Jill, I believe that is simply the Q&A Community Profile and member date you are looking at.

Well said, Mark.

It is a request, not a booking. Even if the sitter archives it, the requests sits in your inbox until the dates pass.

In addition to the great answers above, I have found another Rover sitter in my area who I ask to cover if something comes up and vice versa. We met by chance when I watched her dogs, but it has worked out really well, especially for last minute things.

If this is a first time client, I think the request is totally inappropriate. Don't do it. I allowed for a couple of price breaks when I first started on Rover, but the dogs were always the worst.

If this is a repeat client, then I might consider it. However, at 25% going to Rover, I think it would be fair to explain that you can't reduce your take home pay.

I'm with Carly, take a round about approach and let them offer, but don't expect them to cover the cost. It will tell you a lot about the owner and whether or not you want to continue services for them.

I would give them a notice of your rate change or early drop off fee as Karen mentioned, like 15 or 30 days. You charging more is totally reasonable. You can always compare to local doggy day care establishments.

I have given out references when a potential client asks, but only with express permission from those references first. In the two instances I have done this, the potential client has not called the references because they realize that my 100+ reviews tell them all they need to know.

...to for an additional charge. Let me know what you think."

Hmmm. I understand where you're coming from. My response might be something like this. "Hey soandso. I love walking doggo and don't mind helping y'all out on occasion, but tending to your deliveries is infringing on my time with doggo. If you'd like me to take care of your packages, I'd be happy...

Package theft is an ongoing issue where I live, so I'll usually bring in any packages left for my clients. I don't touch the mail. Can you put packages inside without carrying them up/down stairs?

My biggest problem with the report cards is that it puts me face down and on my phone rather than paying attention to the dogs, where we are going, who may be approaching us, etc. This is already a problem with people buried into their smart phones, but it also makes me less aware of my surroundings. Dangerous people and triggers aside, there are some really treacherous sidewalks and construction where I live. A twisted ankle or getting hit by a car are going to lose us both money.

I also dislike report cards for daycare because if you play by Rover's rules, the pup parent doesn't get any updates until you conclude the daycare stay, which is when they walk out the door with their dog. If I send the pics directly to the parent, then I am prompted to add a picture before the stay can conclude.

I didn't receive any notification that they were mandatory now. I will have to check my payouts because I missed at least one report card last week because my phone died while stuck in a hellacious day of traffic in New Orleans. And of course it was the day I forgot the car charger!

did they send a professional photographer?!

I just found out about this service in another thread. Was RoverGo available when you signed up as a Rover sitter? If so, what made you decide to sign up or not sign up for it? For those of you who used it, was it worth it? What are the perks?

Is this different or to replace that service where Rover would take a greater chunk to recommend you to people who called Rover directly to find a sitter?

Dang, I just had to look up RoverGo! 25% - wow! I am going to start a new topic to ask for people's experiences.

I have noticed an influx of cheaper sitters in my area lately. Rover suggests that new sitters start at a lower price point so they can start getting clients. I have begun to wonder if the new sitters are getting higher search ranks because Rover takes 20% from them rather than us older sitters who are still at 15%. When searching by my own zip code, I now come up as the 39th sitter, when I used to be number one or two (Rover does not sort by zip code even if you search that way). Most of these new sitters have few or no reviews.

Fortunately, I have a loyal regular clientele and also succeed by word of mouth. With nearly 100 positive reviews, people still find me and contact me even on page 2 of rover sitters in my area.

At the end of the day, it irritates the heck out of me, but I think maintaining the same price I've had since I started ($30/night), even on the high end of the spectrum now in my area, I am getting a self selecting group of pup parents who are willing to spend the money for stellar care. That is not to say a pup parent won't get great care at a cheaper rate, but simply there are verified reviews that tell owners it's worth it. In my experience, people searching primarily by cost and those that try to haggle tend to have their dog's priorities lower. What is the old adage about cheap, fast, and good? Maybe for sitters it should be cheap, close, and good? :)

I just want to reiterate that you SHOULD tell the owner. This may upset some people, as they will be flabbergasted that their baby could do such a thing, but if they are willing to work with you (provide belly band) the dog may be worth your time again. If not, you prob dont want the dog back anyway

I think about this often, but since we are independent contractors Rover has no incentive to provide us with any sort of insurance. If one of us gets picked off, they have many more waiting to pluck up our clients!

Absolutely. When I was first starting out I was a bit more on the ball about this. Now with nearly 100 reviews, I don't follow up as much, especially with repeat clients (more reviews don't necessarily help your search rank, but they work as nice references for owners browsing your profile). A nice, polite message always worked - "Thanks again for choosing me to host Fido! If you don't mind, please take a moment to leave a review about your experience."

Thanks, I didn't even know this change had occurred!

Also, in response to Mary, I think that your report card pics are probably locked in report card land somewhere. I don't like every picture going on my profile (some just aren't profile worthy, ya know?), so I'm not sure how you guys may be doing this differently than me.

I have the option to make a photo public everytime I send through the Rover app. I have been Beta testing report cards the last few months, and haven't had any issues before or after report cards launched.

On the flip side, Rover has told me if I archive a request as unavailable and am marked unavailable for any of the dates on my calendar, my rank will not be negatively effected.

Serina, I would encourage you to have higher rates for puppies - they are a lot more work due to their energy levels and potty training. I even break down my puppy rates for 0-6 mos and 6-12 mos.

Luckily, as you said, you have a ton of options.