bkwelker

Very good points by Mr. Kramer and Mr. Allison. My business is about 60/40 window cleaning/pressure washing and I happen to currently sit on the board of the IWCA as well as serve as President of the Association of United Window Cleaners. While both of these organizations seek out and welcome associate members (manufacturers & distributors), their membership does not carry voting privileges, nor can they sit on the board in anything other than an advisory capacity. I can tell you personally that as a matter of policy both organizations bend over backwards to not show even a hint of favoritism of one associate member over another even if it means passing up what may have been an attractive opportunity of some sort - exclusive sponsorships, etc. I think that policy has proven itself to be directly responsible for some measure of both organization's successes and would seem to be only appropriate.

Reed, Thanks for posting that, I've converted it to my PocketPC so I can use it on the fly. That'll make things go quicker! Thanks again. You asked for a deck contract in another thread. Hopefully, someone will post one, but in the meantime, this is a mish-mosh contract I've put together to use when a customer requests something in writing. I've flat-out ripped off, plaigerized and stolen things others have posted in various threads of this nature over the years and came up with something that customers seem to have no issues with and that I can live with. Hope it helps until someone posts something better (I know it's out there)... Agreement Pankratz.doc

Savannah, GA/ Hilton Head Island, SC area

It is nice to know that being in Georgia, if a customer argues about my price, I can just sock him in the nose...

We've tried 'em all, and finally this spring, took the plunge on a Little Giant 22' 1A. Every other ladder we own from the 24' extension on down has been collecting dust ever since. Expensive, but more than worth every penny. Brian Welker Great Panes Window Cleaning Under Pressure Cleaning, Inc. Statesboro, GA

I clean homes (I do high-end residential only)for several people who own restuarants. Every now and then instead of a check I'll ask them for the equivalent in $25.00 gift certificates. When I get a referral, I send the referring person a gift certificate and a thank you card after the new job is done. Of course, they all call to thank me and let me know I didn't have to do that, etc., etc. which always gives me an opportunity to further cement what is obviously an already excellent relationship. Everybody wins. The restaurant owner gets a dozen or more opportunites for new customers AND pays less to have his own house done, The referring person is encouraged to make even more referrals, not because of the gift certificate, but by what it represents, as they are left with no doubt about how I feel about their value to me and my business, and that always makes a person feel good, The referree is connected with someone they can trust on their property and in their home, without having to wade through a batch of less desirable "professionals", and I get pre-qualified prospects who don't act as though I am insane for charging more than $75.00. :-) Works for me.

I found this, it may give you a better idea of who you're looking for.

Derek, Call me on my cell when you get to the hotel, the number is 912-536-5681. I'll be either be wearing a blue shirt like pictured below with Great Panes Window Cleaning/Under Pressure Cleaning, Inc. over the pocket and my name on the other side, or a blue IWCA Leadership Team shirt. (Doesn't mean anything snooty, just means I'm helping out at the convention) I couldn't find a picture really showing my face, we try to keep our cameras in working order around here! Looking forward to seeing you,

Derek, The best way for you to get started is to attend the IWCA/PWNA convention right up the street from you next week in Addison. It's at the Inter-Continental Hotel on Dallas Parkway from Wednesday through Saturday and I'll be happy to spend some time with you and help get you pointed in the right direction.

I'm not getting any, and my popup manager isn't showing that any have been blocked, it's probably some "spyware" or "adware" that's been surreptitiously installed in the background on your computer. Do a google search for "spybot search and destroy" and download it and clean your machine. Great program, just pay attention to the warnings!

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizen in a Republic "Speech at the Sorbonne, April 23, 1910 Brian Welker Great Panes Window Cleaning Under Pressure Cleaning, Inc. Statesboro, GA

Absolutely Pete should be in the Hall of Fame -- posthumously. It is a lifetime ban, after all. His Hall credentials are unassailable, and the induction eligibility rule was changed after the fact. And, yes, that means Shoeless Joe (who has more fame than a good number of those already in) should be in today. But Pete should not under any circumstances be allowed back in baseball. Not now. Not ever. Not in any form. Sorry Pete. Brian Welker Great Panes Window Cleaning Under Pressure Cleaning, Inc. Statesboro, GA

Dale, I'd be very grateful if I could receive a copy also: bkwelker@bulloch.com Thanks very much, Brian Welker Great Panes Window Cleaning Under Pressure Cleaning, Inc. Statesboro, GA