To ask for a deposit for babysitting job

[Royalfamilyweirdness]

Would this be weird?
I live abroad in a tourist area, i’m
a teacher but do babysitting on the side as the pay is good. I end up having a lot of enquiries from May-September.
A family have asked me to babysit for most of a weekend in summer at their hotel, whilst they attend a family event. The money is very good and it’s quite a commitment as I have a young dc and get lots of jobs around the time they come.
In the past I’ve had enquiries that have fallen through and have turned down other jobs and lost out on a fair amount of money,
Would it be unreasonable to ask for a 50% deposit up front? How could this work?

Complete fair enough to ask for a deposit.

The problem is they may well just go for someone that doesn't require a deposit.

A deposit is definitely fair I hope they do pay up.

I can’t see why not, if they were booking an activity or kids club in advance they’d pay up front. If I were them I’d just want some assurance that I’d get a refund if you cancelled

Thank you, so how would it work? (Never asked before!)
They pay the deposit and if they cancel before for any reason? Or if I do (I won’t)

Are there any Escrow companies you could use?

See, whilst I think it's fair that you would want to ask for a deposit, I wouldn't book you if you did. You're an individual abroad, I don't know you from Adam, you could take my money and not show up and I've have no redress.

Just say something like, ‘Yes, I have availability on those dates. The rate is xxx and 50% of the fee should be paid in advance to secure the booking. The other 50% is to be paid at the end of the contract. If you wish to proceed my bank details are:

xxxxxxx’

She’s a qualified teacher though, not some 14 year old from round the corner.

Is the deposit so you turn down other jobs or to ensure that they pay?

She is, and I'm sure she's got no intention to scam people. But she's a stranger, she's not doing babysitting through her school, she's not employed by an agency, you can't pay her by credit card. In fact, it would be easier to get your money back from the 14 y/o round the corner, at least you'd be able to knock on their door.

@RandomMess So that I don’t turn down other jobs and then they cancel and I’m left with nothing when I could have made a good amount.

This Is perfect. Do this.

If they do put a deposit down then cancel, what happens?
If I was ill etc, I then return the deposit to them? Sorry to sound thick! Not used to this

@Wakeywake Yes it’s a fair point, there is a lot of trust involved, not sure if I’d do it either 🤔
Sne has lots of my details and we’re now communicating via Fb, so she can see I’m a normal person and my family life etc

May be a stranger but they're obviously happy to have her baby sit their child for an entire weekend.
I would explain, under the circumstances, about your reasons for asking for a deposit.

You could always offer a cancellation policy on deposit paid - something along the lines of

30 days before event = 100%
15 days before event = 50%
Less than 15 days = 0%

It's up to you but the point of a deposit is so you don't lose money. So if they cancel you keep the deposit
You can set some leeway so when you ask for the deposit you could say
The deposit will be refunded in full if you cancel 4 weeks or more before hand. Or refund half the deposit if they cancel with 2 weeks to go.
It depends how long before you normally get your bookings I suppose.
Obviously if you cancel you refund in full.

I think a 50% deposit sounds high. You only need a token amount for them to show a commitment.

I would definitely explain your reasons and make clear that it's a general policy you have (rather than specific to this family).

How did she find you to book you? I think asking for a deposit is fair, but if it’s not booked through a company or something and she’s just found you on Facebook there’s no way I’d send money to a random babysitter in a different country without it being through a company.

Can you do a contract which they and you sign, you give them a copy and detail your cancellation charges as @AhhhThereWeAreThen suggests?

there’s no way I’d send money to a random babysitter in a different country without it being through a company

This! Not a chance would I pay money to some randomer on Facebook! Mind you, I wouldn't be hiring a randomer on Facebook to look after my children either!

Why not write up some terms and conditions? Like if they cancel the booking with only ** amount of notice, they need to pay a percentage of the fee still.

You can’t charge upfront, there are no upfront costs for you.

Would it be better to register yourself with a formal babysitting service such as sitters.co.uk (this is just an example, not an ad by the way)

This is perfect, I run a pre-booked taxi company and we operate on a similar policy although shorter timescales as it's easier to re-book. However if someone cancels on the day we charge 100% as I still have to pay my drivers.

If you were registered as business (or however it is worded where you are ie sole trader? etc.) and it was all legitimate and the deposit was going into a business account sure

Into an account in the name of Jane Bloggs no I would not pay it

I do get why you are asking for it, but see it from their point too

Lots of sole traders don't have business accounts though - they're not a requirement and are just an unnecessary expense.

I'm a sole trader and run my own business but clients pay me into my personal account because it's the only one I have. I also pay the window cleaner etc. into their personal account too.