Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask you what I shall reply to this email?

119 replies

BornToShopForcedToWork · 30/03/2012 21:39

We are looking for somebody who come with us on holiday to Spain for a week, to help us for a maximum of 5h a day but it will be always be less unless something unexpected happens in return for flights, a room, food und a reasonable salary. The only duties are preparing breakfast for four people, and driving us down to the beach/whatever activity we do and pick us up in the evening and cook an easy and healthy meal. Some nights we will go out for a dinner and we won't go every day to the beach but stay in the little village where the house is. The main reason we need somebody is because nobody of us drives and we looked for somebody local but didn't have any luck. The person would have the whole day between roughly 11am until 5/6ish off and could either join us at the beach or do whatever she/he fancies.

I have now received a very nasty email from somebody who applied to the ad on Gumtree and I don't know what to reply. Shall I be nice or not?

That's the email:

5 hour a day x 7 days - 35 hours a week this is NOT a free holiday are you nuts?! Or are you tight?!
As they say there is no such thing as a free lunch; a holiday = a rest!
This is slave labour while you get chaffured around and the person works like a slave with split hours and at your beck and call!!!!! Funny how you don't know any one personally friend, family, neighbour or someone through someone that has taken you up on your "wonderful offer", I wonder why?
Oh I can just imagine.. could you just do this, could you just do that oh and by the way while you are sweeping the room with a broom up your backside could you just do that! I have worked for people like this before!
You can get a package deal for three hundred pounds all inclusive to Spain.
Honestly the new monied people = no class!
I am also sure that this is legal under EEC regs!
Good luck!

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDog · 30/03/2012 21:41

I wouldn't reply. Or fuck off and fuck the horse you rode in on. Don't enter into a discussion.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/03/2012 21:43

No no, be super polite and nice, it will drive them up the wall.

"I am sorry to hear that this position is not for you. I wish you very good luck in your search for employment. Take care."

Grin
StrandedBear · 30/03/2012 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fuckwittery · 30/03/2012 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bangtastic · 30/03/2012 21:46

"Thank you for your concern/application. Unfortunately you have not been successful for the position of 'Slave' on this occasion. We would like to thank you for your time and interest, and wish you all the best in finding a free holiday with minimum work involved in the near future."

Paiviaso · 30/03/2012 21:47

Don't reply.

CupOfBrownJoy · 30/03/2012 21:47

Ohhh I would HAVE to reply to this charmer!

Something along the lines of;

Dear Sir/Madam

Many thanks for your kind reply to my advert on the Gumtree website.

I can only assume that you are perusing this site because you are unemployed and looking for work. May I respectfully suggest that your current unemployment may be due to the rather large chip on your shoulder and the fairly offensive manner with which you communicate with total strangers?

All the best with your job hunt, I would hasten to add that possibly you aren't suited to a customer facing role?

Well, good luck with saving up for that holiday to Spain!

Yours faithfully

BornToShopForcedToWork

Cabrinha · 30/03/2012 21:48

Well obviously you should ignore it.
Have to say I think it's an odd request though. If you don't want to cook on holiday, eat out more or consider a half board option. And for being driven around, use the extra person holiday + salary cost for a taxi.
Would you REALLY want some random from gumtree on your holiday?!!!! You've just seen the weird people on there - this could all go horribly wrong.

Coconutty · 30/03/2012 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lizziebennet · 30/03/2012 21:50

Am I the only one wondering why you booked a holiday that needs transport when you don't have any? Why not somewhere by the beach?

Also, making your breakfast, really?

But yes, the email is nuts.

Coconutty · 30/03/2012 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bramblina · 30/03/2012 21:54

Ooooh I agree with everyone!!! Not much help there, sorry Grin

If forced to make a decision I think I would totally ignore, I usually don't enter into discussions with people like that. But very, very tempting to use Cupofbrowmjoy's suggestion. Oooh, or a rather pleasant reply which says sorry we've already filled the position for complete fucking arsehole but thanks anyway Grin

rofl

Goawaybob · 30/03/2012 21:54

Just go all inclusive! Sorted Grin

Goawaybob · 30/03/2012 21:56

Personally, i think you should contact them and offer them an interview! Wink

Is there a reason why you are unable to prepare your own breakfasts though?

Stratters · 30/03/2012 21:56

Would you really be prepared to take a complete stranger on holiday with you, just so they could cook and drive?

A complete, un-checked and unknown stranger around your kids? Hmm

HalfPastWine · 30/03/2012 21:58

OP, I think I have just found your advert on Gumtree (not stalking you, honest!) and I notice that some childcare is involved. If this is your advert, I am suprised you are considering allowing a virtual stranger to do this.

BornToShopForcedToWork · 30/03/2012 21:58

lizziebennet

I have friends in the village who have their holiday home there and come every year for the summer. The village is beautiful, not many tourists and very quiet and peaceful. I would be stupid not to go there, plus my grandparents live there and I go over every summer. If I go on my own its no problem with getting lifts to the beach but when we are a small group I can't rely too much on other people if that makes sense.

Yes, everything will be paid for, flights, accom, food (as well when we go out we will take person along) and a salary. I just haven't worked out how much yet but have asked candidates and its about the same we thought of.

Oh and the breakfast thing: Its just putting the plates on the table, we all love to have a lie in and I don't think it is too much to ask when I am paying somebody for it.

Bangtastic That's great!

We are so not looking for a slave, we are all hard-working people and if one of us would drive we wouldn't take somebody with us at all.

OP posts:
BornToShopForcedToWork · 30/03/2012 22:00

HalfPastWine

No, no children.

That's the add www.gumtree.com/p/jobs/free-holiday-in-spain-offered-in-return-for-5h-work-a-day-interviews-will-be-held-in-surrey-now/99093026 and with housekeeping I don't mean cleaning, only cleaning up after cooking. That's all.

OP posts:
larks35 · 30/03/2012 22:00

How did you word your advert? Which part of the site did you post it on? Employment? Holiday? TBH I wouldn't have emailed you but may well have thought similar to your responder if your were selling this as a "free holdiay". What is the "reasonable salary" you are offering? And as others have asked, why are you looking for a stranger to come on hols with you?

In response to your question though, don't respond, not worth it.

Cabrinha · 30/03/2012 22:02

I assumed it was 4 adults, because OP said 'nobody of us drives'. If there are kids going, then I'm even less impressed.
Seriously - being too lazy to use a toaster is your business, but having a gumtree random round kids is a no.
I know someone who has done this chef-on-hols type role - but that was on a private yacht. I guess there are more appropriate places to advertise than gumtree? Find out where ski chalets advertise for chalet girls. At least get someone who has done it before, with REFERENCES!!!

BornToShopForcedToWork · 30/03/2012 22:02

Coconutty Taxis from the village to the beach are pricey, around 60? one way which adds up. For us it's cheaper to take somebody with us, pay for everything + pay a salary than taking a taxi every day twice.

OP posts:
larks35 · 30/03/2012 22:03

oops xposted

Bangtastic · 30/03/2012 22:03

< applies > Grin

BornToShopForcedToWork · 30/03/2012 22:03

Oh and we thought about a salary of 200-250 for the week.

OP posts:
HalfPastWine · 30/03/2012 22:03

OP, my apologies, I was looking at the wrong advert after all. Perhaps I should have sent my response that that person instead !!!

Your advert is a very good offer for someone, definitely did not deserve the response you received from that idiot.

If I could cook I would have applied myself!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread