quick...need advice!

[woahthere]

I issued my invoices at the beginning of the month as per usual. One of my Mums had a late payment charge of 14 pounds...the reason being that I charge 10 pound if not paid within a week and then 2 pound for every day thereafter. This is from last month so hte charge goes on this month. She is not happy. The situation was that I got my invoice out on the 30th Septemebr to her, she then came back to me at the beginning of the month and requested a change to hours which I accomodated. I then revised the invoice and then she asked me to change it again, which I did on the very same day, by this time it was the 7th October. I asked her to pay immediately. She didnt , I then told her by text the next day she needed to pay to avoid late payment fee, and she didnt until the 10th. She thinks its not fair because she didnt get revised invoice until 7th. I think shes taking the piss because she should have sorted out what she wanted way before then. I give them a week to make payment and I think this is fair. I have stuck to hte letter of my rules on this occasion because in August I had aterrible situation with her that led to me having to agree to be paid in arrears meaing I didnt get paid for part of August and all of September, so I thought I really had been quite geneerous enough. What can I say to her later? Is it worth me quibbling about?

sorry about terrible spelling!

I am learning thick and fast that when i set a rule i must stick to it.

I have been walked over pretty badly over the last few weeks of being a CM.

You sound like you have been more than reasonable with this parent, moving payment days and working without payment.

I agree that you need to stick to the charge, are your fees upto date with this parent? Are you working a month without payment?

You would be well within your rights to cease care untill all fees are up to date and in advance.

If she doesnt pay the charge this month, add it onto next months bill and so on untill she pays it and realises that you won't be taken for a fool. If she continues to not pay serve notice and find someone who will pay on time.

She should have given you more notice of the change in hours, so you did her a huge favour adjusting your hours and invoice at short notice. She could have paid the original invoice amount immediately and then negotiated the difference afterwards, not simply paid you nothing.

I would stick to what you have already charged, particularly as you have had trouble with payment in the past.

she is now up to date as i only allowed payment in arrears for a month but it did mean i didnt get paid at all for 6 weeks, it was nice to then get a large amount but she was still late. I ddint charge a late payment fee for that because I had agreed it with her as I couldnt see another way to get my money but i did make it clear that i would not be able to make such allowances again. With regard to this months invoice, she had paid all but my late payment charge, so thats good as I wont have to be in this situation next month..BUT I do still feel that she owes me. How can i spell it out to her. It is so hard when you are face to face with someone AND you know you have to look after their child for the rest of the day.

I would have expected as a parent to pay the majority of the fees and then the re-negotiated hours as soon as sorted. That way you would have at least had some of the money due.

Would it be better to offer this parent the opportunity to pay weekly, as at least you would be getting more regular money?

I would not mention the fee again, however whenever you do an invoice put the fee on there with the date / month it relates to do this till she pays it.

I would not mention the fee again, however whenever you do an invoice put the fee on there with the date / month it relates to do this till she pays it.

It wouldnt help to pay weekly. To be honest, if it did I would rather mind someone else. The thing is, she received the invoice on 30 Oct and then didnt raise the idea of changing hours until 5 days later, and then when invoice was changed accordingly she then changed it again by 1 hour. I re - amended invoice that evening. I feel like i did my job, then did it again, then did it again, then didnt get paid for it so had to chase it and then still didnt get paid until client felt fit and in short it pisses me off! If she had paid when I reissued invoice, there would have been no charge, but she didnt bother, even with a nudgey text, and like I say, this was after shenanigans of not being paid for months so I was getting worried, not to mention getting overdrawn. I give 7 days leeway to pay which I think is fair but its not acceptable to request something different after 6 days and then expect to still get another 7 days is it?!

you are being totally fair and she is taking the piss, you reminded her enough. stick to your guns.

You are totally in the right here. This parent is taking the pish..

I think you should nip this one in the bud before she gets worse, she will be thinking she can get away with it all the time.

Hi i am looking for a occasional babysitter who i will need once or twice a month for a period of 4 hours. i live in walthamstow. any help???

sorry only just saw that reply! no ladymaryam...sorry! x