[Ian_Giles]

Oh dear me
I have just seen some of the worst window cleaning done with a WFP
As I was working this morning I walked past one shop (One that I don't clean) and was checking the windows to see what sort of a job was being done.
had to do a double take, this particular shop is usually cleaned pretty well, the frames are never cleaned and always look really shabby (I don't mind this as there is one I do almost opposite it and it makes my work look top banana ) The glass itself is done well though....usually, but this time there were runs all over the place and the glass looked like it had a severe dose of chicken pox there were so many spots
This had all the earmarks of very inexperienced WFP work. Had to do a quick mental rethink as to who was cleaning these windows, I had been under the impression it was another cleaner, other than the one I now realised must do them.

I checked out a couple of the other shops in town I knew he did, and sure enough, these were also done extremely badly.

Now it isn't as if I mind seeing one of the opposition doing poor work, it means they may well lose it either to me (hopefully) or one of the other guys working the town.
But he is using WFP, as against the trad methods he was using.
The customer is likely to associate the poor work with the new fangled WFP, which, should he lose the work will make it hard for another WFP user to convince said customer that it really is an all singing, all dancing alternative to Trad cleaning

I know the guy who is doing the work, have even enthused to him that WFP was a good thing, and I now hope he will contact me and ask for a little advice.

He has been using it for about a month now and really does need to seek a little assistance in his method and technique.

One of the problems with WFP is that once people start to use it they think it is the easiest thing in the world, the trouble is, is that it is so very easy to do a bad job.
This guy would have benifited hugely from going on one of the day courses run by Craig Mawlam. (I'm sure this is something like a federation backed course, or is linked with Ionics, please excuse my ignorance on the point, I don't wish to appear missleading??? )

For anyone thinking of going down the WFP route, and in particular if they are relative newbies to window cleaning, then should make attending one of these short and inexpensive course a priority.

If I had known about them before I started WFP, regardless of the fact I have been a window cleaner for over 20 years, I would have attended one, in fact I may still do so. Anything I can learn that can assist me can only be good.

Ian

[mark f]

so if you havnt gone on a course what have you come to realise makes all the difference between a good/bad job. I dont have a wfp but i hear its all in the rinse.!?

[Ian_Giles]

Gosh Mark,
Not easy to answer perfectly
But your brush needs to be kept as clean as possible, on a first clean, time must be spent washing everything thoroughly. The technique you use is important too of course, as is rinsing.
But on repeat cleans for instance, once you know that the windows are coming up to the standard you want, holding the brush off the glass to rinse isn't always necessary.
Every window can vary as to what you need to do to ensure a perfect finish.
Much is learned by hands on experience, but to be led through it step by step, to be shown some of the pitfalls, or how to handle certain types of windows, well, much of this will be covered in these courses.
As is care and maintenance of your system.
All far better than groping blindly as you try to 'teach yourself' how to use and operate your shiny new WFP

Ian

[Roy Harding]

I picked up 2 jobs last week, that had been done with a wfp.  And the customers did not want me to clean using this method.  :(The windows had only been cleaned a day earlier, they were terrible.  >:(My price was higher than the previous window cleaner by quite a bit. I told the customers try the wfp, and if they weren’t happy they did not have to pay. I did one inside window so the could see the results, left both with an envelope and told them to pay only if they were happy. Two days latter 2 cheques with two letters say they were delighted. They had also recommended me to a few of there neighbors.

The problem was not in the wfp. The boys were paid a minimum wage. And the firm never kept there staff long, an no training at all was given. I have herd lots of stories of bad jobs been done, but used correctly it will do a superb job      

[www.mrgutters.co.uk]

on the round i took over,the bloke i knew he was using wfp but every person i have spoken to on the round have told me if i use wfp they dont wnt me doing there windows as the previus bloke made a mess everytime... i plan to get a wfp for new custom i get but why is there so much negativity about wfp.. i still want  one...

[rosskesava]

Last week we picked up 3 jobs - one of them quite a big place all because the respective owners were few up with WFP.

