I recall getting an email directly from Rover about a surcharge to the owner's for using this site to find and book a service (sitter, walker, etc). I cannot locate that email. I am curious if that charge has been implemented, and if so, how much is Rover charging the dog owners?
Yes, it has been implemented nationwide:
Owner service fee: Beginning in September, 2015, all stays booked by new account holders are charged a service fee amounting to 5% of the stay total.
Services booked through a Rover account created prior to the date the fee was implemented will not be subject to the owner service fee. The fee cannot exceed $25/stay. It’s fully refundable should the stay be canceled by either the sitter or the owner prior to the first day of the stay, in accordance with your sitter’s cancellation policy. If the stay dates change, the fee will be updated to reflect 5% of the new total.
that is what I thought - so I am wondering if any sitters have received complaints from owners about this surcharge? Have the sitters adjusted their rates to reflect this additional charge to the owner?
I have not adjust my rates, but I have had several inquiries that didn't pan out. I don't know that the surcharge had anything to do with it, but who knows?
I haven't heard any comments from pet-parents and have not adjusted rates. It seemed Rover was first to announce the additional fee. Today, I saw that one of their competitors similarly is now adding to new customers a fee of 7% (up to $50 max.) to each booking. Leveling the field may reduce issues