Barn Owner asking for board early

[Texarkana]

@mpsbarnmanager

Just curious as to what makes your think this is a lack of foresight?

I’m not clanter and cannot speak for him, but I also view it as lack of foresight. I view it that way because: a) the short warning given to the boarders; b) the fact that holidays are known in advance and travel is usually planned in advance; c) the business appears to be running paycheck to paycheck with no buffer.

I think I’m a reasonable and understanding person, yet many people on this thread are FAR more reasonable and understanding than myself! Yes, the BO (who may be otherwise wonderful) may just be asking for a one time favor-- but it was done in a completely unprofessional manner. Less than a week’s notice, via text, with it sounding like a demand, when in reality, this snafu was no one’s fault but her own for not realizing this further in advance. We all make mistakes (heck, I make more money mistakes than anyone I know!), but part of being a professional means owning your mistakes and making them right in an appropriate manner, not just passing your problem onto your clients.

The situation, even if unavoidable, could have been approached completely differently. Wording it as an optional request, offering some sort of discount or incentive to comply, etc.

Can you imagine if the electric company or similar sent you a text the week before your bill is due saying you need to pay early because there is a holiday coming up and they have made plans than involve needing your money in advance?!?

[TMares]

Move the money, pay her, move it back. And ask about Christmas plans while you’re at it.

[tabula_rashah]

Attempt to handle it like an adult. We all know that money can definitely be a issue with boarding barns- most of them barely charge enough to keep afloat and if they do charge enough, people are outraged at the cost. It’s one time right? Either move the funds and pay her or go speak to her face to face and explain why paying a couple days early is a hardship on your budget. This is not rocket science nor is it the end of the world.

[clanter]

@Texarkana

I’m not clanter and cannot speak for him, but I also view it as lack of foresight. I view it that way because: a) the short warning given to the boarders; b) the fact that holidays are known in advance and travel is usually planned in advance; c) the business appears to be running paycheck to paycheck with no buffer.

thank you as that pretty much sums up my comment

I checked the calendars for the next 100 years… Thanksgiving and the end of the November occur every year …this current event of the Thanksgiving holiday period extending into December is going to occur once again in 2024 so be prepared

---

What does BO do about Jan 1st? that is always a holiday in the US …do they want the money December 31st or is Jan 2nd acceptable?..if on cash bases it moves the income form one year to the next (or could be, depends upon how the transaction is handled)

[Palm_Beach]

@Texarkana

I’m not clanter and cannot speak for him, but I also view it as lack of foresight. I view it that way because: a) the short warning given to the boarders; b) the fact that holidays are known in advance and travel is usually planned in advance; c) the business appears to be running paycheck to paycheck with no buffer.

I think I’m a reasonable and understanding person, yet many people on this thread are FAR more reasonable and understanding than myself! Yes, the BO (who may be otherwise wonderful) may just be asking for a one time favor-- but it was done in a completely unprofessional manner. Less than a week’s notice, via text, with it sounding like a demand, when in reality, this snafu was no one’s fault but her own for not realizing this further in advance. We all make mistakes (heck, I make more money mistakes than anyone I know!), but part of being a professional means owning your mistakes and making them right in an appropriate manner, not just passing your problem onto your clients.

The situation, even if unavoidable, could have been approached completely differently. Wording it as an optional request, offering some sort of discount or incentive to comply, etc.

Can you imagine if the electric company or similar sent you a text the week before your bill is due saying you need to pay early because there is a holiday coming up and they have made plans than involve needing your money in advance?!?

Say it louder for the people in the back…

What is wrong with a professionally worded email?

Dear Boarders,

As you all know, I am finally able to take a vacation for the first time in X. It’s been a bit hectic getting all the arrangements made so that the barn is well supervised and stocked while I am away. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I did not realize that if I process board payments when I return on 12/6, the barn checking account will be a bit short for bills due on the 1st. It would be a huge help to me if you could pay your bill before 11/26. I understand this is an inconvenience, and I do appreciate your help in this matter. Please feel free to call me with any questions.

Yours truly,
Barn Owner

[NoSuchPerson]

@Palm Beach

What is wrong with a professionally worded email?

Is this a trick question? :lol:

I agree in principle, but how many discussions have we had here about the apparent general ignorance of horse professionals (and horse people) about how to behave and communicate in a professional, businesslike manner? And I’ll paraphrase the old classic by saying that you shouldn’t attribute to malice that which can be explained by an ignorance of what many of us would consider proper professional behavior.

I think everybody can agree that the BO’s request was badly worded and made too late in the month. The issue seems to me to be what the appropriate response is, not whether or not the request was delivered professionally.

[ladybugsbw]

As a teacher, I get paid once a month on the last day of the Month. I would not be able to pay board early some months depending on vet bills, emergencies, and other life events. Yes, I have a hefty savings account separate from my checking, but it is not my issue to shuffle around money because someone didn’t plan ahead.
I think the OP is totally within her rights to wait until the first unless the contract says otherwise

[Amber_M]

@RedHorses

On November 26 leave your check dated December 1st.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

My mom is a bank manager and she said that this is not a foolproof method, you’ll have tellers accidentally ignore dates all of the time. Also there is somewhat of a legal issue around writing a check for an amount that you know you don’t have in the account even if you post date.

She also mentioned that most people use digital methods of depositing checks (using your bank app to take a picture, or depositing via ATM) which does not check dates as closely as a person.

[clanter]

@Texarkana

The situation, even if unavoidable, could have been approached completely differently. Wording it as an optional request, offering some sort of discount or incentive to comply, etc.

?

