[Tony Edwards]

Did a first clean today. £20 6 weekly so charged £40 first clean.

When I quoted the windows were filthy but as I started I noticed all the windows covered in paint spots.

I explained to the customer and said that i would need to scrape the windows but not to worry the glass wont get scratched.

She said fine and I carried on. As i was cleaning the windows noticed that lots of the panes were scratched all ready but I carried on. Finished the job, custy all happy paid me and extra £10 tip

Now she calls and says I have scratched the glass ! There was no way I did at all

Where do I stand ?

[andyM]

If ever there is paint or cement etc. on windows before I touch them I explain to the custie that it's not "normal"
for me to have to remove such mess.
I stir it up a bit by saying whoever left the windows in that state (painter, carpenter, brickie) should have cleaned up after themselves and never walked away leaving the job in that mess. 
However I can help the custie out of this predicament by removing the mess which will require the use of a scraper.
It will take extra time to do and will have to add this "extra" to the price of the job.
I also tell them there is a very small risk that the glass could be scratched.
Then I wait for their reply.
99% of the time they tell me to go ahead. As long as it's done properly everything should be fine but I have covered myself by telling them of the risk upfront.
Any other scratches/damage which was there previously should be highlighted to the custie.

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

you get a lot of that in window cleaning 

[Tony Edwards]

Says she wants the patio doors replacing which cost her £8000 last year!

 Despite the fact that she admitted that they hadnt been cleaned for over a year and you couldnt hardly seen out of them !!

[andyM]

Says she wants the patio doors replacing which cost her £8000 last year!
 Despite the fact that she admitted that they hadnt been cleaned for over a year and you couldnt hardly seen out of them !!

Maybe you should consider emigrating? or at least change your identity and go on the run. 

[Klean07]

Hope you can run fast!!

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

call ya self brodex 

[robertphil]

its a real pity you mentioned no scratching as thatd likely put the scratching idea in her head

if i was you id totally ignore her,dont text or write Anything that she could later use against you .    if she does happen to ring you id personally go down the quick sharp shock route and stick a few F "s into her . now is not a time to be meek and friendly,better to go on the offensive is my tip

[Tony Edwards]

Her word against mine. Apart from the fact I know I didnt do it.

They do try it on !!

[Ian101]

I stopped carrying scrapers 12 months ago as I dont want to chance scratching anyones glass.

If you didnt do it then stick to your guns its up to her to prove you did do it.

If you did do it then I take it you have adequate insurance so let them sort it out but she prob wont get far with them.

Good luck !  

[GB Window Cleaning]

I always inspect for damage before a first clean or one off to void myself of liability. not being clever just saying! although its not always possible to see all damage!

[Paul H]

Tell her to crack on .. it was already there (although shouldve pointed it out) and its only showing up now as you have cleaned them properly

Go back and do a demo of the process you used... and prove your methods technique and eqiupement arent at fault...so therefore no way did you or could you scratch the glass..

[GB Window Cleaning]

Hmmm. i feel for you mate i really do. think what i would do is stick to your guns if you didnt do it and you know you didnt do it! DOnt admit your liable ever!

plus i would emagine the glass in one side of a patio door is not gonna cost thousands! you can eplace the glass in the door on its own cant you lads?

If this ever happens to me and i am at fualt i would try and replace jst the glass

[robbo333]

Tell her to crack on .. it was already there (although shouldve pointed it out) and its only showing up now as you have cleaned them properly

Go back and do a demo of the process you used... and prove your methods technique and eqiupement arent at fault...so therefore no way did you or could you scratch the glass..


Great idea. Also, are they the type of scratches that could have been made with a scraper? Or are they very long scratches?. Did you scrape all the windows? If you find scratches on windows that you haven't even scraped then you've proved your point. In any event, stand your ground.

[richard jagger]

What kind of glass cost 8 grand and then they never clean it?

[gary999]

removing paint fron glass is another oneof those things i just dont do
if they ask i tell them my insurance doesnt cover me for scraping paint
or spraying harsh chemicals onto the glass so unfortunately i cant offer that service

if it doesnt come off with water and a brush its staying there and if they arenot happy
with this they can go elsewhere.

feel for you mate,stick to your guns,tell her the reason she didnt see the scratches before
was because her windows were so filthy

[Tony Edwards]

She can try it on all she wants. She saw the time I was taking to remove the paint and agreed to me taking longer to remove it and paid me extra

[ben M]

have you got an insurance in case?

[jsb]

just  a thought , since this has never happened to me .

if you say to her i didnt scratch the glass and she says you did ., what can she actually do ,is there a legal process .

thanks

[Ian101]

just  a thought , since this has never happened to me .

if you say to her i didnt scratch the glass and she says you did ., what can she actually do ,is there a legal process .

thanks

She can demand money
You say no
She sends u a letter
you say no / ignore
she goes to small claims court (prob called summit else these days)
you turn up on day and win ..... happy days

You dont turn up so loose automatically or you turn up and loose
court makes judgement
you dont pay
she goes back to court for baliff order

think thats about it really