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EntropyControlSpecialist 06:54 AM 02-19-2013
This morning I listened to the doorbell ring no less than 8 times ten minutes before I open. No thank you, I won't be opening that door even 30 seconds before I open.

3 more days to go this week ...
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Blackcat31 07:03 AM 02-19-2013
8 ding-dongs x $10 each would have netted you $80!

I am thinking you just found a way to make some extra cash!

~Good for you for NOT answering the door.

Hoping the excessive ringer got an earful about their rudeness.
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mamac 07:06 AM 02-19-2013
LOL. Good for you for not answering early!!

This is a little off topic but I had an uninvited visitor just drop by yesterday and my husband and two kids and I all ducked down and ignored the doorbell. Somehow our address was selected as part of the Federal Census survey last year where they interview us once a month for 4 months. I just got the papers on Saturday saying they would be back this year, and the woman calls me Sunday evening and leaves a message saying basically it's that time again. Well she takes it upon herself to just show up on a holiday morning!! WTH? We were all still in our jammies playing Wii together!
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bunnyslippers 07:54 AM 02-19-2013
I have hidden when my bell rings and I am not up for answering. My house, and I don't feel like company!

I would have lost my mind if someone rang my bell 8 times. No patience for ignorance or rudeness. What the H*** is wrong with people!!!!
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wdmmom 08:16 AM 02-19-2013
EIGHT times? Seriously?! Common sense says if I don't come by the 2nd ring, I'm not coming.

I tell my families not to use my doorbell because my kids are normally sleeping when arrivals start.

If it became problematic, I would just disconnect it!

How did you respond? Did they stand by the door for the full 10 minutes? No apology?

I have it specifically worded in my contract that my hours are 730am to 5pm and that my insurance is only effective during business hours only. Therefore if parents come early, they need to park out on the street and not in my driveway until 730am!
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MsLaura529 08:20 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by mamac:
LOL. Good for you for not answering early!!

This is a little off topic but I had an uninvited visitor just drop by yesterday and my husband and two kids and I all ducked down and ignored the doorbell. Somehow our address was selected as part of the Federal Census survey last year where they interview us once a month for 4 months. I just got the papers on Saturday saying they would be back this year, and the woman calls me Sunday evening and leaves a message saying basically it's that time again. Well she takes it upon herself to just show up on a holiday morning!! WTH? We were all still in our jammies playing Wii together!
THis reminds me of a Home Improvement episode when Randy had an unwanted friend come to try to stay then night, and when he came knocking on the door they turned off all the lights, and hid and the kid that was knocking on the door is yelling "I know you're in there!!! My mom said I could spend the night!!" Haha. Gets me laughing every time.
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mls620 08:43 AM 02-19-2013

I would not have answered either.
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MissAnn 09:12 AM 02-19-2013
I hate it when the kids do it at arrival.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 09:20 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
8 ding-dongs x $10 each would have netted you $80!

I am thinking you just found a way to make some extra cash!

~Good for you for NOT answering the door.

Hoping the excessive ringer got an earful about their rudeness.
I just opened the door with a big smile and said, "Hi __ and __!" and let the person who brought them just stand in the door staring. My business hours are posted directly next to the door. Bueller ... Bueller ...

I have an inkling that this person will be late picking them up today. Parents won't be too thrilled about a late fee. Bummer.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 09:23 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by wdmmom:
EIGHT times? Seriously?! Common sense says if I don't come by the 2nd ring, I'm not coming.

I tell my families not to use my doorbell because my kids are normally sleeping when arrivals start.

If it became problematic, I would just disconnect it!

How did you respond? Did they stand by the door for the full 10 minutes? No apology?

I have it specifically worded in my contract that my hours are 730am to 5pm and that my insurance is only effective during business hours only. Therefore if parents come early, they need to park out on the street and not in my driveway until 730am!
I looked out and yes, they stood on the porch for 10 full minutes while sporadically ringing the doorbell. No apology. I've done this to a couple of families (the ignore tactic and after they come early twice they seem to "get" it that I'm NOT going to answer the door until it is 8:00 on the DOT! I unlock the door then and turn on the porch light!) and one eventually asked, "Do you not open at 7:50am???" and I said, "I sure don't! My business hours are 8:00am-5:00pm as my sign states. " She looked completely baffled.

This family breaks little bits and pieces of my Parent Handbook constantly and is always getting fined. So, putting that into my Parent Handbook would be a waste of ink. I ignore bad parent behavior whenever possible and address the issues that CAN'T be ignored. Kind of like with the kids ... LOL!
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Starburst 10:09 AM 02-19-2013
If you have a late fee try doing an early fee as well. you can have a cushion for 5 minutes but let them know that you are a person too- not a robot that automaticaly turns on when they feel they are ready for their kid to be dropped off- and if they do drop off out of contract hours or out of daycare hours they need to know that it's overtime- and just like if they had to clock in early or clock out late they would be compinsated.
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Country Kids 10:47 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I looked out and yes, they stood on the porch for 10 full minutes while sporadically ringing the doorbell. No apology. I've done this to a couple of families (the ignore tactic and after they come early twice they seem to "get" it that I'm NOT going to answer the door until it is 8:00 on the DOT! I unlock the door then and turn on the porch light!) and one eventually asked, "Do you not open at 7:50am???" and I said, "I sure don't! My business hours are 8:00am-5:00pm as my sign states. " She looked completely baffled.

