[Kev R]

I recently bought two 35' Omnipoles. One for use as a pressure washer lance and one for a support pole for my Omnivac. I decided to use one for wfp as thats what they were originally designed for.

As a power pole (pressure washer & support pole)  I can't fault it really excellent bits of kit.

However for the wfp pole I have had some problems to say the least! 

 Omnipole supply as a standard a 16'' flagged oval brush on a gooseneck or a double trim American brush head. This is great if you like these brushes but you are unable to clean the sill. I prefer to use a non-flagged monofilament HI-LO sill brush and was told no problem.

They sent me a "reengineered" HI-LO. This was drilled so you would have to use upside-down. The HI-LO is designed to have one face touching the glass on the bottom face touching the sill. Which ever way you mounted the brush It would not work as designed. I phoned them up and they said thats how they do it. So I took it to work. After unintentionally washing the soffits on three houses I put it in the van. I phoned and was told thats how we sell it and thats what people like. I asked to talk to the managing director Glyn Howard. He also said that how they were supplied to fit their standard gooseneck. I said to him get a pole and a brush put it against a window and you will see the problem. He assured me he would look.

 I received in the post a few days later a correctly drilled brush and another gooseneck at exactly the same angle, If you married them together the angles were still wrong! Also in the package was a straight bar.  I took the straight bar to my local engineering works and they bent the bar to 103 degrees and now the gooseneck and brush works correctly.

I did some phoning around. Varitech have the sole rights in the UK to sell the Vikan HI-LO brush. I phoned Varitech. They said the brush could only be used one way. They also said that it was along with the Vikan rectangular monofilament brush the best selling wfp brushes. They supplied the HI-Lo  to Omnipole which they "reengineered" to fit their standard gooseneck. I seriously believe that Omnipole never checked the angles involved before fitting the brush and if they did the engineer has never done wfp!

I am annoyed on two counts, One they have never obviously looked at the problem but will argue I am wrong until they are blue in the face (especially the receptionist who is obviously the best wfp operator in the world).

And secondly,  What worries me is when I want  a replacement I will have to go through all this again.

If you wan't  a sectional, telescopic hard wearing pole its a good pole, but if you wan't to use the best selling brush with it my advice is forget it!!!!     

I will be on the phone again on Monday to tell Omnipole of my findings.

[macmac]

Good post
I've never used the hi-lo brush but do use rec' vikans.
You have a good point & i too would be on the phone mon' morning. it p***es me off big time when a supplier, who should know every aspect of what they deal with churn garbage like this out. My biggest gripe with situations like this is that just think of the newbies to wfp who they have supplied these brushes to, trying to clean windows & thinking they are doing something wrong when infact, the people they have put their trust in have supplied them rubbish!
It's time some people got off their fat arses, out of the office & did some PROPER R&D!

tony

[Kev R]

Well said Tony my sentiments exactly 

[Old_Master]

Hi Kev
I realy cannot understand the problem with the ledge and sill brush which we discussed at length a week ago .
Omnipole introduced ledge and sill brushes in 2001 after our window cleaning company used them for over a year trialing them , we still use them as our main brush.
We have supplied over 5500 ledge and sill  brushes and it is our best selling brush all of them rengineered in exactly the same way.

[Captain Scarlet]

I hope you didnt vote Glyn, in my poll!!!!!

[Village Gleam]

A photo would settle this. Show us a photo of how the brush/neck is mean't to sit.
Easy.Next case.

Also omnipole has been mentioned as a hot system retro fitter. What are the basics of the system.

[brightnclean]

Hi Kev
I realy cannot understand the problem with the ledge and sill brush which we discussed at length a week ago .
Omnipole introduced ledge and sill brushes in 2001 after our window cleaning company used them for over a year trialing them , we still use them as our main brush.
We have supplied over 5500 ledge and sill  brushes and it is our best selling brush all of them rengineered in exactly the same way.

Now now Glyn..  5500 sold and all of them wrong for the job (I think not)      I love these rants that some people put up about suppliers like yourselves. Come on you,ve only been supplying for 10 years  

[Old_Master]

Photo of our standard re-engineered brush on a PowerPole.

Kev
It should be taken into consideration that Varitech dont actually clean winsdows, while on the other hand we clean the windows at 180 estates, approxamatly 100 commercial properties, Transport for London depots and as of last month approx 300 houses a month all with ledge and sill brushes.

