Upgrading Your Tools

The December Westpak Tell-Tale
by Craig Tyler

Wand Upgrades: Glides. There are a few reasons to add a glide to your wand. First, if the material is Teflon then it's generally easier to clean with the wand. Easier meaning the Teflon glides over the carpet freely and easily with less restriction then stainless steel lips or glides. This will also help a carpet cleaner to have less stress and strain in his arm, shoulder, and back which will allow him or her to work more efficiently throughout the day.

The second reason is that the glide is designed to enhance the cleaning capabilities of the wand. This is done by creating enough air flow through the glide that it will maximize the power of the vacuum motor with the wand.

Now both of these reasons may be up for debate and glides have also been made from other materials. Feel free to share your thoughts about glides.

Wand Upgrades: Nozzle Extenders.

When you put a glide on a wand it raises the nozzles from the carpet. The solution to this is putting 1/2inch or 1inch nozzle extenders between the nozzle and the manifold. If you have 1/4inch nozzles you'll need to change from a standard vjet nozzle to a tjet nozzle. The Westpak Nozzle extenders come with a filter and an option check valve. As discussed in the filter post in November, this will help keep your nozzles free of clogging. Just remember, for every inch your nozzles are above the carpet you're losing 10°. So if you're looking at getting higher heat to the carpet, a nozzle extender may be the solution.

December Specials

Westpak Bakers Dozen Sale. Buy 12 of any item and get the 13th item free. The 13th item must be equal or lesser value of the highest priced item of the 12 purchased. (example: When you purchase 11 items at $20 and 1 item at $40, the 13th and free item can be $40 or less.) Quantities limited to in stock items.

Free Shipping. Retail orders over $99 will get free shipping and Distributor orders over $1185 get free shipping. (For international orders, please contact the Westpak office for details.)

Free Valve. If you took the survey don't forget to get your free valve, the offer expires at the end of December.

For details visit the specials page or contact the Westpak office.

Upgrading Your Tools

The November Westpak Tell-Tale
by Craig Tyler

Preventive Measures: Filters. Got dirty or worn nozzles? If it's been awhile since you've replaced your nozzles you may want to consider replacing them. To clean them simply use a wooden toothpick and get that gunk out. If it's a serious issue you may need to take the nozzle off and clean it. Never use another metal when cleaning your nozzles because they will typically damage the spray pattern and then you need to replace a nozzle.

So now you have clean nozzles in your tools. An easy way to keep them clean is to install an inline filter. These typically go in before the valve on your wand or tool and after the quick connect. The mesh filter will protect not only your nozzles but also your valve and solution lines from dirt and grit. It won't stop everything from getting into your system, but it will stop the majority of it. This will help you spend less time fixing your tools and more time on the job making money.

Don't forget to inspect your tools regularly for any items that may need maintenance. A careful eye will help prevent incidences occurring on the job.

Shipping Your Orders with Care

The October Westpak Tell-Tale
by Craig Tyler

When you place an order with Westpak, we take great care in getting your products delivered to you securely and quickly. We start off by ordering high quality corrugated boxes that can handle the products we ship to you. These products are packed neatly and organized to minimize any damage that may occur during handling. Each item is wrapped protectively to prevent said damage. Once all the products are placed in the box, a second person goes over the order to ensure that everything is correct and that it's going to the right destination. Once the information has been verified the box is taped up and for larger boxes we bind each box with strapping to strengthen the packing which protects it even more during transit. Your business and orders are important to us. Standard orders leave our warehouse within 24 hours. Your products should get to you quickly and safely each time you place an order and we're here to ensure that.

Saving a Little Money

What's Easier?
The September Westpak Tell-Tale
by Craig Tyler

Everyone likes saving money right? When you work with Westpak you’ll be given opportunities to save on every order. Whether it’s a special offer, ordering more to maximize your product to shipping cost, or even the 1% discount* that comes from paying a little earlier, there are ways you can maximize your returns and save some money. After all the work you do it’s nice to get a few breaks.

(*The 1% discount applies to qualified distributors, for more information please contact Westpak.)

The Reasons

The Reasons
The August Westpak Tell-Tale
by Craig Tyler

There are important reasons why you should keep in touch with your customers.

1. Your customers and their appetites are always changing. When they start looking for new ideas and new solutions you need to be able to provide those. If they can consistently come to you for your expertise and advice and you can provide them with it, they'll rely on you and you'll earn their business.
   
2. Keeping in touch with your customers will also keep you informed with what worked and what didn't. Ask questions after they've placed in order to see if they enjoyed the new products or services.
3. With businesses coming and going you'll be letting them know that you're here to stay. This will put you in a great position; they'll continue to rely on you because you will be there for them.
4. One of the most important reasons is to maintain their loyalty. When you keep in touch, let them know you're there, and are aware of their needs changing, they will remain loyal to you and won't look for the next best thing because you are already offering the best.

These are just some of the reasons why you should keep in touch with your customers. If you have other ideas feel free to share them. Continue to stay in contact with your customers because as was stated earlier, it's easier to keep them than it is to find new ones. Next week we'll go over some ideas of how to keep in touch with them.

Keep in Touch

What's Easier?
The August Westpak Tell-Tale
by Craig Tyler

What’s easier, to sell to a customer that you see often or go through the white or yellow pages making sales calls to strangers? If you’re like most people the answer is obvious, the customer you see often. It’s important to keep and continue relationships with customers that you deal with often. Whether in person, on the phone, or by some other way, when you keep in contact with your customers you are keeping your competitors at bay. It generally takes more of your time to get new customers then to keep a current one, and during tough times when competition gets fierce, it’s more important than ever to fight for your customers. In the articles to follow you’ll see some simple yet effective ways to keep your customers. Check back next week!

