…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!!

Sat you have already discounted your rate and you need payment in advance. Otherwise they will not pay you what they owe you. If they do not pay you 48 hours before, say sorry you can't do it.

Nod, smile and agree to their outrageous demands. Then rent their house out on airbnb whilst they are away and trouser the lot.
Take pets back to yours.

The only change I'd make to @badbaduncle 's response is

I don't want it to affect out friendship in the future.

I'm disappointed to say this has affected our friendship for the future

No way would I want to have a friendship that is so one-sided and exploitative.

£150 for a week is ridiculously low for a live in pet sitter.
We paid £30 a day for rookiedog to stay at someone else's home through rover.com and had to transport him there and back.

Check out what the local prices are on sites like rover.com. If they come back say you've checked and the average daily rate is £35 or whatever it happens to be, so they have actually lost a bargain.

Get yourself registered on some of the sites - you could be earning a lot more as pet sitting in people's homes is very in demand.

They've really screwed themselves over, no way will they get 3 weeks pet sitting for any less than what you quoted them.

@NellesVilla
"100% cancelling but they will have to chase me. They say they have ‘other mates/family’ who would be happy to do it, so perhaps they can take the piss out of other people from now on! "

Tell them that you're happy that they have somebody else to look after them, as you have another client at full rate that want your services for the same dates.

OP, you sound like my self employed BIL who also does housesitting / handy person type stuff. He also has trouble standing up for himself and is embarrassed about the money side. He gets people taking the piss and taking advantage as a result. Don't be him! You set a fair rate and be solid about it.

Similarish situation I’m in at the moment. Interest to se if OP/ others think I’m reasonable.

Friend moved to area of the country I sometimes holiday in. Nice village. I get asked to pet sit/ house sit. It’s a nice area and works as a get away.

This year though she’s been away 3 times, and now is going when it’s wet and cold. I wouldn’t holiday there when it’s wet an cold, but I don’t mind staying for the pets and making something of it. It costs me a fair bit in petrol to get there, extra entertainment costs for the kids when there etc. I usually really clean well and leave food basics for their return. A way of saying thank you for a little holiday.

Shes asked for a contribution towards bills. I’ve politely said no to staying. Just honestly said with petrol costs, entertainment and bills it’s too much right now and although I love the area I only really love it in summer. Im no fan of getting sand blasted on a beach in miserable weather.

Shes really upset as she can’t find a pet sitter. Plus, I guess if she does it’ll be the cost of bills. Thinks I’m just wanting the good times, but not helping when it’s not the best weather in return. I guess I may not be invited back, but tbh we’ve been so much we’ve had our fill- and nearby caravans are super cheap anyway…

Do I tell them to take a long walk off a short pier or what?!

yea, tell them they need to find someone else to do this sit - trusted house sitters is a thing and might be what they are looking for

I am in shock at the CFs request to contribute to their bills, keeping their pets warm. I would run!! Modern slavery springs to mind.

They will struggle!

No your already giving them a discount. You will be using less utilities than they would usually be using while home. Tell them if they don't accept they could always get a quote from someone else who won't offer a discount. They will also have someone they don't know in they're home caring for they're pet's.

@LiveIngSun This needs it's own CF thread, but no I don't think you're being unreasonable. Asking someone to stay at your house, when it's cold and wet, look after their pets and contribute towards the bills is CF behaviour.

I would be beyond grateful for someone who would do all this for £150 per week, @NellesVilla - you sound like the perfect pet sitter. Even if this is mates’ rates, and your normal rate is more, it is still really good value. It’s probably more than putting a couple of dogs in kennels, but it is immeasurably better for the dogs to stay in their own home, so would be worth it, 100%.

It's blurred because you've sat in exchange for a holiday and not asked for payment. Don't feel bad about the motivation; your priorities are not aligned right now.

In the end, it'll cost her far more to employ a kennels or a formal house-sit, so stick to your guns. I've just looked up a Norfolk's Kennel as an example:: £22 per day for luxury accommodation. House sitting gives the dogs 24-hour personal attention, so you're a bargain. Your personal savings in heating are your concern.

Show them all these comments and tell them to feck orf.

Sounds like they think its a bit of a treat for you to stay in their lovely home looking after their lovely pets.

OP get yourself on Facebook and advertise yourself as available at the actual going rate which on a quick Google is around £60/night ie £420 a week. You'll be snapped up and can then cancel your CF clients.
What a bloody cheek they have.

OP, they have been disgraceful.

If you don’t now want to take the job that makes sense, BUT do tell them that, now.

Them being bad clients means you don’t have to choose to work for them. But the professional thing to do is tell them that you won’t be doing it.

And do not send them this thread.

You deserve proper money for a proper job, but set yourself professional standards. Hold on to the moral high ground.

If they ask why say that uncertainty over the number of days and renegotiation of the price have made it not worth your while and you have better paid jobs. You had reserved the weeks for them at the previously agreed discount price but it is now non viable.

The cheek of her. To be honest you were robbing yourself at that price.

Op what they are also paying for is trust. They trust you to not trash the house. To care for the animals correctly- because you have previously done an excellent job. Yet- they don't want to pay for that peace of mind. Because that is what you are providing.

I would do this, otherwise they will continue to take you for granted.
I think they need to remember whom is doing who (or is that who is doing whom?) a favour, particularly as you point out they are a wealthy family. Definitely don’t pay any bills, you are already covering the Christmas period at an agreed lower rate. If they push this, say you will have to charge full rate.

I wonder if someone has offered to sit for free or something and that’s why they think they can do this. I have a rescue dog and am well aware that having a good and reliable pet sitter is really precious! I would completely refuse as they’re taking the piss. we don’t go away much because of our dog so they don’t know how lucky they are!

It’s £28.50 a dog in our local kennels. And add £2.50 a day if they need to be given medication

Please tell them to sod off. They sound awful.

She is totally taking the piss. If she wants someone to watch her pets in cold and wet weather, let her pay for it like most people do. Implying that you owe her because you enjoyed a change of scenery during past PET SITTING stints that benefitted her immensely? Beyond obnoxious and entitled.

I think a winter holiday by the sea could be interesting, and free pet sitting in exchange for that, among friends, is not a bad deal. But asking for cash for the bills is beyond the pale. Totally out of line.

Wait till she finds out what a kennel is going to cost her.

Good for you for standing up for yourself.