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robbo333

  • Posts: 2420
A sense of impending doom!
« on: March 16, 2016, 06:03:04 pm »
So I get a call this morning from a nice sounding foreign lady (possibly italian) and she wants a quote.
She is very quick to tell me her last window cleaner did not do a good job and used to charge her £12. When I ask what type of property, it's a 3 bed bungalow with connie. I'm thinking about £22 to £25 without seeing it. Nice area too. She is eager for a price over the phone but I declined and said I could not quote without seeing it. She reluctantly said ok so I am seeing her Friday. Now on this alone i'm not getting good vibes. Then she phones me this afternoon asking if I could take some old furniture to the tip for her! She offers to pay me and oddly enough...I declined! I've got to go and see her now just out of curiosity.  ::)roll
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NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2016, 06:04:32 pm »
Blimey m8 I wouldn't bother she sounds like grief to me.
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stevon

  • Posts: 126
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2016, 06:13:29 pm »
she could be a serial window cleaner killer
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8weekly

Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2016, 10:13:42 pm »
Why would you bother going?
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nathankaye

  • Posts: 5366
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2016, 10:27:47 pm »
Quote from: 8weekly on March 16, 2016, 10:13:42 pm
Why would you bother going?

Cause shes a nice sounding probably italian bored housewife whos partner cant be bothered to take the rubbish to skip and hoping for some extras   ;D
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Ian101

  • Posts: 7889
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2016, 08:05:01 am »
trust your instincts or at least charge appropriately for the first clean .... as may be the last clean  ;D
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robbo333

  • Posts: 2420
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2016, 05:32:32 pm »
Thanks Ian, that would be my first thought (and that's actually what I do too; get good money for a first clean, just in case).
I've got some time tomorrow and I clean about 5 other houses in the road, so i'm just curious really. It's moments like this that make my job a bit of fun. And we all have to have a bit of fun in our jobs!  ;D
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robbo333

  • Posts: 2420
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2016, 05:44:13 pm »
Update
Went to see her today and what a nightmare!
Bungalow and gardens were in a terrible state, the windows were leaded (mostly blown) in old wooden frames (some rotten), access was via a rear porch with two doors, rubbish everywhere (which she assures me will be cleared by the next clean). These windows haven't been touched in years (Her last window cleaned charged £12) I don't think so. The connie at the back was green and was in a poor state of repair.  If she wanted a regular clean I'm Brad Pitt!
I couldn't get out of there quick enough.
Now it's not often I'm lost for words, but on this occasion, I was.
When I told her "I'm sorry but unfortunately I won't be able to help you" she got the raving hump!
So two things really.
Firstly: My gut instincts were correct (I love my gut instincts)
Secondly: How would you guys turn down business? (I didn't quite know what to say on this one). She thought she was the bees knees, very sexy Italian and all that. I know many of you put in a very high price and get rejected that way but to be honest I just wanted to get out.
Any advice on how to politely turn down jobs?
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NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2016, 05:48:44 pm »
Just tell her you haven't got time or you simply can't do stuff for that amount of money,think about it do you honestly think she gives 2 hoots about you she just wants you to clean it I haven't got the time for idiots like that,if it's a small job in the future and you get a sniff of that on the phone ask them to send you pictures of all 4 sides of the property then if you don't like it you can sack it off via text.
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windowswashed

  • Posts: 2610
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2016, 12:15:33 am »
Should have quoted three times the regular price and fit it in when you can as it would probably be a one off
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Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2016, 12:24:37 am »
Maybe she wants new windows so thought I know I will get a window cleaner in and just blame him  ;D
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Ian Lancaster

  • Posts: 2811
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2016, 08:44:55 am »
I would have told her that owing to the very poor state of repair she would be wasting her money as there would be very little, if any, improvement in the appearance after cleaning.  If she still wanted it done I would have insisted on being paid first and explained that as she was bound to be disappointed I wasn't prepared to invest the time and effort and risk her refusing to pay afterwards.
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AuRavelling79

  • Posts: 26252
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2016, 08:50:27 am »
Quote from: Ian Lancaster on March 19, 2016, 08:44:55 am
I would have told her that owing to the very poor state of repair she would be wasting her money as there would be very little, if any, improvement in the appearance after cleaning.  If she still wanted it done I would have insisted on being paid first and explained that as she was bound to be disappointed I wasn't prepared to invest the time and effort and risk her refusing to pay afterwards.

Brilliant.
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Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2016, 09:36:36 am »
Very good Ian

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robbo333

  • Posts: 2420
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2016, 10:45:37 am »
Thanks Ian I'll remember that one. 
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duncan h

  • Posts: 1875
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #15 on: March 19, 2016, 03:15:17 pm »
Because your wooden frames are worn, they would trap water and cause problems. You need a traditional window cleaner.


Have you got a partner "yes" sorry cant help.
Have you got a partner "NO" could you pay with your body lmao. Would love the balls to say that
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nathankaye

  • Posts: 5366
Re: A sense of impending doom!
« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2016, 03:18:59 pm »
In addition to Ians comments I would just add that on such an occasion if she insisted them being cleaned, I would also get her to sign a disclaimer and protect your back.......always be prepared for any eventuality is my motto
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