Can You Persuade a Host to Reschedule an Event?

[sillylittlechef]

I had a host reschedule her party with me. It was supposed to be end of April, but she changed it to the first week in May. I wrote down the date and time and honestly didn't check my schedule very well. My DH will be out of town that evening so I don't have child care. I can hire a babysitter, but that doesn't make me any money that way. I called the host to see if she would be willing to change her date to one day earlier. She said absolutely not. She already set the date and is not willing to change it. I feel kinda bad because I know this is partly (mostly) my fault for not being sure that I had that date open, but now I need to fix this. Should I just flat out tell her that I can't do the show that night, or just suck it up and pay the sitter and hope that I get the bookings to make up for it? What do you all think?

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Pay the sitter

I had a host reschedule her party with me. It was supposed to be end of April, but she changed it to the first week in May. I wrote down the date and time and honestly didn't check my schedule very well. My DH will be out of town that evening so I don't have child care. I can hire a babysitter, but that doesn't make me any money that way. I called the host to see if she would be willing to change her date to one day earlier. She said absolutely not. She already set the date and is not willing to change it. I feel kinda bad because I know this is partly (mostly) my fault for not being sure that I had that date open, but now I need to fix this. Should I just flat out tell her that I can't do the show that night, or just suck it up and pay the sitter and hope that I get the bookings to make up for it? What do you all think?

I think since it was technically your mistake for not checking your calendar, you should get a sitter and do the show. Hopefully the bookings will make up for it and you can make that money back.
I am curious, how much do you pay a sitter to watch your kids? How many kids do you have? Is there only one sitter available?
I know how hard it is to set a date for something and get everyone you know to come on that particular date, maybe it's too hard to switch it for her friends and family. Let us know how it goes.

Debbie

 

[raebates]

I agree with Debbie. Do you have a friend you can swap sitting with? That way it will only cost you a night with a buddy's kids.

 

[sillylittlechef]

Well, she originally changed the date because she decided to have a partylite party in April because they are doing double host points. SO, she changed the PC party so that her guests wouldn't have to go to two shows in one month. She only moved it one week. And she hasn't sent out invites yet, so I think she is just annoyed that I as the consultant would ask her to change it. I do know that it was my fault for not double checking, so I probably should just pay the sitter.
I have three kids and pay the sitter $2 each per hour. I should pay more, but she is the daughter of a friend and doesn't charge me that much.

 

[sillylittlechef]

I would love to swap kids with a friend. The problem is that I have a 4,3 and 16 mo. old who needs to be home to go to bed. I can't have them up until 11 or later when I get back. They would be horrible for whoever watched them. I also feel bad because most people I know have one or maybe two kids, but asking them to watch 3 while I only have to watch 1 doesn't seem very fair. I guess I just don't have that nice of friends. haha

 

[raebates]

Well, whatever you decide to do, just paste on a great smile and "consult" your little heart out!

 

[DebbieJ]

pay a sitter.