To think neighbours are being CF?

[LuckyBanana]

For the last few years my DD 19 has been looking after our neighbours pets when they go on holiday (couple of times per year) she is happy to do this as loves animals and it gives her some extra cash. She has been looking after the pets for the last couple of weeks while they are away and she recieved a message a couple of days ago to say they can't pay her until they get paid at the end of the month. This is the 2nd time this has happened, the last time they couldn't pay her for a number of weeks, and then only did so after I sent a message giving a gentle nudge. Am I right to feel annoyed by this and think they are being CF? DD is a gentle soul and I feel they are taking advantage of her good nature.

As long as they pay her it’s fine, but they should all discuss payment date when it’s agreed.

YANBU

If I were her I'd ask for half the money upfront, or start refusing to do it.

They are indeed CFs. I’d be asking for payment in advance from now, that’s what they’d need to do if they used a cattery or kennels. If they refuse I’d stop doing it.

Get advance payment from now on. I don't know any person who minds a pet without payment first.

If they’ve got money for a holiday - then they’ve got money for a pet sitter. They are taking advantage of your DD kind nature. CFs.

It sounds a bit rich if they’re going on holiday and can’t budget a few quid for DD!
I agree with PPs - money up front in future.

If there's one I can't stand is people who don't pay up!
They knew for as long as they had the holiday booked that they needed to pay a pet sitter. Your daughter is not their priority... it seems.

Tell her to get half upfront, half on completion.

Tight arses!

Thankyou all for your responses, I'm going to show DD and hopefully it will give her the confidence to be assertive with them the next time she's asked x

OP, thank you for understanding that your DD is technically an adult and allowing her to figure this out for herself! So many DCs are completely mollycoddled these days and not given the opportunity to learn how to stick up for themselves. She’ll be just grand.

your DD is 19! how does she feel? i assume the neighbours messaged her and not you?

at the end of the day, are you going to force them to pay up the minute they get home? if you are so bothered about your poor little DD missing out, you pay her and then collect the money off the neighbour when they get home.

let your daughter decided if she wants to pet sit again

They're taking advantage of her. When we had a dog setting aside money for kennels on the day we came back was seen as part of the expenses of the holiday. She needs to let them know this is expected or it will change to pay before you go.

AFAIC, dog care is part of the holiday costs, a considerable part! I wouldn’t turn up to pick up mine without money to pay the boarding kennels! CF.

I always pay my petsitter upfront. Your neighbours should include this as part of the holiday budget- cheeky fuckers!

Unless arranged before they left, payment should be on their return. If they need longer this should have been discussed before the sitting. It's not up to them to spend the payment without prior agreement from your DD.

If they’re not home yet - I’d suggest she replies saying she needs the money for x or y and no she can’t wait. If they can’t guarantee it immediately then they can come collect the pets.

if they can afford a holiday they are taking the piss out of a teenager.

Maybe they should use a formal pet sitting service next time. It will probably be several times the cost and payment in advance.

Thanks for your response. Yes DD is 19, however possibly ND and does not like confrontation. All arrangements made via DD, I don't get involved as she is an adult after all. I was merely asking for opinions as to whether I was right to think she is being taken advantage of, or if this is normal so I can give her the best advice going forward. I'm not going to be demanding anything on their return, they have said the end of the month and I'm going to let DD handle the situation, with more confidence now she has seen the responses from this post.

Yes that is cheeky, I would advise her to ask for money up front next time, or off to kennels they go where they would get short shrift from the owners no doubt if they tried it on with them.

I always pay my pet sitter up front & sometimes bring her a present back too, because she’s amazing with my cats & I want her to feel appreciated.

If they value their pets they should value your DD’s care for them.