Multiple Requests for the Same Dates in Quick Succession?
About a week and a half ago, for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, I received 5 requests to sit (all new clients) within about 48 hours. I responded promptly to all the requests, setting up a meet-and-greet with the first person to request quickly, and promising the rest I would get back to them if things didn't work out with those who had requested before them (and letting them know where they were in line, i.e., "I have three requests that came in before yours. I will let you know ASAP if those fall through and I can sit your dog."). Client #2 worked out (client #1 found a friend to watch their dog for free, so it was understandable, and they let me know quickly, so not even a little put out).
As soon as I booked with client #2, I went back and responded to the three clients after her and said "I'm sorry, but I have now booked a client who requested before you. {other polite things to say}." and archived the requests as "I'm not available." But, of course, I got the "every time you turn a client down, it hurts your search ranking" message. In this case, it's not that I wasn't available, just that someone beat them to the punch but I hadn't yet booked the stay.
Anyone have thoughts on how to handle this? Do you mark yourself as unavailable once you get a couple of requests for the same dates? Have you seen an impact on your search rankings from turning people down in such circumstances, if you've experienced them? I'm a responsive sitter with a high rating, and that puts me in demand, especially for holidays. I don't want to un-do all the good sitting I've done to earn that rating by having to turn people down because I just can't sit 6 dogs on the same weekend, and all the clients requested within a few hours of each other!
First, I limit to 4 dogs in my home at a time unless there is 1 or 2 day overlap and they are my repeat clients and know everyone gets along great. When I don't have any dogs scheduled and have multiple requests, I will contact each request and speak with the pet parent. I don't "assume" they all are a "good fit" for me or the pet parent. I have learned to ask specific questions to know if their dog(s) are a good fit or if I am a good fit. My location, although close to the 60 and minutes to Sky Harbor, isn't a good location for them. If the dog sounds like a good fit for both pet parent and myself, then I schedule a "meet & greet". I have had meet and greets change decisions, either due to the size of my... (more)