When Customers Don't Pay - Theft of Services (House Cleaning)

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Check out this playlist of similar videos we made on billing - collections. More great info. kzbin.info/aero/PLh1fKdNH3piQgMORmaK4VgGw0UpbD6eO8

[@Billygoatsgrruff]

dissatisfied clients are one thing, but no cleaner deserves to be yelled at, abused, insulted and degraded all because a client is after a free service

[@toniblackmore3016]

My cleaners in Australia arrived mid morning. Their payment (cash) was always on the table with a treat for morning tea, and the house was tidy so they could use their time cleaning. Accepting service and then wriggling out of paying is disgraceful - it’s the opposite of showing the respect and appreciation due to everyone.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I love your style Toni. Thanks for sharing this. You have a good heart and I can only imagine your cleaners LOVE you. 😍

[@tigergooner7214]

@@AskAngelaBrown I get some already pay me before I start my job so I feel obligation to make myself do a better job 😌 Angela love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@curtisdalrymple42]

I just started a cleaning job this past week. My client and me pretty much agreed I was to be paid once a week. I work 3 days a week. She left early on Friday, not long after I came to her house. And has not paid me yet. It is a big house,5 bedroom, 3 baths, and I do all regular cleaning work like dusting, sweeping, mopping, making beds, organizing things, washing clothes. I only charge 10 dollars an hour. I am almost 55, and am doing this to make ends meet. I decided to go back on Monday, but if she doesn’t pay me I will not clean. She seems like a nice lady I like her, and her family, but no one wants to do a job, and not get paid for it.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Oh no, sounds like the client isn’t aware when she needs to pay you for your services. If you are using a worksheet make sure your rules and regulations clearly state when you are to get paid. Here’s a link to tips on the worksheet I use: askahousecleaner.com/worksheets-house-cleaning-business/ Keep me posted on how things workout with this client.

[@curtisdalrymple42]

@@AskAngelaBrown It was actually a misunderstanding on my part. I thought she said she would pay me weekly, but it was actually by weekly. I ended up leaving the job anyway. She was one of those ultra clean fanatics. I could scrub until there was not a spot anywhere, and everything was sparkling clean, but it still wasn't good enough for her. 🙄

[@remilee5574]

​@@curtisdalrymple42 You have to charge way more than $10 an hour. 20 is bare minimum

[@benbenben123ben]

10 an hour.. good lord. You are gunna ruin it for the rest of us. Lol

[@AndreSilva-qm3zv]

I love this Lady, thank you for all your help Angela ❤

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Happy to help!

[@KatrinaDancer]

I could literally never imagine not paying someone for their work 🤦‍♀️ I don't know what the heck is wrong with some people 😖 I couldn't even imagine not tipping!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Agree!👍

[@anniejefferson8136]

I don't clean if money is not on counter, I walk away.

[@StephieGsrEvolution]

Yes!

[@susanmartinez9139]

Annie Jefferson so You’ll end up with no customers

[@StephieGsrEvolution]

@@susanmartinez9139 I had plenty of customers that did this for me.

[@maryogie1941]

@@susanmartinez9139 I agree with you.

[@lynnetmb4706]

@@susanmartinez9139 Well, no money. Means that they won’t pay... would you work for free? Next thing you know. They want extensions on payment because they’re too stupid with money.

[@mezmez5799]

I have one client who tried a "Whimpy" on me "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" game. "I want you to do X today or in the next few days, and I'll pay you in 3 weeks". Uhm...no.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Many cleaners are setting up their websites now to include upsell options. The client doesn't add them to the calendar unless they schedule them and pay for them up front.

[@kobelcofan]

If I get a multiple day job I will collect payments as I go. I trim shrubs sometimes ill be there 2 days and I'll collect the money from the initial trimming and cleanup for that day and the material I had to take with me. It has really helped reduce the collection issues.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I like your style. Let the customers pay as they go so they can keep you working as long as they have the money to pay for it, and not run up a tab. Great tip. Thanks for sharing this. 👍

[@amyk6453]

I've had to ask to be paid or been short changed so many times.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Please let's break this cycle of you not getting paid. If you work, you deserve the money you earn. :-)

[@amyk6453]

@@AskAngelaBrown I appreciate you saying that. I have a hard time sticking up for myself.

