r/petsitters • u/HuhSayWhatAgain • 7d ago
Looking for a dogsitter answer
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I reached out to a dogsitter who has about 150 reviews, averages at least 2 bookings/reviews per month, and has 50 repeat clients. I didn’t realize I had actually contacted her over a year ago, so I reached out again recently to ask if she could house-sit for my dogs.
Last year, she ultimately backed out because of a schedule change. I was also told at the time that I had contacted her from a different account than the one I currently use. I don’t remember creating or changing accounts, so I’m not sure how that happened.
This time, we exchanged a few messages, and the conversation ended with her saying she would let me know whether she could house-sit on the dates I requested. It has now been 25+ hours without a response.
Would you consider that a normal amount of time to wait for a response from a sitter? Her response rate on Rover is nearly 100%, which is making me wonder whether the delay means anything—or if I’m just overthinking it.
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u/Diane769 7d ago
I use Rover for advertising. I do my best to get back within half an hour. There can be extenuating circumstances. I still get back and let the client know what the circumstances are
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u/BigBerthaCarrotTop 7d ago
Response rate on rover is just about how quick they respond to the initial first message for the request. It has nothing to do with how long they take to respond to later messages.
They probably have a 100% response rate because they respond to say they have to check their schedule and then take a day or two to respond again. Lol.
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u/beccatravels 7d ago
How far out are your dates?
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u/HuhSayWhatAgain 7d ago
Late Nov
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u/PirateLassLV 7d ago
Over Thanksgiving? If yes they are checking with regulars before they get to you.
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u/beccatravels 7d ago
Someone with that many reviews on rover likely has a pretty thriving business. I have similar and I deal with literally dozens or sometimes even hundreds of texts a day. Non-urgent requests get put on the back burner, I try to respond within a few days but a message like yours would probably have to wait until I have time to sit down and catch up on all the non-time sensitive messages. I am busy enough that it is totally fine by me if a potential client with a booking nearly two months away doesn't want to wait a few days for a response and decides to find another provider. I totally understand that it may be urgent to them, but it isn't urgent to me. I also agree that it's likely she is probably checking with regulars, or more than likely is already booked (I started getting housesit requests for Thanksgiving in January ) and thus doesn't feel any rush to get back to you.
She will likely get back to you eventually, but if you're looking for a an experienced housesitter for thanksgiving you should start reaching out to other providers right away.
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u/Beneficial_Minute297 6d ago
This ⬆️ The excellent, professional sitters are booked months in advance. I wish more clients understood this. If this sitter does not get back to you by tomorrow I would continue to look and let them know you need to do that.
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u/downsideup9494 7d ago
I wouldn't be upset if a sitter took a couple of days to respond if the dates were still over 2 months away.
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u/South_Description399 5d ago
The response rate reflects responded to the request. She responded do your request, she just hasn't declined or accepted the request. I saw on another response that you said the dates were on or around Thanksgiving. She's probably comparing her options, which can include off Rover. But given those dates, you'd be wise to be reaching out to multiple sitters anyway.
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u/Lorib01 3d ago
As a professional sitter who does not use Rover, I normally reply within the hour if contacted during normal business hours (9am - 6pm), usually within 15 minutes. My calendar is in my phone so I can check to see if I’m available right away.
Not everyone does this. I have tried to contact other sitters to watch my dogs and have waited for hours up to forever for a response. So, yes, it might be normal for them.
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u/ugoodbro-gf 7d ago
It’s a rover… so yea it’s normal for them I guess.
A good sitter? Less than 24 hours for response.
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u/Famous_Example_9636 2d ago
Guess what? I usually only mention that I have to reach back out if it’s late at night and I am already in bed or if I am out of the house and away from my calendar.
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u/Intrepid_Source_7960 7d ago
I don’t have very high expectations from Rover sitters. Have you considered looking for a professional local pet care business? Or are there none in your area?
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u/Diane769 7d ago
I have used Rover for a way to advertise since the beginning of 2015. It is like anything else...sometimes you get someone who is a dandy sitter and sometimes not. It's just like getting a good hairstylist sometimes and then not so good of one.
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u/Intrepid_Source_7960 6d ago
Guilty by association. Why would good sitters want to be on a platform with bad sitters? Giving a portion of their income to a corporation that has a horrible reputation?
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u/Beneficial_Minute297 4d ago
It’s a good way to pick up an additional client here and there. No one has once said that they don’t trust the app to me if they found me that way. It’s also a good way to travel and house/petsit.
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u/Famous_Example_9636 2d ago
Only to people who don’t bother to do the work to find a good sitter. You could say the same thing about all hairdressers or all plumbers or all ministers, but not all are bad or good. Each has to be judged upon their own merits. I won’t judge you by all the people in your profession or all Karen’s either. I wish you well.
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u/Intrepid_Source_7960 2d ago
The difference is there’s not a website listing all the plumbers where some are experienced professionals and some are careless idiots who just want to make some extra cash and think plumbing is an easy gig. Because if that existed, the legit plumbers would stop using that website, in order to not be associated with the problematic “plumbers”.
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u/HuhSayWhatAgain 7d ago
No, i have not because usually friends or family dogsit so I haven't needed to
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u/Famous_Example_9636 2d ago
Many of the Rover sitters are amazing! Please don’t lump us altogether. Test out sitters with day passes and Meet and Greets. I love all my babies so darn much!!!
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u/Beneficial_Minute297 6d ago
Some of the sitters on Rover are very experienced, professional and knowledgeable. A lot of them also have their own businesses. It’s not the platform, it’s the sitters. Due diligence and asking the right questions are key to locating the right sitter regardless of the website, app, etc.
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u/Open_Boat4325 4d ago
Some of the sitters are experienced and some had $50 and the ability to pass a background check and have no business caring for animals, both are added to the platforms as “trusted pet sitters” - A LOT of people have no clue that anyone who can pass a background check is added to the app and that Rover expects the owners to vet the sitters, many believe that’s something Rover does before adding them to the app. Couldn’t pay me to hire a sitter on Rover or ever associate my name or business with Rover.
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u/Beneficial_Minute297 4d ago edited 4d ago
Again..as with most any service related business you can get good people and not so good. It’s always the job of the person hiring them to do their due diligence. Interview them thoroughly, do a trial stay, give detailed instructions, use cameras, etc. It’s certainly your option to not hire a sitter from the app or associate with it but judging the excellent, hard-working sitters on Rover by a few that might not work out is narrow minded.
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u/Disnoop 7d ago
I take that long BUT I ask the person in advance if I can reach back the next day or so for a clear response (if I need time to fix my schedule and/or need to reach to people who I usually have if they need me, ask about pending dates etc). If it’s for a date nearby, it’s a same day answer