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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Who's unreasonable - me or window cleaner?

738 replies

HugATwat · 13/03/2023 10:51

My dog is petrified of the window cleaner.

The reason I started using my current window cleaner is because he always texts so I know in advance when he's coming.

On Friday evening, WC text to say he was coming on Saturday morning. But I was going to be out Saturday morning so I texted him back and said to leave it for this month because the dog would be home alone and wouldn't cope. I said I'd still be happy to pay but please don't clean the windows.

No reply.

I texted again first thing on Saturday morning. No reply.

I called him on Saturday morning. He didn't answer. I left a message. No reply.

I texted him again before we went out saying please don't clean my windows today.

I went out because I couldn't avoid it. I'd asked a couple of friends if they could sit with the dog but they couldn't, far too short notice. When I came back, the windows had been cleaned. The dog was in a right state and had pissed and shit all over the floor.

So I spent an hour or so calming the dog down. Then another couple of hours cleaning everything up. And the living room carpet will need a professional because the piddle has stained quite badly.

I texted the WC to tell him I wouldn't be paying because I'd specifically asked him not to clean the windows.
This time, he texted back. Quelle fucking surprise.

I'm holding firm and not paying. Needless to say I've told him to take me off his books for the future.

It's a weird situation because I was actually willing to pay him for NOT doing the work. But I'm not willing to pay for work that he's done that I specifically asked him not to do.

Am I being unreasonable here? I'm still so pissed off.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
CraneBoysMysteries · 13/03/2023 14:04

LlynTegid · 13/03/2023 14:03

I think you should have phoned on the Friday evening. Too important to rely on the assumption a text will be read. The dog response you described could have been such that it frightened the window cleaner and him drop something or worse.

Have a plan for the next window cleaner, let him or her know about the dog before you engage.

Ahhh once again. OP said clearly in her Op that she tried ringing not once but twice!

Rang the day before and the morning before she left.

hedgehoglurker · 13/03/2023 14:05

YANBU. We have a similar arrangement with our window cleaners. They work as a team of 2 people per van, and sometimes 2 vans come together. I think they come through the village twice a month and we are cleaned approx every 6 weeks.

They text the afternoon before, as they don't come on a set day. We very occasionally cancel at that point (without paying) if it's inconvenient, as we also have rescue dogs who are upset by it.

NotAnotherBathBomb · 13/03/2023 14:06

PacificallyRequested · 13/03/2023 11:50

Leaving who has or has not read what messages to one side, he's cleaned your windows so you need to pay. It's not his fault you've got a neurotic dog.

You don't seem to heave read it either. The WC texted saying when he could come. OP said that didn't work for her. Regardless of the reason for it not working or of offers to pay, he disregarded her instructions and did work that wasn't wanted.

He could have easily offered another day but didn't.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 13/03/2023 14:06

I'd pay him as he did clean the windows but I wouldn't use him anymore.

JonahAndTheSnail · 13/03/2023 14:07

I swear the middle classes working in corporate businesses and the likes of Uber/Amazon/JustEat etc in particular have given customers ridiculous expectations of local/basic businesses.

Really? I've worked plenty of minimum wage jobs for small local businesses (long before Uber and Amazon) and now run one and the OP's request isn't unusual. If OP was cancelling every other week, not paying on time, or only wanting certain windows cleaning, then yes I can see why that would be considered a difficult customer. If the window cleaner doesn't have a set date in the month for doing the OP's windows then he can't be suprised if once in three years he gets asked to skip a week!

Original poster
HugATwat · 13/03/2023 14:08

LlynTegid · 13/03/2023 14:03

I think you should have phoned on the Friday evening. Too important to rely on the assumption a text will be read. The dog response you described could have been such that it frightened the window cleaner and him drop something or worse.

Have a plan for the next window cleaner, let him or her know about the dog before you engage.

I didn't call Friday evening because he has three kids and evenings are hectic. I thought he'd read and reply to a text in his own time.

Plus, I didn't think it necessary to immediately call. I assumed he'd read the text and confirm he wouldn't come.

To be honest, I don't really give a fuck if he'd dropped something because of my dog's reaction. That could've been avoided by him, you know, not coming like I fucking requested.

I had a plan with this WC. He knew about the dog. He knew that's why I appreciated him texting the day before so I could get her sorted or cancel that month. Having a 'plan' means both parties upholding their end of the bargain.

OP posts:
Bonjovispjs · 13/03/2023 14:10

Stick to your guns OP, poor dog 😢

HappiestSleeping · 13/03/2023 14:11

@HugATwat I think you already know you are not being unreasonable. This thread though has been very entertaining, so thank you for starting it.

If the WC tries to bill you, you could always wave the invoice for the carpet cleaning at him, with his charge deducted. I don't think I would pay either and my gruntle level would be negative.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 13/03/2023 14:13

Who'd have thought a pretty mundane topic (no offence, OP) would result in one of my favourite threads in a long time.

Thank you batshit posters. Don't ever change!

WhatsTheEffingPoint · 13/03/2023 14:13

HugATwat · 13/03/2023 11:45

He hasn't mentioned my attempts to get in touch, just said I need to pay for the "services rendered"

Tell him you will offset it against the costs you have now incurred for carpet cleaning. Bet he shuts up pretty quick then.

