Would you refund fees?

[ma7ie]

My little mindee is contracted to come on a Monday and Thursday morning but for the last couple of months has been coming Tuesday and Friday mornings due to family illness but he is not contracted for those days.

I invoiced the family and received payment for this week on Monday.

Tonight I have received a text from Mum who is having Friday morning off work for whatever reason and is cancelling mindee for that day.

Although I'm not contracted for Friday I feel that I shouldn't have to refund her the money as we had already pre-arranged care for that day.

I don't know how to word what I want to say without sounding rude. My text is saying " Ok, no problem. Sorry but won't be able to refund you for Friday because you'd pre-arranged it. Hope you understand."

Do you think that sounds ok and do you think I'm being fair or would you refund?

[sarah707]

Has she asked for a refund? If she hasn't then why mention it until it crops up?

I'd just say thanks for letting me know, look forward to seeing xxx on whenever she's next due or something equally banal and leave it at that. :D

[miffy]

I agree with Sarah - mum may not even have thought about a refund

miffy xx

[deeb66]

I wouldn't give a refund either....after all she did book the day.

Agree with the others I wouldn't mention it unless she does.

HTH

[ma7ie]

Ok. Just hope she doesn't ask for it back when she's here as I hate confrontations and will probably back down.:(

[Banana]

agree - dont metion it and see if she bring it up.

If she does, then explain. But until then just say 'thanks for letting me know'

x

[deeb66]

Ok. Just hope she doesn't ask for it back when she's here as I hate confrontations and will probably back down.:(

Don't back down....she did book the day and has since changed her mind.....that is her fault not yours!

If she does quibble just say that if she had booked an activity (say music lesson etc) she would still have to pay or if at Nursery/Day care she would still have to pay!

[ma7ie]

Don't back down....she did book the day and has since changed her mind.....that is her fault not yours!

If she does quibble just say that if she had booked an activity (say music lesson etc) she would still have to pay or if at Nursery/Day care she would still have to pay!

I know you're right and would give the same advice myself. Just not too good at taking it.:rolleyes:

[deeb66]

I know you're right and would give the same advice myself. Just not too good at taking it.:rolleyes:

I know what you mean....

It's easy to say these things but can be a different matter when you have to actually do it.

Even after all these yeas I still feel uncomfortable when I have to discuss anything to do with money!

[miffy]

I know what you mean....

It's easy to say these things but can be a different matter when you have to actually do it.

Even after all these yeas I still feel uncomfortable when I have to discuss anything to do with money!

Me too - and it's always easier to advise someone else than do it yourself

Try not to worry Marie it may never be mentioned

miffy xx

[ma7ie]

Me too - and it's always easier to advise someone else than do it yourself

Try not to worry Marie it may never be mentioned

miffy xx

Thanks miffy. You're not trying to distract me from being sexy again are you?:D

[miffy]

Thanks miffy. You're not trying to distract me from being sexy again are you?:D

Would I do that???????

miffy xx

[Mickey Mouse Clubhouse]

Hi

I agree with everyone else I would not mention anything unless the mum does to you.

Lorraine xx

[Kelly]

When do you next invoice the mum?

I would not mention it initially either and on the invoice I would put £xx.xx for pre-booked hours.

I would not give a refund in these circumstances. If mum queries it I would say that I could not fill the space on that day because it had been pre-booked, therefore I have to charge.

Kelly

[LittleMissSparkles]

I think you have been leanient allowing her to change days due to the circumstances of illness, technically you could have charged her still for the day she was suppost to use as she was contracted to pay for it really.I would not refund her either you cant be messedabout likethat,explain that you have tried to help her by changing the days due to the illness thing but your contracted hours reqire paying for as do any other times pre booked as you may have been able to give the hours to another child xxx

good luck xxx

[Lottie]

I look at it this way...

It's short notice and you could have had another mindee in for that period instead. To refund her the fee's means that you have lost out on income. Childminding is a business after all.

[Rubybubbles]

agree with everyone do not back down girl you listening to us all:laughing: :laughing:

[ma7ie]

Thanks everyone.

I've just said thanks for letting me know and not mentioned anything about fees. Going to invoice her tomorrow for next week at the usual amount and I'll see what happens next week.:D

[angeldelight]

Missed this

Good luck Marie

Hope it works out next week with payment

Angel xx

[jmoff]

I aagree with what has been said.

Good luck

Jana x

[ma7ie]

:update:
When the mum was leaving today she asked me where she stood regarding refund of fees for tomorrow as she no longer needed me. My heart sunk, then I broke out in a cold sweat, but I did it. You would have been so proud of me.

Through all my mumbling I managed to splutter out the fact that because she had verbally prebooked me and already paid for the day I wasn't refunding. She looked a bit put out but said ok.

PHEW!!!

[crazybones]

:update:
When the mum was leaving today she asked me where she stood regarding refund of fees for tomorrow as she no longer needed me. My heart sunk, then I broke out in a cold sweat, but I did it. You would have been so proud of me.

Through all my mumbling I managed to splutter out the fact that because she had verbally prebooked me and already paid for the day I wasn't refunding. She looked a bit put out but said ok.

PHEW!!!

Well done. You are brave. I would have backed down. :o :clapping:

[deeb66]

Well done Marie

I am really proud of you.

Good for you :clapping:

[miffy]

:update:
When the mum was leaving today she asked me where she stood regarding refund of fees for tomorrow as she no longer needed me. My heart sunk, then I broke out in a cold sweat, but I did it. You would have been so proud of me.

Through all my mumbling I managed to splutter out the fact that because she had verbally prebooked me and already paid for the day I wasn't refunding. She looked a bit put out but said ok.

PHEW!!!

Go girl :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

You're right I'm really proud of you

Well done

miffy xx

[Chimps Childminding]

Well done for standing your ground - i would have mumbled/spluttered and then agreed to the refund (although I know I shouldn't - I hate anything like that)! :blush:

[Pipsqueak]

:update:
When the mum was leaving today she asked me where she stood regarding refund of fees for tomorrow as she no longer needed me. My heart sunk, then I broke out in a cold sweat, but I did it. You would have been so proud of me.

Through all my mumbling I managed to splutter out the fact that because she had verbally prebooked me and already paid for the day I wasn't refunding. She looked a bit put out but said ok.

PHEW!!!

:clapping: :clapping: Well done - its not easy standing up to people but you have done it and the next time (if there is a next time) it will be easier:thumbsup:

[Pipsqueak]

Well done for standing your ground - i would have mumbled/spluttered and then agreed to the refund (although I know I shouldn't - I hate anything like that)! :blush:

With us all behind you (in cyber space) you would be able to do:D

[angeldelight]

Well done Marie I am proud of you

Angel xx

[fionamal]

Good for you:clapping:

Will be easier the next time

[Lottie]

Well done girly!! :thumbsup:

[casey's mum]

Lots of good advice...i agree totally. If pre arranged and paid for the day then I would not give refund either!
Defo easier to give advice then to actually action it though!

Good Luck

Angela xx