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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To remind you to pay your cleaner…?

224 replies

honeyandbutterontoast · 27/04/2022 06:12

Ive been working for years as a self employed cleaner. I charge a reasonable rate, do an excellent job but am really struggling to get clients to pay on time.

I understand it’s easy to forget to have the cash or not to bank transfer right away, but clients don’t seem to understand that I work because I need the money! If it’s not in my account I can’t pay my bills!

Already this week I have two clients who haven’t paid. Last week it was four in total I had to politely remind on Friday to pay me. Two of those had done the same the previous week.

Is there a nice way I can remind people? I’m wondering if it’s best just to drop those jobs and find new clients for their slots.

If you have a cleaner, how would you like her to broach this with you?

OP posts:
SatinHeart · 27/04/2022 17:51

My mobile hairdresser accepts bank transfers but waits while you do it until she can see the money on her mobile banking app before she leaves after cutting my hair. I'd try that if you can, or like pp said, get a little card machine.

Geezabreak82 · 27/04/2022 18:17

I used a cleaning company for a couple of years and I was required to set up a standing order on the day of the clean. The fee would leave my account and arrive in theirs before the cleaner turned up at my door. A few times things went wrong (broken door car meant cleaner couldn't get here for example) and they refunded me within a few days. If you are in demand I suggest you ask your clients to set up an arrangement like this.

BeeBeeBea · 27/04/2022 19:23

Thanks for the reminder!! I just paid mine for yesterday and also last week, which I'd forgotten.

Mine usually comes when I'm not here. A simple text is helpful.

Cherms · 27/04/2022 19:25

I occasionally forget and I appreciate the reminder from her. It's not deliberate and there are other things I forget to pay for (recorder lessons, topping up dinner money, Cubs subs) so it's not a cleaner thing. It's a busy life so I need a cleaner thing.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/04/2022 19:57

You need to get strict

assume you are all above board so email invoice day before , mentioning hours/rate and amount due and payment due by noon the following day

add on invoice that late payment and will be a fee added of x amount

send text to all, along the lines that previous posters have said, saying due to no. /late payment from a few clients that all need to pay now by dd /PayPal and that late payers sill be reminded. If happens twice you still be sadly stopping your services

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/04/2022 19:58

BeeBeeBea · 27/04/2022 19:23

Thanks for the reminder!! I just paid mine for yesterday and also last week, which I'd forgotten.

Mine usually comes when I'm not here. A simple text is helpful.

Did she remind you /ask for payment last week

MarshaBradyo · 27/04/2022 19:59

Cherms · 27/04/2022 19:25

I occasionally forget and I appreciate the reminder from her. It's not deliberate and there are other things I forget to pay for (recorder lessons, topping up dinner money, Cubs subs) so it's not a cleaner thing. It's a busy life so I need a cleaner thing.

Can you set up a direct payment or a reminder, anything so she doesn’t have to remind you

HotDogKetchup · 27/04/2022 19:59

I either leave cash on the worktop or pay before I leave.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/04/2022 20:00

I’m amazed how many seem to forget

if you went out to say a hairdressers or food shopping, you would pay at end of service

why are cleaners not getting paid

its not hard to set up a bank payment or to go and get cash out

Ireolu · 27/04/2022 20:28

Take on new clients in the time for repeat offenders after 2 warnings?? That's all I can suggest. I pay mine 2.5 hrs into her being here. She comes whilst we r here which helps with being reminded to pay. So she arrives at 2 and I make sure I pay her by half 4.

Ireolu · 27/04/2022 20:31

We have had our cleaner for 2 years. Have never forgotten to pay her.

BeeBeeBea · 27/04/2022 20:38

@Blondeshavemorefun no it's an agency but they never send invoices or reminders. The owner just messages at the end of month if she can't track a payment for a particular date. Half the time she does 5 hours a week, half the time she does 5.5 hours a week and then 1 in 5 visits she'll likely cancel for family reasons. I think I need an invoice or text as it's easy to forget when you don't actually see someone.

notanothertakeaway · 27/04/2022 20:51

BeeBeeBea · 27/04/2022 19:23

Thanks for the reminder!! I just paid mine for yesterday and also last week, which I'd forgotten.

Mine usually comes when I'm not here. A simple text is helpful.

@BeeBeeBea

Or, set a reminder in Google calendar to remind you to make payment .....
Why should your cleaner have to send text messages every week?!

