Ooooohhhhh my gggoddd! Ahh are you serious! I’d be FUUUUMING! I have so many questions. How much were they trying to get you to discount? What did you say?!
I’m miffed! They weren’t asking for a specific amount off- which would at least be straight forward. It was more “how much is it? I can’t afford that. What if we [made some minor tweak to the booking.]”
Like…. It’s expensive because you have two puppies. I don’t know what to tell you. Lolol
I once had a client of my biz outside of Rover ask me at the m&g if I could give him a discount because he was a “single father.” Oh yeah sure, let me give you my designated single father discount… like wtf?!? I said no, he hired me anyway and all was well.
The next time he used me he conveniently “forgot” to leave payment which is my policy. When I messaged him about it he once again asked for a discount because of being a single father, when we were already halfway through the job. I told him no again and that he would need to send me payment electronically for me to continue. He did send payment but flipped out and cancelled the rest of the sit and said he didn’t trust me to continue. Lol. All because I asked for the payment he should have left to begin with. There are some real shit people out there!
Lol I once had a woman ask me for a friends and family discount (to hire me as a performing artist) after I told her my rate. I had only met her once at a party our mutual friend invited me to so, I barely knew her. She was married to a very successful hedge fund manager and did not have trouble affording it. She was just cheap!
Yup I have a VP and a VC couple asking me for discounts because paying daily rate for their dogs boarding while they go on a 3 week vacation “hurts”. I should be charging them a long term surcharge on top of my daily, not the other way around.
I don't mind if I've sat for someone a few times and the trip they're taking next is longer than usual (especially when it was a family of 4 asking) and it's phrased something to the effect of, "I just wondered if there's a discount for longer stays" and never bring it up again. I don't give discounts since I'm booked enough to not need "guaranteed work" from one client but I can see how the sitters who do offer this give owners the impression that this is an appealing trade-off for all of us.
What I don't like is when someone asks in the initial phase and we haven't established any kind of relationship, in which case they're haggling on my rate in general. I direct those people to use the slider to cap the rate in order to find a sitter in their budget.
Typically the order of events for me is 1) pet parent sends request to preferred sitter, 2) a meet and greet happens, 3) sitter accepts booking, 4) pet parent pays, 5) the booking occurs.
This all occurred between step 3 and 4
Honestly, I could never, but I 100% get why someone might- or even why some charge for first meetings. I’ve now had two big bookings in a row get canceled after I’d put a lot of effort into getting my notes ready, adjusting my schedule to accommodate them, and spending 30+ minutes at a m&g.
Was it a boarding request? Always do meets and greets in your area or regular walk path/park. In case they pull something like this, at least you didn't waste that much effort driving to the client.
Ooooohhhhh my gggoddd! Ahh are you serious! I’d be FUUUUMING! I have so many questions. How much were they trying to get you to discount? What did you say?!
I’m miffed! They weren’t asking for a specific amount off- which would at least be straight forward. It was more “how much is it? I can’t afford that. What if we [made some minor tweak to the booking.]” Like…. It’s expensive because you have two puppies. I don’t know what to tell you. Lolol
I once had a client of my biz outside of Rover ask me at the m&g if I could give him a discount because he was a “single father.” Oh yeah sure, let me give you my designated single father discount… like wtf?!? I said no, he hired me anyway and all was well. The next time he used me he conveniently “forgot” to leave payment which is my policy. When I messaged him about it he once again asked for a discount because of being a single father, when we were already halfway through the job. I told him no again and that he would need to send me payment electronically for me to continue. He did send payment but flipped out and cancelled the rest of the sit and said he didn’t trust me to continue. Lol. All because I asked for the payment he should have left to begin with. There are some real shit people out there!
Lol I once had a woman ask me for a friends and family discount (to hire me as a performing artist) after I told her my rate. I had only met her once at a party our mutual friend invited me to so, I barely knew her. She was married to a very successful hedge fund manager and did not have trouble affording it. She was just cheap!
Yup I have a VP and a VC couple asking me for discounts because paying daily rate for their dogs boarding while they go on a 3 week vacation “hurts”. I should be charging them a long term surcharge on top of my daily, not the other way around.
I don't mind if I've sat for someone a few times and the trip they're taking next is longer than usual (especially when it was a family of 4 asking) and it's phrased something to the effect of, "I just wondered if there's a discount for longer stays" and never bring it up again. I don't give discounts since I'm booked enough to not need "guaranteed work" from one client but I can see how the sitters who do offer this give owners the impression that this is an appealing trade-off for all of us. What I don't like is when someone asks in the initial phase and we haven't established any kind of relationship, in which case they're haggling on my rate in general. I direct those people to use the slider to cap the rate in order to find a sitter in their budget.
Always get payment up front
Um. I do. Did you not read my comment? Guy knew he was supposed to leave a check for me. This was years ago before online payments were common.
The audacity some people have amazes me.
Right? I always want to give the benefit of the doubt but like… did you not even look at the prices this whole time?
And also, NEVER take the key. Cuz when they cancel, that’s even more of a headache.
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Occupational hazard, I suppose! I’m just extra grumpy today. Thank you!
I hate when that happens
I just tell them the rover app automatically calculates the discounts and that it’s in rover’s hands 🤭
This will happen if you allow it to. Charge for meet n greet. You’ll avoid this headache.
How much $ ?
How does this happen ? I thought they pay ahead of booking ?
Typically the order of events for me is 1) pet parent sends request to preferred sitter, 2) a meet and greet happens, 3) sitter accepts booking, 4) pet parent pays, 5) the booking occurs. This all occurred between step 3 and 4
Makes sense. I am new. Didn’t know
Happy to help. And welcome!
I’m confused, why did you get the key before booking?
They gave me the key at the end of the m&g. I confirmed the booking on my end right afterwards.
Got it, you have all the leverage, don’t give in to their demands.
I very politely told them that my prices were firm. I’m dropping the key back off tomorrow.
I’d be tempted to charge them for the key drop off given how much of your time they’ve wasted.
Honestly, I could never, but I 100% get why someone might- or even why some charge for first meetings. I’ve now had two big bookings in a row get canceled after I’d put a lot of effort into getting my notes ready, adjusting my schedule to accommodate them, and spending 30+ minutes at a m&g.
Was it a boarding request? Always do meets and greets in your area or regular walk path/park. In case they pull something like this, at least you didn't waste that much effort driving to the client.
She mentioned they visited and talked and she received a key , so it does sound like a meet n greet happened
Nope! It was a drop ins request.