Hmm now what to do?

[monkeymama]

so a few months ago, a woman emailed me inquiring about my daycare and my hours, rates etc. she exchanged emails and then i never heard back. no big deal. as of january, i raised my rates for all new clients as i am going to be losing 3 to jk in september. i have already filled one of those spots, have an interview this week that i think will probably fill the second. then today this woman calls me apologizes for not getting back to me blah blah and would like to meet. so what to do? if she then fills my third spot, do i give her the rate i quoted months ago or tell her i raised all rates in january?

[gramma]

You have no agreement with her and things change, including rates. Chances are everyone else raised their rates also.

[jodaycare]

I would give her the new rates.

[sunnydays]

Just tell her that you raised the rate in January and this is the new rate...if she is still interested she will come. I personally, find it a bad sign if parents contact me and then don't contact again for months and then try again...they are not eager enough and may not value your daycare enough...just a thought.

[Spixie33]

I agree with everyone else - new rates.

If she asks/complains about why the rates are different from last time you spoke then tell her that the increase in food/etc warranted that you raise your rates for 2013.

[monkeymama]

sunnydays- i agree completely! i just wanted to know if anyone thought it seemed unprofessional....i dont like the idea of already giving her a "break" tho because everyone else will be paying the same

[Spixie33]

Just tell her that you raised the rate in January and this is the new rate...if she is still interested she will come. I personally, find it a bad sign if parents contact me and then don't contact again for months and then try again...they are not eager enough and may not value your daycare enough...just a thought.

Yes....it would make me wonder how reliable they would be as a client. I can't stand poor communication skills between parents and myself. lol

[kidlove]

absolutely give her your new rates! you have no previous agreement with her, just let her know you had planned to change rates in january, take it or leave it! sounds like you wont have too much trouble filling the spot if she isn't happy!

[playfelt]

I have had lots of people contact me months in advance - one of those things moms do in the middle of the night while up breastfeeding is surf the web.

I would just pretend I hadn't quoted a price before. Do the interview and present the paperwork and new price as you did for the other families. Let her be the one to actually bring it up at which point you can just say oh rates were raised in January to better reflect the costs for groceries, gas, supplies. If she has had the tour, talked to you she will be basing her decision on that and not the rates. If the rates are a sticking point then tell her to move on to her next choice.