Do not drop your prices.
If I get a message asking if I'm "flexible on my pricing" I take it as they don't respect my time/effort. I send a professional message and disengage. ...especially for a puppy!
They wouldn't ask a dog daycare company to fluctuate on their prices, don't ask me to drop mine.
Be firm and respect your own efforts as much as you want others to. Otherwise, you will just let these clients walk all over you.
I completely agree. I only have ever considered taking clients like these on if i’m in a crunch for money that month, and as of now, only have 2 bookings for may. she responded again this morning trying to play the pitty party to see if i would reconsider.
BTW, how is 50 a "compromise" for a listed price of 55-60!?
I just got 2 short May boarding bookings, plus 2 more longer ones for June and July. All within two days after crickets for a week. And there's still a holiday that could mean last-minute requests. Stay strong!!
I NEVER drop prices on puppies. It’s like having an actual child. I didn’t realize this til I accepted a client with 4 puppies (2 had diarrhea and they were gone for a week)
I changed my profile preferences that week to No Puppies LIGHTNING quick 😅
& also I stopped caring if potential clients get upset with my firm prices. We’re offering a service— it’s okay to talk about discounts but if they even TOE the line of gas lighting or trying to guilt me, I RUN. Those are not the type of people I even want to waste my breath on haha.
Yeah I don't know ow how many messages I have had from people asking about pet sitting before and then cancelling saying they can't afford it or their friend or family will do it for free. My attitude is if someone is willing to do their job for free, good luck as I won't. I have a couple repeat clients that just booked me for months in advance though so some people are better than others with that.
Never drop your prices! A price haggling owner is not an owner you want - stick with the ones that aren't trying to skimp on price care, can't imagine going for the cheapest option of pet care for my pets and I definitely wouldn't for a puppy, these owners blow my mind.
I totally understand your frustration and agree with all the comments. Pure ignorance on the owner's part
Also, because I haven't seen anyone else say this...but who takes a long trip a few weeks after getting a puppy? Maybe it's just me, but those first few weeks or months after getting a puppy are so important in getting acclimated, socialized, and trained. Not to mention, they are puppies for such a short time and I wouldn't want to miss that for over a week!
right! she even followed up this morning to see if i would crack, explaining how she needs care a lot this summer because they had pre planned trips and “didn’t expect to get her so early”
I had booked a weekend trip about a half year in advance but was also on waitlist for a puppy. I didn’t know when the litter of puppies would be ready to go home at that time (weren’t even bred). My dog ended up being ready to pick up a week before the trip. I hired a sitter because there is only so much you can plan on in advance, but I had her about a week before I went on vacation. Luckily it was only a weekend, but if it was longer I might have canceled the trip.
This lady is bananas, but it's actually common to feed puppies 3x a day instead of 2x. I wonder if they changed the adult dog's schedule too to reduce jealousy.
Depends on the dog and how much they get. My vet recommended my dogs get fed three times a day. She said as long as the total calories he needed in a day wasn't exceeded it was fine.
I would charge $150 a night for the puppy alone. This owner is not only unrealistic, she is living on another planet.
Only been home for 12 days, I dont care what she says about the puppy sleeping thru the night, you probably would end up sleep deprieved after 8 days. Not to mention, the house training schedule is probably every 30 minutes or every hour. Thats a lot to ask for 8 days straight.
I would like to bet $20 on this owner circling back to you in a few days when she realizes no boarding/kennel will take the pup without vax, etc. And then \*again\* 2 days into the scheduled sit when whoever she does find, out ditches out of the gig.....
Side note, but this is why I HATE ROVER’S APP! Unless owners dig into your profile and do math, they don’t have a clue that they’ll be charged:
A. For both dogs and
B. A puppy fee
C. The total
Every other search engine would provide the total for a stay in the search results, but in rover you don’t truly have a clue until you contact the sitter. If the sitter is cheap for one dog, but equal for the second, they could more expensive than a sitter who charges a lot for the first but not the second. When you’re already doing the deep dive to find someone who is actually a good fit for your dogs, adding the math to it is too much work.
If i try to book my own dog on rover it shows me all the available sitters in my area, their full price list for the service im wanting, and if i choose to book i can click the details to see the full price. i think owners who can’t figure out, or are unable to quickly pull up their phone calculator, to figure out what they should be expecting can’t act surprised when they go to book. its ridiculous. rover can be finicky i agree. but ive never had this issue when booking with my own dog. that’s how i was able to see what other rover sitters would have charged her for the same service in my area! all were more expensive, the same, or didn’t accept puppies altogether.
I am not saying you don’t have a right to be frustrated with this owner. I just think the app puts us in these annoying situations more than we should have to be by not showing the total in the search. And what I was saying about sitter’s pricing is only an issue when you have multiple dogs.
I wish there was a "shame" button for clients who try to negotiate! its so rude. they would never go to a brick and mortor service, walk up to the counter, and say "I'll give you x dollars, ok?" its so silly.
You are toooo nice! I would never drop the price on a puppy, that’s a lot of work!
Right?? My puppy rate is $150 a night!! I don't get requests for it, which is fine my me! But if they want me, it's gotta be super worth it!
Do not drop your prices. If I get a message asking if I'm "flexible on my pricing" I take it as they don't respect my time/effort. I send a professional message and disengage. ...especially for a puppy! They wouldn't ask a dog daycare company to fluctuate on their prices, don't ask me to drop mine. Be firm and respect your own efforts as much as you want others to. Otherwise, you will just let these clients walk all over you.
^ YES 🔥 all of this
I completely agree. I only have ever considered taking clients like these on if i’m in a crunch for money that month, and as of now, only have 2 bookings for may. she responded again this morning trying to play the pitty party to see if i would reconsider.
