Zipper Wand Floater/Loaner

Joe, mentioned a “Zipper Floater” and I wanted to ask……
Am I the only one who would like to try a Zipper before dropping $2500 to purchase one?
I personally would love to try one, or at the very least see one in person before buying.
Joe, is this Floater/Loaner Zipper going to be a reality? - Davey Cracker

your definitely not the only one   - Dustin

I feel about the same as Davey.  Looks like a very interesting tool and it has always garnered positive reviews, but in the end it is still a manual tool costing $2500.  If I had a back or shoulder issue, it might be worth its weight in gold, but does it clean better than a titanium at one third the cost?
I am about to clean over 30k sqft of commercial over 2 nights, all of it hwe by the request of the client.  I would really like to see what the zipper can do on jobs like that.   I don’t expect a loaner, however, but if there was a way to lease one out for a few days, I would be interested…..might be a bargain at that price in the end.  My guess would be that shipping might the deciding factor as that tool looks built like a tank.  Milspec
I’ve been waiting for a call from Erik.
Will you let me sell the Zipper?
Will you let me buy a unit for use as a Floater?
If so, let’s go. Call me.
If not, please explain exactly why not, here.  - Joe
His name is ERIK HILTZ, so yeah that’s a safe bet, there’s some German in there. Joe

Put some stipulations out there. No loaner with out review video. I would drop that thing in our Japanesse restaurant. It’s cleaned every five weeks and greasy every time. Heck some may rent for the cost of shipping from each RC. Send it to the first give them two weeks with it and off to the next RC. Any damage will be reported by the next RC down the line. That’s some accountability. Maybe   I never purchase a piece of equitment over $400 with out the demo foray. Of I don’t like it I’ve lost nothing but gained experience and a bit of useful knowledge.  - Ryan

I have been very busy and backed-up since Experience. As most of you know, I am a carpet cleaner with a small two truck operation. The hardest part about trying to sell this product is not being able to put it in cleaners hands, like the large corporations. I think Joe’s offer is very generous. I will try to work with him to come up with a mutual agreement of how to get this into the field. So, more cleaners can get a hands on, real life experience. This is hard to portray at Trade Shows.  - Erik

my vote is on the 15″ high flow  - Dustin

Let the record show that I would like to be second in line for the zipper loaner program. Video and review included - Ryan

Put me on that list. Always wondered what it can really do. #3 on the list - Chip

we just did a huge account we do every year at this time. this time with the zipper. total time 18 hrs and 2 minutes of cleaning time. i didnt even break a sweat. i clean in a staight line and then make a 180 degree turn and overlap the previous line. i cleaned the entire place that way. i never once walked backwards  or had to use anything but a straight forward motion. after 5 or 6 100′ lines i would go back and vacuum the same way. sooo much easier , faster cleaner and drier then a wand. did i say easier. zipper heck yea. i would touch a wand again.  - Gene

It’s Official.
Erik & his better half are gonna let it happen.
Erik even offered to give us the unit.
Generous, but I’m gonna pay to get this started.
They even came down on the asking price so this thing will move.
Erik needs to state the details.
So let’s start a list.
Realize the more guys we have get in on it, the more smoothly it will go.
You’re obligated to pay the shipping to the next guy and be accountable for
all components. Erik can make us a checklist.
No reason we only have one unit floating.
You can buy it at reduced price if you want. - Joe

Hi Joe, I am in for the 15″ as well. Minimum 02 jets. In am in Calgary, but all three of us are in Western Canada. I just read on the other board that the heads are easily interchangeable. That would be awesome to both the 13″ and the 15″ to play with. That is probably a dream, but it does not hurt to ask! I know me and Dustin are are pretty serious about it, were not just tire kickers.  - Bill S.

I was the one that posted the heads are easily changed. I ordered a 15 inch head and Erik just shipped it today.  I just got home from one of my monthly day care center accounts. I start the job every time at 7pm and finish at 10pm. Pretty much every time using my Ti wand. Tonight I did everything the same but used my 13 inch Zipper and I finished tonight at 9:30pm. I didn’t rush just did what I normally do. I wanted to see how much time it would save me. Even if it didn’t save me any time I would still use it. I figure I only have so many wand strokes left in my shoulder after 18 years of 6 day work weeks. - MikeW

I’d say 30 minutes is a good improvement. Not to mention the reduction in fatigue. - Ryan

It is the fatigue and body wear that interests me about this wand.  I’m not getting any younger either and some of those 6-7 hour jobs can leave me a little sore.
My only concern is the handle portion.  I being on the tall side, it would seem that the handle would end up being in a higher postion which reduces the leverage for pushing.  I understand that it doesn’t take much to push it, but if the angle is off, it might not be so forgiving on the body after 6 hours.  My mytee wand is that way as it puts added tension on the back of the handle due to the angle involved with the XL tube.
I also see on the site that the price has declined to just under $2k, which is a big dip.  Is that where it will stay for the conceivable future? - Milspec


This is one of the big reasons I wanna sell the Zipper. There’s tons of cleaners who will benefit from the change in ergonomics.
Why in fact did Erik invent it? I know he’s been cleaning a whole bunch of years so I bet it’s partly cuz he needed a different body motion. Can you imagine how excited he must have to see it actually work so effortlessly?
We’ll get all you guys the 15″ and the 13″ … cuz it’s like Trager said, “if I only try the 13″ I’ll always be wondering if the 15 would have been better.” The Floater will help you KNOW if it’s right for you.
Unlike regular suppliers who sell you a big piece of equipment with a 30 day return policy, THEY KNOW how postal challenged you guys are. THEY KNOW the chances are slim that you will go to the trouble of re-boxing the thing and taking it back and going through he process of getting your money back. Plus, you are all on your own in evaluating it. If it’s a lousy product, like so many things are, you will be forced to confront the supplier and explain why it’s not gonna work for you. Coulda been 10 guys before you try it, and they all hated it just as much as you did, but not a one of you knew the others so you are all alone in your evaluation. You’re walking in and they’re walking out – both a couple of Lemmings walking off a cliff.
With the Floater, you get a (almost) free trial, and you get the benefit of the whole group’s input. - Joe

!

