Issues with a very intense owner during sit

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
62

Thank you so much for the helpful and constructive suggestions!

Here is the revised version:

"[cat’s name] is the most loving and cuddly cat. She’s easy to look after and I very much enjoyed spending my time with her. She’s very curious and loves to be with you all the time.

The communication with [owner’s name] could use some work, though. We confirmed the sit about a month in advance, yet at no point was I provided with written instructions, in spite of having asked for a welcome guide. The dates, the instructions, and the expectations constantly changed because she’s unpredictable and changes her mind a lot. I also felt she was treating me as if I was her employee.

I actually learned I would be sharing the flat with her roommate the night before I arrived, as there was no mention of him during our more than an hour long videocall. She does not seem to trust her roommate so everything, including the closet with the cat’s food, is under lock. At night, I was instructed to lock myself in the room with the cat. She also kept asking me about her roommate: whether he was in, if he bought toilet paper, etc.

There is an indoor camera I saw when I arrived too, she said she wouldn’t use it, however it was never disconnected.

She likes to receive at least 3 updates a day and gets upset if she has to ask for them. She messaged me within every 4 hours tops demanding an immediate update.

I understand this was her first time using the platform. Nonetheless, I am afraid I did not feel comfortable or treated well and, even though I loved the cat, I would prefer not to go through the anxiety and stress I experienced again. She mentioned that for upcoming sits, she will have the sitter sleep on the sofa in the living room area and that only the cat should go in her bedroom. Also, bring your own towels."

Re. the rating: I set cleanliness to 4 (it was overall clean but when I arrived the toilet was dirty and she complained about me having left the top lid up --which I did on purpose so she’d see it was dirty and clean it-- but didn’t clean it, I ended up doing it), communication to 2, hospitality to 2, pet behavior to 5, accuracy to 3. Overall, 3 stars.

63

I would delete that. The facts are already clear in the previous sentence, this part is judgement and expression of your feelings.

I would mention that you canceled the August sit because she may mention that and you have a very good reason for canceling. Perhaps you could add this

“That’s why I had to cancel the sit we had confirmed for August, as the conditions we had agreed on had changed.”

at the end of this paragraph

3 Likes
64

Hi @oridd99 I don’t see how accuracy could be rated any higher than a 1, being that you got a surprise roommate.

4 Likes
65

Maybe 3 is a bit too much? The actual flat was mostly accurate based on the photos though, the bad thing was the stairs leading up to it and that wasn’t on the pictures

66

Accuracy of listing refers not only to the home and amenities but also to responsibilities, clear description of expectations and pet behavior and needs.

Anyway, I think the most important part is the written description, which is quite clear. The star rating is not so important.

3 Likes
67

@oridd99
I would start as you have with the cat and then go straight to part about sharing the accommodation with a room mate which is a clear breach of THS terms of service and the third party policy .

As a sitter I need to know this piece of information upfront and would avoid applying for the sit.

Have you also raised a member dispute with THS about the third party ?

5 Likes
68

Great advice from others. Would just like to thank you for putting in the effort so the community can make an informed decision for this sit. It means a lot. Thank you for the time and work you put into this.

11 Likes
69

I agree, the existence of a roommate - especially an apparently untrustworthy one - is a HUGE NO and you kind of glossed over it. Not surprising, as he turned out maybe to be the least of your problems, but still it’s an undeniable breach of terms and totally unacceptable. (Btw I’m super impressed you’ve stuck with this and are not getting overly emotional. I’d be an absolute wreck!)

8 Likes
70

The way it’s worded re roommate makes it sound as though it was only for one night (still not okay, but not correct).

The night before I arrived, she informed me that she had a roommate who would be present for the duration of my stay. This breaks THS T&C’s but I felt unable to cancel with such little notice.. etc…

9 Likes
71

Hi all,

I submitted the review. As expected, she left me a 1-star review. It is so unfair. I have proof of everything, including how spotless I left the place. She said the pet is unhappy and that I am not clean. I have so many videos with the cat on top of me, purring, cuddling. She was so happy and I took care of her so well, following all her instructions to the best of my abilities. It is so sad to see such selfish and self-centered people get their way. She just seems to want to sink my ‘career’ as a pet sitter. I am very frustrated, to be honest. Here is the review:

"I wouldn’t recommend Oriana to take care of your pet.

We had a video call where I explained everything about my cat, and she seemed to understand it all. When I welcomed her in person, I went over everything again to make sure she had no doubts. At no point did she take any notes to help her remember.

During the pet-sitting, communication was poor, she didn’t follow my instructions, and I had to chase her for updates about my cat.

She seemed more interested in her own comfort and acted as if she were staying at a hotel.

On the last night-at the very last minute — she told me she was leaving, abandoning my cat alone, even though she had committed to spending the night at my place and leaving the next morning."

