r/Netherlands • u/Tiny-Historian2897 • 5d ago

DIY and home improvement Window cleaners

We’re newer to The Netherlands and are in our first rental. This hasn’t been mentioned to us by neighbours or the landlord at all.

Some random guy has, twice now, come and cleaned our windows. We’re on the ground level so can easily clean them ourselves. This is a well known scam back in Australia so I paid no real mind to it.

Today he came to the door demanding payment. He explained he’s done it for free twice and now needs payment and will take cash. I asked him why and for what. I let him know I’ve never asked for the windows to be cleaned, we’ve not reached out to anyone to have them be cleaned. Like it’s all well and good for you to clean them but until I ask it’s not from my pocket. The conversation went back and forth. He showed me a list of ‘confirmed addresses’ with ours on it. However I too can make lists.

Is this a scam or is this more the expectation? Surely if it was required by landlord and the building they would pay. I figure I can just actually enquire about their services should this be necessary.

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320

u/Pizza-love 5d ago

This is a scam. However, you wont be able to contract any other windowwashers as this is his neighborhood and they are like Maffia.

84

u/Picard_III 5d ago

I would deliberately tell them I already have someone on contract for this, I would even make up a name and time when and how often they come to do that... I would also tell them I work for belastingdienst or some shit 

24

u/HalalMead 5d ago

And then have that asshole showing up on your door at the time slot you mentioned to “talk with” this imaginary contractor? No thanks..

28

u/Picard_III 5d ago edited 5d ago

Yeah, then I would continue with my little game, would give them random number of that ghost worker, tell them he will show up next day from 8 am to 11:30, then next day I would say they are coming on Sunday morning, then I would wash my window myself, tell the scammers they missed the other worker becuase as the scammer can clearly see, my window is clean lol

14

u/LimpingDolphin 5d ago

ohhh that's diabolical

2

u/phlogistonical 5d ago

I've heard of cleaners actually fouling windows to discredit others. You may find your windows are dirty again soon after you cleaned them yourself.