Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay the window cleaner?

colmax

I am a window cleaner and I remember once I was cleaning a flat for the first time in a block of flats and accidentally cleaned one window of the neighbours flat. I did a very good job and realised my error when I got to the second window and saw it was another kitchen.... So I just stopped and left the property. Of course I didn't charge anything, my own stupid fault.

The cheeky owner came out and tried to get me to clean the whole flat for free, reasoning that as I had cleaned one window in his living room it highlighted how dirty the other window on the other side of the room was?!?!?

I refused and laughed it off, offering to clean them for the same price as his neighbour, but he got quite verbaly aggressive. Some people are just looking for a easy mark.

maiasopohie

I think he must be a bit on the illiterate side! Surely he should keep accurate records of his work! If he makes a mistake, please don't pay but write to him tactfully explaining his mistake. You never know, he may give you a freebie for being so polite!

zipman23

I just thought I would add that I am actually a bloke! Ta-daaah! Not sure who said I was a woman...maybe it suggests that I am??

The main reason I don't want them cleaned (or pay to have them cleaned) is because that is what my girlfriend is for haha. She loves a bit of cleaning!!

Seriously though, we live in a mid terrace house so the only access to the back at the minute is over the fence and I don't want him climbing over it as we paid quite a lot of money to get it replaced (not due to the window cleaner, it just needed replacing) and I don't want it damaged. He has also used my garden furniture in the past to get into the garden on the other side and I don't want that either!

Its easy just to say no as an answer, the dilemma part was how to actually deal with it but some of the suggestions seem a tad excessive.

Obviously, I'll gladly have it done for free if he's daft enough to keep doing them. I won't be paying him a penny! The note he leaves only says "windows cleaned" so there isn't a business/contact number.

tallgirld

I would probably pay him just the once. I would make it clear though that I would not be paying again!

Pads

You should of course pay this man
He is clearly a scam artist and chancer
But he did clean your windows

The bankers are all scam artists and chancers and we're paying them and they haven't even polished my front door knob.



Recently, while visiting my folks in Ireland, I had to run some errands whilst returning from the vet with the family Rottweiler.
Two young gurriers offered, for a nominal fee, to "look after" the car while I was in the shop.
I thanked them explaining that I had no need of their services as I had a Rottweiler in the car
They asked "Is he any good at putting out fires?"

Julia4J

Never give in to this kind of blackmail, ever. I have a small business and I would certainly not behave in such an unethical and unprofessional way.

bob-electrics

if you have told him previously that you have not asked for your windows cleaned and he still does them then its his loss. dont pay.

pip207

No you should not pay if the dummy has to be told each time then its his fault not yours.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

colmax wrote: »

I am a window cleaner and I remember once I was cleaning a flat for the first time in a block of flats and accidentally cleaned one window of the neighbours flat. I did a very good job and realised my error when I got to the second window and saw it was another kitchen.... So I just stopped and left the property. Of course I didn't charge anything, my own stupid fault.

The cheeky owner came out and tried to get me to clean the whole flat for free, reasoning that as I had cleaned one window in his living room it highlighted how dirty the other window on the other side of the room was?!?!?

I refused and laughed it off, offering to clean them for the same price as his neighbour, but he got quite verbaly aggressive. Some people are just looking for a easy mark.

We've all had them haven't we. I haven't had any bad payers for a while until recently. Currently chasing a couple of customers who seem to think I'm a money lender. It cuts both ways. As soon as it's the customer who is out of line, it appears that it stops being a criminal matter and becomes a civil one - even if the customer intended to defraud from the start. Obviously it can't be proven. I'm not referring to "can't pays" who have misjudged their finances but "won't pays" who are clearly taking the pee.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

zipman23 wrote: »

Obviously, I'll gladly have it done for free if he's daft enough to keep doing them. I won't be paying him a penny! The note he leaves only says "windows cleaned" so there isn't a business/contact number.

No contact details?
IMO that's way out of order.
It's important to always be contactable - even if it has to be voicemail temporarily. I even have my landline diverted to my mobile during work hours. Customers must be able to make contact as they may wish to cancel, request some extra work on the next visit, or just simply send a cheque to pay for work done.