This is why people ask for cash

[antelopevalley]

I did some babysitting on Saturday night. When the couple got back they said sorry they didn't have any cash and they would transfer me the money. It is Tuesday and in spite of giving them my bank details, and a reminder text, still no payment.
If I ever babysit for them again (not sure I will now), I will say I will only do so if they pay cash that evening. Sadly this kind of way of operating seems common amongst middle-class people. It may not be a big deal for you to wait days for a relatively small sum of money, but it is for many others.

This is awful.

You really need to shame them publicly in whatever social media you have. Warn other babysitters & anyone else doing work for them.

Why did you let them have your services cheaply OP? Did they ask?

@riserved because I was a bit desperate for some more money.

Very satisfying as it was the kind of event that she would have wanted to make a good impression for her own expansion. I know for a fact it cost her some supplier contracts worth far far more than my invoice, as it’s not a good look for them to use her and risk more coming out as a few other freelancers spoke up later about her not paying them either. And I will mention it to every decision maker I’m in talks with when we’re looking for a similar business, and will make sure she isn’t chosen.

But no, never paid!

@antelopevalley - here are a few questions for you if you don't mind me asking.

Do you value your time?

If you hadn't been babysitting for this particular family, would you have been doing something that you like to do?

If you do value your time, do you not think you should be paid for giving that time to another family who were able to enjoy their time?

You did a job for this family but weren't paid for that. If you don't feel assertive face to face, put your comments in a note and post that through their letterbox. Say in the note that you're very disappointed that you've not be paid, you weren't paid on the night and you haven't been paid subsequently even though you've provided your bank details to them for them to transfer the money to you. Then I'd say that you're friendly with other babysitters in the area and will be advising them not to babysit for this family as they will not get paid. Whether you do or don't know other babysitters in the area is none of their business. The fact that they may find themselves without a babysitter because they have been known not to pay up, very much is their business.

I value my time. I would have been sitting at home with my family if I had not been babysitting. A note is a good idea. And I would be happy to tell anyone who babysits not to babysit for this family.

Urgh I would follow up again with "I babysat because I needed that money for essentials such as food, please send it urgently"

I need to. It is just embarrassing to reveal to well off clueless people that you really need a small amount of money.

they should be the ones who are embarrassed OP - disgusting behaviour from them

Don't be embarrassed. Why should you be the one who is embarrassed? Did you over charge them? No. Have you been rude to them? No. Are you the one who is out this money and who also gave their time to do this? Yes.
They are the ones who should be embarrassed.
That's what I mean by valuing your time. You weren't doing this for the good of your health so value your time and at this stage, if you do go for the note option, I'd actually say that for the delay in payment you're applying a 10% delay charge per day you've had to wait for this money.
Work out how much they owe you.

Sorry, that should be 10% compound interest....it'll soon be be worth a lot more.

You still haven't got your money, OP

Sadly I have not.

Make sure you keep asking until they pay up, they’re obviously hoping you’ll forget and they’ll get away with it so don’t let them. If you need to send your DH to their door to ask then do that. Cheeky cheapskates.

They can afford to go out but put paying for their childminding to the bottom of the priority list - some people have their priorities all mixed up.

Chase them again as others have said and perhaps don't do again for them. People often say that people with money often take advantage of others trying to earn a little bit extra.

Don't be embarrassed - they should be embarrassed not you.

They should be embarrassed for not paying someone who cared for their child(ren) quickly.

Please go around and ask for the money this weekend. It is the start of a new month so they have absolutely no excuse to say they don't have the money.

This time if they say they will transfer it tell them you want the cash now and you will go with them to the nearest cash point.

Yes two of our DC used to babysit for our old neighbour and she clearly didn't think it was important to pay them. It wasn't unusual for them to have to go round to remind her that they hadn't been paid. Obviously most people babysit because they need/want the money, not for pleasure!

Something I learned working in Russia, @antelopevalley

Make it more difficult for them to ignore you than to pay you. Text and email every day and if there’s no transfer of the money they owe you after a couple of days, text/ email twice a day. Or add a phone call.

Rehearse with us here what you should say to them.

No need to tell them what you need the money for. Just that they owe you and it’s been a week.

^^ this.

Imagine putting you in the position of worrying about having to go begging for money that is YOURS. Scumbags.

Send them a message saying, Hi, are you going to pay me for babysitting? That’s a closed question to which they have to answer yes or no. It’s not rude and at this stage, does it matter if it is?

@Remainiac that is a great idea!

@antelopevalley are they replying at all, or just ignoring your messages?

You don’t have to justify reason for payment completion to anyone. You are not a financial institution (bank) and not in the business of extending terms of trade or lines of credit to anyone.

I have met these types before and it’s my experience they are all show but nothing of any substance including money.

hold your head up and demand payment. If they are being smart pre think of some good take down lines.

many chance of knowing someone who knows the neighbours? They will know exactly whether these people are payers, just tardy or don’t pay anyone at all.

You need to go and get what you are owed!! What it is with people who have too much money, they are so tight with money etc they would not do a job and then not get paid!! They would kick up a stink! Get what you are owed!!