I dont get it, why does the OP need to comment?
The options:
“Thanks for the tips”.
“Feels painful to hear these things”
“I disagree so whatever”.
None of these responses brings anything to the conversation.
Even if the host takes the suggestions into their heart, they are still a lot to unpack, a lot of anxiety available. Why are we asking them to do that emotional labour publicly? I simply do not understand.
Offer feedback as a gift with no expectations.
I have to agree with some of the comments about your listing being too wordy, I speed read some of it. It’s just a weekend sit, you don’t need to put all this information in. For example, if the sitter is a cat lover they will automatically play with the kittens, they don’t need to be told to do that. I’m sure your kittens will survive a weekend without a regimented routine. Good luck with the listing.
Your picture of the garden sitting area actually made me shudder (hard). I went no further.
It’s certainly a nice point of view but it’s also quite natural, when someone starts a conversation, to expect some kind of interaction from the person starting that conversation.
The OP made a very precise question and encouraged honest opinions, which is what most posts address.
^ I still dont understand what is expected. Thankfulness? Denial? Reasoning?
The host did invite all opinions - maybe foolishly. But they did not promise to respond to anything.
The sitter has responded to the review.
Yes, probably a good response, too.
Post edited
Thank you that’s enormously helpful. The kittens were terribly stressed and hungry when I got home and honestly I think they hadn’t been played with at all. However I need to screen for experience and you’re right, I will remove everything you’ve suggested. Appreciate you taking the time to review.
Yes thanks for that. What benefits would you like to see? I’ve listed that this is a great place for walks, off road cycling, lighting a fire and reading. Do you want more like that or more to do with the kittens?
No, it wasn’t adjustment period. It was more basic stuff like saying they knew how to set up the automatic feeder (I showed them anyway) and then coming home to an automatic feeder that wasn’t set up, empty dry and wet food bowls and very hungry, very stressed kittens. I spefically said the two most important things here is to feed them and play with them. I honestly couldn’t give 5 stars when I’ve had excellent 5 star sitters in the past.
I detailed it all clearly in a private message through TH to the sitter. Honestly I didn’t want to screw things up for this person’s future sits. Are you saying I should have said I came home to kittens who had empty food bowls (wet and dry), an automatic feeder that wasn’t set up and they were very hungry and very stressed? Should I really have put that on the review?
Been working and looking after grandchildren. Will update tonight.
So I really should have put that all food bowls were completely empty and the kittens were very hungry and very stressed when I got home. I really should have put that? There is no reason for two dry food bowls to be empty and whilst the wet food bowls would get empty, if the automatic feeder was set up properly (“oh I know how to do that”) then they would not have been left without food. On that basis alone, it wasn’t a good experience for them.
Thanks for getting back. It’s always nice to hear back from OPs.
There’s nothing you can do now about the review. You can write a response to their review but it might be a bit awkward because their review for you is 5*.
In future, you may want to consider the impact your review will have on you, too. I don’t think explaining why you rated them lower would have more negative impact on the sitter but it may impact you because you are very vague about it and prospective sitters may think you are too nit-picky when, after your explanation, it’s clear you are not.
Yes, you absolutely should have included that. Facts help other hosts and sitters make informed choices. Vagueness can actually backfire on you, because then potential sitters and hosts will think you unfairly dinged the sitter and many will avoid such hosts/sits. And other hosts might select that sitter.
If you still have the opportunity to respond to the sitter’s review, I’d suggest you do that factually.
I didn’t want to make it difficult for her for future sits, she is probably great with adult dogs for example. I’m currently chatting with the platform to see what I can do
Not feeding enough is not good for any dogs, at any age. I don’t follow your rationale.
>Enough< should be determined at the outset or in the welcome guide, and should be followed by any sitters.
Yes! It’s in your interests to be transparent…otherwise it looks like you’re being petty… when you weren’t, apparently. Respond with the facts and ask someone to proof read
It so you won’t have the same patronizing tone which is so off putting! Good luck and thanks for clarifying. It’s tricky! And you’re being a good sport here in the forum
Pit!
I put the details in the guide I printed out. It’s similar to the welcome guide but has more detail about where the shops are, food to give etc. And we did a walk through. I was trying to be fair to her. Looks like it back fired
The wording and tone of your review is very nice, the problem is there’s no factual information to match the star rating and now that the sitter has given a factual non emotional response, sitters who don’t read the forum will be afraid to apply and risk a bad review for reasons unknown to them.
Thanks for responding @Joandacat and clarifying what were the actual issues. I’m sure you have now realised that explaining why you docked stars is important for both the sitter and yourself. I hope you have better success with future sitters.