When I Snap!

Happy Monday Ladies!!!

WELL I remember reading on this forum a while back about how some providers do not allow cops as clients. Due to my complete LACK of not only experience but common sense now I see why this is a hell no for so many.

This client honestly has no respect what so ever for me, my time or business (might turn into a vent so I apologize head of time lol)

Payment started to be late :)....frequently but I put an end to that real quick when I let them REMEMBER not know lol that there will be a 20 per day late fee charge (magically forgot about late fees but everything else in the contract remembered :) )

Late picking up and this is the text I got "late just let me know how much in late fees "...... :D

Me "Uhhh I have to take my daughter to dance" Them "Sorry 5 imins" well in fact what you meant to say is 35 mins because that's how long it took.

Drop off time was agreed upon to be 8 am well that has never been the case. They actually drop off anywhere between 8:10 and 9 :) which is peachy because my other clients don't come until 9:30 (I only take in 2 children|) so I am basically waking up for nothing and wasting around!!!

And yes I get not everyone person who has this occupation the same way but some just have that persona I can't explain and attitude like I'm the boss and your the slave. It's very hard to understand unless you know or experienced it. What's amazing is in the interview process they seemed wonderful.. What happened ? Lol

How do you address is this professionally and calmly :)

I would send e-mail so it in writing.

"There seem be a few instances of misunderstandings which I like to address before it escalates. I feel very important for open communication so I trust this taken in spirit intended.

1. Late pickup
Although I understand sometime if unavailable, it important that accurate information is sent. When told you were running late and would be here in 5 mins, I took face value, as you were aware my child had appointment. It very disappointing when that turn into 35 mins and it impacted on my personal time and family commitment considerably. This cannot happen again.

2. Drop off time
When care was arranged, you had requirement for 8am drop off time but you child typically coming much later. Since you only client with early drop off, please let me know (preferably night before) if not going to be here on time as that allow me to plan my own morning."

Do you have late collection fee? If not, add one. Mine $1 minute so for person who 35 min late, it $35 fee. Good deterrent.

Thank you ! :) I do it's $1 dollar a minute and they don't care they just say what's the late fee

I hear EVERYTHING you are saying Crayola mom....I have a short list of clients I will NOT take on....due to past experience. specifically the ones that think the world OWES them....so done with these people

The worst client by far!! No s*** is given at all...once I address the issue they just go right back into the same habit... I smell termination coming on!

Oh and lawyer are leaving a nice trade mark on my hit list lol

That's why I don't do late fees. My husband has his MBA and they had courses that showed the research on late fees. Essentially late fees tell people they CAN be late, they just have to pay. For some people they don't care...they are entitled to be late as long as they pay. Which is fine if you like the extra cash but isn't fine if you don't want to work late!

For me, late once you get a warning, late twice you get a letter of termination. They are NOT entitled to be late. Now, if they call in a panic that they really got held up at work and are on their way I don't much care. Because life happens. BUT life doesn't happen on a weekly basis and you quickly know the types that will pretend it does. They just aren't welcome here.

If he's causing you grief write up a letter of termination due to the inability to follow the signed contracted terms. Find a family that respects you.

It was my fault because I was a little intimidated because they were cops lol then this morning I honestly snapped hahaha there's only so much a person can take until you go crazy. Same thing goes for being strict/firm as first I was a push over and then over time I started to go a little crazy and now I'm finally at a good spot lol It was so bad I was "shy" to ask for payment if they forgot in the morning and would just send a text. Now lol watch out "where's your payment?!" hahaha

I never do cops, lawyers or parents that work for the cas. Just not worth it. I also have no late fees as they don't care they'll just pay. I'm the same as lee-bee but three times. Two warnings then they are gone if late a third time.

I have late fees and strongly suggest keeping them. My contract also lists reasons for termination and failure to pay on time as well as failure to pickup on time is on there. This gives me the chance to terminate when I want. 35 minutes late when I have to go somewhere would be immediate termination!!

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Originally Posted by mickyc

I have late fees and strongly suggest keeping them. My contract also lists reasons for termination and failure to pay on time as well as failure to pickup on time is on there. This gives me the chance to terminate when I want. 35 minutes late when I have to go somewhere would be immediate termination!!

