…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!!

They seem to be under the impression they're doing you a favour letting you spend Christmas in their house, I would make it clear you are offended and cancel. If they grovelled I might do it for payment in full up front.

How do your rates compare to others? I would guess you can be confident that it would cost them more elsewhere and that they are just trying to rip you off. Last summer, we paid £50/day to a pet sitter who came to stay at our house to look after our one dog. No extra charges for travel costs; no requests to stock the house with food.

We tried to offer the same rate to a teen relative, but he wasn't free - our view being that that was what it cost and if we could help out family, we could.

Do not discount further. It sets a precedent. Cancel and readvertise if you maintain a social media presence / website with your availability to sit.

If you have decided not to go ahead given the length of time this has been arranged and how late they have left it to ‘re-negotiate’ I personally would not be quick with my response, let them chase you for a response, then say that isnt acceptable and since they are changing the terms you won’t be going ahead.

You owe them nothing. If their cheapness increases the inconvenience to them they may think twice before they do this to another low earner that provides a service to them.

Good points, @Moonatics

For my dog's 11 years, I have mostly employed a young woman to live in. It started when she was about 20 and she's past 30 now, with a master's degree, but still thankfully will stay with him. (I'm using the other sitters next month because she's on holiday too.)

When she is expected I clean the guest room to perfection, use the best sheets, have pillows that are reserved just for her, make sure there is a phone charger and light at the bedside. Stock up on every type of nice food and treat I can think of, leave her a voucher for a pizza delivery if I manage to get out and buy one, lay a fire in the fireplace in case she wants a cozy evening.

I put out reminders of the WiFi and Netflix passwords, lay out nice towels, a fresh cake of soap, and other spa toiletries for her, scrub the kitchen and bathroom to gleaming and otherwise do what I can to make it pleasant and nice for her to be here. That is on top of paying her 80 a night, and always sending vouchers to her for Christmas and her August birthday.

Her availability enables me to travel and to stay with a relative who has cancer and needs my help periodically. I can't imagine treating her like anything other than royalty. Her fee is set by me; she asked for 40. I doubled it because she is invaluable. Once i was delayed due to a canceled flight; she'd headed home because we thought I'd be arriving within a couple of hours -- and she drove back through a raging snowstorm to my place without even being asked. You can't put a price on that.

People are desperate for reliable pet sitters, OP. Value yourself highly.

I think this is the sort of tone you should be striking. Unapologetic, assertive, professional - and taking no shit.

You are your own worst enemy. You mentioned "mates’ rate discount" and "working for friends". They are not your friends. They are a client, an ex-employer - they are NOT friends.

And definitely ask for payment up-front. They are absolutely, definitely going to try to stiff you on their return.

Cheeky sods! Tell them to piss off and wish them good luck finding a replacement at this late stage!

Cheeky sods tell them it’s the agreed rate and no you will not be contributing for bills and if that’s not acceptable then they had better find someone else . Cheeky sods .

Omg OP

Words fail me - some people are just such c*#ts and why ??!! They are clearly loaded

so fucking selfish …

I almost didn’t write anything because I was so I was so overwhelmed with the sheer nastiness of their behaviour.

ffs 🙃

Cancelling the holiday would be a big hardship but getting more cost-effective provision for pet setting less so.

Well, yes - it would be ‘less so’ because it 100% impacts someone else!

You jumped the 🦈 with the ‘no cavier for Christmas’, though.

Hi friend thanks for the message - it reminded me that I needed to get in touch with you as due to current cost of living increases my fees have gone up by 30%. Please let me know if you want to proceed on our previously agreed rates as I can take on an other engagement at this higher rate if not. Also please send me the fee for the sit period by (1week before) or I will assume you are cancelling.

People are desperate for reliable pet sitters, OP. Value yourself highly

This, every time, this
We cant say it enough. If we care about our pets, we will pay.

Granted I'm not as thorough as zelda here as it's my son. But I guarantee if it was someone else who was professional, needing to stay in my house, looking after my beloved cat I would do the same as zelda.
Without my pet sitter I could never go anywhere, I value my dog walkers the exact same. I'm currently mulling over which present to buy my dog walkers and I bet I end up with all the presents for them, as well as paying £25 a walk.
I don't ever grumble at the cost, because without them I could not have my dogs.

You do a valuable service, charge accordingly.

Exaclty, @Moonatics

I am not rolling in money and am quite frugal in most areas but the one place I won't skimp is pet care. Firstly because it's my responsbility to do my best for him, and I want him to be safe & happy, and secondly because having trustworthy pet sitting greatly affects my quality of life.

