any suggestions for wording on a letter to tell my customers of an increase in my rates?

Question

i'm a childminder and have charged the same since i set my business up 2 years ago. cheers

Answer 1

You can say "after keeping my rates at the same for the past 2 years I regretably have to increase my rates this year."
I don't think any further explanation is needed or if you are really close to the people you can say that it's due to the cost of living increase, the price of gas, etc. Everything goes up annually so this should not be a huge shock to them.

Answer 2

You could take an honest approach, a guilt trip approach, or a humorous approach perhaps?

Honest:
"I am sure you will appreciate that I have managed to avoid any increase in my charges since I first started my business. Unfortunately, due to the increasing cost of living ..."

Guilt Trip:
"While I'm protecting your most valued treasure, unfortunately the rest of the world has been raising its prices, and now I have to do the same ..."

or maybe
"I know you want the best for your children. Unfortunately, with inflation, this costs ever more to provide. Because of this ..."

Humorous:
Actually, I can't think of anything. Maybe some joke about what they could expect from a budget childminder?

Good luck with it.

Answer 3

It's very hard to increase your standard rates with people who are used to paying a certain price for childcare. Approach them individualy and in person. Be personable explaining as to why you have to raise your rates or suggest that they bring their own diapers, snacks or meals. Most people realize that childcare workers do a very good job for little money and if their children are well looked after they will understand. Try not to raise the rate to high for the parents that you have now but increase your rates for any new clients. I had to do this to my clients and I lost some and some gave me a hard time. Give your notice if they are uncooperative. You don't honestly do it because you love children, this is your job and you should get a raise just as your clients do.

Good luck this is a hard thing to do.

Answer 4

As a childminder, I expect your relationship with your customers is reasonably informal, so your letter can be too.

Just tell them that you're sorry you're springing this on them, but for the following reasons you feel it's necessary to increase your rates. Let them know that you're happy to chat about any concerns they may have over this.

Don't worry about it though, a good childminder is worth her weight in gold - a few extra quid a week won't have them running for the hills.

Answer 5

How about something like:

"Due to rising costs, it has become necessary for me to make a small increase in rates. I appreciate that this is never good news for parents, but I have not put my rates up in two years, and I hope that despite this necessary increase in fees, you will still consider that I provide a good quality, value for money service."

Mortgage rates have gone up again, fuel prices are through the roof, you can't absorb all of these costs forever. Most private nurseries increase their fees every year as a matter of course.

Answer 6

The first thing I would inform you is that if you want to get at least one answer that is even remotely professional in nature, then you should use the word "in" instead of "on" when referring to the contents of one of your letters. As for informing your customers of your added costs it might be benificial to inform them of an added service that you are providing, or about information that you have concerning the inflated cost of living in the area that you live. These two little doozies might keep the majority of your major clients from jumping ship and wrecking somewhere else after the news!

Answer 7

Make sure you break the news softly. I would at least start the letter thanking them for their business and telling them how you're honored that they trust you enough to work with their children, etc.
I would point out the fact that your prices HAVE stayed the same for the last two years. But, with economic changes/fluctuations etc....you need to raise the price in order to serve them to the best of your ability.
Hope that helps!

Answer 8

Something along the lines of, due to rising costs of electic, gas and water (food even) I an raising my rates....However much per week. If you try to keep the raise to a minimum it'll make a lot more parents happier. Like if you only watched 5 children and raised rates $10 per week that'll fetch you $200 more a month.

Answer 9

You start off by thanking them for there business. That your rates have not been raised in 2 yrs. But with the increase of items needed to run the business you will be increasing child care cost. If they have any comments call you and you can speak with them to address any concrens. Give them at least a month notice. i could come up with a formal letter but you'll have to email me [e-mail]

Answer 10

dear customers,
im afraid i will have to raise rates on the goods in my store to keep up with the increasing rates of todays world. i hope i do not lose ur business and will do all i can to keep rates reasonable b/c i know that the world is changing and our wallets are the ones suffering.

u might want to add a little more to it tho