Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: paulben on October 15, 2015, 06:38:09 am
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When a customer dies owing money do you as I have in the past or do you put bill in to executors of will , seems heartless asking for money but we have earned it and someone is going to make a fortune out of house sale any thoughts
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All you can do is push your invoice through the door, someone will be checking/looking after the house.
You may get paid and asked to carry on cleaning while the estate is being sold.
You may not hear from them again, over the years I've had both.
Whatever the property is worth and who is going to be the benifactor ain't any of your business.
If you lose out, it's just one of those things.
Tony
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I have had both but when owed 3 cleans its a bit annoying just wondered what every one else did
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Just don't let it get to 3 cleans then
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I just let it go if the person lived alone ,wouldn't go chasing payment it's a bit disrespectful I know we have earned the money but what can you do
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The average older generation customer would hate to owe money so I would pop bill thru letterbox.
Thing is most times you get a call from a family member explaining that the customer is dead.
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I have cleaned and billed without knowing the customer had died. I usually receive a payment and a cancellation note. When that happens, I spend some of the money on a condolences card and address it to the property using the payer's name.
Sometimes, I just don't get paid. I don't chase it when that happens.
I've had other occasions when someone has gone into a care hom,e. I usually end up getting paid but not always.
I currently clean for some residents at a warden assisted block of flats. I've had four customers there; two have gone into a care home without paying. It wasn't their fault as their minds just weren't up to self-care any more and they would probably be mortified if they knew what had happened. I still have two customers there. I was recently asked about taking on another. I declined as I will not take on any more at that place. Explaining why was a bit delicate so I embellished the truth :) .
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I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died . He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again ;D. Turned out well .
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One time I turned up at a house the old girl invited me in and said take a chair and then handed me a cuppa.
Then just as I had taken a mouthful of tea she said my husband died in that chair last night you are sitting on. I tried not to spit the tea out everywhere. Bless her ::)roll
Another time on at a different property I was just about to go to the door when a hurse pulled up outside. Oops! Talk about bad timing or what ;D
Most partners/relatives will settle a bill and say if they want the work carried on or not.
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I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died . He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again ;D. Turned out well .
Scum if you ask me
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I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died . He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again ;D. Turned out well .
Scum if you ask me
Eh?
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I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died . He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again ;D. Turned out well .
Is this a wind up or are you really lower than a snakes belly?
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Had 1 last week an £80 job,just put your bill in and expect an explanation of what had happened with payment saying either keep cleaning as we are selling it or thanks for your past service.
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had one where nephew was only family left old woman told me he only comes to see her when he needs money .When she died he got let the bungalow had a call saying she had died but if I left addressed envelope when bungalow sold he would send me money . never got money just made me cross that he never did any thing for her now just made a fortune out of her . usually just write off money just wondered what every one else did
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I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died . He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again ;D. Turned out well .
Is this a wind up or are you really lower than a snakes belly?
I hope it is a wind up....
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What others do is no concern of ours bud.
You had a verbal contract with the lady to clean her windows not the nephew so he doesn’t have to pay any outstanding bill if he doesn’t want to. That's like saying to someone who has just moved into a property yes I will clean your windows if you pay the outstanding bill from the previous owner irrespective if they are a relative or not? ::)roll
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had one where nephew was only family left old woman told me he only comes to see her when he needs money .When she died he got let the bungalow had a call saying she had died but if I left addressed envelope when bungalow sold he would send me money . never got money just made me cross that he never did any thing for her now just made a fortune out of her . usually just write off money just wondered what every one else did
Have you got green eyes lol
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I'm wondering if the op was working on the old girl to get her to leave the bungalow to him instead that's why he got the hump ;D
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I've had it happen a few times now.
Its never been more than a £20 clean though.
When a relative has informed me of the bereavement and that they owe money I request that they put the money towards funeral flowers or a suitable charity the deceased may have had a connection with.
If they ever carry out my wishes, who knows ???
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I've had it happen a few times now.
Its never been more than a £20 clean though.
When a relative has informed me of the bereavement and that they owe money I request that they put the money towards funeral flowers or a suitable charity the deceased may have had a connection with.
If they ever carry out my wishes, who knows ???
Nice one ;)
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All you can do is push your invoice through the door, someone will be checking/looking after the house.
