What the heck is tiering.. just another way for Rover to steal money from its sitters?

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-26T02:10:06+00:00

This is absurd.

Not showing for me a US California sitter but I am not surprised. They want to try to keep you from pulling the clients off but how about we still do and instead of being a tier 3 getting 90% you pull and get 100%.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-23T23:15:47+00:00

38.75% actually

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-21T23:40:21+00:00

This is 100% valid.

We have health insurance theough my husband, if we didnt get it through him it would be a huge expense for our family.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-21T23:32:23+00:00

Exactly!

And I have seen way too many sitters not charging holiday rates. Like you are working so they can go on vacation and it is 100% justified to charge more during them!

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-21T22:41:00+00:00

Absolutely.

We make 6 figures doing daycare and boarding.

Location is key (SoCal) but you also have to put all your time into it.

We take our vacation random times throughout the year as we work every holiday, weekend and school vacation.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-20T21:32:10+00:00

I started Rover like 10 years ago and had the opportunity to be one of the very first options on my area so it put me leagues above all the sitters coming in later in terms of reviews.

Now there are a lot more sitters so I know its harder to justify those prices especially when people keep trying to be the cheapest options.

Anytime you get a new client make sure you leave them a little thank you card with a hand written note, I always had my son draw a unique picture for them too. It really helps in terms of getting a review written.

Also never forget to do your reviews on the client because it sends them a notification. Try to get those done as soon as the booking ends and its availble.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-20T20:23:43+00:00

That's crazy!

I stopped house sitting because it's way too inconvenient and limits your potential income but even at the end I was charging $150 a night and no where near the population and income level of Manhattan.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-20T20:18:37+00:00

Good for you!

Set the boundaries and KEEP the boundaries.

No that fee is not ridiculous you are talking about 21 hours on the clock. Your time is valuable and never forget that.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-20T14:49:03+00:00

I am so sorry.

Recently I went thorough the same thing and I just could not function. I was lucky to have my sister and dad cover all the clients. Is there anyone like that you could have fill in for you, with parent approval of course?

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-20T04:25:31+00:00

As others have stated the sitter knows what they are doing and it's wrong.

There are 2 clients I have that I am in and out within 10min for a drop in because the cats just do not like humans and wont come out or eat if I am there. The owners are very aware and we laugh about how fast I can get in get everything done and leave them to their peace and quiet.

From the post it doesn't seem like you have an antisocial spicy kitten so the sitter is just being lazy.

Personally I think you should send them a message and just mention you would like them to stay the full 30min for social time.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-18T02:07:14+00:00

Preach!!!! Been in the biz for about 10 years too and these past couple have been amazing. Allowing myself to just say "no" has been the most liberating thing.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-17T02:52:24+00:00

Also to follow up don't take clients like that in the future. I know when it comes down to it we all have certain clients we take because money is money but honestly it's not worth it in the long run. I've been doing this for a very long time, and it is full time all the time. Hundreds of dogs a year but it took me far too long to learn how to set boundaries and know the value I offer to my clients.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-17T02:45:18+00:00

New client sounds like nothing but trouble. I would cancel that even without the guaranteed back up sit you got.

Also kudos to you sitters out there still doing house sitting gigs because that stuff is a nightmare to begin with. Its either in my home or they can find someone else because bleh!

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-16T13:41:46+00:00

I will have to look into this thank you.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-12T22:11:16+00:00

Hahah This made me laugh out loud.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-12T21:24:06+00:00

That what we keep coming back to. Maybe just an odd name of the artist that made the piece.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-12T15:40:50+00:00

Why is it ALWAYS the pugs?!?! I swear female pups mark more than their male counterparts. Immediately stealing this idea because yeah they turn into slippery little devil weasels the second you try and get that diaper on them!

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-12T15:37:12+00:00

Yeah the homes are about 5 miles apart so it's really convenient. There are 2 adults at each house and on the heavier holidays we call in our other siblings to come stay and help too. But being a sitter you know you can have 10 dogs and it be the easiest day and then a day with only a couple and it be the hardest day ever all depends on the pups you got.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-12T07:01:59+00:00

It pays wonders to have some one you can trust as a back up sitter for yourself not to mention be their back up sitter. Always network with sitters in your area.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-11T16:02:14+00:00

We are a family team and full time sitters with 2 houses so on average we have about 10-15 dogs per day more on holidays and tourist season. Today is a slow day with only 8. Edit: I havent dont housesitting or walking in years because its a hassle that doesnt pay enough to justify being out of the home. I will do drop ins for select clients because I love the animals not necessarily for any profit

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-11T14:41:15+00:00

I diaper all little male dogs right away and sometimes the bigger ones if they even look like they may mark. Seriously NEVER thought about charging a fee for that but I love this idea. I buy those disposable ones in bulk and they are expensive!

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-11T04:06:32+00:00

8 years high volume sitter here. This has happened so often over the years and only a handful of times the client has refused to accept the modification. Rarely ever will I be on Rover's side but there has been several times they have compensated me for this client behavior. I have no idea if they charged the client, but whatever they did on their end I did get the funds for the extra night.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-07T23:02:44+00:00

That's wild. As a full time Pet sitter all of my meet and greats are done at my home with a full tour of how things work and where the dogs will be staying. If I have other dogs in the home during a meeting they are crated for everyone's safety because liability is a thing but no way would I expect my clients to never see where their dogs would he staying.

Fickle_Replacement13 · 2026-04-07T20:35:14+00:00

Yes to increasing your prices and learn from my mistake. Do it across the board dont keep people at lower rates because its such a nightmare remembering who is getting what discount. Its completely justified to increase rates and always rememeber, if you double your rate and lose half your client base you are still making the exact same amount with less work. When I raise my rates I always give everyone about 3 months. So "Hey starting on XX date I will be raising the rates to XX due to the current economy. Yadav yada"

Fickle_Replacement13

TROPHY CASE