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AIBU?

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Original poster

To object to being paid like this

143 replies

carparker · 19/05/2024 23:58

I need a sense check really, I'm so annoyed and I'm not sure why. I'm a cleaner, work in people's homes, they usually pay me cash. Most leave it out for me and I take it when I'm done,

This one client though, I have to find him and ask for the money every time, I say ok I'm finished, he says oh are you, then I say yes can I have my money please, then he gets out his wallet and takes it out note by note, so one fiver, holds it out till I take it, rinse and repeat. Always £5 or £10 short so he says oh I'll transfer the rest. 24 hours later I text to ask, he pays a few hours after.

It's driving me nuts, how hard is it to just have £30 ready? Why does he do it? I need the work so i don't want to complain but I'm living on my nerves waiting for the last £5 or whatever, and the note by note thing is just weird. Should I say something or am I being a princess?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
MrsTerryPratchett · 04/07/2024 18:47

carparker · 04/07/2024 17:28

So to update again, after a few ok weeks he randomly cancelled me this week, said he'd decided he couldn't afford it and would clean for himself now. Fair enough. Got to find a new client now aaargh!

Good luck!

It's possible he enjoyed the game and therefore cancelled. No great loss. I hope you find someone brilliant.

Original poster
carparker · 04/07/2024 17:28

So to update again, after a few ok weeks he randomly cancelled me this week, said he'd decided he couldn't afford it and would clean for himself now. Fair enough. Got to find a new client now aaargh!

OP posts:
AhNowTed · 04/06/2024 19:55

👍

Willmafrockfit · 04/06/2024 18:45

great result op

GreenFritillary · 04/06/2024 18:18

Well done.

Original poster
carparker · 04/06/2024 18:12

Just updating, he transferred the money (all of it) no problem just after I left, didn't speak to him while I was there. Hopefully that'll be the new system, I can't say I'll miss talking to him.

OP posts:
TakeOnFlea · 24/05/2024 09:43

Use monzo for payments. Tell him you don't accept cash anymore and give him monzo details. Also, don't bin him off, he's an easy clean.

Kjpt140v · 24/05/2024 00:27

carparker · 19/05/2024 23:58

I need a sense check really, I'm so annoyed and I'm not sure why. I'm a cleaner, work in people's homes, they usually pay me cash. Most leave it out for me and I take it when I'm done,

This one client though, I have to find him and ask for the money every time, I say ok I'm finished, he says oh are you, then I say yes can I have my money please, then he gets out his wallet and takes it out note by note, so one fiver, holds it out till I take it, rinse and repeat. Always £5 or £10 short so he says oh I'll transfer the rest. 24 hours later I text to ask, he pays a few hours after.

It's driving me nuts, how hard is it to just have £30 ready? Why does he do it? I need the work so i don't want to complain but I'm living on my nerves waiting for the last £5 or whatever, and the note by note thing is just weird. Should I say something or am I being a princess?

Find another client, then leave.

WomanMumLoverDaughterStepmumFriend · 23/05/2024 17:00

Sorry I just realised you updated . Just checking n case you need it , I use revolut for payments and transfers , its very easy to set up and doesn’t have overdraws and you can withdraw money or pay with the card etc . Good luck

WomanMumLoverDaughterStepmumFriend · 23/05/2024 16:57

Can you just invoice him and tell
him to transfer money instead ? That way you don’t have to deal with him face to face

Xmasbaby11 · 23/05/2024 13:59

Sounds like a good outcome OP - well done.

It's disrespectful to not have all the money to hand, and does appear to be a power play - unpleasant. But if it's now bank transfer, hopefully that will remove the situation and the that's the end of it.

Uselesssil · 23/05/2024 13:52

A bit off topic but, I need to find a cleaner for a couple of hours each week. How do I go about finding one? Unless @carparker lives in south west Scotland?

BeeHappy12 · 23/05/2024 13:05

Grimchmas · 20/05/2024 00:15

3rd possibility: "oh you're £5 short again Mr Douche. Best start having the full £30 ready in an envelope for me when I come next week or I'll have to start charging you a late fee!"

This is perfect

Baba197 · 23/05/2024 12:49

He’s a dick trying to belittle you. Look to find another household to replace him then drop him, there’s always loads of people wanting good cleaners I’m sure you can find someone else

Dibbydoos · 23/05/2024 11:50

Put the price up by £5 and tell him you need payment in cash once you're done. Ask him to confirm he will have full payment for you - I hope he says he will.

If he doesn't have it again, you can remind him he said he'd have the payment in full and give him his final notice because this is a pattern and you don't have time to keep chasing him for payment.

Alternatively, ask him to pay you into an new bank account you set up specifically for this. He can then do the transfer in front of you for the full amount. Still increase his cost, though.

Hazyjaneishere · 23/05/2024 11:17

find another client and then let him go. It’s really disrespectful behaviour, you shouldn’t have to chase him for payment. He’s not doing you a favour.

Clio82 · 23/05/2024 10:47

This is horrible and creepy behaviour. Where I live (north Surrey) it’s so hard to find a reliable and trustworthy cleaner with availability that we would never do soemthing like this to put them off, even if we wanted to.

Grit your teeth as long as you can but do see if you can diversify your client base and ditch this asshole for people who will give you the respect you deserve.

It’s an important job looking after someone’s home and you should be valued for it!

PussInBin20 · 23/05/2024 10:20

Maybe he just wants a chat?

SoupChicken · 23/05/2024 10:10

It sounds really disrespectful but if you otherwise want to keep the job I’d add a £5 douchebag tax and set up a current account separate from your overdraft for him to pay in to.

MrsW062015 · 23/05/2024 09:33

OchonAgusOchonOh · 20/05/2024 00:03

I'd look for a new client and dump him. It sounds like he's on a power trip and is trying to ensure you know he's superior to you.

Superior only in his mind obviously. Anyone who behaves like that is superior to nobody.

This completely. Thank god he’s your client and not your partner!

I think you’ll be ‘busy’ in his slot from next month. You’ll have another client in no time.

we don’t treat people that do amazing services for us as servants any more, it’s hugely disrespectful!

timenowplease · 23/05/2024 09:31

Replace him ASAP.

Life's too short OP.

Sashikocheck · 23/05/2024 09:23

My friend’s a tutor - she says the men are always weird about paying. She has been paid in £1 coins in the past - she gets really fed up with people screwing around with the money side of things.

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/05/2024 09:19

carparker · 21/05/2024 19:44

Ok I said I wouldn't be there next week as I was away, and said I was changing to bank transfer from 1st June and price going up to 35, cost of living and all that. He just said ok, so I'll see if that works. I don't actually mind cleaning his house, it's pretty empty and never dirty and the location is near another client so I think I'll give him another chance. I'll text him before and if he doesn't want me I'll find someone else.

Well done

Let's see if they works

How old is he roughly ?

pinkzebra02 · 23/05/2024 08:04

If it was me I'd deliberately change the price to something with a decimal, say 33.10. Just to make his life harder. You have to keep up with inflation, after all!

rwalker · 23/05/2024 05:45

Keep it simple bank transfer the lot