Cleaning Lady .. That's Me **

As a part time job, I clean houses. I used to clean with my Aunt Karen, but she has recently decided to do her insurance job full time. When we were cleaning together we had 8 houses to clean. My aunt decided to keep 2 of the easier ones, until her insurance sales go up. So that left me with 6 houses. These are not small houses, by any stretch of the imagination. They are all occupied by families, where only the dad works. The mom stays at home with their kids all day, and we come to clean their homes every other week. Don't get me wrong I am by no means complaining.

We were charging $40 an hour, so 2 hour houses (which is almost all of them) were paying $80. So, I decided to just charge people the same that they were being charged previously. That way when I am doing the job of two people and its taking me about twice as long (sometimes less), it won't cost them any more. I found this to be reasonable.

I just started to clean these houses on my own last week. After I finished the first house, the woman approached me and said, "I have been talking to some of my friends and they said they have people that will clean their house for $20 an hour. It took you 3 hours, so thats about $27 an hour and that's kind of high. My husband and I are looking to cut back, and we know we can get it for cheaper, so.." So I said, that I understand and she said if I want to do it for $20 I can, but if not she's going to find someone else. I told her that I will think about it and get back to her. As a side note, this ladies husband is NEVER home, because he is always traveling with work. She does not work. How much do they honestly need to cut back?

Another lady scheduled me to come tomorrow morning, called me today and said that her and her husband are rethinking and they need to cut back. So, she decides this the day before I am supposed to be there and cancels. They have this huge, beautiful home and she only works, because her kids are grown and she has nothing to do during the days any more. She doesn't need to work.

Both of these ladies know that I am a college student, paying my own way through college, not that it is their problem. But you (at least I) would think that, couples that are that well off would be willing to help a young girl make it through. Especially because they both acknowledged that point and apologized for not being able to help me out. And not only will it be costing them a little more, but they know that I am trustworthy and that I do a good job. If they go to anyone else, they will have a different lady there every time, and who knows how they will do and what they make take when they go.

The other houses I have been to have been great! Very understanding and easy to work for!

But am I really being unreasonable?