Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: stuart howes on January 15, 2006, 09:45:45 am
-
My brother in law is a window cleaner in southend like my self,but just the other day he had a lady ring him up from a street that he has done for years saying can he go round to clean the windows of the house,yes he said i will be round next week,next week came and he went to the house,no one in,so he cleaned the windows as asked and left with out being paid,he was going to get the money that night ,but before he went to get the money the husband rang him saying why had he cleaned his windows ,lee then explained his wife had rung to do so, he then said dont expect to be paid and if you come round my house to get your money i will smash your face in what do you think of that you lot, and should he send the dept to a dept collector just to p*** him off ??? >:( >:( >:( >:(
i wecome all your comments stu ;)
-
Thats a first one for me :-\,
i would forget it and just put it down to a bad experience :'(
it can`t be that much money involved ???
i know this may seem a bit childish but revenge for the threat a box of eggs come to mind :o,Gaz
-
Sounds like a nut case. Walk away, the more you argue with a nut case the more they enjoy it.
-
id lob a egg on his top window ;lol ;D
-
I'd just put it down to experience, or if you wanted to childish about it and you had 2 bullmastiffs like me i'd take me dogs round and let them crap on his path ;D
-
Go and collect, hve a mate or 2 along and let them stand a polite distance away with a couple of camera's, one video and one still.
His mates would only have to stand at the end of the property in full view of the door.
Your brother in law need only be polite and ask for payment.
Violence is unlikely, but don't let them get away with such intimidatory behavior.
If he is still unpleasant, don't argue, but do mark his card.
Revenge can be all the sweeter when its a long time coming, you don't need to egg his house....he has a car doesn't he?
Wait a few weeks and egg that instead, better still, wait till the warmer weather gets here before you do it, dried egg is horrible to get off.
And al the time you are quietly dissing him to all and sundry.
Or be really nasty, mash up a fish and stuff it into his air vents, the stiink of rotting fish will be there for weeks ;D
My tongue is of course firmly in my cheek with all of the above (apart from the camera to record him) I would never dream of doing anything like this myself ::)
..........it isn't nasty enough ;D ;D
Ian
-
PAINT STRIPPER:Works well, so Ive been told on cars,cleans all that orrible paint off that shiney metal that is underneath. ;D
;)
gaza
-
Dont think we would get anywhere if everybody was like this nutcase. Let it go. we are much better people than this lunitic. Keep yourself above his level and stay away. You are better avoiding the hassle for such a little amount. Dont let this put you off when someone else phones you next tim
-
What was this blokes reason for not wanting to pay for his windows being cleaned ?
I know its very tempting to egg his windows or come down to his level and knock the idiot out but this could reflect back on you with the other customers. This would make you look as bad as him >:(
The sweetest revenge will be when he asks you to do his windows again when they are really dirty just tell him " no thankyou or ' f ' OFF " every dog has his day ;)
Brett.
-
Revenge isnt always sweet. If you decked him or egged his house/car, your the one who will get the bad name. It would scare people off having you as their window cleaner.
Perhaps a very polite letter pointing out his wife requested your services, that you actioned & completed, that you really think a cheque by return of post is now an acceptable way of them paying you as you no longer wish to approach him or his house due to how intimidated he made you feel.
Request payment in 14 days for service requested as per his wife.
Just an idea.
-
I wouldn't have been posting about it here, if someone rang me up and threatened me I would have been round his place smartish to see if he was as mouthy face to face.
-
I wouldn't have been posting about it here, if someone rang me up and threatened me I would have been round his place smartish to see if he was as mouthy face to face.
That's how I'd feel too. But knowing my luck I'd turn up and he'd be a 'man mountain' ex-SAS steely-eyed killer!
It's not nice getting your teeth kicked out, I know from experience, so a mate or two wouldn't hurt.
Most of the suggestions here are all good but at the end of the day, if you're anything like me, it'll get you all twisted up inside till you've got to do something about it; even if that means putting it down to experience and doing nothing!
Gaz, that's a good tip about the paint stipper though. I believe car brake fluid is effective too. It still gets dark early doesn't it?
-
now now boys !!!!!!!
And people talk about raising the profile of window cleaners.
I dont think talk like this helps the cause one bit.
Just accept it or go and see the bloke,they usually back down when you speak face to face.
