Facelift vs Gardiners! Where would you spend your money?

[jimmyboots]

I have an SLX 22. Just before Christmas I decided to buy a Phoenix 22 X.

After a Terrible mix up and 2 poles later, I had the Phoenix X to compare.

The Phoenix clamps are nice clamps and the section circumference is slightly smaller than the SLX, However the SLX is a sturdier, stiffer pole and feels stronger in use.

I prefer the SLX to use and as a result, I have a virtually new Phoenix that's always in the back of the van. A good back up.

Also, I use AquaTaps and the one on the phoenix seems like it's about to snap at any time

The Red facelift Phoenix lightweight brush is a nice brush.

 

[Stephen Fox]

I have an SLX 22. Just before Christmas I decided to buy a Phoenix 22 X.After a Terrible mix up and 2 poles later, I had the Phoenix X to compare.

The Phoenix clamps are nice clamps and the section circumference is slightly smaller than the SLX, However the SLX is a sturdier, stiffer pole and feels stronger in use.

I prefer the SLX to use and as a result, I have a virtually new Phoenix that's always in the back of the van. A good back up.

Also, I use AquaTaps and the one on the phoenix seems like it's about to snap at any time

The Red facelift Phoenix lightweight brush is a nice brush.

Jimmy do you have the mk 1 Phoenix X? It has chequered patten on the extended sections.

 

[jimmyboots]

Yes @Stephen Fox With the different coloured ends ie grey or blue.....Remember me just before Christmas as someone packing was colour blind or something

 

[adamangler]

So more chance of death with a phoenix pole being 100% carbon?

 

[Ssierragls]

I love the way Stephen fox say his pole is 100% carbon and the slx isn't making it sound like it's inferior.

The fact is the base section on the slx are still carbon with an added insulation layer to protect from electrocution it dose not have any less carbon fibre just and added layer for insulation

 

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I love the way Stephen fox say his pole is 100% carbon and the slx isn't making it sound like it's inferior.
The fact is the base section on the slx are still carbon with an added insulation layer to protect from electrocution it dose not have any less carbon fibre just and added layer for insulation

Bang on!! Old Foxy should be in politics he's so economical with the truth!!/emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[Stephen Fox]

So more chance of death with a phoenix pole being 100% carbon?

Not really, we've looked into it and to we've decided to go full carbon. When you think about it full alloy poles have been sold for decades in trad and water fed versions, are they less of an issue?

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[Stephen Fox]

I love the way Stephen fox say his pole is 100% carbon and the slx isn't making it sound like it's inferior.
The fact is the base section on the slx are still carbon with an added insulation layer to protect from electrocution it dose not have any less carbon fibre just and added layer for insulation

Ssierragls, just stating facts that is all. The SLX is sold at a glance as full 100% carbon, with the proviso it it the 'extending' sections showing the base is not.

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[Stephen Fox]

Winp[emoji768]oClean[emoji812]' date=' post: 228440, member: 8114"']Bang on!! Old Foxy should be in politics he's so economical with the truth!!/emoticons/biggrin.png

Winpro, seen you've migrated. Not sure what part is being economical with truth my old friend.

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[Ssierragls]

@Stephen Fox You love twisting things don't you.

In that case then no pole is 100% carbon fibre because the clamps are made of plastic.

 

[Stephen Fox]

@Stephen Fox You love twisting things don't you.
In that case then no pole is 100% carbon fibre because the clamps are made of plastic.

Ssierragls, you're correct, point made. Not twisting things, that's for SLX/CLX users to prevent RSI![emoji56]

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[adamangler]

Not really, we've looked into it and to we've decided to go full carbon. When you think about it full alloy poles have been sold for decades in trad and water fed versions, are they less of an issue?

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I was just joking mate, but technically i am correct.

 

[Natty1972]

I use the the ul26 Phoenix pole , the bloke where I bought it from said it was 80% carbon 20% fibreglass... Good working pole ,love the clamps .

I've had it for about 8 months .

Next pole will be a gardiners. Customer service is great

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

I'm seeing a very similar pattern to another thread here Stephen.

I don't think anyone has an issue with your products, just your customer service.

Do you have a plan in place to tackle this issue as it seems to be the biggest bane for windies using WCW?

Can you make a declaration that by X-date we will be able to call during working hours and will get our questions / queries answered and dealt with professionally?

Looking forward to your retort.

 

[Stephen Fox]

Green, we can always improve our customer service and will strive to do so. At present we have more people on the end of the phone than any other supplier (at least 4 dedicated staff) at all times. You phone us and someone will answer 99% of the time, this is far from the norm in our industry. Most suppliers do not pick up or direct you to 'order online' as a solution. We are currently heavily investing in the ultimate solution for giving the best information to all our customers but it will take a few months to implement.

