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crumpet54
04-01-2016, 03:23 PM
Hey I've just had an enquiry on the phone and I misquoted the price it works out 80 a month difference. .... help what shall I do?? She's coming tomorrow for a show around etc.
Shall I just mention it or just let it go and put it down to experience? ?
I'm so cross with myself I was flustered and out shopping didn't think properly ahhhh

CLou82
04-01-2016, 03:36 PM
If you have her number perhaps call her to explain and give the correct fee, before she comes to visit. That's what I think i'd do.

hectors house
04-01-2016, 04:14 PM
I would wait for the parent to arrive and then say "the price I gave you yesterday on the phone was an estimate and now I have had time to work out the hours and fees correctly on a calculate I have realised it's actually going to cost you this much ?" I normally just give them the hourly rate and let them work it out for themselves.

bunyip
04-01-2016, 04:20 PM
I'd say £1000pa (or near as) is a pretty expensive piece of experience.

Personally, I'd be up front and tell her I'd made a genuine mistake. I'd maybe give her my best girlie-giggle* and say, "I'm better at childcare than I am at maths."

The face-saving approach, if needed (well, it's lying really, but we don't use words like that here :rolleyes: ) is to say you've just reviewed the fees for the new year after having held your prices for goD-knows how long and you'd mistakenly done the calculation on your old rates. January makes it a good time to get away with this one, unless you're thinking of reviewing fees again soon.


*Yes, I know, but none of you can say I don't have a girlie giggle unless you've heard it......................;)

Mouse
04-01-2016, 04:41 PM
I would phone now and say you're sorry, but she caught you off guard as you were out shopping and you've since realised that you miscalculated the quote and it will actually be £X.

I certainly wouldn't leave it until tomorrow to tell her as that's quite a big difference. Look at it from her point of view. If you'd phoned somewhere for a quote (which probably seems very cheap compared to others), but when you turned up they said it was going to be an extra £80 a month, you'd probably tell them to forget it! Personally, I'd much rather they phoned me first than leave me to find out when I was there. By letting her know now, you give her the opportunity to cancel if she doesn't want to pay that amount, or come along anyway, knowing the true cost in advance.

Whatever you do, don't write it off and think you have to offer her a place based on the figure you initially quoted. You'd end up resenting the family and there's a good chance you won't get any thanks from them for doing it so cheap!

crumpet54
04-01-2016, 04:46 PM
Thanks all I think she still thinks it's too much cos she's just posted on a selling page on fb -any childminders in the area..... lol
My friend has posted suggesting me and shes said I've contacted her thanks

lol lol lol

bunyip
04-01-2016, 05:14 PM
Thanks all I think she still thinks it's too much cos she's just posted on a selling page on fb -any childminders in the area..... lol
My friend has posted suggesting me and shes said I've contacted her thanks

lol lol lol

I wouldn't red too much into that.

9 out of 10 cats think childminders are too expensive................... because we don't do it for free! :p

crumpet54
04-01-2016, 05:54 PM
I wouldn't red too much into that.

9 out of 10 cats think childminders are too expensive................... because we don't do it for free! :p

Ha how true ay!
Yeah my partner just said I've read t9 much into it. He said well you shop around don't u?? I was like Hmmmm yes I suppose so!
I'll see how it goes tomo. I really want a full timer now I've had so many time wasters it's ridiculous. X

crumpet54
05-01-2016, 03:13 PM
No show! !!

Seriously getting fed up now I've had so many time wasters and no shows.

So disheartening :(

bunyip
05-01-2016, 06:13 PM
No show! !!

Seriously getting fed up now I've had so many time wasters and no shows.

So disheartening :(

Sorry to hear that. :group hug:

There are times I wish we could sell tickets for parent visits, rather than just work the time for free: so much worse they can't even be bothered to show up. If only we could all take a refundable deposit against them wasting our time like that, but then we'd just be seen as greedy, or mad, for doing it. I know one CM group that shares information on parents who do no-shows, as well as keeping what amounts to a 'blacklist' of bad-payers and other troublesome types.

On the subject of shopping around, I've had a handful of odd enquiries in the last few weeks, where they were more than usually interested in my fees. Some even quoted their current CMs' rates. It looks very much like fees are going up a bit in my area, in which case most the CMs will put theirs up at the same time, as the CM group in the next town is run like a cartel/mafia and do everything together cos they're incapable of independent thought.

I know this is a business, but I'm horrified at the idea of mums shopping around to save a few bob with no regard for how much it could disrupt an arrangement their child is probably happy with. :mad:

greenfaerie
05-01-2016, 07:39 PM
How annoying for you. :( Hopefully you get some better interest soon. I hate it when people just don't show up, no one thinks about how they waste the time of others.

