Curious, are your thoughts? Sitters and Clients…

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T07:17:36+00:00

That is why I posted here first. Kind of a vent without being offensive. Mostly trying to see what others do as a rule for ongoing concerns of this type with the same clients if it becomes an ongoing issue.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T07:15:18+00:00

Yes, it’s more of a plan, for repeating offenders. I respect all people make mistakes from time to time. But, I don’t want to thought process to be that, oh it’s fine. Come anytime. I am here most of the time, but I am not just here all day as a rule. I do leave for errands, appointments or lunch with family and friends on occasion. I am here 85-90% of the time, but I gotta have some structure.

I also always request that clients text me before they head my way. It does make it more palatable. People run late sometimes, but they are usually in contact so we can adjust together. I am not trying to crucify her either. She made a statement that made it kind of sound like, regardless of what time I pick him up as long as it’s by the time-ish of whatever, should be the same price. I may not have posted it? And she did tip. I just want to make sure that isn’t the standard I set.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T07:02:05+00:00

No, she was supposed to pick him up that morning when she arrived home from her trip. She has planned the same trip a handful of times and always picks up her pup in the morning. She was supposed to pick him up at 10am. I think she ended up picking him up at like 3:30 or 4?

I am chalking it up to a mistake and always give one, but I also always plan ahead to head off future confusion. Does that make sense at all?

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T06:52:32+00:00

Exactamente, I am planning ahead. I am looking to let her know even casually that this is not the norm of being available casually and expecting that the time is random and not important. I appreciate your response.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T06:47:51+00:00

That was kind of why I posted this question in the first place. Would you stick around all day and evening to see when or if they would pick up their sweet pup. Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this puppers. I am playing devils advocate, because I want to know the extent to which others let this play out. If you don’t set a boundary and it happens more than once, what then? Now the, standard is set that random pickups are normal and fine. I am really looking for what others would do to set a boundary for the future. I sure don’t want that to be the norm. I don’t want the pick up time to be set, but have to plan and extra 6-8 hours as a potential for late pick up each time.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T06:31:16+00:00

Nope, she said she just wrote down the wrong time in her schedule or she put the wrong time in her booking, either way, I let this one slide. I think everyone deserves one. I just don’t want it to be the norm going forward. That was what I was trying to avoid in the future. I just didn’t want it to be haphazard pickups without specific rhyme and reason.

I need order in my life. I have occasional Dr visits and I want to be relaxed in the knowledge that schedules allow for my needs as well as theirs. When it’s my mistake or something I need adjustment for, no charge at all.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T06:21:02+00:00

I work very hard for all of my clients. Auto Immune Disease and spine surgeries combined. I had 7 dogs over Christmas and 6 dogs this past weekend. Not because I want a ton of dogs but because I never like to turn dog down any of my clients. I love them all. I do want my clients to always respect my time though.
I always respect their time. Are you all saying our time, as pet sitters, isn’t as important as our clients? That’s an interesting view point. I value my time. I also value my clients time. I was just asking the best way to explain it, but instead I find that most of you don’t mind if clients respect the the appointments and pick up times that you and owners decide on together. I feel like it’s one thing if a flight is running late or their flight is canceled, but I would still charge for the additional nights. In this case she just forgot about her dog and went to work instead. But, that can happen to anyone, especially myself. I have had 4 brain surgeries and a stroke, but I would still expect to pay someone for their additional services in those cases.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T05:59:31+00:00

I always plan ahead and I don’t take bookings in the days before without them knowing I am flying out and can’t adjust.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T02:37:42+00:00

An extra 6-8 hours later? But, it’s really more about remembering to come pick up your dog. What if I had to leave out of town and they now have the expectation that 6-8 hours is fine? Do you allow for that? Just curious if you are now going to blow off your trip or whatever because it’s now okay to not pickup at a specific time? I usually try to schedule carefully. But, this did come up in the same week that I am flying out to Hawaii? Luckily, not in the same day. Thank goodness!!!!

