Pressure Washing Gurus-I NEED YOUR OPINION! - Pressure Washing and Contractor Cleaning Forums

Biodude · **Pressure Washing Gurus-I NEED YOUR OPINION! -** Oct 24th, 07, 01:18 AM

This has been a gripe of mine for some time. So many of the products that are designed for our industry are JUNK: lightweight, flimsy, poorly designed, prone to failure. I know we've all been there at one point or another. Yet we have to use it because it's the only choice we have in most cases. Why is this? Is it because that is all the manufacturers want to make, or is it because they are unaware what we, the end user, would like or would require to do a quality job, or is it a combination of both? Why can't we have something similar to Circuit City or CNet or Consumer Reports? When I want to see if a particular TV is good I check out the ratings. I can do a search per product and manufacturer until I come across the one I'm looking for. On these sites they usually have already tested the item in question, plus end users like me that have purchased and used the product can rate the product along with some personal comments. Product forums like those "encourage" the manufacturers to provide better products for the end users, because if they don't, someone will. Sometimes they let you do head-to-head comparisons of products to see how they perform against each other. I don't think that associations that are more interested in padding their pockets should run it because they would only give you info on items they like to promote, no doubt at inflated prices. But how about a company like "Cleaner Times"? That way I know if a certain pump has an internal issue and fails regularly, I can find it. What is the best and/or most reliable trigger to use? I can find it. Which surface cleaner outperforms all others and why, I can find it. It's because it is rated a "Power Washers "BEST BUY""! One central location would be beyond helpful, and it would help the manufacturers to see what kind of products we in the pressure washing industry crave, plus I feel that it would help to unify our industry as a whole. I used to think that manufacturers put out junk because there wasn't enough money in our industry to support the design and testing of components. But I've come to appreciate that our combined areas of expertise actually spend a great deal of money, many times on products that we're not happy with but use nonetheless. Maybe I'm just dreaming an impossible dream, but hey: Someone thought that the internet would be a good idea, right? Let me know what you think!

washum · Oct 24th, 07, 07:46 AM

Biodude
Its not an un realistic dream,I think many pro's have lots to say about products they bought chems they used. I would love to see this happen.

Neil_Asheville · Oct 24th, 07, 08:25 AM

Biodude. I'm sitting here thinking through my rig and shop and NOT ONE thing comes to mind that's lightweight, flimsy, poorly designed, or prone to failure. Perhaps your frustrations are a result of where you shop and how long you have been in this line of work. Thinking through Tom and Barbara's shop now.....still can't think of one thing on their shelves that they'd stand behind that's lightweight, flimsy, poorly designed, or prone to failure. Shop less Northern Tool, Tractor Supply and more with PTek, Russ, and ACR. This is a generalization here, but the first thing that came to mind.

Now, watch my decktser crap out on me today! Knock on some wood for me, Tom.

/neil

ok...Just thought of one item that always irritates the hell out of me....PUMP UP SPRAYERS

No matter if it's the highest end SP or Solo, they always suck!

***Beth n Rod*** · Oct 24th, 07, 08:34 AM

Yeah, there is a difference between a product of convenience and a product of quality.
You get what you pay for rings prominently.

Rod!~

Adrian · Oct 24th, 07, 09:07 AM

Decksters never die. Pump teks run 4 ever.

Neil_Asheville · Oct 24th, 07, 09:36 AM

Perhaps our vendors could add a product review function to their online sites. This could help us in purchasing as well as the vendors for what items to continue or discontinue.

Consumer Reports mag....what a racket that is. Highest ad spend gets the gold star.

/neil

Kory · Oct 24th, 07, 09:44 AM

So Tell me where I can find a ball valve that lasts more than 2 weeks to a month! Because I have tried Envirospecs and PT's and they still need to be replaced once a month

Neil_Asheville · Oct 24th, 07, 10:10 AM

I don't do a lot of flatwork, mostly wood. I'm sure we use the same ballvalve...mine last a year and never do really 'fail'. I just replace. What goes bad on them, Kory?

/neil

**Scott Stone** · Oct 24th, 07, 01:30 PM

The problem is that everyone is so concerned about getting the cheapest thing that they forget about cost efficiency. I have had guns that I have paid $25 for that lasted forever it seems, and guns I paid $15 for that had to be replaced every 3 months.
There is also the function of how much each piece is used. Some of the guys on here might put 40 hours a month on their machines in a good month and others, if it is not 40 a week something is wrong. Usage equals breakage and wear.
A product review would be nice, and would be a time consuming project for someone, but I would participate, but sure would not want to organize it.

Kory · Oct 24th, 07, 06:16 PM

I use hot water and go about 80 hrs a month on that rig. Flat work and fleet.

**PressurePros** · Oct 24th, 07, 06:26 PM

Manufacturers respond to consumer demand. PW companies out there that thrive on low prices then in turn buy the cheapest products made. If I make products to sell to contractors the most weighted thing on my list is going to be retail price. From there I back out my margins and whatever is left is how much I can spend to produce a product. Look through the boards. The smart contractors think "usage cost". The rest think only of how much it costs to buy at that moment.