[Ian W]

Had a customer tell me I was a week late. I assured her I wasn't, but she was insistent I was. Now I knew I was a day late due to attending a funeral, but there was no way I was a week late.

Then her husband appeared. He started to tell me I was a week late. When I insisted I was not, he then tried to prove it to me. He ended up agreeing that I wasn't a week late, but presented me with a bit of paper when I finished with the date they expected me back on!

Now I have told them I can't guarantee dates, but I felt pretty annoyed they were making such a song and dance about the situation.

They then said that I was the best window cleaner they had ever had and didn't want to lose me...  :

Funny way of showing it! 

[Londoner]

I've had that before, some people need to get out more and stop worrying about trivial stuff.

I've had one woman phone up and leave a snotty message saying "You were supposed to clean my windows today, why didn't you" Now that confused me because she wasn't on my list.
Turns out she had decided I was due and stayed in all day waiting for me and getting more and more annoyed.
I had to explain to her that sometimes I get behind because of the rain or if I have holiday or sickness. It was like talking to a child.

[Ian W]

I always tell anyone that questions me to call me and I will let them know what is happening. You're right Vince, it can be like talking to children. 

[darragh windows]

some of our customers are like this and note it on their calenders when we clean them i suppose its better than not today mate

[Ian W]

some of our customers are like this and note it on their calenders when we clean them i suppose its better than not today mate

Yes, perhaps I shouldn't be looking at the downside! 

[Ian W]

That is why I can't understand their thinking Martin. I make it quite clear that inclement weather can alter schedules. I think they may just be people who like to cause a fuss when they get the opportunity...  :

[Paul Coleman]

One thing I've found is that the people who will complain about you being late are often the same ones that will also complain about you cleaning in the rain.  That's what I call a double bind.
I once had a few customers like that (a very long time ago)     .
I even tried to explain it to one of them but got nowhere.  I may as well have been talking Chinese.

[LWC]

crikey if all my customers were like that with me, shish, just lately im very late due to employers letting me down, rain so on so forth, id be in so much trouble

most dont say a word to me, some are like "your a bit late arent ya" and i explain to them and theyre fine

[Sir Squeaky]

As long as I turn up roughly monthly no-one cares.

A week late?
Oh no! Whatever will they do!!!!

One more chance then...DUMPED!

[M & C Window Cleaning]

Most of my work is on a four week cycle.

I've got one guy who turns me away if I turn up one day early.

What's funny is, now I know the routine I don't do them if I'm a day early but when I get round the next month he then has a go because I'm overdue. I can't win.

[Londoner]

Yes I have had the "you aren't due until tomorrow" comments or "I thought you were coming this morning"    (why?).

I print off a weekly list and only stick to a certain day if its in the job notes. However, without realising it I have built up certain patterns like doing customers in the same order each time because they fall that way.
So the customer picks up on it and starts to think of me always coming in the morning or whatever.

[Ian W]

What are they going to do when I go on holiday! 

They must think we don't do anything that they do, like visiting the dentist, eating & sleeping, etc. 

[Londoner]

I've been telling them all I'm away for two weeks in August and I'll probably be a bit late next time.

[Ian Rochester]

We never have set days, there are so many variables that we cannot guarantee we will be there on a set date for domestic customers.

However our commercial ones often want a set date so we need to be a bit more accommodating for them.

Earlier on this year we were running nearly a fortnight behind, nobody complained other than the odd comment like "thought you'd forgotten about us!"

There's another window cleaner around us and he has all his people on set dates, if it's raining or he's off on the day you're due to be cleaned then that's it, he'll not be back for another 4 weeks!  We've taken a pile of work off him for that very reason.

[Oakley Windows]

Ask them at what time of the day they're going to fart on September 13th this year.

[Dean Taberner]

My domestic round is currently 3 wks overdue in some areas due to staff holidays, weather and large contract jobs.

Im hoping to put it right this week but god knows what reception im going to recieve