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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Sazzle41 · 03/08/2015 21:36

Once is happenstance, twice is a pattern of behaviour. My counsellor told me this because i am too trusting and get taken advantage of - and she has been proved right over and over/its the best advice i have ever been given. Your client's pattern is taking the mick re paying people. Get rid.

frustratedashell · 03/08/2015 21:36

Hi I'm a cleaner OP, as everyone else has said don't let this go.
I know you feel awkward but you should not have to keep chasing her. Text and say you won't be coming till you've been paid. If she does it again, get rid. It's not worth the stress and hassle! Good luck!

cheminotte · 03/08/2015 21:36

Tell her to leave cash for this week and last week out for you tomorrow. If no cash or only last weeks don't clean for her tomorrow.

PLUtoPlanet · 03/08/2015 21:36

Oh, bloody hell, I can't imagine how anyone could be so cavalier, nay, ungrateful, as to not pay for such a service. We have a cleaner now, for the first time, and it is a well-earned SERVICE which she provides, and I wouldn't dream of not paying for it!

chippednailvarnish · 03/08/2015 21:43

Right OP brace yourself for a firm lighthearted talking to.

I'm an accountant, believe me when I tell you that people like this are the sort of people who collectively bring small businesses to their knees.
She doesn't give a shit, if she did she would pay you on time. Either drop her and clean for me, I'm having hell getting a good cleaner or tell her that you are going to bill her a month in advance to make her life easier...
Don't take any rubbish, be firm, professional and business like it's the way to go.

BasinHaircut · 03/08/2015 21:44

She owes you £70 OP, not a fiver, you need to chase her now.

It's late and she didn't answer te phone so i think you should text and say that she either transfers tonight or leaves the cash for you tomorrow. Remind her of your payment policy and say that if the money is not waiting for you tomorrow then you are afraid that you will have to suspend services until she has settled her account.

Don't feel embarrassed about it. She wouldn't go into a shop and 'forget' to pay for something and get away with it, this is no different.

DinosaursRoar · 03/08/2015 21:45

oh I'd hate to have to remember to do a bank transfer weekly, yes it's only 10 minutes if you've got your computer on and are sat at it anyway, but it's an extra job to remember.

Everyone I know with cleaners either pays in cash weekly or is left an invoice for the month at the end of the month.

However, send her a text now saying that you've not had payment, would she like to leave you cash/cheque tomorrow or pay by bank transfer tonight? Would it be easier for her to pay you in advance for the month, or would she prefer to start paying in cash rather than transfers?

Original poster

GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 21:49

Dinosaurs.. She WANTED to do a bank transfer. She has a business herself and said she was always on her laptop making payments. But that is completely besides the point whether it's a hassle or whatever. It's what SHE was very enthusiastic about and really, it's no hassle to Internet or phone app bank these days although I appreciate that some people are either in the dark ages or don't like it

OP posts:

TendonQueen · 03/08/2015 21:51

There really is no excuse then. Send that text now, OP.

AnUtterIdiot · 03/08/2015 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 21:52

I sent a follow up text at 9.15 but no reply and I'm not texting again at this time. I can almost understand forgetting to pay me for 6 days but I can't understand 'forgetting' after my (too nice ) text this morning prompting her. Her exact words were ' I'll do it straight away ' ... And yes, I'd be horrified if I was her to have to be prompted in the first place.

Chipped - ha yes, if you're in the SE I have three hours space in my week

OP posts:

Lndnmummy · 03/08/2015 21:53

This is unacceptable of her. You seem lovely OP, do not feel bad for chasing her. SHE has caused you having to chase her. You, like any other business have terms of business rules, she has broken those. Not you.

I have been a cleaner and I have employed cleaners and I would never ever mess about with someone's wages. It is totally unacceptable. I feel really angry for you.
It is hard when you are selling a service, but distancing yourself as a person can generate better outcomes.
"Dear xxxx, it has been noted that payment for service carried out on x date has not been received. As per the terms of our agreement, there is a 24 hour payment period. Service can bot be resumed until the account is settled in full".

Lndnmummy · 03/08/2015 21:55

'm sorry but it is outrageous. Cleaners rely **on small amounts of money paid on a regular basis and if you can't remember or afford to pay on the basis you agreed when you hired the cleaner then you should clean your own bloody house.

pressing like button
OP, I am really pissed off for you

chippednailvarnish · 03/08/2015 21:56

Dump the bitch and come to Essex!
I'll pay!

GotToFTFO · 03/08/2015 21:56

I kind of have this problem one of my clients payed two weeks late in july, I invoice fortnightly so as she payed I sent a new one. They have been behind since and I keep sending a reminder.

It's a toughie

Original poster

GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 21:57

Anutteridiot - yes that's it exactly! I charge top rates because I do a top job and I provide all my own products. And yes, the money comes in at anything between £36-£60 depending on what I've done and how many hours I've been there.

I will go tomorrow and I will leave an invoice detailing work done and what is owed with a note at the bottom stating payment to be made within 24 hours. And if I still experience issues with her then I shall be telling her I can't work for her any longer

OP posts:

AnUtterIdiot · 03/08/2015 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Saz12 · 03/08/2015 22:01

You pay for your business expenses in advance, right? cleaning fluid, petrol for the car, insurance, advertising, etc. But you get the income later on. You can't allow too much of a delay between money going out and money coming in, otherwise your business will run out of cash (even if its profitable).
Be friendly, and polite, and professional. Tell her you're happy to be paid monthly (or weekly) IN ADVANCE if she's finding it difficult to remember to pay otherwise. Send her an invoice for work so far + tomorrows work, and tell her that she will need to pay the full amount in the morning.
Can you afford to drop her as a client? Not just in income, but is she likely to recommend you to her neighbours? Is she en route to somewhere else, or in a convenient location to you? If not, drop her.

chippednailvarnish · 03/08/2015 22:01

Got can you not ask for them to "bring their account up to date" and if they haven't by the end of the month put their account on hold? I would be asking for money in advance...

TendonQueen · 03/08/2015 22:02

So did you text her at 9.15pm tonight saying you hadn't received payment? If so then fair enough that you don't want to text again, but personally I wouldn't do tomorrow's cleaning until I'd been paid the outstanding money.

Lndnmummy · 03/08/2015 22:02

OP,
If you have spare hours and anywhere near SE london, ditch her and take me on! I will pay on time - promise!

Original poster

GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 22:03

I'm just useless at this sort of stuff. She's the only one doing this, everyone else just pays.

I've always paid for these sort of services ASAP like it would appear everyone on this thread does. I'm just bothered that she obviously immediately 'forgot' to pay again after my text this morning.

I'll update tomorrow as I'm there at 9am for two hours. My feeling is that she'll pay tomorrow

OP posts:

Original poster

GallopingFoxley · 03/08/2015 22:04

Tendon - yep. I've texted her this morning and called her and texted her this evening, just the once

OP posts:

frustratedashell · 03/08/2015 22:04

Personally I wouldn't go tomorrow, that will be even more that she owes you if she doesn't cough up!

CassieBearRawr · 03/08/2015 22:05

Blimey OP, your business will crumble if you don't have the fortitude to deal with issues like this. How can you be willing to work for free?! No more cleaning for her until she's paid you!

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