Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Tim82 on October 03, 2008, 06:47:03 pm

Title: Lost money
Post by: Tim82 on October 03, 2008, 06:47:03 pm
 Whats the most you have lost due to customers not paying, moving away etc? I am currently trying to get £80 off a woman who is avoiding me. Thats my record at the moment (I hopefully wont be silly enough to let it get that much in future)  It really stings!
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: simon knight on October 03, 2008, 06:51:21 pm

£20

Like the mug I am I accepted a cheque which bounced. Bank didn't tell me until 10 days after I'd paid it in by which time the custy had buggered off back to Holland.

Oh well ::)
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Paul Coleman on October 03, 2008, 06:55:52 pm
Whats the most you have lost due to customers not paying, moving away etc? I am currently trying to get £80 off a woman who is avoiding me. Thats my record at the moment (I hopefully wont be silly enough to let it get that much in future)  It really stings!

£70.  It was for one clean.
However, a couple of years later, I was delighted to hear that he had been taken for 6 million.
Couldn't happen to a nicer bad person.
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Tim82 on October 03, 2008, 07:11:33 pm
isnt it true the richest people are the most tight
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: www.mrgutters.co.uk on October 03, 2008, 08:43:27 pm
£630 3 months cleaning at a block of flats the management company cant pay me as there is no money in the fund so we have stopped all work on this site.

as she told me" we will pay you when we pay you" thats the best she can do.

as the flats have been in the red on the maintanance fund for 1 year

that sucks big time


shawn
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: simon knight on October 03, 2008, 08:44:48 pm
I now have a rule: Up to £10 the custy can "pay me next time"...but if they don't there's NO 3rd clean until they anti-up.

This way worst case scenario I lose £20...which I can live with.
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: birdymiller on October 03, 2008, 09:43:12 pm
isnt it true the richest people are the most tight


No

It is in my book
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: mark311069 on October 03, 2008, 10:06:19 pm
isnt it true the richest people are the most tight


YES
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: spark1 on October 03, 2008, 10:27:55 pm
isnt it true the richest people are the most tight
 
No its the middle classes who think there rich,and think they own bigger houses than window cleaners. ;D
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: jon adams on October 03, 2008, 10:49:57 pm
everybodys view is different

                                             Jon
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: geefree on October 03, 2008, 11:07:50 pm
isnt it true the richest people are the most tight


No


yes def.
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: ronnie paton on October 03, 2008, 11:30:59 pm
£830 :'(
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: simon knight on October 04, 2008, 05:03:00 pm

My mum's what I'd call middle class and as tight as a gnats arse. She'll happily walk half a mile in the pouring rain to save 4p on a tin of baked beans...haggles whenever she gets the chance...in her house lights are off in every room except the one she is in...when I visit it's bloody freezing in the house because she refuses to put on the heating until it's around minus 2 degrees C. And then only to bring the temperature up to +4 degrees ::)..and then it's off again!

Trust me she's not poor...just really careful with her money.

Thank God she is!....this is my inheritance we're talking about ;D

She used to have a window cleaner until muggins here took it up...bi-monthly I do them...paid?..yeah right!

Yep the middle class are easily the worst imo.
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Chris Galloway on October 04, 2008, 05:04:24 pm

My mum's what I'd call middle class and as tight as a gnats arse. She'll happily walk half a mile in the pouring rain to save 4p on a tin of baked beans...haggles whenever she gets the chance...in her house lights are off in every room except the one she is in...when I visit it's bloody freezing in the house because she refuses to put on the heating until it's around minus 2 degrees C. And then only to bring the temperature up to +4 degrees ::)..and then it's off again!

Trust me she's not poor...just really careful with her money.

Thank God she is!....this is my inheritance we're talking about ;D

She used to have a window cleaner until muggins here took it up...bi-monthly I do them...paid?..yeah right!

Yep the middle class are easily the worst imo.

Just think, that money shes not paying you is earning interest in the bank for you at a later date :P
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: simon knight on October 04, 2008, 05:11:11 pm

My mum's what I'd call middle class and as tight as a gnats arse. She'll happily walk half a mile in the pouring rain to save 4p on a tin of baked beans...haggles whenever she gets the chance...in her house lights are off in every room except the one she is in...when I visit it's bloody freezing in the house because she refuses to put on the heating until it's around minus 2 degrees C. And then only to bring the temperature up to +4 degrees ::)..and then it's off again!

Trust me she's not poor...just really careful with her money.

Thank God she is!....this is my inheritance we're talking about ;D

She used to have a window cleaner until muggins here took it up...bi-monthly I do them...paid?..yeah right!

Yep the middle class are easily the worst imo.

Just think, that money shes not paying you is earning interest in the bank for you at a later date :P

Didn't think of that ;D ;D
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: gerard mcmanus on October 05, 2008, 08:52:53 am
probably only about a tenner, I really dont give people an inch when it comes to this, you end up losing to much money.

gerard  :)
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Dean Taberner on October 05, 2008, 02:06:10 pm
£6712 for cleaning boots and abbey nationals that i never got paid for :( >:(

Totally conned by  woman who subbed off maclellan,
paid fine to start with but then just stopped!

Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Tim82 on October 05, 2008, 04:59:14 pm
Wow that last ones a stonker  :-\...thanks for the supplies
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: simon knight on October 05, 2008, 06:09:29 pm
£6712 for cleaning boots and abbey nationals that i never got paid for :( >:(

Totally conned by  woman who subbed off maclellan,
paid fine to start with but then just stopped!



Dear God why did you let it get to that level?
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Tim82 on June 17, 2009, 10:01:25 am
 Update:  Finally got paid from her after over a year of knocking when I was cleaning next door! She paid me £40 (half of it) and said she had complained and cancelled (which she hadn't) after the first clean. And just didn't bother cancelling "again" and let me keep coming a few more cleans! All the while with a smug look on her face. She even had the nerve to say she preferred her previous window cleaner because he was "nicer"! (I'm a very polite person). Anyway, just shows persistence pays off sometimes!
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: supernova77 on June 17, 2009, 10:22:13 am
Only £20, but it really annoyed me because...

... They were a customer I had been going to for 2 years, they seemed really nice - One day I went and cleaned the windows, left a bill with an envelope (as per normal when they were out) - Waited a few weeks, no cheque, popped round to see them and they had moved!!!  >:(

Andy
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: ma159 on June 17, 2009, 11:41:32 am
I have only been going a year but always work with the idea that I am happy that if I cant catch them this month will be happy to double up next but never more than this.

If they owe you a lot best way to catch them in is to call at odd hours - Sunday am, late evening and say that you were just passing and thought you would try!!!
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: paul beckett on June 17, 2009, 12:24:05 pm
isnt it true the richest people are the most tight


well i live in a well off area, because i'm staying with mother at the moment , because she is very ill at the moment.
and you are definetely right the rich are bloody tight there right miser's. they moan about putting an extra pound into the bill. this the only area i dont get tips over christmas either, i just dont belive how tight they are, no wonder there rich. when asking for the extra pound,  they look at you with a face which looks like a smacked ass :o :o :o
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: seandyer2003 on June 17, 2009, 03:19:01 pm
I had a weird one a few weeks back, its only £8.00 but it really winds me up because of the way she did it... Her son asked me too do windows, and he paid, then he moved out, but i continued as id seen the mum a few times and figured everything was fine as she never said stop, anyway i call for money, and she says call friday , this happened 2-3 times but i didnt clean again as i had guessed that she were being awkward, anyway a week or two ago i see her in front garden while im doing a neighbour and walk over and say has she got the money "what money?, window money - "I never asked you too clean them" - no but your son did and you knew i was doing them "well get paid of whoever told you to do them, i dont have a son" - I asked a neighbour and it turns out she does have a son, she has 2- so shes just lieing.... it really winds me up as yo cant do anything, its not that its just 8.00, its how people can decide not to pay and you cant do bugger all about it, the only action you can take would cost 10 x that so its not fair but at least i know never to clean there again, and no other wc will as i do nearly evry house, and no one has worked there for years anyway !!!!

Rant Over   :)
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Tim82 on June 17, 2009, 04:42:33 pm
I have only been going a year but always work with the idea that I am happy that if I cant catch them this month will be happy to double up next but never more than this.

If they owe you a lot best way to catch them in is to call at odd hours - Sunday am, late evening and say that you were just passing and thought you would try!!!

Wise words ;) I do usually collect evenings if i need to but  i wasnt going to waste my time driving 15 mins all the way to hers especially to find her in!
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: elite mike on June 17, 2009, 05:29:15 pm
if you lose money ,big or small amounts,

its always  annoying  >:(

Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: martinsadie on June 17, 2009, 05:40:35 pm
if you lose money ,big or small amounts,

its always  annoying  >:(


yeh i still havnt got over the 2p i lost last week  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Oakley Windows on June 17, 2009, 06:57:56 pm
I lost £800 to some window-licker from here today  :(
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: elite mike on June 17, 2009, 09:10:50 pm
if you lose money ,big or small amounts,

its always  annoying  >:(


yeh i still havnt got over the 2p i lost last week  ;D ;D

 ;D ;D  tight-arsed

I lost £800 to some window-licker from here today  :(

tell us more matt
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Oakley Windows on June 17, 2009, 09:27:45 pm
if you lose money ,big or small amounts,

its always  annoying  >:(


yeh i still havnt got over the 2p i lost last week  ;D ;D

 ;D ;D  tight-arsed

I lost £800 to some window-licker from here today  :(

tell us more matt

I recently advertised some work on here, about £400 worth.

I had a few enquiries. One of the guys rang and although he hadnt seen the work starrted trying to negotiate the price downwards. I wa adamant I wasnt going to budge, I was only selling it at 2x the works value and it is at least £35.00 an hour. Anyway, I told him to go away and think about it. Later that day I spoke to a couple of others on here, who were both interested. One of them really WANTED it (nice guy, Steve) but couldnt get to see him til the saturday.