This is not a 'have a go at WFP's' posting as I'm (my business partner's against it as a waste of money) hoping to buy a system this year but I'm in a quandry.

Poles users on this forum seem to be doing by and large ok
but ....... I keep reading posting saying about various problems. Add to that the work we have picked up in the last 12 months (on average one a week) because the owners were not happy with WFP being used on their properties - then I'm left in doubt as to whether it's worth buying a system.

I don't know what answer I'm searching for but I'd be interested in any replies.

[Duke]

the pole system is fine. I too had to go through a steep learning curve when I started....it's often difficult to see what sort of job you've done, when you leave them wet. The following month, it was much easier, as I could see where, if at all, I had made mistakes....now I dont make any !  I know exactly how to clean certain types of window for the best result.
I was lucky really, only lost a handfull......now new customers come up to me and choose me because I have this system...it's a funny old world. Now when I turn up to do the monthly...it doesn't look like they need doing....makes it VERY quick...just get 'em wet really...coz that's what they expect now....still reckon it's the best thing I ever did.....

[Pureandclean]

Likewise.
wfp is as good as the operator, produces excellent results, doing widows and frames in less time than just windows on trad.
 need to recognise which types of windows it won't work well on, and do trad. or drop them.
In 5 years time it will be rare to see trad. anywhere !!

 : Blessings  :

Graeme

[Ian_Giles]

I agree with Graeme.
Which is why I think that a little training goes a long way
It can help reduce those errors.
Of course there are always those like Roy has just come across, who just don't care, or aren't paid enough too
This is a shame, WFP is still very new to most people, so if someone has done a p*ss poor job they will blame the system and not the operator

WFP is truly taking off,and what with  forums like this, and so many of us with computers and the internet, the World Wide Web is paying a large part in spreading the word too

Ian

[Jeff Brimble]

In 5 years time it will be rare to see trad. anywhere !!
Graeme, try 10,     (thats what I thought 5 years, 5 years ago-still no compettittion round here)

[Duke]

thats true...to think I could still be struggling to make a dime the old way.....I'm basically lazy...I only work to pay for things I want....but If I can make a ton in just 5 hours...that'll do me....to think I only started because I needed more income than my Job as council offices caretaker would pay....£6.20 an hour...AND I had to work evenings and weekends on occaision...sod that, I'm off now ! (and they can shove that where the sun don't shine)

[cd5000]

HAVE YOU GOT ANY DETAILS OF THE COURSE RUN BY CRAIG MAWLAM

STEVE

[Ian_Giles]

Steve,
Don't have those details to hand, but I'll get them to you

got to get to work, so no time

And someone on here may read this post and get you said details before I do!

Ian

[littlejack]

http://www.iwcto.com/

[rosskesava]

It's me again and another question.

Training seems to be a 'must do' thing so I'll be looking into that but should I be aiming for a system based on the work we already have or on the possibilities we may get larger contracts or does it not matter as a WFP system can be easily changed according to the amount and type of work?

And should we expect to loose some work to start with because we will be new at it (so to speak).

Cheers

Ross

[Roy Harding]

Hi Ross

I do mainly all domestic work, and use my WFP for everything and find as others do it is the best move I ever did. I get through 400ltrs of water per day one man. The WFP is ideal for all jobs industrial and domestic.

It is however only as good as the man using it. I have had boys working with me, using the same equipment squeegees ect. But they have left marks and I haven’t it’s the same with the WFP take your time wash every thing and rinse really well on all first cleans. It takes time to master as it does with traditional methods.     

[rosskesava]

Any ideas about how much we should be looking to spend and which companies to buy from?

Sorry to keep asking but I want to know.

Cheers

Ross

[Roy Harding]

Hi Ross

How many men do you want to keep busy witha wfp?

[matt]

Well Im on my 3rd time around with WFP, Ive not lost a custmomer YET, not really picked up any, as i do most in the streets i do anyway

Its not about the money for me, i explain this to any1 who will listen, its IM stood on the ground all the time, Im safe

Still cannot walk because my my spained ankle though

[poleman]

ITS not the WFP, its the operator, they moaned before the WFP?

Andy