 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / January 2006Advice request
I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: Our new alarm system keeps track of when it gets turned on and off and when doors are opened and closed. According to the records, you spent an average of 10 minutes per visit inside the house, including three visits of less than 6 minutes. When we first hired you, you said you would spend an average of 30 minutes per visit, so you could socialize with the cats. Is that no longer your policy? We don't think that 6 minutes is enough time to feed the cats and fish and clean all 3 boxes, let alone play with the cats a little bit. Do you have anything to say in your favor? She replied with this: I am very sorry that you are not satisfied with my service. This X-mas was very busy and I was very pressed for time. I totally understand your dissatisfaction. You have been wonderful clients and I have let you down. I did feed, clean, and kiss on the cats, but I totally understand your disappointment with the time spent. I can refund 1/2 your payment. I am a good, honest person who loves pets, and I do not want clients who are dissatisfied with my service. I never hold a person to use me as a Pet Sitter. I want my clients to be happy and satisfied with my service. Let me know if you want me to refund the 1/2 payment and I can drop off your key if you want it. It is your choice. What do you guys think I should do? She has worked for us for over 5 years and we've never had anything to complain about. When we went to Paris and our hot water pipes broke, she called the city and had the water service turned off, which saved our house from significant damage. I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be very impersonal.  SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com I'd take the 50% refund and keep her on in future. Now that she knows she will be timed, she will keep to her promise of 30 minutes minimum. > I'd take the 50% refund and keep her on in future. Now that she knows she > will be timed, she will keep to her promise of 30 minutes minimum. I'd second this. Her answer is very honest and fair, and 5 years' good record is worth a great deal in my eyes. Could be hard to find someone else who you can trust in any way... JMHO. Deb. Signaturehttp://www.scientific-art.com "He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would; He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield >I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be very > impersonal. I believe in second chances, and she at least sounded sincere - but I have been taken advantage of because I'm such a softie, so that this advice with a grain of salt. SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > What do you guys think I should do? She has worked for us for over 5 > years and we've never had anything to complain about. When we went to > Paris and our hot water pipes broke, she called the city and had the > water service turned off, which saved our house from significant damage. > I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be > very impersonal. It seems a very honest answer, and she's not trying to wriggle out of anything - she's held up her hands and appologised. Personally, I'd give her a second chance. As Deb says, 5 years is a long time and the cats & you know her. She'll also be more "aware" that she is being monitored in future. ;o) If she hadn't been so honest and responded differently, I'd have told her to walk. Helen M > I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > damage. I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all > seem to be very impersonal. Personally, I'd give her a second chance. She at least did come and feed the cats, and I assume the litter boxes were reasonable when you returned. I think she should have left a note explaining she'd been pressed for time, hopefully she'll be more carefull in future. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >> I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: >> [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > think she should have left a note explaining she'd been pressed for time, > hopefully she'll be more carefull in future. I have a question: When your water was turned off, how did she provide fresh water for your pets? Also there is a difference between "an average time" and "a minimum time". You should have a clear, written understanding of your agreement Yes, to a second chance with a clear, written understanding of your agreement. The fact that you can trust her with your house keys is important and I would tell her this. But she should also understand that your "kids" are more than "just pets". Best wishes and happy New Year. MLB > I have a question: When your water was turned off, how did she provide > fresh water for your pets? Good question, I'm not sure. We have a pet fountain that holds enough water for several days. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > Also there is a difference between "an average time" and "a > minimum time". You should have a clear, written understanding of > your agreement That's a good point. I don't know about having a contract, but averaging half an hour every visit may mean that she'll be there less than half an hour sometimes. I liked Victor's letter to her, and her response. I think a lot of us tend to overcommit during the holidays (parties, shopping for presents, visiting people, etc), and it must be even worse for those whose business increases during that time. I'd give her another chance. Don't know what I'd do about the refund offer. