Power Washing School?

[DeWayne]

I'm considering signing up to attend a three day
power washing school taught by E********* in
Homerville, Georgia. The course covers equipment
maintenance/repair and many other areas related
to power washing. I know it won't make me an expert
overnight, but will give me a solid basic foundation
to build upon.

I know that some schools are designed to get you to
purchase their equipment, but I'm looking for
your thoughts and opinions on power washing courses
in general, especially from anyone who has taken
the particular course I'm considering.

Dan, I tried to be politically correct asking this
question, so I hope I haven't broken any rules here.

Thanks....!


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[Dan Flynn]

Not sure about their class. I have purchased from them and have not really had any problems. I would shop around and ask a lot of questions. Just like you are doing.

What are they charging for the 3 day class ?

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Dan Flynn
Timberland Power Wash
www.powerwash.net
Houston, Texas.

 

[washman]

Dewayne, is the school going to teach you how to power wash or just the workings of the machines? What is it you want to learn? Be sure before you commit.
Rock On
John & Pat

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[DeWayne]

The class costs $500 which includes food,
lodging (2 people per room), and ground
transportation. Doesn't sound like a bad deal
for the inexperienced pressure washer.

They will overview cold & hot water machines
and teach you from the ground up how to build
and test Fire Cannon cold/hot water machines.
12 and 115 volt burners will also be covered
and a Kohler engine "tear down" session.

Business marketing, accessory demonstrations,
truck wash, house wash, and other types of
cleaning will be included. It's a lot to
cover in three days, but the sessions run
all day and most of the evening hours.
Learn... Eat... Sleep...!

What I hope to gain from the class is a solid
basic understanding of the machines and the
function of the various parts and to learn
basic power washing techniques. I will also have
a better understanding in my own mind if this
is the right business for me to enter.

Again, I don't expect to be an expert at the
end of class, but I will learn enough and gain
enough confidence to get me started. (I hope)

Your thoughts?

Thanks...!


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[Mike Hughes]

DeWayne,

Offhand, it sounds like a good deal. The cost you just mentioned is about 25% of what some schools cost. Like you said, it will give you a good basis to start from.

Another option is the PWNA in Orlando. It would probably cost you more, but one benefit is that you would be surrounded by alot of experienced contractors........not a class full of rookies.

They are really two different things though......good luck with your decision.

Mike

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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA

 

[JR Wood]

My thoughts are it sounds like the same nonsense that went on on the other bbs.Posting advertisements in the form of questions.Except it's a different name.(remember homer) I noticed it was tactfully done this time,waiting for someone to inquire more before totally unloading a complete brochure on this ,forgive me if I have misread this posters intention ....But somehow I doubt it.

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J.R WOOD POWER WASHING*1-800-782-9919
ABACUS DECK CARE*1-866-7-ABACUS
J&B SNOW PLOW*1-973-328-6650
SHOWCASE LAWNS OF NEW JERSEY*1-866-SHOCASE

DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?

[This message has been edited by JR Wood (edited January 26, 2001).]

 

[Dave Olson]

Hello DeWayne,

You need to keep in mind what the primary business is of the folks in Homerville, GA.

Dave Olson

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Tidy Powerwash Service, Inc. P.O. Box 781, Catlin, Illinois 61817 Phone 217-427-5557, Fax 217-427-2632 We are a commercial cleaning contractor serving East-Central Illinois and West Central Indiana since 1984. http://www.tps-inc.com/preswash.htm

 

[DeWayne]

Mr. Wood,

You are way off base here. I can assure you that
I have no affiliation whatsoever with the company
offering the course. A question was asked and I
simply answered it based on what I know.

As a newcomer to power washing, I was simply
asking if anyone has taken that particular course
or any PW course to determine if it would be a
waste of my time and money to attend such a course.

I thought that was the purpose of this forum was
to share experiences and ask questions to avoid
mistakes that others have already made. That
was the intent of my question and I'm sorry if
you were offended by it.

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[Douglas Hicks]

Mr DeWayne, I can understand the confusion of who you might be, and who you might represent. You forgot to fiil in the blanks as to who you are, where you live and work, what you company affiliation is. If you don't give us the info, wrong assummptions are bound to be made.
Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

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[DeWayne]

So that automatically makes me a bad guy just
because I didn't include my life history? You
judge my character only by where I live and work?

