Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Window cleaners

25 replies

Mewithane · 09/01/2019 16:28

I must admit, this is the first time I have had a window cleaner. First time he came, I was in, so paid cash at the door once job was done. Second time was Monday just gone, I was out so he left a card. Fair enough, I thought I'll pay him online. Fast forward to today when I've gotten round to sorting the admin/bills and I pay him. I've had five missed calls and three text messages chasing for payment in between the work being done and me making the payment. I understand it is two days after the job was done and I could have made more of an effort to make the payment earlier but sometimes life gets in the way and I have work and DCs to distract me from mundane tasks such as paying bills.
Am I completely in the wrong - fair enough if I am, but the hounding has put me off from wanting him to come back! How do your window cleaners take/accept payment?

OP posts:

PoisonousSmurf · 09/01/2019 16:30

If they come regularly then it's best to pay by bank transfer. If they miss a clean, then they should refund it to you via Paypal?

PoisonousSmurf · 09/01/2019 16:31

Or agree a secret place where the money can be left.

Derekmorganwasinmybed · 09/01/2019 16:31

Mine gets payed by cash if we are in he gets payed straight away or else he comes back another day

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cleaning

dementedpixie · 09/01/2019 16:33

Mine just comes back another day. Sometimes it doesn't get paid until the next time he cleans them so he gets paid both amounts then

Thesearmsofmine · 09/01/2019 16:34

Mine get paid in cash, if we aren’t home they leave a note and pop back in the evening. I wish I had the option to pay online!

Heathcliff27 · 09/01/2019 16:38

Mines paid in cash either at the door or I leave it in a safe agreed place if i'm going to be out. It's his income, he gets paid when job gets done, i'm self employed as well and wouldnt want to be chasing people for my wages!

Wishfulthinking83 · 09/01/2019 17:09

My husband is a window cleaner, it’s his full time job and a business he has put a lot of blood sweat and tears into building. “Your life getting in the way” isn’t really an excuse to not pay promptly I don’t imagine you would accept the same attitude from your HR department if your wages were 3-4 days late into your bank .

Shitlandpony · 09/01/2019 17:12

I don’t think two days is a huge issue at all, I would pay him and then use someone else. We are owed money from last June .

mogtheexcellent · 09/01/2019 17:17

I pay that evening when I get home from work. I consider it a bonus that I dont need to faff around with leaving cash out so appreciate being able to pay online.

2 days later is too late imo. Try paying quicker.

Original poster

Mewithane · 09/01/2019 17:47

Thanks all. I understand it's his income and will pay more promptly in future. I have paid and apologised for the delay. I remember the window cleaner at my mums always popping back a few days later to collect payment so always thought it was a more casual thing IYSWIM.

OP posts:

BatFaced · 09/01/2019 19:19

5 calls and 3 texts? In 2 days? I'd pay him and find another window cleaner as that's way way overkill

fizzyfizz · 09/01/2019 20:47

Did you reply to any of the texts / calls? If not, you can't really blame him for trying to contact you.

Original poster

Mewithane · 10/01/2019 20:45

I replied to a text saying I would pay when I get onto my online banking the day before I paid - this was around 10pm. I then had work the next day and paid as soon as I was home from work. Whilst at work I had the three missed calls, I cannot answer the phone at work. I understand he needs paying and I will pay more promptly in future and perhaps arrange the safe place as suggested however it made me feel slightly uneasy with the amount of calls/texts.

OP posts:

Shitlandpony · 10/01/2019 20:48

As it would anyone, in most businesses payment is invoiced and not paid on the day. I think that’s verging on harassment, I hope you won’t use him again?

Shitlandpony · 10/01/2019 20:51

Anyone else getting window cleaner adverts at the bottom of the thread?

cheeseandcrackers · 10/01/2019 20:55

That sounds a bit odd to me - mine says please pay (online) within 10 days on the card, which is much more reasonable.

KondoKonvert · 10/01/2019 21:26

Our window cleaner got a bit arsey with us over payment. I found him bordering on aggressive. We've now changed to a very nice man!

Norugratsatall · 10/01/2019 21:55

My window cleaner is paid by either cash or cheque if I'm in when he cleans them. If not, he leaves a card and I put a chq in the post to him. He does not have my mobile no! I think that amount of missed calls and texts is excessive.

CarrieBlu · 10/01/2019 22:06

That’s ridiculous, I would use someone else. Our window cleaner is lovely and leaves an invoice stating that he would appreciate payment within ten days, after which he will send reminders. I usually pay within 2-3 days, depends how busy I am with the DC. But if I was harassed like that I’d be looking for a new window cleaner!

How2Help · 11/01/2019 06:45

If he leaves a card, what happens if you are on holiday/working away? I am away a lot, I always pay as soon as I get home (I literally pick up the post, see the card and do the transfer there and then). If he has come the first day I’m away it could be at least a week before he gets paid. I said I was happy to do DD/SO but he said he was fine with how it is working as he knows I am reliable once I do get it. Perhaps your guy was so persistent as he doesn’t have a track record with you yet?

HoraceCope · 11/01/2019 06:50

Post christmas crisis for the window cleaner perhaps?

itsboiledeggsagain · 11/01/2019 07:09

I've had this a lot with self employed or small businesses recently. I think 48h is reasonable. Especially because often window cleaners come on their own schedule rather than book an appt.

Original poster

Mewithane · 12/01/2019 05:38

Thanks everyone - I did think it was a bit excessive but the first few posters convinced me otherwise, now I'm unsure again!

OP posts:

BatsAreCool · 12/01/2019 05:46

With any work I have done I always pay straight away or next day at the latest. I wouldn't want to be paid late and if lots of people allow 'their life to get in the way' then their business will suffer as well as it being a pain to have to keep chasing.

This person wants paying promptly. Either do that or find someone else who doesn't care as much.

TeaByTheSeaside · 12/01/2019 09:56

He was definitely over zealous. But maybe he's struggling to get people to pay so feels he needs to approach it in this way.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.