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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Asking for my money back from cleaner?

121 replies

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 20/09/2015 21:09

We have had the same cleaner for 7 years and introduced her to various groups ends whom she cleans for too as originally she was very reliable

In the last year or so, she has become much Jess reliable. As I'm a bit of a soft touch, I've tended to just let things go and probably been the client most taken advantage of. For example, I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old and am 32 weeks pregnant so getting out of the house is a bit of a mission. However, I do go out when cleNer comes to let her have the run of the place and make it easier. On numerous ocassions, I've just been strapping everyone into the car to see her disappearing into the neighbour's that she cleans for. When I ask her what's happening, she'll say that she hadn't been able to clean for them that week so was just going to do that now and asks if she can come to us another day. I have always said yes but been a bit pissed off as I've had no notice what so ever and if I hadn't bumped into her then she just wouldn't have turned up.

Anyway......we went away on holiday for two weeks and got home yesterday to find that the cleaning money had been taken but no cleaning at all had been done. I texted to find out what had happened and cleaner said she was confused and thought I had wanted her to have a two week break between coming but had come in for 1 week. It just didn't make sense as my text was explicitly clear plus it was obvious that she hadn't done any cleaning at all. I have texted back to say I was struggling to see what cleaning had been done but was she coming this week? No response at all.

DH has said we need someone reliable and I agree so we've decided to look for a new cleaner. I just want the keys back but DH thinks I should also ask for one week of money back. We don't think cleaner has done any cleaning at all but by her own admission, she only came for one week.

I just feel a bit awkward about asking for the money and just want to draw a line under things as quickly as possible. I'm actually not liking forward to saying we don't need her anymore and feel like I need to do it face to face as a text would be a bit off. AIBU to ask for the money back? Also, do I need to end things face to face?

OP posts:
PebbleTTC · 20/09/2015 21:19

Oh I think it's time to just get a new cleaner!

flanjabelle · 20/09/2015 21:26

I don't think you owe her the respect of dealing with it face to face actually. I would send a text along the lines of:

'Hi X, I am no longer happy with the service you are providing. It is clear that no cleaning has been done over the last few weeks, and so I will be needing a refund of wages for Y date. My instructions were clear for the time we were away, but were not followed. You have become increasingly unreliable and I am now looking for a new cleaner. I will need my keys returned and money refunded by Z date. Thank you.'

she really has taken the micky out of you op.

Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 20/09/2015 21:27

I'm definitely getting a new cleaner!

OP posts:
GrannyGoggles · 20/09/2015 21:31

Write it off, move on and learn from the experience

Doublebubblebubble · 20/09/2015 21:32

I echo flan - she sounds like she's taking/taken you for a ride x good luck x

GrannyGoggles · 20/09/2015 21:32

Write it off and learn from the expey

lastqueenofscotland · 20/09/2015 21:33

IMO I'd leave the money and just text to say you won't be needing her services any more.

londonrach · 20/09/2015 21:36

I think it would be hard to get the money back. Id be tempted to think of the money as her payoff. Certainly she clear for you again. Get the key back or change the locks. Who have you recommend her too?

londonrach · 20/09/2015 21:37
  • She cant clean for you again
Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 20/09/2015 21:38

I need to get the bloody keys back. Aargh this is so awkward.

I think I will text using flan's text and just ask for the keys to be put through the letterbox by a certain day. If they aren't, I guess I can change the locks but we are having building work done at the moment and I will need to get new keys for the various tradesmen too which will be a ball ache.

DH is adamant that we ask for the money back. I'm quite surprised at how resolute he is but he's said it's not the money per se but the fact that she's totally taken the piss out of us and he wants to make it clear we're not a pushover. I've said I think that boat sailed!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 20/09/2015 21:40

I've recommended her to loads of people. She currently cleans for 3 sets of our neighbours. Although I know 2 are pissed off at reliability issues.

OP posts:
TheoriginalLEM · 20/09/2015 21:40

you are correct to want your money back but in reality i couldn't be arsed. just fuck her off and find someone new

Pico2 · 20/09/2015 21:41

How I'd approach it would probably depend on how honest you think she is. If you end it by text now, there is a chance for her to copy your key before you get it back.

stressjug · 20/09/2015 21:42

get another cleaner. I used to be in the business and I truly valued my clients and would never mess them like that. Same time, same place each week or fortnight.
A text as above should surfice and I doubt they will be surprised.

maidename · 20/09/2015 21:42

If she does reply then get her to come in and clean and say you are not paying as she owes you a clean. Then change the locks.....

Branleuse · 20/09/2015 21:44

dont expect to get the money back, but ask her to drop the keys through the letterbox asap

Tootsiepops · 20/09/2015 21:44

If your husband is so adamant, let him deal with it. I'd be inclined to ask for the keys back but let the money go. I assume you're paying her cash in hand, and she doesn't have a contract?

Fuckitfay · 20/09/2015 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bostonkremekrazy · 20/09/2015 21:45

i'd text her saying what day are you coming next week to clean?
let her come and clean, then say oh - you owe us from last time, and sadly we have to let you go, can i have my key - thanks, bye.

twirlypoo · 20/09/2015 21:48

I own a cleaning company - flans text is perfect, please send that and do ask for the money back. It was left for services she was providing, and hasn't. She will be expecting it I'm sure!

Devora · 20/09/2015 21:49

OK, so what will you do if she refuses to pay you back? Can you really be arsed to take it any further? You really should only strongarm it if you have a good back-up strategy.

I'd just draw a line and leave it at that.

nowahousewife · 20/09/2015 21:49

Your priority should be getting you keys back. I'd be inclined not to ask for the money owing or telling her she's no longer required unti you have the keys safely in your possession.

ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 20/09/2015 21:50

I'd get your husband to be there next time she cleans. Let her do her clean, then say can we have the key please we noomger require your services. You had clearly done no cleaning at all whilst we were away yet the text you received was clear. We won't be paying for today due to the money you took which because you didn't provide the service the money was for was actually stealing. We will leave it at that, goodbye. - Open door.

Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 20/09/2015 21:55

I have texted to ask if she is coming this week but no response - which has made me even crosser.

I'm just not sure I could actually have her in the house to do another clean without feeling totally awkward. DH is finding it hilarious as I'm actually an employment lawyer when not on mat leave and had 4 people that I had to manage. But for some reason, I'm finding this so awkward.

She is paid cash in hand but I'm happy that I can demonstrate that she is genuinely self-employed as previously when she has been on holiday or otherwise unavailable, she has arranged for one of three other cleaners that she knows to cover. So it's up to her to account for tax etc

I'm wondering if it's safer to change the locks to be honest. I do feel that she is basically honest - well apart from taking the money without cleaning Confused. But maybe it's safer to do that

OP posts:
Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 20/09/2015 21:58

devora - we'd just leave it if she didn't pay us heck but DH thinks I should ask to make the point

I can't really have DH here when she comes as he'd have to take the afternoon off work and cancel loads of patients at short notice.

I wonder though.... We do know where she lives. Maybe DH could pop round and deliver the news and retrieve the keys. Hmmm. I think he thinks I'm being a bit of a wet blanket though

OP posts: