[AuRavelling79]

Let me explain ....

5 years ago - yes that's 5 - Mr. M pulls up in his SAAB convertible and asks me to clean his windows at no.83. Sure says I and toddles round, prices it up and get phoned to go and clean.

This was the first year I was wfp and so I go round with my (Peter Fogwill) trolley out of my Honda Estate and scrubbedy dub and put a ticket for £20 through the door.

A week later and no cheque (I've never collected anyway) so I knock the door, no reply and a reminder put through. Repeat twice over the next two weeks with no result and finally by going in the evening I catch them in and ask for payment.

Mrs M was very off-hand and told me she hadn't sent the money because one of the windows had streaks on it and she had no answer when I asked why she hadn't called me and told me a month earlier when I had done them.

I took my money and never went back.

Roll forward to this afternoon ...

Mrs M_____________ sees me working, doesn't recognise me and bleats about how difficult it is to get a windy (there are at least 4 of us in that road!) and would I do hers. I didn't recognise her at first until she gave me her name (very distinctive) and address. So I bit my lip and listened and she said she was going out now and so I said I'd pop round and give her a price.

I finish the house and go round to hers and look at it and see the windows haven't been done in a while (but prolly no more than a year) and am now thinking how to proceed.

My thoughts range like this:-

A) Do nothing and walk away.

B) Price for a first clean at one-off rate and give prices for regular afterwards but include it in a letter saying what happened previously and that they have to pay for the first clean up front before I go. (Tweak their nose in a "if they accept fine, if they don't tough for them" basis)

C) Send a note saying why I'd never do their windows as they were such bad payers etc.

Any thoughts?

[darren clarke]

take there money like  u have never met them,  and collect on the day

[NJWindowCleaning]

Give them a price of £30.00 instead of your £20.00 and keep it at that price then you be quids in, but dont do it until they give you the go ahead with your price and money up front, as you have been stung by them before.

[G Griffin]

take there money like  u have never met them,  and collect on the day

B) then?

I`d be thinking that they`d been dropped again by a cleaner; going off the dates you give; and would be a bit dubious.
And I`d tell them I never liked them in the Bond films anyway. 

[mci services]

if in the back of your mind you thought they may have a point with a less than perfect clean the last time you did it, I may take them on for the challenge but there would be no strikes and first sign of messing about cancelled.

but if you think that clean 5 years ago was perfect then don't do it with or without a gold letter

[Crystal-clear]

Due to history
1 clean+2 clean deposit

Ie: £20 house you take £60, next time its due you clean it so you still holding £20 then collect or wait for payment if she dont pay you dont clean again.

After maybe say 12 cleans tell her the 13th clean will be free and then its your choice if you wish to continue as we will be quits at that point.

If she aint happy about you not trusting her id say sorry but this is a trust business and you will need to build it up as you made a big thing out of 1 streak and tryed to rip me off!

Good luck with her

[Paul Coleman]

Thoughts! Why are you even considering this Gold?

The moment you recalled who she was, you should have not let her waste any more of your time.

I'm slipping.
I'm agreeing with Ewan again.
This is becoming a really bad habit.  I don't want his head swelling 

[Dave Anderson]

Go for 3 cleans in advance payment...you're busy anyway so ...don't forget how this must have burned you up at the time.

Cheers
Dave

[Jack Wallace]

I think 3 cleans in advance is too much to ask. she will tell you to take a hike.

I would send her a written quote, but keep it short and simple as if it's normal practice.

I would say regular price is £25.
First clean cost is £60.  Broken down to £35 for first clean plus £25 for second.

All future cleans will be payable 1 month in advance.

This way you are always in control and she will play ball due to having already paid.

[Londoner]

Some people are just serial messers. Take her money

[AuRavelling79]

Thanks chaps - I am in the Paul Coleman/stu-mac camp I think as in the past it irritated me no end. But the "challenge"/ price hike idea appeals.

If I do go for it I'm leaning towards a "gold" letter, a price hike + even more for the first clean and definitely money up front on the first one.

I wonder if I can train them? Mikecam's point in a previous thread hit home when he basically said amateurs dump and professionals work it out. 

I'll think on ...

More?

[G Griffin]

Could you not find out who cleaned them the last time and find out why they have no wc again?
If you know the other cleaners in that area, that is.
 
Does the M stand for Messer? 

[the bfg]

I wonder if I can train them? Mikecam's point in a previous thread hit home when he basically said amateurs dump and professionals work it out. 

I'll think on ...

More?

so when mrs can you leave it until spring calls   will you be amateur or professional about it ?

only asking as you seem to quick to tell others what they should do and yet you don't seem to know what you want to do yourself ?

[formb]

Why are you even wasting your time?

You are in this for money yes?

She dosen't want to part with hers.

Let her keep it and get on with customers worth cleaning.

[d s windowcleaning]

i never go back to a customer whos messed me about or cancelled .

[Helen]

"I took my money and never went back."

You got your money 5 years ago, so all was equal.
You now have the advantage as obviously Mrs M doesn't recognise who you are....
Personally I would give a written quote with a first time clean and price thereafter. Confirming how often you clean (not what she wants) and confirmimg payment method and timescale of payment, making it crystal clear that you do not collect and will not carry out further cleans if payments are outstanding.

Gold....how much have you changed in 5 years?
The just maybe Mrs M has aswell 

[formb]

Gold....how much have you changed in 5 years?
The just maybe Mrs M has aswell

Sorry Helen but that's total nonsence.

She has likely done the exact same thing to numerous other window cleaners over the last 5 years hence the fact she did not even recognise a window cleaner whom she has already attemted to rip off.

Steer clear.

[Helen]

Gold....how much have you changed in 5 years?
The just maybe Mrs M has aswell

Sorry Helen but that's total nonsence.

She has likely done the exact same thing to numerous other window cleaners over the last 5 years hence the fact she did not even recognise a window cleaner whom she has already attemted to rip off.

Steer clear.

No it's not, we all change in some shape or form over the years.

EVEN if she was trying to rip him off she didn't as he got his money. From the first post she only saw him once when he got the money...... how many people do you recognise that have appeared on your doorstep once, from 5 years ago?
Gold says himself that until she said her name he didn't realise who it was.
Who knows, she might just play the game now. If "Golds" T & C's are made clear from the start, I personally think she will say no anyway

[formb]

Gold....how much have you changed in 5 years?
The just maybe Mrs M has aswell

Sorry Helen but that's total nonsence.

She has likely done the exact same thing to numerous other window cleaners over the last 5 years hence the fact she did not even recognise a window cleaner whom she has already attemted to rip off.

Steer clear.

No it's not, we all change in some shape or form over the years.

EVEN if she was trying to rip him off she didn't as he got his money. From the first post she only saw him once when he got the money...... how many people do you recognise that have appeared on your doorstep once, from 5 years ago?
Gold says himself that until she said her name he didn't realise who it was.
Who knows, she might just play the game now. If "Golds" T & C's are made clear from the start, I personally think she will say no anyway

I wish I had your bright outlook on life  and people.

Being a cynical sort I know that once a thieving toe rag always a thieving toe rag.

[AuRavelling79]

>BFG

Good point! I would normally drop without hesitation but the 5 year gap and the fact that "I know" is intriguing and in an immature sort of way rather enjoyable.

But I do so want to tweak her nose! That's sad I know.

>Helen

You have wise words but I have decided am not going to take this woman back on but I want to let her know that I know so I'll draft a letter to pop through her door saying no.