…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!!

Thanks for all your advice. It
has given me clarity, courage- trite but true.

Would love to hear the ‘other side’:

*My callous, uncaring money-grabbing pet sitter refuses to accept £15 or so per day for house-sitting and 2 x wake a day and unlimited care for my pets. She also selfishly won’t pay her contribution for utilities used whilst working for peanuts in our home. And- splutter- she wants to be paid upfront via a deposit, and excuse me, she wants a CONTRACT of guaranteed days. And if we cancel her last second because we might forget to tell her our change if plans she’ll require payment for doing nothing! The cheek! The nerve!

I’m v v v tired, hence the countless typos!!

So, how are you going to reply?

And more importantly, what are your new rates?

Please remember you are a self employed business owner who delivers a valuable service and you are needed by others.

Tell me, have you invested in your business? Your training skills, a legal contract, insurance?

Why do you want to hear these other stories?

100% cancelling but they will have to chase me.

Don't know if you are serious in this or are just blowing off steam. But if you don't want to do the job, let them know. You have a business, and in business reputation is all. You don't want them badmouthing you or posting bad reviews if you're on social media or live in a small town.

I'd hire you in an instant if you lived near me.

@Roundmywaythe ; the perspective of the person I am talking about. I can imagine her telling ‘her side’ to others- how I was all about the £125 for 7 x days work and was too money-orientated to be knocked down even further etc.

Would love to hear the ‘other side’:

My callous, uncaring money-grabbing pet sitter refuses to accept £15 or so per day for house-sitting and 2 x wake a day and unlimited care for my pets

my pet sitter is all about the money , I thought people were meant to love animals and do this job because they want to help them.. It must be lovely being out for waks with gorgeous dogs then snuggle up with cats ?

. She also selfishly won’t pay her contribution for utilities used whilst working for peanuts in our home
She'll get the exclusive run of our house , better than a hotel and all the mod cons but a tenth of the price.Bargain I'd say

. And- splutter- she wants to be paid upfront via a deposit, and excuse me, she wants a CONTRACT of guaranteed days
Our NDN and some friends have said they'd pop in 1-2 days so she can be watching telly or having a lie in

. And if we cancel her last second because we might forget to tell her our change if plans she’ll require payment for doing nothing! The cheek! The nerve !

She must know how busy we are , we neeed this holiday . So inflexible of her . If she's just sat in the house then why should we pay her for not looking after the dogs? Using our heat which let me tell you is a small fortune to heat our amazing house

Is how they'd reply

I wouldn't give this any credence, other than just nodding and moving onto the next topic, if they were telling me 'their side'. I know how hard it is to get a pet sitter at that time of year and how most of them charge premium rates at that time of year. Anyone who knows about pet sitting will know your client was lucky to get anyone at all.

How have you left if? Did you text them back and say no thanks? Sorry I’m also tired and not reading well.

I agree with everyone else. They are cheeky fuckers!

Have you let them know you aren't doing it, if you can't come to an agreement? It would be a mistake to just not tell them, let them chase you, expect you, and then not turn up. That would be a huge business mistake. All I'd need to see is one review where you weren't reliable and that would be enough for me not to trust a service. You at least have a good explanation if they leave you a bad review over not being able to agree payment terms.

No way! You have all the bargaining power here. It wouldn't just be a question of finding someone who was willing to provide the service in your place - they'd have to trust that person enough to leave with their (presumably expensive) house and belongings for three weeks. There is no way they can achieve that in the time available!

Eh?

This is no way to run a business, OP.

Set your rates, stick to them, and stop imagining people talking about you - that's going down crazy street.

People are more likely to be wondering how you make any money when you're busy giving mates rates to all and sundry.

Of course you're money-oriented, you've got a business to run and a living to make. Are you really cut out for this?

If you are going to cancel the sitting then yes let them know asap and draw a line under it .
They most likely see you as a family friend as you were their nanny years ago so feel they can take liberties .

@sueelleker I can honestly say THAT never occurred to me or my parents.

Teens/young adults are often taken advantage of by people when in part time jobs.

OP, accepting £150 is truly pittance.

Its hard to believe you would accept so little.

Kennels can be eye watering amounts especially for several weeks and some animals do not cope so a housesitter is a fantastic luxury.

You really need to firm up your business plan, rates, conditions, payment in advance, retainers etc.

These people are losing you money.
Cut them loose.

This. Any game playing is only going to backfire on your business. Best case scenario is you get through this without burning your bridges, they continue to recommend your excellent services to their friends, and when they ring to book you in future you can just be "busy" if you like. Don't risk looking flaky with an existing booking, however tempting it is. Ask them to confirm by a given date, and fulfil the booking if they do so, but after that you don't have to accept any more bookings from them.

Basically treat this as business and remind yourself it's not personal. They probably try this with everything they buy.

OP, accepting £150 is truly pittance. Its hard to believe you would accept so little.

OP seems embarrassed to be running a business. And has such a low opinion of herself that she thinks she's only worth that pittance.

You need to do some work on your self esteem, OP.

Well don't go to the States while stiffing the person looking after your pets

Think you may have been missing the humour in FriedDuck’s post!

They are idiots if they think they can get a house and let sitter cheaper!
Agree with others ita not worth the stress simply reply sorry this doesn't work for me. Your not going to have difficulty finding work over the festive period

Idk which part of the country you live op, but if £150 is half, £300 is therefore full price. That’s still far far less than the average pet sitter, less than dog boarding in people’s homes and more like the price of kennels for 2 dogs.

So basically the client wanted to pay you £125, expected a contribution to bills - say £50 - and not pay you for days, when the neighbour could do the dogs. Sounds more like she is trying to negotiate the job for free! Ie the neighbour does it for free, why not you?!

A pet sitter is a responsible job and the money paid should reflect this. They are house sitting as well as looking after the pets and will need to tend to any issue with either. Please stop selling yourself short.

Who cares though? You’re not in this for “exposure.” Exposure does not pay for food, cover bills, etc. It doesn’t matter what they say. At Christmas you can probably charge what you want, get a deposit and get a really good review from a client who genuinely values your services and doesn’t treat you like shit. You don’t NEED this kind of crap.

Simply put

Omg.....you seriously only charge £150 per week for live in dog walker!!!!!!

Do you know what other people charge....you need to increase your prices. Take a look at what the kennel/cattery fees would be for 3 weeks.....and you offer a far superior service. They are taking you for a mug.

Lots of good advice on here @NellesVilla and I hope it has been useful.

What have you decided to do about this situation?

Please at least tell them you've decided to cancel, OP.