…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!!

Also asking you to contribute to bills is ludicrous. So they want YOU to pay to keep their pets warm this winter? The cheek!

badbaduncle's suggestion is good. And spot on actually. They seem to think you're doing each other mutual favours.

I would cancel. Or ask them to pay the originally agreed amount in advance.

Even if they 'agree' to pay what they should, they will probably haggle and withhold payment after you've done the job.

This is a tough one. While I appreciate that this is income that has been agreed for a while, I do think everyone is having to look at efficiencies and ways they can save money while maintaining their lifestyle as far as possible.

We’ve had to reduce our cleaner’s hours given the current cost of living and I know a neighbour has asked their gardener to take a pay cut.

On a different scale, DH’s wealthy cousin rents a yacht every year for the winter and this year, they are having to run with just 2 crew members instead of 4 due to try and keep costs down.

Dogsitters over Xmas are like gold dust! Reply and tell them that due to increased demand, you actually need to increase the rates.

As the rate is so crazily reduced, could you just say that won’t work and it’s best to leave as expectations are so different?

Would you be able to find alternative work?

Whatever you do, definitely don’t further discount the rate and ask them to pay in front?

I seem to disagree with others. Maybe they are finding money a bit tight as well. I don't see any harm in asking. And I also don't see any problem in you saying, no that's not possible. I wouldn't be outraged and cancel just because they've asked.

They are awful!
Message back, Hi I've already given you a generous discount and I can't reduce my rate any further. If you could let me know by tomorrow night if you want to cancel otherwise if you would like to go ahead these are my bank details and the full payment is due on 22/11/22. I need this confirmed asap as I would like to plan my Christmas. If I don't receive payment in advance I will assume the pet sitting is cancelled.
Don't let them mess you around!

If they want to ‘look at efficiencies while maintaining their lifestyle’ they could look at a cheaper holiday for themselves, instead of screwing over the house-sitter.

As a PP said not only are you taking care of their pets but you’re also acting as valuable home security. If they’re loaded, I assume big posh house. Left empty for 3 weeks in the run up to Christmas with the cost of living and crime increasing, they would be getting their money’s worth at full rate let alone at discount rate!

3 weeks with no heating on in a house in freezing weather could also cause expensive plumbing issues too.

They may be loaded but they obviously have little sense.

I’d tell them it wasn’t feasible for you as you could find better paid work elsewhere so they should find someone else but if they can’t, you might reconsider and do it at full rate as you wouldn’t be offer to offer a discount at short notice.

Did you miss the part where they’re flying to the States, to an expensive city?

They don’t want to curb their spending on that, clearly. They just want to focus on under-paying their house-sitter.

Just tell them if they aren’t willing to pay that rate you’ll have to cancel and find a new client.

Are you serious?? Maybe, instead of stiffing someone for money they've already agreed upon, they could do cheaper holidays? Or not go away at all. That would definitely save them some, they wouldn't even need a pet sitter.

But they wouldn’t be able to ‘maintain their lifestyle’, if they did that - and that’s so much more important than paying the OP a fair rate.

🤣🤣

Tell me about it, I was just telling the housekeeper that she'll need to cut her rates or we'll be forced to self cater when we go to the chalet in Switzerland this year, this cost of living crisis is the pits.

Yes, I would definitely send this. People like them disgust me. Loads of money and still want something for nothing.

Honestly, I wonder what planet some of these people are on. Next time I have a babysitter, maybe I should ask her to pay me some money for using my heating and electric.

Let them know youve already given them a discount. Then ask them if they want to cancel so you can book yourself elsewhere. Let them know of a cancellation fee as well OP. They sound like pisstakers

I have a house/pet sitter over Christmas and she’s so worth the cost. I can enjoy my Christmas break knowing that my house is safe and my pets are happy and well looked after in their own environment. It’s certainly money well spent and I even buy her a Christmas present as I’m so happy she’s here.

If you can afford to lose them as clients I'd message back "I have considered your request. On reflection, to be able to cope with the cost of living crisis, I have no choice but to increase my rate by 20%. Please let me know if you want to proceed by the end of the week."

If you do want to keep them as clients I'd message them a more polite sorry no can do.

"I have had time to think over your offer, but thought I'd already made it clear that I was offering my services at a substantial discount given our previous relationship. I am a little surprised that you would ask, especially as I'm going to be earning a lot less than I could be given the time of year. So I am unable to offer even further discount and the fee will be that agreed originally. Please let me know if you still want to go ahead as I have several other options in reserve".

I do think it’s unreasonable expecting you to effectively pay board. However, I do think it’s fair at least asking the question if there is the possibility to make efficiencies in regard to the rate.

You're house sitting their beloved pets. That's like asking a baby sitter to contribute to the nappies and food you might use. I would absolutely not offer them anymore discount and I'd them I won't be contributing to the house hold bills. They'll be very very lucky if they can find someone at short notice now. It's always the ones that can afford it that haggle everything.

This is comedy gold. BRAVO @FriedDuck BRAVO

My SIL once said to me that her Au Pair should pay for herself when she took 4DC under 10 to watch Minions because "she was seeing the film too"
This is how these people are.