Barry M

Okay I agree that vendors would be qualified to educate us about their products. Proven marketing experts by their peers, well you could get into what is considered "proven" but lets not. I think most people here would consider a Ken F a proven marketing expert for example (sorry to keep dragging you into this Ken). :) Successful pressure washing companies of more than 10 yrs. This one I would personally drop the 10 year or any amount of years thing. To me an x amount of time in business is a poor choice to qualify somebody. The only thing I measure success with in business is PROFITS. So a successful PWing company to me would be a company that's bottom line has been x amount for three or more years in a row. But again it doesn't mean they are also good teachers or even want to share their knowledge. This whole thing just seems weird to me. To point a finger at one person or several people fitting all the specific requirements is just silly. It's like you want us all to wander around looking for a leader we can all worship. :lgbow: I personally don't like rules and guidlines, I am more of a freelancer and I like the freedom of choosing who I think is a successful person. I pick their brain and move on, some I become friends with. If I surround myself with successful people there is a good chance I will succeed and that is really all I care about. Tony, I know you are hoping to hear from a person "qualified" in marketing roof cleaning at the RT, because it's a venture you want to endure and that's great. We tried to get another board member from FL up hear to do it but because of some other issues, he has disappeared (which I'm still upset about). He is considered by a lot of people a qualified roof cleaning person and would of been a big plus to have at the RT. I hope whomever we find fits your qualifications and you learn something.

Look, I'm not trying to form any negativity about anyone. I have an opinion just like you. I agreed that you make a good point about some folks not being qualified in your eyes. I'm not trying to start anything, I think we can discuss this in an open, civil manner. Like I told you on the phone, I've missed your insight the last couple of years. IMO the reason why this issue will never be resolved is because, who is qualified? I mean everybody is going to have different opinions on who is qualified in their eyes. Is it someone in biz for 20 years, is it someone with a certification, someone with a title, someone associated with an organization, or someone who charges an arm and a leg for a seminar. I know your saying some that have no business and or experience are trying to teach and coach others and shouldn't be but...... All I want to know is what does QUALIFIED to teach others mean in your opinion Tony, pertaining to this industry?

Yeah, I've heard that one lately too. "If someone is sooooo successful and busy then why are they on the boards all the time?" It's like they think if your posting all the time you must not have much hands on experience and all your knowledge is book knowledge. Sure whatever! I guess it could be blammed on the holidays or many guys are dealing with cold weather right now but I truely believe no matter how busy I get, frequenting the boards is part of my work day. It's something a lot of people overlook as being a part of running a successful business. It's called NETWORKING and I recommend to anyone if you want to succeed you better be doing it.

It depends on what it is your wanting to learn. I feel like the tech stuff like how to use an xjet, how to downstream, what unit should I buy, where can I get gutter cleaner, what pump do I use for roof cleaning, and etc can easily be learned on the boards if you weed thru the BS and get to know a few guys and even meet them at RT's or talk to them on the phone and take notes. That's the easy stuff. Guys used to learn this crap on their own before the internet existed. As far as marketing, advertising, sales, and business management, you let me know when someone can even hold a candle next to Ken F. This stuff isn't taught for free or in college. You have to invest time in yourself to learn this stuff. You have to read, attend seminars, research, and network. I have mentors here locally that are successful business owners, and I pick their brains all the time. What I've found is guys that have been around for years don't realize that what worked yesterday doesn't work today. Times have changed and so has traditional marketing techniques. Ken practices and openly discusses the aggressive marketing techniques I am interested in learning. Now others may teach this but the problem is they are trying to cash in on it by charging $2,000 for a seminar, when that kind of money is involved, then I would be asking myself who is this guy and is he qualified to teach me what I want/need to learn to be successful? Is he up to date on his methods? You see it doesn't matter if I'm certified to restore a deck or have a fancy logo on my letterhead if the damn phone ain't ringing. As far as products, it's a no brainer, ask a rep at the company that manufactures or distrubutes the products or go to a seminar. Those folks would be qualified to teach because they only know that particular product. IMO taught classes for certifications are a waste of money because the people teaching the classes only care about their own interests. It's politics and it's all about money. Just like the government, it's a joke. A newcomer can learn a ton more hands on training by practicing labor for learning with an established, successful company. It's a win win for both parties involved. If I had my choice to: (1) take an expensive certification course to learn log home restoration or (2) go work for free with an established company that does this stuff everyday. My choice is 2! Not just because it's cheaper but I would learn way more because folks that get out there and actually do this stuff and make a living are more qualified teachers in my book. If folks are here wanting to learn and are intelligent enough to have started a biz then they are smart enough to weed thru the little bit of crap on the boards, and pick and choose whom they want to learn from. No they shouldn't believe everything they read. I'll tell them now: HEY NEWCOMER READING THIS, DON'T BELIEVE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU READ ON THE BOARDS, BE CAREFUL WHOM YOU CHOOSE TO LEARN FROM. There that wasn't hard. I don't think it's fair that some newcomers get sucked into an expensive cert class thinking that's going to make them rich. They should be able to aquire enough FREE information so they can make a more informed and intelligent decision. That's what the boards do and have done for me. What I've learned is I will decide who I think is qualifed to teach me what I want to learn, I will not let an individual or an organization tell me who they think is qualified. Just my .02 cents of course.

