If someone offers you more money than you typically receive from them or than you think you deserve, should you take it? I helped my aunt on her job for 2 hours, and she typically gives me $10 an hour, so I would get $20. This time she offered $30 after we were done and I wondered why and said that I usually only get $20 and I took $20. So, if someone offers you more money for doing something than they normally offer and there’s no reason for it, should you take the extra money? Is it a question morality and ethics and possibly maybe taking advantage of someone, or do you take it because they’re offering?
I’d say to them “don’t you think this is a little much?”… but, after that, if they insist, I’ll keep it.
Later find a way to “pay it back” or “pay it forward”.
You might regard that extra $10 as a tip. If the money is given freely with full knowledge that they’re paying you more than you expected (as opposed to a clerical/math error), then I don’t see anything wrong with accepting it. If the overpay is because of a mistake, I would feel compelled to bring it to the attention of the giver.
Your story wasn’t clear. Did you aunt understand that she was overpaying you, or had she made a mistake?
Unless your aunt is suffering from some form of dementia. yes. Accept the amount she feels the work is worth.
There is nothing wrong with it - as long as the person knows what they are doing.
Plenty of people - some with very good work ethics - charge too little for the work they do. I say this as someone who is usually displeased with the quality of work that people do. So when I find someone who does a good job - I like to reward them. If I know that other people would have charged me $20 for a job you charge $10 for - even if I agree to the $10 - I am likely to pay $20 later.
The reason is I want you to remember me (which would be easy if you were my nephew). I want to make sure the next time I need you - that you’ll do just as good of a job. Also I just think good work - especially when better than I expected - should be praised.
I would ask them if they knew they paid more than agreed, but if it was intentional - I’d say “thanks!” and keep it.
I don’t think you’re taking advantage of anyone who has their full faculties. Especially in a case like this where $30 is still less than she’d have to pay a stranger. (At least in my area, any temp worker with a pulse costs the company more than $15 an hour.)
Yeah, I’d take it, too, and be very effusive with my thanks. You mention you help her aunt with her job, so we can take it that she’s in full possession of her faculties. Perhaps you can use part of the extra $10 to buy her a small but meaningful gift in return, paying it forward as others have mentioned. If she asks why, just say, “It’s because you’re my aunt and I love you and I enjoy helping you,” because after all, it’s true.
And if it turns out dementia is to blame, riffle her purse, or pocketbook as the case may be.
Yes, of course.
Your post is a little scanty on details, but as long as she can afford it and is aware of what she’s doing, and you are not taking advantage, why not? Accept graciously, pay it forward if that makes you feel better.
I’ve hired people to do work around my house (sometimes a neighbor, sometimes random poor people off of craigslist or whatever) and if I think they’ve worked hard, and not charged me much, I’ll pay extra if I have it. I do it because I want to and I think they’re worth it. I’d be slightly insulted, I think, if someone were to protest too much. It makes me feel good to pay someone a bit more than what they were expecting and it’s an expression of my satisfaction with the work done.
If your aunts are anything like mine, they’re richer than God, and you take whatever is offered.