Bulk buying is a good idea in principle, but the problem is that you'd end up being a "window cleaning shop" eventually.
For example, say it really took off and you were getting loads of orders from people all over the place, eventually you'd realise it was MUCH cheaper to deal directly with Unger, Pulex, Ettore etc than with their distributers, and you'd have the volume to do it.
Next, you'd find that organizing this scheme was pretty much a full-time job in itself, so you'd need to draw a wage from it, and you'd have to add a little bit to the cost of things.
Next, you'd find that so many window cleaners were popping by to collect stuff, and you've got it all over the kitchen and living room etc, you really need a little commercial unit. And to make things easier you need to set up a little website for people to order from. This is yet more expense, so the prices need to go up just a little more.
Congratulations, you now have a business exactly like Scrim City, The Window Clean Centre, Wintecs, Window Cleaning Warehouse etc.
Then when the gear was received, I'd photocopy the invoice, and stick on a covering letter stating what your part in the buy was (for tax deductable purposes).
I understand why you'd do this, but the tax man would not go for this at all. You'd be treated as a supplier, and required to issue invoices yourself to the companies you deal with. Also, the window cleaners you deal with would not be able to claim tax relief on an invoice issued to you, even with a letter.
I'm afraid that my personal opinion is that window cleaning equipment
is WAY too cheap at present. And I really do mean its far too cheap.
You might think this is a good thing, but it is not. Low prices might seem good in the short term, but in the long run they cause the industry many problems.
For example, do you remember when Unger brought out the very first Bucket-on-a-belt? I do, and what a fantastic invention it is! How did we ever manage without it?
Developing new products is very expensive for manufacturers, and if they aren't making enough profit then they can't do it. If prices had been as low as they are now a few years ago, I don't think we'd have a bucket-on-a-belt at all. I beleive that all hand-tool manufacturers in this country are now making less profit than they ever have, and though that means prices drop (for now) eventually it will mean an end to innovation.
We really do need new products like the BOAB, The Microfibre Cloth, The Stutzy, The Ergotec Locking Cone and so on. If new ideas are stifled, then we all will lose out.
If you think I'm exagerrating, then you'll soon see it for yourself in a few months time. A certain manufacturer of very good hand-tools has decided to discontinue its entire range, and this equipment will disappear forever when its present stocks are sold off. Now these tools incorporate some unique features, that no other brand does. I'm not at liberty to say which manufacturer, but you'll see who it is soon enough.
For those of us who have moved over to WFP, how much do you now spend o squeegee rubbers? I bet its a quarter of what you used to. But "consumables" are what keep manufacturers and distributers afloat. Of course, no-one would suggest buying more than you need in order to help the industry, but we should be prepared to pay a fair price.
I would be happy to see hand-tool prices rise by at least 30%. I think its going to take this to prevent the UK market from collapsing in the long term. After all, how often do we buy a new BOAB? or a new T-Bar? Not very often.
I'd be prepared to pay a little bit more if it meant that we continue to get nice new products developed.
-Philip
