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David_Annable

  • Posts: 689
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #20 on: October 11, 2004, 05:25:08 pm »
If we all did everything the same way, and all agreed with each other it would be pretty boring.

PS Why is Mike britains 3rd best looking carpet cleaner ?

Dave
NCCA, Woolsafe, IICRC Leather Cleaning Technician

Ken Wainwright

  • Posts: 2107
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #21 on: October 11, 2004, 05:32:00 pm »
Mike has said almost everything I would wish to say on this subject. All I would like to add is that the the short sleeved embroidered poly cotton shirt I wear is lighter and cooler than the polo shirts I've worn in the past. I don't wear a tie to work in, but at other times I do.

I know that many people perspire quite easily, but others, like me, don't. If you perspire from the effort you are putting into the job, it may be advantageous to work smarter rather than harder. Use machines for agitation, do more of it then the rinse/extract will be a doddle. (I'm talking of residential work, not commercial)

Safe and happy cleaning:)
Ken
Veni, vidi vici, Vaxi
I came, I saw, I conquered, I cleaned up!

stevegunn

Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #22 on: October 11, 2004, 05:34:23 pm »
I agree with some of the comments ref shirt & tie over polo shirt but just because you wear a shirt & tie does'nt make you a better carpet cleaner or less knowledgeable.

md_cleaning

  • Posts: 278
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #23 on: October 11, 2004, 05:48:44 pm »
Well, that topic caused quite a debate, but at least now I know I'm not the only one in polo shirts, in answer to your question Mike it was Dave Jenkins from proclean who said this and he also said to send out thankyou cards to customers, which I found rather strange, thanking them for what exactly?
     Dave.

Ken Wainwright

  • Posts: 2107
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #24 on: October 11, 2004, 06:39:05 pm »
I agree with you Steve. It doesn't make you a better carpet cleaner. BUT it does help to provide a more professional image to your prospect/customer.

Within the cleaning industry, it is often a sore point with many that we are looked on as being "just cleaners".  By selling a more professional image in this way, we are moving our industry forward so that the marketplace will begin to accept us for the highly trained and skilled tradesmen that we are.

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
Veni, vidi vici, Vaxi
I came, I saw, I conquered, I cleaned up!

paul@ctcs

Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #25 on: October 11, 2004, 07:07:53 pm »
Interesting subject, I can see both sides to the argument and dont disagree with either, Its good to see we all make an effort to look smart and put across a professional image, but for now while i'm still in my twenties i'll skip on the tie.
 The shirts the Hydramaster chaps were wearing at carpex were ok, and a logo'd button up shirt i would wear on domestic work so i guess i'm somewhere in the middle in this debate :)

Paul

David, If i remember rightly it used to say  the 2nd best looking carpet cleaner on Mikes posts and now he's the 3rd so he must have seen me at carpex ;D ;D ;D

Doug Holloway

  • Posts: 3917
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #26 on: October 11, 2004, 08:25:06 pm »
Hi Guys,

I've always thought of carpet cleaning as a fairly physical job , therefore requiring appropiate clean , smart clothing.

You would'nt expect to see Wayne Rooney playing football in a tie and you wouldn't expect your'e accountant to turn up in a football shirt.

Carpet cleaning is somewhere inbetween and surely demands clothing inbetween.

At  the end of the day it's a personal preference.

I've seen some terrible scruffs in a tie and some really cool dudes in a polo shirt, 'you pays your money..........

Cheers,

Doug

Dave_Lee

  • Posts: 1728
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #27 on: October 11, 2004, 08:52:20 pm »
Years ago I used to do my quotes, wearing shirt & tie and smart jacket with logo on breast pocket. I never felt comfortable in this attire, and after a while, started doing my quotes on my way home after the last job of the day, in my professional work wear, T shirt, navy work trousers. Wearing the latter I easilly increased my conversion rate and stuck with that ever since. I think my type of client prefer a cleaner to look industious rather than like a salesman. Im not saying I think it wrong to wear a shirt and tie, as its up to the individual and to say that would be narrow minded. I just love the wide variety of opinions on all subjects - thats what makes these boards so interesting.
Dave.
Dave Lee, Owner of Deepclean Services
Chorley Lancs. Est 1980.
"Pay Cheap -You get Cheap - Pay a little more and get something Better."

adl

Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #28 on: October 11, 2004, 10:27:24 pm »
As Dave i started a few months back doing quotes in shirt and tie however soon realised the customer wants a carpet cleaner not a salesmen

regards Dave ADL

Shorty

  • Posts: 49
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #29 on: October 12, 2004, 09:05:33 am »
My uniform will probably crucify me on THIS forum.