This family breaks little bits and pieces of my Parent Handbook constantly and is always getting fined. So, putting that into my Parent Handbook would be a waste of ink. I ignore bad parent behavior whenever possible and address the issues that CAN'T be ignored. Kind of like with the kids ... LOL!
What do your parents all do for a living? I would love to have 8-5 hours but those are actually the hours some of my parents actually work. They would have to drop off at least 15-30 min early to even be at work at 8:00. I then have parents who work 7-3/7:30-4:30.

Its funny though as we have a doorbell but no one ever rings it. I do have an open door policy but still don't have people showing up early. I have to be ready and ready to go by 6:30 so if I had people show up 10 min early or so it wouldn't be to big of a deal because I'm ready and I have kids/husband already headed out the door.

I'm one that is always early for everything so I guess maybe thats why it doesn't bother me. I would rather have early then late arrivals.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:03 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
What do your parents all do for a living? I would love to have 8-5 hours but those are actually the hours some of my parents actually work. They would have to drop off at least 15-30 min early to even be at work at 8:00. I then have parents who work 7-3/7:30-4:30.

Its funny though as we have a doorbell but no one ever rings it. I do have an open door policy but still don't have people showing up early. I have to be ready and ready to go by 6:30 so if I had people show up 10 min early or so it wouldn't be to big of a deal because I'm ready and I have kids/husband already headed out the door.

I'm one that is always early for everything so I guess maybe thats why it doesn't bother me. I would rather have early then late arrivals.
A few are SAHMs.
A couple work from home.
A lot of them work at least 20-30 minutes away. One parent usually drops off and one usually picks up. Or, they have a relative bring the child. No one works in the very small community we live in and the cities are 20-30 minutes away in either direction.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:05 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:
If you have a late fee try doing an early fee as well. you can have a cushion for 5 minutes but let them know that you are a person too- not a robot that automaticaly turns on when they feel they are ready for their kid to be dropped off- and if they do drop off out of contract hours or out of daycare hours they need to know that it's overtime- and just like if they had to clock in early or clock out late they would be compinsated.
I like my extra 5 minutes in the morning.

I do have a $1.00/minute late fee that i enforce. Even if they are only 1 minute late.
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Binkybobo 11:15 AM 02-19-2013
I'm the same way in the morning. I need that last 10 minutes to sip my coffee and watch the news. I spend the rest of the day cleaning and tending to others, and I don't appreciate someone taking that time away from me! Although I haven't found the backbone to let them stand and wait. I open the door. Good for you
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Willow 11:16 AM 02-19-2013
Get some hounds.

If anyone rings my doorbell it sounds like someone opened Pandoras Box in here. They will quiet with a single command but what fun would that be

If the bell ringing persists I answer the door and let the hounds express how they feel about the unscheduled noise and visitors directly in person. Again, they have great manners and would settle with a single command but why stop them from having a little fun on "their" time?

It's a great way to get everyone out the door at the end of the day too.....see you Sally! I'll wait just a minute before I let Kujo, Spike, Moose and Sprinkles out, it's been a long day and they sure can't wait to get outside!

I've had a several call that bluff, but never twice
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Starburst 11:22 AM 02-19-2013
I got this really cool sign (I think it was like only $1 or $2), they have at stores and other small businessed, that said 'Yes, we are open' on one side and 'Sorry we are closed' on the other. On the 'Closed' side it says 'Please come, back at:' has a little manual clock that you can set.
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mamac 11:33 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
Get some hounds.

If anyone rings my doorbell it sounds like someone opened Pandoras Box in here. They will quiet with a single command but what fun would that be

If the bell ringing persists I answer the door and let the hounds express how they feel about the unscheduled noise and visitors directly in person. Again, they have great manners and would settle with a single command but why stop them from having a little fun on "their" time?

It's a great way to get everyone out the door at the end of the day too.....see you Sally! I'll wait just a minute before I let Kujo, Spike, Moose and Sprinkles out, it's been a long day and they sure can't wait to get outside!

I've had a several call that bluff, but never twice
LOL. I love the names of your dogs but I must ask.... Why Sprinkles? The first three sound like pretty tough names until you get to the last one and it's like Whaaat? The little guy probably has an inferiority complex!!
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wdmmom 11:37 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I like my extra 5 minutes in the morning.

I do have a $1.00/minute late fee that i enforce. Even if they are only 1 minute late.
Add that to the top end of the day too.

