User
Lacking in Transparency and Equity
I have been a long time babysitter through Wyndy (2022-Present), however they are not a very transparent company and their customer support truly needs some work. As a babysitter going through a third party, it’s important that information is disclosed regarding payments, safety, and expectations. This app is geared towards college students on the sitter side, so there’s also a NEED for transparency to ensure you’re not taking advantage of young people. So, why are there numerous complaints from people about this hidden monthly fee and struggles to cancel it? Why, when I reached out about the need for transparency around surveillance technology in homes, was I met with defensiveness? Why, before *asking ME* if I received duplicate payments did I get an email stating that they “ know that you got the payment three times for your last job. You can keep these payments, however, there will be a negative credit added to your account for your next jobs since we aren't able to get the funds back.” Yet, when emailed about their cancellation policy that is supposed to credit money to the sitter, my numerous emails went unanswered until I just gave up. This company is reaction based. Their interface glitches so often that I have to include my email in my bio to allow parents to contact me. They are not transparent about how much money they take from sitters, or parents. I spoke with a mom who hired me, she sets her rate to pay me at $30/hr, each listing is costing her $20 to put out as well. I received from Wyndy $26/hr. A fee taken out is not unusual however the lack of clarity and ability to see how the fees are calculated is unusual. For example, with a competitor sitting app Bambino, we set our rate and it clearly shows how much they charge the parent. With Wyndy, it seems as though you’re taking money out of both ends AND charging sitters a fee of $17-$19/ month to have their profile active. They say “we take a small fee” in the fine print… but how much is a “small fee”? Bambino: At Bambino, we're dedicated to providing the best and safest network of Sitters and Parents. But here's the scoop, there are some costs involved to providing a top-notch experience. The good news? You'll always take home 100% of the hourly rate you set - that's our promise. So, while Parents might see a little extra on their end, it's all about keeping Bambino running smoothly for both you and them. Wyndy (found not in the app, but in their help desk): Wyndy is free to download and has a 30 day free trial, followed by a $191.88 annual subscription. When you create a job, you will select an hourly rate you’d like to pay for the job. Before the job is posted, Wyndy deducts a portion of this hourly rate as a platform fee, then displays the resulting rate to sitters as the rate they will be paid for the job, so they understand how much they’ll earn before expressing interest in a job. Once your job is complete, you may choose to add a bonus if the sitter provided a magical experience! Finally, the total price of the job plus a service fee is charged to the credit or debit card that is saved in your profile. If you are a subscribed parent, platform fees are waived. Sitters are paid based on the hourly rate displayed to them when accepting a job and keep 100% of all bonuses. To conclude my point, I just want to say that while I have experienced excellent families to sit for and I appreciate the job board, I think this company would benefit greatly from being more transparent and also having a minimum payment amount. There’s no reason that parents should be allowed to only pay sitters $9, $11, & $14 in this economy for such a skilled job. You need to be first aid/cpr certified, undergo yearly background checks, and commute to each individual home. The minimum salary for a sitter should be fixed at $20, to ensure that these listings are equitable.