How common is it to have clients not respond?

I think every sitter has experienced this a bunch of times, it's just part of the deal. Yes, some clients find sitters that match better or live closer or someone they know says they'll do it & they forget to let you know or don't want to bother etc etc. My only advice would be to not take it personally and move on quickly. If I don't hear back from someone within a day, sometimes even a few hours, I archive the request and move on because more often than not, I've found, those are the customers that will be difficult communicators or probably won't even book with you. Not worth it IMO.

I too have had this happen to me from 7 different people in the last week. With the upcoming Memorial Holiday it is especially frustrating. I even had one book and pay, then turn around the following day to cancel and yet, they are not cancelling their payment. Someone I spoke with suggested it could also be local dog sitters trying to take up your calendar spaces so they can have the open availability for potential clients. After looking at some of their availability, this theory does make sense...in any event it has happened a lot. I suppose it is the norm, it is rude.

This happens all the time due to the fact that people are advised by Rover to message numeral sitters, and schedule couple meet and greets. So when a potential client messages 10 people, they usually only respond to the person who messaged them back first. They don't bother responding to the others.
I usually can tell that a message is generic, when it starts with HI or HI THERE. When clients message me only, they always use my name. But it's nothing personal, people message too many sitters and they usually go with the one who wrote right back, because that shows them you're very interested and responsive.

It is common, and the lower your rates are the more often this will happen.

I am also new to rover and found this happens to me pretty often. I will have multiple requests that I quickly and politely respond to and then nothing. I've had owners say I was there number one option and then still not get a response after the initial conversation.

I find sometimes they stop the conversation once we discuss pick up and drop off times. Anything over 4 hours of the 24 hour boarding I will have to charge a little something and I find that is when they will stop answering me. Like you said they send a message to multiple sitters probably looking for a good personality but also one with the lowest cost in my opinion. My advice would be to write your policy on your website.

This has happened to me several times within the last week and it is super frustrating. I'm glad I saw this thread though because I didn't realize they sent out requests to several people at once. I was wondering if I was responding the wrong way but I typically express my interest as fast as I can and then tell them a little bit about myself/home/pets just in case they haven't looked over my entire profile.

yes. i get this a lot too. sometimes i even respond within 5 minutes saying yes i’d love to watch them and nothing. or i’ll even sometimes discuss drop off and pick up times and then send the request just to have them decline it. it is very frustrating because you get excited about potential clients just to have them blow you off but i guess that’s just how it is.

Adra,

For me it averages out to about 15-20% of people who contact me never respond.