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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think my window cleaner is trying to steal money?

29 replies

thefuturesnotourstosee · 02/08/2013 13:07

Ive had a window cleaner for 3 years. They come from a small company. I used to pay whoever cleaned the window cash at the door or they'd come and pick it up in the evening. Then about 6 months ago the boss came in the evening and said he'd prefer me to pay by bank transfer as not all the money he's expecting has been arriving with him and he's not sure which one of his employees is responsible. Actually paying by bank transfer suits me better as I can do it online when i have time and no need to have cash in house etc.

Today the man who cleaned the windows tried to tell me that the bank details had changed and I could no longer pay by transfer. I told him to ask the boss to email me the new bank details and he said "I am the boss, I'll come and collect it later this evening".

I know he's not the boss. AIBU to pay by bank transfer and phone boss man to tell him what has happened?

OP posts:

Crinkle77 · 02/08/2013 13:10

Ring the boss of the company

YouTheCat · 02/08/2013 13:11

Phone the boss. Now he knows who has been ripping him off.

ARealDame · 02/08/2013 13:12

Gosh. That puts you in a difficult position. I would say to the boss that you will make the last payment by bank transfer but as you don't want to be put in this confusing and awkward position again you would prefer to find a new window cleaner company.

I don't know what others would think ...

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 02/08/2013 13:18

contact the boss, tell him what's been said and ask him.

maybe the previous owner of the company has indeed sold it to this guy.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 02/08/2013 13:24

I'd say it was the employee who has been stealing the money originally. He is now trying his luck collecting cash when he shouldn't because his nice handy cash flow has been stopped. Phone the person you know is the boss and talk to him.

Original poster

thefuturesnotourstosee · 02/08/2013 13:25

blimey hecsy I hadn't thought of that!!

OP posts:

Elsiequadrille · 02/08/2013 13:25

You need to check. Phone the company before making any payments.

senua · 02/08/2013 13:33

maybe the previous owner of the company has indeed sold it to this guy.

Maybe... But if it was you, wouldn't you tell your customers. And tell them in advance, not just at cash collection time.

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 02/08/2013 13:53

Yes, you would think so, but maybe its a one man band and they aren't that organised.
Its something to rule out, anyway.

3littlefrogs · 02/08/2013 13:54

Are you quite certain which one is the real boss?

Runningchick123 · 02/08/2013 13:57

I'm shocked that any window cleaning company would want the money paid by bank transfer. I pay my window cleaner a fever a month and couldn't be doing with the hassle of a bank transfer for that.
Back to the original topic; it sounds dodgy and I would ring the company and check the procedure for payment and if the guy comes back to collect money beforehand then just tell him that you don't have the cash as you haven't had time to go to the bank yet.

atlassneezed · 02/08/2013 14:05

Maybe the "old" boss was the imposter and the "new" one is the real boss. You need Sherlock Holmes at a time like this....

ruby1234 · 02/08/2013 14:30

Can you pay 'the new boss' and ask for a signed receipt? Then if he is an imposter you could tell the real boss?

melmo26 · 02/08/2013 14:56

I agree with previous poster about telling them you no longer wish them to clean your windows. I would not trust them now as it seems they are trying to scam you.
Would you really trust them now to change transfer details?
There are plenty of decent honest window cleaners out there.

Runningchick123 · 02/08/2013 16:25

Also, this man can see into your house when he is cleaning your windows, I wouldn't want him cleaning my windows in case he is dishonest.

Original poster

thefuturesnotourstosee · 02/08/2013 17:14

Now I'm just very confused. I've left a message for the boss hopefully he'll call me back

OP posts:

SybilRamkin · 02/08/2013 17:42

Ooh, intriguing! I love 'whodunnit' threads. Make sure you come back and update OP!

HerculePoirotsTache · 02/08/2013 17:46

If the company has been taken over and they have regular customers then surely they would have let you know....

RobotLover68 · 02/08/2013 17:47

I pay by transfer. They leave me a note when they're done and I do it straight away - why is that shocking? I think it shows they are above board and legit. It makes mine and their life easier

phantomnamechanger · 02/08/2013 17:49

it all sounds very odd indeed.

SuperiorCat · 02/08/2013 17:56

Bank transfer is often used by small businesses as it is easy to do the accounts.

Runningchick123 · 03/08/2013 07:20

I pay by transfer. They leave me a note when they're done and I do it straight away - why is that shocking? I think it shows they are above board and legit. It makes mine and their life easier

I just couldn't be faffed with making the effort to do an online payment for a fiver each month.
Or maybe I just find it strange because I haven't come across any window cleaners who want bank transfer payments.
Or maybe I'm just an old bird who remembers when we didn't have online payments and the window cleaner used to charge £1.20 .

RobotLover68 · 04/08/2013 07:23

A fiver! That would be nice - £12.50 more like - it takes me seconds and it saves him coming back to collect and me scrabbling round for cash or a cheque, it's hardly a faff

Runningchick123 · 04/08/2013 08:02

Ah see if mine was £12.50 then online payments would make more sense. My window cleaner drops a note through the door and comes back a couple of days later for his fiver. It's actually only £4 but we just round it up to £5 as they alwaysdo a good job.
If it was £12.50 my husband would have to get up the ladder with a bucket himself .

MrsKeithRichards · 04/08/2013 08:21

Even for a fiver I'd rather rather do bank transfer. I never have cash, hate people at the door looking for money.

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