…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!!

She’s already given them a discount.

’Efficiencies’ have already been made.

So, what - you think they can just keep asking and asking and asking - because it’s ‘fair’ to ask?

Thanks for all the replies; most of which are incredibly helpful. I think I am a bit of a mug and need more self-respect.

Over the years I’ve given so many discounts on services my little businesses have offered- almost as if I’m embarrassed to accept payment for work.

When it comes to pets I adore (and working for friends) I find it agonizing to set rates and accept money. Probably a big reason I still don’t have my own house!

I also think that many of my clients have not realised/cared that house and pet-sitting is a service. I love doing it and caring for their amazing pets, but they seem to think I’m privileged to do it. Well, it’s my income!

I'm so sorry they have done this, and completely lost your respect. As you cannot trust them, I would also ask for the agreed amount in advance prior to commencing the job, and never work for them again.

"Thank you for raising the issue of pricing. As you elude to in you message, the cost of living has increased significantly and as a result I have had to raise my pricing by 50%, payable upfront. I understand if you would prefer to cancel your booking do please confirm by X date as I have another family on the waiting list during your booking period."

THIS ^^^

So the poor gardner has to take a pay cut to fund the owners lifestyle. Nice.Capitalism explained really well here.
Screw efficiencies of yacht owners. What if there was an emergency and you needed more staff? Theyll probably sill expect the poor 2 staff to work like dogs I bet

@badbaduncle Oh my days, that's ridiculous but sadly doesn't surprise me.

My old boss was a multi millionaire but haggled over literally every single thing. He'd cut corners in favour of having something done cheaply, even if it meant having it done twice! 🤬

Absolutely shocking! If you end up cancelling DM me I know about 3 family friends who are desperately looking for house and pet sitters for 4-5 weeks who have beautiful homes and lovely older pets here in London who are happy to pay market rates for an amazing, caring, responsible and referenced person and everyone is booked! (Also the people I know aren’t complete ass hats like these cheeky FRS!!)

Finding someone trustworthy to housesit and/or pets it can be incredibly difficult.I have recently been fortunate enough to have had a really wonderful woman referred to me by a friend: I agreed to pay her the price she charges, and I agreed to pay her upfront as she requested.

I really think you need to say to these people – as others have suggested – no, that will not be possible. You need to cover your expenses: you need to start realising the value of your service. What will these people do, if you decline their offer? Will they be able to find someone else at short notice, who they can trust? Probably not. They are really relying on your good nature… Chances are they know the sort of person you are, and think that they can manipulate you into accepting less money. I think that you need to start telling people that you need the money upfront: that way, they cannot return from their holiday and basically tell you that they will be paying you less than originally agreed.

I don't know where in the country you live, but where I am, good pet sitting services are in huge demand. you don't need to get into an argument, you don't need to confront them. Just tell them, No: this is what I charge for my service, and it is non-negotiable.

The cost of living is rising… Most services are increasing their prices. Call their bluff, refuse to work for less than what you would usually charge. Good luck!

As an atheist, I still think there are many phrases in the bible that ring true for me. Not least of which is that a labourer is worthy of his wages.

unless you are in need of the money, I would cancel your arrangements, no discussion, no negotiation. In other words, drop them in it

How about

’ It is such a relief that you have raised the matter of renegotiating fees as mine have increased and I didn’t know how to broach the subject with you as I thought our deal was set in stone and I didn’t want to go back on that. My new fees are £x and I also now need to ask for payment in advance’

We have a dog sitter who works from her home.
When we drop off our ddog we always pay in advance and always add a bit extra because we know ddog is happy there.

They are taking advantage of your goodwill. They are not doing you a favour, you are providing a service at a good deal cheaper than the market rate. Agree with PP's and call them out on it and tell them you cannot drop the rate any lower or contribute to bills as that is the nature of the service, if problematic, they can find an alternative.

And do yourself a favour and increase your rates next time you sit for them. If they were willing to take advantage of your good nature, they aren't very deserving of mates rates.

I'd agree to the reduction, but the day before they're due to leave, I'd double your normal price.

It's fine for them to try it on, it's fine for you to firmly say no. Without excess explanation.

Eh?

OP isn't a GUEST.

If you work indoors for an employer, do you expect to contribute to workplace heating costs @oldbrownjug?

I certainly wouldn't blame most people, even if they look quite well off (often there's a huge mortgage or other expenses that you don't know about), for being "tight" at this point in the proceedings!

They are quite CF-ish but in many cultures haggling and rehaggling is just par for the course.

We were friends with a very wealthy couple who were always on the cadge to 'borrow' things, rather than buy their own. The straw that broke the camel's back was asking to borrow my bike for 150 mile sponsored ride. Didn't contact them again after that, absolutely ridiculous.

Completely and utterly unreasonable. I would say if you can find a better paying booking over Xmas and New Year I would take it and let them pay full whack for someone else.

I also think that many of my clients have not realised/cared that house and pet-sitting is a service. I love doing it and caring for their amazing pets, but they seem to think I’m privileged to do it.

This is often the case when it comes to pets, and industry which takes advantage of people. Horse riding is very similar, using young horse mad girls as cheap labour. But when you think about what they paid for the pet and the money spent on their upkeep, why should you be the one to cut back? Do they ask the vet or groomer for a discount as well?

All this shows how Truss's trickle down economics would never work 😏

Please upate us when you've told them that they've already had a discount. Let us know how it turns out. Cheeky sods.

Wow!!!

similar to others I’d be “That won’t be possible. Please let me know as soon as possible if you want to cancel”

Out of very nosy, anonymously on the internet - how much IS the agreed price?

I agree @LadyMarmaladeAtkins. I think most people are trying to find efficiency savings where they can, while trying to preserve their overall quality of life.

People who appear ‘well off’ often have costs that are commensurate, which are all going up at the moment.

In our case, for example, we would usually have a bottle of champagne on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New year’s day. This year, I would expect us to have a good cremant or cava instead on at least one of those occasions. Equally, it’s looking like we’re only going to offer 2 starter options for guests on Christmas Day rather than 3 and won’t be serving caviar.

Everyone is looking to make savings and trim costs where possible within their lifestyles.

They are actually insulting you at this point OP. I would tell them to do one.

They are taking the piss from your good nature OP.

Wow. The audacity