I KNOW this in none of my business but is this reasonable?

[momtoboys]

Friends of our family went abroad for 14 days and asked one of my sons (young adult) to watch their 2 large dogs for themwhile they were gone. He took care of them at our house - waked them twice a day, played with them in the garden, fed them, cleaned up after them and treated one for the last week for a would caused by allergies. They had told him they would pay him for the service but no amount was discussed (mistake #1). They returned and gave my son an envelope with $125 (US). $125 for room and board for two weeks in my opinion is a cheeky amount to pay. If they had to board them in our area it would have been well over $1,000 (not that I think that they should have paid my son that much!).

Is this an unreasonable amount?

AIBU - It is a reasonable amount
YANBU - this was not enough compensation for the services rendered

Putting on my flak vest!

Use this as a learning experience.

He needs to put a realistic value against his time.

Get your son to look at professional dog minding contract templates (bound to be something like that online for him to review) and if he's asked again, whip out one of these contracts, printed off ready for use. Have a fixed daily rate, a rate for a mid-week use and for a full week clearly visible. If they want his services again (if anyone does), they pay his rates for his time.

YABU only because it wasn't agreed in advance. My niece looks after my dogs when I go away and I only cover food and drink for her, and a bit extra because she LOVES having a house to herself and her boyfriend comes and they have the whole place to themselves and play house. (she is 19). That works for us and obviously I would pay alot more for a house sitter. It's possible the neighbours thought it was something like that. Or probably more likley they are CFs. Either way too late now. A good lesson for your son to learn. Talking money is quite uncomfortable but people will take advantage sometimes and now he knows!

Depends on the relationship. I've watched my friends/family friends pets for free as a favour to a friend. They squally bring a bottle of wine as a thank you.

I'd take this as a lesson learned. Next time set the price and then they can decide to take it or leave it. I think there might be very different expectation. A family friend doing a favour and getting a bit of pocket money vs. They're boarding their dogs at our house and need to pay the going rate.

Why was no amount discussed beforehand?

That’s very different.
I used to look after a family member’s house and garden and pet during school summer holidays as the location is so lovely ( near Richmond Park)
We’d go to Museums & explore London by day and do lovely walks in park in evenings

Ds House sat old boss’s house for free and did cat / chicken sitting and gardening as again a beautiful location.

More likely just CFs.
OP’s son brought the dogs to OP’s house so there were no other overheads for the friends to consider.

Actually I am not sure. From the OPs update they were actually on holiday with said couple while the son looked after the dogs, husband and couples husband close, they like the couple etc. I think it is actually possible this was a misunderstanding, and that when they said they would pay him it was always meant to be a gesture. In any case, the OP has made her peace with it and the son has learnt a lesson.

For two weeks I would expect to pay someone (ie not professional company) probably around £250, although I think this clearly needs to be discussed and agreed before hand.

Private companies with all the insurances etc probably just over double that.

A young 23yr old probably more than $125 (I think that’s about £95), although not bad, looking after two dogs for two weeks a bit wide off the mark.

Lesson learnt for the future !

I totally agree it’s stingy. I think what’s happened is that the couple have got it into their heads that your son wanted to take the dogs - for fun - and that they’re giving him a little gift (even if mentioned previously) on top. The amount isn’t any real form of payment, but generous if a gift.