Need Help ASAP

[daniellesweety1]

Yesterday I conducted a last minute (emergency type) interview for a potential family that needed care due to previous provider going back to work. I informed the family prior to coming out that I charge a $55 application fee that is non-refundable. It also states it in my handbook as well as my contract. Today, the dad of the family calls me and says that the found out they are able to get a discount through their job so they will use that service. I stated ok, then he ask about the fee, I told him that it is non-refundable and its stated in my contract. He says ok. About 15 mins later he calls back and ask about it again and I tell him, this fee is non-refundable and it applies to me preparing for getting prepared for their child. He says ok again. Another 15 mins later he calls me again and says, Well the application is untouched and our situation is messed up, we have to pay another provider and another application fee so we need our money. I say sir I know you've never dealt with a daycare before but the fee is non-refundable. I also told a family that just so happen to knock on my door today that I already signed up a infant so now I can't take another infant. My question is, should I refund it or stick firm to my policy and not give it back? Now I feel like I'm being harassed.


Anyone available please help

[Blackcat31]

Yesterday I conducted a last minute (emergency type) interview for a potential family that needed care due to previous provider going back to work. I informed the family prior to coming out that I charge a $55 application fee that is non-refundable. It also states it in my handbook as well as my contract. Today, the dad of the family calls me and says that the found out they are able to get a discount through their job so they will use that service. I stated ok, then he ask about the fee, I told him that it is non-refundable and its stated in my contract. He says ok. About 15 mins later he calls back and ask about it again and I tell him, this fee is non-refundable and it applies to me preparing for getting prepared for their child. He says ok again. Another 15 mins later he calls me again and says, Well the application is untouched and our situation is messed up, we have to pay another provider and another application fee so we need our money. I say sir I know you've never dealt with a daycare before but the fee is non-refundable. I also told a family that just so happen to knock on my door today that I already signed up a infant so now I can't take another infant. My question is, should I refund it or stick firm to my policy and not give it back? Now I feel like I'm being harassed.


Anyone available please help

If you don't stand by your policies, who will?

If you added it for a reason then I would stick to it. If he calls again, tell him you will call the police for harassment. I am sure he is just trying to be pushy in hopes you cave.

FIRMLY tell him to NOT call again.

[Thriftylady]

Well I charge my enrollment fee when they take the paperwork to fill out. I tell them at the interview that it is non-refundable and not to pay it and do paperwork if they are not sure. Then I give them 72 hours to decide. On the receipt, I write non-refundable. So I guess I want more answers from you . Did you give a receipt? Does it say non-refundable?

[Unregistered]

I've given back a non-refundable deposit. I leave in a small community and word of month is how I get my awesome families.

[Thriftylady]

I've given back a non-refundable deposit. I leave in a small community and word of month is how I get my awesome families.

Yeah I have thought that way also. It really just depends, because if you do it once people will talk and everyone will expect it. There are no easy answers in a small town.

[Leigh]

Yesterday I conducted a last minute (emergency type) interview for a potential family that needed care due to previous provider going back to work. I informed the family prior to coming out that I charge a $55 application fee that is non-refundable. It also states it in my handbook as well as my contract. Today, the dad of the family calls me and says that the found out they are able to get a discount through their job so they will use that service. I stated ok, then he ask about the fee, I told him that it is non-refundable and its stated in my contract. He says ok. About 15 mins later he calls back and ask about it again and I tell him, this fee is non-refundable and it applies to me preparing for getting prepared for their child. He says ok again. Another 15 mins later he calls me again and says, Well the application is untouched and our situation is messed up, we have to pay another provider and another application fee so we need our money. I say sir I know you've never dealt with a daycare before but the fee is non-refundable. I also told a family that just so happen to knock on my door today that I already signed up a infant so now I can't take another infant. My question is, should I refund it or stick firm to my policy and not give it back? Now I feel like I'm being harassed.


