Homeowner not communicating with me 1 week before the sit

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
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Hi to all. I’ve done a number of sits before, but have never experienced this before:

I have an out-of-state sit next week. Confirmed 2 months ago. Homeowner suggested doing a videocall closer to the date. I agreed (not my wisest decision, as will become clear).

All communication was through messaging. Everything seemed fine

Bought my plane ticket last month after verifying with homeowner that the dates were the same as originally posted. Asked to meet by phone or video call soon after. Again, homeowner suggested doing it closer to the dates of the sit. I believe this is because he doesn’t want to give out door code and address (which I understand— but that can be dealt with separately).

He contacted me 2 days ago to see if I was still planning on doing the sit. I confirmed that I was and that I had my plane ticket and told him my availability for a videocall this week. That message is still unread.

I contacted THS and they said they could reach out to him. Which feels really awkward. And I’m not sure I want to stay at the home of someone so unthoughtful. I also don’t want to receive a negative review (based on me asking THS to contact him).

If I cancel my ticket, I will get credit for another ticket but not a refund. I’m ok with that, although it’s not ideal. But I’m mostly bummed that I won’t get to take this little vacation. I gas set aside this time and was really looking forward to it.

It’s also possible that something urgent came up for him in the last couple of days — which has prevented him from seeing and responding to my message.

(1)What would you do in this situation?

(2) if I cancel because of his lack of communication, will the cancellation show up on my page? THS said that I wouldn’t suffer a negative consequence, but I’m not clear on that.

(3) if the homeowner cancels, does that show up on his page — so that other sitters can know this about him?

(4) Are you able to see when a message to the homeowner is read or unread? I can see “unread” on the app.

thanks!

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The host contacted you two days ago to confirm the sit. So what they haven’t arranged a video call?

If it was me I’d proceed as planned, given the recent confirmation. What’s the worst that can happen, you show up and they say “oh we changed our minds”. At which point you tell them they can cover your airfare and travel expenses and if they refuse, you report them to THS and get the costs covered through the insurance that is part of the Premium Membership.

If you don’t have Premium Membership, get it. People can be fickle, unreliable and irresponsible, and that’s the reason for insurance in the first place.

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When HOs cancel they are under no obligation to reimburse sitters for anything, that is not a THS expectation. Travel expenses are not covered by the insurance. When HOs cancel it is often very costly for sitters, not to mention stressful since that sitter has to suddenly scramble to make other arrangements quickly.

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That can work both ways. If a sitter cancels, it can be stressful and costly for the hosts who have to scramble to find a replacement, possibly with their departure date right around the corner.

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@idocsteve Of course it works both ways. But your post implied it was no big deal if a sitter shows up and the HO just says ‘oh we changed our minds’. You said to get the travel expenses covered by the premium insurance when that insurance does not cover travel expenses.

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Did I read this correctly. It’s only been two days. Not everyone reads emails daily. I think you are getting nervous because of no video call that you requested. Did you ask him why he wanted to delay the video call till nearer the sit date? I would have. I would then have said that I needed the video chat before I agreed to the sit if this is your needs. I would be overthinking it as well as why the wait. If he has other reviews and they sound good then I would wait a few more days. If he is new then I would be concerned that he wants to wait for the video chat.

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The cancellation wouldn’t show on your profile at this stage is part of the answer so no bad review risk. Do you have their what’s app or similar as an alternative form of contact? If not, definitely change that for the future. You can wait. You can talk to THS support and seek their advice. You can cancel and advise poor comms & take the credit. You have to trust your gut with this one. #choosewisely

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Ok, your post (that I replied to) seemed to be referring to what happens in general when a host cancels a sitter, not in this specific case where a sitter could conceivably be turned away by the host after they’ve traveled to the sit.

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@molly.g If you were in contact two days ago, I don’t see a reason to be concerned. Not everyone checks messages daily. Since your message is unread, he doesn’t know you messaged him, it’s not like he’s ignoring you. Do you have a phone number or email address? If the sit is starting in a week, I personally don’t see the purpose of the video call. I do a call to decide if its a good fit before accepting a sit. Do you have the welcome guide?

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THS Sit Cancellation Insurance coverage has material limitations. It only covers cost of alternative accommodation - not travel. It is ineligible if there is any open housesit within 20 miles. There’s more. Encourage read coverage.

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There’s nothing in the insurance prospectus page that you linked that says to be eligible there must not be an open house sit within 20 miles nor does it say the insurance only covers accommodation. It says it covers “costs to secure alternate accommodation” which I interpret to mean costs to travel to another accommodation.

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It would be interesting to understand where you live and where the sit is located.

I would recommend to stay the course. He is hopefully busy cleaning the home for you! :rofl:

Do you have a phone number?

Do you have an email address?

I would CALL if you have a phone number. If the owner is in the USA, you can sometimes find phone numbers on whitepages dot com if you have the full name.

If you do not have the address, that is really your first priority. Do you know what day/time you are supposed to arrive?

All of this information should really be ironed out at the very beginning of the process. I guess your other sits all went smoothly as people were more reliable.

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III. Are there circumstances where we will never pay under this Plan?

  1. The Alternative Accommodation that the Sitter uses is further than 20 miles (32 kilometres) from the location of the original Sit.

  2. If loss is suffered by a Sitter as a result of having to source Alternative Accommodation due to a Pet Parent cancelling Unexpectedly, we may at our sole discretion pay the Sitter up to $1500

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@mdarden1x

Thanks for posting, that and yes, that’s the part I read and was referring to. There is nothing in that insurance rider/disclaimer/waiver that says benefits are not payable if there is another available sit within 20 miles, nor does it specifically say that benefits are only a direct payment as reimbursement for lodging costs.

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Thanks for your thoughts. My experience in the past really contrasts with this — homeowners were very responsive and communicative. I’ll give it a few days.

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Thanks for your thoughts. My experience in the past really contrasts with this — homeowners were very responsive and communicative. That’s why I’m concerned. I’ll give it a couple more days.

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This is good to know! I appreciate your help.

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Good to keep it in perspective. Probably very busy. My experience in the past really contrasts with this — homeowners were very responsive and communicative. It was in their interest to be so! I’ll give it a few days.

I had read on this site that communications are best done through the app. To preserve communications. And then phone numbers exchanged later. But clearly doing this has its downsides.

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This is weird because he doesn’t need to give any codes or address specifics on a video chat….

Unlesss you’re committed financially or otherwise, I ‘d give him a gentle ultimatum worded nicely. Something to the effect of, “If we don’t speak by tomorrow, I’m going to condider you mia and will report to THS that despite may attempts you’ve not responded to my requests for a video chat”

Again, use more polite and respectful wording that I did !

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@molly.g Could probably be nothing, but I’d be careful. THS doesn’t verify host’s identity, home or address, so that part’s on you. If you haven’t actually talked with him yet, seen his face, or got his phone number and address, there’s really no way of knowing if it’s legit.

If he’s offered to give you a lift/pick you up at the airport, I’d be even more cautious. There’s posts in the THS Reddit group about listings like that, photos used were from something else entirely. So yeah, better safe than sorry.

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