It could just be a mis-understanding on his side
Dave
-
Dave,
You're right, mate. Sorry.
Just when someone threatens you with violence in such an ungentlemanly manner, one part of me says that Queensbury Rules need not apply.
But you're right. I agree. Acts of reprisal or revenge is pure school-yard stuff. I've toyed with doing stuff like this on one or two occassions, but never have.
You get over it in the end.
Maybe the bloke that did the 'threatening' had a really bad day and took it out on both his wife and then Stu.
I think it's the poor wife we should be feeling sorry for. She has to live with this aggresive 'goat'.
-
David
All this talk about raising the profiles of window cleaners is a load of rubbish, it will never happen.
I will not allow anyone, no matter what size threaten me and get away with it, to hell with the profile of window cleaners, the bloke deserves a smack.
-
I will not allow anyone, no matter what size threaten me and get away with it, to hell with the profile of window cleaners, the bloke deserves a smack.
I believe that if you draw blood, it's called Actual Bodily Harm and even for a minor ABH assault, you can be sent away to receive a 'stripey suntan' at (to quote Steve K) 'HMP Butlins'.
It's probably best left alone.
If you've a family, it's definately not worth it.
-
David
All this talk about raising the profiles of window cleaners is a load of rubbish, it will never happen.
I will not allow anyone, no matter what size threaten me and get away with it, to hell with the profile of window cleaners, the bloke deserves a smack.
Marc
Yes you are right i am a muppet for even mentioning .
Violence is the obvious answer.
And i should stop spending money to raise my profile.
I will act like a scumbag and that should improve my business enormously.
Dave
-
David
All this talk about raising the profiles of window cleaners is a load of rubbish, it will never happen.
I will not allow anyone, no matter what size threaten me and get away with it, to hell with the profile of window cleaners, the bloke deserves a smack.
Marc
Yes you are right i am a muppet for even mentioning .
Violence is the obvious answer.
And i should stop spending money to raise my profile.
I will act like a scumbag and that should improve my business enormously.
Dave
I luv you David! You so make me laugh with your dry humour & sarcasm.
David is right of course. Violence is not good for your business name or your image.
There are other alternatives that will make this aggressive guy feel like a tw at.
-
David, I did not call you a muppet, the perception will not change, whatever you do, for the majority people.
Violence isn't the answer, but once you let people threaten you and get away with it in my view you start on a slippery slope, as for eggs and paint stripper, that is cowardly, tackle aggressive people head on and keep your self respect.
-
Stuart, You have his name and address. I'm sure he would like to talk to lots of double glazing salesmen, sola power merchants, block paving salesmen, And anyone else you can think of that puts junk through our letterboxes. Just fill the cards out with his name and address on them. I'm sure he will be most greatful. Dai
-
A DOT OF STRIPPER ON A LITTLE BRUSH ON EVERY PANEL AND THEY HAVE KNOW WERE TO BLOW OF TO WHEN THEY RESPRAY IT.
HOW DO I KNOW. THATS FOR ME TO KNOW,AND YOU TO WONDER HOW I KNOW.
AND SQUEKY MY CAPS LOCK HASNT STUCK,PEOPLE LIKE THIS MAKES ME ANGRY :-X
ENOUFGH SAID.
GAZA
-
You said your brother in law has been doing this street for years. So people know him well enough down there. He should print a business letter and post it through their door that reads something like:
Dear Sir,
your wife called me to clean your windows, which I did. There seems to be a serious misunderstanding, as I have received a phonecall threatening violence if I call to collect payment.
I can assure you I do not operate my business in any kind of underhand way, so I can only assume their must have been a lack of communication somewhere.
I have been, and continue cleaning windows for many of your neighbours for some years on a regular basis.
Perhaps I have cleaned windows I was not instructed to do. We all make mistakes from time to time.
Whatever the situation, I have a good reputation to protect, and apologise for any misunderstanding on my part. If anything needs further clarification by all means call me.
Yours Sincerely
Leave the ball in his court. Forget it.
Pj
-
Revenge is a dish best served cold...
It shouldn't be taken lightly though because our job is based on a huge amount of trust and aggresiveness or vengeance will scare off most people. Customers too.
Certainly don't seek revenge while working.
