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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to complain?

8 replies

CaptainCrazyPants · 04/04/2023 17:40

Arrived at our holiday destination yesterday. Check in was from 2pm so arrived at 2.30. Got to our allocated caravan and found cleaners outside. I pulled up and checked if we had arrived too early, only to be told they were running late. The woman was lovely and explained that she wasn’t happy with the cleaning job and had asked her team to come back and redo some bits. She was very friendly and it wasn’t an issue for us as we were going to explore anyway, so left the car and went. Came back a few hours later and everything seemed fine, so didn’t think of it again.

That evening, it started to get cold, so thought I’d whack the heating on. Nothing happened. Tried again, checked radiators etc, no heating. Tried the hot water, nothing. Called the emergency line, no answer. Eventually, around 9pm got a response and told they’d send someone when they could. Caravan was freezing by now, and I’d had to put the kids to bed in jumpers/spare clothes, multiple pairs of socks etc. at 9.30ish, someone turned up, changed the gas bottle, came in to restart the boiler. Finally heat! It was -2 outside by then, so freezing inside!

This morning we got up and went to the shop to grab some bits. Went to put it away and found food/drinks/beers etc in the cupboards still. Made a joke about stealing the beer, but no idea how long it’s been there, so went to put it in the bin. Bin is full! It’s full to the brim of leftovers, wrappers and general food rubbish. It’s not smelling great either. I’ve checked around now and the bedrooms etc seem clean, but the oven is dirty, the grill is full of toast crumbs and the fridge isn’t looking clean either. Obviously now I’ve got to clean everything in the kitchen because I want to use it, but don’t trust things have been cleaned properly. So annoyed I’ve paid to come away and now stuck cleaning other people’s mess and emptying their bins!

I want to make a complaint, but partner is worried that we will get the cleaners into trouble, and she was so lovely when we met her. They’ve even left a handwritten note with their names saying they’ve cleaned and to enjoy our stay! Would I be unreasonable to complain?

OP posts:
tothelefttotheleft · 04/04/2023 17:44

They will send cleaners if you complain if it's somewhere like Haven.

OhOGee · 04/04/2023 17:45

Just ask for the cleaners to do a proper job. They should come back and do it.

AuroraForever · 04/04/2023 18:02

I totally understand that you expect it to be clean etc as does everyone when they go on holiday but… how did you not notice any of this when you got in the caravan yesterday? Did you not have a good old rummage around? It’s the first thing I do when going somewhere! Also, you’re posting now at this time of day about having to clean the kitchen yourself so how come you didn’t complain about it when you noticed it all this morning? You sat there all day? I don’t quite get it! But either way yes go complain and get it cleaned. Although they may think you’ve actually done it if you’ve not said or done anything up til now!

WeWereInParis · 04/04/2023 18:39

I used to work in France on a campsite cleaning caravans - you should have complained and got them to come in and re clean it. I wouldn't have cleaned it myself or taken out the bin tbh.

I'm surprised they missed the food and beer though, we'd always take that! (If unopened of course).

PlantagenetEmbassy · 04/04/2023 18:42

It doesn't matter how nice the cleaner was she is paid to do a job. Maybe she should have spent less time writing flowery notes and more time doing her job.

Marchforward · 04/04/2023 18:50

Haven by any chance? You can’t complain after the fact. You need to complain at the time so they can solve the problem.

Original poster
CaptainCrazyPants · 04/04/2023 18:56

Yes it’s haven. I didn’t notice last night because we didn’t have any food, so I didn’t go through the cupboards. I was trying to sort the heating so I didn’t even look! Take out pizza was all we brought with us, and I went to tidy this morning and noticed it. I didn’t even think to leave it, I just wanted the mess out the way so I could unpack and do something nice!

OP posts:
Starfish122 · 05/04/2023 14:59

AuroraForever · 04/04/2023 18:02

I totally understand that you expect it to be clean etc as does everyone when they go on holiday but… how did you not notice any of this when you got in the caravan yesterday? Did you not have a good old rummage around? It’s the first thing I do when going somewhere! Also, you’re posting now at this time of day about having to clean the kitchen yourself so how come you didn’t complain about it when you noticed it all this morning? You sat there all day? I don’t quite get it! But either way yes go complain and get it cleaned. Although they may think you’ve actually done it if you’ve not said or done anything up til now!

Exactly this!!!

You should have had a swoop of the place when you arrived. Not sure if the bin was that bad you hadn't caught a whiff til the next day.

I personally feel you've left it too late to complain

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