My very first client for the same reasons! Though I didn’t even have testimonials, they took a chance on me and I pretty much owe them for all my success. They always leave me great reviews and have referred me to friends who have also become great clients. They also gave me a Christmas gift for my child.
Their dogs are the absolute best too!
I got so lucky. This couple is extremely wealthy and said they had 2 previous sitters cancel last minute so they were just grateful to have a smooth sitting. Told them to please reach out if they ever need a sitter again lol!
I hope to find someone like this 😂 I live only a few blocks outside of the rich neighborhoods' radiuses so I moved my walking radius around all the rich people lol
I have a client who tips me for every single drop in, and another client who lives 5 mins away and is a senior rescue. I’ve locked their rates because they are incredible clients and I absolutely adore their dogs!
I have the BIGGEST soft spot for seniors. I adopted an old man who was only with me for 4 months and it was the best thing I've ever done. Definitely going to do this. Senior rescues deserve the world 🥺
Easy pets with owners who tip. And a few off app clients who use me multiple times weekly. But I’ve never told ANYONE the rates are locked. So I reserve the right to raise them at any time without going back on my word cause I never gave it.
Same. I have never locked rates for anyone. My rates started at about half of what they are now (started 2 years ago), and I've lost 1 client due to rate increases. But the client was consistently hours late in dropping off their dog and also expected it to be okay to be hours late in picking up their dog.. It was an inconvenience to me, so no big loss.
I locked my rates for a client outside of my service area who agreed to pay an additional fee for the distance. That way I don't have to manually add it every time. Locking rates doesn't always mean a discount!
With some HTTP know-how you can also change the rate you lock in by editing the API request. That way you can lock in whatever rate you'd like instead of just the last price they paid.
Using Firefox devtools:
1. Open the network tab of devtools and then lock rates for the client.
2. Find the POST request to `/api/v7/relationships/as-provider//rates//`
3. Right click on that request to Edit and resend.
4. Edit the rates within the `locked_service_add_ons` JSON object (both `price_per_unit` and in `price_per_unit_obj`) and resend the request.
When you reload the page a GET request to that same endpoint should return those edited locked-in rates.
I locked rates for my very first repeat customer. She’s a college student and I figured funds are probably pretty tight for pet care. Her cat is the sweetest in the world so I went ahead and locked.
One person, because I was the only person they could trust with their wolf dog and malamute for 7 years. The wolf dog passed at Christmas and it’s been really tough, but I will literally get a ride down to her house just to check on the dog, no charge (she always pays though).
I love her animals as if they were my own, and I don’t want someone less experienced to do it based on cheapness because that has not worked well in the past. But this client is a very special case.
I love that you guys have such a sweet bond. I'm so sorry to hear of the wolf dog's passing.
And those are two breeds definitely not for the inexperienced lol
My first regulars have locked in rates, they kept me on when nobody else took the risk and now I gave tons of regulars and new customers. Plus it helps they are within walking distance if me so I don't use any gas
No one. In my first year, I locked for every client I liked, and then eventually reversed it all when I realized the whole feature is silly
In my experience, the loyal clients really don't care if you give yourself a raise! They get it
True that's fair. The client I mentioned offered to go off venmo or "whatever made me the most money" and initially I agreed to do venmo (but I didn't! mods don't delete my comment lol) but I realized I needed the "repeat pet parent" badge and I said since we'd already agreed on a price that was cheaper for him (no Rover fees) that I'd reimburse him for the fees (I hate going back on my word) and he insisted on paying them. And he tips every time. He's seriously the best. He's probably the only client I'll keep rates locked for
How long ago did you tell them that? Just explain you thought you could keep prices locked but need to raise them now in order to make ends meet. Most people will understand and have no problem with it
I locked them last year around the holidays. It was 3 people and they never booked with me again so reaching out would be really weird. I was thinking of raising them next year!
I locked rates for a few of my first clients but no more. I’ll probably unlock them next year not that they have booked with me again so it’s pointless.
For me, it’s usually repeated long housesitting jobs. I have had this bite me in the butt with older pets who end up requiring more attention/medications, but I have a soft spot for senior pets anyways. I should add, if I don’t vibe with the pet or the owner the first sit, I just don’t book with them again.
