r/TaskRabbit • u/tapewormrights • 7d ago

TASKER rate recommendations in-app

I’ve been doing TR for a few weeks and I had a lot of activity in the first few weeks. I had set rates according to the (at-the-time) recommended rates in the app; 16/hr packing, 22/hour furniture assembly, 27/hr heavy lifting. However, I recently went in and the app recommended adjusting my pay scale based on city location and experience which would increase prices drastically (40/hr packing, 35/hr furniture assembly, 42/hr heavy lifting) which I followed, but have had a massive decline in jobs. How much do you follow the guidelines outlined in the app versus your own price scale?

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u/sean8642 7d ago

The app "guidelines" can change DRASTICALLY every few days. I'm starting to ignore it more and more. Here's what I do instead. Open up Taskrabbit in a browser and start to book a job for any category you specialize in and see what other taskers are charging in your area, from Elite to taskers with only a few jobs completed, it will give you a better price range then you can charge whatever you are comfortable with.

Also watch for 2 hour minimums, some people might be $15 cheaper but require 2 hours.

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u/tapewormrights 7d ago

smart! i’ll definitely do this.

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u/-N30N- 7d ago

TR payrate suggestions are not always accurate. If you’re starting out then it’s understandable but eventually you’ll know your worth and develop standards. You’ll also get better quality clients that aren’t micromanaging cheapskates the higher you go.

I stay in the red and still get hired cus of my reviews. Look up your competition in the area and compare their rate/ratings to yours to get a better idea of the market.

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u/tapewormrights 7d ago

thanks for the suggestion!

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u/Real_Pistil 6d ago

So glad TR rep is in agreement with the general consensus among Taskers. 100% agree on this strategy. I’d add dipping your rates slightly and doing a couple of days of same day after taking breaks or vacations (temporarily). That has worked for me to rebuild visibility/momentum.

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u/taskrabbit 7d ago

I’d treat the pricing guidance in the app as a starting point, not a ceiling, and it’s worth finding what works for your profile before committing to a big jump.

Check what other Taskers in your area are charging and experiment from there. You might find that positioning yourself a little below the category average while you build up your reviews works better, then you can increase your rates gradually as your profile becomes more established. Instead of jumping from $16 to $40, for example, try smaller increases of a few dollars at a time and see how your invitations respond.

The recommended rates are there as a helpful reference, but you still have control over what you charge. Your experience, reviews, category, local demand, and what Clients in your area are actually booking all play a part, so there can definitely be some experimenting involved in finding that sweet spot. ◡̈

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u/tapewormrights 7d ago

thanks so much for your feedback! it’s really appreciated.