[AuRavelling79]

Substance of message (very polite) on voicemail while out working this morning.

"... on Saturday it was very sunny and I was ironing and I noticed the lounge window pane nearest the door has scratches on it on the outside. It wasn't there before the last window clean and I wondered if some grit has been dragged down the window. I'd like you to come and see what you think..."

(Regular, pleasant but very houseproud customer reported to me 13 days after last visit)

So I was about two miles a way and came to a natural break point about 30 minutes later and went round and she's not in.

Can't see any obvious scratches. Dan can't see any scratches. Peer at glass from an oblique angle and see three or four tiniest of scratches which are deffo on the outside because I can just feel them with my finger.

Decided that no chance was it us and put this through the door:

Dear XXXX,

Having looked carefully we can see about four tiniest of marks. They look to me as though they have been caused by a metal paint scraper. Our brushes are made of plastic and nylon fibres and splayed to a pattern that cannot hold grit and thus could not have caused the marks.

As they are only visible in the strongest of sunlight from an oblique angle I think they have been there sometime and not noticeable especially on dull days behind net curtains (without a magnifying glass - ok I didn't write that! ) and guess they may have been caused when cleaning up after your house was painted last summer?

Hope that helps.

Malc Gold

We shall see what transpires - but recent events with this custy are making me not want to work for them again whatever happens ...

[Arnold Palmer]

Someone had a link on here to a very well worded website that had loads of info on why it wasn't the window cleaner who scratched the windows. I was going to nick it for my website but decided against it.

[Jonny 87]

It always seems to be in the winter that people notice scratches. Low winter sun.

Scratches that have been their since the initial builders clean.

[andyM]

It always seems to be in the winter that people notice scratches. Low winter sun.

Scratches that have been their since the initial builders clean.

Yes.
I know this to be true as there are scratches on our south facing living room window (which were there before we moved in) that only really become visible during this time of year.
The low sun really shows them up, and if I had a window cleaner I probably would of thought he had done it.
But of course I know better!  

[robertphil]

goldie your reply was nice and friendly but might encourage her to claim .

  i personally would never write Anything , better to totally ignore and stop going there - if she rings  id gently accuse her of being unhinged  ,"look closely at yourself  first lady "(or words to those effect)

 this wrong foots folk  and usually stops any trouble

[Ian Lancaster]

Our standard reply is to the effect that it is impossible to scratch glass with our brushes, but if the customer would like to test it for themselves we will allow them to try a pole on any window they choose and see if they can cause a scratch.  If they do we will replace both the window they have scratched and the one that caused the complaint in the first place.

We have never had anyone take us up on the offer.

[Joey Eastwood]

Jewellers rouge, bout £10 a kilo. Wet the powder, put on scrim, buff over scratch,'scratch gone happy customer end of.. Lol

[rosskesava]

It always seems to be in the winter that people notice scratches. Low winter sun.

Scratches that have been their since the initial builders clean.

I got the mickey taken for posting that on this forum a few weeks ago. It's the same each early winter and early spring. All the imperfections show up due to the low angle of the sun.

In our flat 14 floors up we have new windows that were fitted about 9 months back. The whole tower block was done at the same time and it's amazing how many other tenants have recently commented on scratches on the outside glass. This afternoon, and for the last few weeks, I could see a couple of small scratches clearly on the outside glass of several windows but during the summer and the rest of the year, they were invisible.

Much to my shame, I've never cleaned my windows since they were fitted and neither has anyone else.

[rosskesava]

Jewellers rouge, bout £10 a kilo. Wet the powder, put on scrim, buff over scratch,'scratch gone happy customer end of.. Lol

I take it you've never actually tried to remove a scratch by doing that.

I have, and it doesn't work. It may do on a very slight scratch on a watch glass with the right tools but on a pane of glass - nope.

[H2GoKent]

goldie your reply was nice and friendly but might encourage her to claim .

  i personally would never write Anything , better to totally ignore and stop going there - if she rings  id gently accuse her of being unhinged  ,"look closely at yourself  first lady "(or words to those effect)

 this wrong foots folk  and usually stops any trouble

That approach just makes it look as if you know you have done something wrong. Gold's is much better. In the past I have handed someone the brush so they can see how soft it is.

[Klean07]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGp7I_etbEY

This will do trick!

[AuRavelling79]

No I haven't let myself in for a claim; I said I thought it might have been caused by a metal paint scraper. I don't use any kind of scraper. (other than a finger nail!)

Anyway no reply from her as yet and I will vigorously deny if any claim forthcoming.

[paul13]

Someone had a link on here to a very well worded website that had loads of info on why it wasn't the window cleaner who scratched the windows. I was going to nick it for my website but decided against it.

Does any one know the above website?

[dannymack]

Malc give her five of ya best, smash her back doors in then tell her to get on her way !!!! Now that's the way to do it he he 😎😁😇👳👳👳🌲🌲🌲👍👍👍

[Arnold Palmer]

Does any one know the above website?

http://www.crystalcleanwindows.com/window_washing_FAQ.htm#scratch

[simon w]

I should think it almost impossible for her to successfully claim damages for scratches to her windows as there is no way she or her lawyers could ever categorically prove that scratches on her windows were caused by the window cleaner and not caused by some other means.

The car cleaners in Sainsbury car parks could be accused of the same kind of accusations, but if you can't prove that the scratches weren't there before the clean then there is no evidence to prove the cleaners are at fault. My insurance includes treatment risks but worse case scenario the cost to replace the glass in a standard UPVC unit isn't going to break the bank.

[paul13]

Does any one know the above website?

http://www.crystalcleanwindows.com/window_washing_FAQ.htm#scratch

Nice read Thanks

[trippyboy]

I should think it almost impossible for her to successfully claim damages for scratches to her windows as there is no way she or her lawyers could ever categorically prove that scratches on her windows were caused by the window cleaner and not caused by some other means.

The car cleaners in Sainsbury car parks could be accused of the same kind of accusations, but if you can't prove that the scratches weren't there before the clean then there is no evidence to prove the cleaners are at fault. My insurance includes treatment risks but worse case scenario the cost to replace the glass in a standard UPVC unit isn't going to break the bank.

Those Poles in Sainsburys Emersons do a great job of cleaning my van. I got me van cleaned there last week , only a tenner too

[James Bulton]

Thanks Mr Souter a good read.
I once had a chat with a car cleaner at Salisbury.And decided if I need help I would find staff among them.
These poor chaps pay 235 quid a week to clean trolley owner and Sainsbury only after then do the earn a penny.The trolley owner pays Sainsbury 15 quid a week per person to use the car park. I have chatted with at least 10 over the last 2 years and hear the same story.It would be interesting to hear for others. Its a disgrace.

[simon w]

I should think it almost impossible for her to successfully claim damages for scratches to her windows as there is no way she or her lawyers could ever categorically prove that scratches on her windows were caused by the window cleaner and not caused by some other means.

The car cleaners in Sainsbury car parks could be accused of the same kind of accusations, but if you can't prove that the scratches weren't there before the clean then there is no evidence to prove the cleaners are at fault. My insurance includes treatment risks but worse case scenario the cost to replace the glass in a standard UPVC unit isn't going to break the bank.

Those Poles in Sainsburys Emersons do a great job of cleaning my van. I got me van cleaned there last week , only a tenner too

Their Albanians mate Polish economical migrants need to earn more money than what those carshiners earn