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? |
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. |
She probably got another family that will pay more, if you don’t want her just say no. |
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). |
Yes, but no tip |
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. |
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." |
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. |
This. Pay her. Don’t be dumb. Wouldn’t you have tipped her anyway? $17 is very low. |
+1 |
$8.00 is not 50% increase. |
np - yes, it is an almost 50% increase from $17. Can you not do the math?? |
It is. |
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? |