We'Re Breaking Up? How to Break Up With a Client (House Cleaners and Maids)

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Check out this playlist of similar videos we made on firing clients. More great info. kzbin.info/aero/PLh1fKdNH3piTomUV4MfCh9oSxODHYSswY

[@errylinisaac8265]

Great idea!! 🙂 Thanks 👍

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I’m so glad you liked the video and appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment to let me know. 😊

[@michelecolon9785]

I just have to say you are brilliant! Your channel has already helped me so much! I’ve cleaned for 11 years, I currently have 21 houses and 3 houses waiting on me! I have a few I would like to quit but I’ve cleaned for them for so long that I just feel bad but I don’t think they are a fit anymore. Some of them just keep adding things to my clean list without adding time to the job!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hi Michele, Thanks for your kind words and for watching. Congratulations on a storied career of 11 years. I am so happy for you and so proud of you. It's true, we do grow out of clients, just like a child grows up and matures and moves away. It doesn't mean our time together means any less - it just means the relationship has run it's course. Celebrate the families you've worked for and if it is time to move on, part ways as friends. Everyone wins. :-)

[@s.a.6082]

Omg I’m dealing with this right now. This lady keeps adding a ton to the list and wants me to get it done in two hours :/ im over it but I suck at confrontation.

[@dandyclean9176]

Great timing!! I'm going through this challenging situation now.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear this. Crossing my fingers it works out well for you.

[@hugginscarolyn]

ANGELA...YOU ARE THE BOMB!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you for this amazing compliment! 🤗

[@nomadek2105]

Oh Wow Angela you've got class even in tough situations like these. $200 story was a good one. Great answer to that question ♥️👍

[@fawne9998]

I don’t think it’s the greatest answer. Angela mentions she worked in other houses in the neighbourhood and the customer she left knew that. It’s just a matter of time before the old customer figures it out and now will be more upset because of the coverup and the $200. The explaination is too far from the truth.

[@beambreaker]

I just had my first breakup. The customer wanted me to bleach her tub and fit it in her maintenance clean. The only problem was that I usually run out of time when cleaning her house and told her she would need to purchase extra time or we could substitute time from her maintenance clean. She didn't like that and canceled. It was ok because I felt like it could have been one of those bad situations in the end

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I'm sorry to hear about your first breakup with a customer. Sometimes, certain situations don't align well, and it's important to communicate openly and honestly about time constraints and expectations. It's understandable that you suggested purchasing extra time or making substitutions to accommodate the request for bleaching the tub. While it may be disappointing when a customer cancels, it's essential to prioritize clear communication and finding solutions that work for both parties. Trust your judgment in identifying potential challenges and remember that navigating such situations can lead to better outcomes in the long run. Keep up the great work and stay positive!

[@beambreaker]

@@AskAngelaBrown THANK YOU ❤️

[@jeb967]

I broke up with a client in a very similar way. It did not end the same way however. 🤷‍♀️. Just a heads up, sometimes you can do all the correct things…and it won’t end in a reward.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Sorry that happened to you!❤

[@rosemarykarl8711]

Great advice Angela ! Your story about breaking something really made me feel better!!!🙏🏼. I broke something once and felt like the worst person in the world ( like I was a bad housecleaner for it happening) Thanks

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Oh no...sorry that you felt that way. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@christinemadrazo6755]

Thanks for sharing, Angela.

[@jessicab7580]

Thank you, I've been cleaning the same houses for 15 years and this is my first break up I've considered (new house) and I had no idea what to do or say.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

So sorry to hear this. After all the years, it can be difficult to make the decision to break-up, but you have to do what's best for you. Good luck, you got this!

[@agateanne6384]

Very good advice today. Thank you.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks so much for watching my video : )

[@AmyLSmith123]

How do you break up with a client and then go about filling their spot with someone else? Small town, them seeing advertisements, comments about taking on a new house on social media, etc.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

The same way you break up with a boyfriend/girlfriend in a small town. "It's me, it's not you, we're not a good fit...." And then don't think about it anymore. Not everybody is a good fit for everybody. :-( It's never fun to do and is always awkward.

[@meghanlane4572]

I’m in the same situation PLUS she’s my neighbor 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@s.a.6082]

So glad to see I’m not the only one going through this lol

[@Elleleighbrooks]

I loved this video! But one question I have is how do you still clean for her neighbours after breaking up with her??? Haha

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You have to set that up from day one. Let your customers know that if the working arrangement ever goes south, you will stop it while you are still friends because your friendship is more important than a working relationship which can easily be replaced with another service provider. AND, don't discuss any of the neighbors with your clients. This way if a deal goes south, none of the neighbors will know.

[@sharleen006]

WOW THAT WAS A GREAT WAY TO BREAK UP.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Glad you think so! Thanks!

[@karinprovaznikova8345]

Thank you for a great advise!!!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to drop me a note. :-)

[@Everiology]

Thanks Angela

[@karenrich9092]

I have had to break up with ALL my customers because I have been diagnosed with cancer. I am a website designer and have maintained their websites for nearly 20 years. I called them all, then followed up with some information in case they needed to find another web designer. I also said I would let their domain go as part of the plan and unlock it for the new webmaster. I am heartbroken to do this, but it would not be fair to my customers. A real different way to "break up".

