[jay moley]

Just had a text from a customer asking to cancel as I left his side gate open.

He said: "Just found my side gate open wide. Can I exclude you and look for alternatives?"

Normally go through his garage if he is home but every now and then through the side gate. Thing is the padlock is always open (he doesn't unlock it each time). So anyone could gain access if they wanted to. Every time I go through there I close it but must have forgot this time.

Here's the classic. I've been cleaning his  windows for 10 years without any problems!

Not sure whether to save it or just say yes you can cancel thanks for your past business. Only thing in his favour is that it is my mistake but the pettiness of it makes me think stick it mate.

Price is good for the time it takes.

Ironically his neighbour came up to me on the day of the clean and I got him for £40 regular, this customer is £33.



Thoughts?

[simon w]

I think he's just being polite by saying "can I look for an alternative" that's his way of saying "your fired", well that's how I'm reading it anyway. Don't trouble yourself thinking anymore about it, just find a new customer to replace. 

[dd]

Just apologize for leaving the gate open and say yes to his request. If I stop cleaning someones windows for any reason I always endeavour to stay on friendly terms, no point holding grudges/ill will.

As Simon W says he probably wants to drop you anyway.

[jay moley]

Just apologize for leaving the gate open and say yes to his request. If I stop cleaning someones windows for any reason I always endeavour to stay on friendly terms, no point holding grudges/ill will.

As Simon W says he probably wants to drop you anyway.

Yeah I wouldn't say anything sarky to him. Just let it go.

I was for a while telling such people they could be in Gaza or Ukraine. No one ever answered that! It's true tho, dont know how people get by in life if they get worked up about a gate.

[simon w]

Unless he meant can I look for an alternative way for you to get to the back of the house?   

[NBwcs]

Just had a text from a customer asking to cancel as I left his side gate open.

He said: "Just found my side gate open wide. Can I exclude you and look for alternatives?"

Normally go through his garage if he is home but every now and then through the side gate. Thing is the padlock is always open (he doesn't unlock it each time). So anyone could gain access if they wanted to. Every time I go through there I close it but must have forgot this time.

Here's the classic. I've been cleaning his  windows for 10 years without any problems!

Not sure whether to save it or just say yes you can cancel thanks for your past business. Only thing in his favour is that it is my mistake but the pettiness of it makes me think stick it mate.

Price is good for the time it takes.

Ironically his neighbour came up to me on the day of the clean and I got him for £40 regular, this customer is £33.



Thoughts?

 "Can I exclude you and look for alternatives"

What a bizarre thing to say.

[jay moley]

The other option is to not reply at all. I guess people like this are hoping for a response, maybe you grovelling etc.

[Slacky]

The right thing to do is apologise and say ‘of course, no problem, if you have no luck elsewhere you’ve got my number’.

The wrong thing to do is say ‘sorry, my bad, I got diagnosed testicular cancer that morning, got the diagnosis just as I was starting your place, so I guess maybe I wasn’t thinking entirely clearly. Good luck and sorry once again’.

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

I would text to understand what he wants you to do. I have found two ways to upset a customer. One is to leave the gate open and the other is to park in front of their driveway. I used to park in front of a customer's driveway and clean another two homes while I was parked there. He duly cancelled a few months later and I was over the moon because his was a hard clean.

[jay moley]

I would text to understand what he wants you to do. I have found two ways to upset a customer. One is to leave the gate open and the other is to park in front of their driveway. I used to park in front of a customer's driveway and clean another two homes while I was parked there. He duly cancelled a few months later and I was over the moon because his was a hard clean.

You realise I've left the gate open once in 10 years.

Its also been windy this week so might not even have been me!

I'm not texting back anything. Dont need to waste my time with a pointless back and forth.

[tlwcs]

 

I would text to understand what he wants you to do. I have found two ways to upset a customer. One is to leave the gate open and the other is to park in front of their driveway. I used to park in front of a customer's driveway and clean another two homes while I was parked there. He duly cancelled a few months later and I was over the moon because his was a hard clean.

You realise I've left the gate open once in 10 years.

Its also been windy this week so might not even have been me!

I'm not texting back anything. Dont need to waste my time with a pointless back and forth.

Go on. Send him a smiling emoji 😁

[Stoots]

I once cleaned a house where i text them every day before for gate but it was never open. It was only waist height farm style gate, it only had a latch but it was low down so you couldnt reach it. I used to do the front and knock the door for them to open it. I did this job about 4 times unitl one day i knocked and no answer. So i did the front cleaned next doors then went back and knocked again. I thought sod this and reached over the gate with my pole managing to unlock the gate. I went in and did the back windows, the bloke came out and said how did you get in. I told him how, he said ok dont clean my windows again, i was polite said sorry whats the problem, he said i dont want anyone climbing my gate it might break. I apologised and said no i didnt touch it i just put my pole over and unlatched it. The guy was getting angry and said finish the windows if you want paying and dont do them again.

I was honestly shocked at the cheek all the time i had text him and he just left it locked then when i did try to complete the clean he sacked me off.

I didnt the finish the clean and i never chased him for the payment but i did tell the fat c@nt exactly what i thought of him right to his face which i will tell you was far more satisfying than it would have been if i had walked away and stayed calm, paid or not.

So my opinion is ask the guy exactly what he means then make sure you tell him to get f@@ked.

[AuRavelling79]

Just had a text from a customer asking to cancel as I left his side gate open.

He said: "Just found my side gate open wide. Can I exclude you and look for alternatives?"

Normally go through his garage if he is home but every now and then through the side gate. Thing is the padlock is always open (he doesn't unlock it each time). So anyone could gain access if they wanted to. Every time I go through there I close it but must have forgot this time.

Here's the classic. I've been cleaning his  windows for 10 years without any problems!

Not sure whether to save it or just say yes you can cancel thanks for your past business. Only thing in his favour is that it is my mistake but the pettiness of it makes me think stick it mate.

Price is good for the time it takes.

Ironically his neighbour came up to me on the day of the clean and I got him for £40 regular, this customer is £33.



Thoughts?

"Hi customer,  I hope you and your family are keeping well.

Are you asking my permission to cancel my services because you believe I left your always unlocked gate open once in ten years?

Please advise as soon as reasonably practicable if so as I have a small waiting list of customers that I can select from to take your place.

With best wishes"

[Tam1872]

To be honest,  I've had more complaints about the guy who works with me leaving the gate open than anything to do with window over the years.

I constantly tell them to mind the gate going out of gardens and it must annoy them as I'm constant with it.


I totally get there point aswell. I seen one of my customers chasing his dog up the street before, and i said to him when he was passing, I wish mine would go a walk without me.

We had done his windows 5 mins previously and I don't know why I didn't realise it's obviously our fault he's now chasing his dog.  He came marching back down with it and the way he looked at me it dawned on me that the guy who was working for me left the gate open.

If his dog is knocked down because we left the gate open it could end up costing thousands in vet bills. Or even worse and a car kills it.  It would be a big, big problem.

I'd be in the house grabbing the baseball bat if my dogs been run over as someone didn't shut a gate.

[PHILIP HARDY]

Now for the sensible non-reactionary response.

Hi Customer, yes that's all sorted, thank you for your prior custom and good luck in the future.

Wipe your mouth, move on, don't burn your bridges and don't regret or reconsider any action you have taken.
Live with yourself, that you were polite, responsible and professional in your conduct,

Its your life & business, try to be happy living it, not "outraged" by others.