What would you do? Window cleaner turned up and cleaned windows without any agreement in place.

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CPH3000@reddit

Tell them you never agreed to it and ask them not to call again.

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RoutineCloud5993@reddit

And specifically asked them not to do it once they promised to come over.

OP needs to keep the texts just in case, and be prepared to have to call then police of this guy starts getting angry about the missing £30

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Jonoabbo@reddit

What kind of fraud involves them doing the job without getting paid

[-]

Reddits amazing. The guy has potentially had his windows cleaned for free when he just says to the boss man 'look mate, clearly a mix up here, I never asked you to clean them, check your messages again' and reddit are already discussing getting the police involved.

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TooHot1639@reddit

Because most people aren't as naïve as you?

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Best_Alternative349@reddit

Naive? I'm just not a lunatic mate, there has been a mix up with window cleaning, hardly a reason to get the fuzz involved is there.

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FitSolution2882@reddit

Because most people on here are too scared to open the door and actually speak with people.

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AdSpecialist5007@reddit

No, the post I'm replying to mentions anger, not aggression. These are not the same.

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r0224@reddit

Great pedantry for sure, but the clear and obvious implication is that enough anger causes aggression

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AdSpecialist5007@reddit

Replying to what's actually been written isn't pedantry.

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Horse-Meat@reddit

Good observation, replying to what's actually been written is in fact called a 'reply', not 'pedantry'!

You are very wise.

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terryjuicelawson@reddit

It is a civil matter for them if they want to try to claim the money. It is a police matter if they are getting aggressive.

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RoutineCloud5993@reddit

Threats and harassment, if they happen, would be a police matter

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Shrider@reddit

Depends how angry he gets really

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Mousemillion@reddit

Seems steep. 13 windows and two doors at mine - £12.

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BillyBlaze314@reddit

This is how you get a window cleaner. You get a free trial, and if you want to keep them, you pay. If you don't, just don't pay.

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No-Effective-7188@reddit

Three words: get to f*ck! Be shouty, act mental. It has a higher chance of working.

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No_Run3357@reddit

At no point have you entered into a written or verbal contract, in fact you've specifically sought not to do so, so they have no grounds on which to argue you need to pay. It's their issue they sent someone round and their loss. It's not different than when someone at the lights wants to clean your car windows and you say no, if they do that it's their decision.

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Bricktop52@reddit (OP)

That's what pissed me off in the first place, was being set up for a window clean, when I asked first for a written quote. Now they've pissed me off again. But there is a guilt that some bloke who just cleans the windows, has come and cleaned for 30 minutes. I know I shouldn't feel guilty. But I do.

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jaynoj@reddit

Protip, whenever someone knocks on your door selling something, tell them no thanks and close the door before they can respond.

You get these chancers taking the absolute piss and pushing their services on people.

You need to learn to be assertive and stand your ground.

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bacon_cake@reddit

You shouldn't carry that sort of the guilt.

It's not your fault, it's theirs, and frankly it's not that big a deal.

I'd reframe it as you and that bloke vs the window cleaning company, and in no way that you're responsible for anything.

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AltruisticFox8763@reddit

It actually feels like they’re doing it on purpose to oblige some payment?

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iAmManchee@reddit

Well if they're short on business and their guys are just gonna be stood around, may as well send them out to chance it and see if they can get some revenue

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WhatYouLeaveBehind@reddit

That's why they do it. That's how they get you. They want you to feel guilty. Like you owe them. That's why it works.

You don't owe them anything. This is a classic con. Don't fall for it.

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abyssal-isopod86@reddit

And it's what they are banking on - you feeling guilty so you pay, and they have successfully bullied you into a contract.

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WordsUnthought@reddit

My gut feeling for the start of your post was along these lines, "pay him for his work this time and make it clear never again".

But then you got to the point where you said you'd informed them, in writing, the day before that you didn't want the clean. That's unbelievably explicit. No fault on your side whatsoever - do not pay.

