I’m so sorry that you’re having to deal with this, it sounds like a really upsetting situation.
I can see that we’re waiting for confirmation of when to call you, but in the meantime, I have passed the ticket details to Membership Services, and asked for the attention of a manager.
I also let them know that you’ve expressed some concerns over a previous reply about the review that was left, and asked that they review how things have been handled up to now.
Please drop us a reply to the email we sent when you have a moment, just to let us know when to connect with you.
Comments made in the sitter’s review are utterly ludicrous and totally unacceptable. I strongly suggest you should again get in touch with Membership Services and insist this review is removed immediately, since it constitutes a personal attack and not a reflection on the sit or pets.
I can totally understand why such a review has upset you but, anyone with an ounce of common sense will see it for what it is: utter garbage!
I seriously think this will backfire on the sitter rather than on you, @Annah_M , since what pet parent will wish to potentially undergo similar public analysis by an amateur psychologist? Her comments are so ridiculous, they’re laughable!
I don’t think you need to account for yourself in any way, and definitely don’t refer to this nonsense in your listing. Honestly, it says much more about the sitter than it does about you!
Thanks, Jenny. Unfortunately, the manager reached out, and instead of of arranging a call, they said the review that contains personal attacks is “polite and cordial.”
In my opinion not much good come out of answering unhinged reviews or giving it too much attention. I think people would see unhinged as what it is. When I’ve seen such online «arguments» I tend to avoid sits. Hard, because it feels unfair. It is not allowed to publish listing info in forum, I think, just a kind nudge so you know.
I wouldn’t give it attention in my own listing, maybe apart from just in general «get in touch of you have questions before a formal application». Then sitters would know that it is ok for you to send a question via an application-form, as it is the only way to contact you.
Words fail me at this manager’s response @Annah_M. How did that person get to be a manager and not understand what should/should not be in a review and the language applied? I’m sure had they been on the receiving end of a comment like this from a member, it would not be considered “polite and cordial!”
Okay. So THS has been unhelpfu regarding removing the review. The part you quoted is off-base and unhinged. I don’t think this would disuade sitters since it has nothing to do with the sit. However, if there are other parts of the review that would disaude a sitter whether they are truth or lies such as conditions in the home, pet behavior not as expected, infestations of any kind, etc. those could be the reason new dates aren’t getting much traction. So as tough as the review is, you might need to respond in two ways – One set aside the inappropriate stuff the sitter says about you. Reference it if you need to but don’t dwell. Then deal with the truth or fantasy about other stuff, and if there is anything you need to fix or take responsiblility for, make sure sitters understand the problem is solved. There might be a lot of sits in your area and people might be reluctant to sit for you not because someone who thinks they have magical powers is judging you, but because a sitter mentioned a condition in your home that would make sitting there unpleasant.
@Annah_M that’s a very dismissive and uncaring response from that manager.
Anyone in their right mind reading that horrible review will see it as a personal attack on you and an unqualified assessment of your mental state. In no way can their review be considered ‘polite and cordial’! I’m sorry you are not getting the support you need.
Don’t give up!
You can always ‘raise an official dispute’ against her. And ofcourse a short, factual unemotional response to her rant might also be a good idea.
This sitter sounds exceptionally unhinged and I think you’ve been very unlucky. There are so many wonderful and reliable sitters out there so don’t give up- the next experience is sure to be much better.
I’ve asked the manager to reach out to you by phone, and I can see that you’ve also emailed her. If I hear anything back, I’ll let you know.
It might help move things along if you drop her an email with your time zone, the times you’re available to talk, and the best number to contact you on.
Now that you’ve shared some of her review I feel offended for you–what a personal smear on your beliefs and character, I am so sorry and you are right, that is completely out of line!! I really hope that you’re able to reach a real human who will actually take a look at it on TrustedHousesitters because that is incredibly personal and demeaning, I am so sorry this happened to you.
I’m sorry that you’ve experienced such bad inappropriate behaviour from a sitter. I hope THS can help you get to a more suitable resolution & you can move on to more positive sits like you’re familiar with.
Your experience is absolutely outrageous. THS allowing those pseudo-psychoanalytical comments to remain on their website for a single MINUTE after you flagged them is disgraceful. I think the staff member who handled that needs a performance review. As a fellow homeowner, I will be keeping an eye on this thread and hope to see that THS has resolved the issue in your favor. I want to know that THS has the backs of its sitters and homeowners and will protect them from attacks from obviously unhinged people affecting their ratings on the site.
One can be polite and cordial while simultaneously communicating completely inappropriate content. I don’t understand why the THS manager is not differentiating this.
Hi, I had a very similar experience where the sitters said that my horses were unruly and that they trained them. In texts they said they had spent so much time training them and that I obviously didn’t have time etc etc. I wonder if it’s the same sitters. They were crazy and also stole from me…
