Advice for someone that is less than a newbie

[Iron Giant]

That's the one. I believe they do quite well in Durham because that's where the franchise owner is from. He started off with his own firm which he built into a multi van operation, then he renamed it to Tidal and began selling franchises. The ones in Durham likely inherited his work. 

I believe their prices start at 16 grand and they encourage people to take out a loan to finance this (which I'll never agree with), as well as charging 500 a month in royalties the last I checked. I originally was interested when first starting out because I was none the wiser but from my experience they take on anyone and hard sell you until you sign up and take out a loan.

Also worth noting that they no longer guarantee work as they probably found out it was eating into their profits!

Ahh right, from my understanding and what it say on their site the lad has been going for 5 years as a windy, about 3 years ago FB ads were popping up and they were doing mass leaflet drops covering every estate in the town I cover at about that time they had just got a 2nd van as I had a nosey at their FB page they were no doubt leafleting loads of towns across the county 

the Durham thing we say people are from Durham if they live in the city, the county is massive and this guy is from Darlington 24 miles from Durham, but I know he was going down into Yorkshire as well as I kept an eye on his FB page when adds popped up, in around 3 years I've only seen one of his vans twice,

I would have thought if he was doing UK wide then he would have paying FB for adds and maybe Google but all this has no doubt falling flat with the changes that came into effect, 16k wow for that you could buy a decent 2nd hand van and system and go knocking doors yourself and gain the work with no royalties to pay each month, I'm guessing that's what you did

 

[Iron Giant]

That is exactly the firm he’s referring to you will see them by there logo here https://www.tidalfranchise.co.uk

I’m also from durham and looked into taking it on as they were “guaranteeing consistent work” but decided against it in the end.

I thought so, are you based in the city or further out, I'm about 10 miles South West of the city 

 

[James.s20]

I thought so, are you based in the city or further out, I'm about 10 miles South West of the city 

Based in the city, relatively near the hospital 

 

[Deleted member 7446]

Also be mindful that some so called "professional built" Ebay tank frames are widow makers aswell 

Trading standards must of thought this was okay to sell after reporting it on several occasions 

 

[JohnDoeWindows]

Ahh right, from my understanding and what it say on their site the lad has been going for 5 years as a windy, about 3 years ago FB ads were popping up and they were doing mass leaflet drops covering every estate in the town I cover at about that time they had just got a 2nd van as I had a nosey at their FB page they were no doubt leafleting loads of towns across the county 

the Durham thing we say people are from Durham if they live in the city, the county is massive and this guy is from Darlington 24 miles from Durham, but I know he was going down into Yorkshire as well as I kept an eye on his FB page when adds popped up, in around 3 years I've only seen one of his vans twice,

I would have thought if he was doing UK wide then he would have paying FB for adds and maybe Google but all this has no doubt falling flat with the changes that came into effect, 16k wow for that you could buy a decent 2nd hand van and system and go knocking doors yourself and gain the work with no royalties to pay each month, I'm guessing that's what you did

I can't pretend to know the ins and outs of his business but I was invested in it at one point and really close to signing up, but from what I can see and I have heard, there's only been one or two of the Franchisees that have done well for themselves and I believe this has nothing to do with Tidal.

When I enquired about starting up, your 16k got you the cleaning equipment (which was very, very basic. A DIY job with a CLX pole), training and a 2k "marketing budget" aka some leaflets for you to go out and post yourself as well as maybe a couple of ads that they are running in your area anyway to try and sell franchises. 

As soon as I realised that I could get the equipment myself for around the same price, have nothing to pay to anyone each month and most importantly my customers would be my own, it was a no brainer to start on my own. What they don't advertise but write in the small print is that customers belong to them - say for example after 5 years of hard graft, you've built up a solid round with multiple vans they could get rid of you and sell your round for a sweet profit and there's not a thing you could do. It's a con!

 

[spruce]

That's the one. I believe they do quite well in Durham because that's where the franchise owner is from. He started off with his own firm which he built into a multi van operation, then he renamed it to Tidal and began selling franchises. The ones in Durham likely inherited his work. 

I believe their prices start at 16 grand and they encourage people to take out a loan to finance this (which I'll never agree with), as well as charging 500 a month in royalties the last I checked. I originally was interested when first starting out because I was none the wiser but from my experience they take on anyone and hard sell you until you sign up and take out a loan.

Also worth noting that they no longer guarantee work as they probably found out it was eating into their profits!