For what it's worth with your original enquiry I would definitely have sent a message just saying that you miscalculated, and make a bit of a joke about the whole thing. Just so they don't feel like you'd mis sold yourself in order to get an appointment. I would definitely not let the £80 a month go. :D

crumpet54
05-01-2016, 07:44 PM
Sorry to hear that. :group hug:

There are times I wish we could sell tickets for parent visits, rather than just work the time for free: so much worse they can't even be bothered to show up. If only we could all take a refundable deposit against them wasting our time like that, but then we'd just be seen as greedy, or mad, for doing it. I know one CM group that shares information on parents who do no-shows, as well as keeping what amounts to a 'blacklist' of bad-payers and other troublesome types.

On the subject of shopping around, I've had a handful of odd enquiries in the last few weeks, where they were more than usually interested in my fees. Some even quoted their current CMs' rates. It looks very much like fees are going up a bit in my area, in which case most the CMs will put theirs up at the same time, as the CM group in the next town is run like a cartel/mafia and do everything together cos they're incapable of independent thought.

I know this is a business, but I'm horrified at the idea of mums shopping around to save a few bob with no regard for how much it could disrupt an arrangement their child is probably happy with. :mad:

Oh I know I can't believe how some are in regards to their children I had one last week didn't want me meeting child I said we would need settling in sessions she said no I need care to start Monday (this was on the Saturday ). .... I refused as she wanted 6.30-6.30 worked an hours drive away and said she will prob b later than 6.30 at night ......
I could go on and on with my enquiries I've had I can't believe it. I'm so fed up with it now.

crumpet54
05-01-2016, 07:45 PM
How annoying for you. :( Hopefully you get some better interest soon. I hate it when people just don't show up, no one thinks about how they waste the time of others.

For what it's worth with your original enquiry I would definitely have sent a message just saying that you miscalculated, and make a bit of a joke about the whole thing. Just so they don't feel like you'd mis sold yourself in order to get an appointment. I would definitely not let the £80 a month go. :D

Yes looking back now maybe it was a blessing that she's not turned up saves me the awkward conversation about the fees problem lol lol I've learnt my lesson definitely! !

crumpet54
05-01-2016, 07:47 PM
Just had another enquiry - 1 day a week 9 month old .....
Thoughts ??
May be hard to settle only coming one day a week?
Paperwork for 1 day.... worth it??

BallyH
05-01-2016, 08:14 PM
It's great to hear you've had another enquiry. I've got a child on a one day contract as grandparents had her the other 2 days but mum now wants another day. This may happen to you. It may take a while for the child to settle but you will work with the parents to make this as smooth as possible. Can you ask the parent if they may need more days on the future before you make your mind up?

loocyloo
05-01-2016, 08:24 PM
I've had and have lots on one day a week contracts. It can take longer to settle, but not always. I often see my 'one dayers' at toddlers/other groups/school. It's nice having a different mix of children too. Most of my 'one dayers' add occasional extra days, and some permanent extra days. I'd go for it. xx

crumpet54
05-01-2016, 09:02 PM
Thanks for your thoughts I'll take them on board

bunyip
05-01-2016, 09:29 PM
So pleased you've had another enquiry.

I'd go for it, but then I've become very much at ease with lots of 'bits and pieces' work. I've had a 1-day-a week child since last summer, and mum just increased to 2 days starting this week (woo-hoo, hark at me: bunyip hits the Big Time ;) .) I also half a lo who does 2 mornings a week. For some time, nearly all my EY mindees have been shared-care arrangements with them going to nursery, pre-school or grandparents on other days of the week.

I appreciate the point about the paperwork, but I don't find it too onorous. Frinstance, I wouldn't do so many LJ observations for a child who only comes once a week.

Would you be the only EY setting, or are they at a nursery/preschool at other times?

Settling might be an issue. I'd be absolutely straight with mum about this, and keep a reasonable settling-in period in the contract.

mumofone
05-01-2016, 09:51 PM
Just had another enquiry - 1 day a week 9 month old ..... Thoughts ?? May be hard to settle only coming one day a week? Paperwork for 1 day.... worth it??

