Gobsmacked!!

[Tuffers]

I have been cleaning this house for years, 5 bedrooms, conservatory, 3 car garage, outdoor swimming pool, Aston Martin DB7, a month in the Bahamas every November, sold business for millions etc etc. I charge them £25 every 4 weeks and to be fair I whizz round it in about 20 minutes. I ring the buzzer on the gate for entrance today and she lets me in. As I got out my van she asked if I would clean the conservatory roof. The roof isn't the best, with lead staining and shot glass. I've cleaned it a few times before and only charge £10 as I just clean the green off it. So, I cleaned it today and she comes out and says '£25?'. I'm thinking she isn't intending to pay for the roof, so I say plus £10 for the roof. '£10 for the roof!!!???' she says. And I'm like does she think that's too cheap. 'That's expensive for cleaning the roof' she says. I'm stood there gobsmacked. I could have said do it yourself and see how you get on or pay the going rate, but I didn't because I couldn't believe what I'd just heard, plus my face must have said it all. I was seething. But I did earn £35 for 35 minutes work. She has always been as good as gold. I hope she's spoken to her husband as he has always been fine about paying the extra and hopefully he will have told her so.

I'm thinking of dumping it. What would you do?

 

[rs2315]

just when you think you know your custi curve ball, nowt as queer as folk keep her good money for time taken if she keeps with the?????? every month then by by rs2315

 

[steve garwood]

I have been cleaning this house for years, 5 bedrooms, conservatory, 3 car garage, outdoor swimming pool, Aston Martin DB7, a month in the Bahamas every November, sold business for millions etc etc. I charge them £25 every 4 weeks and to be fair I whizz round it in about 20 minutes. I ring the buzzer on the gate for entrance today and she lets me in. As I got out my van she asked if I would clean the conservatory roof. The roof isn't the best, with lead staining and shot glass. I've cleaned it a few times before and only charge £10 as I just clean the green off it. So, I cleaned it today and she comes out and says '£25?'. I'm thinking she isn't intending to pay for the roof, so I say plus £10 for the roof. '£10 for the roof!!!???' she says. And I'm like does she think that's too cheap. 'That's expensive for cleaning the roof' she says. I'm stood there gobsmacked. I could have said do it yourself and see how you get on or pay the going rate, but I didn't because I couldn't believe what I'd just heard, plus my face must have said it all. I was seething. But I did earn £35 for 35 minutes work. She has always been as good as gold. I hope she's spoken to her husband as he has always been fine about paying the extra and hopefully he will have told her so.
I'm thinking of dumping it. What would you do?

She's just belled me, I'm doing the whole lot for £30 /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[steve hawing]

Ive quickly come to learn there is no such thing as a loyal customer in this game

I would return and clean as normal the following month and if they pay as norm sure all is good

 

[Markyboy 50]

Don't dump it mate. Keep it. Next time she asks u to clean the roof just say you're to busy

 

[Alien Human]

Steve Hawing makes a good point.

But......£25 for 5 bed plus a convo sounds like it's already a good deal for the customer (regardless of how quickly your able to get round)

If their still complaining I'd be wary.....

I've got a customer very similar who always complains that their bill comes to £140. A lot of money but given the size and time it takes me it should / could easily be £200 worth of work. My opinion is that the fella just likes to have a good old moan and I'm the unfortunate one that has to listen. Some people just like to moan /emoticons/smile.png

 

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

Stay with it for now, sounds like she might just have been having a bad day? If it persists re-think but I would keep her for now.

 

[Matthew Phillips]

I'd just brush it off /emoticons/wink.png and go back for normal service in 4 weeks, but if she or he gives you any more reason to get the hump, drop em. When it's easy money, I always give them a second chance.

 

[Tuffers]

There's going to be an atmosphere next time I turn up I think. I won't be doing the conny roof for peanuts in future either. I mean, I was doing it at a bloody good rate. Would they have done it for £10? I think not. I totally agree with the poster who said that you think you know your customers, but do we really? This is why we need more customers than we can handle so when a curve ball is thrown it won't set you back.

 

[steve garwood]

There's going to be an atmosphere next time I turn up I think. I won't be doing the conny roof for peanuts in future either. I mean, I was doing it at a bloody good rate. Would they have done it for £10? I think not. I totally agree with the poster who said that you think you know your customers, but do we really? This is why we need more customers than we can handle so when a curve ball is thrown it won't set you back.

Agree with all the above, just carry on as normal. She might of just been in a bad mood or on the rag

 

[Natty1972]

That's why the rich are rich , you got to grab the bloody money out there hands quick

 

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

There's going to be an atmosphere next time I turn up I think. I won't be doing the conny roof for peanuts in future either. I mean, I was doing it at a bloody good rate. Would they have done it for £10? I think not. I totally agree with the poster who said that you think you know your customers, but do we really? This is why we need more customers than we can handle so when a curve ball is thrown it won't set you back.

I once had one of these moments too, a couple of years back and this is why I advise a little caution- Good, friendly customer, wealthy, never had any issues with her at all before. I'll not go through the whole tale but I almost lost it with her, nearly bit through my lip to stop myself blowing a gasket. It was so out of character for her. Anyhow, next time I was there she was completely bald and was going through some very heavy treatment for cancer! It became clear why she was so out of character the last time and I was SO glad I bit my lip!

 

[Tuffers]

Good post ^^

 

[CHWS]

That's why the rich are rich , you got to grab the bloody money out there hands quick

Just as you say grab it out of your hands I do a rich house family's house and it's only a 10r and she owed twice so I told her while I had my hand on her 20 note and she wouldn't let go off it and then just grunted and closed the door

 

[gwindows]

Just grin and bear it I had a wee winge of two of my high street shops yesterday as i told them they were going up One is £6 and other £5.50 Wait for it the great big price hike 50p Last time i put them up was 2013 And thats insides as well and can't get inside till 3pm There's only three windows on each /emoticons/sad.png