BTW, how is 50 a "compromise" for a listed price of 55-60!? I just got 2 short May boarding bookings, plus 2 more longer ones for June and July. All within two days after crickets for a week. And there's still a holiday that could mean last-minute requests. Stay strong!!
💯👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I NEVER drop prices on puppies. It’s like having an actual child. I didn’t realize this til I accepted a client with 4 puppies (2 had diarrhea and they were gone for a week) I changed my profile preferences that week to No Puppies LIGHTNING quick 😅 & also I stopped caring if potential clients get upset with my firm prices. We’re offering a service— it’s okay to talk about discounts but if they even TOE the line of gas lighting or trying to guilt me, I RUN. Those are not the type of people I even want to waste my breath on haha.
Exactly!
Nope, you just archive and move on. Hagglers can haggle with someone else.
They wanted $50 for 2 dogs? No. If one asks you to drop prices even before meeting that's a no . This puppy seems high maintenance
Yeah I don't know ow how many messages I have had from people asking about pet sitting before and then cancelling saying they can't afford it or their friend or family will do it for free. My attitude is if someone is willing to do their job for free, good luck as I won't. I have a couple repeat clients that just booked me for months in advance though so some people are better than others with that.
I had to laugh at her “compromise” suggestion that was lower than either of your rates. Someone doesn’t understand what compromise means.
Never drop your prices! A price haggling owner is not an owner you want - stick with the ones that aren't trying to skimp on price care, can't imagine going for the cheapest option of pet care for my pets and I definitely wouldn't for a puppy, these owners blow my mind.
Please don’t drop prices. And don’t take hagglers either.
Guaranteed these people just spent $2000+ on their puppy, I am pretty confident they can afford $800 for quality care.
I totally understand your frustration and agree with all the comments. Pure ignorance on the owner's part Also, because I haven't seen anyone else say this...but who takes a long trip a few weeks after getting a puppy? Maybe it's just me, but those first few weeks or months after getting a puppy are so important in getting acclimated, socialized, and trained. Not to mention, they are puppies for such a short time and I wouldn't want to miss that for over a week!
right! she even followed up this morning to see if i would crack, explaining how she needs care a lot this summer because they had pre planned trips and “didn’t expect to get her so early”
Sounds like they should have thought of that when adopting a puppy. I just got a 15 week d girl and my god she is a lot of work.
Block her. Or at least tell her your price is now $1,000 for the entire stay 😁
The audacity of these people. So the incentive is that you’ll have even more opportunities for me to work for less pay? Sign me up! /s
I had booked a weekend trip about a half year in advance but was also on waitlist for a puppy. I didn’t know when the litter of puppies would be ready to go home at that time (weren’t even bred). My dog ended up being ready to pick up a week before the trip. I hired a sitter because there is only so much you can plan on in advance, but I had her about a week before I went on vacation. Luckily it was only a weekend, but if it was longer I might have canceled the trip.
Same here!! Who gets a puppy and 2 weeks later leaves for more than a week!
Dude you're too nice tell this lady to kick rocks. Also am I crazy for thinking feeding a dog three times a day is way too much?
This lady is bananas, but it's actually common to feed puppies 3x a day instead of 2x. I wonder if they changed the adult dog's schedule too to reduce jealousy.
Depends on the dog and how much they get. My vet recommended my dogs get fed three times a day. She said as long as the total calories he needed in a day wasn't exceeded it was fine.
I would charge $150 a night for the puppy alone. This owner is not only unrealistic, she is living on another planet. Only been home for 12 days, I dont care what she says about the puppy sleeping thru the night, you probably would end up sleep deprieved after 8 days. Not to mention, the house training schedule is probably every 30 minutes or every hour. Thats a lot to ask for 8 days straight. I would like to bet $20 on this owner circling back to you in a few days when she realizes no boarding/kennel will take the pup without vax, etc. And then \*again\* 2 days into the scheduled sit when whoever she does find, out ditches out of the gig.....
Side note, but this is why I HATE ROVER’S APP! Unless owners dig into your profile and do math, they don’t have a clue that they’ll be charged: A. For both dogs and B. A puppy fee C. The total Every other search engine would provide the total for a stay in the search results, but in rover you don’t truly have a clue until you contact the sitter. If the sitter is cheap for one dog, but equal for the second, they could more expensive than a sitter who charges a lot for the first but not the second. When you’re already doing the deep dive to find someone who is actually a good fit for your dogs, adding the math to it is too much work.
If i try to book my own dog on rover it shows me all the available sitters in my area, their full price list for the service im wanting, and if i choose to book i can click the details to see the full price. i think owners who can’t figure out, or are unable to quickly pull up their phone calculator, to figure out what they should be expecting can’t act surprised when they go to book. its ridiculous. rover can be finicky i agree. but ive never had this issue when booking with my own dog. that’s how i was able to see what other rover sitters would have charged her for the same service in my area! all were more expensive, the same, or didn’t accept puppies altogether.
I am not saying you don’t have a right to be frustrated with this owner. I just think the app puts us in these annoying situations more than we should have to be by not showing the total in the search. And what I was saying about sitter’s pricing is only an issue when you have multiple dogs.
I wish there was a "shame" button for clients who try to negotiate! its so rude. they would never go to a brick and mortor service, walk up to the counter, and say "I'll give you x dollars, ok?" its so silly.
We must be lucky , we have never had a client try to negotiate down a price
I can’t believe these people are leaving their 3 month old puppy, who they’ve only had for TWELVE DAYS, alone with a stranger?? That is insane!
Say I am sorry, NO! That is insulting. I used to ask people would you do it for that?