Do I give the money/payment back?

**annie24** · 06-08-2009, 01:41 PM

Ok, here is my dilema. My neighbor asked me to petsit for her for 3 weeks for her dog. I said ok. She offered money, I said I didn't want any money, that i was so happy just hanging out with her dog, that was reward enough. I said if she wanted to bring me a box of chocolates from her location, that would be perfect (where she went on vacation is known for a certain type of chocolate). On the first day of dog-sitting, she left a note with care instructions, emergency phone numbers, and $100 in cash. I thanked her for the cash and said i'd buy something pretty for myself on my summer vacationi this year.

well, she's decided to come home 2 weeks early from her vacation. Should i give her back the money? or part of the money? what's the correct thing to do here? I did buy her dog a toy ($15) because it was so darned cute!!!

what do you guys think?

Catdancer · 06-08-2009, 01:46 PM

I'd ask her if she wants the money back. Like, "hey, I'm glad your home. Rufus and I had blast together. We got him a new toy and we had dinner together every night. Oh, and I used the $100 that you left for us, but if you'd like I can give it back."

pinkrobot · 06-08-2009, 01:46 PM

Maybe you could ask if she would like it back? I know that sounds a tad cheesy, but at least you'd know yes or no, one way or the other. If she says no, then you can rest assured you at least offered.

**BlueAfterglow08** · 06-08-2009, 01:48 PM

Just make sure you offer. Say 'Hey I used the cash you left but Im more than willing to pay some of it or all of it back'

bmwm3 · 06-08-2009, 01:49 PM

maybe give her the 85 and the new toy back... unless you paid for food which you could deduct...

this is off course if you dont wanna be compensated for your time of watching the dog......

**BellaDonna** · 06-08-2009, 01:51 PM

Ask her if she wants her money back (minus the $15 you spent) I'd say something like "Well you gave me $100 and I spent $15 on the dog during her stay- would you like the rest back?"- I really do think that is the best way to go. If she says "no" then you can decide whether you want to extend further help to her- like maybe walking the dog for her or taking the dog again if she needs it. It sounds like you really took to the pooch anyways.

If she took her dog to a kennel for a week it would likely cost her more than $100 and she would not have the piece of mind she did when she left your dog with you. Her dog got one-on-one attention and lots of love in care. I doubt she'll say she wants the money back- but it's polite to offer.

shuttlefish · 06-08-2009, 02:30 PM

Is she "wealthy"? One pays not just for pet sitting but also for peace of mind that your pet is cared for. This might or probably come up again.

How many days did you actually end up pet sitting for? I don't know where you are but from where I am, pet sitting can cost upwards of $50 a day anyway!

Grrr · 06-08-2009, 02:31 PM

Definately offer it back, she probably won't accept it anyway.

*Sunny* · 06-08-2009, 02:40 PM

I would offer it back, but honestly, it would have cost her WAY more to board her dog for three weeks. Not to mention the vet checkup to make sure the dog is up-to-date on everything.

If you offer, be prepared to keep the money. I know it's awkward because you're friends, but you provided a service. I watched my neighbor's dogs all the time and while I would have GLADLY done it for free, they wanted to pay me and I accepted. It makes them feel better because they know how much time I spent with their pets, plus I earned a little extra.

**annie24** · 06-08-2009, 04:46 PM

ok, thanks guys. i'll offer to give her back the money i didn't spend on the dog. so, should i ask her over email, or should i do so when i see her to give her back her housekey?

i love that little guy, we've had so much fun together, i'm going to miss him! just might kidnap him myself, lol.

06-08-2009, 01:41 PM	#1
annie24 Online Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 29 Posts: 26,818	Do I give the money/payment back? Ok, here is my dilema. My neighbor asked me to petsit for her for 3 weeks for her dog. I said ok. She offered money, I said I didn't want any money, that i was so happy just hanging out with her dog, that was reward enough. I said if she wanted to bring me a box of chocolates from her location, that would be perfect (where she went on vacation is known for a certain type of chocolate). On the first day of dog-sitting, she left a note with care instructions, emergency phone numbers, and $100 in cash. I thanked her for the cash and said i'd buy something pretty for myself on my summer vacationi this year. well, she's decided to come home 2 weeks early from her vacation. Should i give her back the money? or part of the money? what's the correct thing to do here? I did buy her dog a toy ($15) because it was so darned cute!!! what do you guys think?

