| Name: |
AU1993
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 11:25:09 AM (updated 8/16/2010 11:38:58 AM)
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KATHY HOWARD from Alex City has been cleaning for our family at our lake house this summer and I want to post our terrible experiences we have had with KATHY. We periodically rent our house, and in June I had renters leaving on a Friday morning, new ones coming on a Friday night. She was to clean that day. When my renters showed up Friday night, it had not been cleaned. When I called Kathy, she was out of town and could not give me an explanation as to why no one showed up!!!! I had to find someone at 7pm on a Friday night to clean (not an easy task)!! I still to this day have not gotten an explanation as to why no one showed up, but she apologized and promised it would never happen again! So, I gave her another chance (BIG MISTAKE). This past weekend was my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary. We had a party planned for Sunday night. Renters were leaving at 10am on Sunday, so we were in a huge rush to get ready. My Mom and I were going to do yard work, set up tables and chairs, flowers, etc. to get ready and KATHY HOWARD was to be there at 10am to clean the house. Guess what?? She never showed up!! So not only did my MOM (the honoree) and I have to do all those other things listed, we had to clean house (6 bedrooms and 10baths!) by 5pm!!! KATHY HOWARD knew about the 50th Anniversary party and the importance of her being there, and she did not even have enough decency to give me a call, and she still has not called and given any type of explanation, after numerous messages from me!!!!! So, I will let you all form your own opinion of her from my experiences and hopefully she will not let anyone else down as bad as she has me!
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 1:19:00 PM
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I think she's trying to tell you something....
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 1:27:06 PM
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I don't know Kathy Howard, and would never have used her to clean my house. I also would never rent a house that I intended to live in.
Knowing how people in this area of the country are, I would never run any operation on as tight a schedule as you seem to want to do.
you should:
1. quit renting your house.
2. quit using Kathy Howard
3. quit using your at least 70 year old mother as a gardener and/or maid
4. have your parents future wedding adversaries at a nice country club and hire an event planner
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| Name: |
ODB
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 2:00:21 PM
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We tried her for a while back 10 yrs ago with similar results. When we asked for our key back she denied having a key. I was not going to get in a "pissing match" with her since she had access to my house while I was gone during the week. But lock smiths aren't cheap at the lake.
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| Name: |
Pontoonfisher
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 2:54:55 PM
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Sorry, but it's hard for me to be sympathetic to someone who owns a 6 bedroom, 10 bathroom lakehouse.
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| Name: |
Rooster
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 3:12:09 PM
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Sorry. It is impossible to clean 16 plus rooms ( kitchen, den etc ) in less than 12 hours, and do it properly. you needed a service, not a person. With your tight scheduling, disaster waiting to happen.
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 3:45:08 PM
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Looks like you got the old Tallapoosa County shuffle. Same stupid act followed by many sub-contractors when they want to get out of work around here. Just don't show up. Reputation doesn't matter. They don't care 'bout nothin'. Hope someone shows her your post.
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| Name: |
lakeplumber
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 4:03:45 PM
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It does come off as a little ostentatious. I almost expected another paragraph about having to polish the Mercedes and the Rolls. After which the Marble statues in the hall as well as the crystal chandelier are to be cleaned. Not to mention the silverware polished and the Pernod-Ricard Perrier-Jouet ($50,000 a bottle) chilled.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
Plumber
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Date:
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8/16/2010 4:19:59 PM
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How many septic tanks do you need for 10 crappers? What if everybody flushes at the same time?
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| Name: |
lakeplumber
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| Subject: |
Plumber
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Date:
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8/16/2010 4:34:46 PM
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You'll probably need a "You Dump, We Pump" truck standing by.
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| Name: |
Mountain Man
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/16/2010 4:47:44 PM
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There seem to be allot of Mexican illegals around the area lately. If you have a couple of them move into one of those bedrooms, you would have a full time live in staff to go with your mansion.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
Plumber
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Date:
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8/16/2010 5:01:07 PM
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hope they have a better response time than Kathy Howard
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| Name: |
lakeplumber
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| Subject: |
Plumber
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Date:
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8/16/2010 8:50:38 PM
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I think I've found the reason why it takes the "servants" so long to clean the house. I've been doing some calculating. It's the size of the property (i.e., it is as large as the Ponderosa and take 4 hours to get to the house once you get inside the gate). At least it makes sense to me. Ben Cartwright had 6 bedrooms and 10 outhouses, but he owned the Ponderosa. That's why none of those boys were married; the thought of having to clean such a massive home scared all of the prospects off.
