Was I rude about pick up times?

Thank you. I think part of the frustration is that her dog really isn't the best fit for my home... my dog really doesn't like him (I think it's incompatible energies and jealousy). I was planning on telling her today (after this last overnight w her dog; Dingo has been for one overnight before)

Do you have any suggestions on letting her know I can't take her dog anymore? I wrote something out which I think puts the blame on me, which is good, but I'm worried about a bad review, especially after I asked her not to be late. Do I tell her in advance? Or wait for her to contact?

I thjought that my dog just had the nervous jitters with her dog, as she's so mild, but I need to take action. And she actually has observed my dog getting upset upon drop-off. Also, if you don't mind, just for future reference: what do you think are reasonable late charges?

If it were me, I'd go for something in the range of $10-20, depending on how late and how much I had to adjust my own schedule to accommodate the client. As for turning her down for future stays, I think you're on the right track making it about you not being a good fit for her/her dog, rather than the other way around. Tell her what you said here, that after a couple visits, it appears that personality and energy level differences make both dogs uncomfortable, and that you feel that even though you really like watching him, you don't want to keep putting him in a position that isn't ideal when he would be so much happier with a sitter who has a more compatible buddy for him.

After reading the rest of the responses I see you already replied. I think you're both right - you both deserve the courtesy of sticking to your arranged schedule (within limits--I'd never penalize someone if their flight were delayed for pick up) as well as the courtesy of professional communication, even when you're frustrated. I'm glad you resolved the matter on a good note and that you both agree that you should not continue working together.

Thank you for your good advice. I'm glad the client and I have parted ways on decent terms.

What do you think about clients who show up hours late because they just take too long to get ready and/or oversleep? AKA don't have an excuse like a delayed flight or anything. How do you address lateness to these types?

Again, it would depend on the person and how they handle it. I'm unlikely to worry about it if they're usually on time and if they have good communication. I would think twice about continuing to work with a client who had poor communication and was frequently taking advantage of my flexibility. My answers are all pretty hypothetical though, since I've been lucky in this regard and haven't dealt with your exact issue. Thankfully I haven't had anyone be considerably late for drop off, and the times someone has been running a little late they have sent me a text with an apology and a new ETA, which is fine with me.

Thanks for your response. I sent her a really nice apologetic message about how my dog gets emotional and I don't think the two dogs are the best fit for eachother (she's seen my dog get upset so she knows). She wrote me the following response:

I had not planned on calling you back after yesterday's remarks.. But since we're having official closure id like to let you know that the tone of voice you spoke to me in yesterday was completely unprofessional. I am the customer and the one paying you and you should always treat somebody nice and pleasantly. Just so you know for future reference.

(cont'd): Good luck with your dog sitting business. I will still leave the good review for your other customers. And I said: I'll have to work on my tone, am sorry that your experience with me was not what you expected, and hope that you find some great future matches.

Luckily I hadn't committed to another stay with her. Fingers crossed that she doesn't change her mind and decide to write a negative review (she wrote a good one for the prior stay). I think I was probably a little exasperated when I asked her to be on time yesterday, but not that bad. Oh well.

No, I don't as a rule because we work out the dropoff/pickup times before the sitting job starts and, if I have to add a daycare charge, it is done at the time of payment. I usually don't run into situations like yours where the person is late on the dropoff. My clients may be delayed by flights/weather when returning and it usually isn't more than a couple of hours. I do give them a bit of leeway (approx 2 hrs).

Thanks for the response. So you only give the 2 hr leeway when there's extenuating circumstances, right? If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is the daycare charge for you? At what time do you charge for that?

I don't really do/book any daycare. If a client leaves a dog with me beyond 24 hours, they'll pay a charge based on the amount of time. As far as extenuating circumstances, it is nice to be compassionate, but this is a business. If their dog were at a kennel, there would be a charge. If you don't check out from a hotel on time, you will pay additional, right?

Yeah totally, I just wasn't sure if you granted a 2 hr cushion period you mentioned for all guests or just if they took a flight somewhere that might be delayed.

I'm also wondering... I'm new to Rover and still raising my rates upon getting new reviews; do I have to use my old rate for past clients when they book again? Is it rude to charge them my new rate?

Thanks Suzanne. I actually dropped her as a client because the dog wasn't a good fit either. Too much hassle and it would have been 2x a week for the unforseeable future. Can't deal with that much frequent lateness

Thanks for responding. I've explained to her that I need to know in advance a few times now. She committed to the 10AM time and I had to keep texting her to find out when she was actually going to show. I only said 25 minutes because that's the time it takes for her to get from her house to mine

Otherwise there really is no point in her even picking a time because she'll probably arrive an hour or two later than that- it's impossible to know. I figured asking her to text me when she leaves her house (25 min distance ) would be the most accurate approximation and fairly reasonable.

And that way, she has lots of flexibility in terms of the time she chooses to leave for my house, all she has to do is make me aware of it.

*She chose the 10AM time herself

And I mentioned the 'ignition' part because the last time she texted me and said she was getting ready and would leave soon, she ended up arriving in over an hour.

After the add'l. info. you wrote to Laura, I'd amend my answer. This client does not sound like a good fit. It sounds like you already decided that you should drop her, which is understandable & definitely what I'd suggest. Easy way = just be unavailable, avoids drama. Or tell her it's not good fit.

Thanks Deb. The only issue is that I'd be sitting for her dog 2x a week, each one overnight. Since she wants such a commitment I feel kind of bad and feel like it would be suspicious just telling her I'm busy when she asks (which could be twice a week).

Especially when I haven't been busy for the two times she wanted me to sit for her dog this week. And then after I asked her to not be late on Sat,... I feel like it's tricky to know how to get out of this one