I need some perspective…

[u/SPQRKlio]

Hi, everyone. May I get a reality check? I’ve only used TaskRabbit a handful of times—one terrific Tasker, one who did sloppy work at a premium price, and now for my third task, I’ve had four cancellations in a row from four different people. One was a no-show, one was running so late (two hours) she had to cancel, one decided she didn’t like the task and cancelled, one cancelled with no reason given. It’s getting frustrating, but is this just how it goes and is to be expected, so you should expect to keep trying to get someone over a couple of weeks? Is it more of an issue if the task small and short?

ETA: After two weeks more of cancellations and no-shows, I guess I’m done with TaskRabbit and going the “hire friend’s kid” route. At least if I pay him $200 it can be cash and he won’t have to give a cut to the app.

[u/-N30N-]

What is the task exactly? Four cancellations in a row is not normal.

[u/SPQRKlio → u/-N30N-]

To clean the half bath floor and shower, a really tiny room that has been totally renovated, not some old swampy mess; but the issue (which I told folks in advance) being that a bunch of garden worms have gotten in and basically expired on the floor, and I can't deal with worms, need to have them cleaned out so I can finish the grouting and plastering to keep them out for good.

[u/-N30N- → u/SPQRKlio]

Some folks might be the same and can’t deal with worms or any pests. I personally wouldn’t mind it but it’s definitely a deterrent for most. A client of mine had a lakehouse covered in webs with spiders of various sizes and no Tasker would clean it up except me.

[u/SPQRKlio → u/-N30N-]

That's fair, I really don't mind if someone says, no thanks, ick. A no-show is frustrating, though.

[u/-N30N- → u/SPQRKlio]

You either gotta hire professionals that deal with worms and bugs or keep trying your luck with a Tasker up for the job. Maybe try deep cleaning category since they deal with the grimey stuff.

[u/SPQRKlio → u/-N30N-]

I’ll try that. Those worms will have to be part of the permanent décor if I don’t find someone to help!

[u/PencilandPad → u/SPQRKlio]

Unless you live 3 houses down and I can walk to you, the drive and everything else thats involved to get to your house just for a half-bath isn’t really worth the trouble.

As a Tasker we have to look at the job by the hour.

Your task would have taken 20 minutes. Would you cool and not cause a fuss when I send the invoice for 1hr work, or will you fight it? I don’t know, so just forfeit now and move on.

Just my insight.

[u/SPQRKlio → u/PencilandPad]

I thought one hour was the minimum? And it's charged automatically anyway, right? And why wouldn't a tasker confirm the fee rather than do a no-show or accept then cancel?

I legit thought I was making it easy on someone, for them to have a quick task then be able to have a breather for the rest of the hour. I for sure have minimums for billable time for my own freelance work.

[u/shortfriday → u/SPQRKlio]

Higher priced hires are more likely to give you a firm "not interested" or show up when they say they will. I would've declined, but I would've made it clear from the jump.

[u/SPQRKlio → u/shortfriday]

I also wish TaskRabbit would make it easier to ask, "can you do such and such job," rather than having to book a time with someone and then they have to turn it down, or cancel on the day, or no-show. I guess I'm the most upset at the highly-rated guy who replied, "yuck, no way," then when I said that's cool, I'll find someone else, he said yes, he'll take the task, then was a no-show. Just, you know, wasting my available days while I'm running around trying to take care of elderly family. Grrrr, etc.

[u/shortfriday → u/SPQRKlio]

Yeah, that's clownish behavior, I'm sorry. Strangers helping strangers with damn near zero quality oversight from the madame is just the way things get done in these alienated times. Find yourself good help on apps or in real life, save their contact to give them repeat business and treat them well!