Part timer...pet sitting and dog walking.

[Redfeathers]

How about if you start out with a "First three walks" only $5.00 to gain the owners trust, but make it clear after the first three, the regular price of $ ??.?? will apply. Just to get your business started, give them a discounted first time rate so they will realize how much they love having your first rate walking service and they will be willing and happy to pay whatever rate you come up with.

 

[mom'sfolly]

When I'm on vacation, I pay neighborhood kids between $5-$10 a day to feed my cats and chickens and to open and close the coop, they also get to keep the eggs. They have to walk across the street and into my backyard twice a day, total time may 10-15 minutes. I think $5 for dog walking is too cheap also, except for that introductory price thing. Maybe you could do something like for every 10 or 20 walks, they get one free.

 

[mdbucks]

Quote:
I thought about that but I seriously have this huge problem...I HATE working for other people. I just can't do it. Something about someone telling me what to do just drives me insane.

Besides I have to be able to make my own hours. I have my own business to run and shows every month. I have to be able to do this around MY schedule, not someone else's.

If you are gonna do this remember that if I am paying you 10-15 to walk my dog every day or M-W-F you are putting yourself working for me. And if I want my dogs walked 3 times a week, about the 2nd time you say oh I wont be walking this week I have to... I will be calling the people down the street, I will gladly pay the 15 a day, but you have to provide what I pay for everytime I want it. So unless you are gonna be upfront and say I will walk your dog occassionly for.... but when smoething else comes up your dog gets no walk. Which at that point I go ahead and call the reliable walkers from down the street. I guess what I am saying is even if you have the lowest prices if you can not do what the competition is doing you will not get consistent customers.

 

[Southern28Chick]

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I thought about that but I seriously have this huge problem...I HATE working for other people. I just can't do it. Something about someone telling me what to do just drives me insane.

Besides I have to be able to make my own hours. I have my own business to run and shows every month. I have to be able to do this around MY schedule, not someone else's.

If you are gonna do this remember that if I am paying you 10-15 to walk my dog every day or M-W-F you are putting yourself working for me.

NO, you would be my client...not my boss.

And if there is ever a time that I am out of town and can't walk a dog or watch a pet, I would let the person know at least 2 weeks in advance AND I have a mom and a sister that could cover for me if needed.

Where did I say that I wouldn't be trustworthy? I said I want an extra income that doesn't conflict with my other business which means I would work my schedule around the things I know I have to do. Example: If I know I have to walk a couple of dogs between 12-1 then I would make soap after or before those times or wait until the next day. I'm not some jerk who blows people off. In fact I am to nice to other people and I always go out of my way for other people.

I thought I said not to post if you have nothing helpful to say! Don't put words in my mouth.

 

[Wildsky]

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Ah, but those are so similar - you will still be working FOR someone.... it is different than selling something, you'll be selling your TIME and once a person has paid for that TIME they're your boss.... pretty much.
IF someone tells you they only want their dog going round the block clockwise - you CAN say HECK no - but then you can't expect them to still pay you to walk their dog the other way - they'll find someone else, and then yes, they won't be your boss.

 

[Southern28Chick]

If you ask me client and boss are 2 completely different things.

ANYWAY, this thread is not about the difference between a client and a boss. Why do I even bother asking for help or advise.

 

[Wildsky]

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[patandchickens]

Quote:
Uh, the only difference is that you typically have only one boss, as opposed to multiple clients. Which makes it slightly easier to tell a client 'no' than to say it to your one and only paycheck-signing boss.

Otherwise the basic relationship is the same.

What MD is pointing out, and it's a really good point, is that your number and quality of clients will be proportional to your willingness/ability to do what THEY need, EVERY time they need it.

And if there is ever a time that I am out of town and can't walk a dog or watch a pet, I would let the person know at least 2 weeks in advance AND I have a mom and a sister that could cover for me.

Do your mom and sister know about this - lol

As a client I would not be keen on that arrangement - I'd worry about continuity of care and whether all the details would get done right. And quite honestly it is not a very professional sounding type of arrangement, which will not help win you clients either.

OTOH, have you thought of doing only vacation care (not routine daily dogwalking) and other one-offs like trips to groomer etc? That should be much much easier to schedule around the rest of your life, assuming you know show dates well in advance... you just don't take bookings for times you know you're not available.

You should look into what's wise in terms of getting insured and/or bonded though... see what other pet sitters in your region do, etc. Especially when you aren't incorporating something separately as a business, it's smart to do what you can to protect yourself financially (plus, 'insured/bonded' sounds a lot better to potential clients!). People have on occasion lost EVERYTHING, like house and savings and all, if sued for something having gone wrong. And there is a whole lot more potential for that to happen in house- or pet-sitting than in soapmaking...

Good luck,


Pat​

 

[chickflick]

Slow down, Southern. Take a deep breath. You are taking things too personal again. People are just trying to help. Don't get your feathers ruffled just because you don't like what they say. It's just opinions, and you don't have to take them. Thank the nice people for caring and giving their time....

 

[Southern28Chick]