It seems some pet parents want to linger for hours. I want to get on with my day, go for a walk, make a phone call. I think 30-60 minute meet and greet is plenty of time. Drop off, no more than 15 minutes and pick-up no more than 15-20 minutes. I've had someone stay for 2 hours at a meet and greet and she came one day too soon. What are your feelings on this subject?
Ha! My meet and greets are generally 15 minutes max, but I allot 30 minutes and stack them so the next one arrives if the first one gets to chatty. That said, I've had 1-2 hr ones where I just clicked with the owners, felt really invested and spent a TON of time reassuring and asking a million what ifs...and then they didn't book. I have noticed those types are the SUPER anxious high maintenance owners and are to be generally avoided in the first place. So extra work avoided!
A good way to avoid this is to be very concise in messages ie "Great. I have you down for a brief 15 minute meet and greet. See you at 7. Let me know if you are running late because I have another appoint at 7:30."
My only problem is I tend to be really wordy and I think some clients glaze over my long messages ie :No kids at meet and greets"...shows up with toddler determined to pull ears and tails and make a docile dog snappy. Sigh...
Thank you. I really like the heads up in your texts. I will use that. :) Ty!
I would answer this as a general etiquette question. When I am ready for a person to leave I stand and start walking towards the door, continuing the conversation. If the hint isn't taken I will KEEP talking and smiling while opening the door, making sure the door is not blocked by my body (or body language).
Alternatively, when first communicating online with a new client you could say something like, "My services include a 30 minute Meet and Greet at no extra charge." That way your expectations of time are right out in the open.
Thank you Carmen. I'll use that wording in my conversation and start heading to the door when the time comes. I have used excuses, like - I need to go help my mom with groceries, but it wasn't exactly the truth. I don't feel like I should have to tell them what my next move should be.
I have even gone so far as to open the screen door and walk outside, holding it open for my guest..... conversing the entire time. They usually follow without even realizing they've been shown out!
Whenever I am confident the dog would be a good fit in my house and that the owner and dog combo is a good fit for my business style I tell them that I am willing to book the stay if they feel it is also a good fit (or if they have any other questions) I book the stay during the meet and greet this allows for a nice time for pet parents to feel comfortable leaving, they may not know what is a customary amount of time for a meet and greet!