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simon knight

Taking back the work.
« on: February 27, 2009, 05:56:23 pm »

Lady isn't paying (£18). Phoned and left messages, sent texts...no response. Called round...never in.

I'm not gonna waste any more time with it but fully intend to return the dirt to her (front) windows the next time I'm passing. Nothing silly like eggs, oil or paint etc...just dip applicator into bucket, apply to windows and off I go.

Although I'm going to do it does anybody know what the law is on this?

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2009, 05:57:46 pm »
Screw the law  ;D

Just say you felt guilty about having her dirt in your posession so decided to return her property.
 
 Can you imagine the response she'd get from the rozzers when she calls PC Plod complaining about dirty windows.

Ive had it with a domestic account that has owed me £255.00 since the middle of December, I spoke to the guys house-keeper today, apparently the bod is down from London with his pals tomorrow, Im paying a visit  ;)

ftp

  • Posts: 4694
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2009, 06:04:25 pm »
Finally got paid from one customer today after five cleans. Some people are unbelievable.  ::)

simon knight

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2009, 06:12:55 pm »

Nice one Matt ;)

ftp: 5 cleans? Blimey you're trusting! With me it's no 2nd clean until 1st is paid for.

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2009, 06:18:32 pm »
There is a legal principle called Debenture, where the goods remain your property until paid for.
I've wondered whether the principle would stretch to windows. As in, I haven't been paid so I will restore the windows to their pre-cleaned condition.

Failing that leave the engine running and do it    ;D

dai

  • Posts: 3503
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2009, 06:28:10 pm »
Send her a bill for £56, she will be on the phone like a shot, you then tell her that you posted someone elses bill by mistake, but as she called when would it be convenient to collect the £18.

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2009, 06:46:08 pm »
You are always going to get one or two people like that, I have had a couple before but just dropped them. Its not worth wasting your time. But remember even if its not the law, if anyone get word that it was you, your reputation could be damaged and it could cost you more. It is the law that you should be paid for your work though, but unfortunately it cost you more money every time you try and chase it up.

My advice it forget it and go and get another two customers that will treat you better, and lets face it, they will soon run out of window cleaners to flease and will be pretty diry soon enough anyway.

I once had another window cleaner warn me that one of my customers owed a bit of money to another window cleaner, and low and behold she was a pain in the beep. I never let her away with anything, and reminded her that she would not be done again untill she paid up for her last booking. Once it had been about 4 months since I did her and she asked me to do them again, and ask for her ballance be settled and got it, I even reqouted and added another couple of pound, but in the end I never went back when I got my money, not worth the hassel.

If anything I would do that, let the other cleaners know what they are like and to be careful, in turn damaging her reputation instead of yours, becuase thats what she deserves, no-one to trust her with a thing.

trevor perry

  • Posts: 2454
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2009, 06:53:12 pm »
You are always going to get one or two people like that, I have had a couple before but just dropped them. Its not worth wasting your time. But remember even if its not the law, if anyone get word that it was you, your reputation could be damaged and it could cost you more. It is the law that you should be paid for your work though, but unfortunately it cost you more money every time you try and chase it up.

My advice it forget it and go and get another two customers that will treat you better, and lets face it, they will soon run out of window cleaners to flease and will be pretty diry soon enough anyway.

I once had another window cleaner warn me that one of my customers owed a bit of money to another window cleaner, and low and behold she was a pain in the beep. I never let her away with anything, and reminded her that she would not be done again untill she paid up for her last booking. Once it had been about 4 months since I did her and she asked me to do them again, and ask for her ballance be settled and got it, I even reqouted and added another couple of pound, but in the end I never went back when I got my money, not worth the hassel.

If anything I would do that, let the other cleaners know what they are like and to be careful, in turn damaging her reputation instead of yours, becuase thats what she deserves, no-one to trust her with a thing.
good post definately best way of handling it
better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove any doubt

jonisondell

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2009, 07:18:51 pm »
thats exactly what i used to do used to really p me off had an old pole just diped into bucket of mud, and smeared the windies, but dont do it any more, i think plod would have something to say.
would be interesting aruging your case, "well officer she didnt pay so im returning her dirt!!" dont go too mad

Dean Taberner

  • Posts: 4164
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2009, 07:29:55 pm »
Hi Simon,

Im a special constable of nearly 5 years with staffordshire police and technically this is criminal damage.

