Newbies..Learn from my mistake, Don't get burned

[Other Mummy]

This is a perfect example of why you do not take on a new client WITHOUT A 2 WEEK DEPOSIT

This was one of my original clients from waaay before I had an Iron clad contract. As most seasoned providers can relate to, when you start out, you make a lot of dumb mistakes. Did I mention that you make a lot of dumb mistakes I've had her 2 children in care since they were 12 months & 2 years old. Her 2 kids and my 2 girls are best friends. Two years later (almost) the kids are sick for week. this is true. They were sick on the Friday prior. In fact, a couple more of my dc kids are sick this week as well with the same thing.

The kids love it here. We have a structured fun filled day. I've gotten the older one ready for JK this year. He might even be in the same class as my daughter as they will be at the same school. The kids love me. This is their 2nd home.

We chat throughout the week, how are kids, kids miss daycare and me and other kids, blah, blah. I keep asking if it's just a cold, why are they away for so many days. She keeps giving me vague answers like the doctor advises to keep them inside This from the same woman who drops her kids off even when she has 2 months off. Yup. She did. Every single day.

So long story short, I tell her I"m sorry the kids are sick, but when are you coming by later for the week's fees that were due on Monday. That's when my phone won't stop ringing and text after text of how the funds she was waiting for never came thru. It's social assistance and benefits and she called the gov't and does not know what is going on, but yet...she thinks she won't be able to afford daycare fees anymore....Okay..

So after a lengthy convo, she apologies and admits she's irresponsible and that she will pay me for the 2 wks (after I reminded her of our contract) and that she "does not forget people she owes money to" hmmmm... yeah, you won't forget, cause I will take you to small claims. AND I gave her a break for this week. She should have owed me 3 weeks (this week + 2 wks notice as of today).

So I'm going to draw up an "termination of contract" with stipulations such as she owes me for 2 wks by such and such date, failure to do so, will constitute legal action".

So Newbies....take note. ALWAYS GET 2 WEEKS DEPOSIT FOR NOTICE!

Did I mention all my newish clients since have a 2 wk deposit.

[mimi]

Oh I learned my lesson when I started the same way. Once burned....... Great advice

[apples and bananas]

These are the hardest lessons to learn. Its not even the money that's the stresser... it's the confrontation... the fact that we've trusted someone that they've broken that trust.

I'm sorry that you've had this issue with someone that has been a long time client.

I hope she comes around and pays you what you are owed.

[torontokids]

thanks to this forum I never made that mistake. It's great to be able to learn from others mistakes!

[Smitty]

made the mistake. learned my lesson.

[Momof4]

Hey, you know what? When I started out I made a TON of DUMB mistakes!!!

Good for you for sharing your story and helping any newbies but sorry you learned the hard way. I also learned the hard way because I'm too nice. But I really learned to protect myself with an ironclad but fair contract.

[Lighthouse1]

Oo... They have to give me a full months notice on the first of any given month, OR pay for that month in lieu of notice.

Doesn't it sometimes seem like it takes more work to deal with the parents than with their children? :P

[Lou]

Yep, I was burned by that mistake too. Never again!

[Momof4]

Oo... They have to give me a full months notice on the first of any given month, OR pay for that month in lieu of notice.

Doesn't it sometimes seem like it takes more work to deal with the parents than with their children? :P

Good luck with that and I hope you never run into anybody who defies you and doesn't make the payment. I still have 2 weeks notice in my contract and only collect one week's payment as a deposit when I sign on a family. So this year I terminated clients and they wouldn't pay for the other week due. Then the new family I signed on left without paying for the week due.

Should I have taken them to court for under $200 each? Yes, probably and I would have won because it's a legal contract. But would I have had to take days off work and lose even more money? When families stiff us are they counting on things like this? If they owe you for a month that would be worth taking to court.