I'd definitely follow it up, you could wait ages for the perfect scenario and it might never come. One of my first customers was one day a week so don't knock it! :-) good luck x

smurfette
06-01-2016, 12:10 PM
The beauty of one day a week mindees is that they often are flexible about the days. Like bunyip my work is all part timers ..
Currently I have one in four days a week, one in three days. One on shift anything from one to four days a week and one on a half day a week. In my scenario I could feasibly fit someone who is studying and prepared to vary days, another one like my half day a week one whose mum just wants a break or a little one who is shared
Care with grandparents who often don't mind which day they do just don't want to do every day. As a pp said sometimes it leads to more days too. It can be harder to settle but if you get Lo in now (and I mean in next week or two as they are young yet and not quite at the making strange stage) and settled it could go beautifully. It might not but you won't know until they actually start. I have done this often and most have settled fine. It's a risk but I think probably worth trying. Ask if they are happy to move days if necessary as you may need to fit in another parent . Good luck !

crumpet54
06-01-2016, 12:13 PM
Thanks all yes I will invite her for a viewing. Like u say it may lead to more.

crumpet54
06-01-2016, 12:23 PM
She's now saying 9 month old every Friday and now a 3 year old only in holidays
What happens then? Retainer? Seperate contract just as and when need charge??

BallyH
06-01-2016, 12:54 PM
Every child needs a separate contract. I would do a 'holiday' contract only. They pay whatever hourly rate you want. Same as the baby? Up to you. But they pay for additional hours if required. They pay for sickness and if the parent takes the child out for a holiday, during the holiday period, as with the baby contract.

crumpet54
06-01-2016, 01:25 PM
Every child needs a separate contract. I would do a 'holiday' contract only. They pay whatever hourly rate you want. Same as the baby? Up to you. But they pay for additional hours if required. They pay for sickness and if the parent takes the child out for a holiday, during the holiday period, as with the baby contract.

Yes I've just realised once I had written it that I'd need a separate contract.
I've messaged her saying if she would like to come for a viewing.

bunyip
06-01-2016, 06:44 PM
She's now saying 9 month old every Friday and now a 3 year old only in holidays
What happens then? Retainer? Seperate contract just as and when need charge??

Definitely separate contracts.

I don't do retainers, but each to their own. I'm guessing you mean: should you charge a term-time retainer for the 3yo who is needing holiday-only care? I'd think carefully about that. One of the biggest gripes I hear is parents dislike paying for times they're not receiving care. Whatever you believe about the rights and wrongs of this, remember the scale of this: the child is spending only a quarter of the year in your care, so mum is even more likely to baulk at a retainer fee. It could actually be a deal-breaker, especially if she visits another CM who is offering holiday care with no term-time charges.

I do know some local CMs who charge a holiday retainer on TTO contracts (claiming they "can't fill the space in the holidays") and then have holiday-only clients filling the very same spaces on an increased rate "because it's holidays-only". Go figure..............:p

hectors house
07-01-2016, 06:08 PM
Be careful with the 3 year old just in the school holidays, if you take them on then they fill one of your under 5's spaces so unless you find another child who just wants term time you could end up over numbers. I know being full seems like a long way off but it's worth thinking about, you could end up turning away a full time all year round under 5 as they would be new business and you wouldn't have space for them in the holidays.

crumpet54
07-01-2016, 06:53 PM
Be careful with the 3 year old just in the school holidays, if you take them on then they fill one of your under 5's spaces so unless you find another child who just wants term time you could end up over numbers. I know being full seems like a long way off but it's worth thinking about, you could end up turning away a full time all year round under 5 as they would be new business and you wouldn't have space for them in the holidays.

Yes I wouldn't turn away a full timer, I only have 2 spaces anyway as my dd takes up a space anyway. I'll just say if I have space then yes but if not then no. I'll explain it to mum.
She's not responded anyway to my invite for a visit/view so it's not looking likely it will happen anyway.

On another note I had a message yesterday really keen lady, messages were going back and forth in asked how old the child was and she said. ..... oh no its not a child space I want- I thought you were advertising jobs???? Aaahhhhhh x

Jessymax
08-01-2016, 11:06 AM
of course you should take it if you are wanting to become busier. I often just say that baring in mind the age of child (one of hardest for separation) that one day may not be enough to build a bond and help settle but we can try it and see how it goes then they often say oh yes hadn't thought of that if she/he is struggling we will send them a little more often . paperwork wont be a big deal as you don't need to do more than one ob a week x

crumpet54
08-01-2016, 01:58 PM
of course you should take it if you are wanting to become busier. I often just say that baring in mind the age of child (one of hardest for separation) that one day may not be enough to build a bond and help settle but we can try it and see how it goes then they often say oh yes hadn't thought of that if she/he is struggling we will send them a little more often . paperwork wont be a big deal as you don't need to do more than one ob a week x

Yes that what I was thinking about the age and separation.

