I've had my cleaner for a couple of years now and she's a lovely woman and a very good cleaner - when she turns up. She has health problems and visa problems so often she'll contact me on the day (after I've spent time tidying up for her) saying she can't come but she can do a few hours in a couple of days, then doesn't turn up then either. Meanwhile I haven't cleaned the house myself because I think she's coming eventually but suddenly she hasn't been for 2 weeks and the house is filthy. If I knew she definitely wasn't coming I'd do the cleaning myself (although I don't really have time and don't do it as well as she does), it's the uncertainty that pees me off. Today she said she'd turn up between 2 & 3 pm and at 3.30 her friend would arrive to help her. I said this was fine as the friend is nice & a good cleaner also (although she's supposed to do mornings as my kids get home from school 3.30). But it's now 2.55 and there's no sign of her (she didn't turn up last week on 2 separate occasions btw so house is filthy). If she is any later than arranged it's going to be difficult to get the supper on because she'll be cleaning the kitchen.
I have a feeling that of all her clients I am the most easy-going (I hate confrontation!) and that she puts them first and fits me in where she can, around them, her health and trips to the embassy. Whenever I have kicked up a fuss she's been v contrite & turned up diligently for a few weeks. Then it all starts again.
Last year I could have got a different cleaner as 2 local friends said theirs both had space for me but I felt bad getting rid of X as I she has had a hard life, she is very trustworthy and, you know, a nice person. But I'm fed up of my house being skanky!!
(BTW I don't pay her if she doesn't turn up so she is losing out financially. I have tried in the past to create extra hours for her to compensate but she never turns up for these either!)
WWYD?