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paulben

  • Posts: 1041
When a customer dies
« on: October 15, 2015, 06:38:09 am »
When a customer dies owing money do you as I have in the past or do you put bill in to executors of will , seems heartless asking for money but we have earned it and someone is going to make a fortune out of house sale any thoughts
Do not steal the government hates competition

tlwcs

  • Posts: 2162
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2015, 07:04:03 am »
All you can do is push your invoice through the door, someone will be checking/looking after the house.
You may get paid and asked to carry on cleaning while the estate is being sold.
You may not hear from them again, over the years I've had both.
Whatever the property is worth and who is going to be the benifactor ain't any of your business.
If you lose out, it's just one of those things.
Tony

paulben

  • Posts: 1041
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2015, 07:08:32 am »
I have had both but when owed 3 cleans its a bit annoying just wondered what every one else did
Do not steal the government hates competition

Rich Wilts

Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2015, 07:53:13 am »
 Just don't let it get to 3 cleans then

jk999

  • Posts: 2097
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2015, 07:54:03 am »
I just let it go if the person lived alone ,wouldn't go chasing payment  it's a bit disrespectful  I know we have earned the money but what can you do

Ian101

  • Posts: 7889
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2015, 08:27:15 am »
The average older generation customer would hate to owe money so I would pop bill thru letterbox.

Thing is most times you get a call from a family member explaining that the customer is dead.

Walter Mitty

  • Posts: 1314
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2015, 09:01:17 am »
I have cleaned and billed without knowing the customer had died.  I usually receive a payment and a cancellation note.  When that happens, I spend some of the money on a condolences card and address it to the property using the payer's name.
Sometimes, I just don't get paid.  I don't chase it when that happens.

I've had other occasions when someone has gone into a care hom,e.  I usually end up getting paid but not always.

I currently clean for some residents at a warden assisted block of flats.  I've had four customers there; two have gone into a care home without paying.  It wasn't their fault as their minds just weren't up to self-care any more and they would probably be mortified if they knew what had happened.  I still have two customers there.  I was recently asked about taking on another.  I declined as I will not take on any more at that place.   Explaining why was a bit delicate so I embellished the truth :)

Steven Biggs

  • Posts: 1350
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2015, 10:55:07 am »
I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died .  He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs  put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque  for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again  ;D. Turned out well .

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2015, 11:27:38 am »
One time I turned up at a house the old girl invited me in and said take a chair and then handed me a cuppa.
Then just as I had taken a mouthful of tea she said my husband died in that chair last night you are sitting on. I tried not to spit the tea out everywhere. Bless her ::)roll

Another time on at a different property I was just about to go to the door when a hurse pulled up outside. Oops! Talk about bad timing or what  ;D

Most partners/relatives will settle a bill and say if they want the work carried on or not.

Ste b

  • Posts: 362
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2015, 01:14:04 pm »
I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died .  He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs  put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque  for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again  ;D. Turned out well .


Scum if you ask me
The purpose of life is to have a life full of purpose

Rich Wilts

Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2015, 01:43:13 pm »
I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died .  He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs  put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque  for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again  ;D. Turned out well .


Scum if you ask me

Eh?

Positivity

  • Posts: 571
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2015, 01:43:59 pm »
I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died .  He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs  put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque  for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again  ;D. Turned out well .
Is this a wind up or are you really lower than a snakes belly?

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2015, 03:15:43 pm »
Had 1 last week an £80 job,just put your bill in and expect an explanation of what had happened with payment saying either keep cleaning as we are selling it or thanks for your past service.

paulben

  • Posts: 1041
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2015, 04:10:59 pm »
had one where nephew was only family left old woman told me he only comes to see her when he needs money .When she died he got let the bungalow had a call saying she had died but if I left addressed envelope when bungalow sold he would send me money . never got money just made me cross that he never did any thing for her now just made a fortune out of her . usually just write  off money  just wondered what every one else did
Do not steal the government hates competition

SB Cleaning

  • Posts: 4336
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #14 on: October 15, 2015, 04:22:00 pm »
I had one a couple of weeks back . A neighbour came out and told me the old guy had died .  He always paid on the day So I just cleaned the downstairs  put my slip through the door saying he owed me for 3 cleans ,£30 . The daughter phoned me up and posted me a cheque  for £70 told me to carry on cleaning em till the house is sold . And let her know when she owes again  ;D. Turned out well .
Is this a wind up or are you really lower than a snakes belly?
I hope it is a wind up....

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #15 on: October 15, 2015, 04:25:42 pm »
What others do is no concern of ours bud.

You had a verbal contract with the lady to clean her windows not the nephew so he doesn’t have to pay any outstanding bill if he doesn’t want to. That's like saying to someone who has just moved into a property yes I will clean your windows if you pay the outstanding bill from the previous owner irrespective if they are a relative or not? ::)roll

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #16 on: October 15, 2015, 04:30:43 pm »
had one where nephew was only family left old woman told me he only comes to see her when he needs money .When she died he got let the bungalow had a call saying she had died but if I left addressed envelope when bungalow sold he would send me money . never got money just made me cross that he never did any thing for her now just made a fortune out of her . usually just write  off money  just wondered what every one else did
Have you got green eyes lol

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #17 on: October 15, 2015, 04:35:43 pm »
I'm wondering if the op was working on the old girl to get her to leave the bungalow to him instead that's why he got the hump  ;D

Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #18 on: October 15, 2015, 04:45:53 pm »
I've had it happen a few times now.
Its never been more than a £20 clean though.
When a relative has informed me of the bereavement and that they owe money I request that they put the money towards funeral flowers or a suitable charity the deceased may have had a connection with.
If they ever carry out my wishes, who knows  ???

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: When a customer dies
« Reply #19 on: October 15, 2015, 04:49:29 pm »
I've had it happen a few times now.
Its never been more than a £20 clean though.
When a relative has informed me of the bereavement and that they owe money I request that they put the money towards funeral flowers or a suitable charity the deceased may have had a connection with.
If they ever carry out my wishes, who knows  ???

Nice one  ;)