Hi @RR12345
That’s a no from me. I might accept a pre-sit meet if nearby but I’m not wasting most of my time and money on on longer ones. Besides it shows a lack of trust despite your reviews to me.
2 Likes
So far we have not had any awful experiences on THS sits . Majority have been 5 star ++
Some gap fillers have worked out great and we have even gone back for longer sits for the same hosts. However, there have been a couple that were not the best for us. These were when we compromised on something because we need a gap filler in a specific location . Now, we would prefer to pay for alternative accommodation to fill gaps than take an unpaid sit with red flags .
6 Likes
Exactly! They only had 1 review, which wasn’t exactly glowing. Vs years of good reviews for me.
1 Like
Not a chance.
4 Likes
A HO with a single 4 star review and they want you to do all the heavy lifting to get this sit seems very off.
7 Likes
If you aren’t confirmed yet it is easier to writhdraw the application. It’s just unchecking a box.
IMHO it’s all about whether you have a reason to want to be in that location at that time and thus it’s worth it to you.
It is perfectly reasonable for a HO to ask for a meet-up prior to the sit: they can’t know if that’s a lot for applicant but no biggie for another.
If you have a reason to be in that location anyway prior to the sit, it would be fine! Or for someone who lives close, no biggie. I don’t see the request as a red-flag.
This is less about what the HO wants and more about what you are willing to do.
If a 3-hour trip (assuming 1.5H each way?) is too much for you? Then you explain that.
If a 3-hour trip is OK because (a) you want to be there/then for th sit and (b) a trip ahead of the sit to that place would be nice/serve another purpose, then why not?
Can’t judge the HO on the request since they can’t know what’s reasonable for you.
IF you decide a trip there/back ahead of time is NOT possible, send a nice note explaining that, offer a video chat, and say you’ll understand if they want to Decline your application.
BTW we have done sits in a dozen countries: the ONLY time we do a pre-sit meet-up is if it’s easy. Otherwise, video chats are good for 99% of HOs.
3 Likes
I’d say no, thats a big expense to you.
1 Like
If they were happy to pay our travel costs door to door then we might consider it. If they were expecting us to fork out the cash then it’s a big fat no.
1 Like
Personally, I won’t do in-person meets before a sit. For instance, my next sit is about 30 mins from me. My new-to-me house is being remodeled and I telecommute, so I want away from the noise and mess.
I’ll be sitting a high-end home, where the hosts have five-star reviews from all previous sitters. They described the house as “impeccably clean” and “a dream,” the hosts as kind and communicative, and the dog as well-behaved and loving. And all the hosts asked for was a video chat.
Similarly, I did a recent sit that also was local. Two sweet, sweet Siberian cats (apparently they cost thousands) in a spotlessly clean, high-end, high-rise apartment with gorgeous views and within blocks of loads of amenities. The best welcome guide I’ve ever seen. The hosts asked what kind of wine I liked and gifted me a bottle for a short sit. We just video chatted before agreeing on our sit. And on their return, they offered me a bunch more sits, though I couldn’t do them time wise. We gave each other five-star ratings, with raves.
Personally, I like partnering with hosts who are confident and trusting. And to me, video calls work fine. Professionally, I’ve used them for years to hire and even to take jobs. Like this past week, I just met my current startup’s cofounders and exec team for the first time at an offsite, and we’ve been working well together for months virtually, because most of our company telecommutes from around the world.
2 Likes
I do not know what is going on with new home owners, but I just applied for a similar one …
A short sit, that starts soon, looking after cats and the home owner asked to arrange a call and a meet? Again, if they read my profile they’d see I’m not that close to them.
Starting to feel like a pet care servant.
4 Likes
For additional context a recent review was from a new home owner who said I was a fantastic first experience on THS.
1 Like
Just say no.
For me, sitting is icing. If I wanted a short sit nearby and couldn’t get one without an in-person meeting, I’d just stay at a hotel or Airbnb. Or I’d stay home instead. That’s because I won’t partner with overly demanding or untrusting hosts, no matter how great the sit might look otherwise. Not worth it.
I have 18 reviews, all five stars, including several first-time hosts, domestic and abroad.
2 Likes
I agree with you, it isn’t worth it. I’m just sure it didn’t used to be this common. I’m wondering what THS are doing in their marketing.
3 Likes
@RR12345 If they really need to meet you beforehand in person tell them that you’re happy for them to come and meet you somewhere near your current location, alternatively you are available for a video call ?
We have had new hosts offer to bring their dog to meet us at our location or meet half way at their suggestion . This showed that they valued our time .
I think it’s either hosts used to using Rover where meet and greets are usual practice ( because sitters are paid and local )
Or they have had their listings up for sometime with no takers because they are making it too complicated/ aren’t trusting the process .
1 Like
They’re telling HOs that they have their pick of sitters. That THS recruit sitters with the inference they are then “on call” for THS HOs with no reference to everyone actually paying the same membership fees so it’s a level playing field 
That’s the problem! #disingeousdangers
9 Likes
They have cats, so I think they wanted me to go all the way there to meet the cats :-/
2 Likes
I’m just not sure what they’d be hoping to gain from this that can’t be gained via an informative welcome guide and a video call. Does the whole agreement fall apart if the cats turn their noses up at you, in the way that cats very often do?! But I like @Silversitters idea of suggesting that they come and meet you close to where you live, if meeting in person is a deal breaker for them.
2 Likes
When they messaged about it, I replied within 20 minutes saying I could do a video call but not meet, if that was ok with them. They read it and then stopped replying so a day later I messaged again asking if it was a deal breaker, and again there was no response so I just withdrew my application.
No idea what they were thinking and wanted out of it. Now waiting for a second new HO with cats who also suggested a visit to which I said again I could do a video call, who has left me hanging. Probably going to withdraw on this one too. I’m beginning to feel like I’m just a pet servant to these people. THS really really need to do something about their marketing, because it’s not attracting the right attitude.
6 Likes
Maybe put something in your profile about not being able to meet before a sit so you can just weed them out from the start? It’s a pretty ridiculous requirement, especially for a cat.
2 Likes