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

[GallopingFoxley]

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

Go tomorrow but don't clean - leave a note saying regrettably as she did not settle last weeks a account despite your terms being 24 hours so you cannot work again for her until she settles up,

And yes, I can afford to lose her as a client but I'd need to replace her in due course. I don't think that'd be a problem as I've had some word of mouth recommendations already and have turned several people away due to me being booked so I'd be hopeful that I could fill her space. I dint want to lose clients if I can possibly avoid it though!

Lndn / chipped - ah sadly I'm in Oxfordshire or I'd be there like a shot!

I'm one of those forgetful types. I could say yes I will pay now then get distracted on the way to the computer and forget. So I would really appreciate reminders. I'd also then start leaving cash so I couldn't forget. Hope you get your money.

She sounds like a massive pain in the arse.

What time do you have to be there at tomorrow op.If it was first thing in the morning i just wouldnt go.Because if you go tomorrow she will just keep doing it.

Dont go and i bet she either pays you or you lose her custom,but at least this way she wont owe you anymore than she does now.

I think you have to bear in mind that texting her is also taking up your time/headspace, which is not only a limited commodity but also what you sell in the first place if you're charging by the hour! So she's now 'cost' you however long you've spent worrying/texting/seeking advice on MN.

You need to assume that some clients will be useless fucknuggets about paying & factor it into your business model.

Either it's worth your while to nag her, wait for her to pay you, re-schedule her slot, rinse & repeat OR you mutually agree that you carry on cleaning for her but she pays you in advance each time because she's such a dozy wazzock OR you decide it's just less bother to find another client for that slot.

If you're just getting established it might be worth giving her a couple more chances, until you have sufficient demand for your services to be able to refuse her business.

But you do need to think in terms that you are effectively slashing your hourly rate, every time you accept that doing her cleaning = x hours cleaning & y hours chasing payment for the same money that your other clients are paying just for x hours cleaning.

I suggest you text her to say you need the money in your account first thing tomorrow morning or the cash available for you to pick up when you arrive, including payment for tomorrow's cleaning, otherwise you'll have to terminate the arrangement.

I'm due there at 9am tomorrow

I really don't want to send texts saying I won't be there until she pays up or that I'll terminate the arrangement if she doesn't pay in advance at this point. It would just make me feel massively awkward going round there. I have a key to her house and these arrangements are built on trust so I don't want us to have bad feeling - although right now we do - on my side!

Thanks for all the advice , it's been really helpful and it's made me realise that going forward I need to be clearer and tougher in some areas

I'm due there at 9am tomorrow

I really don't want to send texts saying I won't be there until she pays up or that I'll terminate the arrangement if she doesn't pay in advance at this point. It would just make me feel massively awkward going round there. I have a key to her house and these arrangements are built on trust so I don't want us to have bad feeling - although right now we do - on my side!

Thanks for all the advice , it's been really helpful and it's made me realise that going forward I need to be clearer and tougher in some areas

It depends on your bank. mine is a bit of a faff as you have to find a fob thing, and type in various different codes. it isn't a question of "popping it over" in seconds. not an excuse for late payment but the forgetfulness is probably genuine rather than malicious.

I don't think it's malicious at all, just very thoughtless. And yes, she really can pay me in seconds, no fob things or anything. She has set me up as a payee and it literally takes a few moments. I know this because she has told me so

But again, that's by the by how long it takes her. We have an agreement and her preference was to pay via transfer as its so quick and simple

Apart from when it isn't

Have you considered how many weeks you would clean for her without being paid?

Can you text her in the morning and ask her to leave cash or a cheque?

She will be there when I arrive tomorrow morning but I intend to leave an invoice detailing work completed and stating clearly what she still owes if she hasn't paid tomorrow morning

As to how long I'll let this carry on for? Tomorrow will be my last day if it's not resolved. A small part of me wonders if she can afford it, if that could be part of the issue. I'm not cheap ( ho ho ) and a good cleaner is a bit of a luxury and I wonder if fifty odd quid a week is suddenly placing a strain on her finances? That's not my business though

SHES JUST PAID! just done a last check of my account and it's in there now so she's paid it in the last ten minutes

Ask her to set up a standing order

Yippee!

Please god she isn't on MN ????

perhaps you should let your clients know there will be a 'late payment charge' if monies don't go in on time?.......

If she is, maybe she'll pay you on time...

God I'm not sure I could levy a late payment charge - I don't know how I'd enforce it for starters ? Ah well as things stand we are all up to date now and fingers crossed it'll stay that way

Okay, good.

You see, the reason she paid was because she thought if she didn't, you might not come.

Reiterate your payment terms to her. Payment within 24 hours. Say you would rather not have to constantly chase payments. You're sure she understands.

Just sack her after tomorrow....'s payment!

If this is a regular thing could she set up a standing order? Or could she pay you for say 4 cleans in advance so she doesn't have to keep remembering?

I'd be tempted to leave an invoice as you leave tomorrow & state 'I have not levied my late payment charge for the last two weeks as a goodwill gesture; however, I would like to politely remind you that my terms are payment in advance, or within 24 hours by arrangement.'

Then if she dicks you about again for tomorrow's payment, you've given her very fair warning, & you just don't go back until she's both up to date & has paid in advance for the next clean.

If she can afford you, but is genuinely scatty, she could always set her payment up as a monthly DD, & is just being inconsiderate. If she can't really afford you, sooner or later she's going to drop the clean & leave you hanging with at least one payment owed. Not your problem either way - you just need to ensure you don't give her an opportunity to owe you money!