Greetings, sitter-fellows! I have been using the platform for almost a year now and plan to continue using it. I have had many different experiences, ranging from terrible to great. I have been strict about the rating system and have outlined my criteria on my profile. I created it after several unusual experiences, believing it would be fair for everyone to know from the start what type of sitter I am.
I have rated hosts between 2 and 5 stars in the past: one received 2 stars, and I have given an equal amount of 3, 4, and 5 stars. I am not sure if I have been too harsh or if I want to maintain integrity for future sitters, but sometimes I feel guilty for giving 3 stars because the experiences with the dogs are usually good. However, there were other issues that arose while staying there, prompting me to give 3 stars.
Here is the excerpt from my profile about the rating system:
"My rating system: 5 stars - Great stay; might have minor concerns, but overall great. 4 stars - Good stay; have some concerns, but would care for their pets or the house again. 3 stars - Uncomfortable stay; improper check-in by the host’s acquaintances, multiple issues, and will not stay again.
I don’t usually rate anything lower than 3 stars unless my life is in danger, my dog is harmed without any background information, or there are serious disputes with the hosts."
Am I being overly critical, or is it worth sharing for future sitters?
Have you given a rate you wished you could change based on your experience, but you were nice about it?
To be honest I think there are too many variables to set any review criteria up like this. It depends on so many factors, not the least of which is the flexibly of the sitter. I read a post recently where a sitter was mortified that the indoor/outdoor cat brought a mouse into the house and the sitter became hysterical. That wouldn’t faze me at all but I understand we all have our squeamish tolerances.
I gave 3 stars to the hosts who had acquaintances coming over to look around when I wasn’t home and I have caught several acquaintances in person before they dashed. I knew they came in because they touched my things and moved things around accidentally, not knowing I am pretty particular about things I put in or know the difference in little details. That was the major reason for most 3 stars, if not all. I had one situation where the dogs seems to have a specific potential highly contagious disease if not vaccinated properly and the hosts did not tell me when they knew I brought my dog. Other incidents are usually the additional reasons to the 3 star rating like bothering us through the devices like echo video, webcam, or other camera devices or even audio devices.
I am a Deaf person, so I also wonder if the hosts and acquaintances were overly curious not realizing I pay attention to things like that and have a service dog that lets me know too.
This is AWFUL!!! I’m sorry you had that experience. I believe THS has a policy that no-one else should be coming while the sitter is there.
I always offer my sitters the ability to meet my neighbors (especially if they’re by themselves and doing a longer sit like 3 weeks) because, if I were to take a sit by myself for that long, I would feel comforted to know who I can count on in the neighborhood, and we have a very friendly cul-de-sac. But, if they ever said “no thank you” or “I’d rather not” I’d be fine with that!
To answer your original question, as a HO as well, I appreciate the heads up, and it would make me feel less worried about a 4-star rating. But I might see this as being a little rigid without more context which you’ve been able to provide in the post. I hope that helps with an honest perspective. Kudos to you for putting this out there, though!
There is no way to prove it unless I install my own camera unfortunately. That is the dilemma. I’ve tried to address it with the host directly, then it did not end well for my rating. It’s more likely I would get a good rating if I say nothing and allow them to defend themselves in the reply section under the rating system to prevent retaliation.
I am very reserved person and like to mind my own business. I do look at this platform as if I am using airbnb, but being compensated with the lodging like Rover in a sense so my desire to meet the neighbors is minimal actually. It makes sense though. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
If I would return for a repeat sit then I would give it 5 stars. I wouldn’t take off a star for minor issues, I don’t expect perfection. If there are issues worthy of deducting stars, then I wouldn’t return.
I don’t expect perfection, but I want to enjoy my stay too. It is also a reminder for me too. I won’t take any jobs from 3 stars and below, and I might be frustrated often if I take the gigs with 4 stars.
I like your rating system and your disclosure of your rating system. The risk of turning off a potential HO seems well worth the upside of being straightforward — and reminding the HO that both parties leave a public review.
As you have explained it, it sounds reasonable, and because you have deducted stars several times it is good to explain why. Ideally, the review itself should reveal why. I agree that it is rarely necessary to deduct more than two stars, even if it is that bad. The signal is clear enough. What you have mentioned is clearly breach of terms. Strangers entering the home during a sit would be both annoying and unsettling.
In hindsight - were there red flags? How do you do the process before you decide - do you have a videocall or similar?
As hosts we would be very comfortable with a rating system like that. We feel the rating should reflect the experience. The essential thing is that sufficient context is given when deducting stars so that someone else reading the review can determine if they would also have been bothered by a similar experience or if it is perfectly acceptable to them.
3 stars - Hosts who ignore the THS terms and conditions. Uncomfortable stay; improper check-in by the host’s acquaintances, multiple issues, and will not stay again.
I appreciate sitters who provide honest feedback. There are so many sitters who come on this forum explaining awful experiences they had making statements like, “If I knew this information ahead of time, I would not have confirmed the sit.” Then they state that they didn’t write a review or wanted to be nice and left the host a 5 star review. Really?
I’ve never had a 3rd party checking in on me during a sit, but I do make it clear in both my application, video chat, and on my profile that I’m only looking to partner with hosts who follow the T&C and spell out the : No cameras/no 3rd parties.
Thank you for the welcome, Garfield! Exactly! It was annoying and unsettling. Yes, I often notice red flags during the initial interaction especially in person. The videocall always go well but can go differently afterward.
@tetushi thank you for sharing your approach. I’ve often wondered how to be open about my rating criteria and will add something similar to my profile so hosts are aware.
I think @Oztravels summed up a key issue pretty well… one of the things I really love about THS is its openness to personal preferences. While a given home/sit may not be right for everyone, those owners can find the right sitter for them (and vice versa).
As a result, however, sits aren’t going to be totally standardized from one to the next.
So to answer your original question, I personally am pretty generous with my stars, but I give a very detailed and thorough description of my experience in the written review, for the purpose of helping potential future sitters know exactly what they’re signing up for. Sometimes, I’ll specifically say something along the lines of “[X aspect] might not be a right-fit for everyone, but if you [have Y personality/preference], this is a great opportunity!”