How to Get Referrals

How to Get Referrals
The June Westpak Tell-Tale: Referrals
by Craig Tyler

So we know it's important to get referrals, so what are the secrets of getting them? It's not that much of a secret, but for the most part, your customers will begin to give you referrals after they can trust you. To develop that relationship of trust you need to work hard for them. One way to do this is by exceeding your customer's expectations. Acknowledge special events in their lives, send or leave a note of appreciation, give them customer or referred discounts, and of course, treat them with respect.

After you develop this relationship, ask them to be on the lookout or keep in mind your company when someone has a similar need. This is essentially how you can get referrals. For most of us, we're in a relationship business. As you develop these relationships your business will flourish.

Why Bother Getting Referrals

Why Bother Getting Referrals
The June Westpak Tell-Tale: Referrals
by Craig Tyler

Referrals are by far the best and easiest way for you to build your customer base. In a straight numbers sense, referral customers cost you very little time and money to get when compared to other marketing channels. The referral typically wants to talk to you because you were recommended from someone they know. They also know what you have to offer and from what they've heard what kind of service or product you can provide them with. They are ready to make the transition to being your customer.

The Customer

The Customer
The Westpak Tell-Tale
by Craig Tyler

"To satisfy the customer is the mission and purpose of every business" - Peter Drucker

Customers are the lifeblood of our businesses. They're a major factor in whether our businesses succeed or fail. As you develop a customer friendly oriented business, you'll see your business develop into a prosperous entity. Following are some suggestions that you can use when interacting with your customers. Feel free to add some of your own thoughts on the blog.

Interacting with customers can be summed up in one word, communication. However, if you want your customers to have a good experience it needs to be effective communication. The difference is that effective communication gets things done successfully. The elements of this communication are to start off with a positive attitude, listen to the customer, respond, and ask for their commitment.

Have a Positive Attitude
Starting off with a positive attitude is a paramount in working with customers. A smile will go a long way to let them know that you are willing to help them with their needs. There's a saying when making calls that you should keep on your mind, which is "smile before you dial." The same can be true when meeting face-to-face or answering your phone too. Put your personal issues aside and get ready to meet your customers with enthusiasm!

Listen to Your Customers
When working with a customer it's vitally important to listen to them. When they're talking about their issues or concerns show them that you understand them. Watch your body language when communicating with your customers. Stand up straight, maintain eye contact, hands at your sides, don't lean or slouch when with, or speaking to, a customer, and look and act alive. After you've listened to them, make sure that you understand what they're asking for or what they need.

Respond to Your Customers
After you've listened to your customers, restate what they have said so that you're positive on what they were saying. It's important to do this so that they feel you've been listening to them. Make sure when you're responding to them you keep an eye on your body language still. Also, use their name frequently.

At this point you need to let them know what you're going to do for them. If you're selling a product, offering a job, or helping them with a concern, show them your plan of action and the steps that you'll take to get there. Once you have gone over your plan of action DO IT! That is the most important part at this stage is that you do exactly what you tell them you would do. If possible, deliver more than you promised as well. Even if it's little things, delivering more will encourage your customers to keep coming back. Remember if you can't complete what you committed to do for them, let them know right away.

Get a Commitment
Whether you're asking for the business or scheduling a follow up, have a commitment that they can make each time you speak with them. This will keep your relationship building and they'll be looking forward to the next time you work with them.

Helpful Tips:

• Use "and" instead of "but."
  • I know what you mean, but... (This verbiage typically has a negative effect on customers.)
  • I know what you mean, and... (This will change that negative into a positive experience.)
• Maintain eye contact.
• When shaking hands with multiple people, always shake the hand of the person nearest to you first.
• If possible, use the customer's name frequently throughout the conversation.
• Effectively manage your customer's expectations, and then exceed those expectations.
  

The Wand Process

The Wand Process

Westpak March Tell-Tale

By Steve Tyler

Westpak USA entered the wand business to manufacture wands that were thoroughly engineered and designed to be the best in the industry. Their wands, hand tools, valves, and spin tools are fully designed and engineered in Garden Grove, California, then manufactured to our exacting standards.

One at a Time

Many manufacturers make wands, essentially “one at a time”. Each one has the stainless steel pieces cut out one by one, and then the bends are all made one by one. When this is done they are tack-welded together, then finish welding is done, polishing (or brushed finish), then assembled with valves, and some are tested.

Consistency is Quality

Westpak invests extra money on full tooling for their wands. When a wand is designed and approved for production, it will be another few months to actually start the production process. Complete tooling is made for each part. That is, a custom tool punch is made to stamp out each part. A custom tool is also made for each part to make all of the bends. This process, while expensive, insures that each part will be made exactly the same from the first wand to the last wand. You will be able to rely on Westpak to give you the same quality products over and over again.

Added Strength and Quality

Each wand is designed with overlapping tubes at the s-bend tube connection to the head. This provides extra strength to take the many hours of stress that the wands are designed for. The wands are welded with TIG process to ensure clean defect free welds.

These wands are fully polished. Polishing does two things. First it enhances the appearance and makes the wands easier to keep clean. Secondly polishing also increases the surface hardness of the steel and makes it more difficult for welds to crack or damage to occur. So now you have a structurally sound wand, with excellent appearance and strength.

The Complete Wand

Once complete these wands are equipped with the best control valves in the industry, full stainless steel solution lines, manifolds, and spray bars, with properly sized and positioned nozzles. Once done the wand is checked under water pressure in our warehouses for strength and quality. Each wand is tested for defects, leaks, valve operation, and nozzle spray pattern. Once it has passed these tests it is sent to you ready to use.