How do I handle a client that will only respond with requests for my phone number/spam requests?
I have had repeated requests from a potential client that have left me feeling a bit uncomfortable, and I am not sure how to handle the requests without them affecting my own stats on Rover, and without coming off as rude to the actual person, who seems to not understand exactly how Rover works, despite me explaining the process several times.
She started contacting me several months ago, and is just a few blocks away from me. At first all seemed great, she wanted to schedule some drop-in visits, and then as I asked to schedule a meet and greet she immediately asked for my phone number. When I explained how Rover worked, she stopped responding. I realized later that night that she had attempted to contact me through Facebook (I guess she had looked up my name, and we had some friends in common as we are neighbors). I did not accept her message request, and archived the Rover request and hoped it was over!
Anyway, the situation repeated itself a month later! A new Rover request, another request for my cell phone number. I explained that I only book through Rover, and there is no need to give my cell phone number, and she stopped responding - after asking if I wanted to expand my business by selling her "products".
Now, I have received another request to dog sit for her. I don't want to go through this again, and it's starting to feel like spam. What are my options here? I feel like it is starting to hurt my stats - I haven't messaged her back today yet because I don't know what to do yet - and maybe I'm offending her by ignoring her, even! Help!
Namasté, If you can meet her in person, do so! Explain to her how things work. If she is spaming you, report her to Rover. She is taking your available dates an making you loose clients. I would either speak to her In person or deny her requests an ask to block her. Namasté, Marcus