16 grand includes a wrapped branded van and all the equipment to start your business. I wonder what van you get for 16 grand outlay. Taking out a loan is another way of ensuring that they will get their initial franchise fee and will put the windie under pressure to succeed.

The £500 a month royalties would also be an issue for me. If you are given a 5 year trading licence to represent Tidal, would this mean that you would be indebted to them for another 30 grand even if the business arrangement with them fizzled out for whatever reason.

I presume that any new customers that windie finds during his working day will belong to Tidal as well.

 

[ched999uk]

Could you show me some pics ? Actually I have 2 cars a civic 59 plate and an insignia estate 15 plate, I was thinking first time to use the insignia but I read somewhere that using a normal car for this , will destroy the car very quick

Sorry I don't have any picys and all kit packed away for weekend.

Basically I have 4 barrels strapped against the rear of the back seats, with the seat belts done up on the other side. I also have 4 plastic boxes in rear with things like spares, transfer pump, chemical spray bottle and 5lts chemical, spare brushes, and 20m hose extension. Then with the 'magic seat' flipped up, I have 2 more barrels behind drivers seat, again strapped in via seat belts, the trolley fits behind the passenger seat and the backpack is lifted onto the trolley, the poles sit in passenger footwell going over seat. I have a protective cover on the floor in the back (it's a waterproof one designed to cover the back seat for pets) plus a boot liner that's about 2" deep.

You do have to be careful to shake brushes and let hoses drain as much as possible before you put things back in the car to avoid water going everywhere. 

If you carry too much weight in the car then you will wear it out - that's why I only carry 150lts of water. 

I have no idea if you have ever been self employed but working out of your car (tell your insurance company) and buying decent kit can help you see if you are cut out for the work and can get customers. Just remember starting out you have very little practical experience so learn as much as you can from reading the forums and watching youtube (some youtubers are better than others), you have to get customers which in some areas isn't easy, if you charge too little you will be slogging your guts out and be no better off than a minimum wage job! 

 

[Pjj]

I've seen worse tank set ups mate!

I don’t doubt that but it’s still not safe , some people would have no idea how potentially dangerous that could be in a accident, until you have seen the results of even low speed impacts on set ups like this . 

 

[Pjj]

Also be mindful that some so called "professional built" Ebay tank frames are widow makers aswell 

Trading standards must of thought this was okay to sell after reporting it on several occasions 

View attachment 26229

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I certainly wouldn’t be happy driving that with 1/2- full tank of water 

 

[JohnDoeWindows]

16 grand includes a wrapped branded van and all the equipment to start your business. I wonder what van you get for 16 grand outlay. Taking out a loan is another way of ensuring that they will get their initial franchise fee and will put the windie under pressure to succeed.

The £500 a month royalties would also be an issue for me. If you are given a 5 year trading licence to represent Tidal, would this mean that you would be indebted to them for another 30 grand even if the business arrangement with them fizzled out for whatever reason.

I presume that any new customers that windie finds during his working day will belong to Tidal as well.

That's what I thought until I enquired and found out that, at least at the time of my enquiry, it didn't even include the van - it was very confusing but from what I could gather it included a deposit on a van which you then also leased from them. 

From what they told me they guarantee you a van no older than 5 years with reasonably low mileage, pictures would suggest this is normally a small van like a combo. 

 

[Pjj]

That's what I thought until I enquired and found out that, at least at the time of my enquiry, it didn't even include the van - it was very confusing but from what I could gather it included a deposit on a van which you then also leased from them. 

By the sound of it a company to avoid at all cost 

 

[ConsUK]

That's what I thought until I enquired and found out that, at least at the time of my enquiry, it didn't even include the van - it was very confusing but from what I could gather it included a deposit on a van which you then also leased from them. 

From what they told me they guarantee you a van no older than 5 years with reasonably low mileage, pictures would suggest this is normally a small van like a combo. 

Yes that's true for the van you are paying another £160 per month , I don't think the deposit was included as well, I had a chat with them before Christmas.

 

[spruce]

That's what I thought until I enquired and found out that, at least at the time of my enquiry, it didn't even include the van - it was very confusing but from what I could gather it included a deposit on a van which you then also leased from them. 

From what they told me they guarantee you a van no older than 5 years with reasonably low mileage, pictures would suggest this is normally a small van like a combo. 

Then all the issues with a lease van. Count me out.