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| Name: |
itisd
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| Subject: |
Thanks for the warning post
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Date:
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8/16/2010 9:39:51 PM
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It seems like a few that replied went off on you. Sorry about that but thanks for warning the forum about this rip off. There are huge numbers of post by members asking for advice on contractors for plumbing, electrical, roofing, carpentry, sea walls and on and on. They all are trying to avoid being cheated and ripped off.
So thank you for letting people know about this cleaning person.
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| Name: |
lakeplumber
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| Subject: |
Thanks for the warning post
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Date:
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8/16/2010 9:47:47 PM
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I think that it is imperative for any business that does work with the public should always be mindful of the fact that "word of mouth" can negatively impact your business far greater than any advertisement.
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| Name: |
bass25
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| Subject: |
Thanks for the warning post
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Date:
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8/16/2010 10:00:08 PM
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We have a few property's on the lake, one which is only a rental. We have tried every property managemnet and cleaning company you can think of, we fired every one. This year my wife and I decided to take care of everything ourself and it has been great!! We have rented it out twice as much as any if the property management firms and have not had one complaint about the house. I know this has been a banner year for the Lake Martin area due to the situation in the Gulf but if I can rent it that much (over 80 nights in a 5 month period) then why can't a company that spleializes in rentals, rent it for more than 20 nights a year? I have been seriously concidering starting a property management company on the lake, take no more than 10 property's and treat them like they were my own.
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| Name: |
GoneFishin
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| Subject: |
Thanks for the warning post
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Date:
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8/16/2010 11:37:35 PM
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After reading all the posts, I still can't understand why anyone needs more than 8 bathrooms. But, 10 bathrooms seems reasonable when you consider the White House has 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms. I hate to think of strangers sleeping in my bed and would sell before I rented.
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| Name: |
Lifer
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| Subject: |
Wonderful experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/17/2010 12:54:54 AM
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I know Kathy personally and have used her professionally for many years. I am not defending her. She is quite capable to do that herself and I don't know the facts and don't care. That's your issue. Mine is why would you rent a property that was to be used for such a momentous occasion? That was inviting disaster. And even according to your version of the facts, you had already been "put on notice" that she was unreliable so why put your faith in her?
Bottom line is I just ain't feeling your pain and I will continue to recomend her.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
Might be an Atlanta YANKEE
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Date:
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8/17/2010 7:12:40 AM
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AU1993 sounds like maybe an ATLANTA YANKEE
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| Name: |
F1Fan
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/17/2010 7:39:03 AM
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You should have rung me up! Our cabin has one concrete block bathroom that you could have shared. I think we had one bunkbed slot empty that weekend too!
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
GF, that's liberal think
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Date:
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8/17/2010 9:37:29 AM
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Let's see a good bleeding heart could get maybe 45-50 illegals and various other welfare types in that house, but only if it has a really big, flat screen and good maid service. What he has, really ain't none of our business.
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| Name: |
BigFoot
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| Subject: |
Good grief!!
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Date:
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8/17/2010 10:50:45 AM
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I know perfectly well that it's usually best just to keep my mouth shut instead of jumping into the fray...BUT...the last
time I checked it was neither a crime nor an oddity to have a large home on Lake Martin. Why this poster was demonized here is a bit mystifying (but only a bit) to me. He was only relating his experience as he saw it...others in the past have given good reports on this cleaning service. It is well and good to have a collection of experiences reported for the best conclusions to be drawn.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Thanks
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Date:
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8/17/2010 11:20:20 AM
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For getting this thread back between the lines....
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| Name: |
lakewoodworker
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| Subject: |
Another Terrible experience with KATHY HOWARD
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Date:
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8/17/2010 11:58:12 AM
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We have been using Kathy for many years. This year, she let us down terribly. And no, we do not have a mansion, have lived in Alabama most of our lives and have been on Lake Martin for over 30 years.
We had a huge group of people coming into town. We'd had a very stressful summer and were looking so forward to getting to the house and just relaxing before our company got there. We had contacted Kathy several times in the days before we were to arrive and she coninually confirmed that she would be there at the designated time.
When we arrived, the house was absolutely not clean. We called her and got no response, so we left several messages. We started to get worried about her because she has never done anything like this before. We thought we had a good relationship with her and if something had come up she could tell us. Well, we called and emailed several more times asking her to just please call us and let us know she was okay, that we had taken care of the cleaning and we never heard from her. It has been well over a month since then.
We have always paid Kathy promptly. We have also loaned her money when her situation was tight. No matter what other circumstances a business person has (and that is what Kathy presents herself to be) you do not treat people this way. She owes us an explanation.
And by the way, does anyone else have a recommendation for a house cleaner?
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| Name: |
lablover
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/17/2010 12:09:06 PM
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Why has AU1993's post been flagged as inappropriate? I've read and re-read this and can find nothing inappropriate about it. It is relevant to people who use services around Lake Martin and does not use inappropriate language. Just because you don't agree with someone or how they say it does not make it inappropriate.
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| Name: |
LakeStone83
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/17/2010 12:16:51 PM
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I believe our construction company has used her at the end of projects, before the client has moved in. She did a great job cleaning but there were a few times she called to reschedule because something or another came up. It wasn't that big of a deal because we always gave ourselves plenty of time between our "finish" time and move in date. (She did such a good job that we let the call-ins slide and have used her since)
I wouldn't have the house rented out back to back like that if I were them. Yes, Ms. Howard was very unprofessional and in this area and that line of work, word of mouth will make you or break you. But I also think this post was a little catty. How are we to know that Ms. Howard was actually contracted by these people? She may have just been called on an "as needed" basis and had other obligations that were "steady". I wonder if Ms. Howard ever gets on here? I would like to hear her rebuttal to the post. :D The little people have a voice too. haha :)
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| Name: |
lakewoodworker
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/17/2010 12:47:01 PM
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We would have been thrilled if Kathy had simply called to reschedule. But, that was not the case. We had set this appointment up two months in advance. She was supposed to have come in on Saturday. We called and spoke directly to her on Wednesday. She said, no problem, she would be there. Not only was she not there, she has ignored all of our repeated attempts to contact her. As I said, she is someone who has not minded asking to borrow money from us. We have recommended her many times in the past. A simple phone call to let us know she was alright (and not in some terrible accident - like we feared), or even if it was for no other reason than to terminate a very long term relationship, would have been much appreciated.
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| Name: |
lamont
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| Subject: |
Don't care.....
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Date:
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8/17/2010 1:09:16 PM
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about the # of rooms or the # of "crappers," if someone agrees to do a job for an agreed compensation at a certain time, said person should honor that agreement. If said person doesn't, expect negative "press."
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| Name: |
AU1993
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/17/2010 1:50:27 PM (updated 8/17/2010 1:51:51 PM)
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Well it looks like some of you have had alot of fun on this thread at my expense. Your opinions of me and my family are comical, obviously you do not know us. I agree with you all that the scheduling was entirely too tight. I would have loved for it not to be, but there were certain circumstances I will not bore you with! The point of my post was to warn people of Kathy. I originally got her name from this forum and I would hate for anyone else to be "dupped" as I was. I used Kathy on an "as needed" basis and has always been very nice and courteous and giving her a second chance was my misfortune. I talked to her on Friday and she assured me she would be there on Sun at 10am. It is now Tuesday and I still have not heard from her. A simple phone call to say she was not coming would have been appropriate.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Mission accomplished
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Date:
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8/17/2010 3:04:12 PM
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I think your warning accomplished its primary task and it is useful to hear real-life experiences of local firms.
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| Name: |
lablover
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| Subject: |
BTW, I think it is Cathy Howard
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Date:
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8/17/2010 3:52:58 PM
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| Name: |
lablover
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| Subject: |
If one person calls you a horse...
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Date:
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8/17/2010 3:59:32 PM
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If one person calls you a horse, ignore them.
If two people call you a horse, check in the mirror to see if you are a horse. If you're not, ignore them.
If three people call you a horse, change your name to Trigger.
It looks like two people on this forum have had the exact same problem with Cathy this summer. I'd say there is some cause for concern about using her.
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
You missed one complainer.
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Date:
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8/17/2010 6:28:18 PM
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I think you missed ODB early in the thread. Guess it would be Ms. Cathy Trigger.
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| Name: |
lablover
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| Subject: |
You missed one complainer.
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Date:
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8/17/2010 7:01:33 PM
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Ha ha ha! You are correct!
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| Name: |
lablover
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| Subject: |
3 Complaints for Cathy, I Think I See the Problem!
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Date:
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8/17/2010 7:06:27 PM
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And it is her. At the very least, she is unprofessional.
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Cathy has been cleaning for me weekly for the last 2 years. Only one time can I remember when she didn't call me when she couldn't make it -- and she was very ill.
A couple of times, we've had to adjust the day she came because she had a conflict.
While I wasn't always thrilled when this happened, I take it as part of deal. I know the summer is her busy period, trying to accomodate some of you with rentals.
Last week, she left me a loaf of friendship bread and a thank you for your business note. One week she surprised me by organizing my pantry (it needed it)
It's unfortunate that a couple of people here had a bad experience.
And I echo RoswellRic's comment that it is not a crime to have a large house on Lake Martin.
