Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Got Trick by Parents!:(
LovetheSun 10:01 PM 11-23-2014
Everyone says not to do any favor and you are all soo right!
A family enrolled and two weeks later had to go on a trip. They asked if they could pay the deposit once they come back since they were short on cash... I hesitate and because they seem nice I somehow accept even if I had a feeling they were not completely honest but my assistant thought there was no way they would trick me...
Two weeks later is a no show
(( now I have to do interviews again and lost a whole month out of this.
As many of you say, stick to your policy and your guts!!
I feel like only other providers understand the stress a daycare brings.. Where all decision are made by you and all consequence are paid by you.
A family enrolled and two weeks later had to go on a trip. They asked if they could pay the deposit once they come back since they were short on cash... I hesitate and because they seem nice I somehow accept even if I had a feeling they were not completely honest but my assistant thought there was no way they would trick me...
Two weeks later is a no show
(( now I have to do interviews again and lost a whole month out of this.As many of you say, stick to your policy and your guts!!
I feel like only other providers understand the stress a daycare brings.. Where all decision are made by you and all consequence are paid by you.
Josiegirl 02:38 AM 11-24-2014
I'm sorry they took advantage of you.
I had that happen to me a couple summers ago. I charge a nonrefundable $50 deposit to be used towards their first week of attendance. The woman was 'signing on' and I never questioned her(or charged her the $50 fee) because she was referred to me by one of my current dcfs. I was so excited, that meant I would be filled when school started. But oops, a week before school started she called and said they decided not to come after all. I didn't get any more calls during the school year that worked into an enrollment even though I had turned down a couple after this family had 'signed on'. I said never again. No matter what they say or how nice they seem, it's not real until I have their deposit in my hands.
What is it they say? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I had that happen to me a couple summers ago. I charge a nonrefundable $50 deposit to be used towards their first week of attendance. The woman was 'signing on' and I never questioned her(or charged her the $50 fee) because she was referred to me by one of my current dcfs. I was so excited, that meant I would be filled when school started. But oops, a week before school started she called and said they decided not to come after all. I didn't get any more calls during the school year that worked into an enrollment even though I had turned down a couple after this family had 'signed on'. I said never again. No matter what they say or how nice they seem, it's not real until I have their deposit in my hands.
What is it they say? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:39 AM 11-24-2014
I have been burned by families many times prior to requiring the security deposit fee (final two weeks of tuition paid to reserve the spot plus the enrollment form). It really is disappointing and rude! So sorry. 
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:42 AM 11-24-2014
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
I'm sorry they took advantage of you.
I had that happen to me a couple summers ago. I charge a nonrefundable $50 deposit to be used towards their first week of attendance. The woman was 'signing on' and I never questioned her(or charged her the $50 fee) because she was referred to me by one of my current dcfs. I was so excited, that meant I would be filled when school started. But oops, a week before school started she called and said they decided not to come after all. I didn't get any more calls during the school year that worked into an enrollment even though I had turned down a couple after this family had 'signed on'. I said never again. No matter what they say or how nice they seem, it's not real until I have their deposit in my hands.
What is it they say? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Oh yes, I aggree. I JUST had this happen this fall. A neighbor we know reasonably well thought she could interview, not contact me again for 2 weeks even though she "let me know she wanted the spot," and when she did she wanted me to wait another 2 weeks for the security deposit fee because their car had just broken down. At that point, I let her know the spot was no longer available and had been filled by another child. She was nice enough to my face about it but the provider I referred her to said she was HIGHLY irritated with me and showed it. Wish she would say something to my face so I could respond. The other provider, who ended up helping her term herself and the Mom is now mad at her I'm sorry they took advantage of you.
I had that happen to me a couple summers ago. I charge a nonrefundable $50 deposit to be used towards their first week of attendance. The woman was 'signing on' and I never questioned her(or charged her the $50 fee) because she was referred to me by one of my current dcfs. I was so excited, that meant I would be filled when school started. But oops, a week before school started she called and said they decided not to come after all. I didn't get any more calls during the school year that worked into an enrollment even though I had turned down a couple after this family had 'signed on'. I said never again. No matter what they say or how nice they seem, it's not real until I have their deposit in my hands.