They've not responded to my message anyway, so nevermind lol thanks all for your replies

samb
08-01-2016, 02:05 PM
Yes I wouldn't turn away a full timer, I only have 2 spaces anyway as my dd takes up a space anyway. I'll just say if I have space then yes but if not then no. I'll explain it to mum. She's not responded anyway to my invite for a visit/view so it's not looking likely it will happen anyway. On another note I had a message yesterday really keen lady, messages were going back and forth in asked how old the child was and she said. ..... oh no its not a child space I want- I thought you were advertising jobs???? Aaahhhhhh x
I had this once before too, i had an advert for an under 5 vacancy and the lady called me and talked for ages before I could get a word in edge ways to explain that the vacancy was for the under 5 not for someone to care for an under 5.

crumpet54
08-01-2016, 02:34 PM
I had this once before too, i had an advert for an under 5 vacancy and the lady called me and talked for ages before I could get a word in edge ways to explain that the vacancy was for the under 5 not for someone to care for an under 5.

Lol frustrating isn't it!

Jessymax
15-01-2016, 09:10 AM
have you had anymore enquiries crumpet54?x

crumpet54
15-01-2016, 10:51 AM
have you had anymore enquiries crumpet54?x

Hi Jessymax yes I'm getting enquiries everyday but they're either not turning up to meet me etc or completely random hours or wanting a taxi service!
For example I had one want me to pick up 30min drive away , take to nursery a further 10 min drive. This is a taxi requirement is wouldn't be caring for his needs at all, I would be spending 10 Min a day with him
Then I've had 2 this week not wanting care until October and January

I'm pleased that I'm getting the enquiries etc but just nothing suitable atm

But I had a lovely message from a nursery teacher who saw my advert and photos of my playroom etc and said she wanted to say how wonderful it looked and she was gutted she couldn't send her daughter to me but it was too far to travel it wasn't possible for her. But she felt she wanted to tell me how nice aye!

Jessymax
15-01-2016, 12:51 PM
its so frustrating I was so lucky nd don't take for granted the fact I was pretty much full before I even opened! but in the coming weeks when I was preparing and the enquiries just weren't quite right etc I was getting so disheartenend and was worrying how I would afford to pay the bills! that's lovely of that lady to message you, have you got a facebook page I have found that the best way to advertise personally and we have lots of local ' for sale and swap groups' where I share it every evening around 8pm when all parents are surfing fb! and it tends to be really great we also have a local newsletter I pay £3 a month to put my business card in which has brought in a couple of enquries xx

smurfette
15-01-2016, 01:53 PM
its so frustrating I was so lucky nd don't take for granted the fact I was pretty much full before I even opened! but in the coming weeks when I was preparing and the enquiries just weren't quite right etc I was getting so disheartenend and was worrying how I would afford to pay the bills! that's lovely of that lady to message you, have you got a facebook page I have found that the best way to advertise personally and we have lots of local ' for sale and swap groups' where I share it every evening around 8pm when all parents are surfing fb! and it tends to be really great we also have a local newsletter I pay £3 a month to put my business card in which has brought in a couple of enquries xx

What kind of thing do you add to your Facebook page? I don't have one but thinking it sounds like a good idea!

crumpet54
15-01-2016, 02:10 PM
its so frustrating I was so lucky nd don't take for granted the fact I was pretty much full before I even opened! but in the coming weeks when I was preparing and the enquiries just weren't quite right etc I was getting so disheartenend and was worrying how I would afford to pay the bills! that's lovely of that lady to message you, have you got a facebook page I have found that the best way to advertise personally and we have lots of local ' for sale and swap groups' where I share it every evening around 8pm when all parents are surfing fb! and it tends to be really great we also have a local newsletter I pay £3 a month to put my business card in which has brought in a couple of enquries xx

Yes I have a Facebook page where I add photos of my playroom, I take photos of activities I've set up etc and share posts such as "we've had a busy week,...... saying what we've been up to etc. I will not have any photos of the children it's just the resources etc.
I share it onto several buy it sell it type groups on fb regularly and also different times of the day to catch different people, etc.
I have a think shirt made with my logo on which I wear whenever I'm out and about toddler groups soft play etc, I've got business cards in hand out to everyone and have leaflets up in shops, library, doctors, schools etc etc. I message everyone on childcare.co.uk not many are read though which is frustrating.
The mindees mum works in the local supermarket and has put up leaflet in the staff room etc and has 2 people interested but nothing has come of that yet.

Jessymax
15-01-2016, 04:34 PM
you sound like your doing everything you can how many mindees do you have now? atleast you have started I think getting number1 is the hardest must be difficult for parents to look around and 1 trust a stranger and 2 be happy that they will be only baby/child x

crumpet54
16-01-2016, 10:09 AM
you sound like your doing everything you can how many mindees do you have now? atleast you have started I think getting number1 is the hardest must be difficult for parents to look around and 1 trust a stranger and 2 be happy that they will be only baby/child x

1 girl 15months old, 2 days a week........ well 9.30-2.30 so not even a full day....