I need some words

All you need to say is that you think it's best he find someone else because your schedule has changed and you can no longer provide him with the service he deserves.

Tell him you thank him for the opportunity to work for him and you'd be more than happy to recommend someone else to him.

And leave it at "It's me, not you".

that actually could work.

my free time has changed now that jillian is in a new day care.
I dont have all day free anymore.
I only have from 730'ish to 12.

Tell him that, due to both your scheduling conflicts, you should both make a decision to cancel your current arrangement.

If he asks why or don't seem to want to, then just tell him you have another new client who wants his slot and since he is costing you money (hey, he will understand this bit!) by not keeping to your agreed schedule and keeping you from doing your work and getting paid for it, that it makes sense to cancel this arrangement.

Soften it with telling him that when he next needs you, he should feel free to call you so you can check your calendar to see where you can fit him in. If he does this, not like the pre-planned routine of the current schedule, but say every two months he calls and says - will you be free Thursday morning, or Friday afternoon to come over - then at least it doesn't sever the working relationship between you.

You do your very best to accommodate him (it seems) and it's looking like he has to realize that he's got to make some accommodations himself if he wants you to do some work for him. If it's on an ad-hoc basis (and you can manage it) then that would solve both your problems .... and you can feel free to find that new client to fill his slot and fill your pocket!

Why not tell him that, due to his not being available for so many appointments, you'll have no alternative but to charge him your full rate for every missed one thereafter. Maybe he'll agree to pay and you won't be out any income. Maybe he'll decide that this isn't working out and save you the angst of having to "fire" him. Either way, it's a win-win situation!

Would he trust you enough to give you a key so you could come and go?

Ooo, good idea Blacksmithn!!

I have the occasional, ephemeral flash of brilliance now and again...

ditto.


What happens when you don't get to do the job? Do you wait the two weeks and try again next time, or do you try to reschedule something for the same week?

Ask him for an upfront monthly payment for the twice/month that you will provide the service and arrive when scheduled. Great if he lets you in, even better if he doesn't.

Tell him it's like buying a gym membership and never going to the gym!

What else do you do with a gym membership?

I tend to not take keys.
I know I am not organized... fur crikeys sake, I can hardly find my own. Being responsible for someone else's key.. oh lord.........help me..




Though I think this is 100% reasonable, I have to explain that I would not be comfortable with it.
I have a strange type of 'friendship' with my clients.
I have some of them over for dinner.
They are friends as well as clients, and I think that is why I have been so successful. As friends, this client included, I dont know how well that would fly over.

BUT- he is costing me this anyway.. Maybe a set amount for missed visits.
15 bucks.. ?





Sometimes, I wait.
I used to be able to fit him in to an afternoon slot, but that is not an option as little Bean goes to day care only until 12:30 and all but one Tuesday every two weeks, is taken. I save that tuesday for re-scheduling, or just to give me a day off.



So, I did call him with a combination of these suggestions though.
I said-

" Client, I am having abit of an issue with our missed appointments.
Your house is not getting clean, and I am missing work. So we are
both missing out here . I understand you are very busy. You never
cease to amaze me with the things you are able to do. Unfortunately,
when I miss work, I can miss bills.
We need to either re-arrange our schedule, and try a probation
period, or you will need to find someone else to do the work. You
can always call one of those large companies who can send someone
out with in a few hours of an opening you have.
With my new schedule change, I dont have the free time for
rescheduling I used to have. But I still have your opening
available to you. Can we make this work? What do you suggest?

and he said-
"Im sorry > I specifically left instructions for my roommate to let
you in. Your list and check were ready on the counter for you. I
dont want anyone else in the house , so lets keep this and if it
comes down to it, I will leave you a key"

and our conversation went on for a little while.
I kept addressing the fact that I MISS money when he isnt there, and
yeah, ... THAT struck a respectable key .

So, I figure, if in the next 2 visits he misses again, Im sending
him a dear jon letter...

Im not sure I want to try to make him pay me for missing.

He was warned, that SHOULD be enough..

If he trusts you and wants to keep you he will make sure to not miss any more appointments. He didn't go from rags to riches by missing appointment with people that he matter. He probably has a good sense of the importance of keeping people he knows and trusts. I would bet that all that was needed was to make him aware of the situation.

I hope so.
I dont like counting on work, to NOT have it when I need it.

I also dont like to be so frustrated with him.
I like that kid . I wish I had his drive, ( and his pocketbook.. you should SEE his house.. ug)
and i know he 'needs ' me as he is hardly home and not on the phone. Things dont get done.

He probably thinks your hot and masturbates every night to the though of you cleaning his house naked.

Don't take that away from him.

No.

But I do like his roommate..