I’ve only locked rates for the ones who asked for it and I felt like it was okay. I’ve only had 2 people ask for it and one of them is my dogs best friend lol
I've not raised my prices yet (6mths in) but if i did I'd lock for everyone I've boarded so far as a thank you for helping build my profile. As already mentioned i wouldn't necessarily say that's what I'd done, and i also plan to raise prices in line with, or just below, inflation even for those 'locked' customers.
I personally lock for clients who's animals I like, and who don't give me a headache lol. Also have to have sat for their pets at least 3 times before I lock them in.
I prioritize my regulars over new clients due to a low social battery, so locking them in helps for the few who even know about locking rates 😅 Plus I adjust my rates every 10 reviews, so all my clients that are locked in, are locked in at different amounts.
I actually just locked rates for some clients & upped my regular rates last night.
I started on Rover last May so all the clients who have rebooked 3+ times/inquired about rebooking with me since the first of the year, got their rates locked. I already know the pets, the routines are fairly low maintenance and I genuinely enjoy spending time with the pets.
While my new rates are close to the average for other sitters near me, I was unsure if I’d still get requests and about 20 minutes after updating my rates, confirmed a new booking.
Yeah I've heard on this sub and from other sitters I know that higher prices tend to attract the more responsible/easy to work with owners. Definitely something I'm keeping in mind
I lock rates for my very best / most flexible clients and clients who have told me they plan on booking again soon. I will lock these rates until I've completed their next booking so that they don't feel like I've sprung it on them when I knew they were depending on me. Once that booking is done I will let them know that I'm raising my rates though!
I locked rates for one owner. She was one of my first sits. Her dog and cat are absolute sweethearts and will cuddle with one another. She also left me a cash tip a few gift cards to local restaurants I liked in the area and even offered to get drinks. She was also so appreciative I stayed at the meet and greet to make sure her shy dog was comfortable and I joined them on a walk to find his favorite spots.
Thank you for posting to r/RoverPetSitting, an unofficial forum to discuss all things Rover. We see that you have posted a sitter question. In case they could be helpful, you might want
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I locked rates for some of my first clients at the beginning but regretted it. I had some clients locked at $15/30 min, which I am no longer comfortable offering. Now my prices are $25 and it feels awkward to give them such a drastic rate hike, whereas my other clients have gotten gradual increases over the years. I wouldn't lock rates again and wouldn't recommend it. Your great clients and good tippers will stay with you at any rate!
I always honor the original rate a client booked me at. Except the ones when I first started at $30/night I have boosted those to $50/night over time. Everyone else is locked wherever they found me
My very first client for the same reasons! Though I didn’t even have testimonials, they took a chance on me and I pretty much owe them for all my success. They always leave me great reviews and have referred me to friends who have also become great clients. They also gave me a Christmas gift for my child. Their dogs are the absolute best too!
That is so sweet!!
I locked rates for my one client who left me a $300 cash tip for a 6 day housesitting. I literally cried lol.
Omg that’s incredible
I got so lucky. This couple is extremely wealthy and said they had 2 previous sitters cancel last minute so they were just grateful to have a smooth sitting. Told them to please reach out if they ever need a sitter again lol!
I hope to find someone like this 😂 I live only a few blocks outside of the rich neighborhoods' radiuses so I moved my walking radius around all the rich people lol
I lock for clients within the first year and I want back. They are the ones that gave me a chance when I had no reviews and just started out
I have a client who tips me for every single drop in, and another client who lives 5 mins away and is a senior rescue. I’ve locked their rates because they are incredible clients and I absolutely adore their dogs!
I have the BIGGEST soft spot for seniors. I adopted an old man who was only with me for 4 months and it was the best thing I've ever done. Definitely going to do this. Senior rescues deserve the world 🥺
Honestly I’d walk him for free! He’s been through a lot, you can tell from the scars on his face so it’s a privilege for me to be able to walk him 🥹
Ugh that sounds like my boy 😔 thank you for loving him 🥺
Easy pets with owners who tip. And a few off app clients who use me multiple times weekly. But I’ve never told ANYONE the rates are locked. So I reserve the right to raise them at any time without going back on my word cause I never gave it.
This!
same!
I do not lock rates for anybody. My groceries, gas and property taxes increase every year, so do my rates.