Free Care on Feb 29, 2020 … No board increase for this extra day of the year (a $13.15 benefit if charging $400/mo for 365 days/yr)

[Amber_M]

@clanter

Free Care on Feb 29, 2020 … No board increase for this extra day of the year (a $13.15 benefit if charging $400/mo for 365 days/yr)

LOL!

But as February is a short month, shouldn’t I already be getting a discount? If we are basing a month on 30 days, I already have 2 “extra days” banked every year!

[WildLittleWren]

@Amber_M

LOL!

But as February is a short month, shouldn’t I already be getting a discount? If we are basing a month on 30 days, I already have 2 “extra days” banked every year!

In theory!!!

:lol:

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I’m just curious, for those that say they would not pay early. That its tough tiddliwinks for the BO/BM because they did not phrase the request properly, didn’t give enough notice, not in the contract, etc.

What if the BO/BM has a family emergency, death in the family, medical crisis or other unforeseen issue that required asking for the board 4 days early? Do you still say too bad for you, I’m paying on the 1st because that is what my contract says? Or would that change your position?

[clanter]

@Amber_M

LOL!

But as February is a short month, shouldn’t I already be getting a discount? If we are basing a month on 30 days, I already have 2 “extra days” banked every year!

a normal year of board is based upon 12 months that equal 365 Days, not 12 months of independent value

[ladybugsbw]

@4LeafCloverFarm

I’m just curious, for those that say they would not pay early. That its tough tiddliwinks for the BO/BM because they did not phrase the request properly, didn’t give enough notice, not in the contract, etc.

What if the BO/BM has a family emergency, death in the family, medical crisis or other unforeseen issue that required asking for the board 4 days early? Do you still say too bad for you, I’m paying on the 1st because that is what my contract says? Or would that change your position?

If it was some disaster that would be a totally different scenario than a planned vacation

[DressageLin]

I boarded at a barn where BO was a difficult person but provided very good care. She ran very close on budget, and would often ask if people could pay early (sometimes several weeks early). I was always in a position to accommodate and always did. I had scheduled electronic payments to hit a few days before the first of the month but would move the money as soon as she requested. Finding someone to take good care of your horses is so hard. If you can make life a bit easier, by all means, do it.

[Palm_Beach]

@4LeafCloverFarm

I’m just curious, for those that say they would not pay early. That its tough tiddliwinks for the BO/BM because they did not phrase the request properly, didn’t give enough notice, not in the contract, etc.

What if the BO/BM has a family emergency, death in the family, medical crisis or other unforeseen issue that required asking for the board 4 days early? Do you still say too bad for you, I’m paying on the 1st because that is what my contract says? Or would that change your position?

Why do the boarders need to lend the BO/BM money? Are they banks? There are lines of credit the BO/BM can use to cover these short term emergencies. It’s part of running a business.

[Amber_M]

For me, any ask outside of what has been contracted / mutually agreed-upon terms is a favor. Meaning it’s up to me whether or not I’ll be too “put out” to comply.

I bank at my mother’s small boutique bank. I can’t just open an app and move money, I have to call a human, they have a deadline for processing even internal requests. (It is a total PITA but the personalized human service more than makes up for it.)

If this were me, I would probably just pay early, as in the past I’ve been blessed with barn owners and managers that have helped me out greatly in a pinch. Things like picking my horse up and moving it back to their barn on a moment’s notice when new barn turned out to be insanely unsafe, or checking on my mare throughout the night when she choked on cubes.

If you just can’t make it work logistically, I’d let your BM know it wasn’t something personal or calculated - you simply have a system in place for making sure you can pay by your contractually obligated date, and unfortunately, you’re unable to make the last minute request work.

For anyone saying that a month shouldn’t break the bank, board reaches $1200-1500 at some places here. On any income, a 4 figure surprise is not small potatoes. I only keep enough money in my checking to cover a month’s expenses after having an identity theft scare. It’s not uncommon to manage finances this way.

[wannabedvm]

@enjoytheride

The OP mentioned it so it is my business and everyone else on this bb because it pertains to why she can’t pay early. I don’t think she should feel obligated to pay early at all, but I am concerned that a few days early could have consequences that it’s a big deal.

There are many reasons, many innocuous, that OP doesn’t have money in their checking account. Maybe their spouse supports them completely, and they use their employment money only for their horse activities. Maybe they keep all money not expressly budgeted for in savings and mutual funds/stocks. OP didn’t start a conversation about how she couldn’t afford horses.

[Jealoushe]

Is there interact e-transfer in the US?

[Vindicated]

@mvp

It sounds like you are not on terms friendly enough for her to ask you this favor. Sure, it’s “unprofessional,” but you would be surprised how often people with long-standing business relationships ask each other for similar favors. You are well within your rights to say now, but you don’t have to make this a character assault along the way.

It’s hard to complain about BOs not being professional and asking for payment reliably like, say, the utility companies do. But that small-time business really is not the same. I respect the fact that small-business owners are at risk fo their cash flow getting screwed up, so I try not to harm that and I’ll help them if I can.

And remember, too, that your BO just wants to get out of town for a minute (and their might not be anyone else to do the banking). But the next time your horse gets sick or hurt, are you going to want her to stand on ceremony and not help you or lend you bandaging materials because you guys didn’t contractually agree to that?

And when you came to her on bended knee asking to borrow a roll of sterile cotton or Elastikon, do you want her to report what a careless owner you are for not having all those supplies yourself?

Bottom line: I give what I want to get. I cut slack if I can and I help if I can. I say no sympathetically if I cannot. I try to suggest an alternative, compromise-type solution if I can think of one that I can do. This strategy has worked in my world of business relationships for a long, long time.

This…