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Bricktop52@reddit (OP)

Just to clarify, in Feb - I said no, and that I wanted a quote in writing. Company responds, saying wont clean and they will wait for my reply.

I don't reply as I don't want the service.

I get a text yesterday (which I didn't read). Saying someone will be round today. They have now come and cleaned the windows.

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DoKtor2quid@reddit

Maybe text saying 'Nice loss-leader, but I still don't want my windows cleaning'. Don't pay.

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WordsUnthought@reddit

Fair clarification, still think you're in the clear to not pay.

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CicadaSlight7603@reddit

We had this issue, paid them once out of goodwill but then they came back and did it again a few weeks later despite clear email saying no. Eventually had to send a very official sounding email and they did stop.

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Baddog1965@reddit

It was a dumb thing to have paid them the first time.

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No_Run3357@reddit

If it's a company, their employee will still be paid. Why should you have had to go to work for X hours after tax to pay for something you said you didn't want?

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emuostrich31415@reddit

£30 are you for real?? We pay £12 and that's for 7windows and 2 doors

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seven_green_toes@reddit

Its ok that that lots of folk on here give it billy big bollocks or offer pretentious advice like "you didn't have a contract dont pay them" yada yada but how many of them do you think would acctually want the confrontation? Not many considering most of them claim ADHD or anxiety. Personally I would offer £20 and say £30 was to steep and tell them you hadn't asked for them to be done. You have made an offering so they should be ok but will also be oissed of enough to not bother you again.

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_Cridders_@reddit

Tell them to go and fuck themselves.

This is possibly a mistake, but possibly their modus operandi, knowing a lot of people will fold and just accept that they are now their new window cleaner.

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Additional-Outcome73@reddit

😳 £30? We have 9 windows and 2 doors and it costs us a tenner.

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No_Actuary9100@reddit

I’d probably make them an offer

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BamberGasgroin@reddit

Where did your 8th window go?

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Dildo_Shaggins-@reddit

If they turn up, rush out of the house with a bucket and sponge and wipe their vehicle down and tell them you want £30 for it.

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natej82@reddit

The guy who first canvassed your house may have been paid by the actual windows cleaner. There are many professional companies that offer this service, if they get you a £10 job you pay them £25-£30 as a commission and so the canvassing person may have just chanced their arm with you. I advise you don’t pay if you don’t want the services going forward but if you do want a regular window clean then don’t over think it and pay ! Also it is very unusual for someone to ask for a window cleaning quote by email after a face to face quote is given, did they not write the quote on a slip of paper with their contact information? I wouldn’t have bothered to email you either, but I’m lazy lol

Source : 20 years window cleaning 😅

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FreeBogwoppits@reddit

I had this once. I didn't pay it. I told them very firmly I hadn't agreed to this and they'd trespassed. Told them to come to the property or contact me again. I blocked their number and that was the end of it.

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andrew0256@reddit

This.

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OedipusRe10@reddit

You asked, so…

Instead of “This.”, if you have nothing more to add, just use the upvote button. It’s what it’s for. People are tired of scrolling through comments like yours that add nothing more to the discussion.

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MarionberryBoring729@reddit

You mean, like your comment?

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ItStartedWithAQueef@reddit

This

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AltruisticFox8763@reddit

I wasn’t going to downvote but I had no choice.

Nice.

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Bagginsthebag@reddit

Because that’s what upvotes are for.

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Still-BangingYourMum@reddit

That

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EvilZordag@reddit

And the other

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Margaet_moon@reddit

I love a yer ma/mum joke.

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andrew0256@reddit

Woo Hoo!

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andrew0256@reddit

What?

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Plugpin@reddit

One of these!