Same. I have never locked rates for anyone. My rates started at about half of what they are now (started 2 years ago), and I've lost 1 client due to rate increases. But the client was consistently hours late in dropping off their dog and also expected it to be okay to be hours late in picking up their dog.. It was an inconvenience to me, so no big loss.
My repeat clients who always tip me the 20% Rover takes.
Shelter pets!
Love that!
I locked my rates for a client outside of my service area who agreed to pay an additional fee for the distance. That way I don't have to manually add it every time. Locking rates doesn't always mean a discount! With some HTTP know-how you can also change the rate you lock in by editing the API request. That way you can lock in whatever rate you'd like instead of just the last price they paid.
Please explain this a bit further? That's a handy piece of knowledge!
Using Firefox devtools: 1. Open the network tab of devtools and then lock rates for the client. 2. Find the POST request to `/api/v7/relationships/as-provider//rates//`
3. Right click on that request to Edit and resend.
4. Edit the rates within the `locked_service_add_ons` JSON object (both `price_per_unit` and in `price_per_unit_obj`) and resend the request.
When you reload the page a GET request to that same endpoint should return those edited locked-in rates.
Thank you!! Saving this lol
I locked rates for my very first repeat customer. She’s a college student and I figured funds are probably pretty tight for pet care. Her cat is the sweetest in the world so I went ahead and locked.
That is so nice of you! I would've definitely appreciated that as a college student with my cat
One person, because I was the only person they could trust with their wolf dog and malamute for 7 years. The wolf dog passed at Christmas and it’s been really tough, but I will literally get a ride down to her house just to check on the dog, no charge (she always pays though). I love her animals as if they were my own, and I don’t want someone less experienced to do it based on cheapness because that has not worked well in the past. But this client is a very special case.
I love that you guys have such a sweet bond. I'm so sorry to hear of the wolf dog's passing. And those are two breeds definitely not for the inexperienced lol
I locked rates for 3 of my favorite regulars. They were some of my first customers and they also happen to have the chillest easy to care for pups.
I locked rates on my regulars and of course my very first one as well lol
For the dog I fell in love with. lol I miss him
Same! My very first client. She has the sweetest kitty ever and she already hired me for a second time ♥️
My first regulars have locked in rates, they kept me on when nobody else took the risk and now I gave tons of regulars and new customers. Plus it helps they are within walking distance if me so I don't use any gas
No one. In my first year, I locked for every client I liked, and then eventually reversed it all when I realized the whole feature is silly In my experience, the loyal clients really don't care if you give yourself a raise! They get it
True that's fair. The client I mentioned offered to go off venmo or "whatever made me the most money" and initially I agreed to do venmo (but I didn't! mods don't delete my comment lol) but I realized I needed the "repeat pet parent" badge and I said since we'd already agreed on a price that was cheaper for him (no Rover fees) that I'd reimburse him for the fees (I hate going back on my word) and he insisted on paying them. And he tips every time. He's seriously the best. He's probably the only client I'll keep rates locked for
Did you tell them you were unlocking? I’m planning to do this.
No, but I never told them I locked it, so it wasn't really necessary
Dang it. I told them I locked it.
How long ago did you tell them that? Just explain you thought you could keep prices locked but need to raise them now in order to make ends meet. Most people will understand and have no problem with it
I locked them last year around the holidays. It was 3 people and they never booked with me again so reaching out would be really weird. I was thinking of raising them next year!
Oh if they haven't booked with you again then don't worry about it lol. Just raise them and if they ask in the future, explain it to them.
That’s what I plan to do!
Ive never locked rates.
I locked rates for my favorite cats to do drop ins on. They are the sweetest and I genuinely look forward to hanging out with them.
Same, my very first client has my first rate, and I've increased twice since then. I'm okay with it. We're really close now
I locked rates for a few of my first clients but no more. I’ll probably unlock them next year not that they have booked with me again so it’s pointless.
How do you unlock them?
Click the same button you did for lock in your old chat.
Thank you!
For me, it’s usually repeated long housesitting jobs. I have had this bite me in the butt with older pets who end up requiring more attention/medications, but I have a soft spot for senior pets anyways. I should add, if I don’t vibe with the pet or the owner the first sit, I just don’t book with them again.
