How much control does an owner have over the initial offer? & Multiple dog rate v Multiple cat rate? [closed]

Clap, clap, clap You did exactly what you should have done. Decline the booking. The customer sees how much the potential booking would cost when they filled out the dates. Unless they are personal friends of yours, then I see no need whatsoever to give them any break. When they stated that you shouldn't expect to receive your current fee, that means she knew the cost. When she said that and started to haggle, I would have said I don't discount my services. Moreover, this was during a holiday period and demand is higher.

I think you handled it correctly. This is a business and it is insulting for someone to attempt to haggle with you about rates during a holiday period. You don't need this person. Customers like that tend to be the most problematic.

As for the second part, you can always make an adjustment on the bill if you'd like have a reduced additional cat rate.

Personally, I apply my multiple dog rate to multiple cats.

Yes, clients see the total rate when creating a booking request, yet many feel compelled to beat you down on discounting it and if they don't ask the answer is already no. If you decide to discount well that is your choice 1) to get the booking and 2) to add a new client to your business and 3) any booking and the money are important to you. If you decline the booking the client will move on and find another sitter with a lower rate or will give them a discount.

Can a client adjust the booking rates - NO. Can you add a multiple cat rate - NO

I was recently contacted by a local pet owner, and it would have been my 1st booking through Rover! I was so excited, until I saw that she booked for one pet but sent and email admitting she had FOUR pets (three dogs plus a cat). I kept getting notifications from Rover pressuring me to connect with this client, and the client was also sending several texts... Meanwhile, I was waiting to hear back from a potential client in Seattle about the exact same dates. I went ahead and told the Seattle client I needed an answer asap or would have to decline their booking (a bird in the hand...etc.). I also informed the local Rover client that while I was available for those dates now, I charge per pet per day. She amended the booking request to reflect 4 pets, I turned down the possible Seattle booking, then 12 hours later the local client flaked. Claimed she had a "friend" coming to town who knew her pets well... I have now lost out on both the local client (good riddance) AND my potential Seattle client. I contacted Rover support and they claimed many clients get genuinely confused about how to request for multiple pets. Perhaps, but given the conversations with this client I don't buy that; I think this client was trying to get 4 for the price of 1 and when I kindly but clearly corrected her, she made the booking in bad faith - holding my reservation until she could find someone cheaper. NOT a good first experience with this website. I sincerely hope this is not the norm...