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Justification for Holiday rate on all nights even if only a few are actual holidays? Bad first impression?

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New to http://Rover.com. Spent time looking at info and understood some premium for Holiday rates (nights). Spent time to set up profile and reached out to a local sitter. Then found out that ALL my nights would get the premium holiday charges and that the 2nd dog discount did not apply for any of those nights. So, at least a $165 premium charged for 11 night stay of which only 4 nights are holidays. You use an airline analogy to explain the booking policy, which makes sense. But now that extends to "hidden" fees often seen in airline ticketing. Need to be more transparent at least, and some rethinking of this policy, IMO, should be done. Really bad first impression and wasted my time and the sitters.

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Deb A.

Book a Stay
Irvine, CA

During the holidays, many sitters receive far more requests for pet care than at non-holiday dates throughout the year. Newly booked dogs often require more care and attention helping dogs get acclimated. So, many sitters would not discount the first booking for a dog that's new to them and some sitters do not offer a reduced rate for second dog.

Depending on the sitter, they may be choosing to have a completely different holiday time in order to put the care of the dogs first. It's pretty common to turn down requests during this time period, as each sitter determines the maximum number they're comfortable hosting. Usually, during holiday times, I only care for repeat dogs that I've cared for previously.

If there are sitters that you'd like to proceed with... you could ask if you booked them either this month or next to watch your 2 dogs in order to get to know them, and if it went smoothly, if they'd consider modifying the total cost as it was calculated for Nov. (at holiday premium for both dogs). Another option may be to consider if your 2 dogs would be fine with a sitter providing meals & walks at their/your home, which may be more inexpensive, for less than the 24 hour around the clock care.

Comments

Thanks for the ideas. But for me, way too convoluted. Guess this is not what I need, clarity and simplicity. Clear Rate structure, and easy to understand boundaries. Sorry I got hooked on the $25 coupon (usless in 2 weeks) and rate postings. Regret posting my personal info in this system.

Steven L.

Only Rover.com team can view your personal info. Maybe you can use the $25 coupon towards a service this month? Usually it's valid for a walk, visit, daycare, or overnight - no minimum req'd. & see if you like it.

Deb A.

I am getting charged holiday rates for the weekend before Columbus Day!!! What gives Rover??? Taking every single entry on a calendar a and making them into holiday weekends is NOT COOL. That Monday is Columbus DAY, as in one day. It is not a holiday weekend.

Lynn S.

2018 U.S. holiday dates are: Martin Luther King: Jan. 11-Jan. 16, President's: Feb. 15-Feb. 20, Memorial: May 24-May 29, July4th: July 2-July 6, Labor: Aug. 30-Sept. 4, Columbus/Indigenous Peoples': Oct. 5-Oct.9 Thanksgiving: Nov. 18 - Nov. 26, Christmas-New Years: Dec.20- Jan.2

Deb A.

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Jill G.

I'm a Sitter and I agree that there are some aspects of Rover that can be frustrating. HOWEVER, once you connect with a Sitter that works for you and your dog you'll be set and it will all be worth it to get the kind of care you want for your pet.

Rover automatically charges the holiday rate for all days of a stay that include a holiday. It takes a human to edit the outcome of that algorithm. I just recently had someone book for 10 days over Labor Day. I pointed out the rate issue to her and edited the last half of the stay to be at my regular rate. She was very appreciative and said no other sitters she contacted had offered that and she hadn't even thought to ask about it because she is new to Rover. Guess what? She didn't even book with me after that. (insert eye roll). She ended up asking her neighbor to do it.

So yes, these things are frustrating to both sides. But don't give up looking for just the right Sitter. The peace of mind you will have knowing that relationship is established for any future need or an emergency is well worth it.

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Karen R.

Book a Stay
Chicago, IL

The policy is clearly stated in the Help section for all clients:

https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/ar...

I think the airline/travel industry analogy is quite appropriate as their peak holiday rates might apply to more than a month-long period.

However, you can always discuss with your sitter and see if there is any flexibility in how the rates are applied. Kennels, however, are going to charge you the holiday rate for the entire stay. No discounts usually apply during a peak holiday time.

Comments

Sorry Karen, beg to differ, no where does it state that a 2nd dog rate would not be eligible. Still clarity needed. I did calculate this info in what would be the charge. But got back a much higher rate. Still suggest policy is flawed too, one holiday should not trigger all days premium.

Steven L.

I think kennels must vary in regards to their holiday rate policy as well. I've worked in two and neither charged the holiday rate for the entire stay, only on the actual holidays.

Hillary H.

Sorry that you are having such a problem with the way your chosen sitter charges. Every sitter here sets his/her own rates and how they are implemented. Some sitters, like myself, offer no second dog discount at all and I would never think of lowering my rates during a holiday period.

Karen R.

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Hillary H.

Did the sitter say that they would charge the holiday fee for every night? Sitters have the ability to modify the total cost and I know that some sitters only charge the holiday rate on the actual holiday, sometimes also the day before and after, but not for the entire duration.

Comments

Yes, that is the case. My booking included the week after Thanksgiving so was surprised to get back a rate that was much higher than I expected. Seems a premium on top of a premium on top of another, to me.

Steven L.

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Justification for Holiday rate on all nights even if only a few are actual holidays? Bad first impression?

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