Not an inappropriate question, but rather a requirement that I just noticed in a sit which immediately would put me off:
HO want to have a video call with their cat every day to make sure he’s happy.
Now I don’t think the cat demands a daily video call with its owners, so to me this sounds more like micro-managing the sitter on the side of the HO. I’d feel quite uncomfortable to be on a video call EVERY DAY with the HO, probably also at a time set by them, potentially making it harder for me to leave the house (perhaps that’s also the intent; to keep sitters at home).
I’m still relatively new to THS, as an owner, I HAVE asked if there was a sudden repair issue while we were overseas for 3 months if the sitter had the finances to handle it - adding of course that we would send an immediate e-transfer of funds to cover.
We had that exact situation occur with our very first sitter (the garage door broke the day after we left!) but she was able to use her credit card to cover the repair cost and we sent her funds same day. I really just say that I know everyone’s financial situation is different, and I want to make sure there’s nothing onerous for the sitter to deal with.
@SyleaAplonis you’re putting your sitters in a really uncomfortable position. I suggest you consider alternative options.
As a sitter I’d have really hoped that you would have the answer to the question you posed. If there was an unexpected bill at the house whilst we are sitting what do you have in place to pay for the repairs whilst you are away. I would never ever expect to be pulling out my own credit card, absolutely not.
@syleaAplonis yeah that’s nope from me, but each to their own. Personally I would never use my own card for something that needs to be covered by the HO, as it really shouldn’t be a sitter’s responsibility. If it were me, I would call the HO and let them sort it out with a repair guy themselves. I wouldn’t be comfortable with the expectation of transactions having to reach my bank for somebody else’s home or pets, but again, each to their own.
Yes, I can see that it could be a problem for some. We were very fortunate to find a sitter we trusted who also trusted us. We left many gift cards for various groceries and other places, and will leave a Visa prepaid card should something arise. Our next sitters have indicated they have no issues with what we discussed, again, I think it’s about the vibe and trust you feel. We have been fortunate.
It definitely is about the vibe and trust. I would be happy to do it for any of the sits I have had, but I would be very cautious if I was asked on a video call to take responsibility for something that clearly should be yours.
I’m sure that vibe and trust play a part, but on a more practical note it could also be about the individual’s cash flow. I’d guess that a good proportion of sitters who work and are also able to house-sit at the same time aren’t in regular 9 to 5 employment with a guaranteed pay cheque at the end of the month…
I would find this a really inappropriate request and I would turn down your sit if it was implied that I would have to cover any home repairs (that I didn’t cause), regardless of when you would reimburse me. You should have a local contact who can help handle these kinds of emergencies and not be reliant upon your sitter.
Totally agree. We take a great deal of time talking with the sitter to discuss all possible scenarios and assessing everyone’s comfort levels. Certainly if a sitter voiced concerns we would make some kind of additional arrangements to cover off the unexpected, we have great neighbours who are right there for assistance too.
It’s only because we are so far away I like to try to cover all the bases!
Okay. Obviously I have generated a lot of seemingly angry responses. So let me clarify. At NO time was it suggested to my sitter (s) that they cover home repairs. We only discussed emergency situations, and that we wanted to be sure if we were not reachable in the moment (being 15,000 miles and 7 hours time zone away) that it would not be an imposition on them financially should they have to deal with something immediate. We OF COURSE would make alternate arrangements with neighbours or prepaid Visa cards should that be preferred. It’s part of a long and detailed discussion between adults when talking about all the aspects of our sit. We have made friends with both our sitters, and I’m astonished at how negative and angry (and sort of rude)some of these responses have been. Was only offering my personal experience, which granted, is minimal so far with THS. Peace out.
@SyleaAplonis I don’t think anyone seems angry. I think sitters are just trying to point out that most of us would consider it inappropriate to expect a sitter to pay for home repairs. You mentioned discussing all scenarios, but there really shouldn’t be a scenario where a sitter is expected to pay. I, and others, would consider it a red flag for you to ask if a sitter is okay with paying for emergency repairs. Instead, for a long sit, I would expect a discussion of what plans you have made for paying for repairs that come up. It’s not just a matter of whether the sitter has the money, considering how many options there are to pay for things now, there is no reason for a host not to have a plan.
People expressing opinions that differ from yours doesn’t mean they’re angry. If you find sitters who are open to financing home repairs (which is literally what you requested when asking them to pay for a repair to your home) with your promise of paying them back, that’s fine. But as you can see, there are a good number who would not be willing to do that. Just something to keep in mind.
I certainly can’t say that the THS forum has ever made me ‘angry’ - the forum is a place to share and discuss info, advice, views, thoughts & opinions about pet-sitting. Everyone is completely entitled to their own POV & choices - learning from other people, sharing, appreciating & respecting multiple viewpoints & ideas is why most of us are here! We’re all different and thank goodness for that or life would be pretty boring!
I’m certainly not angered by the scenario you’ve described and I genuinely haven’t perceived any of the responses as angry, rather they’re pointing out that it really shouldn’t be a sitter’s responsibility to finance home repairs during a sit, even given a pet parent’s assurance of reimbursement. It’s not so much about trust, but more a lack of planning for emergencies. As @systaran has said:
We’d expect either the HO or their nominated emergency contact to organise any payment due (this applies to any vet fees, too). Whilst we could afford it, we’d not feel comfortable about making ourselves financially vulnerable. We’re sitters, not banks.
@SyleaAplonis I agree with most respondants here that the only discussion about repairs etc should be you informing the sitters what plans you have in place for emergencies.
Despite THS having the ridiculous clause that sitters should be responsible for advance payments and request reimbursement from the host, most sitters strongly disagree with that expectation, myself included, and choose not to accept such terms.
Its not an expression of anger towards you at all, but perhaps the position most sitters are taking against upfront payments is useful information for you about sitters expectations and their personal boundaries regarding where such responsibilities should lie.
But it is their business. At first read I also thought it was rude, but then I realized that it is a legitimate question. As sitters, we live at their house, but not at their expense. If you run out of money for food or for post-sit lodging while at their house, it would eventually become their problem.
We’re all different and thank goodness for that or life would be pretty boring!