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AIBU?

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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
SomePeopleAreJustBloodyStupid · 14/03/2023 19:09

I'd fuck him off altogether. He couldn't be bothered to respond to your texts or messages, so fuck him. I'd have been furious.

Anotherturnipforthebooks · 14/03/2023 19:14

@BadNomad

As someone who is self-employed - I absolutely consider myself as working for my customers when I'm providing them with services and asking for money in return.

RedEyeBaby · 14/03/2023 19:14

£18 seems like an expensive wc, they must have gone up since I sacked mine.

Megsy81 · 14/03/2023 19:15

This! Maybe he’s illiterate and has standard texts someone put together for him that he knows which ones to send …. Perhaps didn’t have anyone to read the messages OP sent. Doesn’t excuse the call ignored though

CantFindMyMarbles · 14/03/2023 19:15

No way do I believe you actually messaged that much, asked people etc! If you hadn’t got an answer you should have just closed the curtains and got on with it.

GoodChat · 14/03/2023 19:16

CantFindMyMarbles · 14/03/2023 19:15

No way do I believe you actually messaged that much, asked people etc! If you hadn’t got an answer you should have just closed the curtains and got on with it.

How would OP benefit from lying?

Megsy81 · 14/03/2023 19:16

Megsy81 · 14/03/2023 19:15

This! Maybe he’s illiterate and has standard texts someone put together for him that he knows which ones to send …. Perhaps didn’t have anyone to read the messages OP sent. Doesn’t excuse the call ignored though

That was in reference to him texting like a boy but I didn’t manage to quote 🙄

Bettyboop3 · 14/03/2023 19:17

RedEyeBaby · 14/03/2023 19:14

£18 seems like an expensive wc, they must have gone up since I sacked mine.

I might regret asking this but what did yours do to get sacked? 🙈

BadNomad · 14/03/2023 19:18

Anotherturnipforthebooks · 14/03/2023 19:14

@BadNomad

As someone who is self-employed - I absolutely consider myself as working for my customers when I'm providing them with services and asking for money in return.

Your clients aren't your employer. If you are happy with your clients talking about you as if they are the boss of you, then fine. But it's disrespectful.

Childminders don't work for you.

Hairdressers don't work for you.

Dog walkers don't work for you.

Window cleaners don't work for you.

Nanny0gg · 14/03/2023 19:18

linsey2581 · 14/03/2023 17:52

Can’t you just close the curtains/blinds when the window cleaner comes around. That’s what I do when mine comes round otherwise my dog barks his head off

OFGS

ForeverTheOptomist · 14/03/2023 19:21

YANBU. You peeps could start a row in an empty room. Oh you just have!

ArdeteiMasazxu · 14/03/2023 19:23

The "service" that you pay for is not just "cleaning the windows" - you very specifically require and have discussed the service of "cleaning the windows at specifically pre-agreed times so that you can manage your dog's anxiety" - and that is the service that you have agreed to happen and that he has spectacularly failed to provide, causing you significant damage and expense. Of course you shouldn't pay him for doing something that is totally the opposite of what you agreed. No tradesperson is entitled to demand payment for doing something that was the direct opposite of what the customer asked for.

bringbacksideburns · 14/03/2023 19:29

YANBU - strange how he suddenly saw your last texts isn’t it?

Bloody expensive too - you must have a hell of a lot of windows!

DizzyDozzy · 14/03/2023 19:30

@BadNomad well maybe he should learn a lesson here and start checking them and his missed calls lol

Grayson1234 · 14/03/2023 19:34

Ffs she text him and rang him he didn't Answer both and he knows wot the dog is like. Wot a twat and as for the ohh he might of lost his phone. I would bill the stupid man for cleaning carpets and she does right SACK THE TWAT

GoodChat · 14/03/2023 19:36

Grayson1234 · 14/03/2023 19:34

Ffs she text him and rang him he didn't Answer both and he knows wot the dog is like. Wot a twat and as for the ohh he might of lost his phone. I would bill the stupid man for cleaning carpets and she does right SACK THE TWAT

Wot wot

Anotherturnipforthebooks · 14/03/2023 19:44

@BadNomad

  1. Doing work for someone isn't the same as being employed by them
  1. There is nothing wrong with working for someone.
BadNomad · 14/03/2023 19:50

Anotherturnipforthebooks · 14/03/2023 19:44

@BadNomad

  1. Doing work for someone isn't the same as being employed by them
  1. There is nothing wrong with working for someone.

"After all, let's not forget whose working for who here."

There is something wrong with having that attitude towards people.

There is a difference between "working for someone" and "doing work for someone".

Anotherturnipforthebooks · 14/03/2023 19:53

@BadNomad

No, there really isn't, but do feel free to keep digging around for reasons to be righteously indignant.

changeme4this · 14/03/2023 19:54

OH is a construction worker and it's impossible for him to take his mobile with him, so it gets left in the car. Generally he will check it around lunchtime if on site, so any calls or texts sent won't be seen until then.

He also has been known to leave it in the car overnight...😠

So my thinking is your WC didn't see your texts and missed call until after the event. Unfortunate of course, but a possibility.

I think the lesson from all of this is don't rely on texts getting through in a timely manner. You/me/whoever really need to speak to the person in the first instance, and in this case, as you are not sure if you made contact or not prior to leaving, the best solution would have been to shut the dog in the bathroom or laundry while you were out.

It's a case of a series of unfortunate events for you, the WC and the dog. I would pay him.

DizzyLizzyKizzy · 14/03/2023 19:56

changeme4this · 14/03/2023 19:54

OH is a construction worker and it's impossible for him to take his mobile with him, so it gets left in the car. Generally he will check it around lunchtime if on site, so any calls or texts sent won't be seen until then.

He also has been known to leave it in the car overnight...😠

So my thinking is your WC didn't see your texts and missed call until after the event. Unfortunate of course, but a possibility.

I think the lesson from all of this is don't rely on texts getting through in a timely manner. You/me/whoever really need to speak to the person in the first instance, and in this case, as you are not sure if you made contact or not prior to leaving, the best solution would have been to shut the dog in the bathroom or laundry while you were out.

It's a case of a series of unfortunate events for you, the WC and the dog. I would pay him.

Both the WC and your DH need to check their mobiles more often. Then the WC wouldn't have wasted his time and money.

GoodChat · 14/03/2023 19:57

@changeme4this your DH needs to change his habits, assuming he works in peoples homes and not just on building sites.

adriftindenofvipers · 14/03/2023 20:03

Viviennemary · 14/03/2023 18:20

No. The batshittery is somebody owning such an out of control dog that leads to problems like this. I agree the dog is the problem not a window cleaner going about his business.

WTF was the window cleaner shitting in the OP's garden???!!😧

WindInMyWillows · 14/03/2023 20:06

Yanbu
I have a yellow bug sac in the crevice of my patio doors, twas the only reason I agreed to the wc as he includes the surrounds. He had about 6 months worth of go's and it's still there and the water was always getting in the vents . What with the sac and col I messaged him via bank transfer as I lost his number

I'll pop into b&ms for some windolene in the spring and give it a go

Laisydaisy · 14/03/2023 20:06

HugATwat · 13/03/2023 11:53

But the unread texts and unanswered phone call are vital. He's providing a service. I'm a customer.

Show quote history

Also - you've said that the reason you use him particularly is because you had a conversation about the dog and he understood!