So I send my text at about 6 pm the night before but no reply and when I get up and look at my phone next morning I see a text timed at about 11pm starting with "That's fine, see you then ..." but when I open it completely it also says "but can you just do the insides and not the outsides?"
I cannot spare two hours plus instead of one hour and text back that I cannot as I have an exceptionally busy day due to catching up from the day before. I also say that by going 16 weeks instead of 8 weeks then the outsides will be really filthy and what's the point of doing the insides when the outsides aren't done?"
She replies with "well can you just do selected insides within your time frame?"
And I come back with "But can you explain why the outsides don't need doing? We've just had a storm?" (This is an exposed area near the Severn estuary where muck from Avonmouth and the sea make the west facing windows really mucky after 8 weeks)
Like I said - something is a bit off with this lady - I'm already losing time and patience but I want to hear why she doesn't want the outsides doing.
She basically says she doesn't like wfp because the windows are left wet but that she likes the trad. work I do on the inside and wants me to do that.
I'm now ready to drop her but I'm intrigued and I text her back saying "but they dry fine, I know they do because I came back a few days after the first clean and could see them from the insides - I still don't understand how the outsides are going to be done." (This is a three storey home with set back dormers and rooflights)
And she goes off on one!
"Look! That is for me to worry about. I want you to do the insides only from now on. It's your system I don't like, now can you do that please!!?"
I wait a bit - (these texts have spread over a few hours and it's late morning now) and then text back:-
"Look Mrs. E I'd like to suggest you find another window cleaner who can accommodate your requirements better. Best wishes ... "
She comes back with "Good grief!!! I'm not attacking you am I? I can say if I don't like your system can't I? I still want you to do the insides don't I?? That's still a fair amount of work isn't it???"
I go back with: "Mrs. E. I'm stacked out with work from folk who want a regular cleaner and who stick to their agreements. I really am finding this a difficult one to understand and suggest you find someone else."
Her: "Well I'm sorry it has ended like this, you're a very good window cleaner but I don't like my windows being left wet."
Me: "Mrs E. I am drawing this conversation to a close because I know I am not the window cleaner who can work to your requirements. I truly hope you find someone who can because I cannot manage your expectations. Please accept this as my final word and also accept my best wishes for the future.
I've heard nothing for 24 hours and so hope that is the end of it.