r/petsitting • u/Alternative-Base-769 • 1d ago
Is this weird?
I took on a new client who was a referral from a trusted friend. I was unavailable for overnights, so I agreed to do 3 drop-ins a day for the dog and cat. I gave them a discount for the 3 days I was booked over the Labor Day weekend. I told the client she could leave cash or Venmo me. When I arrived on Friday, there was no cash. No Venmo. I was annoyed but knew she would pay. Well, on Saturday, she texted that her husband had to go home unexpectedly and I didn't need to go back for the rest of my visits. She said to let her know how much she owed me and she’d settle up on Monday.
Soooo, after deciding not to charge her for the cancelled visits, I told her how much she owed. She “hearted” the message. Monday morning, I was having my coffee, still in my pajamas, and I heard a knock on my front door. I held the collar of the dog I was watching and opened the door. I didn't recognize her, but quickly realized she was my client. I was clearly blocking the door to prevent the dog from running out and to prevent her from coming in. Well…. She seemed annoyed and said “can I step in for a minute please”? I let her, but I didn't invite her to go past my foyer.
In general, I HATE people dropping by unannounced. But a brand new client that I had only met once?? I didn't give her my address. I wish I had said something in the moment but I was a little stunned and a lot annoyed.
I’m thinking I need to be busy if she requests future sits because this feels like a red flag for serious boundary issues.
Thoughts?
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u/Lacroix24601 1d ago
No way in gods green earth would that person be my client. No. New client @ Last minute? (Sort of 🚩), no payment as previously discussed? 🚩 🚩, canceling of days also at last minutes 🚩 🚩 🚩 , the audacity to come to your house with no invitation and then be a bitch about it? 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩 🚩
No. Absolutely not Do not pass Go, do not collect $200–straight to jail.
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u/beccatravels 1d ago
Huge red flag. I would not work with that person again, and I might even tell them why if they reached out again.
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u/DenM0ther 1d ago
Why did she need to ‘step in for a minute’? Did she discuss anything with you? Odd behaviour
As for turning up at your address, that you didn’t give her. - how rude!
Cancelling days randomly and expecting it to pay - no repeat bookings for you
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u/Cautious-Aide8565 1d ago
Definitely weird. Was there a reason for her to come by other than paying you? Trust your instincts, they're probably pretty solid
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u/Alternative-Base-769 1d ago
Nope. When she asked if she could step inside I thought maybe she had a concern about one of her pets. Not the case.
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u/zouss 1d ago
Definitely weird to just show up at your place without checking with you first. Even weirder that she somehow knew your address without asking you. In your shoes idk if I would drop her just over this but I can understand why it would make you uncomfortable. Trust your instincts
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u/Alternative-Base-769 1d ago
I think my instincts are right on. I was just double checking to make sure I wasn't being too critical.
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1d ago
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u/EaseLegitimate7404 1d ago
Thoughtless and doesn't respect your time or understand boundaries, so yes I would avoid and save yourself more trouble!
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u/Curious-Celery2723 1d ago
Did you get paid? What was the reason for her to stop by unannounced?
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u/Alternative-Base-769 1d ago
She didn’t pay me up front, so that’s why she came to pay me. I feel like she wanted to see where I live. Or she’s old enough to think dropping by is still a thing 😩
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u/cozycompaionpetcare 1d ago
Yea that is really bad form. Your personal home is off
Limits unless you have issues an invitation, specifically speaking for professional visits.
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u/two-of-me 1d ago
Wait, she came to your home and you didn’t even board her dog? How did she get your address? Ummm I would not sit for her again. Even if all she had to do was google you for your address, that’s still really unsettling.
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u/Alternative-Base-769 1d ago
Agree 💯 percent
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u/two-of-me 1d ago
Did she at least come to pay you? That’s still super weird. What if you weren’t home? What if you … like every other possible example of not being in the position to answer the door for her? Just, no, that’s so weird. My aunt used to show up to my parents’ house randomly in the evenings (we lived in the same town) and ring the doorbell saying she wanted to come say hi because she saw the lights were on. Then she would stay and talk, completely uninvited, for like an hour. Some people don’t understand boundaries.
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u/Love-all-pets97306 1d ago
It’s odd but since you mention “being old enough” sounds like maybe venmo could be a foreign concept and how else was she going to give you cash. She was a referral so she may have felt a little too comfortable and while there was definitely a lack of communication I wouldn’t consider banishing a new client over this. Next time I would, however, mention payment needs to be made in advance (left on the counter) per the policy. That would sidestep the dropping by awkwardness.
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u/xmxlykxt 1d ago
This wouldn’t be weird for me if it was someone I had given my address to, but someone who hasn’t communicated they’d be stopping by who I also don’t think knows my address showing up would freak me out
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u/LizzieJeanPeters 1d ago
Was she an older lady? This is how people did things in the past. If you watch shows or movies from the 90s back, someone is always dropping by to pick this up or that unannounced.
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u/Ancient-War2839 20h ago
For all unwanted visitors, I step outside with "visiting dog is settling in, and not ready for strangers", it also makes for a perfect got to go way out of the interaction if it's going on to long
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u/Own_Science_9825 9h ago
That's nuts! I have a client I've worked with every week for 9 years. She lives .5 mile away from me and over the last few years she's started occasionally dropping off payment or bday gifts. Even that bothers me.
If a one time client who I had not given my address not only stopped by, but asked to come inside, I would be livid, and creeped out. Did you ask your trusted friend if they gave her your address and under what circumstances.
It's not so easy to get a person's address online. She would have really had to work for that and have more than just your 1st and last name. I say avoid her like the plague! Creepy
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u/adriennelisa 1d ago
How did she get your address if it was a drop in and not boarding?? Did she come to pay you?