What do y'all usually do if an owner has no pictures or information on their profile?
I just scheduled a meet and greet with someone who I have never met (obviously) but has no pictures, or details on their profile. Talking to them - they seemed nice, but how do I ensure my own safety for meet and greets? I'm basically inviting a complete stranger over and have no expectations of who this person is.
Any advice?
All (almost) my meet and greets are done at my apartment, and this is something I'm constantly concerned with. Normally, I do not conduct a meet and greet without my boyfriend home with me, just in case. No one so far has had an issue with this especially when the stay in booked in advanced. If I have to do a meet and greet without him, I do it in a public place, such as a park, also gives the dog something to do while we talk about the stay. Buddy system is always my go to when I'm uncertain of the situation.
I have asked for pictures if they don't have any posted. And, talking on the phone is a good idea too.
What is the process if the sitter is staying in my home? Does Rover do any back ground checks? What kind of checks have other people done?
I would suggest speaking on the phone prior to meeting in person so you can confirm their identity. As mentioned before, meeting in a public place is highly recommended just to avoid any trouble and to make yourself and the owner feel more at ease.
My meet and greets are always done at the owners home since I travel to them and I most of the time bring a friend with me just in case.
I always do meet and greets at the dog park. That way you can see how the dog is in his natural environment.
that is probably the best way.
I know with all the crazys out there its hard to trust people. I NEVER post on craigslist! People find me through Rover.com. I found if I do a meet and greet at the park I still end up having to do one at my home too. Might as well save my time and have them meet me at my home.
There is a park right by house (along with a coffee shop and a bank parking lot) where I usually meet people. Then, if I decide they are trustworthy and I'm going to book with them, I will have them walk with me over to my apartment so I can show them how to get in and all that. It's easier than making folks take two trips out to my 'hood.
Therefore, I recommend meeting in a semi-public place by your house. I know that this may not be an option for non-city-dwellers but it works well for me.
Good idea!
If you have your own dog(s), you should always meet on neutral territory anyway. Just meet on your block during daylight hours, at the end of your street or a nearby park for a "pack walk" to see how the dog acts. Or even just a walk with their dog to get acquainted.
If you feel safe, you can invite them in to see if the dog is ok in your home. (you always want to see how that goes - I had one potential client bring their un-neutered dogs (they didn't read my entire profile) and the one dog peed on Everything in site within 10 minutes. Uh, sorry - not a match.)
I'm the same. There's almost always someone else home, but if I'm going to be alone, I try to avoid scheduling new clients at that time. You can also plan to be on the phone with someone when your client arrives. Answer the door while you're still on the phone with your friend, and make some comment like, "oh, John is here now. I'll call you when we get done." That way, someone else knows what's happening and your client knows that someone else knows what is happening. (Thanks, Dr. Ian Dunbar for this scenario!)