[Paul Coleman]

I won't go over gates at all these days.  I used to do it but a few sessions on the osteopath couch helped me decide not to do it any more.  I take the view that they can't have their cake and eat it.  If they really want a regular service and it is reasonably important to them, they can fit a padlock near the top of the gate and supply me with a spare key (or the access code).  That way they can have their security and they can have a window cleaning service.  If they won't do that then they don't trust me.  If they won't have a bit of trust, I don't want to work for them anyway.  Simple really !!
I have about a dozen gate keys in my home from various customers and I know the hiding places for a few more.  Oddly enough, some customers where I've been going for many years upgrade their security and won't let me have reasonable access.  They become ex-customers.  However, sometimes new customers will give me a spare gate key.  I've even been offered house keys but I don't accept them.

[supernova77]

I used to have a customer... She was a bit odd. I cleaned her house about 6 times and she was always in... Then one day I turned up and she was out... The back gate was bolted so I reached over and unlocked it and did all the windows.

Later on that day she phones and says she is only paying me half as I could have only done the fronts... So I explain that I unlocked the back gate and did the backs as well.

She went MAD!   Saying she wasn't sending any money because I had trespassed on her property blah blah blah...

The next thing I know I get a phone call from the police station asking me to go and see them about a complaint they've had about me!   Utter madness!

Andy

[mark dew]

I won't go over locked gates anymore either. I just do the fronts and charge more than half the money. Or more if there are more windows at the front.

[Walter Pole]

Well said Mark...I made the same decision recently when I used step ladders to balance on the frame of a gate, as the bolt was right near the bottom and the gate was 6 feet tall.  Then  jumped down and very slightly twisted my ankle, which hurt for days afterwards,  Since then I have decided my health and wellbeing is worth more than a few pounds for cleaning the back.  Like you I charge about 75% of total price....so in the end quite good news if the gate is locked!

[alanwilson]

ugh, don't start me on gate lockers - how on earth is a pathetic little 3mm padlock gonna stop a burglar??

It really cracks me up, I did take it too far a while back, custy who always locks the gate (after I have rang to say I'll be round the next day), so anyway this happened at least 10 times and in August I had enough,I put my foot through the gate cleaned the back and left a note saying thanks for leaving the gate open!!

Now she's convinced it was someone trying to break in and has just gone and got a new gate fitted, only this time its super heavy duty and no way could I kick the thing in!!

[rugby]

i wont climb over gates any more,i let customers who lock gates know  in advance when im comeing,if they think so little of me that they cant be botherd to open their gate after i have given them the courtesy of taking the time to phone or post a note through their letter box,then they can find them selves another window cleaner,i deleat them off george and forget about them.and not just over gates,if they pis* me off then goodbye.

maybe ive got a chip on my shoulder,but we all know their are customers out their who think they can take the pis* because we are lowley window cleaners,well they can kiss my arse,i wont put up with it any more,always another customer around the corner.

i never used to take this hard line with customers,only this last 12 months or so,after all they pay the wage,but i wish id ran my buisiness like this from the start,pain in the arse customers are not worth the stress.

[ants]

yeah fair enough that is a bit crap but aint they liable for that surely it was on the way out already if it fell down when you grabbed it you could have sued them!!!!

I think it was more a case of her ready to sue me for damage.She said    oh my son in laws a builder hes had a look and said it really needs tying in to the garage wall to make a good repair............. I just said ok we will sort it out for you.
PS SHE DIDNT GIVE A XMAS TIP!

[L.J.Thorpe]

where did it break if its a brick arch over a gate they are usually tied in to garage wall anyway but they always break on the apex never known one to last more than 15 yrs unless pre-formed lintel in and most dont if it dont have to carry a load so just needs rebuild not chopping in again dont get stitched up mate 

[ants]

where did it break if its a brick arch over a gate they are usually tied in to garage wall anyway but they always break on the apex never known one to last more than 15 yrs unless pre-formed lintel in and most dont if it dont have to carry a load so just needs rebuild not chopping in again dont get stitched up mate 
It broke or came away at the top of a pillar on one side,and on the other side which just butted up to the garage wall.None of it was tied in.
I wont get stiched up mate.Ive already fixed it with a friend whos a builder.We just sat it back on and pointed it up,it wasnt tied in before so its as good as it was.
I just owe my mate a return favour.