Bubble sitter app owners are cheeky fuckers exploiting the sitters

[Yessiryessirthreebagsfull]

I'm fuming.

Been using them for years and always made a point to stay on the app and pay the fees as I appreciate how easy they made it for me to find sits.

But today they anounced that sitters will have to pay a 25% fees (or 20% for super sitters) for every 1st sit?

Cheeky greey fuckers!

Knowing that most sits through the app are a one time thing. And Bubble managed to get most of the bbsitting jobs going through them. And I pay taxes on what I earn on Bubble.

I hope it ends up making them lose a lot of money. I sure as hell won't use them again. They can get stuffed to get any fees on my regular families, we're going off the app.

I'm fuming.

I'm glad people at least have a giggle out of my distress.

Thanks to anyone who tries to understand rather than laugh

I'm trying to understand, but don't really know why you can't use other sources of work. People always need childcare, often ad hoc or for a few hours a week.

You need to change jobs then.

Sorry OP, this isnt really anything to do with your post at all but wedding Nannies is becoming more of a thing, I know you probably like the freedom of your own hours etc but there might be a local -ish company that might do something like that/you could work for.
Sorry if that’s totally not helpful! It was just a brain fart

You're having a massive strop, getting snarky with people making reasonable comments about a business who, like many, many, many businesses, have made the decision to increase rates. Yes, it's hard to have to swallow. But it is what it is. Start up your own webpage or something - redirect your current regulars to book through there and start to try and drive potential future customers through to your page. I know of quite a few people who have had to resort to similar and they;ve ended up happier running their own booking service than having to pay high fees to a head company.

Wedding nannies are are really good way to go - weddings as an event obviously happen all the time and as such constantly in demand.

That is madness.. their poor children.. no consistent carer.. can't imagine doing that just to potentially save a few quid..

Sorry you are in this predicament.. seems shit all round

You'd be surprised how many people don't care.

They get excited to finally have a cheap person to "just play at home" with their child since they are working from home anyway

Then they ask us to cook family meals or do their ironing during nap time.

I really love being a nanny. But there has been such a dcline in the last few years. So many nannies I know feel the same.

It's a shame, really.

I always thought the joy of being a nanny is the family and nanny chose each other, so no working for families you don't like. Not for very long anyway, it may take a bit of time to realise!

See also:

• Uber
• Deliveroo
• Just Eat
• AirBNB

Except that in the case of nannies, there's considerable specialist skill required.

A business model that treats a skilled childcare specialist like a Deliveroo driver doesn't just deprive that specialist of income and pension, it is inherently degrading to her as well.

I hear you OP.

Sounds like the gig economy is bleeding into childcare provision. That isn't good for anyone.

Then go work somewhere else. Simple. When one industry becomes unviable you adapt

Thanks for your compassion.

No wonder the people at Bubble keep on screwing childcare proffessionals more and more.

Parents. Just. Don't. Care.

The problem is that Bubble turned nannying into a gig economy then screwed it up.

Around here nannies and sitters are in short supply. I do a bit more as a favour and the going rate is £15-20 per hour! (I don't change my neighbours that much as their kids are older and I can just do what I would be doing at home bar fetching them from school which quite frankly is good for me as it's a 15 minute walk each way!

Can I point out too that bubble aren't setting the price, people are, others are undercutting you. Perhaps work on your page to justify why you are worth more money? I have had several offers through bubble myself but never actually used it because word of mouth is sufficient. My hourly rate includes national insurance, tax and pension contributions, £15 is a starting point.

@Yessiryessirthreebagsfull

X nanny and now childminder here, I totally agree with all you have said and understand your frustration!

Bloody hell and I thought I was cranky

Made my day too

It might be a one-off nannying arrangement each time but if you are well thought of by the parents you are working for them surely they would keep giving you business and recommend you to others via word of mouth?

Didn't realise nannies were so cheap, tempted to get one now. I don't have kids but I could do with my ironing doing and my cleaner is £25/hr before we even talk about ironing.

But in your situation I'd just have them pay the first hour through the app and charge them separately for the rest of the sit so there's no fees for the majority of the time. And I'd have business cards made with your info and tell them to contact you that way next time and they'll get a cheaper rate from the fees you don't have to pay, and if they have friends that need a nanny you'll pay them a referral fee/give a free hour.

@potato57 bubble actually has a "helpr" function where I am sure lots of people are ready to clean for £9 per hour.

Some do! I never apply for those sits

I am actually considering becoming a childminder. It's just a terrible timing because we woild have to move and I am expecting twins so they would take the spot for at least a year after the birth.

But I might have to suck it up or a year and spend saving to upgrade to a bigger place to start childminding down the road.

We had things planned perfectly but Bubble ruined it...

There are more apps/websites. I've never heard of Bubble.

We have used sitters.co.uk and as a family you pay a small fee to join and then an admin fee per booking but pay your sitter in cash when they do the job, so sitter.co.uk clearly don't keep a percentage.