…to think it’s a bit tight & embarrassing to haggle on some things?

[NellesVilla]

Hello all,

I was due to cat and dog sit over Xmas for about 3 x weeks. It had been booked since last Xmas. I’ve worked for the for years and already offer them a mates’ rate discount- relevant.I was also their nanny several years’ ago whilst at uni.

Last night the family called me to ask for another discount just over 2 weeks’ before the start date, plus asking if I’d contribute to bills for my ‘stay’. Not that it matters but they are loaded, are flying to the states to a v expensive Christmassy city, and will be spending shitloads- they do every year.

So they want a discount on the already crazily reduced bargain rate I give them; money that I need and forms part of my meagre current income. Additionally, they’d like something towards bills- when they have asked me to care for their home and cherished pets.

Wtaf? Is this normal? Do I tell them to take a long walk off a short pier or what?! Please vipers; I need to grow a pair as I find this type of thing- money-orientated issue- challenging at the best of times!!

Wow; typos galore!

‘That won’t be possible.
I already have reduced my usual rate for you. Let me know if you want me for our agreed rate’.

That is absolutely shocking ... I would be seriously tempted to back out. At least message back something like 'I have already offered you a discounted rate of £X for the house sitting agreement, I am disappointed that you are expecting me to drop this further and contribute to your household bills whilst I am looking after your home and pets. May I suggest we cancel the arrangement?'

Cancel. Let them find someone else 😂 then they'll come crawling back wanting to pay double.

They're trying it on. At this stage they're unlikely to find anyone else cheaper (and who they trust to do it) - they'd probably have to go through some agency and pay much more.

Ragwort has made a good suggestion as to how you should reply.

I’d tell them the full rate and ask if they would prefer to pay that instead of the already discounted rate you have offered. I’d also get a 50% deposit or payment in advance because I can see it coming a mile off that these CFs will try to stiff you at the end after you’ve done the work.

I wouldn't be rude. Just factual. "I'm sorry I am unable to reduce my fees. We agreed this last year at a x% discount. My fees over the year have actually increased. However, if you would prefer not to use me - I will accept you cancelling without a cancellation fee."

Let them try to find a 3 week pet sitter over Xmas this late in the day.....

Agree - keep it simple and professional. I like "That won't be possible" - neutral.

What are your cancellation terms? And could you afford to drop them? If you can I'd be tempted to do that. Bills over Christmas will be high as you'll be in the house all day and it's likely to be cold. You don't want any awkwardness either when they get back over how much you had the heating on.

If you could do it in a professional manner I'd be thinking of cancelling altogether.

I think its really cheeky of them and if I didn't desperately need the money I would probably try and cancel as it doesn't bode well for them paying up. Maybe say you will need the money up front as they don't sound trustworthy for paying up!

Bills over Christmas will be high as you'll be in the house all day and it's likely to be cold. You don't want any awkwardness either when they get back over how much you had the heating on.

One assumes they wouldn't be planning on leaving their pets cold.

I'd cancel. But i won't have people try to take the piss

I can't even find the words, my goddddd. This would defo make me not want to home and pet sit for them. Jesus cheeky don't cover it!!!

How rude of them. I know it might not be easy to just cancel but if there were any natural justice in the world that's what they deserve for messing you around and devaluing your time like this. Fuckers.

Or, message them the day before and tell them you have doubled your rates and would they like to proceed? Two can play at that game

Unless you are desperate for the money, I wouldn't do it. Incredibly rude to the point of being offensive.

Knock it back and tell them you're adding a 10% asshole tax for the audacity.

So you’ll be staying at their house, so the pets will be happy, you’ll be in the house, deterring burglars and you’ve given them a massive discount? Just no! As a pp said, tell them the usual rate, tell them you will not be further reducing and ask for a deposit. I can’t believe they want you to contribute to bills! Incredible!

Going forward, I’d charge them the correct rate or be unavailable. Cheeky fuckers!

“I have already applied a discount to my usual rate for you. Normally, I would charge £x. It isn’t financially viable for me to reduce this rate further and pay for bills. Please could you confirm if you’d like to go ahead at the cost of xyz for xyz service? Many thanks, NV.

The cheeky bloody buggers.

if you do it, get payment upfront.

I think I just wouldn’t want to do it anymore. Surely you can get better money doing something else? If you HAVE to do it, just write back and explain that you’ve already discounted for them and you don’t want to work for less than the agreed price and terms.

I get this a lot at work.
"Thanks for your message. No, I can't reduce the rate or offer anything cover your bills. TBH I think it's best if you find someone else as I've been offered other work and think that there's been some confusion over the service I offer. I don't want it to affect out friendship in the future. Thanks again"

This and nothing more. How incredibly RUDE of them. I would be tempted to pull out if no contracts have been signed.

DO NOT say yes to this!

If they expect you to contribute to bills, it will end up costing you money.

We have house/pet-sitters over the Christmas period and wouldn’t dream of asking them to contribute to bills.

There have been some good suggestions as to replies. I honestly wouldn’t be inclined to do it at all.

This!

You really do need to pull out btw - otherwise they will try again and again then stiff you by bringing a "present' instead of the money. These twats are THE WORST. they are sat at home now telling themselves how grateful such a poor church mouse as you should be to stay in their lovely property. Fuck that. Turn it down and when they crawl back charge full whack. No compromises.
My friends pay in full or nothing. I do not do deals. Everyone ends up annoyed