OP, I'm sorry you have customers who take you for granted. Over the years, I have learned that people have more respect for you when you stand up for yourself. And, if cleaners are in demand, you are in a very strong position

I'd suggest a strong "3 strikes and you're out" policy. They don't pay, they lose the service. If you want, you could say that you will come back, but only if arrears are paid within 7 days and future payments to be made in advance or you won't come. And then stick to that. Rigidly. Polite but firm is the way to go. Don't give an inch, or they will take a mile

And, if you're bold enough to ask potential new customers for references from other suppliers, that might be helpful. In that scenario, I'd probably (1) be surprised you asked (2) ask my gardener / previous cleaner / window cleaner / electrician to confirm I had paid promptly (3) secretly admire you for standing up for yourself (4) not dare miss a payment, thinking that anyone who takes such precautions won't hesitate to ditch me as a client

You definitely should not feel.humiliated seeking payment. You provided a service, you should be paid. No question

notanothertakeaway · 27/04/2022 21:01

BeeBeeBea · 27/04/2022 20:38

@Blondeshavemorefun no it's an agency but they never send invoices or reminders. The owner just messages at the end of month if she can't track a payment for a particular date. Half the time she does 5 hours a week, half the time she does 5.5 hours a week and then 1 in 5 visits she'll likely cancel for family reasons. I think I need an invoice or text as it's easy to forget when you don't actually see someone.

That does sound a bit chaotic

Agree more difficult to psy when the amount varies

Roses1221 · 27/04/2022 21:06

I pay mine as soon as I get home via bank transfer otherwise I would forget. I value her time and work - paying in a timely manner is the least I can do!

our window cleaner uses a system called gocardless, it appears to store payment details and I assume he tells the system when he’s been as it takes payment after his visit. Kind of like a standing order but not fixed to a particular date or frequency as he sometimes misses a week.

I assume there’s a few involved which you should pass onto your slow paying customers!

Solmum1964 · 27/04/2022 22:16

I'm usually home when my window cleaner comes and have transferred the money I owe before he leaves. If I'm out he usually texts to say 'fronts done' and if convenient I will transfer immediately or as soon as I am able.
On one occasion I didn't have any signal on my phone and simply forgot. I received a text reminder the next day, paid immediately and apologised and thanked him for the reminder.
I absolutely hate owing people money!

sunlight81 · 27/04/2022 22:23

My cleaner invoices me via email with all the payment details based on what I've had. It works well.

ThinWomansBrain · 27/04/2022 22:53

My boiler enguneer (no, I don't use him weekly) always used to prepare the invoice on his phone and wait for me to do the bank transfer while he was there, more recently he has switced to card payment.
Someone else that I've recently arranged to work in my home made it clear upront that it will be bank transfer on the day before she leaves - I guess the difference with both of these is that I am at home for the visit, harder if you're cleaning while they're out.
But bloody rude when its a personal service like this not to pay when due by the method requested.

ThinWomansBrain · 27/04/2022 23:01

www.mobiletransaction.org/card-machine-small-business-uk/
options on budget card services and units

when I have set up (larger corporate) credit card contracts, there were restrictions on charging a fee for paying by card - but you could always increase your prices, but offer a discount to those paying cash on the day or in advance.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/04/2022 23:10

I'm a dog walker and I've had this issue in the past.

He never paid on time, always left the wrong amounts out and was an overall disaster.

I eventually said I need payment upfront or I won't be walking your dogs anymore. I only had to miss one day, and after that, he always managed to remember to pay me Hmm

He's now set up his own business so I wonder if he realises how fucking annoying he was Grin

pinkstripeycat · 28/04/2022 06:00

In my line if work the same happens so I say “if you transfer it now I’ll check my bank to check it’s gone through ” then stand there with my phone logged in to my online bank

tuliplover · 28/04/2022 06:14

If they don't pay you within a couple hours send a text reminder. No explanation- jus a 'hi please don't forget to pay me'. If they haven't paid by next day tell them you need cash up front next time.
I always left cash and if for some reason was short I'd ask if f she could wait til the following week or else I could drop it to her later that day.

Loudhousefun · 28/04/2022 18:01

I used to pay my cleaner just before she left, never ever later than that. Where are you based? My cleaner is no longer cleaning now so am looking!

Newusername3kidss · 28/04/2022 18:02

I have standing order set up for cleaner but when she started we did a week in hand (paid her double the first week) so if there ever is a delay with payment for some reason she’s not out of pocket. I am terrible at remembering to pay stuff and am mortified if someone has to send me a reminder text. Ask them to set up standing order to arrive in your account the day before you clean

StuckInTheMiddleOfNowhere · 28/04/2022 18:05

Make a contract with a late payment fee.