Yes me too ..

Before spending that kind of cash I need to try one out on a real job not just at a show.,,

If it works well then I'll buy one

Dustin, CAN 13&15”
Bill Soukoreff, CAN 13&15”
Foster, CAN
Roland, VA
Ryan, NC
Chip, NJ
Robert, NE
Robert, CO
Davey, CA 13&15"
Demien, CA 13&15"
Talley, WA
Mike, WA
Juan, WA

I'll get in line for that test. I would really like to get a feel for that tool.

I have one in the OC, anyone that is close to me can borrow it. I got mine a year ago and I do not regret it.

I can't believe this is going to happen.  

excited my self

We need some more folks in the middle States. To make the shipping cheaper. Come on people we need 30 minimum to get it going!

I'm in

Luis Gomez wrote:I have one in the OC, anyone that is close to me can borrow it. I got mine a year ago and I do not regret it.

Orange County, CA?

What city you in, Man!?

Im in Long Beach........


-Dave

Luis is in SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO


Erik informs me that he has had heavy duty crates built.He says they should withstand around 20 shippings. He's made one for each unit, the 13" and the 15"

He and I have had several conversations on how the Floater should proceed. We're in a little disagreement on a few things, mainly money issues, but I assure him it's on me to make this program work. The glue that binds is the trust I've established with you guys. I know it will work based on that alone. My custys have thousands of dollars of my stuff secured by nothing more than this little thing, trust.

Each of you will have the basic responsibility of being real with me and the others in the program. Take reasonable care of the unit(s), pay to ship it complete to the next guy. Simple.

On this basis, let's get the list built up as best we can. The more participants, the better.

As far as 13" vs 15" Erik's the authority. He prefers the 13" for most of his work; says it's most versatile overall. The two main considerations as I can tell from talking to him is
1. blower size: for any smaller blowers, <4.0 go with the 13"
anything >4.0 you can go with either 13" or 15"

2. open areas: look at all the work you do, the more open areas you clean, the more you will benefit from the 15". Consider the 13" for most tight areas. Commercial with lots of cubicles isn't really commercial is it?

Let's keep this thing open and active. Any suggestions/comments from you RCs is the key to the success. Your input (good & bad) is critical to the success of this.

Hi Joe, what about just sending out the 13" unit but include an additional 15" head?

We might be making it more complicated than it needs to be here. The only advantage to the 15 inch head is coverage, it should clean the same as the 13 inch. I think we are all curious how the tool feels and functions to see if it is something that we want to incorporate into our business and we can do that with the 13 inch head.

By the way, Dyson has a product for cleaning wood floors that is similar to the Zipper...sort of a dual swiffer kind of thing. I should try and find that picture again as my sister bought one. I wonder where they got the idea????

I have both and you really only need to try one. The only difference is you can cover more carpet quicker.  Shipping the zipper crated up is going to be about $100. So if I was you guys I would only want to ship 1. They are identical, just one is 2 inches wider. I personally like them the same.  I definitely have to agree with Erik, don't get the 15 inch unless you have a large blower. There are 2-15 inch glides, so thats 30 inches of glides your using. Feel free to ask me any questions or concerns you might have.

I'm good with the 13. Like mike said not much difference.

It just seems a 13" wand on commercial is a waste. The reason I want to try a 15" is that is what I would buy. I think offering both heads would translate into more sales. I don't do much commercial but would never use less than a 14" on residential. I do allot of empty 2000 sq/ft homes and think the 15" would be awesome. However, I will happy with what ever Joe and Eric send out.

Same here bill

If I could only have one Zipper, I would choose the 13", it is much more versatile. Tomorrow, we are starting an 85,000 Sq/Ft Conference Center & I will be using a 13" & 15" Zipper. I will get some video, even if I can't post it for a week. (I guess, rules are rules) The floater Zipper is currently in the works. As soon as Joe compiles a list, we will get this show on the road. Btw, the heads are interchangeable. If you visit my website, under video presentations, watch the video "Zipper Maintenance & Operation". It shows how easy the heads can be changed.  zipperwand.com

The zipper looks built like a tank Erik .

Larry Henson wrote:The zipper looks built like a tank Erik .

That's one of the reasons I like it, looks, even though I've never seen one in person.

I can really appreciate the engineering and top notch craftsmanship that goes into it!

I figure if it just works half as good as it looks, it's a winner.

Can't wait to get my paws on it!

Thanks for the video Eric and Mike, this may be the first sexy piece of equipment for the carpet cleaning industry. All I can say is WOW. Eric you are a real craftsman. Thanks for working with Joe to make this happen. At this point, I not sure what will prevent me from buying one. I just need to decide on the size.

It really is a very sharp looking tool, but that video shows a very well designed one as well. I am impressed.

Curious, why did you drop the window design on the face? I guess I spent too long behind a Steamin Demon, but I liked the window on the previous designs.

We're ready to proceed. Let's start off floating the 15" to the Canadians.

Here's the crate & video Erik made. What do you guys think? Getting Excited?