The bit that’s also odd about all this, is trying to sell it as both “a job” and also “a free vacation”. Which is it as they are poles apart? 
I was also thinking about this. I can just imagine all the new members, signing up and traipsing across borders, carrying that terrible letter and proudly declaring that they are coming to a new country to WORK their new JOB and here’s a letter saying your border policies are irrelevant tra la la la…
oy.
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@Southernsitter If you look at this post from yesterday, you’ll see that the person joining TrustedHousesitters has asked about ‘the fees/compensation for us sitters’. Chances are this new sitter, waiting for their background check to clear, saw this marketing. How many other new sitters will be coming in with this misperception, and how many new owners will think it’s the norm? What a mess. 
And @Carla , here you point out that an owner who is not a new member is now advertising payment to do a sit. Maybe they think it’s the new norm, or a necessity to realistically get a sitter?
Oh how this company has changed in the nine years I’ve been a sitter. My lack of respect for TrustedHousesitters just keeps increasing. The underhanded marketing tricks just keep getting worse. 
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@Snowbird as an ex highly respected moderator, I am really surprised to read this from yourself. Just goes to show, not everything is always as it seems. You are now speaking your truth, honest and from vast experience.
I must add that this is a complimentary statement, not derogatory. Things between different countries and cultures can sometimes be taken out of context. I just meant that everyone, no matter who we are or have been, a person’s position/standing/place in the world, we all have a right to state our own opinions.
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@ziggy Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I do see them in a complimentary light, and I thank you for that.
I will say that I have always spoken truthfully on the forum. If you were to look back at my first posts, before I was a voluntary moderator, I was vocal and critical, but still truthful.
However, when I agreed to take on a moderator role, I switched hats but honesty was always there. However, I was then on the forum in a different role, with different goals and some sense of responsibility. As a moderator, I saw myself as a resource person and an assistant.
I now seem to wear somewhat of a mix of hats, which I don’t find surprising. I try to focus on helping others using my experiences, but not as a moderator. I try to give positive and supportive input. However, I will always speak my mind and voice my opinion, even when it’s not asked for. Just ask any of my friends and they’ll also tell you that. 
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Hahahaha I love your response @Snowbird regards speaking your mind and voicing your opinion I always have done and always will, respect what you write. You have been there on both sides of the fence and not afraid to speak from either side and to me, that’s just great. To give an opinion or voice your mind, without showing disrespect or distress to someone is a skill, and you have that skill 
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While we’re at it, I really don’t like the choice of words in this chapter (from the page linked by @Southernsitter )
“From endless travel opportunities to thousands of cute pets and unique homes to call your own, pet sitting jobs are the best way to explore the world.”
I get the idea, but still it feels off.
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Maybe they are using ChatGPT for their marketing materials now
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Good catch @cat.tails The wording used by THS will definitely create a bit of confusion since “job” typically implies some form of compensation. Referring to it as a “pet sitting opportunity” or “experience” might more accurately reflect the unpaid/volunteer nature of this mutual exchange. It’s important for ads to be clear about the terms and expectations to avoid any misunderstandings. Misleading language can lead to disappointment for users who might join the platform and expect financial compensation. In the US the company may also face litigation for false advertisement.
P.S The image is a stock image from Freepik, not an actual THS user.
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Thank you @Snowbird once again for your balanced and truthful insights. I totally agree with your comments. Keep up the great work.
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Wow. Is anyone else furious about this?
It’s wildly misleading to potential sitters and hosts. It probably contravenes employment law. It sets up an inequal relationship between sitter and host. I have patiently and politely corrected the language of many a home owner, only for THS to do this.
Who might I report it to? Is Trades Descriptions still a thing?
Does a communiuty-minded, equitable alternative exist, and if not, who’s going to start one?
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Verbiage. Great word 
Have just counted the number of uses of “pet sitting job” as a descriptor (read keyword, meta tag, search term) on that very first page. 10!!! It will be all about getting engagement and clicks. Probably advice from the SEO department 
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Would this also be another nail in the coffin if one was trying to convince a diligent boarder guard that house sitting does not equal employment… hopefully it’s not a top result on Google.
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I wonder whether they’ve taken legal advice about use of the word ‘job’? Checking this out to try and find if there are any implications.
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I am pleased that one of the moderators has picked this up to pass back to the marketing team - but really, would no one in that team realise that this type of wording not only goes against the whole concept of THS as a fair exchange (i.e. not a job) but is also disingenuous and quite likely is leading to the type of ‘misunderstandings’ that are becoming increasingly common as evidenced in this column - sitters being treated as paid staff, a mismatch of expectations etc etc. not to mention the border control issues which have been discussed on other threads.
I am hugely disappointed in THS not only for this but also for the lack of transparency and honesty in the way the site is promoted to non-members - far higher numbers of sits in areas show up for non-members (apparently all the ‘potential’ sits whether live or not) and the ridiculous map function. If I type in City of London I don’t want to see sits 50-60 miles /100km outside and whilst I can narrow down the search map why should I have to do this every time?
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Does anyone know the best route to make a formal complaint to THS about this and other issues - perhaps direct to the CEO? Are there contact details anywhere? I can’t find them.
I couldn’t find anything either. I’ve raised it via Help to ask how to complain formally.
@Timshazz @Cuttlefish Why is this funny?
@Sunshine_G slip of the thumb. Just corrected. But honestly I don’t think they care if its going to drive clicks and $$$
Another example of lack of transparency? Sorry I am on a bit of a roll this morning but this has really incensed me as it seems it has a lot of others commenting on this thread. I am not a marketing person but surely the first things you consider when promoting your organisation are “what do we stand for” and “what are our values”. This advertisement is the latest in a line of promotions which are becoming increasingly questionable and certainly not in line with THS as I understood it.