How Would You Respond To This Text?

[MCC]

All my families are on direct deposit, payment has to be in my account by today at drop off in order for the child to stay. This morning I have a new 1 yo, and it has been a little crazy, so I didn't have time to check my account.

I just checked, around 9:30, and realized a different DCD (kid is already here) had not sent payment, they normally send it a couple days early, so I am surprised by this. I sent a text to both mom and dad letting them know I had not seen it come through, and if they could please check with their bank and make sure it's on the way.

DCD text back and said "Figured we had till the end of the day"
Me: No, It is due at drop off, please let me know if you need another copy of the policies" (they have been here for 5 months, they know this!)
DCD: We were stuck in Philly last night in a snow storm, so a little understanding would be appreciated.

What would you say to this? I am almost livid. He did send the payment, btw.

My contract states that I charge a $10 late fee for any payment not made at drop off, I would have never charged him that fee, but after that comment, I am seriously considering it.

[SilverSabre25]

Honestly, I would NOT charge the fee this time, but I would respond with,

Oh man, I didn't know that! I understand how stressful situations like that can be. I will waive the late fee this time, but please remember for the future that payment is due at drop off and if I don't have it, it's a $10 late fee.

[Blackcat31]

I disagree about waiving the late fee. I would probably have waived it IF the parent had told me.
With NO advance notice or even a quick head's up, I don't feel a "little understanding" applies here.

I would have responded back with "I'm sorry you were stuck in Philly. Glad to hear everyone is okay/safe. I understand about the situation however, a little advance notice or a head's up would been appreciated on my end and would have saved you the late fee. Unfortunately with no advance notice, the late fee was automatically applied."

There really is NO excuse for not at least letting you know. Texting is simple, easy and takes only a few seconds to do.

I don't get why parents do things and then ask AFTERWARDS about fees. If they were stuck in Philly, I still don't see how that would effect their ability to pay something over the internet?

Also if they knew they were stuck, then they knew payment would be late so why not let you know BEFORE the due date/time?

[Kimskiddos]

Honestly, I would NOT charge the fee this time, but I would respond with,

Oh man, I didn't know that! I understand how stressful situations like that can be. I will waive the late fee this time, but please remember for the future that payment is due at drop off and if I don't have it, it's a $10 late fee.

[MCC]

I disagree about waiving the late fee. I would probably have waived it IF the parent had told me.
With NO advance notice or even a quick head's up, I don't feel a "little understanding" applies here.

I would have responded back with "I'm sorry you were stuck in Philly. Glad to hear everyone is okay/safe. I understand about the situation however, a little advance notice or a head's up would been appreciated on my end and would have saved you the late fee. Unfortunately with no advance notice, the late fee was automatically applied."

There really is NO excuse for not at least letting you know. Texting is simple, easy and takes only a few seconds to do.

I don't get why parents do things and then ask AFTERWARDS about fees. If they were stuck in Philly, I still don't see how that would effect their ability to pay something over the internet?

Also if they knew they were stuck, then they knew payment would be late so why not let you know BEFORE the due date/time?

Thank you, I like this response. I also do not understand why they would not have been able to make the payment on their phone, or over the internet in Philly, they were at his parents house, not a hotel, I'm sure they have internet. Or they could have just brought a check with them today if they had trouble with internet while they were there.

[Meyou]

Online banking is available everywhere. I would charge the fee although if they had texted and said they were stuck and had to delay a day I would have waived it. It's all about respect and communication.

FWIW I regularly have clients pay me through online banking while out of town on business. Being 3000 km away in Miama (another country) didn't stop one of them from paying my last Thursday in fact.

[sharlan]

If this was the first time, I would let it go.

I charged a father $70 in late fees yesterday because his ex was supposed to pay last week and she didn't. She had agreed to pay on Friday along with the late fees, but instead had his mom pick up so she wouldn't see me.

[VTMom]

Maybe I'm stirring the pot a little here, but...is this just a transfer within the same bank - their account to yours, or is between different banks? If it's between different banks, I'm pretty sure the payment would have had to be executed prior to Sunday, and more likely on a business day, if not two, before payment date. Just speculating

Their weekend plans should not effect your family's ability to pay your bills. Really...what difference would have made if they were able to come in "on time"? Are we talking about them being stranded for days or delayed hours?

[cheerfuldom]

I agree with BC. Even if the internet was out, they most likely could have called you BEFORE this whole thing went down plus I find DCDs response incredibly rude.

[Cat Herder]

For me, if DCD did not "approve" the payment until today, it would not be in my account until NEXT week. A week late.

Payments coming out today ("approved" last week), won't show up in my account until this Friday. If there is a Holiday in between.... it kind of shows up when it wants to. :confused:

There seems to be no such thing as EASY pay.... The fact that he was rude about it after HE procrastinated the payment does not sit well for him.

[Josiegirl]

"My house will be a bit chilly today because I could not afford my heating bill due to late payment, so a little understanding would be appreciated."

[craftymissbeth]

I disagree about waiving the late fee. I would probably have waived it IF the parent had told me.
With NO advance notice or even a quick head's up, I don't feel a "little understanding" applies here.

I would have responded back with "I'm sorry you were stuck in Philly. Glad to hear everyone is okay/safe. I understand about the situation however, a little advance notice or a head's up would been appreciated on my end and would have saved you the late fee. Unfortunately with no advance notice, the late fee was automatically applied."

There really is NO excuse for not at least letting you know. Texting is simple, easy and takes only a few seconds to do.

I don't get why parents do things and then ask AFTERWARDS about fees. If they were stuck in Philly, I still don't see how that would effect their ability to pay something over the internet?

Also if they knew they were stuck, then they knew payment would be late so why not let you know BEFORE the due date/time?

I agree with this.

Btw, OP, since you're psychic and all (since you obviously knew dcf was stuck in Philly without being told ) I'd love a reading!

[daycarediva]

I agree with BC. Even if the internet was out, they most likely could have called you BEFORE this whole thing went down plus I find DCDs response incredibly rude.

I also like bc's response. Next time you will be expected to be understanding because; they were sick, they forgot, they weren't home that night, the bank service was down, it was a holiday, are you sure payments are supposed to be made before drop off?

[MCC]

Maybe I'm stirring the pot a little here, but...is this just a transfer within the same bank - their account to yours, or is between different banks? If it's between different banks, I'm pretty sure the payment would have had to be executed prior to Sunday, and more likely on a business day, if not two, before payment date. Just speculating

Their weekend plans should not effect your family's ability to pay your bills. Really...what difference would have made if they were able to come in "on time"? Are we talking about them being stranded for days or delayed hours?

This is a transfer between the same bank, so it is instant, but we both have the app, which takes about 35 seconds to make a transfer.

[MCC]

I agree with BC. Even if the internet was out, they most likely could have called you BEFORE this whole thing went down plus I find DCDs response incredibly rude.

I find it incredibly rude as well...I mean, REALLY rude.