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AltruisticFox8763@reddit

Can you edit this to say ‘told them NOT to come to the property…’

Because you’re getting a lot of ‘THIS’ but the advice is a little… squiffy 🤏

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superduperbongodrums@reddit

Is this bens gutters or something? We had such a crap experience with them, I kept getting texts from random numbers and I was SO clear I didn’t want my windows done like fifty times

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ilikecocktails@reddit

That’s expensive, my window cleaner does all the front windows for £5

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Equal_Membership_923@reddit

Sadly this is a pressure tactic employed by some co boy window cleaning companies. There was one that started at my last estate that did this. Unfortunately my friend who was decorating agreed for them to come. He thought he was doing me a favour as I’d just moved in. I was fine with it until they started coming late in the evening to collect the money. I get they need to be paid but knocking on your door at 9pm was a bit much. Anyway I found out they had been harassing a one man band window cleaner who was a lovely guy and considerably cheaper. I cancelled them but they got a bit nasty and tried it on by cleaning my windows twice after I’d cancelled. I didn’t pay them and they soon moved on. I’ve seen the company mentioned a few times on social media and let’s just say that they over charge and use pressure tactics which some people are getting wise to. I do worry about vulnerable older people being exploited though. The guys that turned up at my door were quite menacing looking with scarred faces. They looked like fighting men. You are well within your rights to not pay and ask them to leave your property alone.

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Zealousideal-War-605@reddit

I pay a fiver for the front upstairs windows (2) and front downstairs windows (bay)

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TW1103@reddit

Is that a normal price for a window cleaner? Ours is a fiver for I think 8 windows and 2 doors

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eric-artman@reddit

Gently tell him to fook ovv

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spaceshipcommander@reddit

I wouldn't pay them. How is this even a question?

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PennyBunPudding@reddit

£20? I thought mine at £8 was too much

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rbarker82@reddit

I’m a window cleaner. If no agreement was in place, don’t pay. Message back to say that you didn’t agree to sign up for the service so there’s clearly been a misunderstanding.

Even if they apologise and offer a discount or something, don’t sign up with them. It was unprofessional (or at best disorganised) on their part. Go with someone reliable from the offset.

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Mysterious-Sock39@reddit

Just say nope not paying you clearly said no tough on them

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Gullible_Wind_3777@reddit

Unless you have them bank details then they can’t take the money anyway. A company tried this with us before. We declined the service all together at the door. Next week comes and they’ve posted a note saying they’ve cleaned the window I now owe x amount. They hadn’t cleaned my windows at all. So no , clearly I’m not paying. I looked at the security cam and the entire time this cleaner was at my property, he was sat on the phone chatting away, in my back garden. It sent that in and said no thankyou. They email me every three months saying I owe them money still lol.

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capulet2kx@reddit

Should they come to get cash, you do jazz hands at them, and say they owe you £30 for the jazz hands. When they scoff at you, jazz hands again, and tell them they now owe you £60. Repeat, now it’s £90, £120. Become angrier at the money they owe you with each repetition, asking how they intend to pay. Basically repeat their drivel back to them.

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Nerissa23@reddit

Question is do you want your windows cleaned or not

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Justina_working_girl@reddit

Don't pay anyhting.

Keep the messages as proof you didnt agree and then they can f off :D

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Disastrous-Giraffe-@reddit

For those saying it’s expensive - the going rate in my area is about £2 per window/door. It costs a fortune for the equipment and to filter the water, not to mention the cost of the water itself. Add on fuel, vehicle costs, business and liability insurance, and the fact that most cleaners are self employed with no holiday or sick pay, and it makes sense. If you’re paying a few quid for your windows cleaned, your cleaner is likely not insured or not paying tax 😁

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TheMarkMatthews@reddit

Tell them you didn’t ask and your windows looked streaky after so want compensation to get them cleaned by someone else.

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Grantthetick@reddit

Joking aside my windows cost me £5 and I would definitely not pay 30

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craftysooze@reddit

I had similar, I agreed only 4 window washes a year, they used the same system, gocardless and a text the night before. They then tried changing it to every 2 months, I cancelled it via text but the lad still came the next day, I had to tell him it was cancelled. He said he hadn't been told and I was the third household that day to do the same.

