>BFGGood 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.>HelenYou 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.
Here's the letter:-Dear Madam,Re: Your window cleaning enquiry.Further to your enquiry yesterday I attended your house to view the windows and to gather information to provide a quotation. The gate was locked and so I was unable to gain access to the rear of your property but as you read on you will see that this is of no consequence.This is because my visit crystallised in my mind a suspicion that was growing as we were speaking on the corner of B________ Rd. What I remember and you evidently do not is that about five years ago I did clean your windows when Mr. M_________ had asked me in similar circumstances when he pulled up in his car and asked me to quote.My recollection of events was that I had to pay several visits to obtain payment which in my view should have been sent by return as agreed. Reminders were ignored and I felt completely unappreciated for my work. When I called at your house yet again, you finally paid me and my recollection is that I was given some excuse about one of the upper windows at the back having dirt marks on it but when I asked why I hadn't been told at the time rather than many weeks later no logical answer was forthcoming. I decided when the bill was paid that I would never, ever work for you again.I am sure you agree that in light of my feelings about the above it would be in both our interests for us not to have a business relationship.Yours faithfully,
Quote from: Gold on November 03, 2010, 04:52:41 pmHere's the letter:-Dear Madam,Re: Your window cleaning enquiry.Further to your enquiry yesterday I attended your house to view the windows and to gather information to provide a quotation. The gate was locked and so I was unable to gain access to the rear of your property but as you read on you will see that this is of no consequence.This is because my visit crystallised in my mind a suspicion that was growing as we were speaking on the corner of B________ Rd. What I remember and you evidently do not is that about five years ago I did clean your windows when Mr. M_________ had asked me in similar circumstances when he pulled up in his car and asked me to quote.My recollection of events was that I had to pay several visits to obtain payment which in my view should have been sent by return as agreed. Reminders were ignored and I felt completely unappreciated for my work. When I called at your house yet again, you finally paid me and my recollection is that I was given some excuse about one of the upper windows at the back having dirt marks on it but when I asked why I hadn't been told at the time rather than many weeks later no logical answer was forthcoming. I decided when the bill was paid that I would never, ever work for you again.I am sure you agree that in light of my feelings about the above it would be in both our interests for us not to have a business relationship.Yours faithfully, Just to make totally sure that she doesn't want you there again, maybe turn up with some mags sometime. That'll clinch it
Quote from: Gold on November 03, 2010, 04:52:41 pmHere's the letter:-Dear Madam,Re: Your window cleaning enquiry.Further to your enquiry yesterday I attended your house to view the windows and to gather information to provide a quotation. The gate was locked and so I was unable to gain access to the rear of your property but as you read on you will see that this is of no consequence.This is because my visit crystallised in my mind a suspicion that was growing as we were speaking on the corner of B________ Rd. What I remember and you evidently do not is that about five years ago I did clean your windows when Mr. M_________ had asked me in similar circumstances when he pulled up in his car and asked me to quote.My recollection of events was that I had to pay several visits to obtain payment which in my view should have been sent by return as agreed. Reminders were ignored and I felt completely unappreciated for my work. When I called at your house yet again, you finally paid me and my recollection is that I was given some excuse about one of the upper windows at the back having dirt marks on it but when I asked why I hadn't been told at the time rather than many weeks later no logical answer was forthcoming. I decided when the bill was paid that I would never, ever work for you again.I am sure you agree that in light of my feelings about the above it would be in both our interests for us not to have a business relationship.Yours faithfully, Gold,I never put my feelings in a letter to a customer for the following reason:Fast forward to the day after she gets the letter. She's suddenly telling all and sundry that you were snotty because she'd caught you doing a bad job the last time. Remember, all her neighbours will only hear her version of the story and she's got a letter to wave around an "prove" it.Just bite the bullet and drop her a note saying "Apologies but I'm not going to be able to clean your windows".My recent experience with a difficult customer could have ended up with a letter to him that would have satisfied me but looked bad if he told it in his words. Instead, I just sent a note saying (literally) "Let's call it a day, no charge for the clean". There's no way that can be misrepresented.If you write about how you feel it will come back and bite you.Vin
Dear Madam,Re: Your window cleaning enquiry.Further to your enquiry yesterday I attended your house to view the windows and to gather information to provide a quotation. The gate was locked and so I was unable to gain access to the rear of your property but as you read on you will see that this is of no consequence.This is because my visit crystallised in my mind a suspicion that was growing as we were speaking on the corner of B________ Rd. What I remember and you evidently do not is that about five years ago I did clean your windows when Mr. M_________ had asked me in similar circumstances when he pulled up in his car and asked me to quote.Events surrounding and flowing from that time have made me decide that it would be in both our interests for us not to have a business relationship.Yours faithfully,
I want her to know that I won't clean her windows and for her to know why. I'm going to publish and be damned!
If i was to receive that letter i would think what a prick .just tell the woman to her face and put it simple .YOU MESSED AROUND FIRST TIME YOU DONT GET A SECOND CHANCE .WHO RUNS YOUR ROUND .dont let them take the p , DUMPED
Quote from: d s windowcleaning on November 03, 2010, 10:54:57 pmIf i was to receive that letter i would think what a prick .just tell the woman to her face and put it simple .YOU MESSED AROUND FIRST TIME YOU DONT GET A SECOND CHANCE .WHO RUNS YOUR ROUND .dont let them take the p , DUMPED Ah ... but ds - you aren't a snobby householder who lives in a big house in a "select" part of Bristol who treats people with disdain. If I was dealing with you I just would have told you as soon as I recognised you for who you are.If I do as you suggest then all I would be doing is to show a level of unbridled speech that will fit their stereotypical view of window cleaners.I run my round - she will not get her windows cleaned I will have the satisfaction of knowing that she will "stew" - she is that type.I do not care what she says to her neighbours it will have no effect on my round.