I'm not sure where this 'bad customer service' label has come from, you yourself made some comments and it turned out you had never placed an order!!

 

[adamangler]

Ive only placed one order with wcw and customer service was excellent imo.

I ordered some items I got a phone call next day to tell me one item was out of stock and would be sent the next day. The next day i got a call saying the item was in and had been despatched.

To be fair I think sometimes due to the nature of the internet one person saying theyve had a bad experience can be adopted by others as fact when as I myself know working in retail things do occasionally go wrong and the customer isnt always right.

With the original point of pole comparison. Gardiners poles have that reputation of being great poles. I bought one based on that and indeed am very pleased. In order to break that monopoly I think you have to compete on price why else would anyone choose a similar pole for for money? Saying its 100% carbon wont cut it as like you pointed out above material choice its quite irrelevant its the lightness/stiffness of a pole vs price that is the main consideration for the end user

 

[jimmyboots]

I think its the 'Grass is always greener' syndrome with whatever you buy. Whatever pole you have, you can look at another make and wonder is that better than what I have. Personally, I wondered if the clamps would make much of a difference, and the Phoenix on the website, as in reality, does look a nice pole.

There isn't much difference between these 2 poles and anyone who has either, has a good pole. Just my preference is the SLX because of rigidity and strength.

Iv'e had my SLX for 2 years used every week. Last month the top of the first section snapped off after it blew over in the wind and landed wrong, so I lost 10" or so (now its a SLX 21)

I can't comment on the longevity of the Phoenix as its not been used much.

I think it's great if you can actually hold these poles and compare them next to one another before you buy.

 

[adamangler]

Slx 21 lol I have a harris 4. 67m as I lost 33cm due to it snapping where I had drilled it for pole hose

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

Green, we can always improve our customer service and will strive to do so. At present we have more people on the end of the phone than any other supplier (at least 4 dedicated staff) at all times. You phone us and someone will answer 99% of the time, this is far from the norm in our industry. Most suppliers do not pick up or direct you to 'order online' as a solution. We are currently heavily investing in the ultimate solution for giving the best information to all our customers but it will take a few months to implement.
I'm not sure where this 'bad customer service' label has come from, you yourself made some comments and it turned out you had never placed an order!!

You need to go check your facts again Stephen, to state I have NEVER placed an order with you is an outright lie mate, I have placed 10 orders with WCW in the past tax year alone.

I did apologize for saying I had ordered some liquidators from you and clarified that I had not in the thread about liquidators, I had ordered them from your competitor and made that clear in the thread.

Out of the 10 orders for the past year 4 of these have been short with items being 'on back order' that means you only completed 60% of my purchases successfully, yes it's nice you offer free next day shipping on orders over £55 but it would be nice to get the the order. And never once have I received a phone call from WCW to say, this is out of stock or there's a delay on that.

Having someone (even four someones) to answer your phones in not all that impressive mate, I do agree the phone has always been answered by some nice young lady that says 'there's no one here that can answer that right now!' And no mate not just whilst you are all away at trade shows, pretty much all the time.

 

[Stephen Fox]

Green, I think there has been a missunderstanding. Referring to the earlier thread, I checked your previous order history to find the Liquidater order you had not received. You were posting about bad customer service and as it turned out you had not ordered.

I was using it as an example of someone saying they have had bad customer service but in that particular case it wasn't so.

The 4 orders with items on back order I can only apologise. It's not that often we haven't got stock, but of course all suppliers get caught short now and again. We are in the process of updating a system to minimise this and tell a customer at the point of purchase.

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[Scottie]

I like facelift, i have seen both and I brought the red facelift 22ft fibregalss pole with the 4ft carbon extention and it works a dream for me. I am just starting out so the pole is good for me and tbh its not heavey at all and it handles really well. I use the carbon part alot and its awsome the last 4ft. I will move to the bigger pole and carbon one form facelift one day soon as the ridged part of carbo is good as the fibreglass does bend when high, but for normal cleaning on houses its briliant for me and easy to use, causes me no pain or aches and holds well, looks nice too.

I did however have two clamps split on me and i was in the red zone, but i got replacements, I am a little gutted as cost me a lot to replace and only after 2 months of use. But I can not knock the facelift and have other people use mine and they have brought one. I do not know about the customer service as I never complained about the clamps splitting as I am to soft lol. But I love the faceflift and will carry on recommending it to other cleaners I speak to and look forward to getting the carbon one soon, that will be great. My pole was 22ft and the 4ft extention carbon part 26ft, reaches 3rd story easy and is solid to use but bends if I have a obstruction, so hence getting the carbon will be a good upgrade soon but will keep the fibreglass one. Facelift for me have done me proud with a good pole, especially for entry level and tbh I could carry on using this happily, but do want to check out the carbon full version

p.s clamps are good to, easy to use /emoticons/smile.png