What is best practice for when you have multiple requests for the same weekend. I know it seems like a no-brainer but one job is for 4x more money than the other. The job that will pay significantly less requested first. How do the rest of you deal with this situation? Do I meet with the higher paying potential job first and if it gets booked, politely decline the lower paying job?
Since you just have meet&greets set, I'd let that be the decision making factor. You may find at the meet&greet that you're actually not a match for the job that is 4x more work/$. Also, Rover encourages pet parents to meet with a few sitters, so both of them may be meeting others too.
Very good point! Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it!
When I get multiple requests for the same day, I go with first come first served unless it's a regular. The regular gets first priority unless they make a last minute request. Most of my regulars are learning to book me well in advance or at least let me know their plans, because I am getting busier. Otherwise for new clients, I book a M&G with requester #1. I let the others know that someone else has already asked for that time and that I will let them know if the request falls through. That way, requesters #2, 3, etc. will know that I am interested. I always try and book the M&G as soon after the request as possible. That way, future requesters won't have to wait long for an answer.
I honor whichever meet and greet I schedule first. If it goes well I don't meet with the second client and let them know.
This happened to me over Christmas, and is happening again for June dates this year. I usually schedule a M&G with the first request, and let the other client(s) know someone has requested the same dates. I won't schedule a M&G with the additional clients unless the first one falls through. I'm really busy, so I don't want to lock myself into an appointment that I don't need to.
Have you already accepted and booked either one? If so, that's the one you need to honor.
Otherwise, it's up to you.
Like the others, repeat clients get priority and then I schedule M&G's with the first. I let that first one know that I have others waiting and after the M&G, I ask them to please go ahead and book so that they ensure their spot. Some parents want to say that they will use you and pay much closer to stay (if it is booked a little in advance) and in everyday circumstances, that is fine but during the holidays, it is not.
I go with the first one to do a M&G and book the stay. I let my clients know if there have been requests for the same dates and I am starting to tell them to book as soon as they can because it's getting busier as summer approaches. I DO take up to 2 clients at a time. When I already have one client booked, I let any other potential clients booking at the same time know. I then determine if the dogs will be a good fit and/or if I can handle the combination.
LOVE that Rover makes us confirm stays before the booking is finalized! Another site that I am on allows clients to instant book stays, which can really mess things up. Recently I had someone instant book a stay (on the other site) for a dog that I have not met and without even messaging with me. The owner assures me that their dog is good with all other dogs. Maybe it's not their dog that I am concerned about.... will my dog or my other guest dog get along?
