I am booking a drop in visit client. When looking at the profile there is not much info. At least info I would normally ask if it was booked outside of Rover. Such as phone numbers, keys, alarm info etc. If Rover is so secret, secret about exchanging info how the heck are we supposed to get the info with violating policy?
I hardly ever have a client with a complete Rover profile, which is why I have my own survey that I require them to complete before I agree to book a stay with them. It has everything I need to know - their phone numbers, a backup contact, veterinarian info, pet behavioral info, feeding/medication instructions, general statements they must agree to in order to book with me, etc. I send them the survey after the meet and greet but before I book them. This way I have all the information in one place, I can print it out if I want to, and I don't need to skim through a hundred messages during the stay or, heaven forbid, during every repeat stay thereafter. One survey, one place, all the info.
I believe Rover's reminder to "never share your personal information" is intended more to keep you safe than prevent you from helping a client get in touch with you. Still, there shouldn't be any need to share your email or phone number with a client, because they can call and message you through the Rover app or website, and you can allow them to call your Rover number, which will allow them to call you without having your direct phone number. So long as you are not using Rover to book clients off the site, you're in the clear. That's why they say to never accept cash, because that would violate the Rover terms of service and the pets wouldn't be covered by Rover's insurance either.
As far as sharing or soliciting personal information, you can share whatever you want as long as it's not so you can book a client outside of Rover, butRover recommends not sharing your personal info because there shouldn't be any need to since you have access to their services. It's to protect yourself from scams and such - see https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/ar...
Here is their real ToS if you want to give it a read: https://www.rover.com/tos/ Also, their privacy policy: https://www.rover.com/privacy/
I hope this clears some things up.
Violating what policy?
One way you get information on your clients is through conducting a Meet & Greet, where you would go to the client's home and then find out all necessary information, especially about access, etc. Also, it is a good idea for the dog to be introduced to you. Imagine just walking into a home with a dog that has strong guarding instincts that you've never met. Obviously, to have a M&G you will need to ask the client for their address. Also, when you book anything on Rover, you will get a confirmation that gives info on the client, like name, telephone number, etc. Since I don't do drop-ins, I would imagine that confirmation/itinerary would also have special instructions, as it does for boarding jobs.
Nothing prevents you from communicating with the client through the Rover platform.
Here is a copy/paste of what is in a message between me and a client. Booking and paying on Rover is required per Rover's Terms of Service—never accept cash or share your personal information. To me this sounds as if we exchnge numbers and emails that is in violation of policy.
Rover gives you and the client contact telephone numbers and a platform for exchanging messages. You are not prevented from finding out relevant information about a job through those means. At your M&G, you would get the lay of the land and meet the dog.
So the way I understand it is, Someone decides they want to book me through rover. A meet and greet gets scheduled. I meet with potential client and see house and meet dogs. According to the wording I should not exchange numbers or emails. Once booked, does more info become available?
Does finding out emergency vet info count as personal info? I know that if anything happens to pet you call rover but if rover doesn't offer insurance how does that help?
When I board a dog and have a M&G, the client fills out an info sheet I've created. It has everything I need. And to be explicit, vet info/emergency contacts are not personal info. You are reading way too much into this. Rover only wants to prevent you from booking outside of the platform.
If a potential client asks for your services, you ask all question via text/email/call and then you set up a meet and greet. You and your client will meet and you ask all details about the pets, house, hours needed, days, keys, names, alarm, plants, lights, cleaning, food etc...... then you book, the other person confirms. You get a booking. You click on it and will see the name, number, address, and pet details.
It's this easy.
Nothing prevents you from communicating thru Rover platform EXCEPT THE ROVER PLATFORM ITSELF. blocks numbers. Does not deliver texts. Rover number Suddenly stops working...more often than not