We do have an excelent working relationship with Varitech and mutually supply one another with a variety of equipment.
I am fairly certain they will tell you that Omnipole turned down Vikans opportunity to distribute the new range of brushes which they then took up.

[Kev R]

some pictures as requested. As its dark outside I have used an internal wall for the purposes of the pictures

Firstly your picture Glynn is good and If my re-engineered brush worked like that I would be very happy.

Ok the next pictures show Omnipoles standard vikan 16 inch flagged brush. Please notice the position of the jets (straight toward the wall- fantastic)

[Kev R]

Next the re-engineered Hi-Lo as sent to me. Please notice the jets point slightly upward. My problem was unintentional soffit washing and the bottom of the brush was at slightly the wrong angle to clean the sill.

[Captain Scarlet]

In my opinion, Omnipole are stuck in the past with their poles, not their systems, just their poles, Luke

PS. That brush is a joke and they should sort it out, Luke

[Kev R]

Next two pictures of re-engineering....a technical term for having at a brush head with a freehand drill...quality as you can see.
Please remember that omnipole due to their extensive re-engineering charge £48 for a sill brush!!!

[Old_Master]

Hi Kev
Thats the second brush we sent. The first one was identical to the one in my picture.

What if you turn the brush around so that its the bottom end is at the top.
Glyn

[Kev R]

Next after my frustration a re-engineered gooseneck made locally.

Please note the jets are now pointing in downward  position. This prevents soffit washing. And also the brush is the correct way up and the sill part is in the correct position.

Omnipole want a standard gooseneck that fits all, and thats as proved is not always possible. Some times a little re-design work is required.

[Captain Scarlet]

Kev, doesnt that gooseneck mean you have to work very close to the building, seems to be 90o , Luke

[Kev R]

Hi Kev
Thats the second brush we sent. The first one was identical to the one in my picture.

What if you turn the brush around so that its the bottom end is at the top.
Glyn

The first picture is of the first brush you sent. both brushes have the same problem due to the angle of the gooseneck. If you turn it around the angles are wrong and you either wash the soffits or you cant brush or wash the sill.

[Kev R]

Hi Kev
Thats the second brush we sent. The first one was identical to the one in my picture.

What if you turn the brush around so that its the bottom end is at the top.
Glyn

The first picture is of the first brush you sent. both brushes have the same problem due to the angle of the gooseneck. If you turn it around the angles are wrong and you either wash the soffits or you cant brush or wash the sill.

If you come out from away from the building you get better coverage of the sill. the angle is 103 on the gooseneck.

[Kev R]

Hi Kev
Thats the second brush we sent. The first one was identical to the one in my picture.

What if you turn the brush around so that its the bottom end is at the top.
Glyn

Both brushes were monofilament non flagged not flagged like in the picture, if thats what you mean Glyn

[Old_Master]

Kev
I must protest about your sexist comment.If you had spoken to Keith,Jean-Pascal,Nick,Jules,Pat,Bob or Con you wouldnt have refered to them as the receptionist
 
The "Receptionist" you spoke to was actually our Workshop Manager whom all the staff report too. She has cleaned windows with wfp, and why wouldnt she have their are many female window cleaners now days.
She can and does deal professionally with all queries.

The original brush and gooseneck that was sent to you was identical in production to the one I posted a photograph of, you insisted it was upside down( even though thats how we have made them for seven years) so we sent you another drilled exactly as you asked we also sent a shorter gooseneck and a straight gooseneck.
I cannot now see why you have any reason to complain about our service.

[Kev R]

Firstly I'm not a sexist, however every-time I phone Omnipole she answers so its a fair assumption. Also I employ a female window cleaner that actually cleans glass and doesn't answer the phone. If you phone our office either my wife (receptionist) or I will answer the phone.

Lets face it Glynn just because you have produced something in your workshop for some time doesn't make it right. Didn't you recently sack someone for supplying us an Omnivac that was wired in a particularly dangerous fashion. You know as I do it could have killed someone. Would you like me to post the pictures?

Varitech are the sole suppliers of this brush, they supplied you "FACT". They said its upside down too.  So you have made all those brushes that don't work as a HI-LO should!!!

To be honest the service I have received from Omnipole has been horrendous to say the least. I have spent in excess of £4000 with your company and all I get from your "workshop manager"  is "well everybody else has no problems"

My company survives on good will. We provide a quality service and people refer us to others. I have been incredibly patient I said nothing after the Omnivac fiasco as I thought mistakes do happen but now, I don't get my telephone calls returned and have to take unintelligent remarks from your "workshop manager" I draw the line.