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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Difficult Client Before Attending?
EntropyControlSpecialist 07:20 PM 05-31-2012
What would you do if a security deposit was already given, the family is supposed to begin attending tomorrow, and the past 24 hours have given you SERIOUS doubts?
The two previous interactions were pleasant. But, the past 24 hours have been less than pleasant.
I have had two demanding e-mails in the past 24 hours from Mom.
One essentially telling me that she was "the boss" (I corrected in a professional but assertive manner), and one acting shocked/confused/horrified at the fact that the bi-weekly tuition payment was due in full tomorrow (which was information provided to her verbally and in writing).
The two previous interactions were pleasant. But, the past 24 hours have been less than pleasant.
I have had two demanding e-mails in the past 24 hours from Mom.
One essentially telling me that she was "the boss" (I corrected in a professional but assertive manner), and one acting shocked/confused/horrified at the fact that the bi-weekly tuition payment was due in full tomorrow (which was information provided to her verbally and in writing).
KBCsMommy 07:28 PM 05-31-2012
Trust your gut! 
wdmmom 07:46 PM 05-31-2012
I would probably tell her that perhaps this isn't a situation that is going to work out well for either party.
Refund the deposit and with them luck!
Refund the deposit and with them luck!
EntropyControlSpecialist 07:50 PM 05-31-2012
In the last e-mail sent, I let her know that if she wasn't fully comfortable with my policies that I would be happy to refund her security deposit.
Can I go back on what I said at this point (9:50PM) and say that I decided that I am not fully comfortable and I will be refunding? WWYD?
Unfortunately she lives down the road from me. So close to home.
Can I go back on what I said at this point (9:50PM) and say that I decided that I am not fully comfortable and I will be refunding? WWYD?
Unfortunately she lives down the road from me. So close to home.
wdmmom 07:55 PM 05-31-2012
I don't know that I would do it via email this late. What time are you expecting the child tomorrow? Is there a reason they are wanting to start care on a Friday?
EntropyControlSpecialist 08:01 PM 05-31-2012
Originally Posted by wdmmom:
I don't know that I would do it via email this late. What time are you expecting the child tomorrow? Is there a reason they are wanting to start care on a Friday?
Two children at 7:30AM.I don't know that I would do it via email this late. What time are you expecting the child tomorrow? Is there a reason they are wanting to start care on a Friday?
They are wanting to start care on a Friday because the older child's Preschool ended today and they need care while they are at work. She was critical of the fact that my billing period begins on a Monday and wanted her billing period to be different. That did not work for me.
She said that she didn't budget to pay the remaining tuition ($340.75) tomorrow. So, I suppose we will see if she even shows up.
Her e-mail to me was at 6:20PM and all e-mails state that she sends them from her iphone. My reply back was at 8:41PM this evening. It is now 10:02PM and I have not received any response.
wdmmom 08:11 PM 05-31-2012
I think I would go ahead and send an email tonight. She might get it.
Just tell her after considerable thought, you have declined the offer to work for their family.
Apologize and tell them good luck.
Ask for them to send you an email back stating confirmation that they received it.
Tell them you will refund the money via cashiers check to the address you have on file within 5 days.
If you don't get confirmation, call them about 630am.
Just tell her after considerable thought, you have declined the offer to work for their family.
Apologize and tell them good luck.
Ask for them to send you an email back stating confirmation that they received it.
Tell them you will refund the money via cashiers check to the address you have on file within 5 days.
If you don't get confirmation, call them about 630am.
EntropyControlSpecialist 08:25 PM 05-31-2012
Originally Posted by wdmmom:
I think I would go ahead and send an email tonight. She might get it.
Just tell her after considerable thought, you have declined the offer to work for their family.
Apologize and tell them good luck.
Ask for them to send you an email back stating confirmation that they received it.
Tell them you will refund the money via cashiers check to the address you have on file within 5 days.
If you don't get confirmation, call them about 630am.
I discussed this with my husband, and I am taking your advice. I think I would go ahead and send an email tonight. She might get it.
Just tell her after considerable thought, you have declined the offer to work for their family.
Apologize and tell them good luck.
Ask for them to send you an email back stating confirmation that they received it.
Tell them you will refund the money via cashiers check to the address you have on file within 5 days.
If you don't get confirmation, call them about 630am.
wdmmom 08:56 PM 05-31-2012
Originally Posted by LCLC:
I discussed this with my husband, and I am taking your advice.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes! I discussed this with my husband, and I am taking your advice.
Meyou 02:16 AM 06-01-2012
I think you've dodged a bullet! IMO "forgetting" that tuition is due in full on the first day is not something you can forget unless you want to. Let us know how it goes.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:34 AM 06-01-2012
6:30AM and no response yet.
wdmmom 07:24 AM 06-01-2012
Did they show up or did you hear anything?!
Blackcat31 08:21 AM 06-01-2012
...yes, do tell! What was/is the outcome?
Did she respond? Did she show up?
Did she respond? Did she show up?
texascare 08:26 AM 06-01-2012
Sometimes people just make me shake my head....what do you mean they didn't budget for it? How much notice did they have that they needed to pay you? Daycare isn't free! I hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted.
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:30 AM 06-01-2012
Originally Posted by texascare:
Sometimes people just make me shake my head....what do you mean they didn't budget for it? How much notice did they have that they needed to pay you? Daycare isn't free! I hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted.
Sometimes people just make me shake my head....what do you mean they didn't budget for it? How much notice did they have that they needed to pay you? Daycare isn't free! I hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted.
