The only thing I don't like about dog owners shopping around is the way Rover takes us "off the market" when there's no earnest intent to book the stay. Shopping around is good. The problem is with Rover.
Awhile ago I suggested to Rover that they have an "I'm ready to book this" indicator for both the owner and sitter. It would be something like a progress indicator. The initial request starts the activity between owner and sitter. But, it's all verbal nuances after that. The owner may think I have requirements I'm mulling over. I may think the owner is ready to commit (when they really have two other sitters to visit).
I think an indicator ("I'm ready to book this") would make it clearer who is waiting on whom. Rover could leave us in search results as long as the owner hasn't advanced their request to that level of commitment. If the owner "is ready" before I click that indicator, then I will be motivated to advance to booking the request -- or declining -- because I'm off the market as long as I don't.
I see the booking process as a workflow. Right now it's too undefined, nebulous, subject to communication errors (assumptions). For example, I'm afraid to press "book it now" because I think it is pushy, and the owner might not like the clock started on them. Owners may think I'm wavering, and they'll be reluctant to initiate the final commitment. I think an "I'm ready" indicator would be a good middle ground. It would improve communication.
That's what I suggested it for. Sometimes it seems awkward (who's waiting on whom). It may be awkward for the owner to say they're shopping around (provocative?).
But, it would help with the way Rover takes us off the market when there's no earnest commitment to book with us.
Competition is good for all of us. Clients want top care and we want good clients! Ratings are just ratings. If you book good clients, they will give you 5 Star ratings, to me that is important
Competition IS good, however being set up to fail is not.
I don't believe we are being set up to fail, just my 2 cents. I've been on Rover since Jan, while it took a few months to get clients, I'm fully booked with daily walks Mon-Fri and I'm very happy.
I've been doing Rover close to a year. I've had mostly good experiences. However I've had a few people come to my house and they are judging me on the quality of my domain and its furnishings rather than the love and care I can provide their dog. Guess what? I ain't rich. That's why we do Rover.
I had a lady sit in my living room and she stayed on her phone. I was getting really annoyed with her. I heard her say to her husband that its only 5 minutes away. They left and I got a message a couple of days later that they would be using another sitter. So I suspect she was sitter shopping.
If clients think the rate is expensive, but some of them call to do a meet and greet in their house. Then they either negotiate fee or cancel. I drove there 30 minutes one way and it is wast of my time and travel expenses. I made really clear about my rate. Rover encourages to do so. Disappointed