Viking Window Cleaning

Called on Monday, June 29th, 2015 and spoke with Steven (owner). I had reviewed the Living Social deals but wasn't sure which deal to buy based on number of windows and wanting my screens and sills cleaned as well. I asked Steven if it would be best to buy the L.S. coupon/discount or go directly with him. He said that he would charge individually for screens and sills and also have to give L.S. a cut so going directly through him he would give me a discounted price for the entire job. If I paid him cash he would give me and even better price. He asked me about my home. I told him we had a multi level home, 14 full windows throughout the house and 2 large patio sliding doors. He mentioned the 14 windows would be 28 panes. I told him we wanted inside and outside and also screens and sills. I then told him I wanted the 2 patio sliders and he said he would charge 8 panes for those. Total for the job would be $125.00 cash. He then mentioned it was a good day I called since he had no jobs that day. He started mumbling on how to get a crew over and I told him today wasn't necessary. He said that was good - and I told him sometime this week or next. He then said he could be at our home Wednesday, July 1st, 2015 around 12:00/12:30. I asked if it would be a crew, and he said he would have the lead call me before they got there. Noon passed by on Wednesday and then 1:00, 1:30 - I called and reminded him who I was. Steven asked if I was the $150.00 job. I said no you quoted me $125.00. Oh, okay - yes, well let me make a couple calls and get back to you. Around 2:00/2:15 he called back and said Julian would be calling me and be on his way over from a job near Harding High School. Julian called around 2:30 and said he was heading over. Julian showed up and it was 1 person. Our windows are able to be cleaned both sides from the inside so it does make for an easier job. They are newer windows from 2009 and very nice to work with and move. I walked Julian through the entire job showing him all windows, how to unclip the bathroom and kitchen flipper windows and where to get water. He looked everything over, said things were fine and started work. I asked him if anyone else was coming and he said he could do this on his own. So he did all the work and very nicely. He was friendly, pleasant, cautious, and clean. He did answer his phone a lot and told me he is one of the partners/owners. When the job was done I inspected it, got his business card, and paid him $125.00 in cash. There were no questions on payment nor did he seem to think it was not enough. Not a flinch or anything. He gathered his things and left. He was there for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours depending on how many calls he took. All was well and we were very happy with the service.

Well, on Thursday around 8:15 p.m. I get a text from Steven reading, "We need to talk". I then got a call from him a few minutes later. He had left me a voice mail around 8:10 p.m. that I did not see. He started out by saying he had spoken to Julian and I was not truthful about the number or windows/panes I had in my house and did not pay the correct amount. What? First I heard of this. He continued to say I was not being honest and anyone knows that every window has at least 2 panes on each side and that I should have known that and I was not being honest with him. Instead of 28 panes Julian did 64 panes. I told Steven we talked windows and patios doors numbers. I do not know the business and I have never had anyone clean my windows before besides us. He said that I was not being truthful and how could I not know. Really? Then he said you owe me another $125.00. I told him earlier I was out of work and cost was important. I could buy a Living Social coupon for 65 panes for $135.00. He said no he would have quoted me a higher price and that wasn't right. He started getting agitated and I also was angry that he was calling me dishonest. I told him there must have been miscommunication or misunderstanding and he said no - you were not being truthful. Really!? So, I told him I did not have the money and that I would need to look into my expenses tomorrow (it is now 8:30 p.m. at night) and let him know when I could pay him more (if I thought they should get more). I told him I may have to wait until my husband gets paid again. So, I told him I would look into it and get back to him tomorrow. He then proceeds to say, Let me talk to your husband, maybe he can tell me when I will get the money." Seriously? Just who does this guy think he is? I got very angry and told him I take care of the finances and that I would check tomorrow. I did not appreciate him being rude and asking for my husband and also being condescending. He then got angry and said he wasn't but that maybe my husband would tell him more. We then argued a bit about being unprofessional and he just got ruder on the phone. I told him I would check into this and get back to him tomorrow - he wasn't getting an answer tonight. He said he just wanted to get his money and we would talk then.

After we hung up my husband and I discussed this further and we agreed we paid the amount that was quoted, there were no disagreements when Julian did the walk through, the cleaning and the collecting - and he was the other owner. I also checked the reviews on Yelp, BBB, Angie's List and comments on Crowdcut and Living Social deals. There were many complaints of them making appointments and not showing up to honor the deals. I also saw two reviews about them quoting a job, showing up and completing the job and then charging double and using the same excuse. One job was for $50.00 and they charged $100.00 - another was for $150.00 and they charged $300.00 after the fact. Many complaints talked about Steven being rude, argumentative, and hanging up on people. I had the same experience except the hanging up - instead they kept trying to call my number. Well, I wrote back to him via text that I was not paying him any additional money. We paid the quoted amount. Julian could have complained or changed it before the job or even mentioned it at the end. There was never a complaint about the amount charged. I said I could get it cheaper with the 65 pane coupon with L.S. for $135.00 instead of the $250.00 he was trying to charge me. So, I basically outlined the other complaints on sites and feel this is a way in which they do business. Try to dupe the customer and not explain the entire job, then say it is more. Selling through Living Social they have to pay L.S. part of the cut so they get even less money. Anyway, after I texted him he started to text me very rude texts. Then he called and said I don't want your money, don't call or text him, don't use his business again and I was out of line. I think he knew we had caught him and he was trying to save face. I texted him that I would be blocking his number. He then made some very rude comments about me and my husband and just very unprofessional statements in text messages. He also said he would have his wife, his manager, call me to plead my case. I disregarded it since he had already said he didn't want my money. I then blocked his number. Then someone else either him or his wife tried calling me with a new number 3 times in a row at my number and I refused it and ignored. The calls and texts stopped. I did text them that I would be writing reviews, calling the BBB, calling Living Social, and also calling the State Department regarding them asking cash for jobs and most likely not reporting them.

unknown

I bought a deal with Living Social.  They were very quick and the windows were perfect.

unknown