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AIBU?

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Original poster

To have a bad feeling about this client? AIBU

130 replies

dodgyclient211 · 03/11/2020 20:56

I have a client I’m seeing on Sunday for a 2 hour clean , he contacted me after seeing my ad and I’ve written everything there including what I charge. Anyway he asks me what I charge and I tell him, £12 an hour. He asks if I can give him a ‘better offer?’ And I say no, the price is non negotiable for all my clients. Already there I had a bad feeling about this client, never had someone quibble over the price, anyway we set a date and time, he gives me his address. I google his address and he tells me to call him when I get there (again never had someone say this to me either) normally we set a date and time, I get there, do my job and it’s out. He just kept telling me to call him when I get there.

I text him saying the address he’s given me is for a laundrette, he tells me the business was registered as address only.

I don’t know what to think, he lives 20 mins away from me, same council different area. I regret taking him on, I should have declined when I got the bad feeling about him quibbling over the price. Feel like it’s to late to say no now, and don’t want him to give me a bad review. But I’m also scared for my safety since I’m on my own.

OP posts:
Original poster
dodgyclient211 · 03/11/2020 22:35

I only have his first name, address and phone number. So don't think I can look him up on FB. I'd need the surname too right?

OP posts:
Sailingtelltales · 03/11/2020 22:38

Take a six foot four burly friend with you to the appointment.

HollowTalk · 03/11/2020 22:38

You don't owe him anything. Just say you have Covid symptoms and can't work for him. Then block him.

MitziK · 03/11/2020 22:39

Think of it as going to meet a random bloke off the internet for two hours in an unspecified private location - that doesn't match the address that has been given - after just 5 minutes online. Because that's what you have been asked to do.

Even OLD apps tell you not to do this.

MitziK · 03/11/2020 22:40

Think of it as going to meet a random bloke off the internet for two hours in an unspecified private location - that doesn't match the address that has been given - after just 5 minutes online. Because that's what you have been asked to do.

Even OLD apps tell you not to do this.

HollowTalk · 03/11/2020 22:41

You don't owe him anything. Just say you have Covid symptoms and can't work for him. Then block him.

Nailgirl · 03/11/2020 22:41

Walk away -always trust your gut -always

MitziK · 03/11/2020 22:41

@HappyDays10101

It's screaming danger to me

Confused Am I missing something?

Think of it as going to meet a random bloke off the internet for two hours in an unspecified private location - that doesn't match the address that has been given - after just 5 minutes online. Because that's what she has been asked to do.
MitziK · 03/11/2020 22:43

@HappyDays10101

It's screaming danger to me

Confused Am I missing something?

Think of it as going to meet a random bloke off the internet for two hours in an unspecified private location - that doesn't match the address that has been given - after just 5 minutes online. Because that's what she has been asked to do.
BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 03/11/2020 22:43

He might not even be the owner of the laundrette, or connected to it in anyway. He could possibly be using it as a place to meet you and be intending to take you to another place. Once you are there nobody will know where you are, nor will they know who he is if you only have a first name and phone number (which might be an unregistered/fake name number).

Best case scenario, he's not intending to pay you the full amount for the clean. You'll do the work and then he'll try to bargain you down again. A pandemic is the ideal get out excuse for just about anything, say you have symptoms and are waiting for a test result so can't clean for him.

MitziK · 03/11/2020 22:43

@HappyDays10101

It's screaming danger to me

Confused Am I missing something?

Think of it as going to meet a random bloke off the internet for two hours in an unspecified private location - that doesn't match the address that has been given - after just 5 minutes online. Because that's what she has been asked to do.
MitziK · 03/11/2020 22:44

@HappyDays10101

It's screaming danger to me

Confused Am I missing something?

Think of it as going to meet a random bloke off the internet for two hours in an unspecified private location - that doesn't match the address that has been given - after just 5 minutes online. Because that's what she has been asked to do.
Haffdonga · 03/11/2020 22:48

You don't need the money that much.

If you are in England just say you are not working due to lockdown.

Nailgirl · 03/11/2020 22:50

Walk away -always trust your gut -always

Lottiebugz22 · 03/11/2020 22:50

Glad you're trusting your instincts. Sounds off to me too.

Queenest · 03/11/2020 22:55

I agree, trust your instincts.

thosetalesofunexpected · 03/11/2020 22:56

Hi Op there is something off,iffy about this potential customer of yours, trust your instints,your gut reaction, use the tighter restrictions on lockdown ,as your get out of this situation, or just say sorry something unforseen as happend, you don't owe him anything..

@makingmiracles what is the name of the book and Author,you found interesting,on trusting your instinct?sounds intriguing.😊

Chaotic45 · 03/11/2020 23:01

OP how about you tell him that due to new restrictions you need time to sanitise your kit between cleans can't fit him in?

Wine make you look flakey, and you can I'll pe your instincts.

FWIW I don't take clients who quibble on price. I'm not in the same industry but in my experience they tend to be really tricky customers.

MelodramPatheticism · 03/11/2020 23:04

Call him when you get there?

So, nobody will actually know where he's taken you to?

Hell no. Ditch for weirdo. Tell him a relative is sick or something.

NRatched · 03/11/2020 23:19

Trust your gut. Mine has never done me wrong yet, and the one time I did ignore a dodgy feeling, turned out I should have listened to it..so its something I am VERY firm in now.

sneakysnoopysniper · 03/11/2020 23:28

There is a very influential book called "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker. He argues that we can learn from animals who act upon their instincts, whereas we humans tend to rationalize and consider social norms. His key argument is always trust your gut feeling. A leading expert on violent behaviour, the author shows you how to spot even subtle signs of danger - before it's too late. Im not suggesting you are in danger from this man but if you have a bad uneasy feeling then you should listen to your emotions in this, and act accordingly. Dont worry about bad reviews or offending people. Your life and safety are more important.

GabsAlot · 03/11/2020 23:30

no way-dont risk it for a review that you can reply to and say you werent given a valid address for the job

Constanttaxiservice · 03/11/2020 23:34

say you need to self isolate-he can't leave you a bad review for that! Please don't go. Listen to your gut feeling

CountreeGurl · 03/11/2020 23:37

I just assumed it was a flat or something so you'd have to call him. I lived in a place like that once and visitors had to call my mobile. There's nothing he has said that seems that odd to me. I'm not sure how quibbling with the price would make him a murderer, surely if that was his intention he wouldn't care about the rate? But if it makes you uncomfortable don't go

Groovinpeanut · 03/11/2020 23:39

If he starts off moaning about paying the price you stipulated he's going to be a PITA. You could leave the place looking like a palace and he may still give you a bad review, simply because you refused a discount to him.
The other aspects surrounding the booking sound a bit bizarre too. If it feels wrong, it usually is.
Use lockdown restrictions to cancel and just avoid him trying to book you by being too busy.

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