score:
1

Uncomfortable house sitting request - do I need to decline or can Rover support intervene?

I had what sounded like a great house sitting request come in, and went to the meet and greet yesterday which did not go accordingly. The owners were very aggressive with their dogs (pushing and yelling), and there were more animals in the home than I had been expecting. I was uncomfortable with the situation in general and need to decline their request, however because I was in the home with them alone trying to wrap the meeting up and it was an aggressive and uncomfortable situation, I was very agreeable with the client when we were discussing details for the stay. How do I now decline the request, now that I've had time to think it over? They leave in about two weeks, and I do not think they will find a sitter easily. With how uncomfortable the situation was, I would really like to cut off communication with them. Is there some way that Rover support could take over the situation for me? In the future, I will be much more strict with my limits, but alone with the clients in their home (even with my friend waiting for me in the car), I did not feel comfortable telling them that this was not going to work out.

5 Answers

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score:
13

Since you haven't accepted the job, just message the client and say that you cannot sit for their dog/animals. Give whatever reason you'd like or be honest and just say you do not think it would be a good fit but it was nice meeting with them and their dog. Close by saying that you are sure that they'll find another sitter on Rover. Most customers are going to accept your response, but if they start harassing you, then you should contact Rover support.

score:
6

Karen nailed it. You don't even have to give a reason just say it was not a good fit, but you'd be more than happy to help them find a sitter. Hopefully you won't hear from them again. Just in case they ask you why you can say something along the lines of, you feel like you wouldn't be able to provide them with the proper care they need. Blame it on yourself if you have to,but that answer should not warrant a response from them, except a thank you for your time.

score:
5

My feeling is that until you book the stay you can decline the request for any reason. In your case, I would just mention that there were more animals there than you are comfortable with caring for and for that reason you feel it's not a good fit. Since you were uncomfortable during your visit, I don't feel that you should not do anything to encourage them to contact you again.

score:
2

I had something similar happen recently. I declined the stay and then under settings for this family, I selected that the client may contact me using my Rover number: Never.
This was a nice option so that they can't contact me again. It was just way too odd. I won't even go into the details.

score:
1

In the future I would try to notify them as soon as possible. You don't need to give them reason. If you feel you must, something as simple as "I'm so sorry! I had something else come up with my family so I won't be able to host you this time. Keep me in mind for future visits though."

Usually when I start feeling uncomfortable on the meet n greet, I try to wrap it up as soon as possible. If you sit there smiling and agreeing with them, it really gives the wrong impression. Instead, start saying things like "Wow, I really enjoyed our time together but I have to cut it short, I have my brother waiting for me in the car. In fact I have to check with his schedule again because I know he needed my help with a personal matter. I'll check to see if there is a conflict to the schedule though and get back right away." Something that starts letting them know you probably won't be able to do it. This way when you do you say "I can't do it", its not a shock and they won't feel that you were leading them on.

I do this all the time when I meet with someone to watch my dog. I say "Thanks for making the time! I have to check with my sister though because she said she might be able to, but I wanted to have a back up just in case."