[@remilee5574]

My issue is that clients frequently forgets to pay or they pay extremely late. It's now 8:45, I've left my cleaning job at 4:00 p.m. and I've yet to receive a payment through Venmo. I have a hard time speaking up especially when I've had to ask for payment multiple times before, because the client forgets. These people are extremely well off and it's uncomfortable for me to have this conversation repeatedly. Also I wonder how they could forget when they're currently sitting in a house that's spotless and it wasn't that way before I got there. I came across this video trying to find help to ask for my payment, once again! I would like to tell these clients I prefer payment up front. I'm not sure how to go about doing that .😔 🤷‍♀️ Also the line about needing to eat, that's exactly the problem. I'm hungry, the payment was supposed to buy my food.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I understand the frustration you're experiencing with clients forgetting to pay or paying late for your cleaning services. It can be challenging to address this issue, especially when you've had to ask for payment multiple times before. It can be uncomfortable when dealing with clients who are financially well off, and it may feel puzzling how they could forget when they're enjoying a spotless house. In situations like these, it can be helpful to establish clear payment terms and communicate them upfront with your clients. You may consider implementing a policy of requesting payment in advance or at the time of service to avoid these delays. Communicating your preference for upfront payment can be done respectfully and professionally, perhaps by including it in your initial client agreement or having a polite conversation about it when scheduling the service. Remember that it's essential to value your own time and effort, and seeking timely payment is reasonable. I hope these suggestions help you in addressing this issue, and I wish you success in receiving your payment promptly.

[@JWC777]

Angela! I had a customer not pay me because I didnt put the trash can back in its place. Lol this world is filled with crazy people. I should of sued him!

[@justhere5037]

Yes depending on price but u can threaten it usually they pay:

[@justhere5037]

And depending on price I mean is it worth suing over it

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Oh no! I’m so sorry about that! 😯

[@homedecorescents1825]

@@justhere5037I wonder if you can put them in a collection agency for not paying?

[@michelle-lc9qj]

In my case it’s not a client but a business. They’ve not returned any of my calls. Keep giving me the run around. It’s been over 4 weeks since last clean. Still no payment.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

What are your terms of agreement? Are you on 30, 60, or 90 days for payment? Lots of commercial contracts pay bills monthly or have extended terms. If the agreement is not clear, you will continue to get the run around. Contact the accounting department and ask what they've listed for your terms and let them know you need same day service payment arrangements and see if you can get that switched. I'm sorry you are going through this.

[@IAMKingRoyalty1]

I charge hourly so my question is Can I request %50 deposit (2 hour minimum) for all residential cleanings and collect the remainder after the clean?? or should that be just for move-in /move-out cleans? I think deposits for all cleans are safer because it will keep customers from canceling scheduled appointments at the last minute plus if cleans last longer or need an extra service I can conveniently just charge the card on file.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

If you are the house cleaning business owner then you are the boss and can makeup your own rules. House cleaners usually charge a cancellation fee.

[@marelmontes3844]

A mechanic lien is just perfect for this kind of "customers," and they will pay you like there's no tomorrow.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

That's definitely something worth looking into. Thank you so much for sharing this tip!

[@ashlysalmon9529]

What happens if you had a quote for a certain amount for 3 cleaners and only two showed up and they were two hours late and they were supposed to do a deep cleaning and they didn't do one? Would if I wanted a full refund and I didn't pay?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Every circumstance is different. If that happened to you, I am sorry. Hopefully, you were able to get it worked out. Thank you for watching. 😀

[@Tubie1111]

What about first time cleans (charged by hour) when you are figuring how long it will take? My clients work from home...

