How many "accidents" are ok with house cleaners?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. They've broken one very expensive item (a custom mirror); all other items have been relatively low-cost. She offered to cover the cost of the mirror, but at the time, we just decided to handle it (chalking it up to accidents happen). But this is just too far. I hate to make these ladies, who arguably don't make much money, cover the cost, but I'm definitely at the point. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of finding a new cleaner!

This is tough . However, I’d probably stop using them.

Good luck..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My cleaners just broke a vase. This is the fourth time they've broken something in the past year or so. That's a bit beyond acceptable, no? I otherwise really like the service, it's been one of the best we've used in terms of communication, availability, flexibility, etc... but I'm getting a little frustrated with having to let these things go. What would you do?

I would have FIRED THEM after the first "accident".

1 times is perhaps negligence and an "accident".
2 times or more is enemy action.

[Anonymous]

We use a service. They break things all the time.

[Anonymous]

I fired after two. It wasn’t breaking a thing, it was flooding water out of the shower. Twice.
We have a weird shower. I explained and showed. I accepted the plumbing bill and repainting bill the first time (first floor ceiling). The lady had a cleaning service herself. I hired “her”. But every visit she had a different assortment of sister/mother/friend/cousin so the details weren’t passed along. so second time was it. She has cleaned for decades for two of my friends though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a lot. I have had two things total broken in the course of 4 years. One was an iron and while that is fine (I think it got knocked over and cracked), I was annoyed that my 17 year old was home at the time and the cleaners did not mention it to him and just left it. So I raised that issue with them, but said I understood that accidents happen and the breakage itself was not an issue.

I would never discuss breakage with a 17 year old boy. Are you insane?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a lot. I have had two things total broken in the course of 4 years. One was an iron and while that is fine (I think it got knocked over and cracked), I was annoyed that my 17 year old was home at the time and the cleaners did not mention it to him and just left it. So I raised that issue with them, but said I understood that accidents happen and the breakage itself was not an issue.

I would never discuss breakage with a 17 year old boy. Are you insane?

I also have a 17-year old son and I would consider it completely inappropriate for them to discuss it with him.

[Anonymous]

My cleaner has broken a vase in the last 15 years, that’s it.
I think 4 things in a year is a lot. However, unless they’re playing football with your vases I think you need to let it go or find someone else. I’d never charged my cleaning person for accidentally breaking something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a lot. I have had two things total broken in the course of 4 years. One was an iron and while that is fine (I think it got knocked over and cracked), I was annoyed that my 17 year old was home at the time and the cleaners did not mention it to him and just left it. So I raised that issue with them, but said I understood that accidents happen and the breakage itself was not an issue.

I would never discuss breakage with a 17 year old boy. Are you insane?

I also have a 17-year old son and I would consider it completely inappropriate for them to discuss it with him.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Mayhap you have too many curios?

Too many things breaking there- not sure how or why. But this madness must end.

Topic change: Is there a reason people are scared to speak to or deliver messages via 17 year old sons?

[Anonymous]

[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. They've broken one very expensive item (a custom mirror); all other items have been relatively low-cost. She offered to cover the cost of the mirror, but at the time, we just decided to handle it (chalking it up to accidents happen). But this is just too far. I hate to make these ladies, who arguably don't make much money, cover the cost, but I'm definitely at the point. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of finding a new cleaner!

If they're from a service they are likely to be bonded/insured. Probably won't be out of their pocket.

But that's an insane amount of breakage. My housekeeper hasn't broken anything in 10+ yrs.

Agreed. We’ve had the same cleaners for a dozen years and no breakage. I would definitely get rid of them. Are they rushing? Careless? How do so many things get broken?

[Anonymous]

I am assuming the vase they broke was worth a bit of money, correct??

I think breaking things 4x already in a year is a bit much - just my opinion.
Do they work around a lot of valuables, breakables, etc.?
If so > you may want to just clean those specific items yourself just to be safe.

Are your cleaners insured?
If so - - then that may cover damages I think……

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. They've broken one very expensive item (a custom mirror); all other items have been relatively low-cost. She offered to cover the cost of the mirror, but at the time, we just decided to handle it (chalking it up to accidents happen). But this is just too far. I hate to make these ladies, who arguably don't make much money, cover the cost, but I'm definitely at the point. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of finding a new cleaner!

HTH do you break a mirror?

If this happened in the late-seventies they probably were really ugly and just looked into it. 🤭

[Anonymous]

Secure breakable items before they clean. I knock into stuff in my own house too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Secure breakable items before they clean. I knock into stuff in my own house too.

How do you secure breakables on a shelf in the living room? Most cleaners are just sloppy and in a hurry and want to be done. They don’t care. This is why I clean my own house now. I have vases or artwork that are worth thousands and not replaceable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a lot. I have had two things total broken in the course of 4 years. One was an iron and while that is fine (I think it got knocked over and cracked), I was annoyed that my 17 year old was home at the time and the cleaners did not mention it to him and just left it. So I raised that issue with them, but said I understood that accidents happen and the breakage itself was not an issue.

I would never discuss breakage with a 17 year old boy. Are you insane?

I also have a 17-year old son and I would consider it completely inappropriate for them to discuss it with him.

Why?

He is not the cleaner's employer. He is just the one who leaves crusty socks and tissues around the house for her to clean up.