Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: AuRavelling79 on December 02, 2013, 04:36:23 pm
-
Substance of message (very polite) on voicemail while out working this morning.
"... on Saturday it was very sunny and I was ironing and I noticed the lounge window pane nearest the door has scratches on it on the outside. It wasn't there before the last window clean and I wondered if some grit has been dragged down the window. I'd like you to come and see what you think..."
(Regular, pleasant but very houseproud customer reported to me 13 days after last visit)
So I was about two miles a way and came to a natural break point about 30 minutes later and went round and she's not in.
Can't see any obvious scratches. Dan can't see any scratches. Peer at glass from an oblique angle and see three or four tiniest of scratches which are deffo on the outside because I can just feel them with my finger.
Decided that no chance was it us and put this through the door:
Dear XXXX,
Having looked carefully we can see about four tiniest of marks. They look to me as though they have been caused by a metal paint scraper. Our brushes are made of plastic and nylon fibres and splayed to a pattern that cannot hold grit and thus could not have caused the marks.
As they are only visible in the strongest of sunlight from an oblique angle I think they have been there sometime and not noticeable especially on dull days behind net curtains (without a magnifying glass - ok I didn't write that! ;D) and guess they may have been caused when cleaning up after your house was painted last summer?
Hope that helps.
Malc Gold
We shall see what transpires - but recent events with this custy are making me not want to work for them again whatever happens ...
-
Someone had a link on here to a very well worded website that had loads of info on why it wasn't the window cleaner who scratched the windows. I was going to nick it for my website but decided against it.
-
It always seems to be in the winter that people notice scratches. Low winter sun.
Scratches that have been their since the initial builders clean.
-
It always seems to be in the winter that people notice scratches. Low winter sun.
Scratches that have been their since the initial builders clean.
Yes.
I know this to be true as there are scratches on our south facing living room window (which were there before we moved in) that only really become visible during this time of year.
The low sun really shows them up, and if I had a window cleaner I probably would of thought he had done it.
But of course I know better! :D
-
goldie your reply was nice and friendly but might encourage her to claim .
i personally would never write Anything , better to totally ignore and stop going there - if she rings id gently accuse her of being unhinged ,"look closely at yourself first lady "(or words to those effect)
this wrong foots folk and usually stops any trouble
-
Our standard reply is to the effect that it is impossible to scratch glass with our brushes, but if the customer would like to test it for themselves we will allow them to try a pole on any window they choose and see if they can cause a scratch. If they do we will replace both the window they have scratched and the one that caused the complaint in the first place.
We have never had anyone take us up on the offer.
-
Jewellers rouge, bout £10 a kilo. Wet the powder, put on scrim, buff over scratch,'scratch gone happy customer end of.. Lol
-
It always seems to be in the winter that people notice scratches. Low winter sun.
Scratches that have been their since the initial builders clean.
I got the mickey taken for posting that on this forum a few weeks ago. It's the same each early winter and early spring. All the imperfections show up due to the low angle of the sun.
In our flat 14 floors up we have new windows that were fitted about 9 months back. The whole tower block was done at the same time and it's amazing how many other tenants have recently commented on scratches on the outside glass. This afternoon, and for the last few weeks, I could see a couple of small scratches clearly on the outside glass of several windows but during the summer and the rest of the year, they were invisible.
Much to my shame, I've never cleaned my windows since they were fitted and neither has anyone else.
-
Jewellers rouge, bout £10 a kilo. Wet the powder, put on scrim, buff over scratch,'scratch gone happy customer end of.. Lol
I take it you've never actually tried to remove a scratch by doing that.
I have, and it doesn't work. It may do on a very slight scratch on a watch glass with the right tools but on a pane of glass - nope.
-
goldie your reply was nice and friendly but might encourage her to claim .
i personally would never write Anything , better to totally ignore and stop going there - if she rings id gently accuse her of being unhinged ,"look closely at yourself first lady "(or words to those effect)
this wrong foots folk and usually stops any trouble
That approach just makes it look as if you know you have done something wrong. Gold's is much better. In the past I have handed someone the brush so they can see how soft it is.
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGp7I_etbEY
This will do trick!
-
No I haven't let myself in for a claim; I said I thought it might have been caused by a metal paint scraper. I don't use any kind of scraper. (other than a finger nail!)
Anyway no reply from her as yet and I will vigorously deny if any claim forthcoming.
-
Someone had a link on here to a very well worded website that had loads of info on why it wasn't the window cleaner who scratched the windows. I was going to nick it for my website but decided against it.
