Did they pay me too much?

Question

My neighbours asked me to feed their cat and dog, and water their plants while they were away over a four day period, twice a day. They gave me $25 for the job, but my mum says I'm not to accept money for helping neigbours. I tried giving it back twice, than accepting only $5, but he said that it would have been more expensive to get someone else to water the plants, and hand the pets over to the catery.

I only make $5 an hour when I babysit, but it probably took me an hour at the most to do all the chores they set.

I have tried returning the money on previous ocassions but it just ended up back in my pocket. My mum got really mad at me, and embarrassed me infront of them.

Did I do the right thing, or was I rude? I have a book on Manners, and it said after the second time, if they still offer something you should accept it.

Help?

An hour all together, not each time I went over. Just clearing that up!

Great answers so far =)

I'm 17.....

Answer 1

Chic, I would of paid you $100.00 to feed my animals twice a day and water my plants for 4 days. Of course, you should help out your neighbors if they deserve it but your mum should of let you keep the $25.00 because at least they offered you something. Now if they have the money to give, take it.I would rather have my neighbor -(someone whom I can depend on) to take care of my animals than take them to some strange vet. place. For 10 days, I pay $200.00. Wish you were here in my area.

Answer 2

how old are you? i think if a neighbor asked me to check on the pets and water the plants, i would do it for free. but i am an adult and we are equals.

i don't think that adults (even if the neighbors are good friends) would expect a teenager to do it for free. the $25 is a sign of their gratitude and appreciation for helping them out. consider it $5 for the hour of work and a $20 tip.

your mom should not get mad at you. you made an attempt to return the money and they insisted that you take it. it really is bad manners to deny someone that wants to show their gratitude. it is ok to tell them that you didn't do it for the money and you were just glad to be able to help out. after that, if they insist accept the money and be grateful for it.

Answer 3

Let's see -- 4 days * 2 hours/day = 8 hours divided into $25 comes out to about $3/hour. And you said that you make $5/hour babysitting. Sounds like the neighbors got a bargain and someone who appears to be very responsible.

Keep the money. It's yours because you earned it despite what your mom says.

Next time your neighbors ask you to check on their pets, see if you can make the same arrangements as if you were babysitting. Certainly their pets should qualify as "children" (mine certainly do even if I can't deduct them on taxes). That may mollify your mom if she sees that you're doing the same thing as if you were actually baby-sitting some human children.

Answer 4

If your neighbors had to board the animals in kennel they would have paid approximately twice as much, and the plants wouldn't have watered themselves. I think they paid you a fair price, and I'm sure they wouldn't have given you as much unless they thought you had done a good job. In this case your mum is being rude by putting the neighbor on the spot by making you try to return money they obviouly feel you deserve. If I were the neighbor I would be offended by your mum's behavior.

Answer 5

u should have just accepted that gracefully and it would have been easier for ur neighbours conscience and u would have been richer too!
as for ur mom u could have just explained to her that ur neighbours would feel embrassed had u not accepted the token of appreciation. they could have given u a tacky gift which u would neither be able to pass on to someone neither wear it or use it so money was the best way to show an appreciation!!
next time just keep ur mouth shut and enjoy the cash after a hard work!

Answer 6

You were not overpaid, it was a fair price. The money is yours to keep, u earned it. Your neighbors might need ur service another time and would not want to ask u, if u had refused to take the money. Yes, neighbors should do favors for one another, but in this case it involved 4 days, so it was a little more than a minor favor. It was nice of ur neighbors to pay u, it was nice of u to do the chore and if was nice of ur mom for wanting to be neighborly. So everyone wins.

Answer 7

You did the right thing by offering to return the money. The neighbors obviously like you and the job you did for them and want you to keep it. Mom should really stay out of it as it doesn't concern her. The neighbors are also right about it costing more if they had to hire someone else to do the work. Keep it you earned it.

Answer 8

I find it more ruse to be returning the money so many times! After 2 times of them refusing to take the money back I would just thank them agiain and keep it. Or if your mom is still insisting on you giving the money back I would use the money to buy your neighbors a gift basket or something. That way they're still getting the money back one way or anther.

Answer 9

These people gave you that amount of money because they were not only glad that you did a job well done, but they were also grateful. Take the money and be glad you worked for such kind, and considerate people.

I do see your mother's point of view, but in the end this was a business deal between you and your neighbor.

Good job BTW!

Answer 10

I think you have been too polite. You offered the money back multiple times and they feel that you earned the money. the polite thing to do would be to accept it graciously. if they ever ask you to do a paying job again, i recommend clearing it with your mother first and setting the issue of wage BEFORE hand so no one is offended or upset.