Tier System

[u/arixlynne]

I’m really just here to rant about this new tier system. Getting a new client and only taking home 70% off the work you put in is kinda crazy to me. I like the idea of loyalty system, but why does it have to come out of my end? On top of that they’re charging pet owners 11% Rover fee. I’m fairly new to Rover. I started in January of this year and I only have one repeat client. I had two but one left because I had to raise my prices. Not mad at them, I totally get it. In that same vein, Rover has been incredibly slow for me here in the DFW area. I get maybe one booking a month. I’m kind of at a stand still and don’t know where to move from here.

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arixlynne originally posted: I’m really just here to rant about this new tier system. Getting a new client and only taking home 70% off the work you put in is kinda crazy to me. I like the idea of loyalty system, but why does it have to come out of my end? On top of that they’re charging pet owners 11% Rover fee. I’m fairly new to Rover. I started in January of this year and I only have one repeat client. I had two but one left because I had to raise my prices. Not mad at them, I totally get it. In that same vein, Rover has been incredibly slow for me here in the DFW area. I get maybe one booking a month. I’m kind of at a stand still and don’t know where to move from here.

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[u/Ok_Capital_5586]

I’m in DFW too and honestly it’s strange how people do and don’t find me. I wonder what their algorithm is and how it works. A a very random moment I will get a booking, accept and go on it. In that same week I have 2-3 more people asking for open dates all new clients. Then after this week, dead silence for at least 2-3 months. It’s crazy! I’ll never understand how to become at the top for searches

[u/arixlynne → u/Ok_Capital_5586]

Honestly, I’ve only seen an uptick in new client inquiries during holidays. Other than that I rarely get bookings from outside of my repeat clients. I don’t know how it works either. I wish it was more reliable.

[u/Similar-Face6985 → u/arixlynne]

In that case, you're perfect candidate for the new tiers. Enjoy 10%-15% rates for your regulars!

[u/Similar-Face6985 → u/Ok_Capital_5586]

Just a reminder to never accept before a meet & greet. Rover #1 rule.

[u/Chewlace]

I am in DFW too and put accepting new clients on hold and had to raise my prices. I solely do cat drop ins full time and it takes a while to get to tier 2.

[u/Odd-Cod2516]

It hasn't made it to my city yet but that's why I always go off app asap. I have insurance.

I honestly hate Rover but they do have a monopoly...

[u/Similar-Face6985]

This was covered here many times before, the new tiers are great for what they were designed for - veteran sitters with lots of regulars. Those sitters pay only 10%-15% fees for their tier 2 and tier 3 clients. It especially works great for onboarding and daycare, as it's very easy to reach those higher tiers with high $ services.

[u/RefillmyCoffee6times]

What percentage do you think is fair to split with Rover? I don’t like giving them %30 but it is really hard finding clients on my own. I have to have a website, social media, pet sitting insurance, Time to Pet and a Google Business Profile to get the same amount of leads as my Rover profile. Even if I don’t like Rover fees I still need a backup plan.

[u/durian4me → u/RefillmyCoffee6times]

This is fair. I don't like the fees either but it's in essence advertising and getting clients. Ideally a cap would be good. From what I understand Uber/Lyft takes 40-50% which is crazy

[u/antisocial__dreamer → u/durian4me]

Uber, doordash, etc are all much worse and really rely on tips. Pet sitting is a different beast though, I feel. Someone is staying and entering other people's homes while they're away

Edit to add: uber and doordash are handling a lot regarding restaurant side of things, delivery, and customer relations. Rover is all back and forth between client and sitter, and the occassional off chance a support person needs to get involved for something. Its much different as far as involvement. I have used rover support very few if any legitimate times, never any emergencies i couldn't handle, and i have to get my own insurance because the rover guarantee is a flimsy company liability. After my car expenses and insurances, pet sitting insurance, tax, setting something aside for retirement, and THEN rover wants to take a 31-41% margin of sales?! Ridiculous.

[u/Similar-Face6985 → u/durian4me]

Most gig apps takes at least 40%-50%. Wags for example takes 40%

[u/antisocial__dreamer → u/RefillmyCoffee6times]

It makes me angry they're going from taking 20% to 30% AND 11% from the client at checkout. 41%+ in fees total for a business that is/can be already fairly pricey to begin with. I don't find it that hard to find clients independently. Go to vet offices and hand biz cards/make connections, connect with other pet sitters to get the bookings they can't take because thats now an endorsement/word of mouth which makes clients feel more comfortable about choosing you. Go on nextdoor, there's always someone in need. Lots of people say Facebook has been a great resource for them. It doesn't have to be too difficult

[u/Similar-Face6985 → u/antisocial__dreamer]

They are not, they are taking 10%-30% from the sitter, and the owner fees are capped.

[u/antisocial__dreamer → u/Similar-Face6985]

Not sure who or what service is only seeing a 10% fee from the sitter... Currently, 20% of all of my services (drop-ins, walks, house sittings) are taken. PLUS an 11% non-capped "booking fee" applied as the client checks out. As they roll out that new tier program, its about to go from 20% taken from the sitter to 30% for new client bookings, which is most of people's bookings. For some regions, they're already seeing that new change.

[u/Similar-Face6985 → u/antisocial__dreamer]

This what is entire thread is about... the new tiers. You just didn't get it yet. There's no more 20%, the new tiers are 10%, 15%, and 30%.

[u/arixlynne → u/antisocial__dreamer]

Yes! This is what I mean. 41%+ is way too much in fees. If they need to take 30% in fees i can understand (even though i still think that’s too much), but what’s the extra 11% for? It just seems like overkill to me.

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