…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!!

I would suggest to them that it may be better if you cancel as you can’t reduce your already reduced rates and don’t want to feel uncomfortable. Watch them squirm. They won’t find anyone else at this late stage

It’s completely unacceptable to expect a pet sitter to pay for bills - CF behaviour. Also they need to honour the rate agreed when they booked you. They are trying it on at the last minute hoping you’ll agree as you can’t find other bookings at short notice. Don’t work for them again as you are already giving them a discount and find some more grateful customers.

Moving on... take a deposit to secure the dates they want - booking not confirmed until deposit paid so if someone else wants those dates and pays the deposit, the other person loses out!

It is the ONLY way to make a reliable income doing things like this, or people don't take you seriously and think they can piss you about.

I am hoping you cancel them, then they realise they're screwed and can't find anyone but the reality is, there is a good chance they just wanted you to drop out so they can use a free neighbour instead!

Exactly! And I mean – you do have a choice in the matter!! 🤯

Thanks- I was wondering. Sorry to hijack but this thread prompted asking others.

btw I make no savings on heating by going, as dh and our eldest stay at home.

Friedduck
Ego te Salute
🤣🤣🤣👍🏼

You have said: I’m always in the service provider/slave/downstairs position rather than the client/merchant/upstairs one!

You need to think about your job differently. You are not in a downstairs position.
You are self employed!
It’s your company. This makes you at the top! Providing a service that is in demand. You can chose who uses your services.
You can also chose not to work for certain clients.

That's disgusting. I'd just tell them you're no longer available and they'd better find someone else to cover it.

I bet if you put word out there, you'll pick up a replacement job without any aggro.

Dog sitters round my way charge £35 per night minimum (owners need to provide all extras such as food etc) - that's for 1 dog. You are also providing a house sitting service as well. You def need to charge more.

Please update us!

‘Sorry I can’t reduce my fee any further. Let me know if you still want to go ahead. Thanks.’

Have you contacted them @NellesVilla ?

Please tell us you cancelled?

Have just caught up. @LiveIngSun; I am outraged on your behalf. They’re cfs of the highest degree!

For those waiting on tenterhooks(!), I will be contacting Mrs Tight-Cheapskate tomorrow morning- because I feel it’s more professional to do it at the start of the working week, so to speak.

I will report back tomorrow!

Also, have been on some of those house-sitting sites and it is surprising how many assignments are unpaid- no contribution to your petrol or train ticket to get there even. Just surprised me, so thought to mention it!

I would have thought your rate would be higher over Christmas, so they are already getting a double discount!
Definitely get money up front if you go ahead. In future, take deposit to secure booking as cancelling means you loose pay and could have accepted another sitting job.

People with a lot of money are often the meanest with it.

They are usually the most entitled and cheekiest about paying people.

The kennels are usually £14-£20 a day per dog.

A cattery £8-£12 per day per cat.

House sitters charge according to Google £25-£75 per day for their services with the higher end of the scale being charged if a full 24 hour overnight stay is required.

They'd have to find the time to take said pets to and from kennels too.

I'd just ask them if they'd like to cancel if they can't afford you;they'd probably crap themselves;most kennels/catteries are now fully stacked over the festive period so no chance of getting them in anywhere else.

They've moved the date several times, made noises about neighbours doing some days (and therefore not paying you for those days), push for excessive discount on an already underquoted price, and now sound as if they expect you to pay them and not the other way around.

CANCEL!

If you do not cancel them (and you really, really should), then insist on payment in full and in advance. They will not pay you on return. You know it, I know it, the whole of Mumsnet knows it. But really - cancel.

Good luck

I think, as some other posters have said, it would be better for you to address the issue directly - you have already offered a discount, you are expected to stay in their home and look after their animals, etc., and if the rate previously agreed is not to their satisfaction then you cannot provide the service. If they do agree to stick to the previous arrangement, if it were me I would only work for them this time but never again. They show a complete lack of respect.

I think it's outrageous that people with plenty of money to spend on themselves are reluctant to pay people properly for the valuable services the provide..

How come some services like this are no charge I don't understand

Sitting quietly in the waiting room, hope you get a desirable outcome op.

I suppose it can be a win-win mutually beneficial barter if the house sit is somewhere you want to stay for a week or two. But there has to be something in it for the sitter.

Also, have been on some of those house-sitting sites and it is surprising how many assignments are unpaid- no contribution to your petrol or train ticket to get there even. Just surprised me, so thought to mention it!
@NellesVilla I'd expect you to cost that in to your pricing for the job.

OP's

Hi @longcoffeebreak , just popping on again quickly! The reason this service is free at times is because it can be a holiday or beneficial arrangement for both parties etc. Last year I was homeless and living in my car, so I had the ‘brainwave’ to temporarily first do a live-in care job, then a series of house-sitting jobs to have no rent or bills to worry about.

Now it is literally my job. I house and pet sit and get paid for it, alongside a couple of other little sidelines (all legal!). I do it as I love animals and like to live in the South-East but this is currently the only way I can do it whilst not having to live with other people. Happy to live with pets though- I love them so much.

You are being taken advantage of.
these people sound awful