To think they have no itention of paying?

[PoisonousSmurf]

Client said that the dog had wee'd on the lounge carpet. Didn't know where exactly and wanted me to use my carpet cleaning machine to sort it out.
This is an extra on top of my usual weekly clean. Had to stay an extra two hours and use most of a bottle of carpet cleaner as of course the whole lounge needed doing as 'they had no idea where the dog did the deed'.
AIBU to think that if I'm not paid for the extra, I shouldn't even bother returning.
Have asked twice so far and they blank me.
Do they think they are clever for getting a free carpet clean?

Request in writing if you haven't already done so.

Leave them a printed itemised invoice for the extra work. Hours of work - 2 at your normal rate, use of machine for two hours, cost of materials (cleaning fluid) etc. Neatly total it up and write a polite footnote about full settlement expected within 7days. Keep chasing them. They’re being very cheeky.

Thanks, I should be tougher and not rely on FB messenger to get my message across.
It's annoying when you know that they've read your message but not acted on it!

If they don't pay the last thing you should do just before you leave their house on your last day is take a piss on their carpet. Right in the middle so they'll step in it and track it everywhere.

They'll think it was the dog again.........

Itemised bill with seven days to pay - and look for some new clients :)

Lol BMW6

For future reference you can get a 'black light' that shows up pee, needs to be in a darkened room. All it would need then would be an enzyme cleaner unless the job is for a full clean of the carpet.

Is it possible they just wanted the carpet cleaned for free?

Well, the carpet was in a bit of a state. And yes, it did stink pretty bad.

Thanks for the tip. I'm getting myself a black light torch. Will be handy.

You think I am joking? Nope, really am not!

They knew the dog had peed but didnt know where? Evidently not true just wanting a freebie. I wish you joy getting your money. Miserable beasts.

def don't return until they've paid their arrears. and i do like bmw's plan!

Honestly the bloody cheek of some people.

I would be so cross about that. Yes to a written bill. Yes to 7 days to pay. Yes to getting new clients. CFs

How could they know the dog had peed, but not where? Either there's a damp patch and a shame-faced dog, or there isn't... if there's no damp patch, then how did they even know it had weed? Just by the smell? In which case the whole carpet needed cleaning anyway!

(I am the owner of an elderly dog and familiar with 'the look')

Send them an invoice in writing requesting payment for your time and the carpet cleaner.

How did it go?

@KeiTeNgeNge .I gave the invoice last week and yesterday was the cut off date.
Nothing in the bank and no cash/cheque when I went to clean today.
Just the usual payment for the clean on a Tuesday.

Not sure what to do?

Ask her if there was a problem with the payment or add £5 onto another bill?

I'm on holiday end of July, so if there is no communication I will post their key through the letterbox with a covering letter.
I have a long list of clients who are waiting.

Can't bear people thinking they can pull a fast one on me because I'm self employed.
Her loss in the end.

@BMW6 I have other ideas on how to get even

Don't give them their key back until they pay you.
Tell them that if they don't pay the money owed by tomorrow that you will no longer work for them. If they don't pay never go back and throw thier key in the bin let them pay to replace it.

So their dog has pissed on their carpet and they requested demanded that you use your own time, money and carpet cleaning machine and they have not paid you for it? Good grief where do these people actually come from? I would send them another copy of the invoice saying it is now overdue. If they still don't pay then ditch them, if you have a waiting list then you can do it without looking back! YANBU!

Well you could go back one last time, take the money they leave you for the clean but don't do the clean. That money now covers what they owe you. If they still owe you more, leave an invoice for the new amount, otherwise leave the change and a receipt for the work. Leave the key and never, ever go back.

Sounds like a plan eddielizzard.

Having given a date by which to pay your invoice and seen it come and go your next step should be to write to them again and heading it Letter Before Action.

You then state that they have failed to pay invoice xx busy the required date and, as a result, you are issuing them with 14 days notice to settle or you will proceed to legal action to recover the outstanding amount. This course of action will incur them further costs as, if a judge were to award in your favour, then they would be liable for your costs (fee for filing the claim).

Be prepared to follow though on this action or they will not take you seriously. I would also add that, until such time as they settle the outstanding bill, you are not willing to continue cleaning for them as you are not prepared to continue working while owed this sum.

*’failed to pay invoice xx by the required date’ not busy!!

If they left money for the usual clean today, I would have left a note saying "thank you for the carpet cleaning money" and left without doing the weekly clean