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| Name: |
bamarama
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| Subject: |
Terrible experiences with KATHY HOWARD, Cleaning
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Date:
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8/18/2010 12:20:23 PM
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We had the same problem as mentioned in earlier posts - we had an agreed upon date/time and Kathy called me two days prior and indicated we were on her schedule. When we arrived at the house.....it needed a cleaning in the worst way. Only problem, we had guest arriving the next day. My wife and I were left to clean the house. I'm like everyone else on the forum - in the end I just wanted to know Kathty was OK....as of today, she has yet to return any of my 10+ calls/messages.... any recommendations on a good cleaning service....?
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Having never been one to let an opportunity pass me by, after reading this thread, Kathy may have some openings available. Think I'll give her a ring........
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| Name: |
lakewoodworker
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| Subject: |
Poor business practice
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Date:
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8/18/2010 1:13:58 PM
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Like I said earlier, we had great experiences with her up until this summer. We would have continued to use if if she had ever just returned a phone call or email, no matter how late it came. Everyone has complications every now and then where they can't meet their commitments. I understand that fully. But, the key is to communicate rather than hide your head in the sand. I imagine that part of what has happened is that Kathy over-committed, couldn't meet her obligations and then decided the best way to deal with it is to hide. If she had ever returned our calls/emails and explained that she had had problems, was ill, even that she forgot, we are pretty relaxed and would have moved on with the relationship, STILL using her. That is how much we liked her. Even now, I would tell you what a great house-cleaner she and her crew are. But you HAVE to communicate in the service/business world. And we were not valuable enough as clients to recieve even that consideration. How many of you business people out there could survive by operating this way?
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
Poor business practice
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Date:
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8/18/2010 3:28:43 PM
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As I posted earlier, that's the Tallapoosa County shuffle. Many locals live Friday to Friday and never think of the consequences. They want to be self-employed but they can't pull off the responsibility stuff. Perhaps her supporters, Lifer and Hound can show her the results of her irresponsibility on this thread. Lifer and Hound, now that's a pair for you.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
Poor business practice
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Date:
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8/18/2010 8:09:36 PM
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I do not support the practice of not returning phone calls.
I don't know if it the case here, but sometimes people know they have disappointed and are afraid they are going to get yelled at, so they just don't call back. I find that some people just have a problem being direct when there is a problem.
I myself am having to learn patience for those that promise me that something will be done in 3 weeks, when what they really mean is 3 months.
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| Name: |
lakewoodworker
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| Subject: |
Poor business practice
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Date:
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8/18/2010 8:44:55 PM
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Normally, I would agree with you, even though we are not "yell at" or even "get that upset at" kind of people. We generally roll with the punches. And, we cleaned everything up ourselves after she didn't show up the first day. In this case, we were just so worried about her. After the first day, we left several messages and sent several emails saying "Please just let us know you are okay". And we never got any response even four weeks later. And keep in mind, there are now four people, just on this forum, who have had the same experience. It can't all be us.
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| Name: |
ODB
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| Subject: |
Poor business practice
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Date:
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8/18/2010 11:51:30 PM
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The part of our bad experience with Kathy/Cathy was her having our key and not giving it back. I have never seen the lady. We would just use if we had friends coming in for a few days. I would always leave her a check and she would come in and clean and pick up the check, then leave and lock up. How would she unlock, enter and lock and leave if she did not have a key? But she swore she did not have a key. Go figure!
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| Name: |
foodie
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| Subject: |
PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANING
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Date:
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8/19/2010 10:47:20 AM
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If you are in need of a professional, dependable, thorough cleaning service, try "Top to Bottom". The owner's name is Cheryl Hitson & her number is 334 202 9731. We have several years(approx 6) experience using her & she has (amazingly) never missed an appointment or a speck of dirt.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
Didn't mean to imply
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Date:
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8/19/2010 4:50:55 PM
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That you would be the kind of person to yell or get upset. She definitely should have phoned you.
You are right, if 4 people have had the experience, there is something to it.
Maybe my turn just hasn't come around yet.
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| Name: |
LMSunSet62
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| Subject: |
PROFESSIONAL HOUSE CLEANING
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Date:
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9/3/2010 5:17:58 PM
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Another 2 cents !!! I know Cheryl and she has asked me on several occasions to include her in my property management services. I have viewed first hand the quality services performed. The last 4 times I have called for new clients, there has never been a return or follow up phone call from her. She is a real sweetie, however not as professional as she could be !!!! I will not try calling again, I just took my business elsewhere.
Are " we all " just from the " old school " with respect to a simple returned phone call or should we simply start cell phone texting like the kids do ? Ha Ha ... Seems to be the wave of the future and finally " WE " might even get a personal response from a " kid " in business !! Ha Ha
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