Urban Out Sitters

12/03/08

Unprofessional, Disorganized, Terrible Customer Service

by shadow24 at Citysearch

We've had problems with Urban Out Sitters ever since we handed our keys over to them a few months ago. First, we would have a different walker every few days. Sometimes our puppy wouldn't receive his food because the new walker of the day didn't know he/she was supposed to feed him. Then one day, we came home to find our puppy running loose around the house because the walker failed to close his crate door properly. We were tempted to cancel our services, but decided to give them another chance. But that was pointless as they continued to find other ways to mess up.

With most companies, it's very simple -- they provide a service and you pay for that service. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way at Urban. If you like to pay by credit/debit card, forget about it, because they don't let you set up a payment date. At UOS, they charge your card whenever they feel like it.

And if you think you can bypass this by paying by check, don't bother, because they won't cash those either. We've waited over 3 weeks for checks to be cashed. And even then, they will still use your credit card number if they notice an "error in billing" without even notifying you about it. Your notice is seeing the charge appear in your credit card/bank statement. Even their bills never properly indicate the services you set up, and when you set up your walks, you may or may not receive an email notification of it.

But most importantly, please do not contact them to complain, because the owner will explain to you how it is your fault because they don't usually have to deal with checks. And if their system randomly reviews payments from three months ago and decides it undercharged you, they have no control over the "system."

Please, do yourself a favor a go to one of the dozens of dog-walking establishments that actually take care of their clients - both canine and human.

• Pros: In the neighborhood
• Cons: Lack of customer service, unprofessional, discourteous

10/21/09

Big hassle--worst customer service ever

by ivagrey at Citysearch

Aside from the walkers themselves, everything about Urban Outsitters is horrible. Because you prepay for your service and UO staff is extremely incompetent (partly due to high turnover), be prepared to be on the phone with them once a week or more trying to get your invoices straightened out. I don't think I ever spoke to the same person twice. They overcharged me almost every month and would take weeks to refund my card.

When I finally canceled my service, they charged me for another month anyway, even though no one was coming to my house! It took me several weeks just to get them to give me my keys back. Sixty days and a dozen phone calls later, I am still out $100.

Originally, I went with UO because I thought it would be easy. What a mistake! I am now using Supreme Pet Care and I can't believe the difference. Best of all, I'm done dealing with the carousel of incompetents at UO (once I get my $100 back, that is). Do yourself and your pets a favor: Go somewhere else!

• Pros: Walkers friendly
• Cons: Unreliable, overcharge your credit card every month

06/02/08

I boarded my dog.

by jacobsrocks2008 at Citysearch

The owner is sweet. I have been going for the past few months. Love the facility and the staff. There is no other that can comparison.

• Pros: Open Late
• Cons: Haven't had an issue.

05/27/08

Urban Out Sitters Best Doggy Sitters Around!

by cubphan2311 at Citysearch

My little guy has been a guest of Urban for over a year now. He goes to daycare (school, as we call it) 2 to 3 days a week. He knows when we are a few blocks away and gets very excited to walk in the door. The staff love him and the care shows.

Every time I pick him up he is smiling ffrom ear to ear. It is a tremendous help having a place open until 9.

I've seen nothing but great care and I'm one of the lucky mom's who has seen "behind the scenes". It is clean and well cared for by the staff.

01/14/08

Thanks again for the professional services!

by kohsa2008 at Citysearch

Thanks for all of your help. The place looks great, and the cats seem totally unfased that we were gone. We will definitely be using your services whenever we go out of town, and I have recommended you guys to all my cat/dog people!

• Pros: Pofessional Services
• Cons: None

01/01/08

Recommend anyone to use services.

by norajohnking at Citysearch

I am very happy in the service my dog received while at Urban Out Sitters.

I was told that someone was in supervising the dogs at all times.

95% of the time that I or my daughter accessed the webcam there

was someone in the room with the dogs.

The female that worked there during the day came in and cleaned up the area. She would sit or play with the dogs.

The male that was in there, was in more often, but one

time he pulled in a chair in range of the camera and it appeared he was

watching because he would pet the dogs when they came up to him.

I believe your services were fantastic, and loved that I could watch my dog while away on vacation. I will use them again and

I or John will recommend anyone to use your services.

Thank you,

Nora and John

• Pros: all hours supervsion

12/27/07

Alarm resolution and Overseas

by hannahknockers at Citysearch

We have never had any problems with the alarm but we haven?t really used it that much either. Our sitter had an issue on the first visit but gave us a call straight away to resolve the problem. Also while we were away in Iceland our sitter had the option to call us using the country code, and then the number , but used Skype which is much cheaper. We were glad to hear our babies are doing well and that you?re all getting along. The smaller one is Hanna, the mother, and the bigger is her son Knockers. Thank you for the e-mails and all your good work.

• Pros: Problem solving, Communication overseas

12/21/07

A first time and single dog owner.

by mojocearn at Citysearch

Thank you for all you do for Mojo and for all other dogs at Urban Outsitters. My dog is well socialized , friendly, and your organization is the main reason for that. As a first time and single dog owner, it has been so helpful to have a service like yours to keep Mojo safe and well cared for. I appreciate all that you do. Your staff treks through all forms of weather and a set of stairs to pick Mojo up and drop him off. It does not go unnoticed. Thank you.

• Pros: Well socialized, friendly and organized.

12/19/07

Leaving your pets here..TERRIFIC!

by niic76 at Citysearch

I?ve been speaking to the staff over the past 2 weeks and received many calls back. They will allow you to view daily daycare and the back with use of monitors and web cams. Although they will not allow you in to the playgroup because it would cause craziness amongst the group. A friend of mine worked there a year ago and was simply moving away and sadly had to leave. The owner cares a lot about the dogs and their care and it always on the staff to contribute communication and give lots of attention to the dogs and cats. She was overjoyed when I told her I was bringing my bichon there. They have a great reputation. Bring your business. Your dog will be happy there!

• Pros: It's pretty, positive attitudes, and very reasonable pricing.
• Cons: Bad parking

12/19/07

PLEASE SEND YOUR DOG HERE!

by doglover0123456789 at Citysearch

I am writing this review of Urban Out Sitters (UOS) because I strongly believe that it is in your dog(s)? best interest to utilize their services. I have never written an online review of anything before but I am doing so now in the hopes that I can help others try the positive experiences I had with UOS. I utilized UOS for 1 month for dog walking and also boarded her there once for 4 days. Of all of the companies I considered, the UOS website was the most comprehensive, information and impressive. Based on their website, UOS appeared to be a reputable and well run business. Please do believe everything you read on their website as many of the things they state are simply TRUE. I found these statements to be completely consistent with my experience as follows: (1) 30 minute dog visit ? My dog walker told me that she her dog walks are 20-25 minutes, which the rest of the time is spent leaving fresh water and a note. (2) Cage free boarding in which I left my dog at UOS for 4 days. I was excited about the cage free boarding concept and had the expectation that my dog would be safe and happy under their care. I DO BOARD MY DOG HERE. But I must add that when my dog does get stressed when I board her at any length of anytime. When I picked up my dog, she had liquid stools (seriously, LIQUID), and still had an ear infection. To my gratification they told me about her liquid stools and ongoing infection. I encourage you to obtain services from UOS. They engage with the customer as to GO OUT OF THEIR WAY and are concerned about the care your dog!

• Pros: GRATIFICATION, GO OUT OF THEIR WAY
• Cons: none