Don't Want to Argue

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

You said non-refundable. You need to stick to the rules you make.

They are not your clients. You are not obligated to open and read any e-mails.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Absolutely not. Do not reward this woman for rude, inappropriate, and entitled behavior.

If it had been me, I may have considered a refund UNTIL the email was sent. Telling ME off would seal the deal on sticking with policy.

[e.j.]

I don't like to argue with people either but... geez! I agree with the others on this. I would send a polite, professional letter stating what our agreement was and reminding her that I was willing to accommodate her when she wanted to change from full to part time hours. I'd briefly explain why the fee is non-refundable and then I would wish her well. I'd also enclose a copy of the signed contract. I'd highlight her signature and my policy on fees being non-refundable. Before I sent it to her, I'd take a copy of everything being mailed to her just in case she decides to take it to small claims court.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[daycare]

I don't do holding fees. I just hold a spot for a maximum of two weeks and then give it to someone else if they don't come through. They don't pay me until they start. Then I collect the first and last week of care fee.

How long did you hold the spot and how much money did they give you? If you held the spot for a long time (more than 2 weeks) I'd keep it. If not, I'd probably give it back. But then I wouldn't have collected in the first place so I guess my answer is a bunch of nonsense anyway. ::

Laurel

P.S. I just re-read and see you held it for a month. I'd keep the money then. I'd send an email and would tell them the exact amount you would have made if you wouldn't have been holding the spot for them. I charge $150 a week so I would have said "Because I held this spot for you, I lost $600. Your holding fee will go towards covering my loss as per the contract you signed."

THis is exactly what I did......

I emailed the DCM and said that the reason I charge the NON-refundable fee is because I am taking a RISK of losing income in my case $775.00. So having at least $200 does not make it such a huge loss for me in the end. I do think that I will no longer hold spots for fee.

I will do 2 weeks no fee, but if they don't start on that 2 week mark then I open it up to other prospects,....

I did also tell her that I really did not appreciate the nasty email and that from this point on there was no need to contact me.

Thanks guys for helping me stand firm....Gosh I give in quickly and that's why people kick me, because they know eventually I will fall and give in...

NOPE not this time.

[Heidi]

THis is exactly what I did......

I emailed the DCM and said that the reason I charge the NON-refundable fee is because I am taking a RISK of losing income in my case $775.00. So having at least $200 does not make it such a huge loss for me in the end. I do think that I will no longer hold spots for fee.

I will do 2 weeks no fee, but if they don't start on that 2 week mark then I open it up to other prospects,....

I did also tell her that I really did not appreciate the nasty email and that from this point on there was no need to contact me.

Thanks guys for helping me stand firm....Gosh I give in quickly and that's why people kick me, because they know eventually I will fall and give in...

NOPE not this time.

I would not change your deposit policy. This works for you, and this woman has no right to take away that good business practice from you because she is snarky.

You can put a two-week limit on the deposit, though, or whatever time period you choose.

You did nothing wrong. Don't let her boorish behavior make you think otherwise.

[TheGoodLife]

THis is exactly what I did......

I emailed the DCM and said that the reason I charge the NON-refundable fee is because I am taking a RISK of losing income in my case $775.00. So having at least $200 does not make it such a huge loss for me in the end. I do think that I will no longer hold spots for fee.

I will do 2 weeks no fee, but if they don't start on that 2 week mark then I open it up to other prospects,....

I did also tell her that I really did not appreciate the nasty email and that from this point on there was no need to contact me.

Thanks guys for helping me stand firm....Gosh I give in quickly and that's why people kick me, because they know eventually I will fall and give in...

NOPE not this time.

[Laurel]

THis is exactly what I did......

I emailed the DCM and said that the reason I charge the NON-refundable fee is because I am taking a RISK of losing income in my case $775.00. So having at least $200 does not make it such a huge loss for me in the end. I do think that I will no longer hold spots for fee.

I will do 2 weeks no fee, but if they don't start on that 2 week mark then I open it up to other prospects,....

I did also tell her that I really did not appreciate the nasty email and that from this point on there was no need to contact me.

Thanks guys for helping me stand firm....Gosh I give in quickly and that's why people kick me, because they know eventually I will fall and give in...

NOPE not this time.

happyface Good for you!

Laurel

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

THis is exactly what I did......

I emailed the DCM and said that the reason I charge the NON-refundable fee is because I am taking a RISK of losing income in my case $775.00. So having at least $200 does not make it such a huge loss for me in the end. I do think that I will no longer hold spots for fee.

I will do 2 weeks no fee, but if they don't start on that 2 week mark then I open it up to other prospects,....

I did also tell her that I really did not appreciate the nasty email and that from this point on there was no need to contact me.

Thanks guys for helping me stand firm....Gosh I give in quickly and that's why people kick me, because they know eventually I will fall and give in...

NOPE not this time.

I only hold for 2 weeks WITH a fee. That way, if they bail that deposit covers the 2 weeks I was waiting around.