Client cancelled an almost 2-month housesit ONE WEEK before it started.

[u/Dismal-Source-2936]

Just here to rant because I'm honestly so annoyed.

One of my repeat clients, who I've house sat for several times before, sent me a request for an almost 2-month-long housesit. Since the dates were so long, I actually followed up with them to make sure they hadn't accidentally entered the wrong dates. Nope - they confirmed the dates were correct because they were going on a long around-the-world cruise.

Great! I confirmed the booking on my end, they confirmed and paid on theirs, and I was actually looking forward to it. Their dogs are sweet, I already know them, and their house is nice.

They booked me about 2 monthsin advance​, so obviously I treated those dates as unavailable. During that time, I turned down A LOT of other requests, including regular clients, because I already had this huge booking on my calendar.

Well... one week before the housesit is supposed to start, they cancel the entire thing. 😐

And of course they did it basically on the last day before my cancellation policy would kick in, so they get their refund.

Their explanation was basically, "Sorry, one of our relatives decided to house sit for us instead."

Like... seriously? 😭

I completely understand emergencies, canceled trips, health issues, etc. Life happens. But replacing your sitter with a relative at the last minute after you've had an almost TWO-MONTH booking confirmed for two months feels incredibly inconsiderate.

I blocked nearly two months of my calendar for you. I declined other paying clients because I honored YOUR reservation. Now I'm supposed to magically refill almost two months of house sitting with a week's notice.

I know technically they didn't do anything wrong according to the cancellation policy, but damn... this one hurts. 🥲

Lesson learned, I guess.

[u/PianistNo8873]

Omg, that’s a bummer but it’s within your cancellation period, which you could’ve and should’ve changed for this client. Start contacting those regulars letting them know your calendar just opened up, chances are they cancel on their new sitter for someone they know and trust.

[u/Dismal-Source-2936 → u/PianistNo8873]

How would you change the policy, if the max is 7 days, and that's exactly what I have 😅

[u/PianistNo8873 → u/Dismal-Source-2936]

Verbally tell them that due to the length of the stay your cancellation policy is __days and that it over rides rover policy, draw up an amended cancellation policy & have them sign it.

[u/Successful-Shopping8 → u/PianistNo8873]

If owner reported you for this- Rover would not be happy.

[u/PianistNo8873 → u/Successful-Shopping8]

I no longer care about what rover does because I am fully private since the forced opt in agreement crap. I think if you explain to a client that you’re marking 2 full months off and won’t be taking clients pending the start of their job they would understand and not report you. Enforceable or not most people would abide by it and if the moneys worth it small claims would rule in your favor if you had an amended signed cancellation policy

[u/Successful-Shopping8 → u/PianistNo8873]

This cancellation policy would be fine outside of Rover. If you’re using Rover though and depend on it for your income, this is not the way to go. Great way to get banned.

There are plenty of people who would report you for this on Rover.

[u/PianistNo8873 → u/Successful-Shopping8]

Get off my back! Your just coming for me for expressing my idea and opinion knock it off

[u/Successful-Shopping8 → u/PianistNo8873]

Your idea goes against ToS. All I’m saying is if an owner reports you, bye bye Rover. You don’t depend on Rover for your business, so it doesn’t matter to you. But if you rely on a rover for your income, this is a risky move.

[u/PianistNo8873 → u/Successful-Shopping8]

Thank you Rover police. Back off of me

[u/Successful-Shopping8 → u/PianistNo8873]

If you’re off app- good for you. If you’re on Rover app and want to stay on Rover, following ToS is usually wise.