Another Good Deed - Punished

[asphaltgambler]

So, at times we need help around the house, outside yard work, etc. We view it as an opportunity to have teens, work / cash or possibly older people who are willing to work, helping us to then help themselves.

We use an app (Nextdoor) that is similar to a local community online bulletin board for these postings. It has worked pretty well for us in the past. So last week I post a help-wanted ad for yard work, leaf raking and clean-up, targeting teenagers primarily as they are off starting this Wednesday. Good pay, cash, all tools provided, extra compensation if they bring their own leaf blower.

Next day a local family reply's and asked if we would consider a family from Ukraine who just got here in Sept, and another family is helping sponsor them by providing assistance and an apartment. Initially I didn't want to make this complicated, just get my yard cleaned up. But I reconsidered, replied that we would consider their offer.

Some back and forth through the app, then texting, I agreed to up the offer to $100 / @6hrs of work as the husband / wife from Ukraine would be working together. All agreed, they were scheduled to be at our house this Wed 9am to start.

Yesterday afternoon, I called the member of the sponsor family to firm up a few details in person, a delicate one of which, was the husband / wife that would be working would not be allowed in our home for security reasons. if they needed to use the restroom, the small gas and go just up the street has public restrooms. Further, that prior there was history in similar situations where there was a problem with hired help.

She said that was fine, that she (sponsor family member) had a Fed job / clearance and completely understood. Also, I asked if we could give them a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving, as a gesture of kindness, address their needs. She thought that was a wonderful idea, thanked us in advance, profusely.

Ok, great - last minute details worked out, I downloaded an English-to-Russian (that's what this couple speaks) voice translator app on my phone as their English is extremely limited, to make communication seamless, hopefully.

Fast forward to this morning. Wife of sponsor family discusses with her husband (1st time apparently) and says that our offer of $100 is too low for 2 adults performing hard labor for 6-7 hours. In spite of I told her we would tip generously and give a frozen turkey to them. She had already contacted the Ukrainian husband / wife early today and made the decision for them, not acceptt the already accepted offer to work. UFB!

So now, starting over posting looking for help

[LWJ]

I get it.

I think that they are framing this situation in terms of where they come from. Where generosity and throwing in extras just doesn't happen. Good of you to extend an offer. Have a great holiday!

[WPOZZZ]

$100 for 2 adults working those hours is too low. Why offer a tip? Just increase the compensation. I think McDs starting pay here is $15 hour. The same goes for grocery stores, retail... Starbucks is starts higher than that.

[KFC911]

Foreigners may not even appreciate a Turkey or Thanksgiving, nor the chance of a tip. I would just offer what you think is fair ....

and just hit yerself in the crotch wif a hammer next time .... You're a good guy AG, but this thread isn't the first time.... Might as well punish your own self and save the hassle .

But you won't stop trying .... It's what "good people" do

[GH85Carrera]

Last spring I actually found a flyer taped to the glass storm door for a neighborhood kid to mow yards or do other yard work. I mow my own yard as I really need the exercise, and I am a picky grumpy geezer that wants it done right.

Last summer we left for a 10 day road trip, so I had set the kid up to mow on a certain day when I knew the grass was getting tall, and it would be still OK by the time we got home.

My yard has right at a 1/4 mile of edging, but the yard is not that big, as my wife has taken over much of it for flower gardens and a koi pond, just more string trimmer time. There is a sidewalk against the house all the way around the house, and a sidewalk from the mail box to the front door, and a sidewalk across the front of the property.

Anyway I told him I can do EFT or cash, his choice. He is a Junior in high school and lives in my neighborhood. We got home and the yard looked good, and I asked just how much did I owe. He said 20 bucks. I said no way, and gave him $40. It takes me 90 minutes to edge the concrete, string trim all the flower beds, mow and blow the sidewalks.

I used to do that all for $2 to $3 when I was a kid, but that was when I could get a gallon of gas and a Coke for 25 cents.

[mgatepi]

$100 is too low for work. I think your heart is in the right place, but you need to up the ante. I use a Mexican family (legal) that does mulching and trimming. I have them out twice a year and pay them $600 to $1200 depending on what all need done. There are 4 of them (Father and 3 teenagers) and it usually takes them about 8 to 10 hours and they are very hard working! When I did this myself, it would take me half the summer......
Just offering this up as a guide line....

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

$100 for 2 adults working those hours is too low.

No question...I pay folks $15 an hour (each) to help on the farm and am happy to pay it.

This is not a slight, AG, just the reality of where I live.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Anyway I told him I can do EFT or cash, his choice. He is a Junior in high school and lives in my neighborhood. We got home and the yard looked good, and I asked just how much did I owe. He said 20 bucks. I said no way, and gave him $40. It takes me 90 minutes to edge the concrete, string trim all the flower beds, mow and blow the sidewalks.

I used to do that all for $2 to $3 when I was a kid, but that was when I could get a gallon of gas and a Coke for 25 cents.

Wow! I remember making $5 for postage stamp townhouse yards when I was 12-13, then larger yards the size of an average neighborhood yard earned me $20-25. That was all back in the early/mid 80s.

10 years ago when we were in our previous home. We were paying a business $100 a month to mow/edge/blow. That's once a week. They would show up in the neighborhood with a truck and trailer and 3-4 guys would hit your yard and be done in no time. I timed them more than once and it generally took them 7 mins to do the whole thing. We lived in that home about 17 years, and I think we had a kid knock on the door to mow maybe 5 times the whole time we lived there.

[asphaltgambler]

Here's the deal. My objective and budget is for 1 person, I've never hired multiple people to do this. The sponsor family and the Ukrainian family knew this at the outset. But for some reason the sponsor family thought to have both husband and wife.

[fintstone]

If you were a little closer, I would certainly clear your leaves for $100 cash is you have an acre or less if you paid for my leaf blower gas.

[stevej37]

I'm taking names for my black walnut removal for next year.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by fintstone

If you were a little closer, I would certainly clear your leaves for $100 cash is you have an acre or less if you paid for my leaf blower gas.

I just bought a Stihl BR800 .... Prolly take less than an hour

[asphaltgambler]

Yes, and yes I would ^^^. I have a teenager who responded 1st, so ball is in his court for the moment. Also just discovered that VaSteve lives @10 mins from me!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I'm taking names for my black walnut removal for next year.

Fint

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Here's the deal. My objective and budget is for 1 person, I've never hired multiple people to do this. The sponsor family and the Ukrainian family knew this at the outset. But for some reason the sponsor family thought to have both husband and wife.

How much was the sponsor taking?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Yes, and yes I would ^^^. I have a teenager who responded 1st, so ball is in his court for the moment. Also just discovered that VaSteve lives @10 mins from me!

I checked out a 911 for Steve years ago, but didn't get to meet him when he came down to pick it up .... hope he is well !

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

How much was the sponsor taking?

good question.........they live in a somewhat affluent area near me, so dunno

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by KC911

Fint

Got it...Thanks.

[wdfifteen]

$100 for 2 people for 6 hours? That's only about $8 an hour. Nobody pays that these days.
OTOH, you had a deal. If they didn't like the deal they should have said no from the get-go.
The tip and the turkey - what was that about?
We occasionally hire spot help and if I don't know the person I tell them I have a 3 tiered pay system. If they don't show promise in the first hour, I give them $15 and send them home. Then, $15 an hour minimum, $20 if they work at above average productivity. If I see you pick up your cell phone when you're on the clock, you get sent home.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by KC911

I just bought a Stihl BR800 .... Prolly take less than an hour

Yep. That is the one I have. Turned a week of work into a day for me.