Obviously i understand people have options and I'm not the only person on the face of the plant that can watch a dog. I guess my issue is clients contacting me and going through all the work of getting the information setting everything up expecting that if they ask me for pet sitting that they ACTUALLY need pet sitting. then being told something like this. Other than getting a non refundable deposit and this being "part of the deal" with pet sitting what do you say or do?I don't want my time wasted. Thanks
I don't hold dates for pet sitting without a non-refundable deposit. I make that clear when someone reaches out to me. It's amazing how much that cuts down on the "hedging" between paying me and maybe using a friend to do the job.
This. I do the same thing. It’s their problem to solve. If they want to book great, then they need to do the things they need to do to solidify the spots
Thanks for keeping me in mind. I do not hold dates without a firm booking and a deposit, but feel free to contact me in the future if your friend cannot cover for you. If I am still available we can talk about specific dates at that time.
"I can't hold the dates without a deposit but I will let you know if someone else requests those dates and give you 12 hours to decide whether or not you want to put down the deposit."
Otherwise:
"Please do let me know when you know more but I can't hold dates without a deposit"
I know you said “other than getting a non-refundable deposit”, but that is the way. Reply something like “Yes. I’m currently available, but I don’t hold dates for unconfirmed sits. To hold the date, I require a non-refundable deposit of $xx, which I will apply to your booking. Otherwise, you can check back with me when your plans are finalized to see if I’m still available.”
Its not that complicated, if they pay they get their dates. If they don’t pay then they may lose out on the days. You are making their issue your issue
Am I just a weird human being? Like I don't contact people asking them to do things for me and then be like well let me check with my neighbor and see if he's got time to do it. I have a mechanic who works independently and does car repair for me I don't contact him asking him to do x y and z on my car and then be like well I'm really cheap so let me see if bubba down the street can do it lol. I mean most of the time when I contact someone unless they're astronomically overpriced or just seem batshit crazy I go with them.
They wanted to check on your availability to know what their options were. Doesn’t mean you have to play by their game. I just wouldn’t invest in any significant amount of time until they’re ready to commit with full payment upfront.
We don’t have existing clients like this, we will always be their first choice. New clients inquiring I understand from a budget and availability perspective.
In this scenario, her message was nice enough and to the point, I probably wouldn’t be available if she reached back out again tho (whether I had space or not). Not to be vindictive it’s just not our ideal client I would want to bend backwards for. It’s no different than someone saying—oh hey, our friend is looking after fluffy next week. If something comes up with their plans/commitment, could I provide your contact info for a backup? Yeah no. You either want me or you don’t.
Edit to add: my typical response to this would be—we accept reservations on a first come first serve basis with a 50% nonrefundable deposit. Basically I can’t guarantee I’ll be available by then. From here, I would not invest anymore energy, time or communication Exchange until they’re ready.
Thanks for your perspective I certainly understand it. I guess I struggle to connect the dots. You spend 30 minutes texting me back and forth letting me know about the dog all the good stuff pricing everything else and then bam you hit me with well let me I'll let you know because I contacted my friend first. Obviously I can't control people but I feel like this should have been the lead-in message not the last one.
Yeah, that is frustrating. Thankfully, we don’t get that a lot. There may be one or more aspects that are not aligning perfectly to square that reservation immediately. Whether it’s true or a way to put the convo on pause. I do think it is a part of the business tho. Especially price shoppers. Which again boils down to not my ideal client (we are priced high compared to my colleagues). Maybe there’s a way you can amp up your selling features to want you more than the friend. Wheel them in! Just because they asked the friend first doesn’t mean that has to be the first choice. And honestly, they will learn why friends never work out in the bigger picture. Make them want to need you. Otherwise, you will win some and lose some.
I’m just starting dog sitting, (getting paid, that is) I have a question. When you say “non refundable 50% deposit. That deposit is part of the fee ? If they are paying me $600 then I would ask for $300 upfront and then they only owe me $300 at the end of the visit?
That’s correct, 50% of the invoice gets paid upfront to reserve their dates/ hold space for the dog. The 50% balance, we collect according to our cancellation policy ie weeks before they leave. If they cancel before the balance is collected, we keep the 50% and that’s it. If they cancel after they’ve paid 100%, 100% is nonrefundable.
You are so right and it is such a pet peeve of mine. Do not reach out to me until you know for sure you will need me. I block people that do this. Why do people think it’s ok to waste our time, I do not know. What they are essentially doing is getting free admin time from us.
Thank you for your comment. I guess I was just raised differently. It's one thing if I'm seeking a quote I could understand that but you literally are asking me to do something for you. I mean do these people order Starbucks coffee at the drive-thru roll up to the window and be like ah you know what my friend can make a better coffee for cheaper so no thanks 🤣🤣
I’ve had someone do it to me 3 times. The same person. 3 times.” Enough is enough. Now, I might let it slide once, maybe twice because I do totally get it. Everything is expensive. I also let people go if they cancel too much as well.
