can you meet the sitter before you pay?
first time use, I'm being asked to pay before I speak or meet with the sitter, is this right
4 Answers
Hi Susan, I believe you do have to input payment information and send a "booking request" to sitters in order to initiate a conversation. However, both the sitter AND you have to confirm the booking before any money is transferred! On a sitter side, the first message I get from an owner will have a "Book It Now" button. Even if I hit that before saying a word to the owner, I see "Pending Owner Response" and a timer for 72 hours. The owner then also has to hit their "Book It Now" button before any money is paid.
As long as you don't select Book It Now before you're ready to pay, you won't be charged. If anything happens and you actually are charged, give Rover Support a call and they will be able to help you out!
Absolutely you can meet the sitter before you book and pay, Ask for a Meet & Greet. You didn't say what kind of service you want (boarding, drop-ins, house sitting, daycare or walking), but any sitter should readily agree to meet with you.
I require a meeting before accepting a new dog and many sitters follow this same practice, but you apparently contacted one that did not. So, feel free to ask for a meeting. If the sitter cannot accommodate your needs, then move on and contact another one.
Comments
See above, this is not my experience. If you dont book and pay first you dont hear from the sitter
Always do a meet & greet with any potential rover host, no matter the service you need. Each host sets their own fee schedule depending on services and how may dogs/pets. You will be able to see what your total credit card charge will be, before you book for your dates, so there are no surprise charges. Rover does require credit card information but will hold the payment until 24 hours after the services have been completed. That is for the protection of the customer and host in case of any changes (cancellations, etc.). I am on "strict" for a cancellation policy and have had a customer cancel an upcoming stay due to changes. Since they are a repeat customer I have had rover issue the full amount back to the customer. That decision is up to each individual host. Make sure to check out and understand the cancellation policies.
Yes, that's okay! You won't be double charged or lose your money. Even though you are asked to submit your credit card information in advance, the sitter will not receive any money until after the stay has been completed. They will keep your payment on file for you, but you won't actually be charged until you "buy" something. This way, Rover knows that the sitter will be able to receive payment for services rendered, but they are also protecting clients from sitters who are dishonest or a poor match.
Contact the sitter, arrange a meet and greet if you like, and when you find a good match then you can book the stay together and THAT is when your card will be run.
As a sitter, I generally find it helpful to meet-and-greet. However, it does basically constitute a free drop-in - sitters are not compensated. This does bother me a bit. I think it would be nice if pet owners didn't take their time for granted and left a tip for the booked sitter.
Not my experience. I only hear from the sitter AFTER I book and pay. If the dates dont work for the sitter Rover then cancels the charge. Example 36 hours ago I sent a request to a sitter with dates but did not book and pay. As yet no reply.