 

[Iron Giant]

I can't pretend to know the ins and outs of his business but I was invested in it at one point and really close to signing up, but from what I can see and I have heard, there's only been one or two of the Franchisees that have done well for themselves and I believe this has nothing to do with Tidal.

When I enquired about starting up, your 16k got you the cleaning equipment (which was very, very basic. A DIY job with a CLX pole), training and a 2k "marketing budget" aka some leaflets for you to go out and post yourself as well as maybe a couple of ads that they are running in your area anyway to try and sell franchises. 

As soon as I realised that I could get the equipment myself for around the same price, have nothing to pay to anyone each month and most importantly my customers would be my own, it was a no brainer to start on my own. What they don't advertise but write in the small print is that customers belong to them - say for example after 5 years of hard graft, you've built up a solid round with multiple vans they could get rid of you and sell your round for a sweet profit and there's not a thing you could do. It's a con!

Sounds like he is trying to make money fast and get as much out of people as he can, a short term view isn't a good long term business plan

 

[Iron Giant]

That's what I thought until I enquired and found out that, at least at the time of my enquiry, it didn't even include the van - it was very confusing but from what I could gather it included a deposit on a van which you then also leased from them. 

From what they told me they guarantee you a van no older than 5 years with reasonably low mileage, pictures would suggest this is normally a small van like a combo. 

Be interesting to know what they define as low mileage, possibly bought from van monster then leased via their contract to the franchisee to line his pockets 

 

[ConsUK]

Any van that I should stay away off it because it can't handle the weight doesn't have enough power or bad suspension for this kind of job?

Anyone that's going for upgrade on his system and wants to sell his actual system set up?

 

[JohnDoeWindows]

Sounds like he is trying to make money fast and get as much out of people as he can, a short term view isn't a good long term business plan

Fastest growing franchise so they claim. Currently looking for people to buy shares in the business! 

I would normally say hats off to him but I really can't support someone who hard sells to people (from my experience), encourages people to get into debt and ultimately rips them off. 

Any van that I should stay away off it because it can't handle the weight doesn't have enough power or bad suspension for this kind of job?

Anyone that's going for upgrade on his system and wants to sell his actual system set up?

Depends on your system. Each and every van has a payload limit and you'll find a system to match. Generally speaking a small van you're probably looking at no more than a 350-400L tank though there are exceptions. 

Best bet is to find the system you want then a suitable van to hold it.

 

[spruce]

If you are looking at a used van you need to look at its service history. Always look for a van with dealer servicing as they need to service vehicles to a schedule supplied by the manufacturers imo.

At one time we could search the MOT history of the vehicle we were interested in. This is a good indicator of how previous owners maintained their vehicle. Did they only repair the points of MOT failure or did they also repair the advisories as well.

The recent failure by Fiat to accept the warranty claim on rear suspension failure on a lwb 3500 Ducato is some thing we need to consider. A motor home manufacturer converted a Ducato van into a motor home. The rear monoleaf springs started to sag within the warranty period. Fiat rejected the claim as they said that the conversion was done using a standard van not designed to take the continual weight of the conversion. The owner purchased replacement springs from a spring manufacturer and replaced them himself.

I try not to leave my van with a full tank of water overnight. I try to fill my tank with enough water to the days work so as to limit unnecessary load on the suspension. I didn't work between Xmas and New year. I made sure I had very little water in my tank with the van standing for that period of time.

 

[Deleted member 7446]

If you are looking at a used van you need to look at its service history. Always look for a van with dealer servicing as they need to service vehicles to a schedule supplied by the manufacturers imo.

At one time we could search the MOT history of the vehicle we were interested in. This is a good indicator of how previous owners maintained their vehicle. Did they only repair the points of MOT failure or did they also repair the advisories as well.

The recent failure by Fiat to accept the warranty claim on rear suspension failure on a lwb 3500 Ducato is some thing we need to consider. A motor home manufacturer converted a Ducato van into a motor home. The rear monoleaf springs started to sag within the warranty period. Fiat rejected the claim as they said that the conversion was done using a standard van not designed to take the continual weight of the conversion. The owner purchased replacement springs from a spring manufacturer and replaced them himself.

I try not to leave my van with a full tank of water overnight. I try to fill my tank with enough water to the days work so as to limit unnecessary load on the suspension. I didn't work between Xmas and New year. I made sure I had very little water in my tank with the van standing for that period of time.

I think the next innovation will be a spring saver, pneumatic four point jack lift legs that extend lifting the vehicle when parked on your drive.

The only downfall will be an increase in CAT and wheel theft