Anyway, while uncalled for the bloke might be under pressure and after a few days if not already he might be regretting his actions. Let it ride for a while. You might get a tip?? ;D
I would consider collecting the next time your in the area though. Even if you do it during the day when hopefully(?) he is still at work. I would feel truly shafted both ways getting threatened and unpaid but this is a people business and while stiffing someone is easy enough you don't build trust in others, only fear.
Anyway, what goes around comes around. He will reap what he's sown somewhere along the line.
Good luck with whatever you do.
-
If you retaliate - will the guy take it out on his wife?
-
Come on guys - all this is a bit extreme for what a max of £15.
If your brother has houses around this one and you retaliate in any way what sort of signal will that send out to them and in turn how many could be lost.
Shouting, GBH, paint strippers definately wont do his image any good.
It takes a bigger man to walk away from a situation like this. Put it down to experience before you get blood pressure through the stress of the situation. Gosh there are far more important things to worry about than one, very rude man who does not warrant a second thought.
But revenge is simple, if she rings up again, explain the situation and abuse and tell her politely that you are unwlling to do her windows because the property has an outstanding bill of £ XXX. Bet you she pays it and apologises ;)
Good luck with it - whatever option you choose :-*
Sarah
-
I have one way only of dealing with anything of this sort, although not really had to much now iv'e "grown up" but find "his" car and stick dog s**t under the door handles then from a safe distance keep a look out.
i am sure you will be happy for days and not once think of the lost dosh
cheers simb0
-
I've done first cleans for people who have told me they've no cash and that can they forward a cheque in the post. Surprise, surprise.........the cheques don't come. Lesson to be learned???? Never do first cleans without payment first. I gave them the benefit and they shafted me. Since i took this stance, i aint been shafted once.......cos i won't let 'em ;) As Chinese proverb goes...a wise man learn by his mistakes......a wiser man learn by others mistakes.. ;D
-
WHY waste to much time and energy on what is a 5-00 pound house, move on think of the bigger picture of earn a good live, he's only wining if you give any more time, just move on.
-
its one of the main reasons we never did houses ::)we only did the contracts,for this kind of money,just put it down to life and they are bums ;D he would have never I dont think say this to your face,being over the phone many talk big,it again
depends on who or what kind of a person you are,I must say somthing I am not proud of,if it were me I would go round there,I was brought up in the east end of London,now life is most quiet ;)all we do is just want to get paid for the work we do,and some people just try to take advantage of this :-\ my moto is unless some one trys to man handle you,in which in my case it would mean I would not be very nice it comes as second nature,its not all worth it ;)
-
Stu
I have collected outstanding monnies for quite a few people.
I love the challange ;D ;D
Email me your address and telephone number, and there details and amount owing.
Roy
-
I wonder if the bloke has had a problem with a past window cleaner hence
him being so arrogant. Probally doesn't trust his wife ;)
-
I remember about 3 years ago a woman came out on a street where I do quite a few, asked me to clean her windows. Got there next day, just started, husband came out asked me what the ** I thought I was doing, I explained, he told me clear off in no uncertain terms. I apologised for the mis-understanding and dutifully cleared off.
Next month I was working next door, the husband came out again, asked me to do his windows, apologised for his previous behaviour and said they were going through divorce. Cut the story short, they divorced, both moved, I do both their new houses and the one they left!! 8)
Pj
-
I had one of these years ago.
Used to do an army married quarters. They had got contracters in doing the lot up and they had to "march out" of thier old quarters into nice refurbished ones. Army rules are they have to leave quartes spotless.
So thi woman asked me to go and clean up thier old house. Her hubby was in, she wasn't. He was a scotch seargent. He came out ranting and ravin at me so I stopped and P****d off, as he requested!!
Later the woman asked me why I hadn.t done the house, I explained........
Well, she went in and tore him a good old strip of.......... certainly new who wore the sripes in that house!!!
He appologised and payed me double and made me a cuppa!!
-
Dear Sir
I now know where you live. I am coming to murder you, your wife, your children, your parents, and I'm gonna burn your house down.
Yours sincerely
Psycopathic Window Cleaner.
I mean make the punishment fit the crime.
So far most posts unfortunately confirm the opinion many people have, that Window Cleaners are stereotyped Meat heads!
Pj A gentleman and ethical non violent businessman.