OP, your clients are assholes, loons and grifters. In your shoes I would cancel or at least use the scripts that people have suggested here to offer them the time at full rates, paid in advance, or the opportunity to "cancel without a fee." If you need the funds, you can advertise yourself and no doubt get a better class of client.

Btw put your business cards or promo materials with area veterinaries; mine has a little display area at reception with the contact info for pet sitters they recommend.

You don't get rich by spending it!

Tell them that doesn't work for you but you wish them good luck in finding a new sitter. You don't want to be involved with these people. I mean it.

I pay through an agency for a particular woman to pet sit my dog. In addition I leave a substantial tip just for her to say thank you. She has a lovely house and room all set up for her and I beg her to eat/drink anything (she never does). She is worth her weight in gold to me because my old dog is worth so much to me and he isn't stressed while she is here. Asking someone to pay for bills is just ... words fail me. cheekiest fuckers of all.

You're lucky she didn't ring you while they were away, banking on the fact you couldn't leave the child/children!

Wow, @ZeldaWillTellYourFortune , where do I find an employer like you?!

FWIW, I charge them £150 per week. For this, I provide 2 x excellent countryside walks per day, lots of cuddles and attention and even some training and grooming thrown in. I treat all dogs and cats like other people treat babies (I’m nd, have mild mh issues and can’t cope with babies and children screaming, but adore animals).

100% cancelling but they will have to chase me. They say they have ‘other mates/family’ who would be happy to do it, so perhaps they can take the piss out of other people from now on!

Im nosy OP. I'm curious about your original rate, and the discounted rate you give them, and if your eyes are like saucers (as mine are) by how much some people on this thread pay their pet-sitters - and everyone agrees they are worth every penny. I hope these amounts have given you a bit of incentive to really value yourself and your skills and services.

My vote would be not to do this for them, but to advertise your services (or contact the poster on this thread in London). End 2022 on a high note for yourself, and make 2023 the year you stop undervaluing and undercharging.

I think you'll never get over these CFs trying to exploit you. Trying to get you to pay their heating bills while they live it up in the US. It's unconscionable and I think you know that. It shows what they think of you, how much they (don't) respect you.

Please tell them no over text, and why. You've had lots of models on here. I would say something like this:

"Dear X, Thanks for your call. I was a bit shocked to be honest. I already give you a steep discount over the going rate because of our history. Asking me to reduce my rates further and contribute to your bills (which is never done in house and pet sitting) given how long ago you booked this job, well it means I think it is best it we cancel. As you'll find out now, pet sitters are in demand over Christmas, and me finding a different job will mean I can get paid properly and you'll learn why I'm not willing to undervalue what I do any more. I'm sorry it's come to this. I've thought about it extensively since your call, taken advice from a range of people, and we all pretty much agree this wasn't a reasonable ask"

Please update us on what you say and what they reply. I've been keeping my fingers crossed reading every post that you won't be the kind of OP who says "I'm undervaluing myself aren't I?" Everyone writes back "Yes, stop it" OP: "next time I will for now I just compromised like this..."

Unbelievable C-Fery! You need to call their bluff - politely - some good suggestions from pps. They’ll have a job to find anyone else at whatever price.

Brilliant, good for you OP, let them sweat.

And how shitty, @billy1966 - so many cheapskates out there. I had similar as a youngster too oddly; was due to look after 3 x kids plus pets when the parents went away for a week (1 x kid with special needs which I was not experienced in).

Anyway, I asked for £400 for 7 x days and nights, heard nothing until the day before when the dad called and said he was able to pay me £250, as he was broke. Non-negotiable.

Then, as I used my car so much, I send him a bill for £25 for petrol as the £100 kitty that’d been left had to pay for cinema tickets, soft play, parking and petrol- that I had top up. It took about 2 x months to get the £25 off them.

So for my last recent holiday of ten days I paid my son (who would do it for nothing £350 plus I left £60 for takeaways and treats for him and drinks tea coffee etc, And all he had to do was spend a couple hours with my cat, feed him and empty/refill his litter tray if needed. Further, if my son couldn't do this I would have done even more for an actual in home professional cat sitter. And paid more if needed. My cat is my treasure.
I cannot stress enough. Value your time.

If people dont value their pets then you dont work for them. You are charging too little even for mates rates.

Quite frankly, I am tempted when this woman contacts me to say nothing, but instead direct her to this thread. I think this thread more succinctly explains my position.

How exactly was it left in the phone call then @NellesVilla ? They must think you're at least thinking about it... Is there a chance they think it's sorted as you may have been too taken aback to say much at the time?

I think by saying nothing you're risking creating more drama and a big misunderstanding. Absolutely fair enough to pull out, but you should tell them as much.