New babysitter changing rate?

[Anonymous]

We've had a new babysitter lined up for an event this weekend for a while. She had told us her rate was $17/hr. She asked today if it actually would be possible to be paid $100 for the night. That's $25/hr, which is almost a 50% increase.

How do we answer this? I mean, we could pay her that, but we'd be less likely to call her back (our other sitters charge $17-20, but they aren't always available). Can we counter propose $20/hr, or is this a "her rate is her rate" kind of thing?

[Anonymous]

Depends on how important this event is to you. Your other sitters aren’t available. So if she cancels, you’ll need a new plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on how important this event is to you. Your other sitters aren’t available. So if she cancels, you’ll need a new plan.

I'm less worried about this one event because we're both willing to be flexible this time. It's more for the longer term, do we ask if she's open to a rate in line with other sitters, or just accept that she's raising it 50% and it's take it or leave it. I don't know the etiquette, this is weird.

[Anonymous]

She probably got another family that will pay more, if you don’t want her just say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've had a new babysitter lined up for an event this weekend for a while. She had told us her rate was $17/hr. She asked today if it actually would be possible to be paid $100 for the night. That's $25/hr, which is almost a 50% increase.

How do we answer this? I mean, we could pay her that, but we'd be less likely to call her back (our other sitters charge $17-20, but they aren't always available). Can we counter propose $20/hr, or is this a "her rate is her rate" kind of thing?

I would drop her and pay someone else $100. She roped you in with a certain price and is now doing a bait and switch. If you had intended to pay $100 from the start you could have picked from a larger pool of applicants and could have found someone possibly better (not saying you had to do this my point is to point out her unethical behavior).

[Anonymous]

Yes, but no tip

[Anonymous]

Is pay her $20 and if you like her hire her again. If you just need her not to cancel and don’t care if she comes back then give her $100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had a new babysitter lined up for an event this weekend for a while. She had told us her rate was $17/hr. She asked today if it actually would be possible to be paid $100 for the night. That's $25/hr, which is almost a 50% increase.

How do we answer this? I mean, we could pay her that, but we'd be less likely to call her back (our other sitters charge $17-20, but they aren't always available). Can we counter propose $20/hr, or is this a "her rate is her rate" kind of thing?

I would drop her and pay someone else $100. She roped you in with a certain price and is now doing a bait and switch. If you had intended to pay $100 from the start you could have picked from a larger pool of applicants and could have found someone possibly better (not saying you had to do this my point is to point out her unethical behavior).

Eh, she's just a college student, I think she probably told us what she was actually charging and then she found out some other people get paid more by other families or something. I don't think she intended a bait and switch. But I also don't think $25 is the "prevailing rate."

[Anonymous]

Say no, sorry, you booked her for the night after agreeing on $17 an hour so that's what you're prepared to pay her. I'd start looking for a new sitter though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on how important this event is to you. Your other sitters aren’t available. So if she cancels, you’ll need a new plan.

This. Pay her. Don’t be dumb. Wouldn’t you have tipped her anyway? $17 is very low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Say no, sorry, you booked her for the night after agreeing on $17 an hour so that's what you're prepared to pay her. I'd start looking for a new sitter though.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've had a new babysitter lined up for an event this weekend for a while. She had told us her rate was $17/hr. She asked today if it actually would be possible to be paid $100 for the night. That's $25/hr, which is almost a 50% increase.

How do we answer this? I mean, we could pay her that, but we'd be less likely to call her back (our other sitters charge $17-20, but they aren't always available). Can we counter propose $20/hr, or is this a "her rate is her rate" kind of thing?

$8.00 is not 50% increase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had a new babysitter lined up for an event this weekend for a while. She had told us her rate was $17/hr. She asked today if it actually would be possible to be paid $100 for the night. That's $25/hr, which is almost a 50% increase.

How do we answer this? I mean, we could pay her that, but we'd be less likely to call her back (our other sitters charge $17-20, but they aren't always available). Can we counter propose $20/hr, or is this a "her rate is her rate" kind of thing?

$8.00 is not 50% increase.

np - yes, it is an almost 50% increase from $17. Can you not do the math??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had a new babysitter lined up for an event this weekend for a while. She had told us her rate was $17/hr. She asked today if it actually would be possible to be paid $100 for the night. That's $25/hr, which is almost a 50% increase.

How do we answer this? I mean, we could pay her that, but we'd be less likely to call her back (our other sitters charge $17-20, but they aren't always available). Can we counter propose $20/hr, or is this a "her rate is her rate" kind of thing?

$8.00 is not 50% increase.

It is.

[Anonymous]

dont mean to derail - do people actually tip their babysitters? I’ve always just paid their stayed rate (plus telling them to help themselves to our food/drink).

If you do tip, how much?