[Tosh]

I had a big female receptionist complain to me this morning, 'cos I was dripping water all over their windows. 

I clean the offices above their establishment, and there's no way I'm going to use a ladder.  Especially since I did offer my services to them (they're new - just moved in - not poaching) and they've found a cheaper window cleaner (I know this as they asked for three quotes) and I know the window cleaner who got the job; he cleaned them on Saturday.

Anyway, this big battle-axe came running out shouting 'stop stop' and I carried on working; I knew what was comming.

She told me that they'd only had their windows cleaned yesturday and that I was making them all wet.

I explained, while still working that there's a lot of 'elf 'n' safety about these days, and this is the way I do it.

She repeated that she'd just had her windows cleaned yesturday.

I then went onto explain that there was very little difference between pure water and rain water; and that it had rained last night; anyway!

She repeated that she'd just had her windows cleaned yesturday; once more; so I decided to 'split a few hairs'; wind her up a bit; and told her that she was lying.  I know her window cleaner and I know when he did them and it wasn't yesturday, and her windows had been rained on at least five times since then.

She turned red; especially when I called her a liar!  I know I shouldn't use such provacative language; but I do like to wind people up; I can't help myself!

I did help her out in the end and told her that I always clean this particular account first thing, on the 1st working day of each month, and to get her window cleaner to come later in the day.

But just to be a proper wind up merchant, I may do it on the 2nd or 3rd working day of next month.

How do you lot deal with situations like this?

[simon knight]

I would have charged her a tenner for giving her windows the extra rinse

[Clear Vision]

Nothing at all!!

Tuff 

[Mike_G]

I would give them a quick wipe afterwards, if the water hitting the bottoms have splashed off the sill or wall it will not dry well.

[pure_genius]

Sounds like a job for Ionic's new Pro-10...

[jeff1]

I haven't had this problem yet, but if I do, its going to be tuff on them, or if I don't want any aggro, then a quick blade off at the bottom and no more.

[Tosh]

I haven't had this problem yet, but if I do, its going to be tuff on them, or if I don't want any aggro, then a quick blade off at the bottom and no more.

There's too many ground floor windows for me to do this; not without it being a pain in the ass.

Each 1st floor window I do is approximately four foot by three foot square; single panes of glass and there's about 23 to 26 of them.  A class job with WFP; easy access; there's no way I'm using ladders.

But there's a similar number on the ground floor, and by blading the ground floor windows, it would seem to me like admitting 'defeat' and that my water is worse than the rain.

[jeff1]

I see and understand what your saying Tosh but isn't the dripping water contaminated water, that can leave the bottom windows dirty??

If you can, I think Bear had the right answer, if the above is true, Do it before they arrive and do a runner

[Tosh]

If you can, I think Bear had the right answer, if the above is true, Do it before they arrive and do a runner

I could do it extra early, but that would be a buggerance for me, since I do the insides of this place too, and to gain entrance I need to be finished the exterior by 8.15/8.30 am.  I always plan to finish the outside windows, just as the first office employee arrives into work.

If I did the exterior earlier, I'd have to either hang-about or return later to do the interior of this job; and I'm not prepared to do that.

I think I've just got to be hard-headed about it; and hopefully the ground floor 'mob' can organise their window cleaner to turn up just after I've finished.

This sort of stuff spoils a good job for me; and no doubt winds up the 'ground floor mob' and may even wind up the window cleaner who cleans downstairs; whose a canny enough lad; but often sells himself too cheaply.

[jeff1]

Aha! I see your problem  Then do it nicley Tosh, and tell her to bugger off, if she can't get her cleaner to turn up after you,
But we all know this may be impossible, so she'll just have to grin and bear it. does she put window blinds up when it rains : I doubt it.

[Paul Coleman]

I had a big female receptionist complain to me this morning, 'cos I was dripping water all over their windows. 

I clean the offices above their establishment, and there's no way I'm going to use a ladder.  Especially since I did offer my services to them (they're new - just moved in - not poaching) and they've found a cheaper window cleaner (I know this as they asked for three quotes) and I know the window cleaner who got the job; he cleaned them on Saturday.

Anyway, this big battle-axe came running out shouting 'stop stop' and I carried on working; I knew what was comming.

She told me that they'd only had their windows cleaned yesturday and that I was making them all wet.

I explained, while still working that there's a lot of 'elf 'n' safety about these days, and this is the way I do it.

She repeated that she'd just had her windows cleaned yesturday.

I then went onto explain that there was very little difference between pure water and rain water; and that it had rained last night; anyway!

