The last time I listed, I made an error at the end of my list date and ended up having to put my sitter in a hotel. Thank goodness for hotel points, lol. But I feel a bit silly asking this question since I did my first listing correct. Anyway, my return date is August 14, so I’ll be home that afternoon. Do I put my “listing end” date as the 13th or 14th?
I got confused for some reason on my last listing and ended up having to put my sitter up somewhere. I’m leaving on July 28
The start date should be the date that you wish your sitter to arrive at your home.
1 Like
August 14th edit: but discuss the details with the sitter in regards to what time you will be home and the expected time they will leave.
2 Likes
If you will arrive home on the afternoon of 14th, that’s the end date of the sit.
We always agree arrival and departure plans and times, and confirm in writing, so that we’re all on the same page.
2 Likes
It’s best to be as specific as possible with dates — when you need someone to arrive by and when they should leave, with flexibility if that’s a potential. Like some hosts say the sitter is welcome to stay overnight after the hosts arrive home on a late flight.
Some hosts even offer extra days for the sitters to stay before or after the sit, as pure hospitality, so sitters can sightsee without home or pet responsibilities.
Of course, offer what you’re comfortable with. I mention the extra days, because some hosts have a harder time getting sitters (like maybe they have a bunch of pets) and offering extra days can make their sit more appealing. That way, maybe they get more applicants to choose from.
1 Like
We leave early in the morning so we ask the sitter to arrive the night before and we arrive home late in the evening and ask the sitter to stay the night. We have these dates in our listing and go over the times of arrival and departure in our video call. Most sitters stay the night before, but one time the sitter didn’t want to stay with us, but they came to our home the day before to meet our dog. We had a very lovely time getting to know them, time spent with our dog and we went to dinner together. I was a little nervous because we didn’t want to do a blind hand over, but the meet the day before worked out fine. Our dog loved these sitters and it worked out fine.
1 Like
Definately the 14th. Just like the checkout date of the hotel is the day that you leave.
To make things simpler, I always add a new beginning to the “about you” section before I make a listing public. The new paragraph tells the date and time or time range when sitters need to arrive and the date and time range for sitter departure. So that way even if I’m doing a cold handover, the sitter know when the pets will be super hungry and when they need to get there and nobody will ever be surprised and in the middle of breakfast when we come home. I always allow sitters to drop off luggage whether that’s on the day we’re leaving or the day we’re coming home – just as they would be able to do at a hotel.
4 Likes
I am a little perplexed that the specific date and time of arrival (and departure) was not mention during a video-call, which is normally done well in advance, before the sitter has a chance to make travel arrangements. In doing so, there is no need to put up the sitter in a hotel because of a misunderstanding.
Maybe I’m missing something?
1 Like
Oh yes, that’s a great idea! Thanks!
My last trip had to be rescheduled, so listing was only a month in advance. I won’t get into details, it’s a long story. But we only got to speak for a few minutes, I was stressed out. I didn’t realize my listed return date was incorrect.