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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sudden cancellation I'm not very pleased

204 replies

PissedOffPetSitter · 29/12/2025 22:21

I was booked for a job from 23/12 to 14/01. The guy has gone to his home country to visit family. When I went today there was someone in the house. I assumed he'd got back early and decided to contact him but I got a text from an unknown number which turned out to be his girlfriend.

She said he's not able to talk to me but has asked her to tell me to drop the keys off tomorrow because as she's there I'm not needed. I've lost £160 with this. I'm so cross.

I can't really expect him to pay. I've gone over and above with them before and I'm so annoyed.

OP posts:
Seawolves · 29/12/2025 22:22

What do your terms and conditions say about short notice cancellations?

ilovesooty · 29/12/2025 22:23

I'd bill him. I think he should pay. ETA it does depend on your T&Cs as quite rightly pointed out above though.

Original poster
PissedOffPetSitter · 29/12/2025 22:23

Seawolves · 29/12/2025 22:22

What do your terms and conditions say about short notice cancellations?

Nothing unfortunately. But in the New Year I will include this.

OP posts:
Original poster
PissedOffPetSitter · 29/12/2025 22:24

ilovesooty · 29/12/2025 22:23

I'd bill him. I think he should pay. ETA it does depend on your T&Cs as quite rightly pointed out above though.

Edited

I can't enforce it unfortunately. I'm just irritated.

OP posts:
m00rfarm · 29/12/2025 22:24

Of course he has to pay some sort of cancellation.

ThisWeekIAhBeenMostlyEatinTrifle · 29/12/2025 22:24

What does your contract say about cancellations? If you don’t have a clause about late cancellation or a change to bookings, then it’s probably time to add one, so this doesn’t happen again. Give people a minimum amount of notice they have to give you to cancel or they owe you e.g. 50% - 100% of the cost of the booking, depending how close to the date they give you notice.

vanillalattes · 29/12/2025 22:25

If you’ve not got a cancellation policy in place then you can’t charge him.

I’m a pet sitter myself and charge upfront for all sits.

ilovesooty · 29/12/2025 22:25

PissedOffPetSitter · 29/12/2025 22:24

I can't enforce it unfortunately. I'm just irritated.

Show quote history

That's a shame. I'd certainly write it into the contract going forward.

vanillalattes · 29/12/2025 22:25

m00rfarm · 29/12/2025 22:24

Of course he has to pay some sort of cancellation.

Not if he hasn’t signed a contract.

fashionqueen0123 · 29/12/2025 22:26

Has he not replied to your text?

m00rfarm · 29/12/2025 22:28

vanillalattes · 29/12/2025 22:25

Not if he hasn’t signed a contract.

Show quote history

Any normal person would expect to make some sort of payment for a job cancelled on the day that should have lasted several days. Or is this the sort of thing you would do to someone?

HeddaGarbled · 29/12/2025 22:28

I’d try and get at least some of it. Polite message along the lines of, as you have cancelled without notice, I would appreciate payment for the first 5 days.

OccasionalHope · 29/12/2025 22:29

I would want to be sure it really was authorised and not a squatter. It’s odd that he can’t speak to or message you himself.

FeeLipa · 29/12/2025 22:29

Payment in advance is the way to go. For bank hols and August I take a 50% deposit too.

Etsy have some nice T&C templates you can customise.

IkeaMeatballGravy · 29/12/2025 22:31

OccasionalHope · 29/12/2025 22:29

I would want to be sure it really was authorised and not a squatter. It’s odd that he can’t speak to or message you himself.

Yeah I would be holding onto the keys he gave you until you are able to speak with him.

VWT7 · 29/12/2025 22:31

As a former pet sitter, I would find a way of letting him know that I had actually “turned down other jobs in order to fulfil his commitment for the period”…

If he values you - and if he wants to use your services again - he might pay up.

If not you might already “be fully booked ” when he needs you at Easter…

Teado · 29/12/2025 22:31

Explain that you know you can’t enforce payment but you’re disappointed with the very short notice because this is your livelihood. He may feel guilty, and cough up. Otherwise, lesson learnt about T&C.

Original poster
PissedOffPetSitter · 29/12/2025 22:32

fashionqueen0123 · 29/12/2025 22:26

Has he not replied to your text?

I didn't text him as the girlfriend messaged me first. I haven't got a cancellation policy but this is a lesson. I did it as a "side hustle" but I'm now a full time student so it's my main source of income. Salutary lesson learned.

OP posts:
FeeLipa · 29/12/2025 22:32

Also just noticed your price seems very low. Presuming £160 brings us to the 14th. What is your rate for 24hrs?

HarbourClankCat · 29/12/2025 22:33

Just me thinking she’s murdered him?

Seriously though, your contract ( verbal or otherwise) is with him. I’d insist on a confirmation phonecall from him. This will also confirm if he is dead.

ChristmasHug · 29/12/2025 22:33

If you haven't heard from him, your client with the verbal contract, then it hasn't even been cancelled.

Maybe the gf has bumped him off and is using his phone?

Contact him again, say you need to hear from him that he no longer requires your services and that you'd appreciate x days payment for cancellation at short notice and you actually showing up that first time.

Original poster
PissedOffPetSitter · 29/12/2025 22:34

It's only a drop in to check on this occasion. It's £10.50 for one visit and £18.50 for two.

OP posts:
Bogofftosomewherehot · 29/12/2025 22:36

He would be collecting his own bloody keys off of me after that trick. I wouldn't be dropping them off to her.

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 29/12/2025 22:39

Tell him you'll return the keys upon payment. Changing the locks would be cheaper than £160 but more hassle.

I came back a week early from a trip and there was no question of not paying my cat sitter.

Lifejigsaw · 29/12/2025 22:39

what/how many animals for?