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Personally, I'd give her a second chance. She at least did come and feed > the > cats, and I assume the litter boxes were reasonable when you returned. I > think she should have left a note explaining she'd been pressed for time, > hopefully she'll be more carefull in future. I'd second this. Personally if I were pressed for time, I'd leave a note explaining hey sorry I cut you short a few times this week. Can we talk about it when you get home and maybe work out a clear plan for next time it happens. For example if I cut two visits short, I'd be willing to put on a movie and veg out with the cats for a couple hours if the homeowner didn't mind or bring a book. Also bring shrimpies to spread out if that was an acceptable treat etc. Something to make up for the difference. It's not the refund or the lost time but the quality of the visit *after* a cheated day or two I'd be more concerned about if I were in your shoes. My personal ethics wouldn't give you time to check the alarm system before you were aware of the situation. So that would give me pause for question, wondering if she'd hide it otherwise. Question: Is there absolutely NO WAY she can alter the alarm system or tamper with the times in the future? Grace > Question: Is there absolutely NO WAY she can alter the alarm system or > tamper with the times in the future? None at all. It's accessed through a secure website to which only I have the password. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com >I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be very > impersonal. I would be happy I had someone I felt I could at least trust with the house and the cats physically, pay nothing in the way of a tip and probably not accept the refund. Otherwise you will be in the position of looking for someone else who may or may not be as trustworthy. While I understand your dismay at the amount of time spent, I also know just how hard it can be to find someone even basically trustworthy. Jo > I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > damage. I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all > seem to be very impersonal. I think she gave you a fair (if not necessarily satisfactory) answer. I'd give her another chance; as others have said, at least now she knows the alarm system monitors her comings and goings. You at least have someone who didn't back up a truck and haul off all your stuff, or throw a wild party in your house. I would be very hesitant to give anyone a key to my home. You seem to have found a good person for that. Jill > I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > damage. I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all > seem to be very impersonal. I'm going to basically second what everyone else seems to be saying- give her a second chance. I do have to commend you on the tone of your note to her- you didn't come across as accusing or beligerant... you simply asked for an explanation and a clarification of her policy. Firm but reasonable. This is a very difficult balance to achieve. Katrina > I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be > very impersonal. Sounds like she just accepted more clients for the Holidays than she could comfortably handle. (I suspect, now she realizes you can actually keep track of the time she spends there, she may be a bit more attentive.) Having someone trustworthy when you're not there is important, too - even if a service is bonded, it doesn't guarantee the quality of the service, and if the cats know this sitter, that's something to consider, too. (And a sitter is generally more acceptable to cats than a boarding kennel.) I'm not sure what I'll do, if I move (as I'm planning to - the rent here is just more than I can handle when my part-time job goes away and I have to manage on my retirement income). I live in a pet-friendly building, and the building manager has cats, so I pay her to see to my babies when I'm on vacation. I used to use a service here called "Paws and Claws", who were very satisfactory, but they don't have a telephone listing anymore, so I think they may be out of business. > Sounds like she just accepted more clients for the Holidays > than she could comfortably handle. (I suspect, now she [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > something to consider, too. (And a sitter is generally more > acceptable to cats than a boarding kennel.) If you have been happy with her in the past, I would say request the refund, but let her know that you will hire her again as long as you can be assured that she will be able to spend that requested 30 min with your pets. Do make sure she cant' tamper with the alarm system to make it look like she's been there longer...it's an easy mistake to make, leaving first 5, then 10, then 15 min early if you think the boss/supervisor will never notice the difference. Otherwise you face the option of sorting through a morass of other available services, some of which may be worse or much more impersonal. Here, if we're going away more than a couple days we board our cats at a kennel. If we're just going away for a few days, Dylan gets some of his fellow medical students to look in on the krew. --Fil >I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >damage. I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all >seem to be very impersonal. Take the refund and use her again. SignatureDavid Stevenson Storypage: http://blakjak.com/sty_menu.htm Liverpool, England, UK <cat2@blakjak.com> Emails welcome Nanki Poo: SI O+W B 12 Y L+ W++ C+ I T+ A- E H++ V- F Q P+ B+ PA+ PL SC Minke: SI W+Cp B 3 Y L W+ C++ I T A- E H++ V++ F- Q- P B PA+ PL+ SC- >>What do you guys think I should do? She has worked for us for over 5 >>years and we've never had anything to complain about. When we went to [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Take the refund and use her again. I agree. If she's been trustworthy and dependable for 5 years, it's not worth the bother of trying to find someone else. It's entirely possible that she really did have an overly busy holiday season. Jane - owned and operated by Princess Rita > I agree. If she's been trustworthy and dependable for 5 years, it's > not worth the bother of trying to find someone else. It's entirely > possible that she really did have an overly busy holiday season. It probably just goes to show what a good and dependable petsitter she is. She has gained a lot of clients, and during the holiday season, they all wanted her services and she didn't want to turn anyone down, a. because she doesn't want to lose the business and b. because she really cares about the pets that she looks after. I, too, say, keep her! Maybe she should consider taking on seasonal help next year, though I suspect she is the kind who doesn't like to delegate. SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/ Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki > I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be > very impersonal. As others have said I would give her another chance especially since she has been your pet sitter for so long. But now that she knows about the alarm system tracking she could manipulate it to make it look like she has been there as she promised. >> I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: >> [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > alarm system tracking she could manipulate it to make it look like she has > been there as she promised. Someone else suggested what's in your last sentence. We have ADT home security. Have you ever tried "manipulating" a home security system? They would be out here in a heartbeat at such attempts; HOWEVER: our system has "door/windows-opening" alarms which gives entrant so many seconds to punch in an alarm code, plus "pet-free" motion detectors inside which inform ADT of movement above a certain height triggering action by them. Ignorant of Victor's system safeguards such as this, I remain skeptical of "manipulation" by petsitters, LOL. >I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be very > impersonal. I'd keep her. She is willing to make amends, and pay you back money. That means alot in this world, IMHO. You may want to discuss with her how to improve the service so you can be sur eyou're getting value for money - in fact, it sounds like she needs to expand her business so that she isn't so busy. Keep it low key, casual and personable. Maybe a meeting at your place over tea? Yowie > What do you guys think I should do? She has worked for us for > over 5 years and we've never had anything to complain about. > When we went to Paris and our hot water pipes broke, she called > the city and had the water service turned off, which saved our > house from significant damage. I've been looking at other pet > services in town and they all seem to be very impersonal. I read both posts; the rant one, and this one. I'd give her another chance. Her reply was sincere. I'm not sure I'd take a partial refund, but the option is there for that. She didn't provide what she said she'd provide, but the cats were fed, watered, boxes presumably cleaned, and chances are she won't do it again. It's always risky to leave our guys in the care of someone else. Even those who make a living from our love of the furry ones. Find one you like for 5 years so far, and you're way ahead of many. :) SignatureCheryl > refund, but the option is there for that. She didn't provide what she > said she'd provide, but the cats were fed, watered, boxes presumably > cleaned, and chances are she won't do it again. It's always risky to Exactly. We're thinking of asking her to refund only those visits in which she spent less than 10 minutes. > leave our guys in the care of someone else. Even those who make a > living from our love of the furry ones. Find one you like for 5 years > so far, and you're way ahead of many. :) I know. I spent a part of the morning searching pet sitters in town and I'm not happy with all those I've seen. She is honest for sure, we've never had any problems of any kind. She's even given Basho his meds when he was sick. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com >> refund, but the option is there for that. She didn't provide what she >> said she'd provide, but the cats were fed, watered, boxes presumably >> cleaned, and chances are she won't do it again. It's always risky to > > Exactly. We're thinking of asking her to refund only those visits in > which she spent less than 10 minutes. I guess one thing that would nag me is how many times in the past has this happened? Has been busy all along and you just didn't find out since there was no way to track her visits? I would be tempted to at least ask if she normally stayed 30 minutes in the past. At least you have a way to track it now, so that part of it wouldn't be an issue. Rhonda > I read both posts; the rant one, and this one. I'd give her another > chance. Her reply was sincere. I'm not sure I'd take a partial [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > living from our love of the furry ones. Find one you like for 5 years > so far, and you're way ahead of many. :) No kidding. I have been lucky in all of the places I have lived, so far <touch wood>. While I know my pets get cared for I am also afraid of what else a person might do - maybe not rob you blind but tell their friends what you have in the home so *they* can rob you blind....that kind of thing. I am in the process of trying to hire a babysitter for the evenings so DH and I can "date" again and my current pet sitter has stepped up to the plate. I like her so much I will trust her with my kid! -L. > What do you guys think I should do? She has worked for us for over 5 > years and we've never had anything to complain about. When we went to > Paris and our hot water pipes broke, she called the city and had the > water service turned off, which saved our house from significant damage. > I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be > very impersonal. My sense is also to give her a second chance, spelling things out in more detail. I'm reminded, a bit, of the statistics on doctors that wind up in the least malpractice problems. The best group are proactive in telling people the problems. The second group is much like your catsitter -- when something is brought up, take responsibility and offer to correct the problem in some way. The third group gets sued. > I'm reminded, a bit, of the statistics on doctors that > wind up in the least malpractice problems. The best group are proactive > in telling people the problems. The second group is much like your > catsitter -- when something is brought up, take responsibility and > offer to correct the problem in some way. The third group gets sued. Historically in China all doctors had to hang a sign outside their offices disclosing how many of their patients had died. Too bad that practice is not standard all over the world, today. > > I'm reminded, a bit, of the statistics on doctors that > > wind up in the least malpractice problems. The best group are proactive [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > disclosing how many of their patients had died. Too bad that practice is not > standard all over the world, today. I remember a resident's autobiography, early in the age of organ transplants. He was working on a holiday weekend, and decided he needed senior surgeon backup for what seemed more than a standard appendectomy. As it turned out, the on-call surgeon was the head of the transplantation service, and the resident was embarrassed to call this dignitary. The transplantation surgeon told him not to worry, and that he was actually glad to help out in a procedure where he would be sure the patient would survive, commenting that most of his patients died. Death rates don't mean much until you look at relative death rates for the specialty, and indeed the supporting services at hospitals, when involved. >> I'm reminded, a bit, of the statistics on doctors that >> wind up in the least malpractice problems. The best group are [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > offices disclosing how many of their patients had died. Too bad that > practice is not standard all over the world, today. Can the doctor say if they all died of old age? ;o) SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk > > I'm reminded, a bit, of the statistics on doctors that > > wind up in the least malpractice problems. The best group are proactive [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > disclosing how many of their patients had died. Too bad that practice is not > standard all over the world, today. Aren't there statistics kept somewhere on doctors? Howard? I seem to remember my daughter talking about "positive outcome." It sounded like some "positive outcomes" are more positive for the doctor than the patient. Sherry Aren't there statistics kept somewhere on doctors? Howard? I seem to > remember my daughter talking about "positive outcome." It sounded like > some "positive outcomes" are more positive for the doctor than the > patient. Medical doublespeak is amazing. My personal favourite was a research paper and I think (don't quote me) they had statistics for patients who died of the thing they were trying to treat and statistics about patients who died of something else... So there where two tables...the first one was headed "Fatal deaths" and the second?....(Drumroll!)... "Non-fatal deaths" That's the kind of death I'd like!!!! Can you imagine a doctor saying to someone's nearest and dearest "S/he's dead but at least it's not fatal" Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs > What do you guys think I should do? She has worked for us for over 5 > years and we've never had anything to complain about. When we went to > Paris and our hot water pipes broke, she called the city and had the > water service turned off, which saved our house from significant damage. > I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all seem to be > very impersonal. I say give her another chance. She wrote what sounds like to me a very heartfelt apology. And the fact that she has gone beyond the call of duty in the past shows that she is responsible and trustworthy, as well as having a personal relationship with you, which as you note, is not easy to find. You might want to discuss with her what you can expect from her in the future, should she have another busy period and be pressed for time. It sounds like she genuinely wants to keep working for you and to give you your money's worth, but at the same time, she did justify spending less time with your cats because she was busy. So it sounds like you should tell her that's not acceptable, and then see what she says. Find out if she's willing to commit to a minimum of 30 minutes per visit no matter what else is going on in her schedule. I think that if she can't do that, then she's overbooking herself and selling all of her clients short. Joyce >I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: <snipped> I read through the entire thread before responding. I agree with most of the other respondents. You've been happy with her in the past as, presumably, the clowder. She has gone above and beyond her duties in the past (having your water shut off when necessary). You deem her sufficiently trustworthy to give her access to your home in your absence (presumably with nothing missing on your return). She did overbook this time. That's all you'll ever really know about. Both your letter and her response were calm and professional (kudos to both of you for that). Bottom line: sit down with her and make sure your expectations are crystal clear. If you expect her to spend 30 minutes every time she's there, you both need to agree to that. But keep her on -- good pet sitters are hard to find. As to the refund, that's up to you as to how much, if anything, you want her to pony up. Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe I agree with everyone else in the thread... good pet sitters are hard to find. She sounds honest and she's been reliable in the past and presumably the animals like her... I don't know that I'd take the refund offer - but since you have the actual record of her visits maybe ask for the ones that were REALLY short. Signature~Karen aka Kajikit Crafts, cats, and chocolate - the three essentials of life http://www.kajikitscorner.com Online photo album - http://community.webshots.com/user/kajikit Any updates? Yowie Victor Martinez @ me@nospam.com > I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > damage. I've been looking at other pet services in town and they all > seem to be very impersonal. Given that she's not caused you any complaints for five years, that she had a reasonable explanation, and that (especially) she promptly offered a refund, my opinion is: Keep Her. Sounds like a gem. SignatureMoses Lambert PO1(SW) USN(ret) Cliologist, Philanthropologist, Prothonotary Wibbler, Paleoconservative, Surface Warrior Squid, Itinerant Philosoph I know this is a bit late Victor but I haven't been on rpca for quite a while and dont think all my posts are getting through now, but I hope you kept your sitter if you've had her for 5yrs she can't be too bad, and she had a reasonable exuse, and the cats obviously know her by now Jean.P. > I emailed our pet sitter with the following message: > [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov > Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.