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I agree with this. I have $1 per minute past closing time and enforce it. I know a provider that has in her contract $1 per minute the first time they are late, $2 per minute the second time, $3 per minute the third time and fourth time that it happens is termination.

I completely agree with lee bee. Late fee's just tell the person that it's okay as long as you pay. I do have a late pick up fee but there are no late payment fee's because that is just non-negotiable with me. I also have a termination clause and can terminate for consistent late pick ups if I feel the need. That is scarier to me than a late fee IMO. They know that they can't show up late (whether it be 15 mins or an hour) and think I'm okay with that.

I also agree that life does happen!! There are situations where I know ahead of time that a parent may be late that day due to a different pick up but they let me know so that I am not waiting around wondering when they will show. It's usually less than 5 minutes so I don't even bother charging the late fee in these situations. It's all about being open and honest with me. If you consider my feelings and acknowledge when my day is over than I am more willing to help you out the odd time you need it.

What about late pick-up because of bad weather, ie. snow. If it's January and they are forcasting a snow storm, shouldn't parents plan for it? Do you accept this as an excuse? I have just this month, changed to a no-fee policy. Don't pay late, don't pick-up late. Not sure how it will go. But I was finding that there are some people just willing to pay the fee and I had to put up with the inconvenience.

I'm forgiving in bad weather Kindertime! Over the time parents spend with you, we can usually detect who "lies" to us and who doesn't. Liars usually get caught up in their lies.

I also have a traintrack near me and it holds traffic up for 20 minutes sometimes!! I can always tell when this is happening because the traffic is dead by our house lol. So I forgive for this when it happens too.

This is why I have a late fee. Sometimes people are late due to weather, trains, accident etc. I still charge the late fee. It is compensation for working over my hours. That is why I have the other clause that says consistent late pickups may result in termination. If it is once or twice due to a train then I am understanding.

I am open for 12 hours a day so there is no flexibility in terms of being late no matter what the weather is like because I really can't work anymore then that. I heard from other providers that they use to be flexible due to weather in the winter but then they would start to take advantage and drag that weather excuse month after month.

I have just changed my late fees. It is a staggering $25.00 for the first five minutes, the a dollar a minute after that. So if you show up 8 minutes late yo are billed 28.00. Late fees also count if you want to stand around talking after closing. The way I see it if I wanr to talk to the manager at the bank after I do my banking then it's my job to be there proir to closing, and to give myself enough time.

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Originally Posted by crayolamom

Thank you ! :) I do it's $1 dollar a minute and they don't care they just say what's the late fee

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Maybe need to be clear - late fee not permission to be late. You have life after work like every adult. You have commitment. Your business is closing at end of day and it not an option to expect endless care. Tell them if you miss any more family supper, dental appointment, you will be terminating them for complete lack respecting your personal time.

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Originally Posted by kindertime

What about late pick-up because of bad weather, ie. snow. If it's January and they are forcasting a snow storm, shouldn't parents plan for it? Do you accept this as an excuse? I have just this month, changed to a no-fee policy. Don't pay late, don't pick-up late. Not sure how it will go. But I was finding that there are some people just willing to pay the fee and I had to put up with the inconvenience.

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I have late fee but I clear that late pickups not acceptable. There no planning to be late and no regular lateness. I have constant late as one of my reasons for on spot term WITH 4 week fee due in lieu of notice as entirely in parent control not to be repeatedly late.

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Originally Posted by crayolamom

Thank you ! :) I do it's $1 dollar a minute and they don't care they just say what's the late fee

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I find that so disrespectful of them as if they have too much money and they respect you as a busy person with a life of your own outside of daycare- you should charge them a $1 a minute....it is so annoying

I had a parent when I first started out that was getting into the habit of being late 5-20 minutes, because she claimed it was hard to drive at the regular time ( can't remember which season, spring or fall) because the sun was in her eyes after work,ugh. I was with an agency then, so couldn't do late fees.

Now I'm private, and my parents are all great about picking up on time.