STEVE
A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing and the natural spawning of 1 man bands who are the "nouveau water treatment specialists" is peculiar to our industry. They know a little bit, tell everyone its all a rip off and buy off me, because I'm a window cleaner and I've designed my equipment with window cleaners in mind.! Thats a bit like an astronaut designing a rocket, yes the rocket may well have a cd player, a bar fridge, zero gravity pool table, but will it get me to the moon..? 
Safety is not an issue addressed by any of the "One Man Bands" and when you need service, for instance a pole, machine spare etc. next day and you ring your man up for it pronto, if they are out cleaning windows, you are up *hit creek. The point is, the limited companies do it for a living and stock what you need, so you've got a fighting chance of keeping on the road. If the limited companies let you down, simple, dont let them
DOM
I have quite a lot to say on the above issues, I am at the moment a 1-man business
Firstly your comment " They know a little bit, tell everyone its all a rip off and buy off me, because I'm a window cleaner and I've designed my equipment with window cleaners in mind "
No this is not the way I do business, what I tell people who ask why there is such a difference in the price of a specific item is the fact that the bigger companies have more overheads. This is the main factor on the price differences.
I would say though that a window cleaner has more chance of getting a window clean with pure water than a real industrial chemist has, with the same pure water.
Secondly you said " Thats a bit like an astronaut designing a rocket, yes the rocket may well have a cd player, a bar fridge, zero gravity pool table, but will it get me to the moon..?
Safety is not an issue addressed by any of the "One Man Bands" and when you need service, for instance a pole, machine spare etc. next day and you ring your man up for it pronto, if they are out cleaning windows, you are up *hit creek "
I don't clean windows, and even if I did I have a mobile phone. Do you run to the courier office immediately after getting an order for a spare part? I don't think so, I don't, my next day courier service takes parcels in until 5 o'clock and still guarantees next day delivery.
On safety, what certification do you have to say your system is any safer than mines is?
And lastly you said " The point is, the limited companies do it for a living and stock what you need, so you've got a fighting chance of keeping on the road. If the limited companies let you down, simple, dont let them”
I didn't realise you had to be a limited company to have stock, I hope my suppliers don't find out I am not limited or they won't supply me with anything else. I better nip out right away and get limited.
Peter Fogwill