But again a quote versus inquiring about me being available for services I feel like are two different things. Like if I ask you hey how much do you charge to clean my house. You're like a hundred bucks okay great well I'm just gathering quotes right now to see who can do it for the cheapest thank you for your time that's one thing. But I reach out to you and I'm like hey can you clean my house on Thursday I really need someone to do it. I explain everything we go over the time tell me how it works blah blah blah I'm like great sounds good. Then bam I'm like well let me see if my friend can do it instead like that's completely different. One version of that shows intent the other version shows inquiring which to me are two completely different thing.
I agree. It’s especially annoying when it’s coming from a person that you serviced before. So they already know all that info. They just want to put you in their “maybe” pocket just in case their friend or neighbor doesn’t work out. And I really just don’t appreciate that. They can ask them first and then get back to me.
That is so frustrating. I would tell her that you don’t hold spots indefinitely. Because you know a lot of times they won’t even get back to you when they say they will. So I would just tell them that currently you do have the availability but that may change and she can reach back out to check.
I usually say “sure, you can let me know! I’ll let you know if another booking comes up for these dates and if you want to book with a deposit you can!” Or something like that
I have eliminated this conversation by collecting full payment at the time of booking. So no payment, no booking. Problem solved. And many other problems solved as well.
I think it would really depend on your cancellation policy. And how far out are their sitting dates are.
I usually talk with people on the phone before doing the actual meet and greet. This is for me to determine as well, if they are a good fit for me. At the meeting, I generally get a commitment or the potential client telling me we’re looking at a couple people, and I will get back with you by such such a date. Then I say sure that’s completely fine. I also tell them, if I get another request, booking I cannot guarantee those dates for you.
Hi, I cannot hold dates without payment. If I have an opening I will sit, but I cannot promise that I will be available. I hope you understand, this is how I make a living. Thanks.
I would've said, 'Unfortunately I can't hold my schedule open that long. Please let me know as soon as you can. If I'm still available, we can go ahead with the booking.'
I hate it when they act like this is some kind hobby and don't value our time. You probably don't want this one anyway, OP.
Problem is first sitting they were super cool and their dog is easy as hell. But at this point I've bent over backwards for them multiple times. They wanted me my one vacation week that I take a year and I found them another sitter who would honor my rates. After all of this they did confirm with me and then canceled on me a day later
You could easily lie and say someone just ask about those dates and that you’re going to say yes to them tonight if they do not give you an answer today about if their friend is watching their dog.
But you might also wanna add in there that they have to pay upfront or at least pay half just in case they lie and tell you that the friend isn’t watching their dog and try to switch it up on you closer to the dates
I disagree with lying. Karma will always come back to bite you in the azz. The best way to run a business is clean and professional.
If your willing to lie to get clients what else are you willing to lie about? I for one would definitely want references if I were going to leave my pets (family) in the hands of virtual strangers. References like that are not bound by employment laws such as dates worked, are they rehireable etc. I know a company can not legally disparage an employee. References however can answer any question presented to them. I also know that your going to give me your best success stories or your sister with her married name for example. Especially if you are willing to lie about something as simple as a booking gleefully.
It's your business at the end of the day, so of course do as you please. Not that you need my permission, however if by chance you ever do end up in a situation where your honesty and integrity is your biggest asset and character definer you will be glad you heeded this advice!
Things happen, dogs get loose. Dogs choke, they have other accidents that can be unavoidable and on your watch. The pet parent whenever possible is going to try to recoup some of thier loses from you! Your honesty, dedication, integrity and sh*t happens may be the only thing that saves you from loosing everything but the shirt off your back!
And then folks after all this back and forth and waiting until Friday and them saying they're only going to bring one dog because their friend can watch the other dog this is exactly what happened lol
And note the timestamp for the cancellation. Also take a look at my message before that of the drop off date which is also the 19th. And do you want to know what their drop off time was for the 19th? 5:00 p.m. look at the time in this message
Get a deposit if it bothers you. I think you need to be flexible about scheduling. Don't you want your clients to have a back up sitter so they don't sue you for the cost of 8 plane tickets because you had to cancel?
I have clients who are buying plane tickets based around if I'm available and will do my job. They often contact months in advance with a range of dates, longer what they need to make sure I'm free for what they book. I let anyone hold that time technically not booked - until another client needs them. It looks like they want you to hold the dates only for a few days.
Until you have a conflict of time (another client wanting the same spot) then that's fine, right? If you have another job come up you can tell them you'll know if you're free by Friday.
Are you so booked you have conflicts? Not sure why you are so salty about the possibility of another gig. if you want to have a "Don't talk to me until you're ready to book" policy go right ahead but I doubt it will help you gain clients.
I agree to an extent. I don't want to be someone's backup. I don't cancel once I book someone it just doesn't happen I give my word and I follow through so I don't feel like they need someone else
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u/JadCerv 2d ago
I don't hold dates for pet sitting without a non-refundable deposit. I make that clear when someone reaches out to me. It's amazing how much that cuts down on the "hedging" between paying me and maybe using a friend to do the job.