Remember when I wrote about wanting to fire my cleaning guy? Well, a few days ago he quit.
He blamed it on my cat. He said his cat allergies were really bad and he was getting constant infections thanks to my cat. Thanks to the one and a half hours a day he spent cleaning my apartment every other week. I guess it could be true, despite the fact that he never ever mentioned anything about this to me until I got to the point where it was so bad that he apparently had to quit.
In his usual style, he didn't tell me he was quitting and that he wouldn't be showing up until it was an hour before he was supposed to come. There was apparently no possible time he could've told me about this until right before.
I don't get it. He was so good when he started out. Then he gradually morphed into being completely unreliable. I still don't understand how he forgot to take the check I left for him on multiple occasions. I gave him several opportunities to quit if he wanted, and he never took it. You know you don't trust somebody when they tell you they couldn't show it because they were in a car accident, and you think they were lying.
Also, weirdly, he left his vacuum cleaner in our garage. Like, forever.
My husband and I disagreed over whether to change our locks. The cleaning guy didn't offer to return our key, even though I didn't ask. I just wanted to have the locks changed, either way. My husband said that he was the one who quit, and if we were trusting him with our key before, why wouldn't we trust him to have it now? I still wanted to change the locks.
I think you're right to want to change your locks. At the very least, this person is increasingly odd, which makes them unpredictable.
ReplyDeleteI'd change the locks. Even though you had trusted him with the key while working for you, he has turned out to be less than reliable. It's better to be safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Change the locks today! Do not delay. Your family and valuables may be at risk. The guy may be "trustworthy" but you don't know about any of his associates. Cheap insurance. For your safety and peace of mine, please change the locks, STAT!
ReplyDeleteChange the locks. For all you know, the reason he got so flaky is that he picked up an addiction or is in the process of relapsing into one. Even if he doesn't rob you, all he has to do is tell someone less scrupulous that he has a key to a doctor's home and you'd be a target. Because people think all doctors make more money than most doctors actually do, plus they might be dumb enough to think that you keep prescription pads and your DEA number lying around. You have kids and you have enough on your plate: changing the locks is a small effort in exchange for more safety and not having to come home to a crisis.
ReplyDeleteAdd my two bits to the chorus of Change the Locks for all the reasons others have stated; then slap your husband upside the head for not having any common sense.
ReplyDeleteI am normally really lazy. I am the 'don't change the locks' person in the relationship. But if in this situation my husband were motivated enough to change the locks, I would be completely behind him. Your husband seems very rigid, based on your many posts. You handle that well. I have plenty of rigid people in my life. It's not easy. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteChange them. This guy is very weird. The only downsize to changing is cost, while the risks of not changing, who knows?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add I'm not paranoid at all about changing locks. We didn't get them changed when we moved in, although we have no idea if the previous renter has them at the moment (we are allowed to make as many copies as we want) and we had many dog walkers come over in a period of 3 weeks when we were out of town. But there's something off about this guy and I wouldn't trust him.
DeletePsycho killer in the making CHANGE THE LOCKS NOW!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI had a receptionist a bit like this - awesome to start and then just stopped being so good. Didn't show up to work and we found out that she was in jail for stealing a car. Turns out she started relapsing into drugs.
ReplyDeleteI just changed my locks recently and it's both FAST and CHEAP. Just do it, for peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteinstall an electronic lock while you are at it. I think to change locks its $100, to buy an electronic lock with pin code access is $200. that way any future contractors or cleaners you get, you don't have to change your lock each time!
ReplyDeleteChange the locks, FOR SURE!
ReplyDeleteMy "clean, dream, team" has the keys to the common doors (I'm in a condo); though, I could buzz her in remotely no matter where I was! However, if I was unable to answer the phone when she buzzed she'd still be able to get inside! I set the buzzer ring tone differently so I can answer it if needed (UPS, USPS, etc.)! I did answer it once in my PCP's office knowing it was medical supplies (he thought it was cool): but, normally, I'd never disrespect my docs or RPH, etc.! In addition, she also has my bottom lock key (NOT my top lock)! I'm NOT sure what I'll do if/when the relationship ends (not that I'm planning on it)! She & her team (she & two others) always come each time & have been great! She's fairly priced, efficient, kind & trustworthy (VERY)! As a team their in/out in about an hour! My condo is 1150 (ish) sq. ft., 2 full bedrooms & bathrooms, etc.! The fact that I'm 99% hardwood, is what's time consuming!
PS. To those who see this (Fizzy, maybe you can write a post about how people *tip/gift for the Holidays)? How do you tip regular service providers?
*cleaning lady, massage therapist, mail/UPS (I know there's some laws involved), mani person, etc.?