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_isolati0n@reddit

I wouldn't even consider paying, there is honestly no question here. You are aren't liable to pay for a service you did not ask for

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knotatwist@reddit

I would go back to them and complain.

"I didn't agree to use your services. I didn't agree to a payment plan setup. I received confirmation from you yesterday that you wouldn't come round and yet today it's happened anyway. I'm not paying for a service that I never agreed or signed up for in the first place. Please be more thorough in future as this could have easily been avoided."

If they try to argue you have receipts that you never agreed to this to send over.

I wouldn't want to use their services after this as they have messed up at least twice with you.

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akl78@reddit

Sounds like someone has just kindly cleaned your windows free of charge.

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akl78@reddit

Sounds like someone has just kindly cleaned your windows free of charge.

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surgical-marigolds@reddit

I didn't ask for the windows to be cleaned and so I don't pay the bill, otherwise I encourage chancers.

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graeme_1988@reddit

£30?! Ours is £7 quid every other week and I thought that was steep for a wet brush on the end of a big stick

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Still-BangingYourMum@reddit

Rag on a stick....

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incognitoarmadill0@reddit

Probably a Northerner?

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NoodleDoodlesocks@reddit

Make them aware that no agreement had been made, refer to your previous email and then ask them to not contact you in the future.

Don't do the British thing and politely dodge around the issue. Be blunt about whether you do or don't want the service.

[-]

Bricktop52@reddit (OP)

But I am British and feel like I'm the one who needs to apologise.

I don't want the service. It feels steep, and I didn't appreciate being set up on their round without a written quote and agreeing to it.

[-]

Zavodskoy@reddit

I don't want the service. It feels steep, and I didn't appreciate being set up on their round without a written quote and agreeing to it.

I don't mean this to sound as condescending as it does but you are an adult, if someone does something you don't want them to tell them to stop. Outside of your own children you are not responsible for the actions of any other person on the planet.

You told them no, they acknowledged the no. Past that it's not your problem

[-]

geeered@reddit

I suspect they may be working on this basis, going from someone above, you pay and say no more and they visit again. Some people will just give up and keep paying them, especially elderly etc.

[-]

DeifniteProfessional@reddit

Don't do the British thing and politely dodge around the issue. Be blunt about whether you do or don't want the service.

I've started getting more blunt with people where necessary. Definitely takes you out of your comfort zone, but it's truly better in a lot of situations. Such as when some charity mugger is hounding me outside Tesco

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_Hoping_For_Better_@reddit

There is no confusion. This is their business model. Don't reward it. You said that they are overpriced. Can you imagine how much of a headache it will be to cancel if you start doing business with them. Don't pay them.

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Conscious-Pie-4794@reddit

Just tell them no. I moved into a house and the first day I turned up the window cleaner was cleaning the windows. He asked for payment and I told him I didn't ask him to clean them and I wouldn't pay him. He didn't realise the last owner went and he apologised and went away.

You have really made it clear you don't want the service.

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bibbiddybobbidyboo@reddit

Read up on the unsolicited goods and services act. You don’t have to pay and it’s an offense for them to make demands. Not a solicitor, not giving advice, but do read the act.

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Chris-TT@reddit

Personally, I wouldn’t pay it unless you want to go ahead. That is expensive. For comparison, our house is £12 for 12 windows, a trifold and bifold, plus two normal doors. That went up from £10 about two years ago. A different window cleaner does all our business windows for £40, and we are talking about Bristol city centre. It is a huge plot, glass floor to ceiling, and at least four times the work as at home.

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Successful_Mud_4166@reddit

I pay £15 for that service.

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tandemxylophone@reddit

There are scams out there that wash window and demand payment later. They deliberately did that.

