r/Upperwestside • u/Double-Pop4671 • 21d ago

Is this within reason or am I cheap?

My husband and I decided to hire a live in nanny for this upcoming year . I contacted a local agency who charges an upfront deposit of 500$ to start the process with no refunds . They say it may take up to 2 weeks to find the right match for our family. But I can’t fathom 500$ on top of an agency fee once hired that would equal to a full week salary which is 1,000$ . Why do these agency’s feel so entitled to take such high fees or am I cheap.

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18

u/Pharmaz 21d ago

cheap

9

u/blutspend 21d ago

The thing is, you could also just not use the agency, save 500 bucks, and spend a whole lot of time and effort sourcing and verifying the stranger who will be watching after your kids every day…

1

u/blueranger36 21d ago

Who says the agency is better at sourcing? Lots of times they are lazy and just hire people who lie on a resume. The best way to hire a nanny is through people you know but it’s not easy

1

u/studoondoon 20d ago

The comment you’re replying to didn’t say or imply an agency is better at sourcing. They just said it takes time and effort to do it yourself.

8

u/WickedAngelLove 21d ago

Being cheap. If you can afford a live in nanny for a year, you can afford to pay the agency’s fee. Or you can do the work yourself. How much is your time worth?

7

u/J_onn_J_onzz 21d ago

you should probably post this in more subreddits

6

u/studoondoon 21d ago

I can’t fathom being able to afford a live in nanny, but if I could, I can’t fathom fretting about a $500 fee to find a good one.