04/07/2022
Some clients can make this vocation….shall we say…er… challenging!
The job is not even finished and she’s yelling at me, making unreasonable demands! This sweet dog is rescued from war-torn Ukraine. When the original transporter made a mistake with delivery they could not even work is out because the client had a verbal fight with her and then refused to talk to her further!
I was mediator of a sort. I agreed to pick up the dog, from the foster home she was sent to, on Tuesday night. I said I couldn’t get there until late, it would likely be midnight. The foster mother was agreeable to that. On Tuesday I drove THIRTEEN HOURS through absolute POURING rain! I got there at 2 am! This woman was complaining, saying I had said midnight, so what was going on?!? Oh. My. GAWD!
Then she wanted me to transport the LARGE crate in addition to the dog! This despite my contract stating very clearly that I cannot haul additional items (ESPECIALLY A HUGE PLASTIC CRATE!). So I spent $40 for ratcheting tie-downs, and at 3 AM, IN THE POURING RAIN, I tried to get it attached on top of my van. I finally had to call her back and say I couldn’t get it. She was upset that she was not getting it and said she was now “out” that money as well. She asked what she should do. I told her it was the same size as mine, but in better shape, and asked if she would be interested in selling it to me for $50 (I would take $50 off of the final fee) and I would leave MINE there. I even told her I wouldn’t charge her the $40 I was out getting the tie-downs I had to get just for her. She was agreeable.
So at 4 am, TOTALLY SOAKED, I went looking for a place to sleep.
When she had said I had to pick up on Tuesday night, she also asked me when I could deliver her? I said I would deliver “on Friday”. She was agreeable to that. Over the next couple days, while sending the contract, etc, we discussed that I would be delivering her on Friday. She was glad that she would have her by the weekend. But I do have it stated VERY CLEARLY, in the contract, that the pickup and delivery times given are ESTIMATES; and that “there are no guarantees or promises made as to length of time necessary to complete the transport of your pet”. “The trip could potentially last 14 days…while this is rare.”
When I book a client, I do not discuss any other client pickup and deliveries (outside of that which may be pertinent to THEIR transport). Nor do I discuss any medical conditions or issues I may or may not have, if it does not affect how I care for their pet; or the quality of the care and comfort their pet is given. But I DO try to take all those things (and others) into consideration when planning estimated days and times.
So I am set to deliver A FULL DAY AHEAD of my estimate. When she pushed me last night for the TIME I would deliver tonight (Thursday), I said I was “aiming for 6 pm.” To which she said, “perfect!” However I needed some rest, so when I told her this morning that I would still be delivering tonight, but it would be 9-10 pm instead, instead of being happy that I was still ahead of schedule, she became totally unreasonable! It has only gone DOWNHILL.
Despite being told, both verbally and in writing, not to text or message me when I am driving (not only for my safety and the other drivers on the road, but also for the client’s beloved pets, I do not read or respond while driving. BUT SHE KEPT SENDING MESSAGES, asking where I am, asking when will I get there? Telling me NOT to treat a mattery, red eye the dog has (but also not to take her to a vet!). When I tried to ignore her to drive she became irate. When I took the time to stop and answer putting my delivery another 30-45 minutes later she became irate. When I messaged her with my actual business phone number (listed in Facebook, which I believe is how she located me) she had a total meltdown about “why are there 2 phone numbers?!”
And, of course, she is trying to destroy my reputation, and the reputation of this young business that I’m proud of, with the local people, breeders, etc, where she is (and who knows where else!), because she is only telling them half the story, and even then greatly distorting it!
Not sure of my next steps. I informed her of the dog’s eye within hours of my taking possession of her; keeping the client abreast of every move, potty, p**p, eating, drinking, etc! Still, it is ME who is in the wrong???? I feel I should contact a vet for the eye because it could potentially be something she brought in from Ukraine, and now has exposed my cat and dog to something. Of course, she says she DOES NOT GIVE PERMISSION for me to take her to a vet, and will not pay (even though that is in the contract also).
Now, I’m embarrassed to say, I’m not sure I have enough gas money to get through the night. I don’t charge up front like many transporters. Or even half. The money she paid me at delivery would get me home.
Also, she is affecting the transport of another pet tomorrow! And, of course, she is asking questions of professionals, and non-professionals, but giving them only part of the situation, and a very skewed part! So then she is spouting her new wisdom of why I am wrong, with their ‘backing’, even though those people are unaware they are misinformed.
In a quandary right now.
