How long is an overnight stay?
If the client drops off at 10 am and picks up at 5 pm the next day- do I charge for an overnight and a 2 day stay?
Thank you! you answered my question perfectly!
4 Answers
The nightly charge is for up to a 24-hour period. If the client doesn't pick up the dog by 10 am the next day, you would determine how much to charge for the overage. For 7 hours, you should charge for one night and one daycare since you offer that service.
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At first I was very flexible with customers. Then I had one customer on three separate occasions who required that they drop the dog off at 6 AM on the first day and then required that they pick up their dog at 10:30 PM on the final day. By doing that, they actually got 16 hours of care for free. It caused me to adopt a new policy. During the meet and greet I inform clients that their fee is for a 24 hour period. If over the 24 hour period, then I modify the rate to two dollars per hour. It is usually less than the daycare fee but I feel that’s fair if they’re already paying for several overnight fees.
We have been sitters for 5 years now. We love our clients and we have strict drop off and pick up times. We allow them to have 2 pick up times. It does not matter if they drop off at 10am or 6pm. Trust me it will work itself out and you will get some that drop off at 6pm and pick up at 10am or you will have some that drop off at 10am and pick up at 10 or again those that drop off at 10am and don't pick up until 6pm. When looking to build your business and you want clients to stay with you....don't sweat the small stuff. Now, if they need to stay longer than 6pm, then we will possibly charge them another night. Same with early drop offs. If they have an early flight and have to be on the plane before our 10am drop off time, well then they book the night before and drop off at 6pm. But if it is their first time and they didn't know, then we have them bring their dogs the night before anyway, and we do not charge them. REMEMBER Customer Service is KEY to having a great reputation and being flexible in your business. - Good Canine -
I always clarify this with new clients at the meet and greet that they are paying for a 24hour period. My policy is moderate in that i will give a few hours over free, but if the drop off was at10am and pickup at 5pm I will charge $10 extra. This sets the policy with them and they always keep to it,or have no problem with the extra charge. I have a steady clientele, but when I first started out I struggled with the charges as you want to build up your buisness. Better to stick it out and get your fees right at the beggining than let people take advantage of you.
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I also give my clients some leeway as well. However, 7 hours is considerable. Why do you only charge them a flat $10? That's quite a bargain for a full day of daycare.
My focus is on vacation stays, i have a two night minimum. It doesnt happen often, more to get them to stick to the 24hr rate. I dont do daycare.
Neither do I. I give clients about a 2-hour grace period, but don't tell them my cutoff, otherwise, I'm afraid it will be abused. I explain about the 24 hours from the beginning so that I can bill properly and, as you said, encourage them to stick to pickup times. I just thought $10 was too low.
I believe the overnight is supposed to include 24 hours worth of care (walks included). I just had two dogs staying with me this weekend. One came Friday 7pm and left Sunday 6pm so it was two nights, the other came Saturday 12pm and left Sunday 1pm. I don’t charge more for being a bit over 24 hours.