Comments on: The truth about warranties http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 17 May 2012 06:23:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Mike Clough http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/#comment-14 Mike Clough Tue, 20 May 2008 12:08:40 +0000 http://www.jksl.com/blog/?p=5#comment-14 Howard, thanks for your comments and hope you will continue to check in and get some dialogue going! Like you, I believe that the reason that TCM and Japanese Knotweed Solutions continue to be succesful is based on a sound understanding of how invasive weeds continue to spread - using management and eradication strategies that both companies have developed over years of experience. As you note one wonders how companies that have only traded for a few months can quote years of experience and gaurantees of success! I recently noted a company stating '30 years of experience' when the company owner was only 28....? Obviously you are far older than that Howard??? Mike Howard, thanks for your comments and hope you will continue to check in and get some dialogue going!

Like you, I believe that the reason that TCM and Japanese Knotweed Solutions continue to be succesful is based on a sound understanding of how invasive weeds continue to spread - using management and eradication strategies that both companies have developed over years of experience. As you note one wonders how companies that have only traded for a few months can quote years of experience and gaurantees of success!
I recently noted a company stating ‘30 years of experience’ when the company owner was only 28….? Obviously you are far older than that Howard???

Mike

]]> By: Dr Morley http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/#comment-13 Dr Morley Tue, 20 May 2008 08:51:46 +0000 http://www.jksl.com/blog/?p=5#comment-13 Howard, I agree and reiterate my point about established companies with the appropriate professional bodies and experience behind them being potentially undermined by less scrupulous contractors. I think you are correct in assuming that the upcoming slowdown will serve to separate the wheat from the chaff in our business and will hopefully ‘weed out’ some of the cowboys. I am proud of the academic links JKSL have build up in collaboration with Lancaster University, which itself is presently the most prestigious for Environmental Research and Teaching in the UK and arguably in Europe. My present trials involve the use of CT technology to model the rhizome system of Japanese Knotweed in 3D both pre and post chemical treatment to gain a greater understanding of how herbicides act on the plant and how we can improve on this. Additionally, I am developing my own chemical stain to identify the point of rhizome cell death, with a technique I used during my PhD. We are currently awaiting review of a substantial funding application with the North West Development Agency to continue these trials and other exciting projects on a more commercial scale. Our upcoming seminar, in association with Lancaster University and Envirolink entitled ‘Hot Topics in the Contaminated Land Sector’ will cover timely issues and recent developments within the Contaminated Land Sector, including the formal recognition of Japanese Knotweed as a land contaminant. It will provide an arena for communication within the contaminated land industry to evaluate the potential to work together for mutual benefit. The seminar will form a starting point for a Lancaster University based Contaminated Land Forum, with regular meetings and events to forge continuing and beneficial interactions. Those interested in attending, please contact emma.morley@sltd.co.uk Howard,

I agree and reiterate my point about established companies with the appropriate professional bodies and experience behind them being potentially undermined by less scrupulous contractors. I think you are correct in assuming that the upcoming slowdown will serve to separate the wheat from the chaff in our business and will hopefully ‘weed out’ some of the cowboys.

I am proud of the academic links JKSL have build up in collaboration with Lancaster University, which itself is presently the most prestigious for Environmental Research and Teaching in the UK and arguably in Europe. My present trials involve the use of CT technology to model the rhizome system of Japanese Knotweed in 3D both pre and post chemical treatment to gain a greater understanding of how herbicides act on the plant and how we can improve on this. Additionally, I am developing my own chemical stain to identify the point of rhizome cell death, with a technique I used during my PhD. We are currently awaiting review of a substantial funding application with the North West Development Agency to continue these trials and other exciting projects on a more commercial scale.

Our upcoming seminar, in association with Lancaster University and Envirolink entitled ‘Hot Topics in the Contaminated Land Sector’ will cover timely issues and recent developments within the Contaminated Land Sector, including the formal recognition of Japanese Knotweed as a land contaminant. It will provide an arena for communication within the contaminated land industry to evaluate the potential to work together for mutual benefit. The seminar will form a starting point for a Lancaster University based Contaminated Land Forum, with regular meetings and events to forge continuing and beneficial interactions.

