So I would like to start by saying how hilarious and utterly snobby this whole story is going to sound. I can't believe this is my life. I am blessed to even have these kinds of "issues." Grateful. Seriously, I am not complaining, but it has to be documented just the same. Even if it is just my side, twisted as it is.
Anyway, house cleaning service #2 came yesterday. Actually the wife/owner came a few weeks ago to walk through and give me a quote. As we went through the house I was describing to her my previous experience and what I didn't like about it. She asked me if I had given them any feedback and I somewhat sheepishly admitted that I hadn't. I'm really passive aggressive that way. I don't complain, you just suddenly find yourself out of a job. She assured me that all of their customers loved them and URGED me to let them know if and when something went wrong so they could make it right. She quoted me 4 hours and we set a date for my first cleaning.
SILLY ME, since they arrived (late) a little after 1pm I made myself scarce until almost 5:30, skipping Seth's nap entirely. When we got home I made the rounds and noted that they really didn't do a very good job. I mean, it looked okay but not outstanding and there were a few things that were blatantly not even cleaned, like the base of the toilets and the little Seth fingerprints from the front living room windows (which I had specifically mentioned in our walk through). Honestly, why hire someone to clean your house at all if you have to clean the toilets again yourself? Isn't that the whole point? Even Eric mentioned with no prompting that the toilet downstairs wasn't clean. I could go on but I'm trying to abbreviate.
I slept on it and this morning e-mailed the owner as promised and gave my feedback. I said I was disappointed, listed the things I thought weren't cleaned well, and asked how I could help make my expectations line up with their reality. But if you guys know me, you know that I tell it like it is and I will leave the full text of my e-mail to your imagination. Anyway, the other co-owner (the husband) e-mailed me back and among other things said "I have never received any feedback like this...I can already sense that you will never be happy... please make arrangements with another cleaning company."
*blink*
I was completely stunned. In hindsight, my e-mail was a little harsh, but I didn't mean it to be, I was sincerely trying to be honest and keep the lines of communication open or whatever (otherwise I would have just told them thanks but don't come again). I forwarded the whole thread to Eric, who read it and said "you definitely weren't pleased" but also that the guy was obviously moody or having a bad day or something. Besides all that, Eric was the one who let them in when they came and he told me that they had brought with them this dinosaur vacuum which they couldn't even operate and he had to help them get the bag hooked up. What?!? OH, and by the way when she quoted me 4 hours she meant 1 hour per person, and they sent a team of 3, so I didn't really need to go shopping all afternoon!
I guess the lesson in all this is if you want something done right you better do it yourself.
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