Window cleaner problems.

[Charsy01]

Hi all. Totally random but at a loss on how to approach this. Other than telling where to bleddy go but don’t want to cause a scene 😂

A while ago we were looking around for a window cleaner to do a one off clean on our house. I appreciate some window cleaners don’t do one off cleans instead do regular cleans. But we found one who said he would for £15 rather than the £7 monthly clean charge so we booked him up. We informed him it was just a one off clean. We usually do them ourselves.

Anyway. He did them, paid him etc. I don’t think he did a great job but it was okay...

I told him we’d get in contact down the line if we needed them done again but we didn’t want a regular clean - we were straight about this.

Since then he’s randomly turned up to clean our windows a few times. It was several weeks after the 1st clean and he came and cleaned them whilst I was out then come back demanding money. I didn’t have any cash but he said he’d rather Have cash than a bank transfer so he left and then come back again fine - mistakes happen.

He’s since come back twice in a few weeks (twice in one month) and cleaned them without knocking first and then demanding being paid. I insisted on doing a bank transfer that time though.

He’s over the road cleaning someone’s windows now. I am worried he’s going to come over before dp gets home from work. We have told him multiple times I don’t want regular cleans.

Aibu to think he’s either just plain stupid or just a trier?

randomly coming to clean someone’s windows without knocking first and demanding money is not okay imo when it’s not been arranged or asked for.

I’m just at the end of my tether. Wondering how someone can not follow simple instructions??

He always seems to be around so I can only assume he does similar to other houses. I just feel a bit weird about it tbh.

Advice? I’m hoping he won’t come here today or if he does it won’t be til dp is gone (very shortly). I just feel uneasy.

He was very rude to me last time. He demanded payment and I said he had no cash. He was huffed that I insisted on a bank transfer and told me his bank details that fast I couldnt do it properly then he got Agro when I asked him to talk slower. Just all very weird.

Seems like such a non issue but he seems odd.

Surely this isn’t normal practise?

If you're home then just stop him before he starts or as soon as you notice and tell him again you don't want them doing. If he carries on just refuse to pay and refer him back to the conversation - send him another message so you've got it on record if things develop

Why on earth did you pay him? Are you always such a push over?

Of course he's going to keep coming back if you keep paying him!

Stop giving him any money.

Put notes on your front windows saying " do not clean these windows. If you do I will not pay but will bill you for time spent on my property".

Personally I would be ready to go out and tell him in person if he came over to the property.

You should have told him the first time when he turned up that you had not requested your windows be cleaned and therefore did not owe him any money.

I had this!!! He turned up three weeks after having cleaned them, climbed over my locked gate as I’d not expected him, cleaned them again then charged me. I paid him thinking it was a one-off misunderstanding (I’m nice - I gave him the benefit of the doubt) but then he did it again and I got rid of him.

He cleans the windows without knocking. I’ve often been out and come back and he’s left a card saying he’ll come back for payment which he always does. One time I was sick in bed and be cleaned them without asking first. So kinda out on the spot 😒

It’s like he keeps no track of his customers!

We had a window cleaner suddenly start cleaning our windows one day last year but there was a valid excuse as we had moved house, the previous owners had a regular arrangement with them and they hadn't realised (due to lockdown) that they had left.

I just went out to them and asked them nicely to stop (I'd have let them carry on but the dog was going loopy at them and dh was trying to teach an online zoom class in one room and dd take a college zoom class in the other room)

Well do what a PP suggested, put a note on the door telling him not to and if he chooses to anyway he won't be paid

Just because he asked doesn't mean you had to pay him.

Tell him no you didn't want them done so you'll not be paying.

@Charsy01

He cleans the windows without knocking. I’ve often been out and come back and he’s left a card saying he’ll come back for payment which he always does. One time I was sick in bed and be cleaned them without asking first. So kinda out on the spot 😒

It’s like he keeps no track of his customers!

Just say "I've asked you several times not to come back. I don't want you to clean my windows, so I won't be paying you any money". Keep the messages as proof in case he kicks off.

Block him if he continues - cheeky beggar. He's relying on you not being confident enough to speak out.

Go out and tell him now - “We told you we wanted a one-off clean - we made it perfectly clear that we did NOT want the windows done regularly. Please do not clean our windows today, or any day in the future. If you do, we will not be paying you!”

And put a block written notice with the same wording in your front window.

That's so weird and intrusive!
We have a regular window cleaner and he always texts the day before to let me know he'll be cleaning the windows the following day.

Well your home now so you can go across the road and tell him you don't want him to clean your windows again. If he does clean them when you're not there and comes round for payment, repeat I've asked you not to clean my windows and I will not be paying you. Don't be a pushover.

Such a weird problem. You didn't ask or want your windows cleaned. Not paying the first time he did it unsolicited would have sent a strong message.

If he comes over to wash the windows just open the door and tell him not to bother. Surely you don't need your husband for that?

I’ve had the exact same experience. I moved into a house and they didn’t cancel their window cleaner. He turned up and I explained before he could start work but then he kept coming back when I was out and then chasing aggressively for the cash. I gave him a formal note to confirm that we did not require his services and to cease cleaning our house. Never bothered us again after that. It’s happened to friends of mine too. I can’t decide if they forget or whether they are trying their luck.

You need it in writing (text message?) that you cancelled his services ages ago.

If you already have that, just dont pay. Stand your ground, threaten police if it escalates and he gets aggressive. You have proof you cancelled him.

If you dont, send him a message now saying I cancelled your services on x date and have paid you on y date(s) as a gesture of goodwill in case there had been a mix up. I will not be paying for any subsequent unauthorised cleans.

Send a formal letter threatening "further action" if it happens again.

Good grief, op, no wonder the chancer keeps coming back to you. STOP PAYING and tell him to get off your property or you'll call the police, and record the conversation while you're at it.

What a CF window cleaner! I had one once who I paid 2 lots in advance as I had no change. He never came back and I knew my windows hadn't been cleaned (bird poo). A woman came round a few weeks later saying she was collected his money. I told her they hadn't been cleaned and that he actually owed ME. She left empty handed. But also didn't repay my weeks advance. 😂

If you're in south east London I reckon we have the same one!

I'm a confident professional who works at a senior exec level but lack the ability to stand up to our window cleaner.

I can’t decide if they forget or whether they are trying their luck.

Definitely trying their luck. And the preference for cash is tax dodging.

I need to know if he turned up!