Does any one know the above website?
-
Malc give her five of ya best, smash her back doors in then tell her to get on her way !!!! Now that's the way to do it he he 😎😁😇👳👳👳🌲🌲🌲👍👍👍
-
Does any one know the above website?
http://www.crystalcleanwindows.com/window_washing_FAQ.htm#scratch
-
I should think it almost impossible for her to successfully claim damages for scratches to her windows as there is no way she or her lawyers could ever categorically prove that scratches on her windows were caused by the window cleaner and not caused by some other means.
The car cleaners in Sainsbury car parks could be accused of the same kind of accusations, but if you can't prove that the scratches weren't there before the clean then there is no evidence to prove the cleaners are at fault. My insurance includes treatment risks but worse case scenario the cost to replace the glass in a standard UPVC unit isn't going to break the bank.
-
Does any one know the above website?
http://www.crystalcleanwindows.com/window_washing_FAQ.htm#scratch
Nice read Thanks
-
I should think it almost impossible for her to successfully claim damages for scratches to her windows as there is no way she or her lawyers could ever categorically prove that scratches on her windows were caused by the window cleaner and not caused by some other means.
The car cleaners in Sainsbury car parks could be accused of the same kind of accusations, but if you can't prove that the scratches weren't there before the clean then there is no evidence to prove the cleaners are at fault. My insurance includes treatment risks but worse case scenario the cost to replace the glass in a standard UPVC unit isn't going to break the bank.
Those Poles in Sainsburys Emersons do a great job of cleaning my van. I got me van cleaned there last week , only a tenner too
-
Thanks Mr Souter a good read.
I once had a chat with a car cleaner at Salisbury.And decided if I need help I would find staff among them.
These poor chaps pay 235 quid a week to clean trolley owner and Sainsbury only after then do the earn a penny.The trolley owner pays Sainsbury 15 quid a week per person to use the car park. I have chatted with at least 10 over the last 2 years and hear the same story.It would be interesting to hear for others. Its a disgrace.
-
I should think it almost impossible for her to successfully claim damages for scratches to her windows as there is no way she or her lawyers could ever categorically prove that scratches on her windows were caused by the window cleaner and not caused by some other means.
The car cleaners in Sainsbury car parks could be accused of the same kind of accusations, but if you can't prove that the scratches weren't there before the clean then there is no evidence to prove the cleaners are at fault. My insurance includes treatment risks but worse case scenario the cost to replace the glass in a standard UPVC unit isn't going to break the bank.
Those Poles in Sainsburys Emersons do a great job of cleaning my van. I got me van cleaned there last week , only a tenner too
Their Albanians mate Polish economical migrants need to earn more money than what those carshiners earn ;)
-
So "scratchy scratchy, you may have scratched my window" has just left a voicemail message. This has been their only contact with me since I said it wrote "it wasn't me".
"What day are you coming so I can leave the gate unlocked."
I'm wary of working for them ... how would you respond?
-
So "scratchy scratchy, you may have scratched my window" has just left a voicemail message. This has been their only contact with me since I said it wrote "it wasn't me".
"What day are you coming so I can leave the gate unlocked."
I'm wary of working for them ... how would you respond?
Nope. Not a chance.
-
sounds as tho they feel bad . id block their number
-
If you dont go she will be telling all her friends and neighbour's that you scratched the glass denied it then stopped coming .
Just go and clean them you may have a further opportunity to explain how it was not you and custy may well be ok after that she might be ok about it now .
But without returning you will never know . Mike
-
I had a simlair situation November 2012 - told her it wasnt me (which it wasnt) and theve been fine ever since.
-
Jewellers rouge, bout £10 a kilo. Wet the powder, put on scrim, buff over scratch,'scratch gone happy customer end of.. Lol
I take it you've never actually tried to remove a scratch by doing that.
I have, and it doesn't work. It may do on a very slight scratch on a watch glass with the right tools but on a pane of glass - nope.
Yeah twice before, once the scratch wasn't very bad just long, vanished, the other one was from a piece of grit and only faded slightly. Takes a bit of work like, you been a Window cleaner too long probably and not capable of a 15mins buff job ;) joke by the way.. Lol
-
So I decided I wouldn't do their windows but didn't go or phone and so did the road today and I hoped to sneak away without being seen but Mr. X comes up the road and asks DtM if we're doing his windows. Dan calls me over and with a sinking feeling I politely and quietly explain that I wasn't going to do their windows and that there were a couple of reasons but that the main one was being called back about scratches.
