... to not take bookings from this client in future?

[ImJustMadAboutSaffron]

I posted this yesterday but it wasn't read:

I have a small pet sitting business and normally send photographs of the animals to the owners - not every single visit, but several during the course of the pet sitting assignment, but I do message them every day to let them know everything is fine. This always works well. Most don't expect photos or videos and are grateful to see them when they do get them.

One customer has gone away today, fed the animals before they left, and I have been round this evening. It was around 9.30 as I had an evening meeting and had to travel on public transport which is only every half hour after 7pm, and then pick up my car. I'd already had a message asking if everything was OK and replied that yes it was, but I hadn't taken photographs this evening.

I received a message back asking for photographs tomorrow. I've looked after these animals before, and was asked for photos of each of them, possibly if they were eating. When I sent this I was asked for videos. It's very time-consuming and these are shy animals that hide, and I'm going to scare them hunting them down for photo opportunities like paparazzi.

They also have a webcam targeted on the areas the animals go, so they can see they are safe, happy, eating etc, that the food has gone.

Do you think it is anxiety over the pets, or is it that they can't actually believe I've been to feed them if I don't send pictures every single time? I feel unnerved to have it demanded of me. What do you think?

Update today:

I said that I would see them around 5.45. At 7pm I received a text from one of the owners chasing up, asking if everything was OK, and if I had been. I replied when I saw it, about 20 minutes later, that yes it was, and I hadn't replied immediately because I was at a yoga class. I took photographs and sent them on and told them I had also taken the dustbin out for them, and that the animals were fine, eating well and happy.

They come back, asking me to agree on when they can expect to receive an update for the rest of the week, as they would prefer knowing exactly when to check WhatsApp rather than constantly checking.

I asked them if there is a specific time they want me to call (bearing in mind I have a life!)

I received this:

Could you please visit them at 6? On Saturday, could you please come between 12-1 pm? In both cases, can you please send an update and pics straightaway? Thank you. Have a nice evening.

I've decided that I will no longer accept bookings from them. As I will see at least one of the couple professionally, though, my plan is to be on holiday/fully booked up in future - also bearing in mind the possibility of negative reviews.

I feel policed, not trusted, and very anxious. This is not how it should be! I don't have this with other clients, and I'm not having it with these, either.

Am I unreasonable or are they?

I do think this particular client sounds a bit mad though and of course you're entitled not to take them on again!

I wouldn’t reduce the cost for yoga night by the way.

i pet sit for someone and some visits take longer than others, it’s just takes as long as each visit takes, so sort of evens out over the time.

Well no, I did a job for them over the Easter holidays they had no problems with and they gave me a very good public review on my website. The only time I've been "inconsistent" is the first day messaging them late - to be fair they'd not asked for specific times then - and messaging them the next day am hour after the visit so there's no laxity or back story.

I went this lunchtime and never saw the really scaredy cat. The other one allowed me to stroke her and rubbed up against the corner of the wall. She's telling me she thinks I'm a good cat sitter, anyway!

Think Quweenie may have had a point 😂

I know full well she didn't have a point (about what other customers think and are scared to tell me or that my service is substandard). My calendar is rammed up to the end of October with bookings also in December.But cheers for that feedback anyway, that I'm afraid I'm not open to on this occasion, because it's untrue. Hope that's not too rude or defensive. Just honest.

@ImJustMadAboutSaffron

Ignore the PPs who don't have nervous cats, nor Read your first or later posts OP

I wouldn't expect a video or even a photo each visit (what 2-3x a day?!) You'd have to charge me loads extra as my cats hide at least for the first few days I am away. I've gone all week with my NDNs feeding my cats but barely seeing them who know they are eating as the food goes. Luckily the NDN saw cats out in their garden

If I was paying someone I wouldn't want you hunting all around my house and under our beds to scare my cats and video or photo them for ME! I'd want you to do the best for THEM which is leave them food and water, clean up litter etc and stroke & pet them if they come out for "love"

It's different if you are paid to give medication at each visit, as you'd need to charge more if cat tends to hide, however these cats did not.

Glad you dealt with the not demanding half of this cat couple. I'd also be inclined not to take a booking from them again. As a couple they gave you far too much stress for what you were paid to do. Your pay includes travel so you probably only made £5.50 per visit if a few miles to their house as petrol is so much! Depending on time you could have been travelling in car more than half hour in rush hour. That's extra time if Pp aren't realising it's a 20-30 min job usually (although that one time was quicker at 10 mins) what about the time it takes to get there and back.

Blimey.

I would never expect this level of interaction with a pet-sitter. When we used to use one, I didn't expect to hear anything at all unless there was a problem. I didn't ask what time they would visit and I didn't receive or expect any photos or daily updates.

I'm amazed that people expect daily updates, daily photos and a fixed time that you would visit.