AIBU to expect this from the dog walker?

[KallyBox]

DH and I adopted an older dog last summer, and immediately sorted a dog walker to visit him three times a week when we are at work.

I work from home one day a week but the day alternates between two - so therefore I booked the dog walker to come on the three days that I am never at home, and arranged for a relative to visit and keep the dog company on the alternating day. This has never been a problem with the dog walker.

However, the dog walkers business is now booming and I've just received an email to say that now they are getting busier, then cannot commit to fixed days any more and will basically email every Saturday night to confirm what days and times they can walk the dog in the upcoming week.

AIBU to expect that they should be able to provide a fixed session? I don't mind what time they come, as long as they have a fixed day. They could now turn around on Saturday and say they can offer sessions on 2 days when I'm at work and one day when I'm at home, which just doesn't work for us. It just seems like shitty customer service to mess around existing customers to make way for new customers.

I could really do without a bashing to say that we shouldn't have got a dog if we can't look after it - the dog is only left for 6 hours between DH leaving for work and me getting back, and someone is with him for an hour inbetween that time (either the dog walker or my relative) and we rehomed the dog so that he didn't end up in a shelter. My elderly neighbour also has a key and comes round most days to keep him company for a bit at her own choice, but we can't and don't rely on that. The obvious solution is to find a different dog walker but all the others in the area cost 4 times as much as ours does, which is why we made sure we booked the dog walker before we committed to taking on the dog!

[Goingtobeawesome]

It's similar to insurance companies offering reduced rates for new people but not sharing the deal with loyal customers.

I'd leave her to be honest. She's showing no loyalty to you.

[burdog]

My dog walker builds her business around people who book her regularly, not the other way around.

[superfluffyanimal]

I would email them and say that you need to know that your Dog will be attended on those 3 days so their service is no longer viable and can they recommend you another dog walker.

I suspect that they will realise how foolish they are being and change their stance.

[SafeToCross]

It sounds like she does not want to walk your dog any more. Has she maybe increased her rates for others and feeling like she can't for you, as existing customers?

[Seeingadistance]

How bizarre! Who wants a dog walker who can't commit to the days required?

She's going to find herself with no customers with this approach!

[Ceto]

YANBU. I guess this is one way to resolve her oversubscription problem at a stroke, as she will find a number of her customers going elsewhere. If she had any sense, she'd take on someone else to help her.

I don't even see how this helps her with her problem of being too busy. Surely it would be much easier for her to map out a regular timetable that happens each week, rather than to have to spend time doing a new one every week?

I guess all you can do is to explain to her that that just doesn't work for you and unless she can commit to definite days you will have to look elsewhere.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I think she is trying to cull her list of part time clients to make way for customers wanting her daily.
Let's be honest, not many people will be agreeable to an ad hoc system.

It's odd. The solution to her problem is to employ more walking staff.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Sorry ceto , I've just realised I reiterated what you just said

[Mummyoflittledragon]

What a bizarre way of running a business. I'd definitely be looking for another dog walker.

[NoSquirrels]

Crazy. Surely the vast majority of people who want their dogs walking want them walk d on the fixed days that they work?

Sounds to me as if she's signed up with some sort of agency that will push work her way and charges more, hence not knowing exactly what she's doing week to week.

[AntiopeofThemyscira]

If you're in London, send me a PM. I am a dog walker and will walk your dog whatever day and time you ask me to as I do all my other clients . Ridiculous to do otherwise

[StillSmallVoice]

Might this be an option?

www.borrowmydoggy.com/

[Iamthinking]

I am a borrower on borrow my doggy, and I love it. Where I am, it seems to be more of a owners market.

[pilates]

Yes, sounds like you to need to look for a new dog walker. I would have thought she would prioritise existing clients over new.

[Kidssendingmenuts]

I'm a dog walker and that's pretty poor service to be honest. It sounds like because they have taken on more clients they don't have enough time in the day for the people who just want 3 days rather than 5 day, also you were there before they started to get busy so are trying to shove you to one side.
Personally I think you need to find another dog walker who can fit your needs and keep to small groups of 5 (especially if they are elderly)
If they can't manage the bookings they already have on their books they shouldn't be taking on more clients.
Hope you find the right dog walker for you xx

[user1489675144]

YANBU

The dog walker provides a service you pay for - it is not good customer service to expect the customer to fit around them...get another dog walker

[MrsNuckyThompson]

I would call her up and give her the feedback. If you're planning to change to someone else at least spell out to her that she's about to lose a regular and why. It might make her pause for thought. I'm sure you're not the only one in this position!!

The conversation doesn't have to be heated or finger-pointy. Just giving some customer feedback.

Someone once told me that to give good feedback you have to care about the person you're giving it to. That makes it valuable to them.

[PuppyMonkey]

Just text her to say that system doesn't work for you and if she can't commit to your specified days you'll cancel.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

That is just ridiculous. You are her existing customer.

She can't commit to the extra two days for you because of other customers. In those circumstances she shouldn't be able to allow other customers to have your slots!!


Find a new dogwalker!

[Ceto]

It's really strange that she thinks that this makes any sense at all. It's like a childminder saying that she'll contact her charges' parents once a week to let them know when they're allowed to work that week and leave the children with her. She'd lose her clients immediately because it would be totally unworkable. Either this woman is thick and doesn't understand that, or she wants to ease you out anyway.

[TakeMe2Insanity]

Why would you give up regular work on a fixed time. Normally people give up on ad-hoc work in favour of regular fixed work. Lacks business sense.

[NoFucksImAQueen]

She's a cheeky bitch. When you cancel id make sure to tell her that you hope her business stays booming because she's just blown off a loyal customer who's been with her from the start.
Shocking customer service

[fannydaggerz]

That's terrible service.

I would look for a new dog walker.