You may get paid and asked to carry on cleaning while the estate is being sold.
You may not hear from them again, over the years I've had both.
Whatever the property is worth and who is going to be the benefactor ain't any of your business.
If you lose out, it's just one of those things.
Tony
^^^ my experience as well.
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Had a good run for my money recently.
Mrs Gold canvassed while I was cleaning and this old boy living in a big run down old 17th century house asked for a quote so I go over and as he only used the downstairs for him and his housekeeper he agreed to have the whole lot done for £40 every year and then the downstairs every 8 weeks at £20.
Did the first clean and he gave me £60 "because they were so dirty". Went back 8 weeks - later no reply I cleaned the downstairs and put bill through for £20. No payment.
Left it and went back 8 weeks later to find middle-aged woman (daughter?) cleaning up and she says Mr F. died here's £40 to cover last and this clean - can you carry on until further notice when we sell. I got a years worth of cleaning plus a full clean at £40 paid by the solicitors for the estate and then met the daughter by chance who said it's just been sold. Gave me £20 and said give it a clean for the new owners they're due in tomorrow.
Went back 8 weeks later to find scaffolding up and nice new owner lady says when we finished renovating you can clean for us please.
I only ever met the original old guy once at the start - funny how it goes.
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When my Mom died I had to pay the doctor's call out to certify her death. The NHS no longer viewed her as a patient.
I guess that the same applies. We rely on the good nature of relative/executors to settle the account.
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Had a good run for my money recently.
Mrs Gold canvassed while I was cleaning and this old boy living in a big run down old 17th century house asked for a quote so I go over and as he only used the downstairs for him and his housekeeper he agreed to have the whole lot done for £40 every year and then the downstairs every 8 weeks at £20.
Did the first clean and he gave me £60 "because they were so dirty". Went back 8 weeks - later no reply I cleaned the downstairs and put bill through for £20. No payment.
Left it and went back 8 weeks later to find middle-aged woman (daughter?) cleaning up and she says Mr F. died here's £40 to cover last and this clean - can you carry on until further notice when we sell. I got a years worth of cleaning plus a full clean at £40 paid by the solicitors for the estate and then met the daughter by chance who said it's just been sold. Gave me £20 and said give it a clean for the new owners they're due in tomorrow.
Went back 8 weeks later to find scaffolding up and nice new owner lady says when we finished renovating you can clean for us please.
I only ever met the original old guy once at the start - funny how it goes.
Indeed
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we just wear the cost , were not that skint we have to chase a grieving family for money , a lot of them do phone to cansel and ask did they have any thing outstanding ? I will tell them the bill and tell them we wont take any money from them !!!
but if the would like to drop a few pounds in a help the heros box or mcmillen nurses box instead works a treat , keeps them on side and sometimes even gets you there job !
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we just wear the cost , were not that skint we have to chase a grieving family for money , a lot of them do phone to cansel and ask did they have any thing outstanding ? I will tell them the bill and tell them we wont take any money from them !!!
but if the would like to drop a few pounds in a help the heros box or mcmillen nurses box instead works a treat , keeps them on side and sometimes even gets you there job !
Or in Help for Refugees charity?
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I go to the wake and eat a load of buffet.
Cry a few times, say 'I can't believe he/she has gone' and you might get a few brandys bought for you as well.
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^^ :D :D :D :D^^
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we just wear the cost , were not that skint we have to chase a grieving family for money , a lot of them do phone to cansel and ask did they have any thing outstanding ? I will tell them the bill and tell them we wont take any money from them !!!
but if the would like to drop a few pounds in a help the heros box or mcmillen nurses box instead works a treat , keeps them on side and sometimes even gets you there job !
Or in Help for Refugees charity?
;D ;D ;D
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I go to the wake and eat a load of buffet.
Cry a few times, say 'I can't believe he/she has gone' and you might get a few brandys bought for you as well.
Me too...I attend just out of respect if I know them very well and I also like the free food and booze ;D
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I personally would write the outstanding debt off, out of respect a gesture for their custom over the year's ,maybe post a invoice with a card saying sorry about the loss of a treasured customer,the family may pay you off , if you want it that badly .
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I supposed it all depends if you knew/liked them well enough or not.