Sudden cancellation I'm not very pleased

[PissedOffPetSitter]

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.

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

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

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

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

Of course he has to pay some sort of cancellation.

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.

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.

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

Not if he hasn’t signed a contract.

Has he not replied to your text?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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…

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

what/how many animals for?