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I have a new DCF. DCG is a spoiled rotten little thing (but manageable at DC), and both DCM and DCD are way over-dramatic, showy, and seem to have a sense of entitlement or that they are some kind of unique/special or something. They are odd. Not my kind of people, but that's okay, because this is business and they are not my friends.
That said, I kind of suspected there might be a little trouble with them following all my policies:
It started last week on their 4th day with me when DCM was 11 minutes late to pick-up. She called to say she would be late (at 3 min after closing-you are already late, woman
), and apologized when she got here. I thanked her for the apology and said it shows she understands what a terrible position it puts me in (taking family time away, making me late for an obligation) and that I would e-mail an invoice for the late pick-up fee-$1 per minute. She looked shocked and said it was the first time they have ever been late to pick-up from daycare. Don't care. I didn't know you before and it doesn't change the fact that you are late TODAY. I have learned (finally) that this is one area if you make an exception, EVER, it WILL be taken advantage of, again and again and again. In my contract it says in italics "No exceptions made." So I e-mailed the amount to be due today at drop-off.
And so, this morning she hands me a wad of cash, and it is short by $3. Why? Why, when she must know I am less than enamored with her for being late in the first place would she short the payment?? Why?:confused: Anyway, I also have in my contract that full payment is due at drop-off on first day of attendance and that if any part of it is not made at that time there is an additional $10 fee for every instance it is not made (+10 at pick-up 1st day, +20 at drop-off 2nd day, +30 at pick-up 2nd day, etc.). Again in italics afterward it says "No exceptions made."
Do I e-mail her that it was short by $3 and now she owes another $10 because of it, so bring me $13 at pick-up today, or $23 tomorrow morning, etc. Or do I tell them to just bring me the $3 tonight, with a warning that from here on out I WILL charge the steep late payment fee? I don't want to commit business suicide by being too much of a hard-not-the-nice-word-for-bottom. But I don't know if I run the risk of "confusing" these new clients by making an exception. What do you think?
That said, I kind of suspected there might be a little trouble with them following all my policies:
It started last week on their 4th day with me when DCM was 11 minutes late to pick-up. She called to say she would be late (at 3 min after closing-you are already late, woman
), and apologized when she got here. I thanked her for the apology and said it shows she understands what a terrible position it puts me in (taking family time away, making me late for an obligation) and that I would e-mail an invoice for the late pick-up fee-$1 per minute. She looked shocked and said it was the first time they have ever been late to pick-up from daycare. Don't care. I didn't know you before and it doesn't change the fact that you are late TODAY. I have learned (finally) that this is one area if you make an exception, EVER, it WILL be taken advantage of, again and again and again. In my contract it says in italics "No exceptions made." So I e-mailed the amount to be due today at drop-off.And so, this morning she hands me a wad of cash, and it is short by $3. Why? Why, when she must know I am less than enamored with her for being late in the first place would she short the payment?? Why?:confused: Anyway, I also have in my contract that full payment is due at drop-off on first day of attendance and that if any part of it is not made at that time there is an additional $10 fee for every instance it is not made (+10 at pick-up 1st day, +20 at drop-off 2nd day, +30 at pick-up 2nd day, etc.). Again in italics afterward it says "No exceptions made."
Do I e-mail her that it was short by $3 and now she owes another $10 because of it, so bring me $13 at pick-up today, or $23 tomorrow morning, etc. Or do I tell them to just bring me the $3 tonight, with a warning that from here on out I WILL charge the steep late payment fee? I don't want to commit business suicide by being too much of a hard-not-the-nice-word-for-bottom. But I don't know if I run the risk of "confusing" these new clients by making an exception. What do you think?
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