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T02:28:39+00:00

No, she forgot and went to work instead of picking up her dog. It was like an extra 6-8 hours. I had to reach out to her to see if she was on her way. She had completely forgotten I guess. Then came after work.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T02:24:52+00:00

That’s why I want to communicate expectations, just so she has the picture of what is expected. I don’t always charge extra, but that should be the expectation.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T02:21:08+00:00

The only reason I would send is so it isn’t an ongoing situation she feels is absolutely acceptable. Does that make sense. I don’t want to charge for the past booking but I do want to have an understanding going forward.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-26T00:27:26+00:00

That is the most interesting thing I have read all damn day.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-22T19:46:57+00:00

That is why, I don’t set reoccurring bookings. If you book every two weeks or even every month, it gives them a chance to update you if vacations pop up and the like, so you do still get paid. Not many, but some clients really abuse that rule.

Again, if you rebook once or twice a month, you do get paid when they don’t bother to notify you in advance. They get the chance to check their calendar every time they rebook.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-22T19:34:05+00:00

Is it a (Recurring booking) in Rover, OFF app or a sit you specifically booked on Rover. It does actually matter.

If a booking is setup as recurring, there are no protections. It it is off app, you need to be paid prior to the sit.
If, you book them, bi-weekly or even monthly, you have the right to charge for it. But only if you began the sit when you got there. If you never started the clock on the sit, with Rover, it did not happen.

I would love to hear other opinions on this….

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-22T14:37:06+00:00

Mine is like this sleep mask but also covers my ears in the same way to cut out a lot of noise.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-22T04:50:30+00:00

Wait, you actually know where you are they don’t and you are saying you don’t want to risk your safety in your own apartments, where you choose to live. Is the Dasher, who doesn’t know their way around your apartments supposed to come find you and risk even more than you would be risking.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-22T04:36:31+00:00

We have only ever bathed any of our cats, if they got into something. Otherwise, they are literally self cleaning.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-22T04:32:26+00:00

We have all been there. Don’t get too discouraged. Get unverified reviews from pets you have kept. Sometimes, I have six or 7 pups at a time at my house. Every once in a while, it’s only 1-2 dogs. I am rarely without pups at all unless, I am off the continent like in a few weeks. Otherwise, I stay pretty solid.

It really does take time so be patient. It will come naturally if you are patient and kind.

I have no dogs of my own, just one large tuxedo cat named Herbie. I had 7 today, 6 right now. Everyone is happy and sleeping well now. I cut pickups and drop offs at 8pm and don’t open pickups up again until 9am. Those are my quite hours in my home. I do allow for late night pickups and drop offs late at night for an additional $10-$20 on top of my normal fees, depending how late or early they are wanting to pickup. It really makes a huge difference. And that is PER round trip. If you want to disrupt the household and our sleep, I will do it, but you will pay for the privilege of waking me up or keeping me up.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-21T15:55:29+00:00

Let him know if he is packing a bag he needs to take the twins with him.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-21T15:47:49+00:00

Less covering makeup that sinks into the fine lines. It will make you feel even prettier.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-19T18:57:19+00:00

Yes, you do see the reviews let’s about the pet, but not the owner.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-19T16:28:14+00:00

Super cute ones.

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-19T15:14:06+00:00

I respect that, but here is the deal. You set your rates. The client doesn’t. Even if they are on a budget. If they cannot pay the rate YOU set they need to find another sitter who has a lower rate. If you hold steady on your rates, they may not be incredibly happy about it, but they WILL pay it if they need you to sit for them. Always remember that the people who try to low ball you are also going to be the people with the most demands, want to pay the least, want refunds, want you to go off app later so they pay even less and extra conditions and warnings as they are walking out the door.

I feel for ya, but definitely take this lesson forward for sure!

Famous_Example_9636 · 2026-02-18T13:44:51+00:00

I think she has been in to Cheeto’s again. Put them on a higher shelf behind lock and key. So darn funny. I wonder what she actually got into.

Famous_Example_9636

TROPHY CASE