Oh I admit I completely failed with the plants. But there were extenuating circumstances. It was the worst heatwave in the UK since 1976. We had 4 consecutive nights when it didn’t drop below 20 degrees. The house has been modernised with large South facing windows and was extremely hot, to the point that I struggled to sleep and felt quite unwell. So I think consideration should be taken for this in a review.
I take issue with a review where they lie and give 4 stars for cleanliness, when I left it spotless and they said that to me. And I take issue with a review that doesn’t even mention the pets!
@Lovepets it might be worth considering that garden plants in Australia will usually be chosen for their ability to withstand normal Australian weather, which you say is “super hot”. Garden plants in the UK are usually chosen for their ability to withstand normal UK weather - frost and snow in winter, plenty of rain year round, prolonged dry spells are rare, anything over 18 degrees C is a warm day! So a garden plant in the UK could well die, despite being watered regularly if exposed to prolonged periods of unusually high temperatures.
@Colin has a YouTube channel where they interviewed the head gardener of a garden in Kennington, London where they had started planting non-native plants that had deep root systems that were better able to withstand the changing climate in the UK.
There’s nothing for you to gain in continuing to feel aggrieved as you’re not going to get the resolution that you want. One 4 star review out of more than 50 isn’t going to detract from your ability to get great sits. Take a deep breath, put your big boy/girl pants on and turn your focus on doing another great job on your next sit. Otherwise, you’re going to be trapped in a negativity whirlpool. Good luck with your next sit and if the host asks for a video call perhaps you can ask if they have plants that are precious to them.
Understood. In that case, I would just ask if they could assign their feedback to the correct area in the review for accuracy and fairness, as the home was returned to them as spotless. I believe that’s a fair request and can be done respectfully via messenger.
It’s up to you if you wish to offer to replace the plant in order to encourage them to restore your five-star rating. I don’t think it’s hugely problematic if you reply with details below the review.
But if it really bothers you, it might be worth making that offer to them.
After that, I would just move on. It’s just a plant and life will go on
@Willhawkes I fully understand your frustration/disappointment so want to commiserate a little and tell you a story from our experience which hopefully makes you feel a little better!
We too got our first (& hopefully last) 4 Star review after already having over 100 great reviews behind us! This was because I, apparantly, intimidated the HOs painter/decorator by not allowing him to finish painting a particular room (that we were using) during our one week stay. For context the listing had mentioned very occasional outdoor work in summer. Our sit was in October for one week so we were not expecting any work. On arrival for an overlap night we were given details of all the various workmen/ gardeners & cleaners who’d be coming throughout the week! We were quite taken aback and said this was not expected! So she offered to cancel the cleaner! The only one- in this huge house -that we didn’t mind having! The first day at 8am 6 workmen with 4 vehicles arrived and they all stayed till 4pm! Outside- landscaping & inside (banging & drilling away) directly below our room! The HO even had the audacity to msg us in the evening to ask which workers had showed up!! This continued every week day. Toward the end of the week the painter arrived and wanted to paint in the only room- kitchen/diner- that we were utilising- (due to there being no heating elsewhere)Thats when I asked him if he could work somewhere else in the house as we were only there one week. He agreed and did not appear in any way ‘intimidated’ Then on the last day, a Saturday, which we thought might finally be a peaceful day, the HO announced that her daughter & 4 children -who were viewing properties in the area- would also be staying on our last night!! That was the last straw! Fortunately our next hosts were happy to welcome us a day earlier so we left before the Invasion..
Back to the 4 Star review. It was just the overall rating-(a way to punish us) as she actually gave 5 Stars in all the categories! She made no mention at all of the dog who we’d taken great care of, our great communicaton (which, during the sit, she had complemented us on) , the flowers we’d left, how clean we left her home etc. Nothing. Her only comment was to explain why she gave 4 stars. She actually shot herself in the foot with that as she’d gone completely against the 3rd Party policy and also just tried to use us to get work done while she was away! We did not complain during the sit- even though we were pretty annoyed and inconvenienced- because my hubby was ill in bed at the time and we had no power to sort out an alternative option. But obviously the painter must have complained and, based on his comments, our whole review was negatively impacted! Grrrr.. Anyway she only got 3 stars from us and a strong commentary with several dropped stars, and also our calm but detailed response to her review. To any reader it would be crystal clear who was is in the wrong!
So, my advice would be- defend yourself calmly, clearly and unemotionally in your response and then just move on.. before you know it that irritating 4 Star review will be buried under new great reviews! Onwards and upwards my friend!
You see, this owner thinks she’s the most clever person and use others as tools, she manipulates and doesn’t trust anyone. She tried to use everyone to spy on each other-ask you if painters had showed up, and I guess she also have asked the painters if you were around, and if everything in the house was in order. She suggested cancelling the cleaners because her goals can be achieved without the cleaner. You could have told the painters that she didn’t trust them and asked you about them so the painters wouldn’t badmouth you. Did you see any red flags before the sit?
**Update: The review has been changed to 5 stars! So thanks to everyone who has given support, and boo to the naysayers who said there’s nothing that can be done and told me to give up and move on. Ignore what THS might tell you, reviews CAN be changed!
Thanks for your kind words, I’m sorry to hear about your bad experience. I don’t know about the work people, but her daughter and family coming to stay during your sit is definitely a violation of THS policy, I’ve had this situation before. So I don’t know if you could have the review removed for this reason? If not, I’m sure any future hosts reading the reviews will be able to see how unreasonable these hosts have been, and not count it against you.
I’ve just had my review changed to 5 stars, so review changes are possible!
I don’t think THS can do that. She probably complained to the homeowner and the homeowner called THS to change it. I saw that once before where that happened. The host gave someone a three and a month later it was a 4. It was the hosts first sitter and she probably wasn’t getting anyone interested after giving the sitter a three for a reason I thought was not a three. I thought about sitting for this person but I don’t like being the first sitter. I thought and wait and see what a sitter says about her first. Glad I didn’t apply.
@Willhawkes Thanks but that’s all history for us now-it was 30+ sits ago, so a long time buried under many great reviews! And, as I said, we gave her 3 stars and a strong negative review and also responded to her review of us. So all good. I just wanted you to know you are not alone in occasionally getting an unfair review! It happens to the best of us and the longer you sit the more chance you have of something happening!
And btw- Re workers- this is absolutely against the 3rd Party policy. Only regular gardeners and cleaners are permitted but the Host should notify the sitters in advance if they are scheduled to come during a sit. All other outside people- workers, family members etc- are considered 3rd Party and not allowed. All work, of the type we experienced, should be suspended durng a sit unless it is discussed ahead of the sit and the sitter actually agrees to it. The sitter has every right to refuse to have workers present and/or decline/withdraw from the sit. Those hosts we had broke all the rules. We could have given notice to leave the sit but my husband was sick so this was not an easy option for us. We could also have raised a Member Dispute against them with THS, but decided, for personal reasons, not to. In the end it was a learning experience and we just moved on!
I’m glad you could get your stars changed. We too have had the odd review changed- either stars or wording when there was a clear error.
Agree, it will reflect badly on the host. Keeping everything in good shape during a heatwave is challenging. I wouldn’t sit for this host if I read that review.