Those interested in attending, please contact emma.morley@sltd.co.uk

]]> By: Howard http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/#comment-12 Howard Fri, 16 May 2008 14:19:59 +0000 http://www.jksl.com/blog/?p=5#comment-12 Mike, enjoyed the blog - very good idea! As you know we have spoken on the phone about our frustrations about companies cloning the ideas of what I would call the knotweed businesses that have been established for many years and have proved themselves. I find it very interesting how people can offer numerous years of guarantees when they have only just started. Like yourselves we have developed 2 forms of rhizome verification methodologies of which we have patents pending on both. One has been developed at Bath University and the other we have worked with Writtle College, as we secured a KTP with them. We have already gained a huge amount of intestest from clients who we both have clients with and also from those we have lost potential jobs with. To come in and verify the work that they have understand with some of the outragous claims that some of the companies have made, I think it is this standard of professionalism which will keep our companies above these people. As we all know the country is heading into a recession and any building or planning magazine is warning of a slow-down of developments across the country. This may cause for us to be concerned that cowboy operations will come in and slash prices to get work, I actually think it will work in reverse for established companies as there is nothing better than going into recession with a strong client list. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Mike, enjoyed the blog - very good idea!
As you know we have spoken on the phone about our frustrations about companies cloning the ideas of what I would call the knotweed businesses that have been established for many years and have proved themselves.
I find it very interesting how people can offer numerous years of guarantees when they have only just started.
Like yourselves we have developed 2 forms of rhizome verification methodologies of which we have patents pending on both. One has been developed at Bath University and the other we have worked with Writtle College, as we secured a KTP with them.
We have already gained a huge amount of intestest from clients who we both have clients with and also from those we have lost potential jobs with.
To come in and verify the work that they have understand with some of the outragous claims that some of the companies have made, I think it is this standard of professionalism which will keep our companies above these people.
As we all know the country is heading into a recession and any building or planning magazine is warning of a slow-down of developments across the country. This may cause for us to be concerned that cowboy operations will come in and slash prices to get work, I actually think it will work in reverse for established companies as there is nothing better than going into recession with a strong client list.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.

]]> By: Mike Clough http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/#comment-8 Mike Clough Tue, 06 May 2008 10:30:58 +0000 http://www.jksl.com/blog/?p=5#comment-8 Thanks Emma, As you are aware one of the main issues with Japanese Knotweed management is the re-visiting and checking of sites that have been treated. My main concern when discussing with our insurers how best to offer peace of mind to our customers was ensuring the continuity of service for a ten year period. I strongly believe that this is why we have so many returning clients who know they can put a tick in the box and forget about JK when they use our services. It would appear from other web sites that some companies simply click on our details and copy the ideas! I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but it gets a bit irritating!! Thanks Emma,

As you are aware one of the main issues with Japanese Knotweed management is the re-visiting and checking of sites that have been treated. My main concern when discussing with our insurers how best to offer peace of mind to our customers was ensuring the continuity of service for a ten year period.

I strongly believe that this is why we have so many returning clients who know they can put a tick in the box and forget about JK when they use our services.

It would appear from other web sites that some companies simply click on our details and copy the ideas!

I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but it gets a bit irritating!!

]]> By: Dr Emma Morley http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/#comment-7 Dr Emma Morley Fri, 02 May 2008 14:30:43 +0000 http://www.jksl.com/blog/?p=5#comment-7 I guess the issue surrounding the legitimacy of warranties is also strongly interlinked with the legitimacy and credibility of the company involved. Certainly the plethora of new companies springing up making inflated and unfounded claims about their abilities and guarantees are devaluing the efforts made by genuine companies to raise their credibility in an industry which at times has had a dubious reputation. At JKSL we are constantly striving to improve our credentials; environmentally, professionally and in our research. We have recently become BASIS registered, which is going to become increasingly important as a benchmark of quality as more companies are formed to catch a lift on the JK bandwagon. I guess the issue surrounding the legitimacy of warranties is also strongly interlinked with the legitimacy and credibility of the company involved. Certainly the plethora of new companies springing up making inflated and unfounded claims about their abilities and guarantees are devaluing the efforts made by genuine companies to raise their credibility in an industry which at times has had a dubious reputation. At JKSL we are constantly striving to improve our credentials; environmentally, professionally and in our research. We have recently become BASIS registered, which is going to become increasingly important as a benchmark of quality as more companies are formed to catch a lift on the JK bandwagon.

]]> By: Mike Clough http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/#comment-6 Mike Clough Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:28:20 +0000 http://www.jksl.com/blog/?p=5#comment-6 Yes - I agree - my concern and the reason for the post is the number of new companies coming in to the market making all sorts of claims to have warranties which dont exist! At the end of the day the service that the better companies provide is undermined by false promises made by the less scrupulous! Thanks for the post Phil! Yes - I agree - my concern and the reason for the post is the number of new companies coming in to the market making all sorts of claims to have warranties which dont exist! At the end of the day the service that the better companies provide is undermined by false promises made by the less scrupulous!

Thanks for the post Phil!

]]> By: Phil http://www.jksl.com/blog/2008/04/the-truth-about-warranties/#comment-5 Phil Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:38:42 +0000 http://www.jksl.com/blog/?p=5#comment-5 Always a tricky one that - also concerns raised in hortic week recently by Complete Weed Control (?) Maybe not them, but someone anyway. So where does that leave everyone then?? At the end of the day we are talking about trust and relationships more than litigation. Thats what I think anyway Always a tricky one that - also concerns raised in hortic week recently by Complete Weed Control (?) Maybe not them, but someone anyway.
So where does that leave everyone then??
At the end of the day we are talking about trust and relationships more than litigation.
Thats what I think anyway

]]>