She toured the Preschool 4 weeks ago. She knew the price per child, including the 5% sibling discount. She received a paper copy and an e-mailed copy of the parent handbook (which is also available on my website).She called 2 weeks ago to say she was bringing the security deposit by if I still had spots available. I did. I think from now on, if a parent takes 14 days to get back to me on how they feel about my Preschool ... that's going to be a RED FLAG.
She has known the price for 4 full weeks.
She knew that the tuition was due in full either prior to or on the first day of care for 672 hours (4 weeks).Anyways, I had to leave a message letting her know she needed to check her e-mail for an important message regarding today's care.
She never e-mailed, called, or texted nor did she show up at my door. She literally lives down the street from me. Maybe 10 houses down. We are mailing her security deposit to her today.
I have to tell you, I have had the best day. All of my parents were happy and thankful that I was taking care of their children today (really, and they pay me to do so!).
They all live in our small community (within a few streets of me). The thought of a very LOCAL parent believing that they are my boss and behaving in a way that would make others believe that they were my boss would have really thrown my joy off today.
wdmmom 11:01 AM 06-01-2012
If a parent tries to pull "the boss" scenario with you again, mention it like this, " Wow...in all the years I've provided childcare, this has never come up. I think it would be great if you want to be my boss. Just remember you'll have to pay my social security and unemployment but overall, it would be an exceptional deal for me!! "
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:07 AM 06-01-2012
Originally Posted by wdmmom:
If a parent tries to pull "the boss" scenario with you again, mention it like this, " Wow...in all the years I've provided childcare, this has never come up. I think it would be great if you want to be my boss. Just remember you'll have to pay my social security and unemployment but overall, it would be an exceptional deal for me!! "
If a parent tries to pull "the boss" scenario with you again, mention it like this, " Wow...in all the years I've provided childcare, this has never come up. I think it would be great if you want to be my boss. Just remember you'll have to pay my social security and unemployment but overall, it would be an exceptional deal for me!! "
I have worked in daycare centers, been a personal nanny (3 times), been an attendant for a special needs little girl, and taught in the public school system (I am a certified teacher).
You'd think I'd be deemed smart enough to handle my business. But, apparently you would be wrong.
jen 04:10 PM 06-02-2012
I had a similar situation once...Mom interviewed, friend of a former client, was really excited to have her children here, but really wanted a cut rate for when hubby was laid off. I explained that I wassn't able to accommodate that and she signed her contract...and then proceeded to call me every other day for two weeks to ask me again and again for a "deal."
After no less than 5 calls (AFTER she signed the contract) I told her that I didn't think that we were a good fit and canceled the contract. I didn't charge a deposit, but I would have given it back.
I would probably have a heart to heart with her and if you didn't feel like the issues were resolved, return the deposit and move on.
After no less than 5 calls (AFTER she signed the contract) I told her that I didn't think that we were a good fit and canceled the contract. I didn't charge a deposit, but I would have given it back.
I would probably have a heart to heart with her and if you didn't feel like the issues were resolved, return the deposit and move on.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:34 PM 06-03-2012
I received an e-mail on Friday evening at 6:30PM. After hours. No response was made prior to then. Apparently they were simply not going to show up.
I received your email and will be expecting the refund shortly. Best of luck in your business.
Sent from my iPhone
I did not send a response back.
I received an e-mail at 5:19PM today (Sunday).
Titled: Urgent matter.
My name is DCD I am DCM's husband. Apparently during the night from Thursday to Friday you have cancelled the agreement we had with no notice. We had to go find another daycare for our children which requires another deposit. I will need to get our deposit back before tomorrow morning, so that we can deposit it to the new daycare. I am sure that you understand the impossible situation that we have been put in and the timing. We both have to be at work in the morning.
Please respond
My response at 6:30PM:
DCD,
Your deposit was placed in the mail yesterday afternoon.
Thank you,
Me
I received your email and will be expecting the refund shortly. Best of luck in your business.
Sent from my iPhone
I did not send a response back.
I received an e-mail at 5:19PM today (Sunday).
Titled: Urgent matter.
My name is DCD I am DCM's husband. Apparently during the night from Thursday to Friday you have cancelled the agreement we had with no notice. We had to go find another daycare for our children which requires another deposit. I will need to get our deposit back before tomorrow morning, so that we can deposit it to the new daycare. I am sure that you understand the impossible situation that we have been put in and the timing. We both have to be at work in the morning.
Please respond
My response at 6:30PM:
DCD,
Your deposit was placed in the mail yesterday afternoon.
Thank you,
Me
cheerfuldom 06:03 PM 06-03-2012
very annoying how they can find the time to respond and communicate NOW, only when their jobs come into play. I took their email as a thinly veil insult to you, implying you did something wrong, which I don't believe you did.
EntropyControlSpecialist 06:33 PM 06-03-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
very annoying how they can find the time to respond and communicate NOW, only when their jobs come into play. I took their email as a thinly veil insult to you, implying you did something wrong, which I don't believe you did.
Interesting how people operate, right?very annoying how they can find the time to respond and communicate NOW, only when their jobs come into play. I took their email as a thinly veil insult to you, implying you did something wrong, which I don't believe you did.
MissK 07:31 PM 06-03-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
very annoying how they can find the time to respond and communicate NOW, only when their jobs come into play. I took their email as a thinly veil insult to you, implying you did something wrong, which I don't believe you did.
Agreed - it sounded to me like he was trying to point the finger at you. You're the bad guy who put us in this situation. I honestly think you dodged a huge bullet by not taking on this family!very annoying how they can find the time to respond and communicate NOW, only when their jobs come into play. I took their email as a thinly veil insult to you, implying you did something wrong, which I don't believe you did.