06-08-2009, 01:46 PM	#3
pinkrobot Online Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: where the wild things are Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 1,718	Maybe you could ask if she would like it back? I know that sounds a tad cheesy, but at least you'd know yes or no, one way or the other. If she says no, then you can rest assured you at least offered. __________________ All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream. [blog:] http://scribblingsofhope.blogspot.com

06-08-2009, 01:48 PM	#4
BlueAfterglow08 Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Gender: Female Age: 20 Posts: 5,249	Just make sure you offer. Say 'Hey I used the cash you left but Im more than willing to pay some of it or all of it back' __________________ Please see the forum rules before posting http://www.enotalone.com/forum/forum-rules.php ''Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.' -Mahatma Gandhi'

06-08-2009, 01:51 PM	#6
BellaDonna Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: U.S. Gender: Female Age: 29 Posts: 6,583	Ask her if she wants her money back (minus the $15 you spent) I'd say something like "Well you gave me $100 and I spent $15 on the dog during her stay- would you like the rest back?"- I really do think that is the best way to go. If she says "no" then you can decide whether you want to extend further help to her- like maybe walking the dog for her or taking the dog again if she needs it. It sounds like you really took to the pooch anyways. If she took her dog to a kennel for a week it would likely cost her more than $100 and she would not have the piece of mind she did when she left your dog with you. Her dog got one-on-one attention and lots of love in care. I doubt she'll say she wants the money back- but it's polite to offer. __________________ "Well behaved women rarely make history." "Friendship should be a refuge, not an ordeal." Please see the forum rules for posting on enotalone:http://www.enotalone.com/forum/forum-rules.php Last edited by BellaDonna; 06-08-2009 at 03:01 PM.

06-08-2009, 02:30 PM	#7
shuttlefish Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,667	Is she "wealthy"? One pays not just for pet sitting but also for peace of mind that your pet is cared for. This might or probably come up again. How many days did you actually end up pet sitting for? I don't know where you are but from where I am, pet sitting can cost upwards of $50 a day anyway! __________________ “There are some people who eat an orange but don’t really eat it. They eat their sorrow, fear, anger, past, and future.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

06-08-2009, 01:46 PM	#2
Catdancer Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,360	I'd ask her if she wants the money back. Like, "hey, I'm glad your home. Rufus and I had blast together. We got him a new toy and we had dinner together every night. Oh, and I used the $100 that you left for us, but if you'd like I can give it back."

06-08-2009, 01:49 PM	#5
bmwm3 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WEST & EAST Gender: Male Posts: 1,621	maybe give her the 85 and the new toy back... unless you paid for food which you could deduct... this is off course if you dont wanna be compensated for your time of watching the dog......

06-08-2009, 02:31 PM	#8
Grrr Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 1,788	Definately offer it back, she probably won't accept it anyway. __________________ "Ol' Nicks' recess knocking steeples, rattling bones and burning needles" \|~All's well in Hell~\|

06-08-2009, 02:40 PM	#9
Sunny Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: America Gender: Female Age: 21 Posts: 229	I would offer it back, but honestly, it would have cost her WAY more to board her dog for three weeks. Not to mention the vet checkup to make sure the dog is up-to-date on everything. If you offer, be prepared to keep the money. I know it's awkward because you're friends, but you provided a service. I watched my neighbor's dogs all the time and while I would have GLADLY done it for free, they wanted to pay me and I accepted. It makes them feel better because they know how much time I spent with their pets, plus I earned a little extra. __________________ Handle every stressful situation in life like a dog would: If you can't play with it or eat it, just pee on it and walk away.

06-08-2009, 04:46 PM	#10
annie24 Online Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 29 Posts: 26,818	ok, thanks guys. i'll offer to give her back the money i didn't spend on the dog. so, should i ask her over email, or should i do so when i see her to give her back her housekey? i love that little guy, we've had so much fun together, i'm going to miss him! just might kidnap him myself, lol.