Show up at 750am every morning for all I care. It's an extra $50 a week for me!
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mamac 11:43 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by MsLaura529:
THis reminds me of a Home Improvement episode when Randy had an unwanted friend come to try to stay then night, and when he came knocking on the door they turned off all the lights, and hid and the kid that was knocking on the door is yelling "I know you're in there!!! My mom said I could spend the night!!" Haha. Gets me laughing every time.
Hahah! I remember that episode. That's pretty much what we did except we left our huge flatscreen tv on which she could clearly see through the window. Oh well. Should have called first.
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Willow 11:45 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by mamac:
LOL. I love the names of your dogs but I must ask.... Why Sprinkles? The first three sound like pretty tough names until you get to the last one and it's like Whaaat? The little guy probably has an inferiority complex!!
Lol, Sprinkles always gets a nervous giggle to break the tension. Those aren't actual their names, I just like the vision they conjure

"Kujo" - Lab number 1 Trigger is most commonly referred to as Triggy Boo Boo or Mr. McSquiggle Butt and "Spike" - Lab number 2 is best known by family and friends as Poodle. "Moose" would be my 10lb Miniature Pincher - Fynnigan and "Sprinkles" would be my Pug - Cooper.

Who would fear a Triggy Boo Boo, Poodle, Fynny or Coopie??

They'd never hurt a fly but I don't want anyone else knowing that with my husband working on the road so much
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Texasjeepgirl 12:05 PM 02-19-2013
This is when I'm thankful for where/how I live...
We have a 6 foot chain link fence around the lot beside our furniture store.. which includes our parking area... and daycare playground...double wide gate that is chain/pad locked... No one gets to my door until I walk out and unlock and open that gate..
I open at 7... I walk out at 6:59...

Now.. I do open earlier if I have someone request it...no earlier than 6:30...and then only with request and approval.. and I walk out at 6:29 and 45 seconds...I have security camaras and I've seen them outside the gate waiting as early as 6:15...I still wait till 6:30...and then I tell them.. I won't open that gate 1 minute before the agreed upon drop off time... sorry...that's how I plan my morning..

The down side is.. I've gone to Walmart at 5:45 a.m. ... knowing I had a client that had requested drop off at 6:30... (Walmart is a few blocks from me)...I arrived home at 6:23 a.m..
pulled in my gate.. and.. guess what...
they had arrived EARLY... were unloaded and inside my daycare room...
I have a digital entry...and all clients have the code..
I was FURIOUS... I told this dad.. my vehicle wasn't here... next time.. if you don't see my vehicle.. and it is BEFORE our agreed upon drop off.. you WAIT...outside...
I ended up sending a notification to all the clients saying the same thing..
I drive a BRIGHT YELLOW JEEP RUBICON... if it's not parked there... assume I ran a quick errand.. and WAIT....

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saved4always 12:09 PM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
Get some hounds.

If anyone rings my doorbell it sounds like someone opened Pandoras Box in here. They will quiet with a single command but what fun would that be

If the bell ringing persists I answer the door and let the hounds express how they feel about the unscheduled noise and visitors directly in person. Again, they have great manners and would settle with a single command but why stop them from having a little fun on "their" time?

It's a great way to get everyone out the door at the end of the day too.....see you Sally! I'll wait just a minute before I let Kujo, Spike, Moose and Sprinkles out, it's been a long day and they sure can't wait to get outside!

I've had a several call that bluff, but never twice
LOL! I am just picturing my beagle when someone is at the door, or walking by the house, or walking on the next street, or is delivering something next door....he is a very naughty beagle who has never learned to stop baying. We think he was in-bred too many times and got an overdose of barking traits. Letting him out of his corner when someone comes too early would surely have stopped them on the first try.
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saved4always 12:11 PM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
Lol, Sprinkles always gets a nervous giggle to break the tension. Those aren't actual their names, I just like the vision they conjure

"Kujo" - Lab number 1 Trigger is most commonly referred to as Triggy Boo Boo or Mr. McSquiggle Butt and "Spike" - Lab number 2 is best known by family and friends as Poodle. "Moose" would be my 10lb Miniature Pincher - Fynnigan and "Sprinkles" would be my Pug - Cooper.

Who would fear a Triggy Boo Boo, Poodle, Fynny or Coopie??

They'd never hurt a fly but I don't want anyone else knowing that with my husband working on the road so much
My beagle wouldn't hurt anyone either...his bark is truly bigger than his bite.
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sahm1225 06:42 PM 02-19-2013
Good for you not opening the door! I ended up getting rid of my door bell because the kids would ring it while the parents yelled at them to stop! Then my dog would bark, wake up my kids who would be super cranky for the day. So one day when little Joey broke it, I never replaced it

I am not a fan of early arrivals. A few minutes its okay, but i will make sure to comment about it being early (most of my families are great so does not happen often) I plan my mornings and my assistants schedule based on the kids arrival times. Someone showing up early can put me over ratio or cut into my morning duties. Or my morning coffee
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Tags:door bell, early arrival, early arrival fee, rude behavior
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