That’s exactly right. On only our second sit we got stuck with a bad sitter because (in my opinion) prior hosts left dishonest positive reviews, I resent them and I have no faith in the system and have no interest in “helping” other hosts by leaving a negative review when deserved which may reflect poorly on me and may not even be taken seriously when it’s my measly 2 review history versus a multiple 5 star sitter.
When I wrote “a negative review is not good for a host or a sitter” it was in context. It’s not good for the host or sitter who receives it, in that it damages their credibility and decreases potential future sits or applicants, and accomplishes nothing that cannot be done in a personal communication to point out the perceived transgressions.
Yes, other members may benefit from a negative review if it’s accurate and they accept it as being truthful and thus avoid a bat sit or sitter, but again, many if not most members refrain from leaving a negative review for fear of retaliation or they don’t want to be the bad guy, or appear unreasonable to future potential sitters/hosts.
IMO a «transparent» review doesn’t necessarily equal a «negative» review:
Transparent review: “The petsitter followed the schedule of the pet, but arrived later than agreed.”
Negative review: “This petsitter was unreliable and I would never use them again.”
As I’ve mentioned in another post, I even got praise from a couple of hosts for what I said in my «transparent» reviews - although the issues I described could well be perveiced «negative» if worded differently, it was perceived by the hosts as though I understood the needs of the pets. Which I think I did. I did write my review well knowing that some would pass on applying. But that is not a problem. That is an advantage for both sitter and host.
I’ve sat in homes that were «homely» more than immaculate. That is not a problem if you know. A dog peeing indoor is not a problem if you know. A needy host is not a problem if you know. It is only a problem if you don’t know and walk into it blind - being a host or a sitter.
If I know about issues I might pass on applying. That is not a problem, because if I didn’t know I would be very dissatisfied, I might walk out or I might raise a member dispute or I might write a bad review. Better be open to begin with. You get the right applicants.
If I know about issues I might also apply regardless. Because I think I can handle it, because I can find solutions and/ or discuss boundaries (for instance the needy host: «I am able to send you updates once a day, usually in the afternoon. I will answer mail at that time of day».) Then both parties can decide if it is right.
I personally prefer partners that manage to be balanced, and balanced and transparent reviews shows me that the partner care about the community and want everybody to get the good matches. That bodes well for a sit. But again - «transparent» is something else than «negative».
I posted a concern about the overall presence of 5 star reviews on this site. I also did a long review of postings under “anywhere”, just to see if my impression was wrong. It was not wrong. Every listing I reviewed was a five star.
My husband and I are experienced sitters now. From past sits; especially since our beloved boxer died, reviews are being way too kind. The sit we just left was listed as five star from every previous sitter. The pets, family and location were wonderful but the house was absolutely filthy. As my British husband says, “It was minging!”
We have one more sit we have booked. I’ve already put my membership on hold until I figure out a way ahead with this little blip.
Bottom line, if listings aren’t accurate, it undermines the purpose of the evaluation system.
You’re assuming that an undeserved 5 star review was done out of kindness.
I suspect that 5 star reviews are left by members who don’t want the retaliatory backlash, or to appear to be the bad guys, which will result in them getting less sits/sitters because it will reflect poorly on them, rather than the 5 star member whose reputation they tarnished.
Policies won’t deter unwanted behavior if there are no consequences.
Sometimes change happens through many hands taking lots of small actions. It takes time; turning a ship isn’t easy. But I’ve personally seen it happen.
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