Freeman Turner
Complaint 163750 Details

Email and text message received in response to an ad placed on Craigslist. Here is the ad:
Busy great Family seeks Mature, Reliable and Trustworthy Nanny to Maintain Large Home. This is a Part Time Position, Mondays & Thursdays, optional weekend , 8am -- 12pm. We are looking for someone long term. Euro a plus(but not really necessary). The perfect candidate will have at least 2 years home experience with an eye for detail, consistency in cleaning, terrific organization skills and a self-starter. Typical tasks include, but not limited to complete daily cleaning top to bottom, laundry/ironing, organizing, entire house cleaning and caring for dogs.
Send a resume (if you have one), references, residence and a contact number.

Here is my response without a resume:
Hello,
I own a baby planning business but looking to stay more in touch with the baby/child industry through a part-time nanny position. I am very experienced as a nanny and highly organized and responsible. I read your ad and am interested in speaking with you more, if you so desire.
I look forward to speaking with you.
All the best,

Here is his response: note the discrepancies from ad to email:

I appreciate your quick response regarding my post for a babysitter. My daughter's name is Sandra and she's only 2 years old, Porty trained, never allergic, free eater and lover of animals while her older brother, Nick, he is 4. My name is Freeman Turner and I recently lost their mom last year due to cancer. I work for Cargill, Incorporated, www.cargill.com and I am moving to one of its subsidiary in Virginia.

I am looking for someone who has a great deal of experience in the field of babysitting/caring and enjoy engaging infants in story time, peek-a-boo, arts and crafts, and other forms of stimulating, educational, age-appropriate play...I want a patient, flexible, active, creative, punctual, organized, and fun-nature individual who simply has an affinity for caring for children.
I need to re-iterate here that flexibility is key both in skill and schedule as I will be needing your services for 5 hours from either 10am-3pm or 4pm-9pm for 3 days a week/weekend.. I will be offering you $350 weekly ($23/hr) for 15hrs a week...I will be needing you if you can take care of them either at my apartment or at your residence provided her comfort is guaranteed while under your care, I will be responsible to pick and drop them at the stated time frame if you choose your place. If you choose to take care of them at my apartment which is located at East Franklin Street, Richmond, there is definitely no problem .Just let me know which is okay by you.

I like to let you know that my company's headquarter will take care of all your payments and other expenses too, so I will instruct them to pay for the first week before our arrival so as to secure your service. They will be making out a check to you before our arrival, you will be receiving a check out of which you will be deducting your pay of $350 for the first week and you will be using the remaining to purchase groceries and other things needed in the apartment and for the upkeep of my children. You will be getting this foodstuff on the day of our arrival which is the 12th of October, 2012. I will also email you the shopping list and I need these details below for confirmation that you will be available to take care of my children.

Full Name to be on Check,
Home Address
City, Zip Code:
State:
Cell Phone:
Home Phone:
Email address:

Let me know if everything sounds satisfactory,so we can proceed further. I look forward hearing back from you.
Freeman Turner.

Here is my response:
Hello, Mr. Turner -

Thank you for your email. I can empathize with your position, as I was the nanny for three years of five children who lost their mother suddenly and their dad was an immediate single parent. I was caregiver, maid, chauffeur, entertainment director, grief counselor, behavior modification therapist, and sudo-mom. I planned everything from doctors appointments to birthday parties. I spent 55 hours a week caring for these children who I love like my own.

Having said that, here are my thoughts.

1). Don't you want to meet me before you leave your children in my care?

2). My available hours are:

Monday - early a.m. to noon/5p - 9p
Tuesday - 1p - 9p
Wednesday - all day
Thursday - 5p - 9p
Friday - early a.m. to noon/5p - 9p
Saturday and Sunday - all day

3). I prefer to watch the kids at my house, although, I think it is important for them to have some toys or items that belong to them, as I currently do not watch children at my home. Your children, while in my care, would be my soul priority. If you prefer them at your apartment, that is okay, too.

4). Due to my business, I will be out of town from October 21 - 25. I do not usually go out of town and am 100% dependable when I commit to something.

Please let me know your thoughts and if these things are a possibility for you and your family.

My sincerest condolences on the loss of your wife and, whether it is me or someone else, I hope you find the best person for Sandra and Nick.

All the best,

And other than a text from him saying he would contact me just before his arrival, nothing. Would you say S - C - A - M??