Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
CheeseyOnionPie · 21/05/2024 22:47

This client is more trouble than they’re worth. Dump and don’t look back.

Anele22 · 21/05/2024 22:26

OldPerson · 21/05/2024 20:40

Get out of his house as soon as you can and stay as far away as possible.

His behaviour is controlling and disturbing.

Are you not picking up on the way he is trying to manipulate and belittle you?

He has no respect for you. He's treating you like an insect. You know psychopaths pick the legs off insects.

You are not safe. Do not work there. Get out while you still can.

Do not give out any personal information.

Write down all the information you know about him and how he has behaved. Give a copy to a family member and keep a copy. You know, just in case you end up dead.

His behaviour is not normal and you do not know what he is watching online.

Blimey!

bluebeardswife7 · 21/05/2024 21:49

I think you should burn his house down. Quite frankly, tell me where he lives and I will do it for you. (I won't really, but he is a cunt)

Merryoldgoat · 21/05/2024 21:48

Why are people such arseholes?

I’d replace him if I could. What. Twat

Sofrustratedwithmyself · 21/05/2024 21:43

how awful. Total disrespect for your profession. He wouldn’t get away with that where I live - good cleaners are like gold dust and we pay our cleaner well with money at the ready whenever she arrives. I’m actually a bit scared of my cleaner as she tells me off for little things (lighthearted, but seriously I’m a little 😬😬)

WhitewitchYorkshire · 21/05/2024 21:32

He’s not worth the stress, I agree with all other comments here, you don’t need him. I am sure you could find a new client who will treat you with the respect you deserve.

OldPerson · 21/05/2024 20:40

Get out of his house as soon as you can and stay as far away as possible.

His behaviour is controlling and disturbing.

Are you not picking up on the way he is trying to manipulate and belittle you?

He has no respect for you. He's treating you like an insect. You know psychopaths pick the legs off insects.

You are not safe. Do not work there. Get out while you still can.

Do not give out any personal information.

Write down all the information you know about him and how he has behaved. Give a copy to a family member and keep a copy. You know, just in case you end up dead.

His behaviour is not normal and you do not know what he is watching online.

Silvers11 · 21/05/2024 20:37

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.

Fingers crossed it works out ok for you OP. Well done for doing that though

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
Anele22 · 21/05/2024 19:06

Astonishingly rude, to make you ask and wait, to pay it slowly like that, and to be short of some of it. I'd be tempted to turn my back on him and say, 'can you leave it there please' indicating a table or something, while I go off to collect my things.

MarvellousMonsters · 21/05/2024 18:36

carparker · 20/05/2024 10:20

Thanks for all the replies, I've taken everyone's advice on board and decided to bin him off. Just deciding that has made me feel better, I'll do his last clean tomorrow then after he's paid me tell him I'm not doing it anymore. To answer a few questions I'm a bit ashamed to say I ask for cash because otherwise it disappears into my overdraft which I'm paying off. So cash means at least I can do the shopping every week. (I do my tax return so no worries there).
He is older but not elderly and seems to cope with life fine but yes I do understand it might not just be him being a d--k but he may have some difficulties.
It's just nice to know it's him and not me, I'll look for a new client to fill the gap.

Keep him as a client and tell him you'd like him to pay you by standing order from now on as you have another appointment to get to after his clean. Then his money will chip away at your overdraught. The counting out cash and always being short would piss me off too

NannaKaren · 21/05/2024 18:26

Don’t go back !
im sure you will find another client - and the payment envs sound a good idea 👍

user1485851222 · 21/05/2024 18:23

Update tomorrow re how he took you saying you were quitting

Starlight1979 · 20/05/2024 15:38

LifeExperience · 20/05/2024 00:22

It's a power play and he's a demeaning asshole. I would dump him as a client.

This. But not before I said to him "I notice you keep paying me late. Can I ask if you're struggling financially?" That'll knock him right off his perch 😂

AdoraBell · 20/05/2024 12:54

YANBU I would find another client and drop him.

TayceOnToast · 20/05/2024 12:52

YANBU

It’s perfectly reasonable for you to ask him to have cash ready in full next time

CactusMactus · 20/05/2024 12:49

That's so creepy.
You could suggest it might be easier if he left the cash out so you don't have to bother him?
Or monthly transfer?

cwoffeee · 20/05/2024 12:49

Good that you have decided to bin him. Good for your confidence and self-esteem! It is rude to treat people like that.

I don't have a cleaner but I have a window cleaner and I make a point to pay him immediately. He's busy, he doesn't need to waste time chasing me for payment.

Soozikinzii · 20/05/2024 12:25

I would find a new client - I'm sure heres plenty?

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/05/2024 12:18

@SirAlfredSpatchcock I rarely have cash unless go to the bank

Then would need to buy something to get the change

Worthalltheyears · 20/05/2024 11:51

My designer friend would charge what she calls ‘the twat tax’ for behaviour like this. Suggest you do the same.

burnoutbabe · 20/05/2024 11:42

ah its not that i object to cash - just since covid i am WFH and thus - don't go to the shops every lunchtime for a sandwich. And don't pop to pub a few times a week with colleagues. So just less chances to spend notes.

I always think the cash in an envelope is a bit weird - i'd want to check 100% that it contained what was due - and do that in front of the giver so mistakes can be rectified/proven asap. But opening up the envelope and checking in front of someone also feels rude, like you don't trust them. All alkward!

SirAlfredSpatchcock · 20/05/2024 11:38

burnoutbabe · 20/05/2024 10:53

@SirAlfredSpatchcock true

But since covid I hardly spend cash Ever in shops so don't Regularly break notes and keep the change.

So shall go and get £20 worth from the bank assp

Ah, OK - if you prefer not to use the cash ecosystem, then cash will be more difficult to obtain!

drusth · 20/05/2024 11:08

Mindymomo · 20/05/2024 10:24

Let us know his reaction when you tell him you won’t be cleaning for him anymore.

Yes, I’d love to know his reaction too.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 20/05/2024 10:56

What a dick. Charge him £40 cash.