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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Window cleaner... Am I overreacting???

91 replies

Whatthehell666 · 13/09/2021 16:17

I started using a window cleaner a couple of months ago on a bi monthly basis.. There's been issues on both occasions they have come and the window cleaner I've dealt with is quite patronising and a bit rude. I sent a polite message saying after two cleans it's best we just leave it there as I didn't want to complain, streaks were left on the windows, sills weren't cleaned and it just felt like a complete waste of money. I'm on rest day today from doing four 12 hour shifts. Was starting to doze off on the sofa and heard my phone vibrate, it was him.. I didn't want confrontation so didn't pick up. Half an hour later he is outside ringing my doorbell and knocking on my windows. Then all of a sudden he brings out his ladder and starts cleaning the windows.. I'm inside the house and haven't answered.. He's then let himself in via the neighbours side access and is in my garden. I didn't give him permission to do any of this. I'm sat in my house a bit scared and know he's probably giving me a free clean as he doesn't want me complaining etc. But the fact is I was very polite when terminating the service and its my choice to.. Am I overeating to feel like he's crossed a line by just suddenly turning up to my property??..

OP posts:
Gardenwalldilema · 13/09/2021 16:25

Ffs get up and speak to him. This is completely ridiculous, you can't be made to have your Windows cleaned against your will.

olivermcfuddling · 13/09/2021 16:30

What if he wants paying ? Yes he has crossed the line

Original poster
Whatthehell666 · 13/09/2021 16:32

I don't understand why he's forcibly cleaned my windows.. He's left water all over them like he did last time and it dries into water spots, the windows look worse than they did when he started. Just heard him knock on my next door neighbours house and he's asking if they know me and he takes great pride in his work and he's offended.
He looks like the argumentative type so I didn't open the door.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 13/09/2021 16:32

Agree with pp, it's ridiculous that you didn't go outside and deal with the cheeky fucker.

cultkid · 13/09/2021 16:33

Ask him what on earth he is doing what a dick

Original poster
Whatthehell666 · 13/09/2021 16:33

I hate confrontation, I'm a single parent and live with my toddler and vulnerable.. Don't want to start an argument and he knows where we live.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 13/09/2021 16:33

Yes he has crossed the line but I woukd be asking the question if he had done a good job in the first place he wouldn't have felt the need to redo them would he

PomBearWithoutHerOFRS · 13/09/2021 16:36

I bet he comes back later demanding the money for today!
That said, just look blank and tell him the windows obviously haven't been cleaned because "look at the state of them" - don't let him intimidate you!
If he persists, take your phone and dial the police/101 in front of him and tell him you're doing so.

cultkid · 13/09/2021 16:37

Pretend to be out

Magenta82 · 13/09/2021 16:38

Is he using g a cloth and bucket or a water-fed pole? Because the poles use clean water with no impurities so should not leave spots, it could be a dodgy batch or something.

Either way his behaviour is unacceptable, you should be able to cancel at any time for any reason.

lyntheyresexpeople · 13/09/2021 16:38

Just tell him you don't want your windows cleaned!!

Original poster
Whatthehell666 · 13/09/2021 16:40

@lyntheyresexpeople

Just tell him you don't want your windows cleaned!!
I did. Then he turned up. He's using the pole but there's wet spots on the windows.. Then they dry into dry water spots and look really unsightly!
OP posts:
XelaM · 13/09/2021 16:43

This is so bizarre from your side! You are sitting inside your house whilst someone is cleaning your windows against your will inside your garden and you are not letting it be known you are there?! Wtf?!

I am also a single mother and that doesn't explain this odd behaviour whatsoever

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 13/09/2021 16:44

Jesus, just go out and ask him if he got your message. If he didn't then you will have to pay for this time and say you don't want him to come back. If he did, then ask him why he came round again.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 13/09/2021 16:45

Oh, and you're not over-reacting - you're not reacting at all!

AdobeWanKenobi · 13/09/2021 16:48

OP I don't know what's wetter. You or the bloody windows.

For goodness sake all you had to do was pop your head out of the door and say "Did you not get my message? I don't want them cleaning". Job done.

Bayleaf25 · 13/09/2021 16:49

I think you need to start having firm and polite confrontation.

MrsScrubbithatescleaning · 13/09/2021 16:50

You need to learn to be much more assertive.

How are you going to teach your child/children to stand up for themselves if you’re incapable of having a simple conversation with the window cleaner?

He’s hardly the local murdering serial killer, is he? Confused

TheFoundations · 13/09/2021 16:51

@WhatATimeToBeAlive

Jesus, just go out and ask him if he got your message. If he didn't then you will have to pay for this time and say you don't want him to come back. If he did, then ask him why he came round again.
Why would she pay if she's sent him a message telling him to stop?

If he doesn't read/listen to his messages or if he has a crappy message service, that's on him. It shouldn't come out of OP's pocket.

OP, if he comes round for money, tell him no. If he insists, tell him you're calling the Police. Don't give him anything. This is a recognised tactic, and it's often used to con money out of vulnerable older citizens. Report him if he tries it on. You won't be the only one.

olivermcfuddling · 13/09/2021 16:51

Why go and cofront him..he's clearly a dick

myBumJuiceSmellsLikeRoses · 13/09/2021 16:54

When I moved to my previous home the windows got cleaned when I was out.
I assume the old owners had an arrangement that they didn't think to cancel when they sold? However, same as you the cleaners made their way in to the back garden despite a locked back gate.
They left a card/note to transfer the money which I ignored as I hadn't asked them or entered into a contract.
They never came back.

I would hope you will get the same.

Send him another message - "I asked you not to come any more" is all you need to say. If he doesn't get paid he won't persist. No one will keep coming around for no payment.

thelionqwueen · 13/09/2021 16:56

I seriously don’t understand how anyone can go through life being incapable of having a simple conversation. Being a single parent has absolutely nothing to do with it, other than you possibly need to show your kid even more you are capable of handling situations.

myBumJuiceSmellsLikeRoses · 13/09/2021 16:57

Of course if you don't want confrontation - just tell him your circumstances have changed and you don't have the spare money to pay a cleaner any more.
Block his number if he keeps calling.

Bootikin · 13/09/2021 16:58

FFS get a padlock for your gate. If a window cleaner can let himself in then so can a burglar. Getting your property secure is a priority. As for the WC unfortunately you will have to say “do not clean my windows, I don’t want you to do this work, please leave”

Horrible though!

SpeckledlyHen · 13/09/2021 16:59

It sounds to me like they didn't get the message. I think the first thing to do was to establish whether he got the message or not. I doubt anyone would turn up on the off-chance or to do a free clean or whatever.