This is what I’m thinking of replying:

"Hi [owner’s name],

Thanks for your review. I am very sorry you feel that way, as I would say [cat’s name] was very happy with me given we slept together every night, cuddled, and I was constantly with her, giving her all my love. She purred all the time, as seen in the multiple videos I sent. I also left your apartment spotless, even though I wasn’t the only one there (which, as you know, goes against THS policy.) I did not even request towels so I definitely knew I wasn’t at a hotel.

I sent you three updates including videos and pictures every day, responded to your messages right away (except twice: when I was napping with the cat and when my battery died, still there was only about an hour delay) and asked to please let me know what your specific expectations in terms of updates were at the time so I could do my best to meet them, and I believe I did. On the last day, I sent you updates every more or less 2/3 hours.

I did indeed take notes, however I did not receive a welcome guide nor any written instructions (which also goes against THS policy.) Your indications changed even until the last minute, so it was very hard to keep up with them despite my best efforts. I left only a couple hours before you arrived, after having fed the cat, so by no means did I abandon her.

I wish you the best of luck with future sitters and hope they are able to meet your expectations.

Best,
Oriana"

Could you let me know your thoughts please? I’m so sad and scared my confirmed sits for the rest of the year will get cancelled based on this awful review.

Thank you!

6 Likes
72

Your reply is appropriate. I’d delete “Thank you for your review.”

7 Likes
73

Hi all,

She also responded to my review. She is just so mean. However, she is basically confirming in her reply that she breached THS policy – right?

"In the app, it clearly says that you would be sharing with my flatmate. If you didn’t see it, that’s not my problem.

It’s also stated in the app that there is a camera — if you didn’t read it either, again, not my problem.

I have written proof from you that on the last night you didn’t mind sleeping on the sofa, but you decided at the last minute, without giving any notice, to leave — abandoning my cat and being a coward by not facing the situation.

Your communication was terrible from the start, and when I messaged you, you wouldn’t reply or update me about cats name.

I treated you well at all times, but the truth is you were more concerned about how and where to sleep than actually taking care of cats name.

I even offered you a towel and told you where they were kept. You’re only saying things that aren’t true."

(Post edited by the Forum Team to comply with the Terms of Service).

3 Likes
74

How is this listing even allowed?! Really feel for you @oridd99 she sounds unhinged. Am sure there’s a nice HO waiting for you out there. Are MS helping with her breach of Ts & Cs and removing her from THS? #chinup

8 Likes
75

Hi @oridd99. This homeowner is such a despicable person. I can state with confidence that she has thoroughly diminished her future sitter pool with her review and response to yours.

My thoughts on your response to her review? A little long and a little too apologetic. You could tighten it up by combining some of the issues.
Below is my quick redraft. No offense taken if you don’t like it. I suggest that you try and get some local last minutes sits so that this negative experience gets buried by positive reviews.

This is the first time that (insert HO’s name) has ever had a THS sitter. I would encourage her to thoroughly review the THS terms and conditions especially those related to having another person present in the home (her new male roommate) and the use of indoor cameras (strictly prohibited).
It is also standard practice for Homeowners to provide written instructions in the form of a Welcome Guide. You did not give me any written instructions despite my requests. I did write my own notes but these became outdated quickly when you changed your expectations frequently.
Your cat was very happy with me during the sit as evidenced by the updates, pictures and videos that I sent 2 to 3 times per day. Most Homeowners would be satisfied with this level of communication.
I thoroughly cleaned your home and fed your cat prior to leaving your home approximately 2 hours before your return. This is also very standard practice for THS sitters.
At no time did I think I was at a hotel but I did prefer to sleep on a bed versus a sofa.
Ultimately, I have learned much from this sit.

23 Likes
76

I love this, thank you so much!!!

6 Likes
77

They said they’d investigate but then I never heard back. I don’t think they’ll do anything other than give her a warning. If another person reports her, maybe they’ll take further action. It’s just annoying that another person would have to go through this again before they do something – it is now clearly stated in both the post and her reply to my review that she’s not being compliant with the T&C.
Thank you for your kind words too :heart:

7 Likes
78

I’m a HO. It’s very good she replied to your review! It shows very clearly, who to believe in this case. If I’d read her reply to your review, I’d 100% skip her negative review of you.

17 Likes
79

I completely agree with @CatsAndDog. Her review and reply is far more harmful to her than you.

Regarding your reply, there’s no time limit. I like both your version and @MaggieUU. Your own version sounds more like you. I mean, you put up with lots of stuff most sitters won’t. I would like to see what owners think of your reply.

9 Likes
80

I like what @MaggieUU has written. I’d also consider at the end of the paragraph re the breaches to add that you reported these breaches to THS MS during the sit.

9 Likes
81

Her response to your review is very helpful for you.

I’d add to the suggested response ‘I would appreciate it if future homeowners could read my review of the situation and the homeowners response to it, for the full picture’.

When you apply for more sits acknowledged the one star and say it was a problematic situation in many ways - please also read my review of the homeowner and her response to this.

Did you use the specific words ‘member dispute’ when you complained to THS? That’s the only way to get an official investigation and sanctions.

9 Likes