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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think she's taking the piss a bit now?

155 replies

GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 18:13

I recently set up my own cleaning business and it's all going well. I've got enough clients to fill the hours that I wanted to work and so far it's all good.

When I've taken on a client, I've discussed my hourly rate of course and also when I expect to be paid. I ask for the money via bank transfer within 24 hours.. ( when you are doing a weekly clean for someone it can soon stack up and I like to keep on top of this ) . Everyone has paid immediately apart from one lady.

I've cleaned for her twice now. The first time she said ' I'll transfer you the money this evening ..' but she didn't do it for two days. I wasn't concerned - my 24 hour rule isn't set in stone or anything! - and she sent a text saying how forgetful she was and she'd done it. Fine no problem.

The second time though was last Tuesday. As I left she said ' I'll transfer you the money this evening ' and I said ' great thank you ' ..come last night though, she still hadn't. As it was almost 6 days later I sent her a friendly message saying ' hello! I'm just doing my end of week accounts and wondered if you'd had chance to pop the money over to me' ... She responded this morning with a text saying how rubbish and forgetful she is and that she would do it straight away. That was ten hours ago and nope, she's still not paid it.

I'm due back again tomorrow. Would you just leave it until then and mention it again tomorrow? It's irritating me a bit

OP posts:
sonjadog · 03/08/2015 18:37

Send her a new text. You will have to toughen up now you run your own business!

guzzlewump · 03/08/2015 18:38

Agree - formal text and email reminder that you haven't been paid and if you're not paid by then cleaning services are suspended until you've been paid and spoken about resuming/rescheduling.

And going forward, probably worth mentioning something to new clients up front that obviously if you haven't been paid 24 hours before you're next due to clean for them (or a working day or whatever you feel is appropriate) then cleaning services are suspended until you are paid and you speak to confirm when you restart. Plus maybe a penalty for late payment?

There are always going to be times when something happens that means somebody forgets to pay or isn't able to - getting sick, being in hospital, bereavements, etc and in those circumstances you can do whatever you want. But telling people about your penalties for late payment means that you've got the means to stop anybody messing you around. And messing you around so soon after hiring you and saying they are forgetful is exactly the sort of client that these penalties would help with!!

Original poster
GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 18:38

Ok I'm going to give it until 9pm this evening and then I'll text again. She has young children so maybe she intended to settle them down and pay tonight? Despite her saying first thing this morning that she'd do it straight away Hmm

OP posts:
contractor6 · 03/08/2015 18:39

Ask her in a positive way if shes 100% with service or if there is something she requires you to do differently. Maybe give her a call to discuss that and payment. And advise you need money in advance of next shift.

WankerDeAsalWipe · 03/08/2015 18:39

Friendly but firm text:
Hi x, I noticed that the money hasn't arrived in my account, if you've not paid it yet, please just leave the cash out for me and I'll pick it up when I come tomorrow if that's easier?

Then if no money is there, don't do the cleaning and just leave.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 03/08/2015 18:40

OP. This is a learning curve for you. I supply goods to shops. All has gone ok so far, they are on Sale or Return and are invoiced accordingly. Last time I went to replenish stock at a particular venue they had damaged abot £20 worth of stock by painting above my display, and dripping paint onto it, rather than move it out of the way, which would have taken a couple of minutes. Obviously what happens when stock is damaged needs to be in my contract with them, although i would never have imagined it needed to be. You are in that same situation, methinks. You need to get tough, or people will walk all over you

Original poster
GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 18:40

Guzzle - yes, I'll do that in future.. Be a lot more clear about payment terms. I've tried to do everything correctly so far and she's the only one that I'm getting a bit of a funny vibe about in terms of I think I'll always be having to 'jog her memory '

OP posts:
HeyDuggee · 03/08/2015 18:40

Tell her if she forgets 3rd time, she can pay you
1/ month in advance
2/ cash at day of cleaning
3/ or you will have no choice but to stop providing a service.

rookiemere · 03/08/2015 18:42

OK fair enough OP.

I'm not exactly geriatric and have a smartphone but I don't have a banking app as it's one of the few things where I'd be really concerned if someone could hack into, but if you say she's anti cash then fair dos.

I'd text her tonight and say that you want to check that she was happy with the service, you need to be paid for last weeks work before coming again and if it's more convenient for her she could pay you tonight for both slots.

If you don't get any money before tomorrow's cleaning then I'd not go.

