Times Are Tough; Would You Offer A Lower Rate To A Potential Client?

[momofboys]

I really need to find another client! I finally have been getting a few calls/e-mails. One woman e-mailed me & she had PERFECT hours, nearly identical to the family I currently care for, basically 7:15-3:35. Dreamy hours::. Anwya, when I told her my rates she nicely responded that unfortunately she could not afford them. So since I REALLY need to add some $$$ to our finances I responded that I may be able to help her out with the price if she could provide snacks/lunch for her kids & I could give her a slight discount. I have not heard back from her. It seems like the only calls I get lately are for 2nd shift & I DO NOT want to disrupt family time. But will I regret giving her a large discount in the long run?

Edited to add: Not a LARGE discount but I am considering giving a 30% discount for the 2nd child provided she brings all supplies for the toddler (still in diapers), snacks for the kids & lunches.

[sahm1225]

If she hasnt responded that might not be a good client match as she might be waiting for you to offer more.. I have a long time client that said they couldnt afford me. I knew that if they were a good fit, I was willing to slightly lower the rate, so I told them to come and interview with me... If we both agreed we were a good match, then we would discuss rate... They signed on and I never regretted it...

I have another one that after asking for the world before even signing the contract. I budged on the rate and have now regretted it....

good luck!

[DaycareMomma]

I personally wouldn't offer any discount. I understand you need the money, but what if she starts to manipulate you even more with your rates? I had a family that was my start up family and the husband lost his job and I gave them a discount... not but a few months later they were buying new 4-wheelers, going on vacations and buying a camper... I put an end to that and they have since left me.

[Daycare_Mama]

Personally, if I really needed the $$$, I would consider offering a lower rate, but only because of those hours. My daycare day is 10 hours, so if I needed it and I had a family that would only be 8.25 like you said, I would offer the lower rate for those specific hours. I wouldn't make them bring their own snacks/lunches though. Diapers, yes. But not food.

If I was a parent looking for daycare and I found one I liked but couldn't afford..and then they offered me a lower rate if I brought my kids their own snacks/lunches, I would still pass. It's hard enough getting out of the house with 2 little kids in the morning, but having to buy food for lunches/snacks and make sure I had them packed each day would honestly be more of a hassle to me and not that big of a financial savings.

For instance, if you normally charged me $160 for one kid and the younger one was $150 and you were willing to discount that 2nd kid 30% down to $100, but I had to pack lunches/snacks. I would probably just keep looking for a daycare that would charge me $150 for the first, $140 for the second, and included meals.

Plus, I just think all daycare kids should eat the same meals/snacks. It's too hard to deal with the complaining because "he/she has that and I don't" stuff.

[countrymom]

well, times are not that tough that you need to short change yourself. I would first change your hours, to me, they are not feesable. I think 7-5pm would work much better for you. Also, how about charging people by the day and not by the week. Seriously when you hear 30 dollars a day for a child rather than 150 dollars a week parents don't seem so shocked. I charge 55 dollars a day for 2 children.

[momofboys]

My rates are not that high Daycare Mom. If they were I would have no trouble including food, ! But I can see your point. . . packing lunches would be a pain but it would save me a little $$ making it possible for me to give her a break. If I did take her on I would be strict about only giving care during working hours.

[momofboys]

well, times are not that tough that you need to short change yourself. I would first change your hours, to me, they are not feesable. I think 7-5pm would work much better for you. Also, how about charging people by the day and not by the week. Seriously when you hear 30 dollars a day for a child rather than 150 dollars a week parents don't seem so shocked. I charge 55 dollars a day for 2 children.

Those are not "my hours". They are the hours my current family needs, that is why this family is somewhat appealing b/c I would be working the same hours & be done by 3:30 or slightly after. All my adevertising says my open hours are 6:30-5:30, I would be willing to take on someone later than 3:30 it's just that no one else has called! And I do charge per day.

[SilverSabre25]

I would, and I have, partly because I *know* my rates are higher than average for the area, and because $100 in my pocket each week is better than nothing, kwim? I don't change what I offer though--I still provide all the food, etc, because honestly, what I provide is 100x better than what some of these parents probably feed their kids at home and would send with them.

My rate used to be $140/week. I got two families who said that they couldn't do my full-time rate, but could easily manage $100/week--that was the kicker: THEY said what THEY could afford, and then *I* got to decide if I wanted to go with it. Since $100/week is A LOT better than zero, even if it's not my usual rate, I agreed.

[Live and Learn]

If you aren't full and need the moo-lah.....and she needs care and the hours are great then go ahead and fill the spot up with a discount. When I first started out I wasn't full and my rates were much lower. It is ESPECIALLY nice that this family's hours match your existing family's hours so perfectly. Good Luck!....I would be clear from the get go that the care is available for the hours you mentioned ONLY unless she ASKS ahead of time.....the only way this discount situation will work is if you are providing care at the sometime as the other kids.
FYI .....My dc parents provide their own lunches, formula, diapers everything and I charge $43 for 8 hours of care.....my logic on this is that the parents know best what nutritious food their kids will eat. They all want certain diapers, wipes, bottles.....go for it I say. It is not a price negotiating factor here...it is just the system that works best for me. ....plus it is less expensive for me and I already make lunches for all of my own kids...let the parents make THEIR OWN kids lunch I say::!!!!!

[momofboys]

My husband & I discussed it & decided if she wanted to meet with us we were okay with giving a good discount (30% or so off 2nd child). Some $$ is better than no $$$. I just am worried I may regret it & feel taken for granted for accepting too little. I guess we will see if she even e-mails me back. Thanks for your input ladies!

[MommyMuffin]

My very first kid I took at a steep discount. I figure it is security and from here on with new clients I will not give discounts to unless I lose a kid and need the money. I'd say do it if you need the money.

[Live and Learn]

If she starts buying new cars and taking fancy vacations you can always raise your rates!::

[momma2girls]

I remember at one time, I had 2 families that I lowered my rates for, and I shouldn't have ever done it. One family you would see new things all the time, new movies, new toys, etc.... Then the other family bounced one check, and I made her a deal, and then she placed her daughter into dance and gymnastics after I lowered it- I honestly don't think I will ever lower my prices again!!!

[Daycare_Mama]

Sorry I just threw a rate out there.. I get 175 a week for my 19 month old, so I don't know what other people get.

I totally get that if they brought their own food, it would save money. I just think a lot of parents like the fact that they don't have to worry about packing a lunch, etc. And for me it's just easier if everyone eats the same.

My rates are not that high Daycare Mom. If they were I would have no trouble including food, ! But I can see your point. . . packing lunches would be a pain but it would save me a little $$ making it possible for me to give her a break. If I did take her on I would be strict about only giving care during working hours.

[momofboys]

Sorry I just threw a rate out there.. I get 175 a week for my 19 month old, so I don't know what other people get.

I totally get that if they brought their own food, it would save money. I just think a lot of parents like the fact that they don't have to worry about packing a lunch, etc. And for me it's just easier if everyone eats the same.

You are totally right though! The mom called me (yeah I think) & was super-nice & one of the first things out of her mouth was that she was not the type of parent who would run to Wal-Mart & shop while I Was watching her kids. She said pretty much she wants to be with her kids when she is not working. She did say she would prefer to not pack lunches but could compensate me in other ways (bring milk, snacks, etc). So she is coming to meet me next week. I hope it is not a waste of time, apparently she gets FREE care now from a relative but relative is getting tired of doing all the care. She was nice but sort of sounded wishy-washy.