A Trusted Housesitters Suggestion Box

Does one exist? I certainly would like to see one because I’ve got a couple of ideas :light_bulb: .

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What are your ideas?

I have read threads on this forum that contain ideas proposed by members that moderators have forwarded to the THS platform to consider.

Firstly, I’d like to see TH change the verbiage so that it is consistent, e.g., from ‘homeowner’ to ‘host’ or to “pet parent’ throughout. The word homeowner excludes people who rent.

Second idea: TH should sell some branded merchandise — nothing too fancy — including robes that hosts would buy so that sitters can have them to wear in the sit :lab_coat:.

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Jeez, I can think of lots of improvements, but “consistent verbiage” and merchandise aren’t among them. My #1 priority is for 2 FA so that my account is better protected, it’s on the way, allegedly. So is Christmas and yes I am skeptical.

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THS should sell branded merchandise including robes that hosts would buy for their sitters to wear during the sit?

Why?

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To please the venture capitalists, it’s another revenue stream.

Some of the monies could go to animal care charities which i think would be lovely.

Plus, a TH branded robe would be fun to toddle around in

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THS received a buyout from a private equity firm, not venture capitalists. The business wouldn’t be attractive to VCs.

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@TwoTrustedHousesitters

They used to use Home Owner - HO - and I do realize not all are owners but I think we all know what is meant by it. No one stops to ask “do you own or rent this place”.

Personally I can’t stand “pet parent” - it’s a personal thing but it just sounds so patronizing and childish. I am a human parent of human children. My animals are well loved but I did not give birth to them.

In any case, some house sits do not include pets at all so “pet parent” would also not fit every situation.

I think simply “hosts” is adequate but I still use the old “HO” for home owner.

As for merchandise - I have never heard anyone suggest that - interesting idea but I don’t know that you’d find too many who would be interested in such a thing, IMO. And certainly I would NEVER expect a host to purchase such a thing for a sitter for many reasons such as those traveling by air with very limited suitcase space, sitters who do not use robes (such as my husband and I), knowing someone’s size (I’d be an XXS for example while someone else might be an LX).

I mean, I can see THS selling stuff w their logo on it for fun -a key chain for the hosts keys, for example…but I agree with someone else who mentioned so many other things THS should be taking care of before something like merch

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Whatever, it’s all about the money they can take out.

Really I can’t think of anything worse. What host is going to buy something like for someone that they have never met and may not meet. How would you know the size and most people are travelling so can’t take additional things, plus it’s in poor taste.

As for HO, I’ve been doing this 11 years and I‘ve never heard anyone offended by it, I never use pet parents it’s beyond ridiculous. Host is fine. I’ve made lots of friends with owners and do a lot of repeat sits so we use first names as soon as we have spoken.

I’m booked up a year ahead. Most things that are really needed have been suggested numerous times before but that doesn’t mean they will be considered.

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We always appreciate a robe at a hotel. You don’t apparently. Different strokes. What a concept.

A robe in a hotel is fine because you are leaving it behind. It’s not the same concept at all

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I would not want to wear someone else’s clothes, ever

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I provide clean robes for sitters use, not sure if they ever used them. But I always love a robe and try to provide everything I can think of that a sitter would enjoy. I might buy a branded one if I was in the market, but probably not.

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Our very first sit the host has really thought of everything. Robes and slippers in the bedroom. Hot water bottles, extra blankets you name it. Travelling internationally the robe was a lovely touch and I should get some for my guest room, but improving the search abilities would be much higher on my wish list than merchandise.

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You seem particularly offended by my suggestion. Not sure why so hostile but it’d be lovely if you’d try a bit of positivity.

And you seem to be utterly missing the point of the host and hospitality and the sitter traveling lightly and wanting to be cosy at home.