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Client interviewing several sitters?

I am still new to Rover so I'm not familiar with the norms.

I understand someone looking into their home wants to find the right fit and has every right to interview a few sitters.

That being said, when I scheduled the meet and greet, she didn't tell me that was what she was doing. So it was about an hour out of my day to drop what I was doing, drive over, and meet the dog and owner and chat for awhile.

Additionally, she didn't inform me until I met her in person that she also had a cat, wanted me to water plants, and had a roommate.

Are any of these issues commonplace?

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4

Lenka L.

Book a Stay
DENVER, CO

Exactly what Jennifer says. I always ask a potential client via messaging system : What exactly are you looking for, what do you expect from your sitter and what would the duties be? I always ask all important questions before doing a meet and greet.

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Tamara Y.

Thanks for the input ladies, it's really helpful.

When I met her in person, I told her the cat was not a big deal, I love cats, and they are generally pretty self-sufficient. I also told her that I would be willing to water the plants.

It was just right before I left the meet and greet that she told me that if I was "chosen" (haha) that she would want me to come for a second meet and greet to meet her roommate. And she would let me know her decision by Monday. She never even followed up. Oh well, probably for the best.

Comments

Ah, well that's not too bad. Sometimes there is a second meet and greet, and I can understand why the roommate would want to meet you also, since it's technically both their houses you'll be in. I thought you meant the roommate would be there during the visits, which comes up sometimes.

Jennifer M.

I have noticed that clients can be too "involved" and usually end up being very hard to please. If they are needing to interview several sitters (and multiple times!) unless they seem truly guinuine it might be in your best interest to politely decline. They are being inconsiderate of your time.

Nicole S.

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Jennifer M.

Yes, and these are also things you can bring up in messages before the meet and greet.

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Ashley T.

That is kind of a weird issue. I mean feeding cats and watering plants only takes a few minutes (unless it really is an obstacle because of the number of both or other issues) so I never charge extra for them if it's a quick thing. One client left me a tip to feed the cats and bring in a package, I had text her she didn't have to do that but she was happy to leave it for me. Did the client end up using your services?

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Ashley I.

Not at all unheard of. I for one have experience with 'exotic' animals like reptiles and tried to incorporate that into my profile for people to see. I actually just recently did a meet and greet where the client had to excuse herself from our conversation to answer the phone and it was actually another sitter calling about the job and while she told the sitter she had already found someone (me) she also asked her a couple questions regarding the job anyway. If it was my dog I would want to interview multiple sitters to ensure just the right fit! Just be yourself, respectful, and be sure to ask questions and show interest.

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Karen P.

I recently had a couple tell me at the meet & greet they were "interviewing" many sitters and would let me know. I'm running a business and am not an employee. I'm also not desperate and I found the whole "if we choose you" conversation rather condescending and a waste of time. I got a bad vibe from this couple and was right in dropping out of the race.

They did "choose" me and one other person (so there would be 2 of us, which seemed hinky to me). My instincts were spot on. Then they thought paying me outside of Rover would make me change my mind. Nope.

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Client interviewing several sitters?

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