Anyone available please help

"Sir, yesterday I worked last minute overtime to work you in. I bent over backwards to allow you to interview on a day that I wouldn't normally do so. I prepared the paperwork, which cost me time and money, and I worked overtime to conduct the interview. I turned away another family who DID want to attend, as well, due to giving you "dibs" on the open position. I guarantee you that courtesy to you cost me a lot more than $55. I'm sorry that you don't agree with the policy, but it's not negotiable. Like you at your job, I need to be paid for my time."

[Thriftylady]

"Sir, yesterday I worked last minute overtime to work you in. I bent over backwards to allow you to interview on a day that I wouldn't normally do so. I prepared the paperwork, which cost me time and money, and I worked overtime to conduct the interview. I turned away another family who DID want to attend, as well, due to giving you "dibs" on the open position. I guarantee you that courtesy to you cost me a lot more than $55. I'm sorry that you don't agree with the policy, but it's not negotiable. Like you at your job, I need to be paid for my time."

[daniellesweety1]

This is how I felt about it, I wasn't able to get back on yesterday because I was dealing with this and I was speaking to different people in my circle about it. But he talked about never hearing this before etc. I firmly told him, sir you've never dealt with daycare and its fair and you took the application with the intent on starting. Ughhhh, he drove me crazy yesterday.

If you don't stand by your policies, who will?

If you added it for a reason then I would stick to it. If he calls again, tell him you will call the police for harassment. I am sure he is just trying to be pushy in hopes you cave.

FIRMLY tell him to NOT call again.

[daniellesweety1]

I will surely tell other potential clients from this point on about taking the paper work etc. I did give them a receipt, I didn't write non-refundable on it (but I will surely do that from this point on), but we discussed it and its in bold letters right on the contract that they took out of my home.

Well I charge my enrollment fee when they take the paperwork to fill out. I tell them at the interview that it is non-refundable and not to pay it and do paperwork if they are not sure. Then I give them 72 hours to decide. On the receipt, I write non-refundable. So I guess I want more answers from you . Did you give a receipt? Does it say non-refundable?

[daniellesweety1]

This is something I told him along those lines too, he just called back to back like every 15 mins. I ended up giving the phone to my Boyfriend, which in turn the guy must've gotten intimidated so he put his girlfriend on the phone, she ended up feeding him her story etc. and just agreed to pay her half of the money back out of his money. I told him I'm not giving my money back because I lost money in the process. I originally was going to give it back but then I thought about how this is my business and we put these policies into to place for a reason.

"Sir, yesterday I worked last minute overtime to work you in. I bent over backwards to allow you to interview on a day that I wouldn't normally do so. I prepared the paperwork, which cost me time and money, and I worked overtime to conduct the interview. I turned away another family who DID want to attend, as well, due to giving you "dibs" on the open position. I guarantee you that courtesy to you cost me a lot more than $55. I'm sorry that you don't agree with the policy, but it's not negotiable. Like you at your job, I need to be paid for my time."

[Blackcat31]

This is something I told him along those lines too, he just called back to back like every 15 mins. I ended up giving the phone to my Boyfriend, which in turn the guy must've gotten intimidated so he put his girlfriend on the phone, she ended up feeding him her story etc. and just agreed to pay her half of the money back out of his money. I told him I'm not giving my money back because I lost money in the process. I originally was going to give it back but then I thought about how this is my business and we put these policies into to place for a reason.

Good for you!

It saddens me to see so many smart, savvy business women simply cave and want to return fees just to avoid drama or conflict.

If you can't enforce the rule, don't put it in your contract then.

I think Leigh explained it beautifully and I am proud of you for not just giving the family the fee back!

I'm sure it feels awesome! happyface happyface

[daniellesweety1]

Good for you!

It saddens me to see so many smart, savvy business women simply cave and want to return fees just to avoid drama or conflict.

If you can't enforce the rule, don't put it in your contract then.

I think Leigh explained it beautifully and I am proud of you for not just giving the family the fee back!

I'm sure it feels awesome! happyface happyface

It sure does, I'm not really a push over at all, I think orginally the mom must have thought to herself let the dad deal with it since I'm a female but held firm with him and remained professional. But he just kept calling me so many decided now let me let another man deal with it because I was getting really pissed. Lol! I was set on it so once he decided to give it from his own money o said well thats on you because I'm keeping my money .