To see into the whites of their eyes. To meet the pets. To see how clean the house is. To check there’s a genuine connection.
With respect @Ben-ProductManager but before we have more surveys and polls could THS work on the issues that actually need resolving rather than move on to the next thing?
We have been asking for improvements for a while with regard to reviews, messaging, searches, saved listings, calendar, web/app compatibility etc.
if there is another poll at all could it be for a priority order of improvements on the to do list?
4 Likes
During/since the pandemic a video chat has been highly recommended, especially from comments on the forum. Although I’m not that comfortable doing them, I believe it’s a great way to build the relationships and communication with the other party. There are always questions to have answered before making a decision; you meet the other party to decide whether you “click”; meet the pets and can be shown the home if photos are not sufficient.
1 Like
“Do you have” is a specific question. 50/50 or 60/40, or 70/30 e.g. is more my reality. Yes or no is not really 100% precise so a poll on just yes or no wouldn’t be accurate IMO.
You need to maybe add “occasionally”. This is how it is in my case so I couldn’t really definitively say yes or no.
I don’t particularly like them and avoid when possible but definitely do them if requested. I get a better feel from a phone chat, both parties feel more comfortable and questions and answers seem to come across more natural than a video chat. I feel more like I’m having a job interview on video calls. I very rarely have video chats, except when it’s an international sit.
1 Like
YES to video/call: (I have voted)
Often crucial info is not included in the listing such as medication, detailed transport info, are dogs reactive, anxious, sleeping area, number and length of walks, how long they can be left for, all very much needed before we confirm.
Also, most listings do not clarify arrival and departure times for sitters. This is absolutely vital to know to make travel arrangements.
My earlier post on this thread stated that all of the above should be included as compulsory info before a sit goes live, including amenities section to completed in full, not just WiFi info.
1 Like
I have video calls probably 50% of the time. Sometimes they are difficult to coordinate, especially with a time difference, and can put extra pressure on all parties. You can exchange messages when it’s convenient and ask the same questions. To me, they should not be mandatory, but I’m always happy to do if it a pet owner would like.
I am a longer term pet sitter, but just joined the forum because it seems that’s the only way to learn about updates on TH. I recently noticed that my profile showed differently on the website than the app. I had to rewrite so it read better with the changes that happened that I did not know about. I would have loved to know with a quick email update from TH regarding changes which were made without having to search through the forum.
Idea:
Please send email updates to current members with any changes so they are aware. I have checked that I am signed up for notifications.
Improvement:
Send a notification to applicants that the pet owner has relisted the sit after the five sit limit was hit and they didn’t select anyone. I recently applied to a sit, waited a very long time, received no notice, saw my application was still pending and they had reposted their sit with the same dates. What does this mean? I’d rather hear if they have moved on.
Frustration: It’s difficult to try and standardise something so personal as a sit or a sit offering when it’s bringing together so many different people, pets and homes together for the first time. I know the reviews are in the works, but I’d definitely like to be able to have a similar review system for owners as the owners do for sitters. The match could be better if as a sitter, we could see the categories rated. For me, it would help me to more closely align myself with a sit before applying.
2 Likes
As part of my application, I provide the option for a video or phone chat to address any finer details that may not be included in the listing. Thus far, approximately 98% of pet owners opt for a video chat, 1% prefer a phone call, and 1% directly approve my application. However, in the cases where owners approve my application without a prior chat, I still find it necessary to request a conversation with them before formally accepting the pet-sitting assignment.
3 Likes
Ha!
Bless us, we optimists, who naïvely still believe that common sense prevails.
I have voted NO
Like others, I have many questions. If I have been chosen I write all these questions on the messaging system and receive the responses, again in writing on the site. That way, there is no ambiguity.
If an owner wants a video call, I ask Can we have an ordinary phone call and they agree.
Ben, why do you want this information?
Yes, we have video call. As a HO, I want to see and hear how the sitters interact with us aand how are they like. Good profile and reviews are important, but if something feels off during the video chat, we go with someone else.
1 Like
Also a NO from me unless the homeowner insists. I prefer an ‘old fashioned’ telephone conversation and get replies to my questions in writing on the THS messaging system.
Yes.
To “meet” the owners and it gives both parties the opportunity to ask any questions they may have, (I know we normally tend to have a few that are not answered in the listing), before confirming the sit.
A video call I think speaks volumes and once it is finished you generally have a good idea if the sit will be a good fit.
1 Like
Can’t there be a “sometimes” option @Ben-ProductManager?
We are sitters . Our vote is “Sometimes”
We do not “agree to sit” until we have had a conversation with the Home Owner . We have done a video call for 50% of our sits - the others we had a phone call conversation.
Why ? We want to have a conversation to see of the home owners, pets and home are how they appeared to be on their profile and listing.
It’s much quicker to have a conversation and ask all the important questions that are not already covered in the listing
( exact location of the home , pets daily routine,
how long the pets can be alone left for
, where does the pet sleep ?
What are the financial arrangements if it becomes necessary to take pet to the vet ? Other responsibilities? The exact time that they need us to arrive / depart ) To do this by messaging would take much longer than by a phone call or video call.
We also want the homeowners to “meet” us (virtually ) and ask any questions that they want to know about us , before they confirm the sit with us .
I normally have either a phone call, a video call or an in person meet if the sit is local. I’ve had far more phone conversations than video calls.
@Ben-ProductManager we won’t accept a sit without a video call. We want to meet the home owner and get a feel for the sort of person they are as we can tell alot from body language. We also want to see the house and how tidy and clean it is and see the pets and how they interact with the owner. We always ask for a tour of the home to see where we will be sleeping, the bathroom, the kitchen and the lounge room as it’s important to us that we are going to be comfortable. We also have questions that aren’t always covered in the sit listing. We only ever accepted one sit with a phone call only and it went a bit pear shaped. Never again!
3 Likes
Now that you have had 22 votes on this subject what do you intend to do with the information?
Thanks
1 Like
Hi @Itchyfeet thank you, Ben is offline and will pick this up when he’s back.
1 Like
Why are you polling this?
1 Like