To think this is a ridiculous price?

[VibesCurator]

First time getting a housesitter for my 2 dogs as a family member who used to watch them moved away. I got quoted £40 total per day by a sitter, AIBU for thinking this is ridiculous?

I'm not boarding them, the sitter would be staying in my house using my gas and electric. I have replied to them as much, but now that I am looking around at more sitters, it seems like an average price. How much does everyone else pay?

It's more about them being tied to your house and they are unavailable to do any other paid work during that time.

She's certainly calling you a tightarse.

If the cap fits....

That's a good response from her. She's saying it's as it is.

I think you are getting a good deal.

I am in NE Scotland, so not the costliest part of the world, but I would expect to pay more than that for a kennel for 2 dogs, with very short periods on enrichment.

£40 per day in my home, I would be biting her hand off, plus filling the freezer with her favourite foods.

Seems like you don’t value her time, or your own dogs comfort.

More likely calling you tight.
How much would kennels charge for your two dogs?
I would much rather pay a dog sitter to care for my dogs in their home where they are comfortable and secure plus less likely to be burgled.
£280 pw isn’t a lot even if it’s a great job.

Thats cheap, sitting in someone else's house isn't a treat or a perk, they're away from where they live or want to be as they are working. It's a job. Needs to be paid accordingly.

No she’s saying you’re an asshole who doesn’t value other people’s time and expertise.

To the person who loves their own dogs that is a treat, but it's not enough of a perk to do for pennies. This is quite a common theme with pet owners who adore their pets, my brother was the same when he had someone watch his dogs, he thought more people would want to do it for free or for a small token amount because to him his ideal day is to cuddle up to his dogs etc.

At the end of the day it's someone who has to be away from their own home and routine, being at someone else's house on duty essentially plus dog walking. Otherwise if they didn't need to be in the bouse you could pay less to have someone pop in and walk them? But if you feel they need the company then yes that company should be paid and £40 is very reasonable.

Bloody hell I pay that for my one small dog to go to the dog sitters house overnight.

You are paying for time and trust.

I am assuming this is rage bait at this point.

Seriously, what did you expect. You pushed back on what was a reasonable price. It amazing how people who need a service undervalue other people's time.

It's unbelievable that you would expect someone to look after your dogs for 24 hours for £20. It's funny how some people go on about how dogs are part of the family but resent paying more than £20 a day to care for them.

You even talk about them using your gas and electric as if it's some sort of perk.

You are approaching this like you are doing them a favour with them using your utilities and cuddling your animals. But they have their own life and food to buy!

Agree with this. We pay more - but she has a DBS, dog first aid training, insurance (that covers negligence in the house, the car of the dog in case of accident injury etc). You can pay £40 for 5 hour evening of baby sitting where I am, but being responsible for a pet (or two in my case) and the house itself for 24hours - £40 a day is a bargain. It’s £1.66/hour. We pay about £65/day for live in dog sitting. Still a bargain to know the dogs are loved, have company and that we haven’t been burgled/had a leak/or the house burnt down while away.

You’re paying for their time. You don’t get your salary docked when you have nothing in particular to do, if you’re present in the office or wherever, then you are paid.

If you only want to pay for a walk or feeding the dog and she can go home in between then arrange with someone and just pay for specific tasks and they don’t stay in your house. Why have you called them a house sitter if you don't want to pay them for sitting in your house?

I was paid £20 a time to look after someone's dog - for a couple of hours and in my own home! £40 for an entire day is a steal.

No, she's politely calling you cheap and very reasonably replying to your message.
You'd better either put your hand in your pocket or cancel your plans.
Would you work for £40 per day? Just because you don't consider it hard work, tough. That's her job/business and she needs to pay her bills because even if she is using your gas and electricity she will still have bills to pay on her own home. I work away a lot so use the hotels gas and electricity - My mortgage company and all the services don't tell me I don't have to pay because I was not in my own home.
I pay £70 for one dog and I'm glad to have the care that offers because it means I know my dog is safe and happy.

And feeding them, and playing with them, and taking responsibility for them. I assume you expect them to do something about it if the dog gets ill or has an accident?

Your complaint about her prices told her you do not value the time and responsibility her job requires so I don't think you're in a position to take offence.

I don't think she's calling you broke. Cheapskate or cheeky fucker seems more likely.

That’s a whole hour of their time plus travel they could be doing any other job.

You remind me of my sibling as a child, who didn’t think that our mum’s work as a childminder was any work at all.

This is an amazing response🤣🤣 she is calling you cheap and broke.Because you are

No she's calling you a cheapskate.

No, unrealistic and tight, not broke.

I think this is cheap - you sound entitled.

If you'd expect to pay £15-18 for a one off dog walk, how can you expect to pay less than £40 a day to have someone live in your home all day with your dogs? (which presumably includes at least one walk a day)

£40 a day is a good rate for that.

This

I pay £50 per 24 hours for one dog. Would be thrilled with £40.

Yes she only takes the dog for a 60 minute walk, feeds the dog twice, plays with him, lets him out for toilet breaks every few hours. Probably 3 hours work max in 24 hours - but at £50 that’s £16ph. A fair price. But also she looks after my house while I’m away which is a deterrent for burglars - the lights go on and curtains closed every evening, car on and off the drive etc. Also she is giving up her life and comforts at her own home and time away from her partner. Worth every penny.