All year round, I wear Green shorts and a Yellow/Gold shirt, (Aussie colours), and proud of it.

In Cairns, every Friday, we call it Tropical Friday, and most people wear a tropical theme shirt.

I figure every day is tropical here and my uniform reflects that.

My shirt is not all yellow/gold, rather, it has a panel that resembles a rain forest, coming from the right shoulder to halfway down the front.

Green collar and Green left sleeve complete it.

An embroided logo is on the pocket.

Comments are always favourable, with people asking not only what we do, and making bookings, but also commenting on how nice, and appropriate our shirts are, and where can they buy some.

We also give away Yellow caps with Green brim and embroidered logo on them, along with our phone number.

My work van is also in Green / Yellow theme.

Cheers,

Shorty.
Shorty.

The short, round, mound of sound, from up top, down under.

Ray

  • Posts: 59
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #30 on: October 12, 2004, 01:34:22 pm »
Always wear blue trousers, shirt and a tie with a blue jumper.

Today I was working in a house with 2 painters They thought at one stage I was from the police. They must have a guilty conscience.

Ray

Dave_Lee

  • Posts: 1728
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #31 on: October 12, 2004, 08:17:58 pm »
Shorty,
Believe it or not, occasionally it gets too hot for the trousers over here too, and then I do switch to shorts (Not green though) ;D
Dave.
Dave Lee, Owner of Deepclean Services
Chorley Lancs. Est 1980.
"Pay Cheap -You get Cheap - Pay a little more and get something Better."

Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #32 on: October 12, 2004, 09:25:25 pm »
I managed to convince a dj on Capital radio, that i was cleaning carpets in Harley Street on a sunday with only my trainers on  :o
So hot i had to strip and trainers were for safety in case i trod on any chemicals ;D
My wife heard me talking on the radio and rung me in disgust :P

Phil Marlor

  • Posts: 678
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #33 on: October 12, 2004, 09:34:59 pm »
I thought the Hydramaster shirts John Gott & his men were wearing at the show looked really impressive.

I always wear navy Blue shirts with company name embroided on them and beige trousers or White polo with black trousers, but I am considering going for the cotton pilot shirts next time.

I think woman like that uniform look (so I am told). ;)

It is very importaint to look smart, never wear jeans and a T-shirt it looks so un-professional.

Phil
Stevenage, Herts

LUTON TOWN 3-0 SUNDERLAND

Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #34 on: October 12, 2004, 09:51:30 pm »
John and the team had 10 pin bowling match to attend on way back to Cornwall  ::)

Harry

  • Posts: 31
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #35 on: October 13, 2004, 02:21:28 am »
I agree that cleaning carpet while wearing a tie is often too hot and sweaty - not to mention the chance of losing it your down the vacuum hose, lol. So we never do. The tie is an easily removed clip-on which only serves one purpose - first impressions -.

I think it's also fair to say that much depends on whether we work in a large city or small town as well as what type of customer we serve.

When doing quotes for commercial jobs I dress differently for a large prestigious law firm than I would for a small office in an industrial park.

Obviously a tatooed, carpet cleaner with rings in his nose or lip
wearing jeans would not be helped by wearing a tie.

Interesting discussion and soon I'll get to meet the green and yellow, Short-one in Las Vegas at my Leather Restoration Class.
As the Instructor and needing to be taken seriously, I feel  compelled to wear a tie. The one shown here is a Python tie (as is the eye-patch). The jacket is an antique, hand made North American Indian deerskin hunting (dinner) jacket. My hat is a genuine racoon hat  for formal occasions.
ps; Students that fail my course exam or fall asleep in class, risk being shot.


Leatherwright Seminars

Shorty

  • Posts: 49
Re: shirt and tie
« Reply #36 on: October 13, 2004, 06:00:18 am »
Not mentioned are the kinky leather pants.

John, didn't  the boys? on Mod Squadwear them??

One thing for sure, you certainly wouldn't get any raw knees in them.  :o

The old Chinaman that used to shoot at us with saltpeter, (potassium nitrate & sodium nitrate), had more whack in that gun of his, than that little pea shooter you got there. ;D  ;D

Does wearing a python tie qualify for the full Monty??

I also used to have a Davey Crockett cap, several of them.

You didn't say nothing about having to pass no exam.  :'(

See you in Phoenix before Vegas.

Cheers,

Shorty.  :-X
Shorty.

The short, round, mound of sound, from up top, down under.