Grapevine Placement Agency

We used Grapevine a 2^nd time for our stay while in Healdsburg, still 5 stars.
Although our nanny was a few min late (she got lost but called us to let us know) she was fantastic with our kids.
She watched a total of 4… a 6 month old, two 4 year olds, and a 10 year old.
Still recommended and will gladly use them again if needed.

This agency seems very disorganized. I had a flurry of e-​mails and calls to confirm prior to the big day, when we wanted a nanny from 3pm-​10pm. At 2pm on the day, they called to say that the nanny had car trouble and wasn’t going to make it. They spent the next few hours trying to get a replacement, who showed up at 6pm. They charged my credit card for $ 156. A few weeks later, they called to get my credit card for payment – I told them that I’d already paid $ 156 for four hours (plus, I gave the nanny $ 20 for a tip), and they said «that’s strange, you were overcharged.» They have always been sweet as pie on the phone, and the nanny was nice, but I don’t think I would ever use them again. They need to figure out their billing, and have reliable, dependable nannies. My afternoon was ruined (I was at the playground with my kids, on the phone with the agency, instead of the nice afternoon we had been planning for months), and if I had a wedding or big event, I would have missed it.

Just used Grapevine while staying in Napa for our 2 year old daughter. Had a great experience. We were in a bind when our other babysitting fell through — see my review about All About Kids Babysitting. Grapevine came through, was very prompt, called us back right away and set everything up very efficiently. Would use them again.
In regards to what the previous reviewer said, the PDF was very clear. Pay the babysitter directly, and the Agency charges their fee to your credit card — which is $ 6/​hour. If you don’t pay the babysitter directly, then they will charge your credit card, plus the penalty. Seemed pretty straightforward to me, and I didn’t have a problem with it.

We used this company in February 2011 to take care of our 1-​yr old for the day. Whilst the baby-​sitter was great, this company Grapevine Nannies itself a complete scam.
The rates were explained in a basic email (i.e. the handshake deal), with a long PDF attachment that secretly slapped on an additional 30% (I am not kidding you!) if you pay by credit card. It consists of a 10% service fee (wah?) and 20% tip. Since we paid the nanny a tip directly in cash, it is clear that this company pockets the latter on the side. Grapevine Nannies will also ask for your credit card when making the booking … which suggest to the reasonable person that’s how you will make your payment.
There’s no balanced reviewed for this kind of scams: one star. Putting AMEX on the case.
Here’s my suggestion if you need a nanny or babysitter in Napa, Sonoma or Calistoga (or anywhere in the wine country): go on CL and get multiple references. Or ping me on Unilocal and I will give you a few trusted names directly.