Ok... if it makes you feel any better, I live
in North Carolina and have worked at IBM Corp
for the last twenty one years. Last time I
checked, IBM was not in the pressure washing
business.

People get themselves into trouble when they
start making assumptions about others whether
the assumptions are right or wrong. The personal
attacks that I've seen happening on this board
lately will eventually drive honest people away
and will only leave the sceptics to wallow in
their self righteousness.

P.S. The views expressed here by me are my own and
do not necessarily represent the views of IBM Corp.

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[This message has been edited by DeWayne (edited January 27, 2001).]

 

[JR Wood]

Dewayne,
I'm sorry if I have misjudged you and you are who you say you are.The company you were inquiring about has a reputation of making up names and posting questions about problems that another "fake"poster answers by giving out their web address and saying you can buy the supplies to fix the problem at this place and they give good deals...etc...etc.However I still am a little supicious.Because when they got caught the last time they posted responses just like yours,I was simply doing this or that.That and the fact that you don't leave any info on your profile.Again I am sorry if I might be mistaken,I have been going on these bbs for 5 years and I just don't want this one to be infiltrated by this nonsense.Anyway if you are still with us in three months I will stand corrected,because these posters seem to mysteriously disappear after people start voicing their suspicions.

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J.R WOOD POWER WASHING*1-800-782-9919
ABACUS DECK CARE*1-866-7-ABACUS
J&B SNOW PLOW*1-973-328-6650
SHOWCASE LAWNS OF NEW JERSEY*1-866-SHOCASE

DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?

 

[Shrido]

Hey All. i just have to say " PICK ME, PICK ME" You know for a lot of ppl that say they want to help and expand the industry yall make it really hard to ask a question. Us "newbies" and "week end worriers" (i use that term because I have another job till i can build my client base).come here to get the answers we need in order to avoid the mistakes that others have made.but with alll the personal attacks that have been goin on you make some feel like they will get ganged up on and lynched from the nearest tree with out a fair trial. I will say that some of you have been a major help to me. I may not post much but i feel that if i set here and read the posts that i will find the answer that i need and not clog up the system by askin something that has already been said or to just put something on here to build up the number of posts that i have just to build "credibilaty".
If i have offended anyone didnt mean to. but thats the truth that i see.
REMEMBER HOW YALL STARTED OUT
John

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[Dan Flynn]

I don't feel that there has been all these personal attacks. Not sure what you are talking about. All new people on the board have always been welcomed from everyone. The only people that get jump a little are the ones trying to pull some funny business.

I am not pointing fingers and I posted to this question myself. But I would have to say that Mr. Wood has a great point. I let things go once and see were they go. As I re-read the original post, I wonder how green you claim to be. Pretty well writing for someone who claims he has no clue and wants to get down the basics.

Also including all the details as if, wrote for an ad somewhere. Well I will give you the benefit of doubt.

Time will tell when if you drift away. You are welcome here and will be treated with respect from all. You get what you give around here.

Hope to see you around.

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Dan Flynn
Timberland Power Wash
www.powerwash.net
Houston, Texas.

 

[JR Wood]

Dan,
Although I may(MAY!) have been totally off the mark I noticed the exact same thing you did.

------------------
J.R WOOD POWER WASHING*1-800-782-9919
ABACUS DECK CARE*1-866-7-ABACUS
J&B SNOW PLOW*1-973-328-6650
SHOWCASE LAWNS OF NEW JERSEY*1-866-SHOCASE

DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?

 

[Dan Flynn]

Nothing wrong with an opinion, Time will tell either way. No need to dwell on it regardless of the out come. Lets just hope we have a new friend.

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Dan Flynn
Timberland Power Wash
www.powerwash.net
Houston, Texas.

 

[DeWayne]

I agree with Shrido. I've learned a lot and have
found answers to some of my questions by simply
reading the archives here. But you folks have
a strange way of making newcomers feel welcome.
I was never told about the "initiation period"

My post was well written because I have been
"doing my homework". The class details were
a summary taken from the course agenda sent to
me by the course provider at my request.

