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Rover reservation protection - Why is it missing sitter accountability and reparation payment?

Booked a house sitter 1 month ago for Thanksgiving week, sitter canceled today. Contacted other sitters, but most are either already booked or not available. Found one that has availability, but really hesitant to book as I'm worried that the person cancels closer to our trip. Reservation protection is very poor and only protects the sitter not the dog owner. What happens if 1 week before our trip the reservation is canceled and Rover cannot find a new sitter? Actually, the person who canceled on us just received a bad review because they canceled on someone after the booking already started and the dog owner had to return home. So why is it that if I cancel a sitter last minute I would still have to pay, but the other way round there is no reparation payment? The sitter should receive some sort of penalty. Also, why can I only leave a sitter review after a booking, but not when a sitter canceled the booking? I really would like to see the cancelation rate a sitter has.

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Lenka L.

Book a Stay
DENVER, CO

Thanksgiving is a very busy time for pet sitters, and not every petsitter is willing to stay 24hrs at a client's house, so it may be hard to find a sitter who has no family no kids no pets and wants to stay at your house day and night. But, there may be few of them available out there, unfortunately you will have to search for them.

From what you are saying, your petsitter is having a health/personal emergency if she had to cancel her booking she has already started, and consequently had to cancel every single booking for the rest of the year. It happens, and she should not be punished for that.

You on the other hand should have reported her immediately for trying to go around Rover, trying to get money out of you off Rover. That attitude only brings problems and scams.

Please call Rover and ask them to find you a suitable sitter. Good luck.

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Didn't say anything about an emergency. The person canceled on us as they wanted to sit someone else's pet instead. I only added that they also received a bad review regarding a last-minute cancelation. This only confirms that that person is not reliable and there should be consequences.

Annie B.

I absolutely agree with you she is not a reliable person and you were actually lucky she cancelled on you now instead cancelling one day before your vacation. I absolutely understand how you feel, but you definitely do not want her to petsit for you and you should call Rover.

Lenka L.

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Deb A.

Book a Stay
Irvine, CA

I’d suggest sharing this directly with rover at tel:[Edit: Rover’s contact options have changed. Visit the Rover Help Center at https://support.rover.com/ to find the phone number, help articles, or chat with the team]. Since I’m not a rover employee, I’m not able to fully answer your questions.

Behind the scenes, there is supposed to be an algorithm that punishes the sitter for cancellations, not responding timely, not providing photo updates daily, and even not accepting a high percentage of inquiries. The algorithm supposedly changes the ranking of sitters shown, which matters when there are hundreds/thousands of sitters in an area (since only 20 profiles shown per page & there could be numerous pages).

I’d also recommend that you start a relationship with at least one sitter, maybe two, by having them provide some service(s) before Thanksgiving week - which is a peak, high demand time. This allows your dog and the sitter to get to know each other better, in addition to you feeling more assured that it’s a good match.

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I wish. 1st person we met told us later that they will have to work off Rover. 2nd person canceled. 5 other people are out of town that week. 1 person we hopefully meet next week. I want someone staying day and night so people that have pets or kids are out of question.

Annie B.

you might tell rover re. 1st person. It’s a violation of terms for person found via Rover saying that they will only accept work off of Rover (to cheat rover off 15or20%). IF your pet may like the company of another pet, that’s consideration, w/all pets being introduced forcompatibility @meet&greet.

Deb A.

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Paula C.

If you are making it worth the sitters time to stay 24 hrs. belive me they won't cancel.

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Rover reservation protection - Why is it missing sitter accountability and reparation payment?

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