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underwater-sunlight@reddit

Keep the messages. The amount is too small for them to go through legal channels to chase payment so they might choose to go for naming and shaming on socials or speaking with other companies around the area. They may also go down the annoyance route of bombarding you with calls, messages, letters, knocks on the door or even dirtying your windows due to 'non payment' and then you have a harassment case. If you have a video door bell or security cameras, make sure they work. Arguably for such a small amount of money it isn't worth installing them just for that purpose but long term, it may be an option

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ARobertNotABob@reddit

Pay, since you did want your windows cleaning, after all ... but tell them you won't require them to return, if you wish.

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AnonymousTimewaster@reddit

Sounds like you just got your windows cleaned for free

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Gauntlets28@reddit

Considering you flat-out didn't agree to it, and have messages documenting that you didn't, I'd tell them to sod off.

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AirlineSevere7456@reddit

I only pay 14 quid for a 4 bed detached house with (12 windows and 3 doors). Does a great job too.

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incognitoarmadill0@reddit

Different prices wherever you live. Consider yourself lucky. The poor bugger probably can barely afford his fuel, mind you.

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AirlineSevere7456@reddit

He usually does a ton of houses in the same area

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Glad-Feature-2117@reddit

Same thing happened to me over a blocked drain and for more money. They tried it on for a while, but gave up in the end.

Don't feel guilty or bad - this was their mistake, not yours.

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Glad-Feature-2117@reddit

Same thing happened to me over a blocked drain and for more money. They tried it on for a while, but gave up in the end.

Don't feel guilty or bad - this was their mistake, not yours.

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ExultentPisces@reddit

Tell them you’re a mystic and you’ve cast a spell of good fortune on them. The charge is £30.

They can pay now or just call it even.

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Adminisissy@reddit

You gave out a name, email, address, and phone number to a stranger who knocked on your door?... As a woman who lives alone, absolutely not.

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Standard-Still-8128@reddit

This makes me feel good about my 7 windows an front door for 4.50 🤣🤣

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Dimac99@reddit

Bargain, mate. We pay a fiver for the same!

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FornyHucker22@reddit

You didn’t agree to the job so the question I have is, do you want to continue using their service?

If you do then pay it. If you don’t then don’t pay it

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DOPEYDORA_85@reddit

Sorry, at no point have I agreed to have my windows cleaned by your company. This is an administrative error on your part. As I have not agreed or signed a contract with your company I owe you no money, neither am I obligated to pay you anything in the future.

No need to apologise, no need to say anything else

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Rich-Peak-3902@reddit

Sorry

No need to apologise

Which is it?

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Shoddy-Egg-8148@reddit

Make them dirty again

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Difficult_Bad1064@reddit

That would just be a waste of everyone's energy.

If someone cleaned my windows without my permission I'd go round their home and sweep their driveway.

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Own-Jeweler3169@reddit

They probably will in retribution.

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Wise-Youth2901@reddit

Growing up, this was normal. They just came and did it. It's a tradition. I guess a dying one.

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Intelligent-Iguana@reddit

How did they get your phone number?

If you told them not to clean, you don't owe them any money.

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incognitoarmadill0@reddit

And how did they set them up on a payment method? Something isn't adding up about this post.

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Bricktop52@reddit (OP)

In Feb they came round. Gave me a verbal quote. Took my number. I asked for an email quote. Gave them my email address. Told them I wanted to discuss with my partner first.

Next correspondence is them saying they'll be round the following day to clean the windows. I say no, I wanted a written quote. They respond, and say they will wait for my reply.

Fast forward to today, they have turned up to clean, I received a text message yesterday saying they'll be round (I didn't read it). I have now been email a link to Authorise payment.

[-]

incognitoarmadill0@reddit

In this case, it would have been best to have discussed with your partner first before providing your email address. I'm not saying what they did was correct, in fact they failed to communicate professionally with you. However, providing personal data is one step further to entering an agreement. Next time, just get back to a tradesman on the phone. You don't need anything in writing necessarily to form a "contract", I've been in this business before and what I normally did was write down information the caller spoke with me on the phone, so in actual fact an agreement was made there and then.

