Anonymous
06/16/2024 20:53
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. We asked if she could do $20/hr and she said sure.
That's more reasonable. I do think she lacks some integrity in not honoring the price she agreed on initially. It would be more professional to accept the agreed-upon rate for the first sitting and then notify the parents that you will be raising your rate for future jobs.
Anonymous
06/14/2024 15:52
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
OP here. We asked if she could do $20/hr and she said sure.
Anonymous
06/14/2024 15:47
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote: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?
Aren't your kids worth $25 though? Why would you get the cheapest person for your children?
Aren't my kids worth $200/hr? Why stop at $25? Pay rates for childcare are not based on valuations of the children, who are generally not for sale.
If there were a huge difference in how well-trained or amazing the sitters were, that's one thing, but if they're pretty equivalent, you wouldn't pay more just to prove you value your children.
We paid for good + availability. The marketplace sets the rate. Not you.
Anonymous
06/14/2024 15:46
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote: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?
Yes, we round up to the nearest $20. If they're at $58 then we add $10 so would give $70 in that case.
Anonymous
06/14/2024 15:44
Subject: Re:New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote: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.
She is in demand. Someone else offered her $100 for the evening.
10 years ago we would pay $15/hr. and had one child. I'd usually tip and give the sitter $100 for the evening. I wanted their availability in the future. For the longer term, consider that demand is usually > good, available sitters.
Anonymous
06/14/2024 15:41
Subject: Re:New babysitter changing rate?
It’s this weekend and your other sitters aren’t available. Just pay the $25/hr so she does a good job instead of a crappy one because she feels bitter (if she even shows up). It’s an extra $32 for 4 hours. That’s really not very much money in the grand scheme of things- to me, it would definitely be worth it to make sure I can attend an event and my kids are having a good time with an engaged sitter, not a sulky one.
And after that, never hire her again. I actually think $25 is very reasonable. I pay that for just a 3 year old. There are cheaper options but I want someone who is more qualified. But I do agree that she shouldn’t be renegotiating her rate this close to the date, so that’s why I wouldn’t hire her again.
And after that, never hire her again. I actually think $25 is very reasonable. I pay that for just a 3 year old. There are cheaper options but I want someone who is more qualified. But I do agree that she shouldn’t be renegotiating her rate this close to the date, so that’s why I wouldn’t hire her again.
Anonymous
06/14/2024 05:17
Subject: Re:New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote: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. If you have another option, politely decline stating that she had said her rate was X and rate Y is too much. If not, just pay her and don't use her again--you don't want to miss your event.
Anonymous
06/14/2024 05:13
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote: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?
No this is not a thing
Anonymous
06/10/2024 20:59
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
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?
She indicated everything is negotiable. You should also investigate competing offers.
Who old are. Your kids?
Is she "nannying" tour kids, or sitting on your phone while the kids take care of themselves?
Anonymous
06/10/2024 20:56
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote: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?
OP here. We always round up to the nearest $20 for the sitter who charges $17, so in practice we do pay her $20/hr. For the one who charges $20, if she's on time (which has been an issue) we'll round up to the next half hour or add $10 tip. If she's very late we just pay for the agreed on hours.
I don't feel like I'd tip at all on $25/hr....
Anonymous
06/10/2024 20:53
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
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?
Aren't your kids worth $25 though? Why would you get the cheapest person for your children?
Aren't my kids worth $200/hr? Why stop at $25? Pay rates for childcare are not based on valuations of the children, who are generally not for sale.
If there were a huge difference in how well-trained or amazing the sitters were, that's one thing, but if they're pretty equivalent, you wouldn't pay more just to prove you value your children.
Anonymous
06/10/2024 20:46
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
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?
Aren't your kids worth $25 though? Why would you get the cheapest person for your children?
Anonymous
06/10/2024 20:40
Subject: New babysitter changing rate?
Anonymous wrote: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?
To the nearest round number. I don’t hand people 42 dollars, I would give $45.