2 wrongs dont make a right!!!

 ::) ::) ::)

I have had this happen to me though and believe it or not Ive done the old pad the window up and walk off trick.

Its best in the summer as it really bakes on the window.

I once had somebody who owed me £7k from commercial work and I arrested them for various fraud offences. Thats another story though 8)

Dean
Operations manager at J.V Price Ltd

http://www.thepricegroup.co.uk

jonisondell

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2009, 07:45:15 pm »
Hi Simon,

Im a special constable of nearly 5 years with staffordshire police and technically this is criminal damage.

2 wrongs dont make a right!!!

 ::) ::) ::)

I have had this happen to me though and believe it or not Ive done the old pad the window up and walk off trick.

Its best in the summer as it really bakes on the window.

I once had somebody who owed me £7k from commercial work and I arrested them for various fraud offences. Thats another story though 8)

Dean
how can it be criminal damage when nothing is damaged?? you are applying a layer of dirt

russ_clark

  • Posts: 923
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2009, 08:12:12 pm »
I would like to do this but never would
because of my business reputation.
There is no way in a million years this is criminal damage!!!
Unless the law has changed since I have been out  ;D ;D ;D

Dean Taberner

  • Posts: 4164
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #12 on: February 27, 2009, 08:33:35 pm »
it is criminal damage as a charge would likely be needed for the injured party to correct the damage done by the offender who applied the soap.

trust me its criminal damage.

as is egging a window.

Dean
Operations manager at J.V Price Ltd

http://www.thepricegroup.co.uk

ccmids

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #13 on: February 27, 2009, 08:52:33 pm »
just wait it out  they will pay in the end

lovewindows

  • Posts: 416
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #14 on: February 27, 2009, 09:22:26 pm »
Live with it ! move on , whatever you do it will cause you mither and stress it aint worth it.
dont look who's to blame, look how to fix it. anon

windowswashed

  • Posts: 2627
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #15 on: February 27, 2009, 10:03:55 pm »
I once sprayed  christmas window spray paint (red) on a customer's windows who was a really bad payer.

I covered every square inch of every pane of glass including the bedroom ones. I had to go up a ladder to get the bedroom ones. It was on a Sunday morning. After I finished spraying their windows I knocked them up and politely told them to stick their debt up their backside as they screwed me I had just screwed them with Xmas window paint. I laughed my head off watching the muppets spend hours trying to remove it.

Funnily enough word got around the town very quickly what I had done and everybody was very quick to send payments afterwards. However I did lose a few customers because of this stupid but fun prank. I wouldn't do it again but I can look back and laugh at it now.

elite mike

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #16 on: February 28, 2009, 08:53:24 am »
I once sprayed  christmas window spray paint (red) on a customer's windows who was a really bad payer.

I covered every square inch of every pane of glass including the bedroom ones. I had to go up a ladder to get the bedroom ones. It was on a Sunday morning. After I finished spraying their windows I knocked them up and politely told them to stick their debt up their backside as they screwed me I had just screwed them with Xmas window paint. I laughed my head off watching the muppets spend hours trying to remove it.

Funnily enough word got around the town very quickly what I had done and everybody was very quick to send payments afterwards. However I did lose a few customers because of this stupid but fun prank. I wouldn't do it again but I can look back and laugh at it now.

are you still i there christmas card list ;D ;D

russ_clark

  • Posts: 923
Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #17 on: February 28, 2009, 09:06:48 am »
Criminal damage refers to crimes where a person intentionally or recklessly destroys or causes damage to another person's property


It is Not Criminal Damage
There would be enough to get arrested as there is reasonable suspicion that damage has been caused
but as you are just putting dirt back on windows then there is no damage.
There is not a court in this land that would convict a person of doing this.
Like I said it would not be something I would recommend as there could be repurcussions on your business name.

Russ

simon knight

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #18 on: February 28, 2009, 10:51:38 am »

Whether or not it's criminal damage or not my take on it is: I've taken the dirt away for a fee. The fee has not been paid therefore I'm return her goods...the dirt...she should be grateful I'm so honest ;D

Re: Taking back the work.
« Reply #19 on: February 28, 2009, 11:10:22 am »
Exactly, good on ya  ;D

*Pat on the back for Simon*

 ;)