Independent dog walker's union (Denver)
Basically this. I am interested in forming a union of independent dog walkers and I was hoping to gauge interest here.
I'm about at my limit with wag as a platform. I've worked for them at various points for over 5 years now. I have 514 walks with a 4.94 average rating.
I eventually found enough clients to work independently of them in the DC area, but after moving to Denver, starting over with wag has reminded me how much I've felt mistreated and taken advantage of.
From the lack of clarity on what you're getting in to when you accept a booking, to the platform representatives deflecting any and all responsibility when something goes wrong, to the limitations on direct communication, to the egregious 60/40 split (in this economy!).
Working alone, I was pleased to deal with none of that, but I had no way of recommending reliable alternatives if I needed time off. Advertising and booking is a challenge to orchestrate in that, while I do have my own website and everyone can do that, it's difficult to direct a large number of people go through one person's page.
I've also hired other walkers, as well as worked for other small dog walking companies. Micromanaging other people can be costly (most of those small companies have their own clunky app) and pulls me away from what I set out to do, which is care for pets.
One can certainly argue that Rover is better, especially the 80/20 split, but it also doesn't so nearly as much to find work for individuals as there are limitless number of walkers and sitters there.
What I have in mind is an organization that requires membership, that sets fair standards for both service and rates, that can serve as a resource for quality walkers (when you need to find help, you have someone reliable to call on), and that has the opportunity to bargain collectively in various contexts (example. Against large companies like wag and rover, but also for things like insurance and advertising).
Again, I am in the Denver area but I would certain be open to a structure that included multiple cities.
Let me know what you folks think and have a great day!
Posted Jan 7, 2022, 8:01 PM UTC
It sounds like you’re wanting to create a network of walker and sitters and charge them a fee to be a part of that network.
With what you have in mind, the sitters/walkers would be paying a fee, but they wouldn’t really be guaranteed anything in return. Which then results in a loss for most of those in the network.
Those of us that do this full time likely have friends or acquaintances that we can refer in the event that we are unable to accommodate a request. I have 3 other sitters/walkers that I will refer in these situations. They use me as well. But we don’t pay each other as it goes both ways.
I agree that Wag’s 40% and Rover’s 20% are ludicrous. But that’s the cost we have to pay to meet these clients. If you had a way to introduce us to clients that didn’t have regular sitters that we could see repetitively, sure. But your idea of paying to network with other sitters isn’t something I’d pay for.
Well yes in general, nearly all unions do have dues for members
But the unions also provide something for their members. That’s the point I’m making. This type of service doesn’t guarantee anything for its members.
In this case, say hypothetically, three walkers each buy their own insurance at $400/yr. It would mean something like getting together and buying insurance effectively in bulk with the aim of bringing down that cost per person, but yeah it wouldn't be free.
I don't mean something that's trying to turn a general profit though.