She repeated that she'd just had her windows cleaned yesturday; once more; so I decided to 'split a few hairs'; wind her up a bit; and told her that she was lying.  I know her window cleaner and I know when he did them and it wasn't yesturday, and her windows had been rained on at least five times since then.

She turned red; especially when I called her a liar!  I know I shouldn't use such provacative language; but I do like to wind people up; I can't help myself!

I did help her out in the end and told her that I always clean this particular account first thing, on the 1st working day of each month, and to get her window cleaner to come later in the day.

But just to be a proper wind up merchant, I may do it on the 2nd or 3rd working day of next month.

How do you lot deal with situations like this?

I had something like this happen at some flats.  My decision was easier.  I hated the job anyway so I told the customer that I wouldn't be back AND I had his downstairs neighbour as a ready made excuse.  What a coward aren't I?     .
I just wouldn't take on a job like yours now unless I had a discussion with the lower floor business BEFORE I started it.  It's just too much aggravation any other way.

[Paul Coleman]

I had a big female receptionist complain to me this morning, 'cos I was dripping water all over their windows. 

I clean the offices above their establishment, and there's no way I'm going to use a ladder.  Especially since I did offer my services to them (they're new - just moved in - not poaching) and they've found a cheaper window cleaner (I know this as they asked for three quotes) and I know the window cleaner who got the job; he cleaned them on Saturday.

Anyway, this big battle-axe came running out shouting 'stop stop' and I carried on working; I knew what was comming.

She told me that they'd only had their windows cleaned yesturday and that I was making them all wet.

I explained, while still working that there's a lot of 'elf 'n' safety about these days, and this is the way I do it.

She repeated that she'd just had her windows cleaned yesturday.

I then went onto explain that there was very little difference between pure water and rain water; and that it had rained last night; anyway!

She repeated that she'd just had her windows cleaned yesturday; once more; so I decided to 'split a few hairs'; wind her up a bit; and told her that she was lying.  I know her window cleaner and I know when he did them and it wasn't yesturday, and her windows had been rained on at least five times since then.

She turned red; especially when I called her a liar!  I know I shouldn't use such provacative language; but I do like to wind people up; I can't help myself!

I did help her out in the end and told her that I always clean this particular account first thing, on the 1st working day of each month, and to get her window cleaner to come later in the day.

But just to be a proper wind up merchant, I may do it on the 2nd or 3rd working day of next month.

How do you lot deal with situations like this?

Just to asdd to my other post.  Tosh.  Is there any way you can get a key and alarm code (if necessary) for the upstairs.  That way you can be away before ground floor have a clue you've been.  I've quoted a few commercial jobs before and I always ask about key access.  A few of them will actually go for it.

[H h20]

Tosh,
why don`t you go to work wearing that sexy gear in you avatar pic 
the last thing on peoples minds will be dripping water 
Gaz

[Tosh]

Tosh,
why don`t you go to work wearing that sexy gear in you avatar pic 
the last thing on peoples minds will be dripping water 
Gaz

Cheers, Gaz, I may just do that!

But just in case, does anyone else do anything different?

[EasyClean]

When it comes to cleaning flats, I won't clean any unless I speak to the caretaker of the property first and then he/she informs everyone  that I will be using WFP because of the Work At Height Regulations and that anyone wishing to have their windows cleaned on a regular interval within a set week to contact me and those who use the services of another window cleaner to inform them that I will be cleaning on such & such a week. The choice of window cleaner the occupiers choose is their decision. The choice of method for cleaning the windows for me is WFP and so they are all pre-warned in a polite way that I accept no responsibility for the drips running down any windows as they've made their choices.

[matt]

the best way, and ive found this out myself

do them in the rain aslong as the customer your cleaning is happy with it ( mine are ), then its ok, when the bottom flat / business come out and complain ( they wont, as they dont want to get wet ) just say " its raining "

works 100 %

[gary evans]

Tosh,

We have a similar problem as this on some jobs, but you,ve answered your question. Try to get them to organise there w/c to call after, have is number & call him yourself, (If he,s trad there may be a trade-off for work or jobs he,s unable to do within h&s) or give a quick blade off to clean them.

Gary

[ac_cleaning]

Tosh
Say you got to the job 15 20 mins early  just blade off the bottoms (not the whole windows)saves any agro,and would not take to long,while your waiting for the office to open
al

[Spruce]

Tosh
Why don't you approach the other window cleaner yourself and come to some arrangement. You could even buy the downstairs customer from your fellow cleaner or rent the business and WFP them all.
Just a thought.
I have several second floor flats and haven't had a problem yet with the downstairs occupants - but then there is always a first for everything!

[Paul Coleman]

Hey Tosh.
You'll have to buy an Ionics Pro-10 just to do this one job