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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I KNOW this in none of my business but is this reasonable?

85 replies

momtoboys · 03/10/2024 15:37

Friends of our family went abroad for 14 days and asked one of my sons (young adult) to watch their 2 large dogs for themwhile they were gone. He took care of them at our house - waked them twice a day, played with them in the garden, fed them, cleaned up after them and treated one for the last week for a would caused by allergies. They had told him they would pay him for the service but no amount was discussed (mistake #1). They returned and gave my son an envelope with $125 (US). $125 for room and board for two weeks in my opinion is a cheeky amount to pay. If they had to board them in our area it would have been well over $1,000 (not that I think that they should have paid my son that much!).

Is this an unreasonable amount?

AIBU - It is a reasonable amount
YANBU - this was not enough compensation for the services rendered

Putting on my flak vest!

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 03/10/2024 15:45

I've voted YABU because it's a good lesson for your DS to learn, you clarify T&Cs before you say yes. I paid £350 for nine days boarding, so they are CFs. He thought it was a business transaction, they thought favour. Next time he says it's more work than he realised and set his rate.

UltramarineViolet · 03/10/2024 15:44

They have clearly taken advantage of your son but since they didn't agree an amount in advance there is not a lot you/ he can do

If they ask again then he would be wise to say no or agree a price in advance

MellersSmellers · 03/10/2024 15:44

I paid a neighbours teenager £30 to feed my cat in our home for 3 days so by comparison, Yes they were taking the mickey as a dog needs much more attention. For a teenager I would agree with another PP that £150 (£10 per day) or $200 ish would have been fairer.

FupaTrooper · 03/10/2024 15:42

This is an important lesson for your son to learn to negotiate terms before agreeing to something. It's done now, he knows for the future.

I pay £22 a day for a cat sitter to visit twice a day to feed three cats and do their litter trays. So I would expect someone to charge more if they had them at their house and were providing medical care.

I think that around £500 would have been more in line with what I would have paid in their situation. I wouldn't pay the same amount that I would for professional boarding, but around 50% seems reasonable.

nootcoffee · 03/10/2024 15:41

Out of interest…. how old? and does he work? study?

Nameftgigb · 03/10/2024 15:40

It’s not reasonable or unreasonable given that it wasn’t previously discussed. If your son wanted at least a certain amount then he should have said so.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 03/10/2024 15:40

It’s a gift not a fee which would and should have been discussed in advance. Your son will hopefully learn from this experience.

OatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 03/10/2024 15:39

I would have thought a minimum of £150 so nearer $200 if done as more of a ‘pet is in with the family’ set up,

ranchdressing · 03/10/2024 15:39

Absolutely not enough money! We pay our dogsitter 100 for a weekend or 300 for a full week here in a cheapish European city. That's ridiculous.

But - totally your son's fault for not agreeing a rate in advance. Lesson to be learned.

NewtonsCradle · 03/10/2024 15:39

Imo they intentionally took advantage, telling them they took advantage won't change the outcome.

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