Clients asking for reduced price?

As a side note: On your profile, I noticed that you have your Extended Stay rate set to 1 night, so it reads that if they are staying 1+ nights (which would include ALL boarding stays), that the rate is $25/night. This may be where the discount questions are coming from. Generally, I believe that sitters allow an extended stay rate after 10-14 days or so. However, I would politely decline their request for the discount and explain that you feel your rate is fair based on your experience/knowledge and the level of care that you will provide their pet. If they are a new member, you could state that while your rate is non-negotiable (or however you want to word this to sound more friendly), that you can offer them a $20 off coupon for their first stay. Perhaps you could look at lowering your additional dog rate, as currently it is the same as your regular dog rate. I believe that most sitters offer a discounted second dog rate (even if it's just $5/off) and you could use this a point that they are already receiving a discount. Either they will accept your rate, or they will continue to price shop and may go with someone else. I've generally found that those who are price shopping and/or looking for the cheapest care are not usually the types of clients that I would want to work with anyways.

Hillary gave great advice. I am also a rovergo and only do stays in my home. I do push my Promo Code for 1st time customers that are using rover for the 1st time. I am "all inclusive" with walks, belly rubs, baths if they get dirty. It may help to promote that in your profile. I also charge a lower fee for the 2nd & 3rd dog from the same family.

When a client wants a discount, promote your promo code for 1st time rover clients, explain that your fee is all inclusive with the needs of their pups and includes walks. I have lost potential clients price shopping to either another sitters' lower fee or closer to their desired location. But, I have also taken a client that said the TLC and care was comparable to another rover sitter but I was a little lower in price. I am also located close to the major highways & airport. Now that rover is charging a "rover fee" on top of the sitters' fee, I am not sure if that may also have a bearing on the request for a discount.

I offer two discounts - 1) if the stay is 7 nights or longer my rate goes down by $5 for nights 8+. and 2) I charge $10 less for any additional dogs (these will be in the same family as I only take one boarding client at a time). I am firm on the discounts because my time and attention are valuable and Rover gets its cut off the top. I have probably lost a few clients because I don't negotiate but I don't care (one in particular I know of but they asked for any discounts up front so I knew they were price shopping). I do pet sitting as a business, not just to spend time with dogs, and I know professional facilities don't negotiate as a rule.

Three/four words: DON'T DO IT!!

Think of it this way: You have a finite amount of space and time. If you use up a slot with a discounted dog then get a request for a full price dog that you have to turn down... well that's breaking an Econ 101 rule.

The ONLY person I've ever given a discount is someone who was one of my very first customers so when I did my second price increase I let her stay at the rate that was my first price increase. I went from $25 to $30 to $33 so she is still at $30. I know I lost a couple customers when my prices went up but I can't worry about that. They clearly did not have loyalty to us so I have to remember this is a business and not take those things personally.

P.S. There is absolutely nothing wrong with telling Owners that Rover takes a percentage. It's a fairly common business model and there is no reason it needs to be a secret.

If this is a first time client, I think the request is totally inappropriate. Don't do it. I allowed for a couple of price breaks when I first started on Rover, but the dogs were always the worst.

If this is a repeat client, then I might consider it. However, at 25% going to Rover, I think it would be fair to explain that you can't reduce your take home pay.

When pushed, I would come clean and tell them that you already receive less than the amount that they are paying now, and that to accept less would not make the stay worth your while. This is, first and foremost, a business, and you charge a rate that is fair to both you and the customer. If they would prefer to pay less, they can certainly take their dog to a boarding facility. The vets here will board a dog for $23 a night, but for a miserable experience, I'm sure.

I personally offer a 10% discount to clients who stay for 5 nights or longer.

If somebody is really hassling you about the price, then get firm with them. "I'm sorry, but I am not able to accept less than $30 per night. If this is more than you can spend, I can recommend cheaper accommodations for your pet elsewhere."

Honestly they're just asking..... they're not demanding it. It's up to you to do it or not and it's perfectly ok to say no. I personally would not. Sometimes I will mention that their pick-up or drop-off time actually requires me to charge them more. I rarely find people are appreciative when you give them price breaks..... you could but I think you will regret it.

I would not do it. That's extremely unprofessional on their part. Would you walk into a store and ask if you could have something cheaper?

I only offer discounted rates for extended stays, and I occasionally lower rates for some of my favorite clients.

The price is the price! If you give in on that, your client might start to push further to see what types of additional services you'll give.

Also I think you could professionally tell her that rover does take a fee out of your sitting cost to cover insurance and a 24/7 team.

I haven't had a situation where a client tries to negotiate the price but if I did I would let them know the rate is set and there isn't a way to modify it. Unless there are additional dogs involved or it is a lengthy stay then we could work around the rate.