[AuRavelling79]

So Wednesday I go to Mr and Mrs N. who have a "For Sale board" up and owe £15 since the last clean in early August (which was only the second clean). I knock to remind them (and clean as it is due) Mr N. comes to the door, looks agitated and says I haven't got any cash can I pay on line?

I wonder if I might "get bumped" and decide not to clean them so I say "Yeah sure, I won't clean them today but I'm on the estate again tomorrow afternoon so I'll do it then once the money's through?"

Get a text yesterday lunchtime:

I've paid online for the August clean but please cancel due to poor standard of clean.

I reply:

Thank you, may  ask why you didn't bring it to my attention at the time?

(Half hour pause)

I didn't have your number until you left a reminder slip with me yesterday.

I reply:

But the number is on all my slips; when I left the slip for the clean in August both my numbers would have been on it so when you were unhappy you could have called me then.

(hour pause)

May  be they were but I couldn't find the slip but now I've paid you.

I reply:

And told me my work is substandard even though you couldn't find the slip; how could you have known I had been to clean your windows? I think I know exactly what has happened here, I understand what has gone on completely. Best wishes for the future, especially with your house move.



 

[Jonny 87]

Hehe.

Probably in money trouble or just stressed to high doe and taken it out on the window cleaner.

You did pick up 2 new customers down the road though didn't you?

[SeanK]

Yep the old put the house on the market and get the windows cleaned before any potential buyers call
to view.
I remember getting one like that a few years back windows and frames filthy, we agreed to a six weekly clean, I then
cleaned them and they paid in cash.
Called back six weeks later and started to clean when a shocked woman came to the door and asked why I was
cleaning her windows when she hadn't agreed for me to clean them.
The previous owners had moved shortly after I had cleaned the property.

[C o z y]

No chance for the "Flounce" there Malc  Have to work out how to get the Flounce across in e-mails and texts.

[andyM]

Yep the old put the house on the market and get the windows cleaned before any potential buyers call
to view.
I remember getting one like that a few years back windows and frames filthy, we agreed to a six weekly clean, I then
cleaned them and they paid in cash.
Called back six weeks later and started to clean when a shocked woman came to the door and asked why I was
cleaning her windows when she hadn't agreed for me to clean them.
The previous owners had moved shortly after I had cleaned the property.

Yep filthy frames and glass always ring alarm bells particularly if the person has apparently lived there for a while.
I don't suppose these types suddenly wake up one morning with a burning desire to have their windows cleaned on a regular basis and become a model customer. 
It's a funny old game. 

[AuRavelling79]

But I did charge £25 for the first clean in June so hey ho. I reckon there was a chance they'd have gone without paying if I hadn't turned up on their doorstep.

[SeanK]

Yep the old put the house on the market and get the windows cleaned before any potential buyers call
to view.
I remember getting one like that a few years back windows and frames filthy, we agreed to a six weekly clean, I then
cleaned them and they paid in cash.
Called back six weeks later and started to clean when a shocked woman came to the door and asked why I was
cleaning her windows when she hadn't agreed for me to clean them.
The previous owners had moved shortly after I had cleaned the property.

Yep filthy frames and glass always ring alarm bells particularly if the person has apparently lived there for a while.
I don't suppose these types suddenly wake up one morning with a burning desire to have their windows cleaned on a regular basis and become a model customer. 
It's a funny old game. 

To be honest in that area all the properties had been cleaned over the years by a shiner that didn't touch the frames.
That's why I didn't think too much about the frame condition as I had picked up a lot in the same boat and all good customers.
But your spot on its usually a good sign that its a messer looking a one off.