Lou
08-21-2012, 01:41 PM
So, before I officially started my home daycare business, I took on a couple of my daughter's school friends last summer for a couple days a week each while I was finishing up my mat leave with my son. It went great! Encouraged me to start up the business!
SO! The parents of one of the little girls I watched last summer approached me in the spring asking if I would have any room for her to come back for a couple days. I had a Wednesday an Friday opening between part timers so I said sure! I sent her all the paper work and since we were friends that know each other through our daughters, I told her it was fine to bring it on her first day in July. <---MY HUGE MISTAKE.
Day 1- called to say she was going to a daycamp that day so she wasn't coming, but insisted she knew my policy and would pay for any missed days
Day 2- Was going to cottage- don't worry we'll get you all paid up next week
Week 3- my holidays
Day 3- Mom's aunt passed away,going to funeral
Day 4- Didn't bother to call saying why they weren't coming
I sent them an email, a text and made a phone call that went straight to voicemail. It took me almost a week to hear back from them wherein they "profusely apologized, they spent longer time out of town at funeral than expected and forgot to call. Wanted to give 2 weeks notice, apologies, apologies...we appreciate your time very much and are so sorry this didn't work out and of course we'll pay you for the missed time. How much do we owe you and we'll mail you a cheque asap, can we have your mailing address?"
I responded cordially, appreciating them getting back to me and expressing respect etc. Gave them the amount, then never heard back. 10 days after that exchange and after receiving nothing I sent a follow up email. Now it's day 14 since that exchange and still nothing, no response no cheque.
Assholes!!! These people were friends! Why did they even bother to send me the nice apology email, "we'll send you the cheque asap" if they were just going to ignore my response???? It's not even a large amount. I'm not stupid, I'll probably never see that money, especially since I had them bring the contract along "on their first day" which never happened, because there never was a first day! And what makes matters WORSE is that once the school year starts, I will see them in person frequently at school functions and at our daughters school functions.
Than you for letting me vent!!!! I HATE how little respect people can have for home daycare givers. It's horrible!
Questions: 1) Do you think I should pursue this further? If so, how? What do you say to light a fire under their butts?
2) How would you handle seeing them in public? They are the type to come up and start chatting like nothing happened...how would you respond to that???
SO! The parents of one of the little girls I watched last summer approached me in the spring asking if I would have any room for her to come back for a couple days. I had a Wednesday an Friday opening between part timers so I said sure! I sent her all the paper work and since we were friends that know each other through our daughters, I told her it was fine to bring it on her first day in July. <---MY HUGE MISTAKE.
Day 1- called to say she was going to a daycamp that day so she wasn't coming, but insisted she knew my policy and would pay for any missed days
Day 2- Was going to cottage- don't worry we'll get you all paid up next week
Week 3- my holidays
Day 3- Mom's aunt passed away,going to funeral
Day 4- Didn't bother to call saying why they weren't coming
I sent them an email, a text and made a phone call that went straight to voicemail. It took me almost a week to hear back from them wherein they "profusely apologized, they spent longer time out of town at funeral than expected and forgot to call. Wanted to give 2 weeks notice, apologies, apologies...we appreciate your time very much and are so sorry this didn't work out and of course we'll pay you for the missed time. How much do we owe you and we'll mail you a cheque asap, can we have your mailing address?"
I responded cordially, appreciating them getting back to me and expressing respect etc. Gave them the amount, then never heard back. 10 days after that exchange and after receiving nothing I sent a follow up email. Now it's day 14 since that exchange and still nothing, no response no cheque.
Assholes!!! These people were friends! Why did they even bother to send me the nice apology email, "we'll send you the cheque asap" if they were just going to ignore my response???? It's not even a large amount. I'm not stupid, I'll probably never see that money, especially since I had them bring the contract along "on their first day" which never happened, because there never was a first day! And what makes matters WORSE is that once the school year starts, I will see them in person frequently at school functions and at our daughters school functions.
Than you for letting me vent!!!! I HATE how little respect people can have for home daycare givers. It's horrible!
Questions: 1) Do you think I should pursue this further? If so, how? What do you say to light a fire under their butts?
2) How would you handle seeing them in public? They are the type to come up and start chatting like nothing happened...how would you respond to that???