So the first guy phones back and says he'll have it but I say 'sorry mate Ive got osmeone else I closing it out on Saturday. He said, 'look, Ill take it, its a deal, you can have the £800.00, PLEASE dont sell it to anyone else' Jesus, so I didnt.

Anyway after another call or two, I arranged to meet the first guy on Monday night, I was going to take him round the houses, knock, introduce etc. Exchange the cash, deal done.

He rolls up and starts trying to move the goal-posts. Re-negotiate. So much for 'We got a deal, dont sell it to anyone else' I was livid.

What a


(http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/clipart/uk/dk/farm/image_farm010.jpg)


he wouldnt even walk round the houses, he had no intention of buying the round, he didnt even have enough money on him to pay for half the round, BUT he wanted  to take all the cards away with him!!...........(He might be a mug but that dont mean I am)


AGAIN....


what a


(http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/clipart/uk/dk/farm/image_farm010.jpg)


So I called the deal off.

Half an hour later he rings me 'Sorry Matt, look we had our wires crossed, the deals still on. I'll meet you anywhere, I dont want to inconvenience you (oh really?) anywhere, and bring the £800, its a deal'.

So I says , stupidly, okay. I emailed him where to meet me today. But alarm bells started ringing when he didnt even reply to the e-mail. He didnt ring today either.

So I rang him. His words were, bearing in mind Id turned others away when he begged me to, after he promised it was deal, after he swore he regretted how things had turned out,

'Sorry, deals off'

Well, thanks for letting me know (See ya next tuesday)

He is called slrobo on here (Simon Roberts, School Road, Crowthorne in real life). And if he disputes anything I say here he can sue me for liable. I recorded the phone conversation where he promised me the £800, I believe also that means we had a verbal contract, which is enforcable by law, but the Judge'll decide that ;D

In my opinion he's a charlatan, a windup merchant, a total arse......but Ive always believed what goes around comes around; one day he'll trip up when he meets someone with a shorter fuse than me.

Matt

Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: seandyer2003 on June 17, 2009, 09:34:19 pm
Sounds like a right turkey

Whats with the cock pictures :)
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: elite mike on June 17, 2009, 09:58:22 pm
i would offer  to take him diving with you matt  ;)  ;D

sounds like he needs gutting ;D

Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: elite mike on June 17, 2009, 10:27:00 pm
was he called jonah ,in a previous life :'(
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Oakley Windows on June 17, 2009, 10:30:37 pm
Its a 'Jonah' run around scenario isnt it  ;)

his excuse was 'Thats business'


My thoughts were C U Next Tuesday   ;)
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Mr.G on June 17, 2009, 10:37:30 pm
£16, for 2 cleans, the rotten cow lives just round the corner, every time I pass the house it hurts!  at one stage I was going round twice a day asking for it, she was always "short of money"  I've given up now, lifes too short.
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: alanwilson on June 17, 2009, 11:26:08 pm
when people owe money and won't pay, don't get mad - get even.
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: matt on June 18, 2009, 12:45:06 pm
i have just had a 28 quid cheque bounce on me, the postie delivered the news about 10 mins ago
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: seandyer2003 on June 18, 2009, 01:27:00 pm
i have just had a 28 quid cheque bounce on me, the postie delivered the news about 10 mins ago

ouch , its gonna cost them as much in charges too, and be pretty embarassing
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: sparklebright on June 18, 2009, 02:14:21 pm
The most I have lost is £55. Guy promised to send a cheque.....and moved house the next day.

Scumbag.
The only good thing was that I had been charging a good high price for the job for 2 years before that.
Still made me furious, now I would shrug and move on it's healthier
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: richyp on June 18, 2009, 03:44:20 pm
600 notes from 1 house
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: seandyer2003 on June 18, 2009, 03:51:49 pm
My bro in law got bumped for 40 and the guy moved out, he found out his new address and called on, when the guy opened , he just smiled and said "windows" :) HAha, he got £20 then went back week after and got the other 20 out of his wife who didnt realize and was furious at her hubby for being so cheeky to him, so he must of got in trouble of his missus too haha

Wish they all turned out like that, ive got a few at
£20 and £18 that are avoiding me, i get them in the end usually though :) Just dont stop knocking and leaving notes
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Tim82 on June 18, 2009, 05:42:55 pm
600 notes from 1 house

argh no way? how many cleans is that?
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: windowswashed on June 18, 2009, 07:59:50 pm
Lost £75 off one customer who done a runner ****** (rant over)
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: DanielUK on June 19, 2009, 10:53:40 pm
If often wondered whether it would work to smile and say "OK, you have week to pay and if you don't it doesn't matter as I shall be selling your debt on"

If you're not going to get the money you've lost nothing, but it might scare some people into paying up
Title: Re: Lost money
Post by: Tim82 on June 20, 2009, 09:08:47 am

If you're not going to get the money you've lost nothing, but it might scare some people into paying up

But others know their stuff and don't believe you. You can actually use a debt collection company but they take a large chunk of the money.