Hi how many ppl have been a HO first sitter?
- what lengths do you go to to help on board ppl that want to chat for hours at length?
- where do you draw the line?
- what does balance feel like to you?
- and when do you push back if needed?
I have had to draw the line when HO love sending tons of questions about THS when it is clear we are not a match. Also, I let them know that they don’t need to know tons of personal info about me in order to know I will respect their privacy and send frequent update while caring for their pets. Usually works, sometimes I have to pull back a bit. Thanks!
As sitters of ten years, we’ve done a lot of sits for first time homeowners. I prepared my own checklist right from the beginning to assist homeowners in what we needed to know prior to arriving at the sit before they had a welcome guide prepared. Our questions were answered on our checklist and it really alleviated a lot of unnecessary questions.
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We have sat for six hosts new to THS. We are happy to play our part in helping new hosts prepare for a smooth sit . During our video call we mention that if we are chosen as their sitters , we need a welcome guide to be prepared and shared promptly.
After confirming the sit they all prepared and shared a Welcome Guide promptly ( either the official one or their own document ) . We thanked the hosts for the WG, promptly read it throughly and if we noticed that any important information was missing or not clear ( such as emergency contact/ registered vet etc ) we requested that it be added .
We also prompt hosts to please leave a clear shelf in the fridge, some space in the kitchen to put our groceries, and a small space in the freezer.
All the sits for new hosts went well and they have subsequently had several sitters who also have given great reviews.
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Any chance you would be willing to share it? That is such a great idea 
No problem - I’ve shared before but I can’t seem to attach on here. If you want to provide your email address, I’ll gladly send as I’ve done with others.
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That sounds like an anxious owner who is trying to feel better by getting to know you.
If an owner states in their listing or other communication that they are “anxious,” we would steer clear of that sit, in general.
We are now mainly doing repeat sits, which is so nice! We know what to expect, and the owners already trust us 100%.
In terms of limiting time on phone calls, you could ask the owner to schedule a phone call with you, via text or email, and then you can be specific X date from 9 - 9:15 am. You have a life too. Perhaps she would get a clue.
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Over the 11 years my husband and I have been doing this, we have done many sits for first time hosts. I really can’t recall any instance where I felt like they acted any differently than hosts who have had sitters previously.
So I can’t speak personally to your experience, but if this seems to be something you are encountering frequently, perhaps there is something about your process of selecting sits that needs tweaking. Or if it seems to be that big of a problem, at least for now, only do sits for hosts with prior reviews.
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We’ve sat for quite a number of newbies, but I think our profile reveals quite a lot about us so it puts them at ease very quickly, and we have no problem in helping them to understand what needs to happen next in the process.
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I’ve sat for a number of first-timers or other newbies. No problems at all.
I don’t screen them any differently — I look for listings that show that the hosts grasp hospitality and reciprocity, regardless of THS. I want hosts who already have that type of POV and life experience (that can come at various ages, like I just sat for a pair of early 30-somethings).
Hospitality and reciprocity have existed ages before THS was created.
I don’t want hosts who have to be taught hospitality and reciprocity via THS guidelines. Those hosts can learn at someone else’s expense, as far as I’m concerned. I screen those folks out via listings, video chats and such. Like I’ve withdrawn applications after chatting with some 50- or 60-somethings who didn’t grasp THS or reciprocity. One pair were new to THS, another was a woman who’d had previous THS sitters, another was a newish host.
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We have been the first sitter for around 10 new to THS hosts. A few of these have turned into regular repeat sits and friends. Others have invited us to repeat, and we would have been happy to do so, but we were already been booked for their dates.
We have supported them and answered a few questions, but it has never been intrusive or too demanding of our time, so we have never had to draw a line or push back.
I think many of the new hosts we have partnered with have been naturally hospitable people, and also technically competent and able to find their way around the website and app with only minimal support. For example I have assisted them to invote with private dates for a repeat sit. They have understood the concept of the mutually beneficial exchange, and embraced it. They might have wanted some clarification for example after receiving the “Preparing for your sitter” email we have been asked “Do you really want me to empty the fridge, or would you like to eat x or y as we don’t like to waste food?” We don’t like waste either, so we are happy to eat what they haven’t been able to use.
It sounds have encountered a few new HO who are either anxious, struggling with the technology, or maybe just a bit lonely. How do you usually go about drawing the line or pulling back a bit?
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Some time they ask a lot of personal questions, so I turn it back to the sit and my experience with animals.
Also, I let them know that I have limited time, it is getting dark and I need to drive, or would be happy to set up a follow up call. Usually being tactful lets retirees know that they may have more free time than others.
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