I have thought about the idea of a window cleaning black list. Some sort of directory where clients who have refused to pay you or have short changed you or simply done you wrong in some unprofessional way could be placed on a list.
The purpose of the list could serve several roles. For instance other window washers could consult the list and avoid the people in there area, especially if its another business. It could also be used as a persuasion tool to receive payment of an invoice if a client refuses to pay you after you have done the work.
I know that you can take a business as well as people to court for unpaid invoices, you can also place a mechanics lean on them as well as send there info to a collections agency and see that it goes on their credit. But it would also be great to tell them that they are going on the window cleaners black list and to say good luck getting your windows cleaned ever again!
I guess I am thinking that if there was ever going to be a window cleaners black list WCR might be the place to create it!
It’s an interesting idea but in some states it might be illegal. I know around here we all talk and compare notes. If someone has a rep for doing this it’s pretty common knowledge.
Well in the few instances for me, it was never quality but an issue with price after I had done the cleaning even though I told them my prices up front. They complain about how much it comes out to per hour. And I have to tell them that I am not paid by the hour but by the window or by the entire job, that if it takes me two days or two hours I get paid by my bid or prices that I offer to clean their windows for up front.
The story seems to always be the same, “window cleaners are not supposed to make that much.”
Well I don’t know if it is illegal, seems like under free speech that people and businesses have a right to express how they feel and think.
Whats up Mike!!! Havent seen you on the forum for a while. Hope you are well. There is such a list but not for residential. Its a website called Watchdog Contractors.
Here is the link https://www.watchdogcontractorservice.com/index.html as far as residential stuff and deadbeats, I have never had one…are there alot of them that you have come accorss? What exactly is happening?
Bitterwaitress.com used to have the foodservice equivalent to it… the STD - a.k.a. Sh*tty Tipper Database, but I see they’ve done away with it.
I’ve always wanted to start contractorssh*tlist.com, but I don’t have the time or $$ to put into all the legal mess lol. Maybe someone will be inspired to
I chit chat with a few local guys and we give each other heads up on the non payers and the OCD type customers. The best thing you can do is try to look for clues when you are doing a quotation or talking to them over the phone. I have a pretty good judgement of how people are just by talking to them and what type of questions they ask.
Well there have only been a hand full that I have faced. The first was a guy who needed the place cleaned for a big party and he needed it fast. I told him my price per window and gave him a quote based on his window count. I show up and he tells me he wants $100 off the top, so I take it because I’m there and have nothing else sechdualed. So I do the job with a friend and we knock it out in two hours and we both make $200 so $100 and hour. He wanted the job done fast and tells me the windows look great but window cleaners are not supposed to make that much an hour and is all upset, that we get into an argument.
The biggest one was for an investment company in La Jolla who had me come out, I tell them my prices they say ok, I clean the place it has 150 windows I do it in 7.5 hours and the bill is $1219 they then back peddle and tell me that they are only going to pay $250. I end up going through weeks of talking with them and getting the run around when I finally tell them that I’m going to take them to small claims court and we settle out of court for $600. What a pain! So instances like this makes me wish their was a blacklist.
Funny thing this investment group I over heard their employees talking and laughing how they basically are going to make money off their investors as their investors loose their money because they were playing both sides of the investing field getting some to play high and some low knowing one was going to loose out but not letting the investors know they were playing both the up and down. So basically these people just rip others off including the other companies they have do work for them.
Squeaky,
I would have told the first guy that you are paid half for the experience and half for the labor. Most of my customers are results driven instead of the time and money spent thing.
I think this is a great idea, I have quite a few I could add to the list… But I think the person who put the list together would probably end up getting sued… Cant say for sure though…
I have been really lucky and have only been burned a few times. After those few though, you start to get a feeling for who’s shady and who’s not. Sometimes weird things happen, but a lot of times you can smell it coming.
A good example is a move out clean. If someone is vacating their property, they might be a good candidate for not paying. If you get a weird feeling - ask for the money up front or half down.
I’ve had my fair share of people that wouldn’t pay. Had nothing to do with subpar quality. For me if there is 300 or more I usually make their life uncomfortable. I’ll tell you what I mean below.
One incident last year I went through BBB to collect money from one client. They actually have a free collection agency if you are a member. I got my money quick.
The other incident I called them once or twice a day for two weeks. Even on Sunday. That ****ed them off. Didn’t get all of it, but I know they learned not to mess with me.
I did end up talking to TEKCOLLECT which is a collection agency and they advise how you can organize your quote sheets or ‘agreement or signoff’ sheet so you can damage the employees credit if they don’t pay. They charge $280 bucks to do the 1st ten deadbeats and a small percentage afterwards. This may be worth it for those of you who have rather large companies or you do large jobs.
As per conversations with THE Bitterwaitress himself, as long as it can be proven, there is no base for a libel suit. Henceforth, the STD posts needed to be able to stand up in court via credit card receipts with a 15% or less tip.
I’m sure, in this business, signed work orders and bounced checks would suffice.
