Question about parent on Sittercity

[Anonymous]

So a couple weeks ago, I replied to a listing needing care the following weekday for a specific period of time. In my message, I included the usual summary as well as asking if this is a one time care date or if the parent is seeking something more permanent. Didn't receive a response and date for care passed. No problem.

I received an email today from the parent asking to give a call as they are seeking a more regular weekly sitter. I called the parent and within 10 seconds got a bad vibe. Dad was very crisp and business like and said he needed care 2-3 times a week on a regular basis and he would like to interview with me in less than 30 seconds that I was with him on the phone. I asked if they were seeking more of a mother's helper position or babysitting exclusively and he replied that it would be a mother's helper position with parent in the home checking on me when needed...I don't want that at all. Btdt, learned my lesson and prefer not to work with parents in the home again. I told him that the position wouldn't work for me but if they ever needed evening care for date nights and such, to feel free to let me know. He then asked me if I was not available in the day like I put on my profile. I lied and said I was seeking a position with more hours. He said that would work. I said that I currently am employed so not immediately available. He asked what my hours were and after replying, he said after my end time, I could still work for them, etc, etc. At this point I just wanted to hang up and asked if I could reply to him via email and he paused and asked if we were not on the same page. I said I would be available for evenings but during the day the postion wouldn't be for me and I was sorry for wasting his time. he paused again and said for me to go ahead and email him. I thanked him and he hanged up.

Ok, I absolutely know I sound paranoid and in the grand scheme of things, this is such a small issue, but I meet 95% of the parents I provide care for through Sittercity and have all positive reviews. If I could, I would not bother emailing back, but I said I would and the way this parent seemed on the phone, I think I need to or he will write negative feedback. How can I reiterate that I will not be available without saying why, which is because parents would be home?

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with being honest and trekking him why?? Or ask about outings and such so you don't have the parent hanging around all the time.

[Anonymous]

Why not say that you are interested in a nanny position not mother's helper position? No harm there.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

I don't care enough for the position to ask if I can take the child out for outings as care is needed for 3 hours at a time. I am almost positive that if I said I am looking for a nanny position, then he would say that would work. I didn't get a good vibe at all and felt awkward during our conversation. At this point, I wouldn't even do evening care dates if asked.

[Anonymous]

At this point you could just tell him you were weighing a few offers and have accepted another position. If that's not enough to get him off your back, you could block him on sittercity. I would hope that someone you've blocked isn't allowed to leave a review.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Thanks pp. Just called SC customer service and while I could block him, he can still leave a review. I will try in the evening and go ahead and word as you suggested along the lines of accepting another position.

[Anonymous]

13:42 here. That's insane that they still let him leave a review! What's to stop any nutcase parent from getting pissy you don't want to work for them and trying to ruin your reputation?? Sittercity is a joke.

[Anonymous]

Sittercity is more for HS and college kids, rather that for professional nannies, for obvious reasons. Some for care.com.

[Anonymous]

*Same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:42 here. That's insane that they still let him leave a review! What's to stop any nutcase parent from getting pissy you don't want to work for them and trying to ruin your reputation?? Sittercity is a joke.

New poster here.

I've had that happen to me before. A person with a day care wanted me to work for her for like $6/hr and I told her that was less than minimum wage and I personally won't accept less than $14 per hour. She got all pissy with me and said she would leave me a bad review. I asked her politely to stop contacting me, and she continued to do so.

I finally blocked her. She hasn't left me a bad review on sittercity, but took to her daycare's Facebook and was complaining about me there.

[Anonymous]

Just tell him you decided to take a different position close to where you live. Thanks and good luck. There ya go...easy peasy.

[Anonymous]

You should have been direct.for example "I don't think that we would be a good fit...I am not looking for a position with the parents home" etc.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I should have been direct, but after having been direct with a couple families previously, it isn't as easy at it seems, atleast or me. At that point, parents assume you have something to hide or are dangerous, etc even though that's not the case.

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

The thing I hate about sittercity and care.com is how easy it is for a parent to write a negative review about someone. It seems they have this power to write anything they want, whether true or not and sadly it can ruin a nanny's profile and make her lose out on decent jobs. Sure, she can write her side of things, but the damage will already be done.

I once had this idiot lady write me a bad review on sittercity which had not one iota of truth to it. I called sittercity and was told that only the parent had the ability to remove the bad rating. Luckily for me, the woman had some decency and agreed to remove it for me after much discussion between me and her.

All I can advise you OP is to just be as diplomatic as possible.
Keep things positive and try not to burn any bridges w/this man.

There is a chance that even if you do piss him off, he might not automatically write a bad review.

Not all of them do.

[Anonymous]

The only problem is the one you created for yourself when you lied the first time, OP. Just say no, thank you, and hang up.