Nanny0gg · 13/03/2023 14:16

ooheeoohahahtingtangwallawallabingbang · 13/03/2023 13:49

I fully get that. Window cleaner is in the wrong.

But what about fireworks start going off, a police car screams past, kids are outside shouting. All of those things set off an anxious dog. So I was just asking why she doesn't put the dog somewhere that the mess wouldn't matter. No need for the exclamation marks 🤣

Show quote history

Because she says nothing else bothers it! (just the one, this time 😁)

JohnnyYenSetHimselfOnFireAgain · 13/03/2023 14:17

OP, you are most definitely NOT being unreasonable.

As for the idiots saying otherwise, they are either on a massive wind-up or they're as thick as pig shit.

NotAnotherBathBomb · 13/03/2023 14:20

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 13/03/2023 12:24

This is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read.

You don't 'need' a window cleaner; you just can't be arsed to do them yourself.

You can't event be arsed to call him rather than text. You sound like a nightmare client and he's better off without you.

C-class level trolling. No one is this thick in real life.

Gazelda · 13/03/2023 14:21

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 13/03/2023 14:13

Who'd have thought a pretty mundane topic (no offence, OP) would result in one of my favourite threads in a long time.

Thank you batshit posters. Don't ever change!

Agreed. Some of the replies on here have been pure gold.
Does anyone still keep the MN spreadsheet updated? There are some candidates for a highlighted entry on this thread.

NotAnotherBathBomb · 13/03/2023 14:22

SeasonFinale · 13/03/2023 12:28

He could have been driving when you called or had the phone on silent so wasn't even aware anyone had called. I don't always look at my phone.

Its unfortunate he didn't see the text or missed call. Pay him for his work he has done. And then decide if you want him to continue or the hassle of finding another window cleaner (very much in short supply here).

I assume you don't run your own business and are self-employed? If so then it's bad form not to reply to your messages when it's your main form of communication to running your business. Assuming that OP replied soon after receiving the message, we're taking a good 12 hours of not looking at your phone. A poor excuse.

ThereIbledit · 13/03/2023 14:27

There is nobody in the fucking world who uses text to communicate to clients and then doesn't read any replies that evening or the next morning, nor check their phone at all.

I'd be livid and asking him for the cost of cleaning the carpet tbh. I wouldn't expect to get it, but I would expect it would shut him up about his unwanted service rendered.

Your poor dog.

Bunnyishotandcross · 13/03/2023 14:27

Well obviously you should make arrangements to rehome your ddog. Just incase the wc calls round

. Get a door stop variety filled with gravel. No pee or poo then op...
Suggest you will pay when his insurance gets your carpets cleaned...

NotAnotherBathBomb · 13/03/2023 14:31

Crazyinlove123 · 13/03/2023 12:44

but of he always texts before he comes, why didn’t he this time. Had he text he would have seen the messages. If he was going to be paid either way surely it would have been in his interest to just skip you and get the money.

He did text before he came...12 hours before. OP doesn't meant he literally texts and says 'I'm 3 mins away' how could anyone run a business like that? Confused

Hadtocomment · 13/03/2023 14:32

YANBU. There could be loads of reasons you don't want a window cleaner that day. The window cleaner shouldn't be able to force you to have your windows cleaned on a particular day if that's not suitable. You could have been showing the house or having work done or anything that would have made it impossible or inconvenient. The dog you had already discussed with him so he was aware. The copious communications and the fact he replied straight away as soon as you said you weren't paying is strange. It was his mistake obviously. The best thing would probably be to try and speak to him about it and come to a proper understanding going forward. Maybe pay him half or something in recognition of mistakes being made and expectation of it not happening again going forward. He probably wouldn't forget again as it's caused so much trouble. However, if he is being unapologetic and trying to put all the blame on you when you texted him so many times and also phoned, then I'd cancel the ongoing arrangement with him as he doesn't sound like he's reliable or someone who will sort out a situation when a mistake is made.

DebussytoaDiscoBeat · 13/03/2023 14:35

Why didn’t you go out and make new friends the night before so they could dog sit for you?

PhukOph · 13/03/2023 14:36

Holy shit balls could you see if someone would do an exchange for maybe a hamster? Hamster shit is tiny. Could prob even just whack the dyson out on it. Honestly so low maintenance. They are pretty tolerant of window cleaners too.

Original poster
HugATwat · 13/03/2023 14:38

DebussytoaDiscoBeat · 13/03/2023 14:35

Why didn’t you go out and make new friends the night before so they could dog sit for you?

I know, completely U.

OP posts:
Rosula · 13/03/2023 14:38

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Reading texts when you yourself use texts for communicating, and acting on them, is "beyond the scope"? On what planet?

SpookyBlackCat · 13/03/2023 14:39

I think it's the OP's fault for having windows. We had all our windows removed. Life is much easier now.

Rosula · 13/03/2023 14:40

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 13/03/2023 12:24

This is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read.

You don't 'need' a window cleaner; you just can't be arsed to do them yourself.

You can't event be arsed to call him rather than text. You sound like a nightmare client and he's better off without you.

Oh, the irony, coming as this does from someone who couldn't be arsed to read the OP through before replying.

In case that is still beyond you, she did call.