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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

TabithaTiger · 13/09/2021 17:00

From one single parent to another, in the nicest possible way you need to toughen up and start dealing with stuff like this or people will walk all over you. If he chases you for payment you just say, as I said on my last message on x date, I no longer require your services.

Janaih · 13/09/2021 17:01

What did you say in your message exactly? I'm thinking you might have been a bit vague?

TheFoundations · 13/09/2021 17:02

@myBumJuiceSmellsLikeRoses

No one will keep coming around for no payment

They often do keep coming round to demand payment though, and get increasingly threatening until you pay up. I have a caseload of older clients and have seen this happen quite a few times. It's a recognised way of scamming money out of people who are easy to scare.

GreyhoundG1rl · 13/09/2021 17:03

Why are you presuming he's doing them as a freebie? . When he knocks looking for payment you can hardly refuse when you sat indoors letting him do it?!

readingismycardio · 13/09/2021 17:04

I hope you did speak to him. What a moron!

Dazedandconfused170 · 13/09/2021 17:05

Our window cleaners are rubbish too so we told them we don’t need them doing any more. But then I was in the house on my own and they turned up and started cleaning the front, I was nervous to confront them as there were a couple of them and they always seem quite rowdy.
But then one of them started trying to unlock my side gate to get round the back so I thought absolutely not! Just went out and said Hi we don’t need the windows doing anymore, thanks, we’ll let you know when we need them doing
I was nervous but they were fine about it. Definitely just say to him when he next comes, doesn’t need to be a confrontation just say you’re good thank you

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 13/09/2021 17:07

He probably didn't get the message and has turned up as normal.

He's not a serial killer ( hopefully!) just go and ask if he got your message. It doesn't have to be confrontation and can be a conversation.

Beautiful3 · 13/09/2021 17:10

You ought to have put.on your big girl pants and picked up his call. He probably wanted to reclean for free. If he's not using filtered water via a pole, then it is going to leave water marks.

2bazookas · 13/09/2021 17:10

???? You had three chances today to tell him NO THANKS , but you didn't.

How is it now his fault ?

CherryHug · 13/09/2021 17:10

He's done it on purpose to punish you. Window cleaners are a funny folk.

I had one come round to do a clean and after I said very politely not to come back to which he responded "dont ask me again!"

That was uh...the plan anyway mate...

me4real · 13/09/2021 17:11

It seems like you told the agency/firm (?) but the individual bloke didn't know.

IntermittentParps · 13/09/2021 17:12

What happened, OP? You could have just said a quick 'Did you not see my message? I don't need the windows cleaned any more.'

BoredZelda · 13/09/2021 17:15

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.

How close is your neighbours house that you can clearly hear a conversation?

lyntheyresexpeople · 13/09/2021 17:16

Yes you told him, and then sat inside hiding whilst he cleaned them anyway, and posted on mumsnet asking what to do! You don't need confrontation, if doesn't matter he knows your address! All you needed to do was open the door when he knocked, before he started the windows and say no thanks, I did message and don't want them done anymore, thank you.
You've made it more awkward by standing by and having them washed against your will!

TooGoodToGoNewbie · 13/09/2021 17:17

@GreyhoundG1rl

Why are you presuming he's doing them as a freebie?

. When he knocks looking for payment you can hardly refuse when you sat indoors letting him do it?!

I agree it won’t be free, you should have stopped him, or answered your phone so you could have told him not to come.

If you don’t want to speak to him just send a text now as pp said saying your circumstances have changed so you don’t want the windows doing anymore. I do think you will have to PayPal the money for this clean though, just to give you peace of mind so you that can make sure he doesn’t come repeatedly knocking for the cash.

stairgates · 13/09/2021 17:22

Phone him now and record the conversation for your own peace of mind.

onelittlefrog · 13/09/2021 17:24

@Whatthehell666

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.

Sorry but you really can't let this let that stop you from standing up for yourself . I think you need to practice some assertiveness for the sake of yourself and your toddler.

He's just a window cleaner and you are in your own home, what do you think he's going to do? Tell him to get lost.

IntermittentParps · 13/09/2021 17:25

I think phone him and say he seems to have misunderstood the message and you don't need the windows cleaned any more.

Pushkinia · 13/09/2021 17:25

This sounds like my now ex-window cleaner! He was unreliable, often wouldn’t come for 7/8 weeks, then had a list of ridiculous excuses as to why. I phoned him to tell him I would find someone else (more reliable!) and got a tirade of abuse, so put the phone down on him. He then went and complained to my neighbours about me. I still see him when he cleans the neighbours windows and get glared at and sweary muttered comments, but I’m happy with my new, more expensive but reliable window cleaner.

Topseyt · 13/09/2021 17:28

I really don't understand why you didn't go outside and tell him to stop as you had already clearly messaged him about no longer wanting him to clean your windows. Why did you act so bloody wet?

If he realises you were actually in but did nothing about it then he might try to argue that it was tacit approval from you - you knew what was going on but made no effort to stop it so you should pay.

If he does come back for payment then point out your message to him and say that you don't expect to be asked to pay for work that you had already clearly specified you didn't want done.

If there's a next time (hopefully not) then just get out there and tell him to bugger off. If he gets arsey about it then you say that you will call the police if necessary.

SkinnyMirror · 13/09/2021 17:29

We had a really rubbish window cleaner so I emailed him to cancel. He replied telling me I wasn't allowed to book anyone else as it was 'his patch'. His tone was really aggressive so I asked him if he was threatening me and told him I was forwarding his email to the police.....funnily enough I never heard from him again.

Original poster

Whatthehell666 · 13/09/2021 17:32

Sorry.. To answer those who are piling it on re not going to talk to him. I left a very abusive relationship not long ago and I'm still dealing with the after effects, confronting anyone isn't my natural character.. I'm not a wet person, i just don't have that coping mechanism yet of confronting something as I was so used to being walked over.
He's since messaged to say he came and did a complimentary clean as he takes great pride in his work.
I am about to text back to reiterate I don't want future window cleans and if he could refrain from coming to my property again.

OP posts:

ThorsLeftNut · 13/09/2021 17:33

Was your message clear? Or did you say something frilly and polite rather than just saying ‘I want to terminate the service, please do not keep cleaning my windows?’

If you’re not even confident enough to open the door and say ‘I’ve cancelled, why are you here’ then I imagine there’s a mixed message somewhere.

ThorsLeftNut · 13/09/2021 17:34

Ahhh cross post.

Topseyt · 13/09/2021 17:38

@Whatthehell666

Sorry.. To answer those who are piling it on re not going to talk to him. I left a very abusive relationship not long ago and I'm still dealing with the after effects, confronting anyone isn't my natural character.. I'm not a wet person, i just don't have that coping mechanism yet of confronting something as I was so used to being walked over. He's since messaged to say he came and did a complimentary clean as he takes great pride in his work. I am about to text back to reiterate I don't want future window cleans and if he could refrain from coming to my property again.

OK, in that case I do withdraw the "wet" comment as I can understand why your circumstances meant you found the situation intimidating. Sorry.

Yes, you are right to text back thanking him for the complimentary clean, but you still do not want any work from him in future. Add that you will much appreciate it if the matter is not pursued further.

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