Haven't Confirmed Payment; Dog Already Here. Should I Have Sent Them Away At The Door? [closed]

Contact Rover Support. They can set up a stay request to cover the current visit so you'll be covered under their benefits. They can also help contact the owner to facilitate payment. It's not alright that they are taking advantage of you, even if they don't mean to. Although I find it hard to believe that they don't know that's what they've done... you couldn't get away with this at a doggie daycare or kennel. They would absolutely demand payment up front or send them away.

If you were to have it to do over, I'd suggest setting up the stay and having the owners accept during the meet and greet process, when they first told you they wanted you to watch the dog for today. There's already a stay request in place, so you can adjust the dates on that and book it with them right there. Then they can accept if they have a smart phone. I've done entire bookings that way for out of town clients we met for the M&G an hour or so before the stay began. It's definitely in your best interest (and a part of your professional responsibility) to advocate for yourself - be clear on the procedure for booking (the stay must be confirmed prior to drop off), the drop off and pick up time (if they're being wishywashy and not giving you a solid answer, let them know what your time frame is, such as 'I am available for you to pick him up between 3 and 5 pm' or 'there will be an additional daycare fee if you wish to pick him up more than 2 hours after the drop off time'), etc.

Did you click on the "Book Now" and all that jazz so she can get a confirmation to pay? I'm assuming you did that already. Now being that she is texting you, I would send her a text saying something like "hey, I noticed your payment did not go through, please log on to a computer or phone and accept payment." If she can do that simple request then you should be good to go and she has paid. Also, I would tell her, "I know you said you will pick up (dog's name) tomorrow but you did not specify a time. I have an appointment I need to get to so let me know what time you will be here." Something along those lines. I am very firm with my customers. I don't give them many options because if that was the case they will drop off and pick up their dog whenever they felt like it. Make sure you present yourself as a professional and always be firm, not as the next door neighbor that you ask to take care of a dog and throw them a $10 bill. Next time this happens and hopefully it won't happen, you will have to tell them before they arrive, that payment has not been received and therefore you will not be able to watch their dog. The key is to do this before they arrive at your footstep. Good luck you seem like a really sweet person.

Sounds like you need to be pretty firm at this point. You need to project yourself as a business and not as a favor service. I've had clients like this and they think they can set the rules for me and do whatever they want. Like be flaky, and decide when they pay. But the thing is you are providing a service and it's not free. I would text her tonight and notify her she needs to make payment or you will contact http://Rover.com. Then I would tell her the pick up time she needs to get her dog is (make something up) 5-7pm. Or you will have http://rover.com charge her another day. If she is compliant with this and is thankful then maybe take her again as a client otherwise I wouldn't book her again. If something happens (god forbid) with her dog you can and will be liable. Think if it like that. Now ask yourself is it worth it to be a door mat or to be a professional with rules. Next time this happens do not accept the dog until the payment is confirmed.

I personally don't take dogs in without their stay being confirmed and paid for. Just this week I had a pet parent say something along the lines of "I haven't got paid yet, I'll drop him off later today and I'll pay in two days when I receive my paycheck". I nicely asked him to confirm the stay before he dropped the pup off because Rover insurance wouldn't cover him otherwise, within two minutes the stay was paid for and confirmed.

Always have them pay before they drop off. Unless you have your own insurance and don't mind being liable.

Sorry to say but Ive been 'stiffed' more than once. No more! This is my only income. People have set up reservation, paid and then change instructions or add dates when the dog is dropped off or I arrive at their home. They paid for one day (orig agreement) and then inform me just before they walk out the door that they need several days of sitting. So truly dont want to turn away biz but there are unethical people out there that will ruin this for everyone.

I've had a couple dogs from different families come and somehow their stay wasn't booked. In one case, the pet-parent thought she had processed it with her smart phone, but somehow the last step wasn't complete. In another instance, the stay wasn't booked - somehow with everything going on, it just got missed. I asked the pet parent to come inside with their dog, quickly signed in to the web site, booked it right then and there in front of her, and she submitted payment. Before she left, the booked stay was all complete and there were no issues.

I wouldn't turn away an owner with their dog at my doorstep if they were a regular client. I would tell them that the booking isn't confirmed yet. I agree, a client can confirm and pay immediately, but they don't have to necessarily log in. You or the client call Rover Support and they'll do it over the phone. They have the credit card number. Always call Rover support, they are great. With a new client don't let them leave without finalizing. I agree about the insurance.