendable poles and 100% pure water that has been purified through reverse osmosis & de-ionization vessels.

We are now using this technology for a number of reasons:



1) ). HEALTH & SAFETY – A new legislation from Europe now limits the use of ladders. The law now states that ladders can only be used when all viable alternatives have been considered, and now The Water Fed Pole System is seen as a safer and more viable alternative for window cleaning.



2). BETTER CLEANING RESULTS – The major advantage of pure water is that it absorbs large amounts of dirt from your windows. The process involves brushing your windows clean with pure water; as such they will be left wet and will need time to dry naturally. This may be a bit disconcerting at first, as obviously this is not what our customers are used to. However, once dry your windows WILL be clean and smear free also using this process all your frames will be cleaned as well not just your sills.



3). ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – Only pure water is used, eliminating the need for detergents and chemicals.



4). IMPROVED SERVICE – We can now reach with ease previously inaccessible aspects of your property. Hard to reach windows above conservatory’s, Third floor windows, skylights, etc…

Please note that if your windows have been cleaned in the past using detergents or chemicals it may take 1 or 2 visits using our Water Fed Pole System to remove soapy residue, this may result in minor spotting on your windows. However please be assured that once this is cleared you will be more than happy with the results.

My aim is to continue to provide a high level of service. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above or any other aspect of our services.
                                             

      Thanks

[lozsing]

this was a letter I did over 10 years ago when I swapped over, I lost 2 customers one of which came back to me.

[Spruce]

this was a letter I did over 10 years ago when I swapped over, I lost 2 customers one of which came back to me.

I did a similar letter. We purchased a trad, glass cleaned only, round. WFP was a new venture, and I was scared of losing these customers son had paid good money for. (The round was on 1 estate and consists of mainly dormers. My son purchased it without me knowing, and I wasn't going to walk all over roofs to reach dormer windows.) WFP was the only solution and was new 18 years ago. Few knew anything about deionized water. Some didn't even know what distilled water was. (I often questioned the British education system, tbh.)  The only thing most understood was that rain water on clean glass didn't leave spots. We were also new cleaners to the round, foreigners with a new cleaning system nobody has seen before. Yorkshire folk aren't very trusting either; I know, I married one.   

The first day was a nightmare as those frames just ran dirt and some windows had to be done 3 times. But the results were remarkable, and even I was impressed with the first day's results. News quickly spread on the estate. This did a lot for my confidence in WFP. All our new customers wanted their windows cleaned with this new system. In the end, I never needed to hand out many of those letters.

We also lost a couple, but we gained many more because these home owners didn't want window cleaners walking over their roof to reach the top windows and breaking tiles.

But here is the kicker for all those changing their rounds over from trad to WFP.  This round was based on a 2 weekly clean. Very quickly we started to get; "can you leave it this week as the windows are still clean" excuse. If your round is based on a 2 weekly schedule, for example, and they want to change it, then you need to renegotiate the price per clean at that moment. From experience, they ended up wanting a 6 weekly clean for the 2 weekly price.