Day in the Life of Bob - Cleaner refuses to vacuum floors

bobwilson

As some of you may know, I had a rather delightful experience with our last cleaner, so I managed to find a new one. I'd love to be able to do our own cleaning 100% of the time, but alas since our circumstances have changed, we're in a position where we have to have lodgers to make ends meet- at least until we can move. We have to go away from time to time for work, and, as many of you will be aware, trying to get lodgers to clean up after themselves is futile. We can't have the house turning into a tip to present itself to us every time we return, so a cleaner is a necessity at the moment. On to the story:

She was apparently (according to her manager) "We charge £17 per hour but she's the best cleaner in the world! She's really lovely, you'll love her results!"

After several weeks away, I noticed she hadn't emptied the vacuum cleaner... ever, it was over-full & vacuum not working as a result.

I politely inquired with them as to why she hasn't emptied the vacuum cleaners.

Her manager: "Don't worry, she'll do that! Sorry about that. I'll remind her!"

... a few cleans later, still no change in the situation.

I inquire once again: "She still hasn't emptied the vacuum cleaners. Could you remind her again please?"

Cleaning manager: "She didn't empty them because they're ineffective."

Me: "I'm sorry? How is she vacuuming the carpets for the past few weeks?"

Cleaning Manager: "She isn't. She's using the sweep." [apparently she's using the same sweep on indoor carpets I can see her on CCTV using on the outdoor patio :rotfl:] Oh joy.

Me: "I'm not sure a sweep is more effective than a vacuum cleaner. They're ineffective because they haven't been emptied. Is there a reason she doesn't want to empty & use them?"

Cleaning Manager: "They're ineffective even when empty."

Bearing in mind, these are two of the best rated vacuum cleaners on the market - one high powered Miele with power brush for carpets, and one Shark with powerbrush, and bearing in mind this cleaner had apparently never even tried emptying or using the vacuums, it's a little suspicious they would be deemed 'ineffective'. I proceed with:

Me: "The vacuums are both brand new and they are effective. They cost £400 + £300. Could you ask her to empty & use them please instead of sweeping carpets with an outdoor sweep brush? It's not hygienic. Thanks"

Her: "High price doesn't necessarily mean they're effective. I suggest you get a more effective vacuum cleaner."

Me: "Why would I need to buy a new one when I already have two brand new ones? They work fine, I've used them myself."

Her: "I'm not telling you to buy a new one, it's just a suggestion from my professional experience."

Me: "err... what happens when the new one gets full- will she refuse to empty that and need me to buy another new one again?"

[remember- we have a Miele Vaccuum & a Shark]

Her: "I suggest you get Miele. They're the best."

The irony of her suggesting the same brand we already have, was not wasted on me.

Me: "We already have a Miele!"

Her: [silence]

Me: "Hello?....."

Her: "I'll send you a link to the Miele one I suggest." [she proceeds to send a link to a less powerful & cheaper Miele than the one we already have]

Me: "The one you've suggested we buy is cheaper & less effective than the Miele we already have which is designed for floors & carpets."

Her: "I'm not telling you to buy it, it's just a suggestion."

Me: "How would you know they're ineffective if neither of you have ever tried using them?"

Her: "She did try, they're ineffective."

Me: "That's because they need emptying!"

Her: "They're ineffective even when empty."


Me: "But they've been full since the day we hired her - she never emptied them"

Her: "All I'm doing is giving you advice based on my experience. You don't have to take it."

... it's like banging my head on a brick wall.

I considered simply emptying them myself on a regular basis, but this would be impossible if we go away for a few weeks leaving our lodger or teenagers in the house. Isn't this the whole point in hiring a cleaner? We both have such full schedules & work longer & more erratic hours than most, often with work trips. What else isn't she doing if she won't do this basic task?

I proceed to empty the vacuums myself, and take a video showing her how effective they are- I haven't yet sent it to her, but something tells me any reply I send to her and any evidence provided, would be 'ineffective' on her brain :rotfl:.

Me: "I'll show her how to empty them"

Her: "One of your vacuums is too heavy for her to use anyway."


I then took some time off my lunch break to physically show her the basic task of how to empty one of the vacuum cleaners- you'd think teaching her would be simple enough, right? Wrong. I tried to teach her the basic task of pressing a button and removing the dust box, but she struggled with this basic task- and after what seemed like an age of her not being able to remember to 'press button -> pull box out' (she would try to pull the box without pressing the button, or press the 'on' button on the vacuum) , eventually... she finally got it.

She then lifted one of the vacuums needlessly, and made an "urrggg..." dramatic sound to imply it's too heavy for her to use, to which I replied:

"You don't have to lift the vacuum to use it- just push it. The head swivels, and we have one downstairs as well as upstairs, so you don't need to lift them. The stairs can be done with the extension brush, no need to lift either of them."

Her: "OK OK."


However, then the problem of teaching her that the dust box must be put back in in the same way it came out, proved too difficult for her. She tried putting the dust box in upside down, left to right, right to left, but not the right way around. I showed her repeatedly, and she would say "Ah!!!!!" as if it's a revelation to her- yet then when I asked her to repeat it, her memory proved ineffective.

At my wits end, I then posted an advert online to ask for a cleaner, in the hopes of finding one before I sack this one, so that we don't have a gap in cleaning (even though she isn't doing carpets!).

Incredibly, the same woman found my advert- and messaged me "I assume you don't want our service anymore, since I found your advert online.".

I replied "no, we still want your service & will let you know if we wish to cancel in the future". - in the hope of biding time until we find someone else!

The website I advertised on allows up to 3 cleaners to reply- but this same cleaning manager signed up to reply, knowing it would prevent us from getting all 3 replies. Presumably an attempt to prevent us from finding another cleaner?! :T:T:T:T:T

JJ_Egan

Pathetic post more third world problems .

Omywordno1

I have the c3 it probley one of the best hoover on the market. I also have the Dyson handheld which is much better then the one you have. I also know how to use both.

JReacher1

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Pathetic post more third world problems .

You mean first world problems. People in the third world have more things to worry about than emptying their vacuum cleaner

kazwookie

Put an advert on your local facebook page
or
a card in a local shop window for a cleaner.

societys_child

. . . or empty the vacuums

suki1964

Empty the bloody vacuums yourself, or are you really that pathetic that you would go through all this palaver in the hope to make an entertaining post?

Major fail

LilElvis

JReacher1 wrote: »

You mean first world problems. People in the third world have more things to worry about than emptying their vacuum cleaner

Whites living in countries like South Africa all have staff - they don't do the laundry, ironing, cleaning or garden work themselves. The going rate is about £10 per day.

JReacher1

LilElvis wrote: »

Whites living in countries like South Africa all have staff - they don't do the laundry, ironing, cleaning or garden work themselves. The going rate is about £10 per day.

I’m not really sure why you have brought race into this post! It doesn’t seem to be relevant

missile

JReacher1 wrote: »

I’m not really sure why you have brought race into this post! It doesn’t seem to be relevant

Because Bob's attitude is …… :rotfl: