Advice on sitters who let me down

[Edith]

Appreciate the update. It sounds like that was a good outcome.

[fledermaus]

@Ckone2541

“My home is a little older and might have a little dust here and there and the occasional small little spider. However, the home is clean and prepared for you to the best of my ability.” That way people know that your home has a little character.

Yeah. Um. As an arachnophobe (bring on the cockroaches, snakes, rats… Just spare me the large house spiders!) I would read that as “I’ve done my best, but frankly the place is Shelob Central.”

[Cairokid]

Good, that would be what was intended - to put off anyone who is arachnophobic. Most older houses in the countryside in England have house spiders in the autumn & winter. They don’t bother me; spiders are actually quite beneficial as they eat the bugs you don’t want in your house. I get rid of old cobwebs but I don’t go around killing spiders, although I’ll put some outside in my shed if there are too many.

[Bluehorse]

I’d find it strange indeed to specifically mention the ‘odd little spider’ in a listing, because I grew up in the Netherlands and pretty much every house will have a spider every once in a while. I now live in an apartment, 1 floor up, but still had a few this summer… as in: this is ‘business as usual’

[ASASG]

Most things in life require a learning curve, while some people are naturally considerate, thoughtful, caring - many have to learn through life lessons the value of being respectful of others.

[Treeandcathugger]

I have read through your questions, comments and replies to others’ comments. No one would want to stay in a truly unhygienic home, but it kind of made me sad to see you question your judgment (“Could I really have left the house in poorer condition than I thought?”) and run out to get a more powerful vacuum cleaner. I love being a pet sitter and never expect every inch of the homeowner’s house to be immaculate. It’s hard enough to get off on a trip and prepare a bed for the sitter, make room for their belongings, and make sure all the instructions are thorough and clear. I don’t think any of the (ball park) 40-50 homes I’ve stayed in as a paid pet/house sitter and as a THS sitter has been professionally cleaned beforehand, or if they have there are areas that do have some dust and clutter.

Again, this is supposed to be an equal exchange, and those sitters you unfortunately had should have stayed at a high-end hotel if they expected no dust or spiders. I guess my point is please don’t get too self-conscious from now on about your house not being perfectly immaculate. That’s just not necessary and like you said, in order to avoid another bad situation it might be best to screen applicants for severe dust allergies or sensitivities to any chemicals, etc. One idea would be to ask prospective sitters what the most important aspects of staying in another’s home are. If they emphatically say they’d be horrified if there were dust bunnies under furniture or any spiders, you’ll know to decline them because that’s just life in any house! I myself am drawn to homes that have charm and are lived in, though reasonably clean - not showcases as if they’re staged to go on the market tomorrow.

Best of luck with wherever this journey takes you. You, your dog and your home all sound wonderful

[Lilywize]

You had my sympathy until I read this response.

@Cairokid

I regard this as a mutually beneficial transaction. I am providing completely free accommodation to the sitters. The area I live in is expensive. It would cost someone coming to this area far more for a week in a hotel or B&B than it would cost me to pay for pet boarding, so I think any sitters are getting a good deal. My dog is a sweetie and has very few needs - only daily walks, some company, and food.

It sounds like you think you are doing them a favor.
You are understating the responsibility of caring for your beloved dog. “Very few needs - only …walks, some company, and food.” Not quite. They are responsible for another being’s life. That’s a significant commitment.
It’s not completely free, it’s a barter.

You also wrote:

@Cairokid

It would cost someone coming to this area far more for a week in a hotel or B&B than it would cost me to pay for pet boarding.

That perspective doesn’t fully capture the value of the arrangement. The fact is that you chose not to board your pet. What you gain is far more than cost savings. Instead of a pet being caged for 23 hours a day and taken out to do his business three times, or maybe even to play for an hour or two a day, you get someone who provides attentive, personalized care. Your dog stays in a familiar environment they know and love.

For context, when I do paid overnight sittings, I charge $70 a day. The paying customers are typically just grateful that their pet is in good hands. They understand the value of personalized, in-home care. They don’t see it as a burden to accommodate the pet sitter—offering a drawer and a shelf for a week or two is a small courtesy.

In contrast, while most of my THS experiences were wonderful, I have encountered an HO or two who gave off an entitled and ungrateful vibe.

You are not expected to clear ALL your drawers and cabinets, but you should try to make the sitters feel at home.

I did sittings through THS full time for over 6 months. I want to be able to unpack my suitcase if I am anywhere for more than a weekend. I also expect to have a bit of space in the fridge for my food, and in the freezer for my ice cream (I always get ice cream…), and have at least some basic kitchen staples and cookware. I get groceries and cook for myself while on sittings since it’s expensive to eat out every day.

So yes, THS provides a mutually beneficial transaction; please realize that you get at least as much as you give.

[temba]

Hi @Lilywize it might be good if you read posts #53 and #54 from the OP and subsequent posts from her as she did lodge a dispute and was successful and received lots of support from members. She has also acknowledged where improvements could be made and done something already about them.