He was almost in tears and explained that it was down to his wife and how she was under a lot of stress and he knew that it couldn't have been us and that it was probably the last window cleaners or painters and that he was "truly sorry" but if that was my decision then fair enough he understood.
I felt pretty bad myself but as he hadn't actually asked me to reconsider I let it lie, breathed a sigh of relief and carried on cleaning where I was.
5 minutes later up comes Mrs X and talks to me from over the garden wall - her in the road, me in the garden and she's almost in tears too! Oh, I'm so sorry! I wouldn't hurt your feelings, I'm under a lot of stress, please please keep on doing my windows, please Malcolm please.
So I gently explain that it's not pleasant when you are under such scrutiny and that it's not just that but you've asked me not to clean when you went away twice now and you've put anti climbing stuff on your fence top so I didn't look forward to cleaning for you ...
Oh please, I beg you ... I'm begging you ... and she's crying now. DtM is hopping from foot to foot, I feel a right cad and she says I can call every month without fail and she's so sorry etc etc. I couldn't believe my ears or my eyes!
So I relented and took her back on.
When I finished he pays me and apologises again and I tell him - look it's all water under the bridge, let's move on - and then she comes out and says she's had an operation and she's stressed out and so very very sorry and will I come again please, please - I beg you etc.
In nearly twenty years cleaning windows I've never known the like! I feel quite gutted for them that my cleaning their windows is so hugely important to them at this time of their lives.
-
25.01.2014 "update"
Letter received, they are taking me to court lol
Glad it ended well.
-
I knew you'd fold. ;)
-
I knew you'd fold. ;)
Rumbled! ;D
There is deffo something going on beyond my understanding here - it was such a huge over-reaction.
-
23.01.15 news update
Lady is bristol is detained today after killing her husband and neighbours...
The lady known as mrs x claimed that the voices in her head often left her emotionally unstable and forced her to commit the crime...
Suspicions arose after her window cleaner caught her clawing at her windows shouting 'WELL IF MY WINDOW CLEANER CAN DO IT!!!!'' And then running up the the apple tree in her back garden, begging for it to take her back....
-
sounds a bit of a duel . you conceded the point ,, and live to fight another day kind fellow
-
Tears? For windows? :o
I'd have scratched their windows for crying >:(.
-
Did you not tell them while they were crying and begging for you back that there would be a slight increase in price, you missed a great opportunity there ;D
-
I knew you'd fold. ;)
Rumbled! ;D
There is deffo something going on beyond my understanding here - it was such a huge over-reaction.
She wants you. ;D
Go on, you know you want to.
-
Did you not tell them while they were crying and begging for you back that there would be a slight increase in price, you missed a great opportunity there ;D
Slight?
-
23.01.15 news update
Lady is bristol is detained today after killing her husband and neighbours...
The lady known as mrs x claimed that the voices in her head often left her emotionally unstable and forced her to commit the crime...
Suspicions arose after her window cleaner caught her clawing at her windows shouting 'WELL IF MY WINDOW CLEANER CAN DO IT!!!!'' And then running up the the apple tree in her back garden, begging for it to take her back....
;D
-
I wonder has this person received some bad news on her health lately and is making sure
should the worst happen she leaves a tidy home.
-
I wonder has this person received some bad news on her health lately and is making sure
should the worst happen she leaves a tidy home.
It might fit the pattern Sean but she seems a bit OCD as well - the neighbour I was cleaning told me she had a bit of a run in last year (now bear in mind this neighbour is 4 detached doors up) when this couple put a letter through her door asking if she would prune her trees as it was blocking the light from their garden. These trees are on the far side of the neighbour's garden, and if I paced it out I reckon at least 60 yards away.
Strange ... I just wonder if I go back next month I get told she's in hospital on her last legs!
-
I wonder has this person received some bad news on her health lately and is making sure
should the worst happen she leaves a tidy home.
It might fit the pattern Sean but she seems a bit OCD as well - the neighbour I was cleaning told me she had a bit of a run in last year (now bear in mind this neighbour is 4 detached doors up) when this couple put a letter through her door asking if she would prune her trees as it was blocking the light from their garden. These trees are on the far side of the neighbour's garden, and if I paced it out I reckon at least 60 yards away.
Strange ... I just wonder if I go back next month I get told she's in hospital on her last legs!
does she have any sister in north wales as i have a few like this lady .......... thought it was just me
-
Nice reply there gold. Your post's Always make me laugh out loud!