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Sounds like a good plan! 👍

[@amchomemaker]

And then says can I come Tuesday to clean

[@AskAngelaBrown]

👍

[@amchomemaker]

So I clean for a bussiness. They pay on 1st 15th and 30th. They pay a month later. So I did this job Feb 1st and its march 7th now. I asked them hey just checking I didn't receive my check. So she calls the office and they say. We didn't get all the tenants rent last month and we had to pay the power and water bill. So we will cut u a check the tenth and then that will take another three days by mail. My issue is number one was u even going to call me and tell me. Number two I have a water bill and power bill due as well and people to pay. And number three is this going to be an ongoing issue. Please give me some advice

[@macyhinds5968]

I know this comment is older but there needs to be a fee they need to pay if they are late with payment.... possibly even a set fee plus an on going fee everyday after till paid in full. So say for instance their late ok $50 fee for late payment and it's also 6 days later that you finally received the payment that's another $10 or so a day so $100 total on top of what they already owe you for the cleaning its self. Just say hey we're starting a new policy that states late payments will be charged a fee of $50 and each day after another $10 until payment is made in full.

[@rae08]

@@macyhinds5968 hey do you think it would be better just to ask for a up front fee in the beginning?

[@precious1859]

Racheal P. If a good amount of $ i always take half before start of service & half of end of service

[@rae08]

@@precious1859 I might just do that...

[@angelaalcorta214]

my mother agreed to clean apts for a lady at $50 an apartment. on the first day she clenaed 6 apts and when they went that evening the lady would only pay her a total for all her work $25. who can she talk to for help

[@AskAngelaBrown]

It sounds like somebody broke an agreement. Was the agreement in writing? If not, and she doesn't get paid, that should be the last day of her working with that company. I'm so sorry your mother experienced this. 😫

[@zullyvasquez6357]

What do you do if the customer denials to paid for a job you had already done , I’m not insurance or bonded and it was a verbal agreement??

[@precious1859]

Never do a verbal agreement!!!! Never!!! Always put customer on written agreements!!! & Get general liability insurance to start out

[@ElleDotPark]

Is it worth me suing for $240 or just let it go?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Only you can decide that. If they had reason not to pay and you found out it was something you skipped or did sloppily and something you could fix, that would be worth the price of the lesson. If they didn't pay because they didn't have the money - then even if you do win - you won't get paid. So is it worth it? I don't know, but it probably is worth it to collect payment at the time of the service by having a credit card on file before you begin the job. 💛

[@Saleena_S]

Hi Angela, if you have a customer that has services twice per week, would you recommend charging the total cost up front or by each service?

[@megabyteme4488]

Saleena, I usually take payment at the last cleaning of that week. For example if I come Tuesday and Friday, I'll collect on Friday. However, I don't do that for brand new clients, terms of payments for multiple cleaning a week are outlined in my policies and procedures that customers receive before I clean for them.

[@jimmyjimmy7240]

What if you charge by the hour?

[@truthsayer8918]

video tape the service..... They didn't pay me yesterday until I open the wallet I was gonna make change for 100.. $ auto mechanic ...

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Wow. Great story and visual. I appreciate you sharing this with us. And I love the idea of video taping the service. Does your shop have video cameras?

[@truthsayer8918]

@@AskAngelaBrown I'm a mobile mechanic I make house calls just like a cleaning service so I just have to use my cell phone

[@jenniferjacksontv7506]

Angela I am really inspired by u I love cleaning just like u. and u ar so passionate with ur profession I love that about u I really ll like to work with u or I ll rather say I ll love to get trained in ur company. how can we discuss?

[@jenniferjacksontv7506]

thanks Angela for ur prompt reply I have subscribed I'll be waiting for ur next update.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Check out SavvyCleaner.com

[@extrachannel7457]

I just need someone to clean my house fort laud

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Check out this video for tips on hiring a house cleaner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGm2gY2Glrd2ndE

[@amchomemaker]

I feel like she broke the contract

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks for commenting.