Original poster
GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 18:42

Sponge - that makes sense. I do need to get tougher. I'm pretty soft though! I keep thinking ' ah it's only fifty odd quid , don't be so pushy ' when really the amount is not the point.

I'm fairly sure that she is happy with the work I've done for her so far. I'm pretty good and thorough < even if I do say so myself >

OP posts:
MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 03/08/2015 18:43

I'd say get her to pay a month in advance - needs the occasional adjustment for 5 week months, but that way you've got the money upfront.

IsItMeOrIsItHotInHere · 03/08/2015 18:43

You need to insist on the first four times being in cash on the day. After that, once regular business has been established, by all means let people pay by bank transfer but make it clear that you will not turn up AT ALL unless and until they have paid the previous bill.

There should be no credit carried over more than 7 days.

chinam · 03/08/2015 18:44

Definitely get on to her again. I imagine she wouldn't tolerance her employer not paying her for a weeks work so why should she think it's okay to do it to you.

rollonthesummer · 03/08/2015 18:46

I would ask her to transfer both last week and this week's money into your account before x time (the time you are due there) tomorrow. If it's not there, don't go.

She's totally taking the piss!

DawnOfTheDoggers · 03/08/2015 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Charlesroi · 03/08/2015 18:53

I'd just be a bit wary of accepting cash from 'forgetful' people. They may 'forget' to leave the cash out but think that they have. Awkward (and you'd have no proof unless they handed it to you and you got a receipt)

Your client is taking the piss OP. There's no way she's forgotten you need paying. I'm sure a house that hasn't been cleaned will focus her mind and you might want to suggest she sets an alert on her phone to remind her. You need to text her now and tell her you won't be there tomorrow as she hasn't stuck to your 24 hr payment terms, but you have other slots available on receipt of payment.

balletgirlmum · 03/08/2015 19:01

I would find it a hassle to do that weekly as I don't have online banking. I'd want to pay by cash or cheque.

You definatly need to not go again until she has paid by some method though.

OldBloodCallsToOldBlood · 03/08/2015 19:03

What Charlesroi said about cash. I wouldn't accept cash from this woman at all.

C'mon, you can do it! Do you want us to help you with a text? Pull yer steel knickers on, woman! Grin

Original poster
GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 19:06

I've just checked my account and still nothing so I'll give her until 9 and then yes, compose a text. Friendly but professionally stern?

OP posts:
rookiemere · 03/08/2015 19:13

Don't leave it until 9. She might go early to bed. Do it now so she has no excuse not to get it done tonight.

" Hi Client, I've not had your transfer yet. Please text me to let me know when it's through as I won't be able to clean tomorrow until last weeks account is settled."

If she does pay up then leave her a note tomorrow to ask if there is another payment method that might work better for her i.e. month in advance, cash etc. and see what she comes back with.

Redtowel · 03/08/2015 19:13

As others have said, I would start asking for monthly payments, this is how we pay our cleaner and gardener, no issues at all.

FenellaFellorick · 03/08/2015 19:14

direct.
Just to let you know the payment has not yet reached my account. I will check again in the morning and let you know if it has been credited, but unfortunately, if it has not, I will not be able to clean for you tomorrow and will rearrange for after the bank has credited the payment to my account.

That tells her you won't accept it but gives her the 'out' of pretending the bank delayed it Grin

Ilovewheelychairs · 03/08/2015 19:15

I'm self employed and charge my clients monthly. They've signed a contract stating that they will pay me by bank transfer within 7 calendar days of receiving the invoice (by email). I remind them of this in the invoice email and give the exact date by which the payment is due. If they don't send the money through by that date then I have a standard email that I send out saying that so far I have not received their payment and so I will not teach any further lessons to their child until the invoice has been paid. I've had to send a few of those out but the invoices have then always been paid immediately and those clients are very rarely late again! Your lady needs to understand that you cannot afford to do her work for free because it is your livelihood. No need to be nasty about it, but you do need to make it clear to her that you won't undertake any further cleaning work until she has paid what she owes.

Good luck! I hate chasing money but it becomes easier over time!

scarlets · 03/08/2015 19:16

"Hi. The £x hasn't reached my account. Hope it's not lost in the system! Could you check that it's definitely been issued? thanks"

Purplepoodle · 03/08/2015 19:17

I would simply state you wont be able to do any more cleaning until you receive the outstanding amount.