-
Dear Sir
I now know where you live. I am coming to murder you, your wife, your children, your parents, and I'm gonna burn your house down.
Yours sincerely
Psycopathic Window Cleaner.
I mean make the punishment fit the crime.
So far most posts unfortunately confirm the opinion many people have, that Window Cleaners are stereotyped Meat heads!
Pj A gentleman and ethical non violent businessman.
Well said Pj ;) Whole heartidly agree
Sarah
-
Sorry but I've read all the replies.
It's not worth even a thought.
We've had similar on 3 occasions. The other 2 were full of either going round there to 'sort it' or plans of revenge.
Personally, I could not care less. The person don't want to pay so forget them. It will happen from time to time.
Cheers
PS Get a whole pile of Sunday papers and fill out every ad requesting info about about pensions, loans, double glazing and mortgages with that person's address and phone number, and just let nature take it's course. If the little form you fill out asks for 'profession', just write 'window cleaner'. The person soon gets the message.
-
.....and if you need to find out the names of the people who live there and what the full address and postcode is go to www.192.com and sign up for free credits the you can explore and find to your hearts content.
-
Ross you started the post in one mind
Then by the end you had joined the mindless thugs but in a wierd obsessive way
;D
Come on Ross which way is it ? Forget it or revenge ;D
-
Just remind me not to cross anyone on this site .
I am scared already of what you can all do collectively.
-
The pen is mightier than the sword
Pj
-
Hi Dave
I started off on the moral high ground but then I remebered this woman about 3 years ago who didn't just rip us off for about £30 - she then phoned me up and took the mickey.
If it had been a plain 'get it for free' then I can understand that as there are people like that but she gloated in it.
So, I made sure she got tons of junk mail and then after we'd changed our work number for an 0800 number, I phoned her up from a phone box and said I'd given her name and number etc and she went berserk. I put a £1 in the phone and left the receiver off the hook.
Now though, I could not be bothered. I've had the odd abusive/'won't pay' phone call but I just hang up. If they phone back again, I hang up again. They soon get the message I could not care less about £20 or whatever.
Last year some young girl asked if we'd do her windows and then the evening before when I phoned to confirm that her windows were going to be cleaned the following day, her boyfriend/husband answered and went berserk when I said 'it's the window cleaners' so I hung up. He phoned me back and hurled a pile more abuse and all I said was to him was if he phones back again, I'll phone the police as as my calls are recorded (which they are) and that was the end of it.
Junk mail though, is a non threatening, non violent and non aggressive way to feel like you're 'getting even'. It's better than some of the other suggestions like going around to the persons house to do what? End up in court after beating them up? Be beaten up yourself? Have a slanging match that goes no where? Etc.
Cheers
-
Hi Vision On
I had gone to the trouble of writing an epic reply.
I've done that too. I spent evenings once doing that.
And then binned it.
Yup, now I just don't bother also.
There will always be people like that.
Cheers
-
I have had this unpleasant experience 3 or 4 times in 25 years. My experience was with commercial clients but probably the same amount of money.
My anger and disgust could have lead me to do something I would eventually feel embarrassed about, but I tried a different approach and it worked in all but one case.
Truth. Truth with tackfull delivery. I wrote a note along with a bill and said "I was under the impression that this agreement was made with honesty and integrity and I counted on honesty on your part. I kept my end of the agreement. "
When the verbal agreement was made I counted on your (her, etc) word being honest.
I do several of your neigbors and have never had this problem. Please mail a check in the amount of ..... to keep your word.
Thanks a lot,
Sincerely,
.................
This may work if the person has any character at all. Try it.
You have nothing to lose.
Hugs;
Texas Girl :-*
-
You guys sound like bouncers on nightclub doors rather than business owners.
Violence does noy solve anything.
Put it down to experience and move on.
What was the job worth £20, not worth all the trouble, just move on.
This happens to us CC's all the time and it normally rich people doing for hundreds of pounds. Letter from County court normally works. you can download from thier website and add your costs to it.
-
I agree that violence is never the answer, but I never forget, at some point in the future there may come a time when you can visit vengenge upon them :o :o
You know the kind of thing, it's a wet, cold miserable winters night, its blowing a gale and the rain is coming down in stair rods.
You drive along a road that is miles from anywhere and come across a person tramping miserably along the road with a petrol can in their hands.
