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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this message very rude? I think it is

157 replies

septemberismyfavouritemonth · 30/08/2020 10:10

In June we had a new window cleaner clean our windows inside and out and discussed more regular window cleaning every few months.

The window cleaner messaged to say he will come this week, I asked how much for outside only and he sent me the quote - £30. I felt like this was quite alot for outside windows (2 bed terrace house) so asked around and found £20 was about average with some paying less but £20 being an average amount that I'd be ok to pay.

I messaged back to say I thought it was alot and could he do for £20, no worries if not but £30 was too much for us right now so we would leave it.

He messaged back to say we had an agreement on price and frequency and that he thought I would keep my word, he then said 'I work hard to be reliable to all my clients and I expect the same from you'

I was pretty shocked, I appreciate he feels we had a verbal contract but he doesn't know my circumstances and I feel I asked a reasonable question, I do feel that he was over charging. As we had inside and outside last time I didn't recall discussing outside only cost even if I did I wanted to check and confirm so I could have the money ready.

Is his response rude or am I in the wrong here? I felt like I was being reprimanded by someone I've met once. Obviously now worried because he knows where I live and I hate confrontation!

OP posts:
Osquito · 30/08/2020 10:27

£6 for a small terraced, outside only here. It’s a quick job but the same as other houses on our street.

I can imagine he’s under stress (clients dropping their window cleaners due to budget cuts, or not paying him on time) but all the more reason to be polite/willing to negotiate with new customers, and it’s just basic manners. Don’t feel guilted/pushed into agreeing.

Tlollj · 30/08/2020 10:28

How much did he charge when he did inside and out?
If you think it’s too expensive just say no.

Pinkdelight3 · 30/08/2020 10:28

I've had this experience with some window cleaners. Some will only get involved if you want regular cleans at a certain amount or it's not worth their while. So for him, if he's done them in June and we're now the end of Aug and you only want to pay £20, so why should he bother with you, is his point of view. He basically can't make a living off infrequent skint clients and the bulk of his clients will be at least monthly. If it was monthly, maybe £20 or less would stack up okay, but if you're only 3 or 4 times a year, then he can probably afford to lose your custom.

Not saying I agree necessarily, but I can see where he's coming from if he has enough other business. I could never commit to monthly as it comes around quick and they'd always come at random times then expect me to have cash in house, but then it's a struggle to get people to come less frequently without charging a lot more. And the thing that really pisses me off is now they all have these fancy hose systems that mean it only takes 5 mins and they never get properly clean anyway. Oh for a ladder and a bucket and someone who makes it worth £30!

Sorry, you've clearly touched a nerve here. Anyway, YANBU to decline, but I can also see his angle on it.

hastingsmua1 · 30/08/2020 10:29

If he didn’t give you a quote he doesn’t have a leg to stand on. If that was the case, anyone could make a vague verbal agreement then ridiculously charge you £100 to take your bins out or whatever.

Hippocampe · 30/08/2020 10:30

Op doesn't say anywhere that she agreed to an "ongoing contract", only that they discussed the potential of future window cleans. A price was not given for just an outside clean, a contract was not drawn up. He sounds very presumptuous op, and extremely rude to make you feel "bad" for not being able to afford a service he appears to be charging over the odds for. You do not owe him an exclamation. Simply state a change in circumstances means you do not require his services going forward.

Pinkdelight3 · 30/08/2020 10:31

A fiver in London is amazing @Piglet89. I've never been quoted less than £20 in London. V envious of all these bargains (or indeed fairly priced deals) you're all getting!

nzeire · 30/08/2020 10:33

I’m just so blown away so many people have WINDOW CLEANERS!!!!

It has never crossed my mind to get someone in for this job... going to google now! And I now know what not to pay!

CottonEyeJo · 30/08/2020 10:34

"Hi, think you're probably mistaking us with someone else - we never got to a formal arrangement. We'll leave it here. Thanks for your time"

wegetthejobdone · 30/08/2020 10:34

Around here thats about the going rate and they will charge much more for a one off clean than for a regular clean so that may be where the problem is. He may have charged you less the first time as you had discussed being a regular customer.

Original poster
septemberismyfavouritemonth · 30/08/2020 10:35

Thanks all, I know I shouldn't be paying £30 and I won't be. I haven't heard from him since I replied so hoping that's the end of it. I was just very shocked at the tone of his response, I appreciate text isn't the best for nuance and English is not his first language. I just wanted to check I wasn't being unreasonable for not wanting to pay over the odds!

OP posts:
ExclamationPerfume · 30/08/2020 10:36

We pay £3.50. That price is extortionate and he is rude. Don't engage with him.

BikeTyson · 30/08/2020 10:37

Wtf! I pay £8.50 for a 4 bedroom semi.

yahoosername · 30/08/2020 10:40

@ExclamationPerfume £3.50?!!! How on earth are they making that work?

Ours are £20 but I have a lot of windows

Mellonsprite · 30/08/2020 10:40

Very rude and extortionate- I pay £6.50 outside only for large 4 bedroom (NW).

RightOnTheEdge · 30/08/2020 10:40

YANBU!
He was rude and a rip off Shock

I pay £6 for a two bed semi detached.

BessMarvin · 30/08/2020 10:41

@Florencex

The “I expect the same from you” is very rude.

However I also think you were a bit cheeky to ask him to reduce his price by 50%. If you think it is too much, book one of the cheaper ones you found.

I’d just leave it now and find someone else.

Going from 30 to 20 would be reducing by a third not a half wouldn't it?
FallingOffTheBed · 30/08/2020 10:44

I pay £34.00 for the outside only and we have 15 outside windows!

Angelina82 · 30/08/2020 10:44

Don’t most window cleaners come once a month though? Considering your windows haven’t been cleaned for 2 or 3 months now they will have built up more dirt so maybe £30 is a fair price. He had no right to get arsey when you refused to pay that price though and I would just ignore his text and find someone else to clean my windows.

ExclamationPerfume · 30/08/2020 10:44

@yahoosername It was £3 up until last year. They do most of our street and they are quick so get lots done. They are a team of about 10 of them.

AuntieDolly · 30/08/2020 10:44

I pay £30 for a 3 bed detached outside only. I think that's a lot, but he does to a good job.

ShinyMe · 30/08/2020 10:46

I pay £5 for 5 windows and 2 doors, and my window cleaner is lovely and friendly. Yours is taking the piss.

tornadoalley · 30/08/2020 10:51

3 bed detached, and we only pay £8 for outside windows.

Jeschara · 30/08/2020 10:52

I pay £8 front and back, he is a chancer. Get another widow cleaner. Tell him to leave it and then block.

GinWithRosie · 30/08/2020 10:53

Three bed semi here...I pay £12 for mine. Your window cleaner is rude and over priced! Bin him off!

Manolin · 30/08/2020 10:53

Even when they are wrong, the customer is always right. He has jeopardised future business from you at any price.