Did it meet ‘accuracy of listing’? I feel that if the listing does not detail behaviour that a sitter experiences then it is not accurate - unless, of course, the dog has not behaved that way before.
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Yes it was accurate at the time it was written/application…. however some detail had been represented in a way that was accurate for the HO but would not be the same for a sitter and as new HOs they’d have no idea just what hard work it was to be the sitters. They know now, and accepted my feedback graciously..
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I left an honest review of my last sit. I gave it 3 stars, the dog could not be left alone without peeing and pooping in his space. The pet owner showed me how to sneak out of the house after locking the dog in a bedroom with the door blocked and the tv blaring since he barks if left alone. The ad on THS said the dog had separation anxiety in the past but is so much better now, no issues. The last 3 or 4 reviews were 5 stars. But they only stayed a few days each time. Mine was 3 weeks. The dog was fine for the first week, then it started. Now I am under investigation and possible suspension. The home owner said I left the dog alone for days. Which is totally untrue, I left him for an hour or two max. I think this is her way to retaliate for a less than perfect review. What good is 5 stars if they are all 5 stars, and should I not give an honest review anymore? If there are issues, please let others know. Maybe it could be more acceptable then.
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So sorry this has happened to you, I hope you can get it resolved properly. I absolutely agree about the review system we really need to start and lose the five star ethos. Until we do there will be no transparency.
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I no longer look at the main star rating. I look to see if any stars have been docked in the individual categories. (Cleanliness, Accuracy of Listing, Pet Behaviour etc etc). One missing star can tell a huge story. It’s now commonplace for sitters to rave about a gig… But mysteriously drop, say, a star for Cleanliness….. That tells me all I need to know.
But it’s sad that that - and hoping fellow sitters will read between the lines and clock on to anything we don’t mention - is the only way we, as sitters, now communicate.
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It doesn’t say much to me. In fact, I value what’s written more than the stars, especially when there’s factual information.
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I strongly recommend that you raise your own Member dispute about the inaccurate listing which did not disclose the dogs behaviour.
Screenshot the listing.
Screenshot the messages where you asked how to handle the dogs behaviour and the replies from the host .
Send all the evidence to THS .
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Good idea to send THS the listing details as well. And I could send a past sitters review detailing the dogs anxiety
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Why strongly recommend that I open my own dispute?
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If the listing was not accurate and the host didn’t disclose issues - THS won’t investigate this unless you raise a dispute .
If you do raise a dispute , providing evidence the outcome will likely be that they tell the host that she cannot list again until she updates the listing to describe the dogs behaviour accurately.
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I’ve forgotten what the review asks for from sitters - but I think pet behaviour should be one aspect - something like “is pet behaviour in line with description”
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@TheMackays these are the categories
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Of course, factual info is vital. And I shouldn’t have said I don’t look at the main body of the review at all; I always do. Indeed, as a newbie, I was like you: I lapped up the main review and ignored the individual star ratings. But that was six years ago. Since then, habits seem to have shifted in favour of giving all sits five-star reviews … And keeping any less-than-perfect issues for the individual ratings. Which is why I now pay more attention to those. It’s sad, but it seems now to be more enlightening.
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Currently, there is a category for Pet Behavior and another for Accuracy of Listing.
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This last sit was a definite five star for every category. I can’t fault a pet for the owners persnickitiness. But I did spend a lot of time word smithing my review so pet sitters know what to expect. High maintenance or even slightly aggressive behaviour should be pointed out and can easily be done in the comments. I’m determined to take good care of my fellow sitters.
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Pet behaviour and listing accuracy should surely be notched down a star to reflect your experience? How else will future sitters instantly recognise a red flag?
This aggressive behaviour - whatever the cause - is not what you were led to expect.
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I agree. I find it irritating if a star is missing but there is nothing hinting as to why.
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