People who hire pet sitters: how would you feel in this situation

[Wolffie]

Has been a while since I posted here! My username was Wolfie before the database thingy, I have a lab Deezel who is doing great

Anyway, I've been pet sitting for a not so small business anymore for about 5 years now, but I also pet sit on the side through myself for co-workers, family, friends, etc. Recently, I was asked by my co-worker, the vice president of my web marketing team, to come to his house every day for a week to feed his kitty and birds. We discussed payment and since no walks or dogs were involved, I lowered my usual visit rate to $15/per visit. He was fine with his and told me he would even pre-pay.

I went to lunch and came back to a folded piece of paper on my desk with instructions, address, contacts, and a total amount due. I opened the piece of paper to make sure there wasn't cash or a check in there since he mentioned pre-paying and there was not, so I assumed he would leave it on the counter in house or pay me when he got back.

First visit I went in and there was nothing left on the counter for me, just instructions for myself and their neighbor, who was coming in the mornings to quickly feed the cat. Again, I assumed he would just pay me when we got to work.

It's now Monday around noon. He actually came to my desk this morning with a new coworker to introduce me and mentioned how wonderful of a job I did and such, but still no mention of payment.

So now I'm left in a ridiculously awkward and uncomfortable situation, as I could either lose out on $100 (it wasn't exactly on the most direct route home from work either so spent a good amount on gas), or risk mentioning it to him and looking irresponsible if he did pay me. These are my assumptions:

1. He put it in that folded piece of paper and it somehow fell out. HOWEVER, I actually thought to check the floor around my desk when I received this, just in case it did fall out. His desk is across from mine so if it fell out on the way to me, I doubt anyone would steal it (office is very nice and honest). Everyone around us is from my team and would have said something, especially if it was a check with my name on it.

2. Maybe he did leave it on the table, unlabeled, and the neighbor took it?

3. Maybe he just forgot.

Either way, these are all shitty situations for me. Now, if it was cash, that's one thing, but what happens if it was a check? Can someone actually cash the check with my name on it? I'm, never asked for my ID when I cash checks, so I'm thinking it's possible. Is there a way he could identify who cashed the check? Cause I wouldn't mind showing him my bank account number if he can match it with the neighbor (or if someone stole it) to show him I'm not trying to lie and get more money and that I didn't cash it.

I don't have a problem sending him an email and asking, but it's just awkward. I don't want to look like I lost the money or that I'm trying to lie to my vice president. My only other solution is to make up an invoice and email it to him with the "paid" section unchecked, which might prompt him to start the conversation. Otherwise, just being like "hey how about that money now" just seems so rude

If you were him in this situation, what do you think you would be most happy with from your pet sitter? He knows I'm a good person at work, but it was the first time pet sitting for him. How would you feel if you actually DID leave the money, but your pet sitter was claiming they were not paid?

I have to say, lesson learned though. This is NOT the first time a client has forgot to pay me. A woman I pet sit for all the time, last minute, forgot a last minute visit I did once and I actually did remind her about it, which she apologized for. From now on I will be printing out invoices and leaving them on their table if they don't like pre-paying.

[monsterpup]

Not a fun situation, but you just have to ask. Something like great taking care of your bird and cats. Nice pets. Hope I get the opportunity to do so again sometime. How would you like to take care of the $100? I accept cash, checks, etc.

[sheltieluver]

I had something similar happen to me. I do petsitting on the side as well. I take care of a dog twice a week charge 15 dollars to let the dog out on my lunch hour right around th e corner. Normally the last day she will leave money on the counter but one day it wasn't there. I felt weird asking but I texted her and she thought her husband left it and paid me the following week. I would just ask.

[Wolffie]

I had something similar happen to me. I do petsitting on the side as well. I take care of a dog twice a week charge 15 dollars to let the dog out on my lunch hour right around th e corner. Normally the last day she will leave money on the counter but one day it wasn't there. I felt weird asking but I texted her and she thought her husband left it and paid me the following week. I would just ask.

Ugh it's so hard! I'm glad you got it settled.

If there weren't so many variables to the situation, I wouldn't at all be hesitant to send a reminder. It just seems unlike him to forget, which means it could be all these other crap situations, which means he could be losing out on another $100 and I know no one is happy with that.

Guess I'll just have to suck it up though

[CraftHer]

I think you may be overthinking the situation. I do the same thing in situations where I feel awkward. You did the work, you are owed the money. I think you should ask for it. With respect, of course. Monsterpup has a great suggestion for the conversation.

Not a fun situation, but you just have to ask. Something like great taking care of your bird and cats. Nice pets. Hope I get the opportunity to do so again sometime. How would you like to take care of the $100? I accept cash, checks, etc.

[bett]

yes, just ask. say something like"i think you forgot to pay me?" and be done.

[3ChocMom]

I think if he did leave the money, or thinks he did, it's a simple miscommunication and can't imagine he would jump to thinking you were lying about it. I'm also sure he wouldn't want you to go unpaid. I wouldn't if I were him. I don't know how anyone forgets to pay the pet sitter in this kind of situation, so if I were you, I would just ask. He could be waiting for you to tell him how much he owes you.

[Sue-Ram]

I think if he did leave the money, or thinks he did, it's a simple miscommunication and can't imagine he would jump to thinking you were lying about it. I'm also sure he wouldn't want you to go unpaid. I wouldn't if I were him. I don't know how anyone forgets to pay the pet sitter in this kind of situation, so if I were you, I would just ask. He could be waiting for you to tell him how much he owes you.

I would just email an invoice to him and say something like sorry I haven't had a chance to send this yet, and put a note that it can be paid by cheque or cash.

[Labradorks]

This. And I, too, think you are over thinking it.

I would just email an invoice to him and say something like sorry I haven't had a chance to send this yet, and put a note that it can be paid by cheque or cash.

[Wolffie]

Thanks everyone! <3 Oh I'm definitely overthinking it, I always do. I'm very conscious about money and understand it can be a touchy subject with people, so always hate having to be the one to "impose" it kinda thing.