What is it they say? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
, said it was the weirdest thing because everyone who takes security deposit fees does the same thing. That is why on all of our sheets it says that their spot is NOT reserved until they submit it. Buellar??? Buellar??? 
LovetheSun 01:56 AM 12-01-2014
I just felt so upset at myself! I do know better!
They sent me a message asking if I could help them for few days next week.
They seem to think I am a babysitter...
They sent me a message asking if I could help them for few days next week.
They seem to think I am a babysitter...
KiddieCahoots 09:20 AM 12-01-2014
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Oh yes, I aggree. I JUST had this happen this fall. A neighbor we know reasonably well thought she could interview, not contact me again for 2 weeks even though she "let me know she wanted the spot," and when she did she wanted me to wait another 2 weeks for the security deposit fee because their car had just broken down. At that point, I let her know the spot was no longer available and had been filled by another child. She was nice enough to my face about it but the provider I referred her to said she was HIGHLY irritated with me and showed it. Wish she would say something to my face so I could respond. The other provider, who ended up helping her term herself and the Mom is now mad at her, said it was the weirdest thing because everyone who takes security deposit fees does the same thing. That is why on all of our sheets it says that their spot is NOT reserved until they submit it. Buellar??? Buellar??? :rolleyes:
Oh yes, I aggree. I JUST had this happen this fall. A neighbor we know reasonably well thought she could interview, not contact me again for 2 weeks even though she "let me know she wanted the spot," and when she did she wanted me to wait another 2 weeks for the security deposit fee because their car had just broken down. At that point, I let her know the spot was no longer available and had been filled by another child. She was nice enough to my face about it but the provider I referred her to said she was HIGHLY irritated with me and showed it. Wish she would say something to my face so I could respond. The other provider, who ended up helping her term herself and the Mom is now mad at her
, said it was the weirdest thing because everyone who takes security deposit fees does the same thing. That is why on all of our sheets it says that their spot is NOT reserved until they submit it. Buellar??? Buellar??? :rolleyes:
..........Just had this happen to me too. Dcm was so excited about having her son start daycare here. Dcm became late with returning the paperwork. The day they were suppose to start, I got a text telling me she had a stomach bug, and would return the paperwork with the registration fee and following weeks fee the next day. Never heard from her again. The only thing I'm peeved about is giving dcm all my extra paperwork to sign, cause I figure it's a bullet dodged.
renodeb 09:44 AM 12-01-2014
Aint it the truth. know one understands this business like another provider. I have been burned in the past too. I'm so sorry that you got burned. I hope you fill that spot with a great family.
Deb
Deb
e.j. 11:22 AM 12-01-2014
Originally Posted by LovetheSun:
I just felt so upset at myself! I do know better!
They sent me a message asking if I could help them for few days next week.
They seem to think I am a babysitter...
Wow! They seem to be a tad clueless - or maybe they just think you are?! I just felt so upset at myself! I do know better!
They sent me a message asking if I could help them for few days next week.
They seem to think I am a babysitter...
AmyKidsCo 12:32 PM 12-01-2014
I did that once, when I'd just opened. A mom asked if she could bring her son for a couple of hours "to try it out" and I agreed. (What was I thinking?!) I didn't have her do any paperwork and I don't think I charged her either. When she picked up her son she said she wanted to enroll and would call me, but of course she never did.
KIDZRMYBIZ 08:44 AM 12-02-2014
I haven't experienced the pleasure of someone saying they were enrolling then not show at all, thank goodness. I do collect a 2-week-notice-termination-period payment up front, and I did have a DCF "use me" without telling me their kids were going to a center in a month when the spots opened up. They gave me a 2-week notice 2 weeks in, and were mad when I wouldn't refund them the last week because they were actually out on vacation then. Too bad. 2 weeks means 2 weeks. And I was irritated at the stunt they pulled and had to re-enroll.
I'm sorry you got burned. And outsiders wonder why we providers get so jaded after awhile!
I'm sorry you got burned. And outsiders wonder why we providers get so jaded after awhile!