I locked prices in for my first client at $13 per walk. I walk her dog three times a week, equalling $39. She says Rover is charging her $47 per week! Rover is taking 20% from me. It appears they are charging 20% to her also??
I noticed that the Service Fee page had been changed awhile ago and that the 5%-7% range, with a $25 cap, had been removed. Instead there is no percentage but only a $50 cap specified. That's pretty awful from a customer standpoint when a company can't give specifics on how it is levying its service fee. Kind of flies in the face of truth in advertising and consumer rights. Although I will bet that Rover's argument is that the service fee appears on the invoice prior to payment and customers have the right to inquire and find out more information at that time.
Agreed, Karen. Rover seems to be making a killing! Assessing fees to both sides of the transaction.
This link may answer some questions. https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/ar...
The percent that Rover retains from the booked total before paying sitters depends on when the sitter joined.The sitters with the longest tenure may be paid 85% of the total booking, whereas newer sitters may receive 80%, unless they signed up for Rover Go.
For any pet owner who created their account After September 2015, Rover implemented a new service fee of 5-7% at that time, which is added to the booked amount, which I referenced from a previous conversation thread here. Perhaps that percent changed, if your client's service fee was actually a full $8 more. I couldn't find the percentage referenced in the help section.
I don't know the market of MO, but $13 (or rather $10.40 for you) a walk is much too low in my opinion. That said, there are lots of companies in my area that keep walkers steadily busy as independent contractors for about that same amount if they're willing to spend their time and incur associated vehicle expenses driving all over. From a dog owner viewpoint, I absolutely would not complain about paying $15.66 per walk (or more) if the walker was a good match for my dog. That's really not much to entrust the care of a living family member.
If you want to search fees, you'll see this topic has appeared previously on this forum.
Thanks, Deb. This client is an acquaintance, and why I locked her price in at my starting rate more than a year ago. I thought she would retire by now, LOL! She is clustered in with other bookings I have each day, so it doesn't bother me too much.
For a recent booking, Rover charged the client $225 and I received $105. Seeing as only up to 7% of that is taxes, it is disturbing to see that Rover is taking a nearly 51% service fee. Kinda greedy, in my opinion, for being what is essentially just a broker. Lyft and Uber aren't even that bad! 😂
Barbara, have your client complain to Rover because you have nothing to do with it and receive nothing of it as well. Explain that you don't even get the $13 per walk.
I would just like to point out that 20% of $47.00 would be $8. So in all actuality, you’re charging $47.00 to your client to get the $39.00. There is an area in the setting within your rates which allow you to change/modify either your regulars charges or your rates per visit.
Rover charges the person the full amount (47/wk) and your payment less the 20% nets you 37/wk. You can adjust the payment in the app. Or charge the net amt so she pays $39/wk and see if client will make up the difference in cash.