[Johnny B]

I had one about 10 years ago. It was a first clean, nice detached house in a small village. The owners also ran the post office next door.

Just before the second clean was due, I had a phone call from the lady asking me to cancel. I didn't ask why, but thanked her for letting me know, and left it at that.

When I was in her area I went into her shop to buy a choccy bar. As I was paying for it, the lady asked if I wanted to know why she had cancelled. I said she didn't have to explain herself, but she was at pains to tell me.

Apparently just after I had cleaned her windows she was burgled, losing cash and jewelry. I said I was sorry to hear that this had happened to her, and asked if she knew who may have been responsible, and when it had happened, and had she reported it to the police. She then said that she thought I might know something about it. I said that I didn't, but offered to go to the police to make a statement, and provide proof that I wasn't party to the crime. She then said that I may have told friends what she had in the house, who may then have burgled her. I then told her that I do not look through people's windows, as I have no interest in their possessions, neither would I tell anyone else if I did see anything. Moreover, anyone I may know who steals is no friend of mine.

At this point, her assistant, who was a long standing customer who knew me well, intervened and gave her boss a glowing character witness of me.

Tom Crowther, don't let this incident get to you. As we can see, many of us lowly window cleaners have been accused of stealing, but most of us have integrity, and so have nothing to worry about.

John

   

[TomCrowther]

Cheers Johnny.

[davids3511]

Well I slept on it and decided to report it to the police myself.
Took all the details, times, date etc and I explained I was worried about the business reputation. They completely understood and someone else will deal with it over the next day or so.
What they will do I have no idea but I will update the post when something happens.

Their going to get quite the shock if they made it up as an excuse to get rid of you.

[CleanClear]

I havn't read all three pages of this thread, but window cleaners stealing? Never? Mind you there's fellas here employing weed smokers and drunks, both of whom seem to be worried about it. But somehow don't mind them going and working on peoples properties :-)

[NBwcs]

your right to to angry, i would have been furious. But its easy to see why we do project the wrong image. I remember an hilarious thread on here a few years ago (wish i could find it) which was basically a "confessions" thread which went on forever where windie after windie fessed up to their criminal past, i actually felt the odd one out. ive only ever been done for speeding.

[Soupy]

Had you thought about not nicking sht out of people's bins?

[AuRavelling79]

I had one about 10 years ago. It was a first clean, nice detached house in a small village. The owners also ran the post office next door.

Just before the second clean was due, I had a phone call from the lady asking me to cancel. I didn't ask why, but thanked her for letting me know, and left it at that.

When I was in her area I went into her shop to buy a choccy bar. As I was paying for it, the lady asked if I wanted to know why she had cancelled. I said she didn't have to explain herself, but she was at pains to tell me.

Apparently just after I had cleaned her windows she was burgled, losing cash and jewelry. I said I was sorry to hear that this had happened to her, and asked if she knew who may have been responsible, and when it had happened, and had she reported it to the police. She then said that she thought I might know something about it. I said that I didn't, but offered to go to the police to make a statement, and provide proof that I wasn't party to the crime. She then said that I may have told friends what she had in the house, who may then have burgled her. I then told her that I do not look through people's windows, as I have no interest in their possessions, neither would I tell anyone else if I did see anything. Moreover, anyone I may know who steals is no friend of mine.

At this point, her assistant, who was a long standing customer who knew me well, intervened and gave her boss a glowing character witness of me.

Tom Crowther, don't let this incident get to you. As we can see, many of us lowly window cleaners have been accused of stealing, but most of us have integrity, and so have nothing to worry about.

John

   

Top marks, Johnny B for being so calm when dealing with this woman.

I never thought I'd say it but I like Susan Deans post; just goes to show, if you wade through enough muck you'll find brass!

 

[Blue Giraffe]

Seems like most have had this in one form or another.

Must have been about a year and a half ago, I got a new customer who grabbed me while I was doing a job round the corner from her.  First clean went well, she chatted to me, made me a cuppa - thought to myself it was going to be a good customer.  Said the gate was always open, so no worries about access. 

Next clean, I go round and the gate is locked, was an annoying gate I couldn't jump so I did a front only.  Next clean, same again.  After the 3rd clean I still hadn't been payed, so suspended her off the round and tried calling for the money.  On 2 seperate occasions I knew she was in but had obviously seen me and was ignoring the door. 

She owed me around £50 so I couldn't let it lie.  Sent my Mrs round as a decoy, woman answers door straight away (surprise surprise), first she starts blathering on about being ill for 3 months (But was okay to commando roll around the lounge avoiding answering the door) and then mentions (the real reason) that she was burgled a few months back via the back of the house.  I got my money and took her straight off the round.

[Pureandclean]

On one occasion I cleaned the gutters on a customers house, as previously requested. Whilst up there I noticed that a tile had slid into the gutter so I manouevered it back into place.
I put my ladders back in the van and started to clean windows with pole system when half of Cheshire police force turned up at least 3 vehicles, plain clothes etc. they knocked at door of house I was cleaning, went inside and then a very young policeman started to question me.
Apparently daughter of the house was in bed and thought I was trying to break into the house through the roof and rang the police. Vivid imagination and too many late night horror films 

[windowswashed]

I broke into an elderly lady's house....after hearing her screaming out for help. I gave her first aid as she'd had a nasty fall and was loosing a lot of blood through an open wound. Nightmare trying to deal with her and speaking to a nurse on the line simultaneously after phoning for an ambulance with the lady in shock screaming. Multi tasking is not easy, first aid is. Got a big thank you from her son later that evening.

[danny mckim]

On a positive note my 17 year old son started Woking with me after Christmas. We were out collecting on Thursday night.. At one dole, A 10 year old asked for change of £20.. After giving him and leaving he noticed a £10 wrapped inside the £20... Turned immediately and when the mum answered the door she just took it... No thanks or pat on the back...some people should be gratefull sometimes

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

Well I slept on it and decided to report it to the police myself.
Took all the details, times, date etc and I explained I was worried about the business reputation. They completely understood and someone else will deal with it over the next day or so.
What they will do I have no idea but I will update the post when something happens.

good for you , I am sure this will help towards keeping the gossip to a min , even if you have to spend an hour of you time it will be worth not loseing customers , and look at it the way , it easyer filling statements in for the police and door knocking to replace customers

[TomCrowther]

Yeah, they said someone would call me back within 24 hrs. That was Friday am and no call yet.

[mark dew]

I'm in my 11th year of window cleaning. Drove vehicles without signwriting for 9 of those, work in the villages and ive never been accused of stealing or being involved in a burglary.
I would stop cleaning any customer who questioned my integrity or honesty. Though I wouldn't take it personally if I was asked about anything missing. I'd tell myself it's as much to rule me out as to point the finger.

The nature of our work (especially those of us who don't knock till we've finished) means we're in the trust business.
Most people recognise that around here.
The posts on here make me realise how lucky ive been so far.