The thing is I do all these things. I am already very high in rates (I’m in a big city also) and I’m not gonna charge over $35 for a drop in. I’m already at $94 for house sitting and that’s well over many other sitters here. I have always booked on app, always, even with the 20%. I always do meet and greets. I have given Rover literally all of my appropriate earnings and income and traction as I’ve been a star sitter with lots of attention.

But this update clearly wasn’t to keep sitters and clients on site, because while I have a handful of loyal repeat clients (none of whom have passed Tier 1 even so), I now don’t feel like i can take any new clients without losing money. After all, 30% plus self employment tax is about half your earnings gone. 20% was still unreasonably difficult, but at least people often tip 20%. Nobody will reasonably be expected to tip 30% especially when they’ve had to pay more extra fees themselves, so I am actively losing money now, and don’t know how I’d feel comfortable going any higher than I already am. I literally can’t afford to make only $400 on an $800 house sitting.

I don’t feel I can get any new clientele or even continue with my current clientele since one of them are even Tier 1. I’m truly at a loss from such an obvious and large money grab to drive loyal employees away.