As an owner, I’d welcome a bad review if sitters found a serious gap between what I advertised and what they got. I believe that rarely owners or sitters are bad: it’s rather the match to be bad and either one or both parties missed some details that would have helped avoiding the match. Negative reviews from sitters who didn’t enjoy their stay will help identify issues and prevent future sitters with similar expectations to apply. While I do my best to portray our place and family honestly, I have no expectations that every sitter will love everything.
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Hello @EMF and a great answer that I fully identify with as a sitter. It’s about matching expectations… and being honest about every approach to a house and pet sit. Thank-you for joining the forum to give your feedback on this topic! We look forward to seeing you join in more conversations in the community.
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I was trying to find a topic that matches my request and I think I found it. Please introduce a blind review system! Here’s my story:
I have recently re-invited an experienced sitter that I have known for a while. The pet sitting part was good, the house sitting part left a few things to wish for. I told her afterwards in a private message why I wasn’t completely satisfied and her reaction was somewhat snippy. So I wrote her a polite review, but mentioning that she had done better in the past (which she has).
She hasn’t responded to it and ignores my feedback request. Knowing her and her ego, I believe she feels misunderstood and tries to punish me with a silent treatment. I haven’t decided myself yet whether I should be angry or amused, and am now trying to just drop this for peace of mind.
For situations like this, it would be nice to know that a sitter has to leave feedback before thereview is published, and vice versa. I hope the membership team will one day make this happen!
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Wouldn’t it be so good & useful if sitters & owners had a de-brief with each other, rather like staff reporting & development plans? 30 minutes spent together at the end on the main issues of a sit, what was great & what needs improvement.
Not going to happen universally I realise but I’m pondering a trial of something like it for my own sits 
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Hi @Elke, If I understand your comment correctly, In my understanding, a blind review system is not quite how you describe it.
The objective of having a blind review system is that ‘A’ cannot leave ‘B’ a bad review in retaliation because they have seen that ‘B’ has left them one. - or visa versa.
The way around this is that there has to be a time limit for both ‘A’ and ‘B’ to leave their reviews.
If, within the time limit both ‘A’ and ‘B’ leave a review neither is published until the second review is left, only at that point are both posted publically
If, within the time limit only one of ‘A’ or ‘B’ has left a review, then that review is posted publically but the person that did not leave a review is no longer allowed to do so.
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I am not sure what you think I described. But in this situation, I believe the sitter would have been more likely to leave a feedback if she hadn’t been aware of the review.
I had a similar experience a few years ago. The sitters badly neglected my balcony plants and of course it was my fault because… I left them a so so review and never heard a word back from them.
I believe the whole review/feedback system might become a bit more honest if nobody had to be afraid of any “consequences” from the other side.
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I always “debrief” at least through an email. The problem is that not everyone is open for criticism.
My apologies if I am mistaken, but it seemed to me that you were saying if only one of the sitter or home host left a review, and the other didn’t - Then none is publically posted
I have a job already, thanks.
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As a HO this has been so entertaining, reading (most of) these comments! (I didn’t read them all (I’m too impatient) so don’t go bashing me if this has been covered)
As a HO, I try to leave with the house clean and ready for my sitter to stay. If the sitter has forgotten shampoo, hair blower, toothpaste, etc. (toiletries) I will have a stock in the closet. CLEAN towels, CLEAN bedding and actually enough stocked food for them to survive if they can’t get to the store. I want them to use the stuff but most have just brought their own. I ask them to leave the linens and towels in the laundry room but most have laundered and folded them. I am grateful for these people. I have only had two bad experiences, two cancellations with the caveat, “if you can’t find anyone else I can be there”.
I would also want the sitter to let me know if they were unhappy with anything before they leave a less that stellar review. I am so grateful that they are willing to care for my pets and love on them and keep them safe. I have been so fortunate, all of the sitters I have had so far have been FABULOUS.
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Hi @ellenaj thank you for being kind, considerate and appreciative of the sitter, pet parent connections you have made and for sharing your TrustedHousesitters journey … so far, I am sure there are many more great times ahead for you, your beloved furry family and the sitters who choose to walk in and share your life …
It’s not a job!
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2022 came and went without any change to the reviewing system. When will this become a true priority for THS.
I’m feeling annoyed at not having had a review for a repeat sit some months ago despite a request and a reminder. I don’t want to leave feedback from the owner without a ‘blind’ system in place and a more nuanced system of stars/categories in respect of the owner.
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Eh hum…
If we want an airbnb reference…maybe we should start with “And you can be sure to trust THS because reviews are blind and truthful.”
( Maybe my profile name should be squeaky wheel?
)
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Hello,
One year later, it looks like the review system hasn’t been changed because there are simply too many 5 star reviews to be believable based on my recent search of sitters? In fact, I can’t find any reviews less than five stars. How can this be reliable?
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Reliability of reviews isn’t a THS goal. If it were, they would have established an AIrbnb-type system of blind reviews a long time ago.
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I am new to this site, but an unscientific review of sitters globally seems to show either 5 stars or no reviews. I don’t see anything less than five stars which makes me really question the credibility of the reviews? Why aren’t there three or four star reviews?
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The reason being (and this has been discussed on the forum) is because people are nervous about giving an honest review (if the sit is less than perfect) in case the other person retaliates with a bad review. We’re waiting for the review system to be changed and be more like Airbnb’s ‘blind’ review system but this has been ‘top priority’ for nearly 2 years.
Here’s an example of one of the many discussions on the topic - you can find more if you use the search box:
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Because the review system is unbalanced and open to criticism. You need to read the details of each review is the best advice & then you can see the difference between “real” reviews and diplomatic ones 
So many members keep asking for THS to follow the Airbnb system
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Reviews are not credible. People here speak about “reading between the lines” and learning sitter codes, but that shouldn’t be needed.
THS has a vested interest in keeping the review system as it is now, because it makes everything seem much rosier. I doubt if it will ever change, despite the platitudes about it being a priority.
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