Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

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

Original poster

Cleaner didn’t leave chan

27 replies

VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 02:06

I work full time and have young children so for the past year 2 cleaners have came and cleaned for me one hour a week. I provide all cleaning products and they do a good enough job - not brilliant but makes life easier at the weekend. I gave both presents at Xmas. Recently they increased their rate which is understandable because of fuel costs etc but it has meant it feels difficult to justify this help.

Yesterday I was at home when they came. I left the money down on the worktop when the boss was mid flow talking to me about something and gestured to her to show where I left it. I had not got the exact cash so left £10 extra expecting her to leave the change. They always have cash for change. She didn’t leave the change and didn’t mention anything about it. I didn’t notice until after they had gone. I don’t want to lose the cleaners but at the same time I’m a bit annoyed at paying an extra £10 without discussing it. I bumped her last night but didn’t mention it. Would I be unreasonable to bring it up. Any idea on how I should approach it? Or should I just suck it up? Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 02:07

Change!

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 15/04/2023 02:11

Just pay them £10 less next time.

BillyNoM8s · 15/04/2023 02:12

Ask for it/pay less next time and switch to bank transfer.

user40643 · 15/04/2023 02:14

Bank transfer in future.

Reduce by £10 next time.

You also haven't overpaid them by £10 otherwise you wouldn't have left it.

Original poster
VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 02:20

Thanks everyone.

They won’t accept bank transfers.

would you send a text explaining leaving less next week beforehand?

@user40643 Sorry I don’t understand this.

You also haven't overpaid them by £10 otherwise you wouldn't have left it.

OP posts:
TyneTeas · 15/04/2023 02:44

Can you send a text saying something like 'thanks as always for a great job, sorry you didn't have change, so will balance the overpayment next time'

Cadburyscreamegg · 15/04/2023 03:15

Why would you find it awkward asking for the £10. Would you leave a shop without your £10 change this is no different, it's YOUR money. The longer you leave it the more likely they will think it was a tip. Ask for YOUR money back.

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 15/04/2023 03:27

The only way you could have overpaid by £10 is if the cost is £40 and all you had was a £50 note.

MyopicBunny · 15/04/2023 03:28

Why won't they accept bank transfers? It sounds as if they are trying to dodge tax to me.

Aside from the above, it sounds as if she's decided to assume that you are tipping her even though she had no reason to! I mean, how can you trust someone like that in your house? I think I'd be looking for someone else.

GregRoy · 15/04/2023 04:06

@ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave how do you work that out? could have been £30 but OP only had 2 £20’s so left £40?

ShirleyPhallus · 15/04/2023 04:19

agree that this is solved easily by just messaging her

as an aside, I’m surprised she she will do only one hour. No cleaners around me will do that, it’s a min of 2 hours. Doesn’t seem worth it to get there and back etc

BernadetteIsMySister · 15/04/2023 06:25

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 15/04/2023 03:27

The only way you could have overpaid by £10 is if the cost is £40 and all you had was a £50 note.

Maths isn't your strong point is it?

hattie43 · 15/04/2023 06:28

That's really off of them thinking you tipped an extra £10 without even checking why . I'm not sure I'd keep having them tbh and why do you need two cleaners , is it a vast house 🏡

NowZeusHasLainWithLeda · 15/04/2023 06:38

"hi X, just messaging to let you know that it's no problem about you not having the change for the tenner, we'll sort it out next time"

whatchagonnado · 15/04/2023 06:44

Honestly l, I would forget it and just put the right amount out next time. I use a small local independent company who arranges our cleaners. The owner put out a letter saying that the hourly rate was increasing in April (absolutely fine) and that if we wanted to pay a bit more we could. I chose to do so. Life is tough out there for those on a low wage.

romdowa · 15/04/2023 06:46

Just message them and say I just realised that you never left my change. Will I just take it off the balance for the next clean.

Turefu · 15/04/2023 07:00

You had no change, but expected her to have change. Only because she “always” had change it doesn’t mean she had it then. Just texted her :”Sorry I had no change, I’ll pay you £10 less next time”.
As poster above, I find weird she cleans one hour only. I used to have cleaning company and had two hours minimum, all people in business had as well. 1 hour is not worth it, unless she has other cleaning very close to your house.

Izzabellasasperella · 15/04/2023 07:55

Op has 2 cleaners for one hour so a 2 hour clean.

birminghampicnic · 15/04/2023 07:58

£10 less next time

My ex cleaner used to leave earlier and earlier each time (10 mins at first then 25-30 mins each time !) she ignored me when i mentioned it so I worked out her rate by the minute and deducted the exact amount she soon stopped but by that point she was not cleaning properly so I got rid of her

Original poster
VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 14:30

ShirleyPhallus · 15/04/2023 04:19

agree that this is solved easily by just messaging her

as an aside, I’m surprised she she will do only one hour. No cleaners around me will do that, it’s a min of 2 hours. Doesn’t seem worth it to get there and back etc

@ShirleyPhallus 2 cleaners come for 1 hour weekly so 2 hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 14:31

Turefu · 15/04/2023 07:00

You had no change, but expected her to have change. Only because she “always” had change it doesn’t mean she had it then. Just texted her :”Sorry I had no change, I’ll pay you £10 less next time”.
As poster above, I find weird she cleans one hour only. I used to have cleaning company and had two hours minimum, all people in business had as well. 1 hour is not worth it, unless she has other cleaning very close to your house.

@Turefu 2 cleaners do 1 hour. So 2 hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 14:32

birminghampicnic · 15/04/2023 07:58

£10 less next time

My ex cleaner used to leave earlier and earlier each time (10 mins at first then 25-30 mins each time !) she ignored me when i mentioned it so I worked out her rate by the minute and deducted the exact amount she soon stopped but by that point she was not cleaning properly so I got rid of her

@birminghampicnic I know it’s so hard to get someone reliable who doesn’t take the p**s.

OP posts:
Original poster
VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 14:35

@Turefu She works cash only and were not her first or second house of the day so not unreasonable to expect her to have change. She messaged the night before to ask to come a day early as she had an appointment at my usual cleaning hence no money in house.

OP posts:
modgepodge · 15/04/2023 14:35

BernadetteIsMySister · 15/04/2023 06:25

Maths isn't your strong point is it?

Show quote history

😂 this made me chuckle

Original poster
VintageBlossomHill · 15/04/2023 14:38

whatchagonnado · 15/04/2023 06:44

Honestly l, I would forget it and just put the right amount out next time. I use a small local independent company who arranges our cleaners. The owner put out a letter saying that the hourly rate was increasing in April (absolutely fine) and that if we wanted to pay a bit more we could. I chose to do so. Life is tough out there for those on a low wage.

@whatchagonnado she an extremely hardworking shrewd person. She is not hard up at all. Multiple holidays and lovely lifestyle. I often think I should give up my supposedly professional job and start doing the same. 😂

OP posts: