Nanny cancelation fee

[Lamu]

I sometimes use an agency who supply me with an ad hoc nanny on the rare occasions that I need one. So rare that the last time I used them was last summer which is when I signed a contract with them.

I had to cancel a recent booking for reasons beyond my control however the agency want to bill me the full amount for the day.

I understand that they have to charge a fee, which of course I am more than happy to pay. What I don't agree with, is the amount, which in my opinion doesn't reflect the actual loss to the business.

Further info so I don't drip feed; I cancelled 18 hours before the booking was due to take place. T&C's stipulate 48 hrs notice. T&C weren't included at the point of booking last week and also nowhere on their website. I've requested a copy but no response yet. I attempted to call twice earlier in the day but there was no answer hence why I emailed to cancel. Apparently they have had connectivity problems as well as a member of staff on leave.

I'm being bullish about it and I could do with a little perspective. I'm not willing to pay £150 for a service I didn't receive.

To put it into context the hotel that we were meant to be staying at this weekend have waived their cancellation fee. We can't go for the same same reason.

This depends upon whether they had to still pay the booked in nanny the job even though she didn't attend. If they did then you should pay. If they didn't then perhaps you should try to meet them in the middle.

I hadn't thought about that. I assumed these type of agencies worked much like any other job agency where you only get paid when you've worked.

The nanny may have turned down other bookings to take yours. 18 hours is very short notice.

You signed a contract, were the Ts&Cs not included in that? Otherwise, how have you become aware that they needed 48 hours notice if it isn't on their website, wasn't included with the booking and you are still awaiting a copy? Is this just what they told you?

I'm not disputing the short notice. However It was out of my control, shit happens. Nothing I could do about it at that point. I called as soon as I could there was no answer and no voicemail facility. Then I popped out for a couple of hours, tried again, no answer, then I emailed. I received no response to my email for well over 24 hours. As far as I'm concerned I did every thing I could to alert them of my intentions the day before.

All I'm trying to find out is what is a reasonable cancelation fee. Like I said more happy to pay it but I don't feel the full fee is reasonable unless they still have to pay the nanny.

I signed a contract over 9 months ago. Like I said I only use them for absolute emergencies, I would have assumed the T&C's would have been on the booking confirmation, they weren't.

The website doesn't have them only FAQ's, which obviously doesn't mention any specifics in terms of charges. Can't see them on my email trail. Yes I'm being told the terms but they've yet to send copies to me.

Yabu. There would be no way the nanny or the agency would have been able to find alternative work for the day at such short notice.

Why should they be out of pocket?

18 hours is very short notice. If she was due at 8am then that's 2pm the previous day - definitely not enough time for them to find her another booking. Think you'll have to suck it up and pay

I think you're totally out of order. Whether you could have got through by phone or not you were still cancelling within 48 hours and frankly it's not their problem WHY you were cancelling. Pay the fee. You're paying for work booked and cancelled at too short notice to be replaced. Live and learn.

At that notice I think it's reasonable that you pay the full amount. As pp said, the nanny could well have turned down other bookings. I get it was out of your control, but it was also out of the companies and nannys control. Why should she/they be out of pocket? You need to just do the decent thing and pay.

Fair enough. Point taken.

what is a reasonable cancelation fee. - the answer to that is really whatever is on the contract which you signed last summer. Even if they were asking for a week's notice and double the money, then that is what you would have agreed to by signing. If you thought the terms were onerous, the time to negotiate that was before you signed. Now, unfortunately you don't have a leg to sign on.

Respect for that last post OP

It was probably in the contract you signed 9 months ago. They don't need to go over the terms with you every time you book after that.

Also, even without any terms and conditions, you can't claim a right to cancel, as that isn't an implied right.