Oxalic acid is used to remove irrigation rust stains. I have successfully used it on concrete, brick, vinyl (siding/fences), plastic lawn furniture, and downspouts. I get it locally now but I used to get it from Steve at RPC but others carry it. It's usually in the wood restoration chem section because it's used to brighten/nuetralize wood after stripping with a caustic. Your one source for everything pressure cleaning washer Envirospec North Rowlett Pressure Cleaning Service

Sorry to hear that Jeff, I'm sure you worked hard to get it. Remember in God's world everything happens for a reason.

Guinea pigs huh? Hell, I'll toast to that. Happy New Year.

Tony First of all it's good to hear from you, it's been awhile. I am aware of why this thread was brought up, if you have a problem, give ME a call. I guess my first thought is, if some of you guys that have a ton of experience would come around more often and do your part as far as helping to educate and better our industry maybe some of us newer guys would shut our mouths and open our ears more often. I don't have a problem with you personally, at all. You have a ton of experience in PWing and in running a business and personally I've missed your involvement on the boards. I do frown on you showing up out of nowhere with your opinion on this matter when you haven't done anything to help this problem. Anyway I would love to chat give me a call.

Ladder stabilizers are a must and work great when used properly.

We bought our 14 yr old son the 2GB Creative Labs Zen V mp3 for xmas. Well it's froze up on him several times now and I did some researching on it and a lot of people are having the same problem. Figures I didn't see this during my initial research, oh well. We are going to trade it in for an ipod today. Great links on song downloads, thanks.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

There is probably more of a chance that they make us learn Spanish before they make the mexicans learn English. I have a buddy whom is a pharmacist and pharmacy owner. He just lost a $250,000 a year account with a local medical facility to one of the big chain pharmacies because he refused to hire a Spanish speaking pharmacist. Now that may seem a little bull headed and may not be the best business move but I applaud him for standing up for what he believes in. If you don't speaka English you no belong here.

I live in a town that has the second highest Mexican population in the state. This is not something I dwell on but I don't agree with so many illegals living here. Because of the Lowes, Home Depots, and Walmarts bending over backwards for them, they will never have to learn English. Once again these fortune 500 companies don't care about the consequences of their actions, they only care about the money. I don't like the fact they work for nothing and take our jobs and then send our money back home to their families. Our crime is up and property values are down and the little wannabe gangsters graffitied the back of my shed. If I wanted to enlighten myself by learning about their culture I would go to Mexico, they don't belong here!! Rod If you had ever layed in bed all night not able to sleep because you can here the La Bamba music playing at the Fiesta down the street you wouldn't want to learn chit about their culture.

http://forums.thegrimescene.com/showthread.php?t=8915

Hey, I didn't know the wife could dance so good.......lol

I charge xx amount per linear foot per story. So as I've gotten faster over the past couple years that is like giving myself a raise. If I buy an 8gpm next spring I will still charge the same xx amount per foot and the hourly rate is what it is.

I'm sure Jarrod uses a buffer tank, I have to with a 4gpm even on some city water houses.

I go to the gym.

I agree with that. I wasn't insinuating that he get a 4gpm I was just saying the BE I have has been trouble free. I call it "The Honey Maker" get it? Instead of the money maker cause it's a BE, okay forget it. I probably would still get a 4gpm belt driven if I had to start over because that was all I could afford when starting, actually I was going to get a direct drive but opted for a belt driven after researching on this board. But for my next machine (coming soon) I'm jumping straight to something much bigger, like an 8gpm.

Lance I know how you gotta feel after something like this, I hate losing customers. It sounds like you had a good relationship with the customer too, which is what we are all told to do to in order to stand out. I'm sure she will see she gets what she paid for and may even call you back. It would be real hard for me to jump right when she calls. I would have to mess with her a little and tell her I'm booked solid for a month. Did you ever e mail her back? Hang in there and keep doing what you know is right. Congrats on spanking my Colts too, good game.

Jarrod, you make me laugh with your 8gpm. I'll be there someday soon. Suzuki, I have a BE waher 4gpm bought it locally. It's not the cool drive but it's a belt driven, 13hp Honda, and Gereral pump. I've used it for two years now and haven't had a problem. Just to let you know, you better fill out your sig before you get an infraction:)

$150 an hour for resi? Wow, I guess I'm a lowballer.

Not sure Jeff. I'll give em a call again to see if they ever had the work done. Thanks

I bid on a huge apartment complex last year, the PM was impressed with my presentation with before/after pics and everything and said my price was good and promised to call me one way or the other. I called them 3 weeks later and he still hadn't heard from the higher ups but said again he'd call no matter what. A month after that I tried but couldn't get ahold of him. Now it's Dec, still never heard anything. Originally they said they wanted to get it done this year but maybe they put it in next years budget, who knows.

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/MrTruck/aug02.htm