[kenzie]

Ive just bought a multie service franchise which includes window cleaning and I seem to be upsetting a few window cleaners because iam going onto their patch!
I thought all business had compition whats so different about window cleaning?
If the customers are happy Iam sure they will stay with their existing arrangment so why are they so bothered?

[steve jamieson]

Ask them

[gordons]

i totally agree with you i have said so on here before and a lot of guys think its really bad.

[kenzie]

I have asked them and they told me its just not a done deal.
Iam still not sure of why there seems to be problem with it.

[steve jamieson]

What exactly are you doing undercutting them or just canvassing the streets they work in.

[kenzie]

Iam a lot more expensive than they are,Ive just had some leaflets dropped in their area but like i said i dont just do windows,i do patio and driveway cleans as well

[dave0123]

Ive just bought a multie service franchise

Iv never heard of these who are they?

[kenzie]

Stayclean

[steve jamieson]

Do you have a web link

[dave0123]

10 grand to start??

then giving them money each week or month?


and they dont even give u customers? you have 2 then build it up? think you would just be better starting from scratch on your own .

dave

[LWC]

whaaaaaaaat i havent even looked at the site

do it all your self mate!

most of us have here

and theres nowt wrong with what your doing 

[dave0123]

god! 15.000 then u buy a van then they fit it out and then u gotta find ur own jobs!

so for 15.000 ur paying them 2 fit ur van out

i could understand a franchise for window cleaning that give u jobs and took so much per week say 600 worth work they give u a van sign written etc and take 200 a week or whatever. you would be gettin a ready made business ideal for people with familys who carnt start from nothing with no money maybe. The above seems be better starting from nothing anyway! spending 15.000 then earning nothing because u have to get jobs.

just my view lads

Dave

[Helen]

Kenzie, the majority of wc's do the "extra" multi services aswell. You say you have already bought in? what a shame when you could have come to a forum such as this and got advise for starting up yourself for a fraction of the cost! But what's done is done. You say you are more expensive than others? have you picked up any customers from these "other" wc patches you have strayed onto? If you have just leafleted and not deliberately undercut and you have gained customers at a greater expense then they have been used to, then good on you. Some WC's will guard "their"patch, but as long as you are "playing" by fairs means, there is no harm done in gaining yourself business. Perhaps they just feel threatened by a "newbie" on the block and the fact that you have a franchise, probably threatens them too. Good luck to you....one bit of advise, do some research in areas that you are going to leaflet and find out going rates. If you go in around the same price you should not have a problem.

[Helen]

**Window cleaning in the UK is going through it's greatest revolution ever - primarily due to new Health & Safety Working at Height Regulations introduced in April 2005. The impact of these regulations will mean that ladders will be rarely used by window cleaners in the future. Working at any height will not be allowed   under these new regulations as there is a safer and practicable way to clean windows - water fed pole pure water technology. ** Just found this wording ontheir website, not quite correct is it? but a big dangly carrot to those not in the know!

[Helen]

Any ideas who the supplier is for the High Reach systems anyone?

[Clive McDonald]

Don't be so certain that you are correct and they are wrong Helen.

Talking to someone today who had been installing a window frame 3rd storey off ladder, Council man in shirt an tie told him to stop or face £2000 fine. Similar story about man doing roofing job.

1st biult wooden frame support and did it from inside. Second chap went back did it on sunday and scaled the roof from opposite side to the road.

So anecdotally at least, what the website says is correct.

[eddie d]

i dont see the problem with anyone buying a franchise.with or without  work .what your buying is the back up of a proven method of work .this backup and support gives you a greater chance of success and expansion of your buisness .

i for one would be glad of hands on advise on certain buisness issues .
off course there are dodgey franchises as well ,so you need proof references and so on .

[dave0123]

[ dont see the problem with anyone buying a franchise.with or without  work .what your buying is the back up of a proven method of work .this backup and support gives you a greater chance of success and expansion of your buisness .

i for one would be glad of hands on advise on certain buisness issues .
off course there are dodgey franchises as well ,so you need proof references and so on .

Well.. i hear what your saying i do agree but to pay 15.000 is alot of money just for them 2 fit your van out hes spent 15.000 then bought a van on top of that! without any jobs! what happens if it goes pear shaped? stay clean arent botherd because they have there 15.000.

plus hes got to earn 15.000 before he makes any money back... all am saying is in this businesss i think it would be better if they provided the job ready made  business taking so much of the takings per week or month! maybe a small startup fee to help get the equipment of say 500 a 1000!, if stayclean give him the customers then yes mayb 15.000 would be worth it for instand MONEY in your hand

Dave

[Londoner]

Its just sad, very sad. What do you get for your money? These people make me so angry. Its a total rip off and ought to be exposed.

What a load of twaddle, "you get the backup" and "a proven method of work" and all this from a company none of us in the industry has ever heard of.

If you want backup and a proven method of work ask away on this forum - its all free.

I've never known a question not get answered and the advice you get is worth more because it comes from people who are doing it for real day in day out not some fast buck entraprenur

[gary evans]

Its  a shame kenzie did,nt seek advice from here first.

I,ve recently set father-law up with van & system approx £5k all in for similar set up to do domestic, then helped him get customers & gave him some. He,s now got 120+ and is getting new all the time.

I recently advertised £1500 per month of commercial + 54 reg scudo twin system & poles for £10k + vat. I nknow it was cheap but i was trying to expand in other areas & wanted to help newbie to start, with at least a good footing. I had no offers , a few were interested in work but nothing def.

I was told to double the price but i thought it was fair for somebody to get started, but £15k for what nothing, its a bit of a rip-off.

Gary