If this company has a bad reputation, then why
didn't anyone just say so instead of attacking my
credibility as a new member. Whatever happened
to innocent until proven guilty?

I can understand your concern about wanting
to protect this forum from spam and I'll respect
that by not asking such touchy questions on this forum
again. I apologize if I stepped on anyone's toes
and will withdraw my original question.

As far as the personal attacks Dan, I've seen it
happen on many topics here during the last week.
Maybe I can see it better than you because I'm
new to the forum, but apparently Shrido sees it too.

Forums are a place where one can express their
views on any given subject with mutual respect
given and received from the other members.

There's a big difference between agreeing to
disagree and attacking the viewpoint of others
just because it may be different from yours.
I've seen a lot of the latter going on here
on this forum. That's what I'm talking about
and I also realize there's not much you can
do to prevent it from happening.

Will I be around here in three months? ...
Well that's up to you, but I only frequent
forums where people respect one another and
everyone can freely contribute. I'm not sure
this one fits in that category.

This will be my last post on the subject of
"who I am", but I hope in time you will accept
me as your friend and not think of me as some
impostor pushing a product or service.



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[Jon]

Hey DeWayne,

You ain't had your "initiation period" YET

What you call attacking another here is really not that, disgreements, bickering, fighting don't happen here, believe me Dan Flynn or one of the other Monitors would delete the post and ban the person if it got that out of hand. A warning first maybe but I have seen one person banned for sure.

Dan F. this board needs a welcome package

DeWayne, your welcome to bring up any topic you want, don't hold back or you might miss out on learning something.

Besides this board is the best thing going, I seldom go to the others anymore.

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Shrido, I don't think anyone was picking on you, many still work jobs and do this as a part time job till they build it up, many jump in full time from day one. Don't feel offended by that word.

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Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

[This message has been edited by Jon (edited January 27, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Jon (edited January 27, 2001).]

 

[Scott Stone]

DeWayne and Shrido,
You are welcome to call me anytime if you have questions. You will notice that my number is always posted. It drives my wife crazy why I would do it, but, I prefer that people and competitors do it the proper way instead of destroying my market with half baked ideas and shoddy work.
As far as Dan and JR, If you enter a profile it helps to give an air of legitimacy. I know it takes a little bit of effort, but it avoids problems such as this.
As far as the people that are offering the school, the price sounds right. remember it is designed to get you to buy equipment and parts from them. So take that as a warning. The parts are basically the same as everyone else, they do a lot of rop shipping from their vendors, but, I guess it keeps prices down.
BTW, they do have a habit of posting under assumed identities. So excuse the people that have been regulars an all of the boards for having their guards up. You will find that most of us are willing to help, and that many of us have strong opinions, especially when it comes to guys that do half baked work for a half baked price. Now, if you are a part timer and are charging a price that is fair and that everyoen can start to make a living at, in my opinion you are welcome here any time, and welcome to wonderful world of pressure washing.

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Any statement that I make about equipment, processes or your hair color is my own personal opinion. I usually base it on personal experience. If you disagree with me you are free to reply on both the BBS and by e-mail. If I am totally off base please explain why on the BBS so that we may all know why
Bus. Phone 480-834-3434
Cell Phone 602-509-9741

 

[Mike Hughes]

Originally posted by DeWayne:
As far as the personal attacks Dan, I've seen it
happen on many topics here during the last week.
Maybe I can see it better than you because I'm
new to the forum, but apparently Shrido sees it too.

DeWayne,

You, and anyone else are welcome to ask anything that comes to mind.......even if it has been asked a hundred times before........I, for one, don't mind.

Please understand something about some of the topics that have been misconstrued as "personal attacks". What you are seeing is only a fraction of the complete picture. There really is a heck of history behind some of them that you are totally unaware of......if you had been around for the last two or three years, you would know the people involved, know the full story, and not see it the way you do. It is not something that I really see fit to get into, but, just trust me, OK?

Let us know if we can help you in any way, and feel free to email me directly if you wish.




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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA

 

[DeWayne]

Ok Mike... I'll trust you on this one and
thanks for your help and support!

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