View Full Version : Need to ask for payment delicately?
chenderson
07-30-2014, 03:47 PM
I have a family that I gave notice to three weeks ago. The child's last day is set for Aug 8th. They requested the August cheque back so they could replace it with a new one for the lesser amount but they have yet to provide one so technically they are only paid up until July 31. I sent an email reminder last Friday and spoke to the dad on Friday as well and nothing so far.
What do I do?? Sadly the relationship has broken down with the family since the start and mom barely looks me in the eye at drop offs so needless to say I feel super uncomfortable with asking her yet again, but that being said it is my business and my mortgage needs to be paid.
Advice would be greatly appreciated. I feel terrible things haven't turned out as we all had hoped but such is life and either way they still owe me $$ if they want him to attend until Aug 8.
TIA!
5 Little Monkeys
07-30-2014, 04:22 PM
What does your contract say?
If it was me, I would let them know that you need payment on July 31. Do not accept him into care until paid.
For next time, exchange cheques on the day they bring you the new one.
momma2two
07-30-2014, 04:46 PM
No payment. Unfortunately that means no care. I wouldn't accept them back until you are paid for the days. If they are stalling this much and have been sent reminders they clearly are trying to pull something. But maybe not. Not accepting them tomorrow morning at drop off would be a pretty good "reminder" :thumbsup:
Secondtimearound
07-30-2014, 06:31 PM
Sometimes when I feel weird about asking about money , I send a text . I would just say what the other providers have mentioned , payment is due by tomorrow ,
Or you will consider that they are not requiring further care as Friday is August 1,
I hate when it gets to the point that they don't act like adults !!
mickyc
07-30-2014, 09:17 PM
I agree with secondtimearound. send a text tonight saying that payment is due in the morning. If they come with no cheque tell them that they cannot leave their child unless they have payment. I know we all hate chasing money but it sounds to me like they are going to see if they can get away without paying. There is nothing wrong with a reminder email and if they still show up without the money then time to get tough and say sorry no money no care. They are the ones putting you in this position and you need to stand up for yourself.
Next time never exchange a cheque until they have the new one in hand.
chenderson
07-31-2014, 12:31 PM
I sent the reminder email and spoke to the mom at drop off this morning. They have not provided a cheque yet as are hoping to take vacation time next week so they want to just pay the drop in rate for tomorrow. No biggie. Thanks for the ideas. :)
mickyc
07-31-2014, 12:50 PM
make sure they pay tomorrow BEFORE they leave their child.
Montessori-Mom
08-01-2014, 02:02 PM
So as I am to understand you gave back the original check BEFORE they gave you the new one?....thats the problem right there. You wont see a dime. Been there done that.
Busy ECE mommy
08-01-2014, 02:28 PM
No payment=no care. I use cheques too, and I never give cheques back until I have a new one, or I cash the original cheque and write them a refund cheque.
mickyc
08-01-2014, 03:17 PM
So did they pay you this morning?
blackcomb
08-06-2014, 01:03 PM
I won't do care unless they pay in advance or on the day in advance, I don't trust them otherwise and hear too many horror stories like this, no pay no care
They are going on vacation next week and didn't bring you a payment after you texted them. After this week you probably won't see them again. Lesson learned :(
chenderson
08-06-2014, 02:19 PM
They paid me at pick-up on July 31 and were delaying as they had been waiting for approval for vacation time from their job. So he's gone and not coming pack. All done
mickyc
08-06-2014, 02:40 PM
Glad to hear they actually paid you.
I have a question though. This is how I read your post - you had a cheque for the month of august. you terminated care for August 8th. you gave their cheque back and they were supposed to pay you for the week in august. they ended up taking holidays for the last week and only ended up paying your drop-in rate for August 1st. WHY is my question? If you gave notice for August 8th why did you not make them pay for August 4-8th? Do you not charge your families when they take holidays?
Personally I would not have let them only pay you for the 1st and would have required payment for the full amount (to August 8th) as that was supposed to be their last day. Why should you be without that money because they left early?
chenderson
08-06-2014, 03:00 PM
To answer your question mickyc - I accepted the drop-in rate for the one day and did not enforce them paying a full week, because in this particular situation I didn't care to make things harder than they were. As a business person I strive to ensure I am not stepped on, and have learned many lessons from 9 yrs of being self-employed. Truthfully I was trying to make it easy for the family as they were a great family and it was just a situation where things didn't work out. I was also making my life easier as I was done with the crying, so if they were able to take extra time off (when they had expected him to be with me all summer) then in effect I figured they were doing me a favour. Lol. If it was a different family or the situation had been different, then I'm sure my take on it would also be different, but that is the beauty of running your own center. You can make exceptions to the rules right. I'm comfortable with how things turned out as disappointed as I am that this little guy couldn't stay. Such is life.
5 Little Monkeys
08-06-2014, 10:33 PM
I'm glad things worked out and I totally understand what you did! I'm like you...I don't allow the parents to walk over me but depending on the relationship, I will be flexible with things that I CHOOSE. I've said it before but I pick my battles! Lol
Samantha33
08-29-2014, 08:09 AM
[QUOTE=mickyc;67743]I agree with secondtimearound. send a text tonight saying that payment is due in the morning. If they come with no cheque tell them that they cannot leave their child unless they have payment. I know we all hate chasing money but it sounds to me like they are going to see if they can get away without paying. There is nothing wrong with a reminder email and if they still show up without the money then time to get tough and say sorry no money no care. They are the ones putting you in this position and you need to stand up for yourself.
Next time never exchange a cheque until they have the new one in hand.
Exactly as above.
Secondtimearound
08-29-2014, 02:33 PM
Isn't it funny how we will choose to extend ourselves to some people and not others ! Lol I'm forever writing my advice as stick to the contract but will change things up for some families !
5 Little Monkeys
09-01-2014, 05:35 PM
It really all depends on the relationship I have with the family for me. I have had families who really appreciated me and always follow the rules so I don't mind accommodating things for them once in awhile. However, I have had some who thought they were the boss and for those type of clients I find it is MUCH easier to stick to the contract for every. single. thing!! lol