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Karen, I am so sorry for all you are going through. Sending hugs and prayers to you. 🤗 🙏

[@centeriarawlslittle8822]

Hey how do I break up with my cleaning client. We don’t have a contract and I have been cleaning her house for about a year. This lady always gives me something extra to do every time I go to her house and she is wants me to stay longer every time and she pays the same. She gives me anxiety because she nick pick’s about small things and I honestly can’t deal with her anymore. What do I because I clean for her friend also. HELP break up with this client with losing my order client.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

>> honestly can’t deal with her anymore>> This is your answer. If you feel this way about your client, it will be next to impossible to give her home the TLC that it deserves. Simply tell your client that you will no longer be able to service her home after Dec 29th, 2022, and that you appreciate her supporting your business. DO NOT lie, and do not makeup excuses as to why you will no longer be able to service her account. You don't need to attack her, shame her or pretend that you have more business than you can handle, etc. All of these things will come back to bite you. Just be clear that you will not be returning, be kind, and be professional. You've got this. I'm here rooting for you.

[@RebellionWarrior]

To dear Angela, hello how are you? I really do hope that you are well. Yeah that is great! Thank you for that video but if you have to pay for the broken ornaments then the customer could come up with whatever figure they could come up with in order to try to extort money from you because in this line of work we actually are dealing with all kinds of people. It can be very challenging. Anyway, thank you heaps for your videos, take care.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You have the right to provide an exact replacement. So is the item is not a one of a kind original a picture of the item dragged into google Images will show you all the places you can buy a new one and the estimated value of it. Don't let customers take advantage of you. :-)

[@RebellionWarrior]

Angela Brown And also what would happen if you cannot afford to replace it? I guess you need to have business insurance and you can actually claim it off that.

[@paultribbett7765]

neil sedaka early 60's great song,,

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks!! 🙂

[@MaelFam]

Haha that was a good one!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you!😀

[@TaraElaine1982]

How do you break up with the client when you already clean for a friend of theirs?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You keep the relationships separate. Each person deserves their own relationship with you. Each individual is hiring you.

[@caliandra2007]

I broke up with a client like this years ago. I had to move my family out of state, and I needed time to pack, and leave the area, and that my business was no longer going to be in the area. I made it about me, but she still had a hard time with it. She also know a few weeks in advance, so it didn't come as a shock on my last day.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You had to do what was right for you and your family and that was move. She will get over it : ) Thanks so much for dropping me a line.

[@reginaparker663]

Quick question I have clients that I've had for 15 to 17 years here in the past five years they seem to reschedule their cleaning appointments so there is one client in particular that I have that I will clean every two weeks but here lately i'll go on my regular cleaning day and then next her cleaning day she'll text me and say let's skip this cleaning And she cancels on her cleaning day doesn't give me a heads up to let me know so I could fit somebody else in her slot so when I go back for the next cleaning there's double the work to do what should I say

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Be honest and communicate how this affects your business. Keep me posted on how this turns out. 🤗

[@maryogie1941]

You're not alone. I have a bi weekly customer that has been doing this since November even cancelling for 6 weeks in a row. I'll be talking to her the next time I go there.

[@shelleyschenk4423]

Just saw this and HAD to comment. I had this problem and sent all my clients a message. If you cancel without at least a few days warning...you have to pay a cancellation fee before i return. The client lives in a massive house and im barely getting by....they can afford it..i cannot.

[@sandygiles2314]

Hi Angela, So I have this intial clean I'mma do on Friday. The client told me he has tried many companies, big companies and he yet hasn't found one that he really likes. This makes me so nervous. I wanna ask you if you might know why. I say to myself... If he has tried many companies I might not be any different. Help please!

[@Deliasdream]

Sandy Giles23 Hi friend. I would ask him what problems he had with the previous cleaners. I do that anytime a client says this.

[@sandygiles2314]

@@Deliasdream I will bring that up Friday. Thank you.

[@Irene-gq4jr]

@@AskAngelaBrown Elegantly put. If a business doesn't care about what customers want they're probably not going to do too well. Customers want to know you care and that's a great way of showing it as well as doing the job they want doing. However there will always be people who are unpleasable, will take advantage of a person's good nature and in my experience we do well to never never engage with them in the first place for they will cause grief of some sort in the long run. You really seem to have sussed this and got the balance right.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Check out this playlist on customer’s expectations: kzbin.info/aero/PLh1fKdNH3piR18QMRtet9RqjNHBEJZH0K

[@sandramarques5760]

I broke up with one today. I had to...the old lady had me clean out a cabinet...so the first thing I pull out was cockroach spray....the first thing i said in shock was..you've had cockroaches??? The I looked in the cabinet and there were dead ones...I was done..cleaned the house did my thing then lied my ass off about getting a warehouse job. From now on that's going to be one of my questions..

[@ivettecruz8970]

I don’t get it. Why didn’t you want to clean for her anymore because she had a can of cockroach spray?

[@Shananana99]

I feel you on that! Yuk

[@sandramarques5760]

@@ivettecruz8970 not bring that crap back to my house

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. 👍

[@TheHellFlower1]

@@ivettecruz8970 She also stated that she saw a bunch of dead cockroaches. That is an issue for a remediation specialist and pest control.