Hi everyone,
I have read archive posts on this topic but I’d really appreciate your thoughts.
This is my 12th sit. It has been bliss and then it wasn’t. I broke a crystal vase while cleaning.
I have managed to find an almost identical one on ebay and it arrived today.
What should I say to the HO in my next daily update - they arrive back soon.
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Send a photo of the new one next to the broken one- ie bad news early is always the best policy. Write an apology card acknowledging it might be a sentimental case but you’ve done your best to replace it, and leave flowers in the new vase…..
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@walkies25
Own up & apologise . Accidents happen . You’ve done your best to fix the problem .
Any reasonable host will be happy that you have been honest and also found a solution by replacing the vase .( No need to mention it’s from eBay )
The bunch of flowers that @BonnyinBrighton has suggested is a nice extra touch .
We have done similar when we accidentally broke a drinking glass . It was part of a set and I found the exact set on eBay .
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@walkies25 We feel your pain, we broke a vase on our very first sit!
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I would be honest and tell the owners when they get back and not in an update. Hopefully they’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness and that accidents happen.
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This precise situation has happened to me more than once, unfortunately.
Typically what I’ve done is text the hosts when the accident happened, told them I will order a replacement, and show them a picture of the proposed replacement to ask if it is suitable. Only once did the homeowner say “Yes, that’s perfect, thank you for replacing it”. The rest of the times they just said, “Oh, don’t worry about it, accidents happen; no need to replace”.
As a homeowner myself, I once had a cat sitter who broke a large clock in my living room. She wrote me, distraught, in part because she was unable to find a replacement. I was SO happy. I hated that clock but had been given it as a gift from my sister. I was thrilled to have a good reason to be rid of it.
I do love the idea of flowers in the new vase that @BonnyinBrighton proposed.
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Thanks everyone. Your replies are very supportive. I feel terrible.
I won’t see the owners - I’m leaving before they return.
I’ve bought flowers.
Do I send HOs photos of the broken vase alongside the new one with flowers in it?
Or do i tell them in an update that I’ve broken their vase & replaced it?
Do I dispose of the broken vase or leave for the HOs ?
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I think I would tell them in an update, so they don’t find out on arrival. Personally I think I would collect the old one in a bag, a box or something and put it at the top of the bin when leaving. That way it won’t remind them being on the counter, but they would be able to find it if needed.
Great ideas from @BonnyinBrighton .
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I had the same situation in my case it was the homeowner mothers. And she is no longer with us. I looked all over ebay and another place called replacements.com .i told her the next day and she was ok with it and really appreciated that i would actually look up to replace it for her. I did ask where she got it from 1st. But tell them soon as you can offer to buy them a new one if they know where they bought it
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HO here - I shudder every time I see advice to wait with information until the sit ends. I want to know as things happen. Maybe I can help. Maybe it’s not a big deal and you don’t have to spend the rest of your time worrying about it!
I do think OP has gone the extra step to find an exact replacement - very nice of you. I’d let the HOs know, and maybe I’d wait to dispose of the original until I heard back, but unless they say they want the pieces, I’d dispose of it for them. Only send photos if they think, of that’s an easy repair.
@walkies25 you sound like a very conscientious sitter. I hope they understand this was just an accident and have grace about it, and the efforts you’ve made, so the end of your sit can be relaxed.
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Hi @walkies25 sitters here!
@Belluca, we actually follow the same philosophy (in life): We want to know as things happen, to receive information clearly and to communicate as well.
When pet sitting, with one small exception that might add a different perspective to @walkies25
We usually apply this approach mainly when it comes to urgent matters, questions about the pets, or anything that affects the integrity of the home.
For example, if a glass breaks or a towel hook falls off, or a lovely dog destroys a cork coaster while playing 
(current sit) whether it’s our fault or the pets being mischievous, we note it down and usually share it with the Pet Parents when they return and everything went smoothly. We believe this way we don’t disturb them during their vacation or trip with minor incidents.
A concrete example: once I accidentally hit a lamp while moving all the furniture in a room to access a wall that was having serious humidity issues, caused by an old pipe leak in a shared wall.
We informed the Pet Parents about the humidity issue and asked them what they wanted us to do about the leaking pipe.
As for the lamp (even though we tried and failed to find a matching one on Amazon 
), we told them when they got back, and they actually laughed about it, understanding that it happened while we were trying to fix a bigger issue.
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I once ruined a sauce pan (plastic handle, gas stove). Searched everywhere, then left $20, explaining I couldn’t find it. I think it is good to just offer replacement money. It could have been a gift that had sentimental value or from Tiffany’s and worth way too much money. So your replacement doesn’t cut it. It is hard to assess. People are all different.
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I understand your logic, and I think the perfect approach depends on individual preferences.
As A HO I find it very annoying to arrive home to find out things that’ve been broken or damaged during the sit.
I always encourage sitters to inform us right away, even about minor things. It’s much nicer to arrive home without any unpleasant surprises, no matter how small.
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how would you feel if someone got a replacement crystal vase? Not knowing the real brand of vase, the sentimental value etc? And why wasn’t the vase put away?
Have done all of that - thanks again. 
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First off, accidents happen to us all. It sucks and it is human.
Own it, apologise (without excuses) and let the HO’s know now.
An “almost identical” one is iffy , though. Personally , rather than purchasing a new one , I would have asked the HO’s first about the ebay find to be sure that it works for them. It may not be close enough for them.
Not to scare you but their vase may be much more (or less) valuable than the one you’ve found.
They may prefer that you not purchase a replacement. I would leave this decision up to them (even though your intentions are good).
In addition, I would not dispose of the old vase. Again, leave that up to them as you never know the history or sentimental value and the remnants may be important to them.
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Should have mentioned this to HO and not looked for replacement. It could even have been vase they have been hoping would get broken since the got it gifted to them 
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UPDATE
The HO was gracious, lovely & funny - appreciated the replacement - ‘better than the old one’ and I’m returning for a repeat sit later in the year.
Thank you all. I cannot express how utterly relieved I was and am about it.
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Hi @walkies25
What a lovely outcome - it must have been nerve wracking waiting to see how they’d respond! I’m so glad that they were gracious.
Sounds like things must have gone very well, other than the accident with the vase. Well done!
Also, thanks to everyone who popped on with support and advice, there’s some really great advice in this thread.
Jenny
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Thanks for the update @walkies25, I’m really glad to hear that everything turned out much better than expected.
It’s funny how our minds can sometimes play tricks on us over simple things, especially when we’re actually handling much more important responsibilities, like taking care of someone’s home or furry loved ones. Sometimes, just a chat with someone in a kind and understanding conversation can really help ground us and remind us that everything is, and will be, okay.
This is a great example of the power of community and the positive impact of using the forum in the right way.
Success! 
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