You pull into the verge, his face lights up as he runs towards your car.
You wind down your window, and as he looks in you smile and say, "Remember me?...not your lucky day is it pal? ;D"
You then pull off smartly before he smashes your face in ;)
Just be careful you don't stall the engine :-\
Ok, you will probably never be lucky enough to get your revenge in quite such an enjoyable fashion, but if someone dumps on me I don't forget, I may never get the chance to even the score (unless I set out to deliberately do so...which I don't do) but should the oportunity ever arise then I make sure I do so.
Tosh and Squeaky will both know who I mean, there is a local window cleaner I don't get on with (few of us do) and a few years back he 'poached' a job off me in an underhand way.
It was only a £2.50 shop front, but I was peeved about it.
There is a set of traffic lights in the town centre, I was talking to someone and I think I was actually stood outside the shop in question.
This 'window cleaner' pulled up at the lights, just as they turned green he flicked a glance towards me and 'smirked' as he pulled away.
I wanted to smack him one, I really did >:(
Since then I have taken a few accounts off him now and then, in fact I've just taken a £6.00 shop front off him that just happens to be next door to the one he took off me all those years ago.
Now I just have to pray he turns up at the lights as I am WFPing them...and then I can smirk at him.
At the moment he probably doesn't know how is going to be taking over the job in his place, it'll absolutely kill him to find out it's me.
I may not get lucky enough to have him in a position where I can 'smirk' at him as I am cleaning them.
But I'll get a warm glow knowing his insides will be twisted up when he knows it is me that is doing the account :)
Revenge IS sweet when it is done right.
Ian
-
I think you should kidnap him,take him to your house,and over the course of 10 years,gradually remove his entire skin,whilst adding salt.Then,on a daily basis kick his genitals repeatedly for 20 minutes wearing steel toe caps for 1 month.Also it might be an idea to make him wear a walkman that continuously plays take that songs.at this stage i suggest sewing his anus up and keep on feeding him curry for 1 week.Alternatively,dont worry about it .the geezers an idiot,who is not worth getting wound up over.hope this helps! Gel
-
I wear a walkman that continuously plays take that songs... Gel
I'll volunteer for that part ;)
Sarah
-
Its not illegal to leave a skip outside someones house is it?? You know, one filled with general smelly household waste like rotten vegetables - oh and leave a bill for the windows (and the skip) stuck to the side of it.
-
Violence does not solve anything.
It does sometimes though!
Not in the world of window cleaning though; I admit.
I do like this one mind:
Post by Fast One:
I think you should kidnap him,take him to your house,and over the course of 10 years,gradually remove his entire skin,whilst adding salt.Then,on a daily basis kick his genitals repeatedly for 20 minutes wearing steel toe caps for 1 month.Also it might be an idea to make him wear a walkman that continuously plays take that songs.at this stage i suggest sewing his anus up and keep on feeding him curry for 1 week.
Pure brilliance.
-
Very kind,tosh,thankyou
-
When I was at School we ordered 2 tons of coal to be delivered to the front garden of our music teacher. He got it!! ;D
-
I think you should kidnap him,take him to your house,and over the course of 10 years,gradually remove his entire skin,whilst adding salt.Then,on a daily basis kick his genitals repeatedly for 20 minutes wearing steel toe caps for 1 month.Also it might be an idea to make him wear a walkman that continuously plays take that songs.at this stage i suggest sewing his anus up and keep on feeding him curry for 1 week.Alternatively,dont worry about it .the geezers an idiot,who is not worth getting wound up over.hope this helps! Gel
Just give him a season ticket to watch Sunderland. That'll teach him.
-
ROSS:A new side line for you,send a hearse to his door ;D especially with w/c written on the side ,think he would get the message ;)
gaza
-
when he goes to work,take a team of irish groundworkers round his house and dig a 15 meter hole outside his front door.When completed,place at the bottom an oversexed psycotic,bodybuilding homosexual,who has a liking for human flesh.Climb out and cunningly disguise the hole with leaves and twigs.When he returns home,stand at his front door,urinating against it.when he runs at you,he will fall into a big,violent gay nightmare.Finally,finish off your urine into the hole.casually walk off whistling.alternatively,get another customer.hope this helps
-
a better man walks away........