Cancelling a job with a babysitting agency.....

[Fruitbatlings]

I accepted a job yesterday (Tuesday) for this Saturday evening. However, my DH reminded me we are going to a birthday party that night - I had, stupidly, not written it in my diary. I called the agency today to say I had to cancel the job (never done this before). The woman I spoke to was really shitty with me In fact, she talked to me like I was a child!
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I assumed they have lots of sitters and could quite easily find a replacement sitter at three and a half days notice.....? Baring in mind I was only given the job yesterday.
I just couldn't believe her attitude towards me.
I asked if I could find another sitter (I know a couple), could I get them to do it instead? She said "So basically you're saying you are going to cancel anyway aren't you!!"
I was gobsmacked. I just said "No, if I cannot find another sitter I will do it"

I just feel as though I'm so crap at sticking up for myself. My DH said I should phone back and just tell them I cannot do it as I have other plans.
A friend of mine (another Sitter who can't do it for me) said she was rude and I should ask to speak to her superior.
I'm just such a scardy cat when it comes to confrontation

Was I wrong to cancel? Or should I grow a backbone and complain?

How can you find another sitter? Even if you do know someone, that person may not be registered with the agency, so may not have been through the agencies vetting procedures.

They are both registered with the same agency.
One of them can't do it, the other I'm still waiting to hear from....

Ring back, hopefully you will get someone else and say more than 3 days is plenty of notice and you can't do that night. She is only pissed off as she has to do more work to find someone else.

I'm just nervous I'll get the same lady

silly sitter lady

their company has been known to cancel babysitting with 6hrs notice

3 days is more than enough time to find someone else

but she made me feel like such a bad person!
Ok, I need to call back don't I.
I just thought maybe I was in the wrong.
You're right, 3 days is plenty of notice.

Here goes.......
Oh god, what do I say? It might be the same lady

just call and say you cant do that sat, something has come up, sorry to inconvience etc and put the phone down

Ok, done it!
Thankfully it was a different person this time, phew!

How pathetic am I!?
Now I've done it and looked back at the thread

not pathetic, just kind hearted

If this is the agency I am am thinking of then they are always rude when you have to cancel a booking. I had to once because I was ill & their attitude was unbelievable so I know what you mean. They really make you feel small don't they & as for their rates of pay that is a whole other thread for discussion.

Yes, probably badgerhead, apparently they are rude to the parents too. Rates of pay . I tried to keep the name subtle
Thanks Blondes

crap rates of pay imho