…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!!

@NellesVilla you haven't done anything wrong, it was them that reneged on the deal at almost the last minute, not you, so if they're in a pickle now they have only themselves to blame! What happened with the tradesman you mentioned?

And what would be the point of further discussion with them? This type of person, unfortunately, are unlikely to change their minds or ever question their own behaviour. Sadly, they were never really friends to you. Fair enough to block them.

Very glad to hear you are sorted with a new booking over Christmas!

@NellesVilla, Pictish isn’t the cheeky lady.

But are you the poster who was looking for a property to rent just a couple of months ago that had to meet certain needs and if you didn’t find it you were going to live in your car, with you dog, over the winter. Did you find the property or are you living in your car?

congrats on ditching these CFs and in getting another job!

I can't believe people who need you more than you need them are prepared to be so stingy around their animals.
The first comment was good. All were actually. If it's financially possible for you to cancel then I'd do so. If not insist on then paying in advance. Good luck. I'd like to know what you decide and their reply.

The OP has cancelled the cheque CF and moved on.

result

Great update.

Vulgar behaviour like theirs is rarely in isolation.

Not one bit surprised that they have form for this.

They won't have been expecting you to push back, which is what makes this all the sweeter.

I really hope this experience will propel you on to formalise your terms and conditions and value the service you provide.

I hate cf's.
You are well rid.
Glad you have a new job.

"For anyone that’s interested, I’ve secured another temp Xmas role!"

Fantastic! And I hope you're being paid properly for this one!

What a load of crap.

OP can choose herself who she wants to work with and these people had no trouble reneging on an agreement.

Putting pressure on her to lower her rate at the last minute and suggesting she should contribute towards their energy bills while looking after their pets – clearly the years of acquaintance don’t mean much to them, so there’s no reason the OP should worry about loyalty either.

They’ve tried to take advantage, they’re not friends and they’re not clients you’d want to work with either.

Well, for many people, it is normal to try to haggle a cheaper price for a product or service. The OP is within her rights to refuse to offer her service or withdraw it at any point. But it might damage her reputation. Or it might not. It won't look good to other clients/potential clients that she pulled out of a job two weeks before it was due to start, screwing over the client. The ins and outs of it won't matter. It makes her look unreliable. A risk. But hopefully she has a good, loyal client base already who trust her and won't be put off.

Well, for many people, it is normal to try to haggle a cheaper price for a product or service

Those that do haggle typically do so at the outset. They don't agree a price and then haggle down again and again, twisting the terms in their favour as the date of the service approaches.

I can understand why you blocked, but I would have had to know what Mrs Liberty-Taker's response to my email was @NellesVilla !

An acquaintance who does this for a living uses terms and conditions similar to when booking a holiday cottage: non-refundable deposit at the time of booking, balance in full 8 weeks before, payment in full at the time of booking if less than 8 weeks ahead, and no refunds for cancellations unless she then gets another booking to replace it.

Clients are clear about her terms, respect and value the service she provides, and therefore don't quibble about paying for it. While it's really obvious she does become fond of the pets and their people, she also keeps things on a professional footing. She doesn't provide day care or boarding at her home, just house and pet sitting, drop in visits for cats, dogs and other pets, and solo dog walks - she doesn't walk a group of dogs unless they are from the same household. She has as much work as she can handle and lots of repeat clients and recommendations. We don't need to use her services but definitely will if our circumstances change.

Fees are quoted individually so that she can factor in differing time and petrol costs and the demands of each job. She offers a small discount for block bookings and repeat clients. The clients vary in what they voluntarily provide on top of paying fees: from making her feel welcome to help herself to a hot drink and biscuits or lunch on drop in or dog walk visits, to Christmas cards and thank you gifts, to a fully stocked fridge, freezer, larder, chocolates and wine rack plus money for takeaways on some house and pet sits. The absolute minimum on house sits she would accept and has ever encountered is her own room, clean bedding and towels, and adequate security, cooking facilities, heating and hot water.

Good luck for the future!

Thanks all- for the kind comments and the rest!

Your friend sounds incredibly organised, professional and successful, @ItsRainingCatsAndDogsAgain.

And @MrsThimbles , no that was another poster but I do have a similar life experience I think. I have lived in my car before (out of choice to save money and to avoid living with others which wouldn’t suit me!) and I do indeed have a lovely dog now! Best little friend ever!

So do you do this all year round @NellesVilla ? Or do you have a base between jobs?
What do you do if you have no base and no sitting jobs? I know I am being nosey 😃

Ah ok. Your situation sounded very familiar. 😊

I also totally understand the blocking but would have wanted to know what Tightwad's response is!!!

Good luck with your new booking!

Agreed.

Decent people don't try to renegotiate an 11 month booking 2 weeks before the job commencement date.

Scum do.

Any decent person hearing the details would concur.

I think the OP's clients will be aware of her previous dependability, but she said there isn't any crossover.

The tale shows the dog owners up in a poor light only and any sympathy for them is misplaced.

They tried to pull a shabby fast one and it back fired on them.

They'll have to get over it.

As previously noted if this was a tradesman being stiffed, its also highly likely they would be told to get stuffed.

Its not haggling at all, which happens as a price is being agreed originally, its scummy behaviour that backfired on them.