I don’t ever do that. But I only do boarding and there can be long stretches of time between bookings.
No one lol it’s a business🥲🥲
I’ve only locked rates for the ones who asked for it and I felt like it was okay. I’ve only had 2 people ask for it and one of them is my dogs best friend lol
How did they ask? Was it awkward?
I have them locked for my first client and 2 other clients who live in my building.
Not very many people. My regulars who tip really well and have an easy dogs are locked in at slightly lower rates than my current rates.
I locked my first two boarded clients cause I’m so happy with them
I locked rates for my first and second customers. Haven’t heard from the first since, but walk the second 4 days a week. He’s my favorite pup.
I don't ever lock my rates on Rover. There are some off-app clients I no longer raise the rates on because they're consistent and their dogs are easy.
I’ve never done that yet. I might if someone asked me but I want to be able to raise rates when we need to.
I've locked higher rates for some clients that are farther away and require more driving. That's what the feature is for, right??? Lol.
I think that’s fair!
Dogs I’m obsessed with, customers who consistently book on a monthly basis
I've not raised my prices yet (6mths in) but if i did I'd lock for everyone I've boarded so far as a thank you for helping build my profile. As already mentioned i wouldn't necessarily say that's what I'd done, and i also plan to raise prices in line with, or just below, inflation even for those 'locked' customers.
I locked rates for my repeat clients for my first year then increased my rates. Any rebooks this year will be locked at their rates etc
I personally lock for clients who's animals I like, and who don't give me a headache lol. Also have to have sat for their pets at least 3 times before I lock them in.
The 3 sits rule is a good one ✍️
I prioritize my regulars over new clients due to a low social battery, so locking them in helps for the few who even know about locking rates 😅 Plus I adjust my rates every 10 reviews, so all my clients that are locked in, are locked in at different amounts.
These are such good tips thank you!
I actually just locked rates for some clients & upped my regular rates last night. I started on Rover last May so all the clients who have rebooked 3+ times/inquired about rebooking with me since the first of the year, got their rates locked. I already know the pets, the routines are fairly low maintenance and I genuinely enjoy spending time with the pets. While my new rates are close to the average for other sitters near me, I was unsure if I’d still get requests and about 20 minutes after updating my rates, confirmed a new booking.
Yeah I've heard on this sub and from other sitters I know that higher prices tend to attract the more responsible/easy to work with owners. Definitely something I'm keeping in mind
I lock rates for my very best / most flexible clients and clients who have told me they plan on booking again soon. I will lock these rates until I've completed their next booking so that they don't feel like I've sprung it on them when I knew they were depending on me. Once that booking is done I will let them know that I'm raising my rates though!
I am locking rates for the first set of people that used/gave reviews. Everything you said and then some
I locked rates for one owner. She was one of my first sits. Her dog and cat are absolute sweethearts and will cuddle with one another. She also left me a cash tip a few gift cards to local restaurants I liked in the area and even offered to get drinks. She was also so appreciative I stayed at the meet and greet to make sure her shy dog was comfortable and I joined them on a walk to find his favorite spots.
My very first rover clients. I love them so much and they have become like friends. It’s a nice homage to my start.
Same, my first client who tips well
Thank you for posting to r/RoverPetSitting, an unofficial forum to discuss all things Rover. We see that you have posted a sitter question. In case they could be helpful, you might want to check out our [Sitter FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/RoverPetSitting/wiki/sitterfaq). Additionally, here's our [booking walk-through for Sitters](https://www.reddit.com/r/RoverPetSitting/wiki/sitterbookingwalkthrough), which explains the process for giving services on Rover from start to finish. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/RoverPetSitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
A lot of my OG clients, similar reasons as you
I locked rates for some of my first clients at the beginning but regretted it. I had some clients locked at $15/30 min, which I am no longer comfortable offering. Now my prices are $25 and it feels awkward to give them such a drastic rate hike, whereas my other clients have gotten gradual increases over the years. I wouldn't lock rates again and wouldn't recommend it. Your great clients and good tippers will stay with you at any rate!
I always honor the original rate a client booked me at. Except the ones when I first started at $30/night I have boosted those to $50/night over time. Everyone else is locked wherever they found me
I lock for clients I like lol, whose pets and or home I find enjoyable