To think she's taking the piss a bit now?

[GallopingFoxley]

I recently set up my own cleaning business and it's all going well. I've got enough clients to fill the hours that I wanted to work and so far it's all good.

When I've taken on a client, I've discussed my hourly rate of course and also when I expect to be paid. I ask for the money via bank transfer within 24 hours.. ( when you are doing a weekly clean for someone it can soon stack up and I like to keep on top of this ) . Everyone has paid immediately apart from one lady.

I've cleaned for her twice now. The first time she said ' I'll transfer you the money this evening ..' but she didn't do it for two days. I wasn't concerned - my 24 hour rule isn't set in stone or anything! - and she sent a text saying how forgetful she was and she'd done it. Fine no problem.

The second time though was last Tuesday. As I left she said ' I'll transfer you the money this evening ' and I said ' great thank you ' ..come last night though, she still hadn't. As it was almost 6 days later I sent her a friendly message saying ' hello! I'm just doing my end of week accounts and wondered if you'd had chance to pop the money over to me' ... She responded this morning with a text saying how rubbish and forgetful she is and that she would do it straight away. That was ten hours ago and nope, she's still not paid it.

I'm due back again tomorrow. Would you just leave it until then and mention it again tomorrow? It's irritating me a bit

[FenellaFellorick]

I would phone her and say sorry, I can't come until I have been paid. If you aren't able to transfer my wages in today, then we can rearrange for after you've been able to do it.

There is of course a chance that she would cancel your services but really, you have to ask yourself if one customer is worth the hassle or if it's best to just let them go and fill that slot with someone who pays.

[MrsHathaway]

That's good advice. If your terms are 24 hours then it's totally reasonable to expect to have been paid before the next weekly clean.

[IAmNotAMindReader]

Don't go back until you are paid. However don't just leave her in the lurch send her an official but friendly sounding text that payment was agreed within 24 hours and you apologize but her services have been suspended for non payment and you will gladly resume once this has been sorted.
I bet she doesn't forget her mortgage, council tax or gas or electricity payments.

[Doobigetta]

Agree- don't do any more for her until the outstanding bill has been cleared- minimise your losses.

[GallopingFoxley]

Eek! See that is what I'm trying to avoid.. Another text chasing her. It's only a 2 hour clean tomorrow but adding that to the outstanding amount will mean she owes me over 70 quid.

I was thinking of just turning up tomorrow and leaving her an invoice clearly showing the still outstanding payment plus the new amount due.

I understand being forgetful of course but these days it really does take ten seconds to make a bank transfer doesn't it?

[GallopingFoxley]

My terms are 24 hours because then it's done and out the way and and nothing has a chance to build up.

I'm a bit of a soft touch though so really would like to avoid another text chasing her!

[trinity0097]

I would hate to have to do it weekly. I would prefer to pay my cleaner a monthly standing order, so I didn't have to think about it!

[FenellaFellorick]

Sadly, that's business. You have to be willing to be assertive and annoy piss takers

If you don't have procedures that protect you - such as not cleaning for people with outstanding bills, then you'll find that one week will become two, will become three will become can't I pay you monthly it's easier for me....

Stop it before it gets bad. It's better to lose a non/late paying customer than pay to go to work!

[rookiemere]

Could you take the money as cash from this lady going forward instead?

I get that you need paid and this lady isn't proving to be a very reliable client, but I must admit I'd find it a bit of a faff doing a weekly bank transfer, but it's no bother to remember to take money out of the cash machine.

[Littlef00t]

I guess it's up to you. You might not see the £70 and it sets a precedent that there's no downside to late payment. I do think you need to be bullish when taking money in these circs. Often the Lovely old ladies are as sharp as a tack and have the doddery forgetful routine down.

[ReginaFelangi]

Could you not ask her to leave cash for you at the start of your shift?

[OldBloodCallsToOldBlood]

Why would you stack another potential loss on top of a loss? Because it IS a loss - she hasn't paid you. Remember that you're not cleaning for her as a favour, or to be liked. You're doing it to make money.

Send that final text and make it clear you are unable to clean for her until she pays what she owes. If you want to keep her as a customer, I would change her terms and insist on payment 24hrs BEFORE you're due to clean.

[GallopingFoxley]

Trinity - monthly is a no no because it's too risky, especially in the initial stages of setting up and doing jobs for people. I could do work totalling several hundred pounds over that month and have to trust that the person will pay me. I much prefer it done and dusted and all my other clients are of the same mind it seems

Re receiving cash - again, everyone has said to me so far that they much prefer that I request bank transfer because they rarely have the exact money in and it's a hassle going to the cash point

[Finola1step]

I think you are being very generous. When I had a cleaner, I always left cash out so payment was immediate. Do not clean again until payment received. If problem continues, request cash is left.

[CocktailQueen]

Don't do another clean from her till you have the money. In fact, why not change your rule to you want to be paid at the time you clean? I always give my cleaners cash on the day. Good luck with your venture!

[MissDemelzaCarne]

I'd find it a pain to do that weekly TBH, I leave cash for my cleaner.
I'd cope with monthly bank transfers.

[IAmNotAMindReader]

It doesn't which means she doesn't value the service you are providing her as worthy of being paid for.

How much unpaid work are you prepared to do fer her op rather than confront the issue?
How much tighter can your own budget get doing freebies for her?

In future set out a contract to all clients outlining payment within 24 hours or service will be suspended till the balance is brought up to date and further failure to pay will result in termination of services and court proceedings for sums owing.

This is your livelihood op if you don't take steps to protect it, no one else will.

[GallopingFoxley]

Also she's not an old lady - I doubt she's much past 30.

Aaggh I'll have to get a bit tougher then. I'd just feel so rude asking for the money upfront.

[MaidOfStars]

Can you set up PayPal? That might be less hassle for many.

Collect a week (or even month) in advance?

[CremeBrulee]

Honestly I would hate to have to transfer money every week, no logical reason it's just a faff to remember to do it.

I pay my cleaner in cash every time she comes, that way everyone is happy.

[OldBloodCallsToOldBlood]

Maybe you'll feel rude doing it, but remind yourself that she's far ruder, expecting you to perform a service that she's not paying you for.

[GallopingFoxley]

Yes you're all completely correct. I need to toughen up.

I will accept cash but it really is my preference not to. I want it all in a specific account so I can see how much I've made in a month and it's very nice and simple when it comes to tax stuff. But I've given all my clients the option to pay me cash if they so wished but all have said how simple and easy for them it is to pop it over to me via transfer.

[Happy36]

Yes, you can´t clean for her again until she has paid up.

If she pays up and you go and clean again and she "forgets" again, start looking for a replacement client.

[DJThreeDog]

I'd find it a lot more annoying having to pay out in cash, bank transfer is so much easier!

YANBU OP. She's taking the piss.

[GallopingFoxley]

Yeah old blood - it feels like a loss right now as its a full week tomorrow.

And to those saying its a faff to pay weekly... When we initially chatted I was nice and clear about my terms and everyone was more than happy. Doesn't everyone have banking apps these days? Most people do, especially young people. But regardless of that, she was very clear that cash was a hassle for her