Bur-dee here. Today my puglicist is taking over to speak for Momma and me based on a conversation they had.
You may have noticed that the PSI membership logo is missing on my front page. Yesterday I got an email informing me that I expired and asking to renew my PSI membership or remove the logo. I am choosing to fly free and remove the logo. Why, you may ask as a client. It boils down to return on investment. Am I getting what I am paying for? Are you? They are taking cash but what am I (and you) getting in return?
Insurance? Well, this is an extra cost for the sitter on top of the 130 dollar membership and skyrockets from there. By the time you add on all expenses you have now paid around 600 dollars. Insurance can be purchased far cheaper at other places, so this is one area I would not get a break from a membership. Kamp Ham is insured, and prior blog entries cover bonding....as a solo operator, bonding is not necessary. No one but me enters your home, which is where bonding is needed.
New clients? They do have a nice directory but is it working? One question I always ask is how did you hear of Kamp Ham? Inevitably I hear "other clients" "rescue friends" "Facebook...I want to see what Burd is up to." How many clients did I get through the PSI website? Zero. Zip. Zilch. Unfortunately, it did not pan out, and if you read pet sitter blogs you find similar results.
What about the client? Do associations guarantee the reliability of the pet professionals you hire? As it turns out, no they do not. They do not accredit anyone, or perform checks. It does not show any reliability or credibility of your sitter. All it shows is the business paid the admission fee to be there.
I am not saying these groups have no merit; for a brand new sitter it features a wealth of information to jumpstart your business. There is always plenty to learn and the sites do help with this.
However, as a seasoned professional, I did not see any further value added for me or my clients. Kamp Ham has existed for years and has grown because of word of mouth from repeat clients. It continues to grow because I offer top notch service at a terrific price (check out boarding at the vet and you will see.)
Hope this explains our point of view, and hope to see your kampers around the kamp fire soon!
XOXO,
Paula and Bur-dee
You may have noticed that the PSI membership logo is missing on my front page. Yesterday I got an email informing me that I expired and asking to renew my PSI membership or remove the logo. I am choosing to fly free and remove the logo. Why, you may ask as a client. It boils down to return on investment. Am I getting what I am paying for? Are you? They are taking cash but what am I (and you) getting in return?
Insurance? Well, this is an extra cost for the sitter on top of the 130 dollar membership and skyrockets from there. By the time you add on all expenses you have now paid around 600 dollars. Insurance can be purchased far cheaper at other places, so this is one area I would not get a break from a membership. Kamp Ham is insured, and prior blog entries cover bonding....as a solo operator, bonding is not necessary. No one but me enters your home, which is where bonding is needed.
New clients? They do have a nice directory but is it working? One question I always ask is how did you hear of Kamp Ham? Inevitably I hear "other clients" "rescue friends" "Facebook...I want to see what Burd is up to." How many clients did I get through the PSI website? Zero. Zip. Zilch. Unfortunately, it did not pan out, and if you read pet sitter blogs you find similar results.
What about the client? Do associations guarantee the reliability of the pet professionals you hire? As it turns out, no they do not. They do not accredit anyone, or perform checks. It does not show any reliability or credibility of your sitter. All it shows is the business paid the admission fee to be there.
I am not saying these groups have no merit; for a brand new sitter it features a wealth of information to jumpstart your business. There is always plenty to learn and the sites do help with this.
However, as a seasoned professional, I did not see any further value added for me or my clients. Kamp Ham has existed for years and has grown because of word of mouth from repeat clients. It continues to grow because I offer top notch service at a terrific price (check out boarding at the vet and you will see.)
Hope this explains our point of view, and hope to see your kampers around the kamp fire soon!
XOXO,
Paula and Bur-dee
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