How to explain to people that a cancellation does not mean rescheduling?
I am at my wits end trying to explain to my clients that my availability is completely booked. When I first started out, I was cleaning irregularly for an elderly couple who I barely made $100 from but agreed to water their plants and check on their house in the winter when they travel to warmer areas. Last summer I was able to squeeze them in here and there but this summer I am completely booked out. I informed them that when they return in June, I will not be able to clean for them because I don’t have the time. She responded with, “oh no, does that mean I missed out on scheduling for July, August, September and October? Maybe you could manage once a month for us”. And I don’t know how to politely tell her that I couldn’t block out random days during the summer months for her especially if I’m getting paid half what my other consistent clients pay me. She doesn’t seem to understand.
AND THEN, I am traveling for a week in May and sent out an advanced notice to my clients that week that I will not be in town and cleanings will be canceled. I had a biweekly client ask to reschedule. I tried telling her I don’t have the availability to do so and she’s pushing me because I’ve swung weekend cleanings for her in the past. How do I explain to them that I have a completely full schedule so I cannot fit them in before I leave or after, that they will simply have to wait until the next cleaning? Everything I type out feels rude but I’m so irritated at being pulled at like this.