…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!!

That's outrageous. We have a not dissimilar arrangement with our cat sitter. We would not think about it.

We pay her £15 per day - peanuts really. She's a vet nurse. She looks after the house and the spoilt cat. Her boyfriend stays. They have full use of the household - pool/gym. She doesn't have to stay over but it's better than her mum's for them and better for security for us.

Your clients are taking the tiddle.

I'd be in the dump them camp.. and double rates

@KettrickenSmiled - Exactly - OP isn't a guest.! (I obviously wasn't clear as a couple of people misunderstood me).😂

The Rich Family are treating OP as if they are doing her a favour and don't think it's unreasonable that she should make a contribution. (And I agree they might bring her a "nice gift" and think that counts as wages!).

(I'm sure many whose business is services to private individuals - tutors, au-pairs, dog walkers, music teachers, cleaners - get this sort of thing on occasion).

I would tell them that actually your costs have gone up and you need to raise your rates, not cut them. You had intended honouring your original rates for previously agreed dates because you thought clients might think it unreasonable to change rates at short notice, but since they clearly don’t feel that way you’ll take this opportunity to adjust their rate now. Your rate is now [standard rate] and you’d appreciate confirmation within 3 days or you’ll take on a wait list client to fill the spot.

(Only do this if you can afford to lose them as clients and they aren’t likely to sway other clients against you. If it might negatively impact your business, just say “No.” and in the future, charge them your standard rates.

“Hi [client], I already discounted my normal fee for you, and I’m not in a position to reduce the price further. If you’d rather cancel and use someone else or put [pets] in kennels, I would understand. Please let me know by the end of Wednesday as I’ve had requests from others to house sit over Christmas. Kind regards…”

they won’t get a kennels place at this short notice.

OP, yes you are providing a service but it is a premium service, you should charge a premium rate. They beed you more than you need them. Seriously. Stop thinking it is in any way demeaning.
Getting paid for doing a job well done. Be proud of what you are doing.

I think doing mates rates is your initial problem, and just invites this kind of thing.

Grit your teeth and charge everyone your proper rates.

Others have suggested good ways to deal with this particular situation.

OP we have a dog Walker and also an amazing kennels that we use. We value them extremely highly. We like knowing our dog is safe, happy and well cared for. The service you offer is important, don’t do yourself down. I would be tempted to cancel, can guarantee you’ll have several people desperate for you to look after their pets this Christmas.

This

"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."

Is this a joke?

I'd reply "Thanks for the message. To be honest, I was about to email you too let you know that due to the cost of living crisis, my rates have gone up by 10%. I have a several clients on a waiting for a cancellation over Xmas, so if you do not want to pay the new rate, please let me know so I can give the slot to another customer."

Lots of good advice here. Bear in mind that over this year your rates would most likely have gone up so they are getting a bargain as it is getting you on last year's rates. Its not unprofessional or unkind to be really clear on rates, even for friends.

Please OP, add to your text.

Please note my terms of payment are, in advance, in full.

Do not compromise.

OP, as many people have said, and I'm sure you realise, your clients need you far far more than you need them. You are completely in control of this situation. Good luck and you sound like a wonderful person.

Hiya, I just can’t do it for less, I turned down someone else as we had agreed this last Christmas. LOL! I’ve never heard of a house / dog sitter contributing towards bills, it’s just not the done thing?! So that’s a no. Let me know if you still need me on the agreed rate of £XX. Otherwise let me know asap if you longer need me, and I can contact my other client who is still in need of house sitter.

(if they decide to go ahead, I would crank their heating up to the highest setting, leave every light on and sit and have a hot bath every night.)

OP, when people I offer mates' rates to do this to me, I always say, 'I can't do that, but do contact X, Y & Z' who I know will charge the going rate which is double my mates' rates. they never complain after that.

But do say no and make it appear this might have put you off entirely. Kennels and house sitters will cost them way more. I'd be tempted to say no and then tell them you've been offered full rates in the interim by someone else.

It’s not just asking. It’s putting pressure on OP to accept a lower rate than that agreed and to contribute towards their bills!

Either accept her rates or accept you can’t afford the service. It also costs the OP (non-billable) time and energy handling with time-wasters and considering how to deal with them. Haggling with a sole trader on previously agreed rates (so you’ve got a bit more holiday pocket money). Yuck.

They’ve also taken care to imply that the OP is benefitting from the arrangement as some sort of holiday.

Clearly the harm in asking is that it reveals they do not value the service she is providing and do not respect the OP – and OP is now considering cancelling the arrangement. They’ll undoubtedly end up paying more at last minute. More fool them.

If it were me I would cancel and cross them off your list of clients/friends. You will easily get another gig over the Christmas period, with clients who appreciate you. Sorry you are going through this, these people are taking the p*ss.
Take care.
xxx

I'm sorry I just can't do any more of a discounted rate than agreed.
Let me know if you want to cancel, no worries.

Tell them to get fucked. When I had anyone come and sit my beautiful and dearly missed hound I treated them like kings or queens. Filled the fridge and cupboards, told them to get a couple of takeaways over the weekend on me and paid them top rate. All I wanted was an assurance they wouldn’t leave her alone for extended periods. If they value their pet they should value whoever looks after it

If I offer a discount to someone I know, I include the full price on the invoice and itemise the discount so they can see what they’re saving. People understand better that you’re doing them a favour.

If you still end up dog sitting for them I'd be tempted to whack the heating up and leave all the
Ights on 😈

Nope, nope, nope nope nope.

Greedy bastards.

Has anyone else enquired about your services over this period? One who would happily pay full rate. If so tell your “friends “ that another job has come up and as you are running a business you have decided to prioritise jobs that are paying full rate. You would happily help out in future if they are unable to find a house/pet sitter but in the current economical climate you are unable to give discounts.
Alternatively you could offer to look after their pets without the need to stay over, visiting a couple of times a day to feed and exercise their pets thereby avoiding them charging you to stay in their house.
I only do mates rates for my very close family (husband and son) and my hairdresser and plumber. I really don’t like providing a service for friends and family because they absolutely take the piss. Unfortunately they have my mobile number so I still end up being called at all hours for advice.
Your friends are awful, insensitive and absolute CFs .