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Don_Alosi@reddit

The "payment method" here is a fella knocking at the door, there's no mention of direct debit

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incognitoarmadill0@reddit

Yeah, that's what it appears to be. Yet most people would read "direct debit" from seeing the words "payment system". Otherwise, you'd specify you will be collecting cash in-person.

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Mean_Emergency_6536@reddit

This is how jehova witness spy on you.

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ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

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Ginger_spice_smudge@reddit

“Thanks for cleaning my windows for free”

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WitShortage@reddit

How have they "set you up on a payment system"? Why do you keep ignoring their texts?

You need to reply in very clear terms: "Hi, I did not agree to receiving services from you. I will not be paying."

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RoutineCloud5993@reddit

Op didn't ignore the texts, they specifically said they texted back telling them not to clean the windows

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Bricktop52@reddit (OP)

First text I replied. Second text they sent said they would wait for my reply, I didn't reply as I didn't want my windows cleaned. Third text saying they were coming today, I didn't read, until an email came through to "Authorise" payment.

[-]

Bricktop52@reddit (OP)

First text I receive "You should've just received an email with the link to set up payment".

Email: "COMPANY NAME LTD" would like authorisation to take payment from you - Authorise Button - (I haven't clicked it)

Its via a system called "GoCardless".

[-]

incognitoarmadill0@reddit

Lack of communication there from the window cleaner. You probably would be better off with a sole trader than a company by the looks of it.

The pricing isn't steep from my point of view. Considering the current cost of living, I have asked my window cleaner repeatedly when he'll put the price up. I'm currently paying £25 for once every 2 months, I still don't think that's enough.

[-]

Normal-Height-8577@reddit

Don't pay them.

Reiterate that you did not authorise the work. You asked for a quote, and they did not give you a quote ahead of time.

Tell them that after this miscommunication, you've lost all confidence in their firm and you won't have work from them in the future, either.

[-]

Number60nopeas@reddit

They shouldnt have done the work without agreement from you, so you shouldnt pay.

Having said that, asking for a £30 quote to be emailed to you, and then still not having made a decision a week later (I know you didnt get the email - but you already knew the price and had plenty of time to think about it/discuss with partner) was a bit OTT. Sounds like you had no intentions of ever using them and for some reason didnt want to actually tll them. You should have just said no straight off and saved everyone the drama.

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DoctorWhofan789eywim@reddit

Just stop responding. They have no grounds to demand payment, and no evidence to threaten you with.

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Dead_Bones001@reddit

I would reply that you never authorised them to clean your windows and the only instruction you have given them is TO NOT clean your windows.

You are not "refusing" to pay because you never had a contract with them in the first place.

Tell them to remove your details from their system and to not come back onto your property ever again.

[-]

incognitoarmadill0@reddit

Lack of communication there. You probably would be better off with a sole trader than a company buy the looks of it. The pricing isn't steep from my point of view. Considering the current cost of living, I have asked my window cleaner repeatedly when he'll put the price up. I'm currently paying £25 for once every 2 months, I still don't think that's enough.

[-]

thelastpaperclip@reddit

There wasnt a lack of communication they said they didn't want their windows cleaned

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incognitoarmadill0@reddit

I meant there was a lack of communication from the window cleaner, not OP ffs!

[-]

HawkwardGames@reddit

The only communication issue here is between this post and your reading comprehension.

[-]

incognitoarmadill0@reddit

You're just looking for an online argument mate, get lost.

[-]

grepusman@reddit

Tell them you'll review their quote and give them a decision soon.

[-]

HawkwardGames@reddit

Tell them to get fucked. You literally told them you didn’t want the windows cleaned and they still turned up, did the job uninvited, then tried invoicing you for their own stupidity. That’s not how any of this works. I wouldn’t pay a penny, and I’d tell them not to come back.

[-]

AltruisticFox8763@reddit

They didn’t have permission to clean your windows. Tell them to sling their hook.

[-]

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